Saturday, March 1, 2008

Scrapbook Trends

Okay, this was a topic that was emailed in. Let's talk about the trends and phases that we go through as digital scrappers. Who do you think starts the trends? Why do you think certain trends become so popular? What about this new trend of using boxes on layouts? I remember a thread on DST about Mo Jackson and her boxes and then it seems like every designer is coming out with boxes now, like Annie Manning, for example. What is up with that? Do you think that it is okay for designers to take ideas and copy them? Maybe it is okay because they put their own spin on it? I see no problem with it, but I tend to think that if I could design at all, I would probably not want to be viewed as a copier. I think I'd want to be the one starting the trends. Of course, that's easy to say because I have no clue how to design, nor do I have the desire. So, what do you think about all this?

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know for a fact Mo Jackson was the first to come out with this idea!!!!!!!!!!! I am so disgusted by designers that are clearly copying. And the only reason everyone gets pissed off is because Mo Jackson's site is exclusive and with good reason! Every time a designer sneaks into her site a ton of imitation stuff comes out.

Anonymous said...

Frankly, I don't give a crap about the boxes, or the whole Mo debate.

Mo has her fans and she has her haters. Can't the same be said for most designers? Get over it already.

EVERYTHING gets 'copied' in the retail world. Most people are mature enough to deal with it and get on with their lives.

The only places I've seen this much fuss about 'copycats' are in scrapbooking and on the Kindergarten playground. That's looking less and less like a coincidence.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I know for a fact Mo Jackson was the first to come out with this idea!!!!!!!!!!! I am so disgusted by designers that are clearly copying. And the only reason everyone gets pissed off is because Mo Jackson's site is exclusive and with good reason! Every time a designer sneaks into her site a ton of imitation stuff comes out.

March 1, 2008 8:25 PM
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This is complete and utter bull! So what if designers give the customers what they are asking for? Cannot blame them for keeping up with marked demands. If Mo does not make her product available for everyone then someone else will jump in and fill the void. This is capitalism! The customer asks for it, the industry delivers.
I cannot tell Mo how to run her site but she's setting herself up for this to happen.

Anonymous said...

What about when that Scrapkitchen designer had her templates stolen? or when SP came out with a kit that had a paper that looked very similar to a Basic Grey paper?

Anonymous said...

The box thing is just a result of supply & demand & mass suggestion. Someone asked about some of Mo's boxes. Other people thought they were neat. No one was able to buy the boxes because of Mo's exclusivity. Other people made boxes to fill the demand. Just like there are knock offs of designer good everywhere.

The trend part came from the mass suggestibility that happens on threads like that. You may think the boxes are only so so and have no use for them, but after reading 3 pages of people gushing over them you start to feel like you have to have them. (look at how many people buy things just because others are raving about them & then come here or other blogs and complain about the items) I'm betting lots of people bought a set & haven't used then & won't use them because they are not an easy to place element. That isn't a trend, that is boxmania

Anonymous said...

So what if designers give the customers what they are asking for? Cannot blame them for keeping up with marked demands.
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You must be one of those knockoff designers.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone think Annie Manning's boxes are better than Mo Jackson's?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
So what if designers give the customers what they are asking for? Cannot blame them for keeping up with marked demands.
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You must be one of those knockoff designers.

March 2, 2008 6:29 AM

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I am a customer, I don't design myself. I am glad there are designers who don't give a shit about this kind of thinking and just go ahead and deliver.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know anything about LDD apprentice??? They made the first cut last night. They cut it from 130 to 40. I want to know who made it.

Anonymous said...

You must be one of those knockoff designers.

March 2, 2008 6:29 AM

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I'm a customer who shops where I want to and when I want to. I'm grateful for designers that will respond to customer requests. I could care less about designers that consider themselves above everyone else.

YOU must either be Mo Jackson or some crazed groupie without a life that has decided that you are somehow entitled to speak for Mo. Either way, you're just making yourself look petty and childish.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone think Annie Manning's boxes are better than Mo Jackson's?

March 2, 2008 6:32 AM

^^
I don't, but since Mo won't let me shop in her store without a cumbersome application process and a monthly debit from my paypal whether I buy something or not, I'm shopping around until I find some boxes that I do like enough to buy. Maya's look really good to me and I'll probably get those.

Vive le free commerce!

Anonymous said...

What about when that Scrapkitchen designer had her templates stolen? or when SP came out with a kit that had a paper that looked very similar to a Basic Grey paper?

March 2, 2008 6:28 AM

I think about as much of Scrapkitchen as I do of Mo. Big whiny babies whose attitudes are costing them some serious sales $$. *shrug*

And somehow I doubt that BG has been going around the scrapping community whining about SP.

