Comments on: Jessica Helfand: A Case Study in how NOT to market a book to scrapbookers

By: Donna

Donna — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:42:25 +0000

Seanna-so sharing our opinions and feeling insulted by Ms. Helfand equals “mob-mentality” and “bullying”? Last time I checked in America (where I live) I am able to voice my opinion without being accused of being part of a mob. Perhaps in your country that’s what happens. Ms Helfand said what she said, and is now trying to back-pedal and say it was taken out of context…blah, blah, blah. It’s in black and white and it’s pretty clear to me. Personally I don’t need your approval, or anyone else’s as to how I scrapbook, photo-journal, or document my family’s history. If I want to be judged, I’ll enter a contest. I shudder to think of our VIctorian ancestors reaction to your scathing remarks about their “colorful, but meaningless scraps”. Art is art and needs no excuse or explanation. It invokes different feelings in everyone. If people created solely for the purpose of another’s opinion, nothing would ever be created. I think Ms. Helfand should have the integrity to stand by what she said without trying to deflect and make excuses, if not, maybe she should think before she speaks. Take responsibilty Ms. Helfand and learn from your mistakes.

By: Seanna

Seanna — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:45:10 +0000

I did end up ordering this book, and I think all the puffery and “I am so offended” posturing is unfortunate–you are doing yourselves a disservice.
This is a GREAT book. It has a message for each of us “modern day scrapbookers.” Do you want your books to be the equivalent of the books of the Victorian era, filled with cutouts of colorful but ultimately meaningless scraps, or do you want your books to reflect something of you that will endure?
It’s up to you. No one is going to put a gun to your head and make you stop making pages full of embellishments you got for $3.99 plus a 5×7 photoshopped photo, oh and maybe a line of text if it doesn’t interfere with the art of it all. Go for it, if that’s your thing. The 1800s equivalent of those books are on Ebay
here http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Victorian-Scrapbook-Album-Trade-Cards-Die-cuts_W0QQitemZ270319644254QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiquarian_Collectible?hash=item270319644254&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
or here http://cgi.ebay.com/GREAT-C-1870-BOOK-OF-MOTHER-HUBBARD-STORY-DIECUT-LITHOS_W0QQitemZ390016936334QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiquarian_Collectible?hash=item390016936334&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A200
It’s a gorgeous book. It’s an interesting book. I’ve been interesting in journals and scrapbooks and handmade books almost my entire life and I absolutely loved the photos and also the author’s perspective.
What a shame this mob mentality, knee-jerk, bullying happened. You guys are really missing out.
Merry Christmas. I’m off to spend a few moments with my cool new book that gives a historical perspective to my favorite hobby.

By: anneofalamo

anneofalamo — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:45:15 +0000

juat wanted to chime in, as to why she might have drawn these conclusions and I am guilty to helping her.
I have two scrapbook lives.
Sometimes they interconnect.
the first is as a creative team member where I showcase other designers work and use different techniques from the program I use. I probably print 10% of these…I save them all via computer, but don’t put in an albumn to look at, but these are the ones in the limelight, posted to numerous sites gallerys. This is what the public sees.
The 2nd life is the deep journalling and personal scrapbooking….where the pictures tell a story and the journalling adds to it! These are 100% printed and put in an albumn where friends, families and visitors in our home enjoy! I rarely post these in the forums of public scrapbooking, because they are personnal and not “showcase” layouts.
I would love to read the book. I am saddened at the view towards “scrappers” but I understand where it comes from…step back a bit ladies…. at really how many little bows are in every single kit…lol
now I am off, twinkies to eat and beautiful kids to take pictures of, and where is that ribbon?

By: marci lambert

marci lambert — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:51:04 +0000

dear jessica, i agree that there *are* scrapbookers who use all premade embellishments as they sit in a group of friends and have twinkies while they scrap. and that is a change among those who created scrapbooks privately and with the memorabilia found around them. still, the twinkie crop is a legitimate way to scrapbook, since they are still putting down their photos and memories in a way that makes them happy. why do personal scrapbooks *have to be held* to any kind of design standard? scrapping is highly personal, isn’t it?
but this is just one facet of modern scrapping. if you think that is the only thing happening, let me introduce you to hundreds of women who are highly creative and make beautiful, meaningful pages. pages with great design and also great content. you seemed to have missed a big part of modern scrapping. it’s out there and doesn’t take much research to find it. please take me up on my offer — i truly want you to see some great work in this area.

By: Martha

Martha — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:14:13 +0000

Jessica, who exactly did you interview for your book? Not people like me. I scrapbook because I want my kids to have some type of memory of their childhood for when I’m not around. My grandmother died when my mom was 4. Not having any memory of her mother has been so traumatic for her. Should I be gone tomorrow, I want my kids to look back and see their life, my writing, little things they collected, whatever it takes to make a happy memory. Scrapbooking allows me to do this BEAUTIFULLY. And to think I’ve never even tried to be published. I guess I don’t fit into your stereotype of a scrapbooker trying to be on par with graphic artists.
Is scrapbooking commercial? Yes. How else would I find out about beautiful products to enhance my pages. Living in this day and age changes the media but not the intent of scrapbooking.
Leave us scrapbookers alone, please. We’re fine without your condescending tone. You cannot deny the tone no matter how much you try to now praise us.
And by the way: my scrapbooking group eats M&Ms and not Twinkies!