Thursday, March 22, 2007
Meet Mitchell!
Today...CK announced the 2007 Hall of Fame. Congratulations to all the honorees...especially NSA member -- and first male HOFer -- Mitchell Kraft! I talked to Mitchell this afternoon and invited him to join me on the Scrapbooking Matters radio show. So he's scheduled to hang out tomorrow at 1:00 CST. Come listen in live, or download the show to listen later. If you have any questions you'd like to ask him, post them here. Oh, and did I mention? -- he's only 18!
ETP!
ETP!
Labels: consumer magazines, industry insights, Latest and Greatest
Monday, March 19, 2007
The week of "the call"; RIP Irv Rubens
Today...is the day scrapbookers around the world (at least in the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), England and Wales) who entered the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame contest anxiously await a call from founding editor Lisa Bearnson. She makes "the call" to all 25 winners. If you get "the call," it most likely will change your life forever.
Scrapbookers that make the Hall of Fame go on to contribute to the magazine on a consistent basis, design the hot products we will lust for a year from now, and get book deals that feature their special style or approach. Some accept the HOF as a pinnacle and go on to reach other life goals, scrapbooking-related or not.
There will be the drama...of waiting for the call, watching the boards, counting the number of secret toots, hearing the disappointments, then the jealousies. It's the same every year.
And every year I am blown away by the winners - and the honorable mentions - and their ability to inspire and touch scrapbookers of all levels. Their pages are very powerful. And everyone who enters a competition such as the Hall of Fame pours forth their best and newest work. Just entering the contest and meeting the required assignments can be self-satisfying.
Congratulations to everyone who entered, and especially to those who get "the call."
ETP!
P.S. I just received notification that the founder of Pioneer Photo Albums, Jason ("Irv")Ruebens, passed away at the age of 99. Born in New York, he started Ruko Camera Cases in the early 1940's and then moved on to California in 1960, eventually creating the nucleus of what is today Pioneer Photo Albums. Pioneer Photo Albums continues on strongly with his work ethic, and is still run as a privately-owned company by the family members who will greatly miss his presence.
Scrapbookers that make the Hall of Fame go on to contribute to the magazine on a consistent basis, design the hot products we will lust for a year from now, and get book deals that feature their special style or approach. Some accept the HOF as a pinnacle and go on to reach other life goals, scrapbooking-related or not.
There will be the drama...of waiting for the call, watching the boards, counting the number of secret toots, hearing the disappointments, then the jealousies. It's the same every year.
And every year I am blown away by the winners - and the honorable mentions - and their ability to inspire and touch scrapbookers of all levels. Their pages are very powerful. And everyone who enters a competition such as the Hall of Fame pours forth their best and newest work. Just entering the contest and meeting the required assignments can be self-satisfying.
Congratulations to everyone who entered, and especially to those who get "the call."
ETP!
P.S. I just received notification that the founder of Pioneer Photo Albums, Jason ("Irv")Ruebens, passed away at the age of 99. Born in New York, he started Ruko Camera Cases in the early 1940's and then moved on to California in 1960, eventually creating the nucleus of what is today Pioneer Photo Albums. Pioneer Photo Albums continues on strongly with his work ethic, and is still run as a privately-owned company by the family members who will greatly miss his presence.
Labels: consumer magazines, IMHO, Latest and Greatest, Stop the DRAMA
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Proof is in the pudding
Today...I did some blog clean up and added labels for my posts, including a category called "pudding." This label is for those posts showing the benefits of being a member of the NSA. I'll come up with additional labels as needed. Hopefully they won't be as cryptic!
ETP!
ETP!
My Scrapbooking Library
Today...I'm answering Tisha's SBR QOTD (scrapbooking-related question of the day):
And I have to admit that I enjoy the trade magazines more than the consumer mags. Craftrends, Memorytrends, CNA, Scrapbook Business, Scrapbook Retailer and the various eZines provide the industry insight that I need. And I love distilling it and putting relevant info on my blog to share with you!
Which means I have some reading to do! As far as idea books...they're on a shelf, looking pretty! I keep most for reference, but I'm known to give them away as RAKs!
ETP!
Scrapbook Library: Do you have your own mini scrapbooking library? Do you have multiple scrapbooking books and entire lines of scrapbooking magazines? How do you keep your library organized for it to be useful?I have three stages:
- The stack near my desk of recent issues. The ones at the top of the stack I need to read. Uh, I got 3 new issues this week so far!
