Stewart in her element, in an image from Entertaining.   (Photo: Michael Skott)

Martha in Our Lives
From one little book to an empire of TV shows, magazines, and paper-bag puppets.

(Photo: Courtesy of Martha Stewart)

1960s
A bathing-suit shot from Stewart’s modeling days.

1982
Entertaining, the first of many books on a lifestyle more beautiful.

1991
Martha, monthly: the first issue of Living.

(Photo: Courtesy of Anita Calero/Martha Stewart Weddings)

1994
And now for brides: Weddings magazine (this cake is from the fall 2007 issue).

1997
Martha by Mail, a catalogue of Stewart-endorsed and -designed products, arrives in mailboxes.

(Photo: Courtesy of Carlton Davis/Martha Stewart Everyday)

1997
Stewart’s program with Kmart includes high-quality towels and bedding; it explodes.

(Photo: Courtesy of Anders Krusberg/The Martha Stewart Show)

2005
Martha, daily: Her morning show with NBC has celebrities like Russell Crowe, cooking.

(Photo: Courtesy of Martha Stewart Crafts)

2007
From her Martha Stewart Crafts line, the snappiest paper-bag puppets ever.

2007
An even more massive home-product program with Macy’s launches nationwide.

Related:

• Archive: “Features”
• Articles by David Colman
• Table of Contents: October 29, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!