@@ Some of you really need to save your outrage and pearl-clutching for something meaningful.

Anonymous said...

What about when that Scrapkitchen designer had her templates stolen?
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You are comparing apples and oranges. In the Scrapkitchen case, the designer had indeed her templates STOLEN. In the Mo case someone else merly picked up on the idea. Boxes are not new either. I vividly remember a box fad about 18 months ago.

Anonymous said...

Annie's Boxes are such better quality.

Maya's are very blurry and Mo's are so so. Not worth the price.

Yes, I have purchased all three.

Anonymous said...

Honestly, this is really very silly. In the "real" world market place ideas are constantly copied. Why? Because customers want them! That's how business works and I wish my fellow designers would get a grip. Simply following a trend isn't "copying." It's what the market demands. Hey, it's awesome if you come up with an original idea, but if you think no one will be inspired by it - dream on! And yes, sometimes a design is IMPROVED by another designer, that's also a fact of life. Designers are constantly "inspired" by items they find in the real world. How many times have we heard "I saw these wonderful (fill in the blank) and I was inspired to create this kit." That's how it works - you see something and that moves you, gives you ideas, etc. This is totally different that stealing someone's work and slapping your name on it. Look at the fashion industry - my God, everything is a "knock off" from a major clothing line. Get a grip.

Anonymous said...

Bravo, 10:55. I hope that I already buy from you!

Anonymous said...

YOU must either be Mo Jackson or some crazed groupie without a life that has decided that you are somehow entitled to speak for Mo.

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How is this any different than you having your head up one of the main stream designers asses? And yes, I do think I am entitled to speak for her because she doesn't stoop to your level and name call.

Anonymous said...

I think about as much of Scrapkitchen as I do of Mo. Big whiny babies whose attitudes are costing them some serious sales $$. *shrug*

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So are you less likely to buy from designers that have an issue with having their designs stolen?

Anonymous said...

I think about as much of Scrapkitchen as I do of Mo. Big whiny babies whose attitudes are costing them some serious sales $$. *shrug*

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So are you less likely to buy from designers that have an issue with having their designs stolen?

Anonymous said...

I think about as much of Scrapkitchen as I do of Mo. Big whiny babies whose attitudes are costing them some serious sales $$. *shrug*
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ITA. I'll never buy from Scrapkitchen or Mo! If I were Scrapkitchen I would have been totally embarrassed to admit that I put in 'digital markers' in something and then making such a fuss.

I think the layouts from both Maya's and PTM boxes look really good. I think Mo is missing out on a great way to promote her product by not letting CT members buy her products. I've seen some AMAZING layouts with boxes, but most came from CT members so they weren't using Mo's boxes.

Anonymous said...

10:55 You rock. I also hope I buy from you.

Anonymous said...

11:01 & 12:58 - Thank you! I'm not sure if you are buying from me as I'm not a "big" name! LOL However, I do have a clientèle and am working to enlarge it. I wish I could post my name here, however I would be completely torn apart by some of these designers and don't feel that would do my career any good! All I can, please check out the smaller stores and less known designers - you may be pleasantly surprised! There are many of us that do not have overblown egos and understand what customer service is all about.

Anonymous said...

Annie's Boxes are such better quality.

Maya's are very blurry and Mo's are so so. Not worth the price.

Yes, I have purchased all three.

March 2, 2008 10:50 AM
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Thanks for this. I was thinking of getting Maya's but have been disappointed with her product before. I have Annie's.

Anonymous said...

Hmm, I find your statement of suddenly boxes are everywhere interesting. I only know of three sets of boxes, Maya's, Annie's and Mo's. How is this everywhere? If there are more, please link me up! I love the boxes and find them easy to use.

Anonymous said...

Designer 10.55, ITA. I cringe when I see these copycat threads. It ridiculous.

I've had stuff of mine copied and there was no screaming from me. Life happens.

Anonymous said...

I have Annie's boxes and I love them.
One trend I can't understand is the tiny pictures. I showed my husband and he said I should make one. A page with a picture about the size of a dime, and then write "What's the point" at the top of it. ROFL! To each its own, but I would like for someone years from now to actually be able to see the details in the picture and not have to hurt their eyes to find it.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand the trend of using the same picture multiple times. It works in some cases, but usually it doesn't. It just looks silly to me.

Anonymous said...

I know for a fact Mo Jackson was the first to come out with this idea!!!!!!!!!!! I am so disgusted by designers that are clearly copying. And the only reason everyone gets pissed off is because Mo Jackson's site is exclusive and with good reason! Every time a designer sneaks into her site a ton of imitation stuff comes out.