- The storage of past (read) issues. They are in cardboard magazine holders that I got at IKEA -- I didn't buy enough holders, I might add, because the mags that didn't fit are on shelves. Grouped by consumer vs. trade, then by title, then (hopefully) in date order.
- A stack planned for the recycle bin. They are tied, bound and waiting for me to release them to their destiny. Most are old PaperKuts issues I just can't say good-bye to since PK was "my first"
And I have to admit that I enjoy the trade magazines more than the consumer mags. Craftrends, Memorytrends, CNA, Scrapbook Business, Scrapbook Retailer and the various eZines provide the industry insight that I need. And I love distilling it and putting relevant info on my blog to share with you!
Which means I have some reading to do! As far as idea books...they're on a shelf, looking pretty! I keep most for reference, but I'm known to give them away as RAKs!
ETP!
Labels: consumer magazines, RAKs, trade magazines
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Good deed of the day
Today...I ran across a blog post that was -- how can I say this -- not saying nice things about a certain scrapbooking something.
The premiere issue of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine hits the stands this week.
As a scrapbooker, I'm ambivilant. (I'm a die-hard paste eater).
As a scrapbooking professional, I am thrilled.
Scrapbooking is moving forward and embracing what was once deemed a threat. I'm certain that digital scrapbooking will bring more consumers to our market. We (as an industry, a community, and a network) must accept (and have been accepting) digital scrapbooking as a legitimate form of creativly preserving our memories and adjust accordingly.
Hey, anyone hear of Darwin?
In the past year, we have adjusted to this new breed of scrapbookers; but for some digital scrapbookers, we haven't worked fast enough.
So I read a blog that mentioned some message boards that talked about (i.e., slammed) the delay of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine.
Um, I can think of several things I'm more concerned about, like do I plant my Kolanches in the front beds, or do I pot them for the back patio?
And I'm serious.
So instead of deciding on my deciduous plants, I emailed DSM's associate editor, Molly Newman, and brought the drama to her attention (tweet, tweet). She was very grateful and was able to address this issue appropriately...since she now knew about it! Yes, the drama unfolded on the blogosphere instead of directly with the people that could actually deal with the issue!
This is not the first time this has happened, and I have heard countless stories of the nicest people in scrapbooking having to deal with the cruelest of comments, demands, and -- yes, I'm serious -- threats.
The internet is where democracy meets technology. It is where our wonderful freedom of speech will be overused and tested. And I encourage that.
Still, I'm a mom, and as a mom, I must remind you: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Or at least tell someone who can do something about it. Geez.
Let me give some of you a word of advice: if you want to be a scrapbooking professional, you need to act in a professional manner.
If you don't know what that means, then you're still an amateur.
I'm stepping down from my soapbox now.
ETP!
The premiere issue of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine hits the stands this week.
As a scrapbooker, I'm ambivilant. (I'm a die-hard paste eater).
As a scrapbooking professional, I am thrilled.
Scrapbooking is moving forward and embracing what was once deemed a threat. I'm certain that digital scrapbooking will bring more consumers to our market. We (as an industry, a community, and a network) must accept (and have been accepting) digital scrapbooking as a legitimate form of creativly preserving our memories and adjust accordingly.
Hey, anyone hear of Darwin?
In the past year, we have adjusted to this new breed of scrapbookers; but for some digital scrapbookers, we haven't worked fast enough.
So I read a blog that mentioned some message boards that talked about (i.e., slammed) the delay of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine.
Um, I can think of several things I'm more concerned about, like do I plant my Kolanches in the front beds, or do I pot them for the back patio?
And I'm serious.
So instead of deciding on my deciduous plants, I emailed DSM's associate editor, Molly Newman, and brought the drama to her attention (tweet, tweet). She was very grateful and was able to address this issue appropriately...since she now knew about it! Yes, the drama unfolded on the blogosphere instead of directly with the people that could actually deal with the issue!
This is not the first time this has happened, and I have heard countless stories of the nicest people in scrapbooking having to deal with the cruelest of comments, demands, and -- yes, I'm serious -- threats.
The internet is where democracy meets technology. It is where our wonderful freedom of speech will be overused and tested. And I encourage that.
Still, I'm a mom, and as a mom, I must remind you: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Or at least tell someone who can do something about it. Geez.
