Why I Created Boldly Woven Magazine

Sitting at the bar in our living room, the splinters dug into my knees as I scooted forward on my stool to reach for the stack of printed remnants. With shaky hands, I carefully cut out images and letters that I put off to the side to use in my final project. Even at eight, I had already understood the importance of layout in magazine structure thanks to being taught by the best in the industry—my grandfather and my mother.

 

The sticky glue stick formed layers of glue while embedding the ink to the flesh of my fingers as I worked quietly on creating my first magazine layout. I was so proud to show it off to my mom, I told her that someday, I would publish a magazine of my own. 

 

That desire has never left me from that same day I sat at the crafting counter as we lovingly called the bar space in our living room growing up. Its cupboards held a world of creative exploration, and the bar was a special place of bonding with my mom over something we had in common—creativity.

 

Over the years, I have learned and grown in design. For nostalgia, I do sometimes print articles and photos as I rearrange them in front of me to get the perfect layout before designing it digitally. Editorial design is my favorite style of design, and one I find myself sitting in for longer periods of time.

 

It took me a while to gain confidence in my design capabilities, but once I did, that reminder of the magazine idea I had as a child kept coming back. I found it would be brought up in conversations I had as something I hoped to some day do. Until one day, I woke up and decided now was the time to do it.

 

For the last several years, I have walked alongside women who are deeply creative, deeply called, and deeply craving space to grow, be seen, and be stretched. Women who are leading in business, learning to live out their faith boldly, and stepping into the brave work of writing their stories. I saw a gap—and I felt God nudging me to fill it.

 

Boldly Woven Magazine was born from that place.

 

It's more than a publication. It's a space for our stories to weave together. Stories of faith, business, lifestyle, and creative storytelling. A place where women from all walks of life can come and find reflections of faith, encouragement for the road ahead, and practical wisdom shared by others who are walking the path through the desert, too. 

 

Each edition is created with intention and care. I have structured the magazine into  three sections:

• Faith & Lifestyle: Because our spiritual growth and personal life are intertwined. These pages offer encouragement, reflection, and truth rooted in God's word. They also offer fun things like recipes, crafts, and home.
• Business & Entrepreneurship: Because many of us are builders of brands, ideas, and legacies, these pages share insights and wisdom from women who are running businesses with faith and purpose. They also offer stories from women in careers and how they lead in their industry.
• Writers & Authors: Because our words matter, these pages are here to give you confidence to write your story. Whether you're just starting out or have a bookshelf full of published work, you'll find inspiration in the stories shared here. The anchor column features the Dear Indie Author interviews, where I ask questions in a 1:1 interview with self-published authors.

 

This isn't just my magazine—it's OURS. My hope is that it becomes a gathering place, a launching pad, and a reminder that your voice belongs here too. You never know what 8 year old you are inspiring to be just like you when she grows up as she sits at the table and cuts out your photos and stories to paste together and create one of her own by using the magazine her mom brought home and read.

 

It's leaving a legacy.

It's a reminder that being multi-passionate is something to celebrate.

It's giving a space to grow.

It's permission to do life differently.

 

You're not too much, and you're not too late. You are boldly woven by God's design.

 

And this magazine...it's just the beginning of the Boldly Woven Movement.

 

With Grace, Shonda Ramsey

 

P.S. Call for submissions is open. Submit to be featured here.