March 1, 2008 8:25 PM
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No, you don't! I'm sure there were boxes before Mo. Sheesh. The only reason there are copies right now is because Mo is so exclusive that no one can get to the product, kinda defeats the purpose of selling them in the first place. And they are way too pricey for me.

Kathryn Balint had box type thing out two years ago, how old are Mo's? You should know, you said you knew for a fact, hey?

Anonymous said...

Wow. Interesting read! So can anyone enlighten me? Who is Mo? I have never heard of her.

Anonymous said...

What's a Mo?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Wow. Interesting read! So can anyone enlighten me? Who is Mo? I have never heard of her.

March 3, 2008 4:22 AM


Anonymous said...
What's a Mo?

March 3, 2008 7:18 AM
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Mo is Mo Jackson
mojackson.com
You can do a search on her at DST and read all about her there.

AnonScrapper said...

http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=105717&highlight=Jackson

AnonScrapper said...

http://mojackson.blogspot.com/

AnonScrapper said...

http://www.mojackson.com/mopage2.html

Anonymous said...

Who the heck is Mo Jackson and what makes her so great?! Especially if she is so "exclusive"? WHat's the point in that?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Who the heck is Mo Jackson and what makes her so great?! Especially if she is so "exclusive"? WHat's the point in that?

March 3, 2008 8:58 AM
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Try reading gawd. She has HER Reasons and I used to think they were crazy reasons but after being around this community for a couple years, I so UNDERSTAND her reasons.

Anonymous said...

I bought Mo's Boxers 3 (the ones that everyone is oooohing and ahhhhing over) about 2 years ago. She has a whole bunch of them. I think I bought like 4-5 sets before I was kicked out.

Anonymous said...

MO JACKSON doesn't want to be caught stealing designs, hence all the paranoia and exclusivity.

Read this blog:
http://ronnapenner.blogspot.com/

The designer who copied her was MO JACKSON herself.

Anonymous said...

MO JACKSON doesn't want to be caught stealing designs, hence all the paranoia and exclusivity.

Read this blog:
http://ronnapenner.blogspot.com/

The designer who copied her was MO JACKSON herself.
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Finally someone that knows the real scoop. I've been hearing for ages that Mo copied from Ronna, got caught and that's when she went into seclusion and created 'Mo Land'. Thanks for sharing this link.

I wonder if she continues to steal other designer products? Maybe that's why she doesn't let designers or CT members in her store and doesn't want layouts uploaded to galleries.

Why doesn't someone post THIS story at DST next time Mo comes up!

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't someone post THIS story at DST next time Mo comes up!

March 3, 2008 1:16 PM
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I've seen this before, ages before all the digi smack blogs came around, so I think it has been posted at DST.

AnonScrapper said...

Why doesn't someone post THIS story at DST next time Mo comes up!

March 3, 2008 1:16 PM
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That's Ronna's side of the story. You do not know Mo's side at all. Remember there are TWO sides to every story. How do you know it was not the other way around ????
Or Ronna made mountain out of a mole, and it was really not what she claims it to be. Why do you care, you are not the parties involved and this drama is over two years old. Leave Mo alone and let her conduct her BUSINESS the way she WANTS to. Plenty of designers out there that are similiar to Mo if you are banned or do want to be a part of her community.

Anonymous said...

Lots of hateful things being said. Very sad.
I don't know the complete Mo story but you HAVE to admit that when someone steals your designs it burns a little. Especially when there is more hype and credit given to that other designer.

digiscrapsmack said...

I have Annie's boxes and I love them.
One trend I can't understand is the tiny pictures. I showed my husband and he said I should make one. A page with a picture about the size of a dime, and then write "What's the point" at the top of it. ROFL! To each its own, but I would like for someone years from now to actually be able to see the details in the picture and not have to hurt their eyes to find it.


HA!! Your husband is a hoot!

Anonymous said...

Lots of hateful things being said. Very sad.
_________________

Lots? I don't see lots, I see a few, but not lots.

Anonymous said...

That's Ronna's side of the story. You do not know Mo's side at all. Remember there are TWO sides to every story. How do you know it was not the other way around ????
Or Ronna made mountain out of a mole, and it was really not what she claims it to be. Why do you care, you are not the parties involved and this drama is over two years old. Leave Mo alone and let her conduct her BUSINESS the way she WANTS to. Plenty of designers out there that are similiar to Mo if you are banned or do want to be a part of her community.
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Why do we care? Go back and read the 2nd post on this thread. This entire thread started with someone saying they were 'disgusted' by designers clearly copying Mo (ie. the boxes). And that the reason Mo has an exlusive site is because everyone imitates her.

I think since this thread is based on that accusation, we deserve to know there is another side of the story. But, now that the tables have turned, it's suddenly 'Why do you care since you are not the parties involved'. You can't have it both ways.