Let me give some of you a word of advice: if you want to be a scrapbooking professional, you need to act in a professional manner.
If you don't know what that means, then you're still an amateur.
I'm stepping down from my soapbox now.
ETP!
Labels: consumer magazines, industry insights, Stop the DRAMA
Friday, March 09, 2007
Promote NSD with official logo
Today...I'm still recovering from a doosie of a cold. I hope to have 100% of my voice back in time for my Diva on the Road report on Wednesday's Diva Craft Lounge. Thank goodness for the Internet and the wonderful tools, like email, blogging and forums, where we can voice our opinions and news when we literally don't have a voice!
So let me tell you the big news of the week...kicking off the campaign for National Scrapbooking Day. Press releases were sent to manufacturers and industry insiders and posted on several news services. We presented the official 2007 logo and announced various file versions are available for download. If you haven't done so already, make sure to sign the petition to recognize NSD as an official holiday.
One important item I want to point out: The NSA promotes National Scrapbooking Day...because it's all about the ING. We promote the process over the product. It's the subtle way of getting people to scrap as part of their daily lifestyle. So make sure you use the full name of the holiday!
I'm still adding some features to this blog, so bear with me!
ETP!
So let me tell you the big news of the week...kicking off the campaign for National Scrapbooking Day. Press releases were sent to manufacturers and industry insiders and posted on several news services. We presented the official 2007 logo and announced various file versions are available for download. If you haven't done so already, make sure to sign the petition to recognize NSD as an official holiday.One important item I want to point out: The NSA promotes National Scrapbooking Day...because it's all about the ING. We promote the process over the product. It's the subtle way of getting people to scrap as part of their daily lifestyle. So make sure you use the full name of the holiday!
I'm still adding some features to this blog, so bear with me!
ETP!
Labels: About the ING, Diva Craft Lounge, NSD
Friday, March 02, 2007
A Match Made!
Today...I was cc:d on this email:
Cool, huh?!
ETP!
P.S. Happy TEXAS Independence Day!
Sherry -I enjoyed speaking with you yesterday, 3/1. Your retreats of 50-70 attendees & your Great Scrapbook Event (3/31-4/1, 800 attendees) sound exciting. Thank you for helping us by using one of our catalogs as a giveaway at your events. The catalog is C&T Publishing's Create & Treasure catalog for our papercraft books & products, annually published. I am mailing you 1200 copies today, 3/2.
I appreciate you putting a link on your web site for C&T Publishing. Our URL is http://www.ctpub.com. If, for any reason, you have any questions about linking to us, I have cc'd our Web Manager, Adrianne Shroyer, so that you can contact her directly.
Thank you to Veronica for "introducing" us!Regards,
Martha Osborn
--
Marketing Manager
C&T Publishing
Innovate. Educate. Create.
www.ctpub.com
Cool, huh?!
ETP!
P.S. Happy TEXAS Independence Day!
Labels: industry insights, matchmaking
Thursday, March 01, 2007
ScrapbookING, yes!
Today...this article warns us that we --as a market/industry-- have gone overboard and scrapbooking is now alienating consumers. Perception has crossed from overwhelming to down-right frightening. From the author:
Expanding the passion is not about getting excited over the latest and greatest. It's about finding and embracing a way to integrate memory preservation into our lifestyle so we become more passionate about our life.
ETP
Scrapbooking is everywhere...There is even a television show about it, which I watched one time simply out of sheer disbelief.
Upon leaving the store, I had the urge to down a whiskey to counterbalance the act of purchasing scrapbooking supplies on a Friday night. But since I don't drink whiskey, I settled for a raspberry martini, which took the edge right off my uncomfortable foray into the world of scrapbooking.
It seems my old method of sitting down biannually with five photo albums and a shoe box full of pictures no longer cuts it.
...scrapbooking highlights my inadequacies in the craft department, takes too long, and makes my fingers and my neck ache.It makes me sad, because there is only one rule in scrapbooking: If you're having fun, then you're doing it right. The author of the article was not having fun. And I don't know who looses more: that we loose a customer, or that she looses confidence in her capacity to creatively preserve her memories.
Expanding the passion is not about getting excited over the latest and greatest. It's about finding and embracing a way to integrate memory preservation into our lifestyle so we become more passionate about our life.
ETP
Labels: About the ING, Expanding the Passion, industry insights
