Thursday, May 7, 2009

May 7, 2009

Our New Office Computer
We hired a new Graphics Designer/Admin person, and she started this week. We had to get her a computer, of course... and we thought and thought... and we decided. We bought THIS:

An All-new Multi-Touch trackpad.. illuminated keyboard, slim block aluminum body, super fast... Need I go on?

Carved from a single block of aluminum, the new MacBook Pro unibody enclosure is slim and streamlined with a soft-brushed surface and stunning contours. And durable. So she can bring it anywhere! It's pretty cool. And nope. Not a paid spokesperson here. I'm a pc gal. But.. I am seriously considering... get ready for it... SERIOUSLY considering... going Mac. Once Mac, you'll never go back. Isn't that the saying? I just don't know. But I'm considering it. No more viruses. No more worms. No more trojans. Ugh. Consider that, for a second. And it's so pretty. Some also come in very pretty colours. I'm thinking pink.
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The Business or Art of Scrapbooking
We are all into the art of our scrapbooking. We do it for several reasons. We use it as a creative outlet. We do it to keep track of our world and our lives. We do it for our kids, and their kids...
But let's look at when we take it beyond that. Those of us who submit to contests, and to Design Teams, and to Magazines... Then, it becomes the BUSINESS of scrapbooking. That doesn't take away from the art, unless you get really busy in the business side of things. What then. How many times have we seen scrapbookers that we all know and love.. and admire... give it all up. I mean.. stop scrapbooking altogether! They became so enmeshed in the business side of things, that they could no longer enjoy the process. When do you cross over that line? Is it similar for all of us? Is it because these scrapbookers who are talented, and market themselves so well... they oversaturate the market? They burn out? Perhaps it's because I own an Advertising/Marketing Agency... but this question is burning inside me lately. We've all seen it. These scrapbookers are on several teams. Their pages fill our magazines... both online and hard copy... and they teach the classes, do the conventions, and have several appearances at scrapbooking stores around the world. What makes them oversaturated? Why do we insist on making stars out of a few people who are good at marketing themselves? There are so many talented people out there that there is plenty of room to have them all. But we insist on creating scrapbook heroes. We do that as a society for everything. We do it with certain actors, with certain singers, authors... and scrapbookers. What does it say about us? And them? Is it worth it? To lose the craft in the end?
What are your goals in this craft? How far do you want to go? What do you see creates a breakout star in this business of talented non stars?

5 comments:

Kate said...

I wouldn't say I was ever a "star", but back in the early 2000's I was published quite a bit, taught Camp memory makers and CKU and started a scrapbook convention. The convention about killed my joy for scrapbooking. I barely scrapped for a year after everything blew up. I've learned my lesson about making my hobby my job.

Jennifer Davis said...

Totally not a star here either, but so far I've been able to juggle doing what it is that I love and have it work and feel good about it...we'll see! Interesting points that you've made for sure!

audrey neal said...

it's really interesting to look at your post about the "business" end of things -- I've been there, done that, and come out on the other side, in a lot of ways. I personally found that I prefer keeping things simpler and focusing in on one aspect of this whole thing...

I think it's a good idea to always have your outcomes in mind...what do you want out of this? Why are you doing it?

Great post!

vtpuggirl said...

I have that Mac, I'm on it right now! Too funny, and a great buy too. Such great questions about the industry, and about our society. Why do we create the flavor of the month?

Anonymous said...

I am DEFINITELY not a "star"...but I am kind of juggling that right now, but for me, I still LOVE the creative side of it. But I also like the "business" side of it-just for me. I think that because I am a SAHM, it helps me to feel validated since I don't have a career to get that feeling from I get it from the business side of scrapbooking.

However, I'll be the first to say that published, business scrappers are in no way better artists than scrappers who aren't involved in the business side, if that makes sense.

Great thoughts!