Anonymous said...

I'll admit it. I don't give a crap about the Mo drama. Somebody please explain the tiny picture craze to me! Sheeeesh! It keeps me up at night. It invades my brain waves like ET. HELP!!!!!!! BAHAAAAAHA
Seriously, why the little pictures?

Anonymous said...

You can't have it both ways.

March 3, 2008 7:29 PM

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Why not? If you read Ronna's blog it said the whole thing was done. Mo removed the items in question from her kits AND apologized for it. In Mo's May 2005 blog posts she talks about the whole situation, how she was wronged as well. So when everything was said and done she setup Mo Land to avoid that from ever happening again. But designers still sneak their way in and look around and take advantage of Mo's exclusivity.

Anonymous said...

Seriously, why the little pictures?

March 3, 2008 8:13 PM
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I don't mind the tiny pictures, I do mind the multiple photos that are the same!! Why? You have it already why repeat it, over and over and over and over and over!! Ok, some of them are okay, but most just look stupid, like the photocopier broker.

Anonymous said...

But designers still sneak their way in and look around and take advantage of Mo's exclusivity.
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I've never seen any evidence of designers sneaking their way into Mo land to steal Mo's designs.

The designers that came out with boxes recently did so in response to a market demand for a product that was unavailable to the majority of the scrapping population.

There's a big difference IMO.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen any evidence of designers sneaking their way into Mo land to steal Mo's designs.

The designers that came out with boxes recently did so in response to a market demand for a product that was unavailable to the majority of the scrapping population.

There's a big difference IMO.

March 4, 2008 7:39 AM

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Oh don't get it twisted! Do I need to name names? I can roll off at least 5 designers that have dipped into Mo's store and then shortly after came out with some things that were def. Mo Jackson designs. One of PTM's buddies was a regular at Mo's site and had access to her store. There is no doubt that some file sharing between them was going on too.

Anonymous said...

Oh don't get it twisted! Do I need to name names? I can roll off at least 5 designers that have dipped into Mo's store and then shortly after came out with some things that were def. Mo Jackson designs. One of PTM's buddies was a regular at Mo's site and had access to her store. There is no doubt that some file sharing between them was going on too.

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Ok Mo, go back to oz and find your ruby slippers!

Anonymous said...

ROFLMAO! Do you really think Mo Jackson talks like that? She is high society sister! Check out her house!

Anonymous said...

Oh don't get it twisted! Do I need to name names? I can roll off at least 5 designers that have dipped into Mo's store and then shortly after came out with some things that were def. Mo Jackson designs. One of PTM's buddies was a regular at Mo's site and had access to her store. There is no doubt that some file sharing between them was going on too.

March 4, 2008 8:56 AM
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You are big on assumptions, aren't you? I have never been to Mo's store, but after seeing all the boxes, I was very tempted to make my own and still am. If what you say is true, boxes would have been around a year ago or more, not after someone asked about them at DST. Sheesh, put it together yourself.

Anonymous said...

Mo's boxes HAVE been around for more than a year. I think they haven't been getting as much attention bc there hasn't been the right layout to showcase them. A couple of layouts in the DST gallery "THOUGHT OUTSIDE THE BOX" (pun intended) and that's what jumped started the whole craze.

Anonymous said...

Oh don't get it twisted! Do I need to name names? I can roll off at least 5 designers that have dipped into Mo's store and then shortly after came out with some things that were def. Mo Jackson designs. One of PTM's buddies was a regular at Mo's site and had access to her store. There is no doubt that some file sharing between them was going on too.
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This is a ridiculous accusation. Anyone that saw the thread at DST saw those box layouts and how everyone wanted them - THAT thread was the trigger for the box trend. If PTM had a spy in Mo's store, then why didn't she come out with boxes long ago?

I guess Mo will need to expand her 'banning' criteria to include not only designers and CT members, but also anyone who's 'buddies' with any designers or CT member. And that would pretty much eliminate the entire digital community.

Anonymous said...

my MO boxers are from 2006 ~ before Balint's, for sure.

and i always got tired of all the trash-talking in Moland of designers who "copy" her designs, which of course, she copied from someone else IRL. i bet the inventor of IRL boxes isn't whining about being copied! get OVER yourself MO... errrr, i mean, Amy Powers ;)

Anonymous said...

well since this MO has a closed site, doesn't advertise, doesn't allow designers or CT members access then how is everyone to know just what MO has in her store. I don't know a MO design from any other design. I heard about her boxes but those who have come out with their own-well hey a box is a box is a box, just like anything else boxes are out there and those who put a unique spin on them will be the ones to sell. I think it's a fun idea and making a box, or a tin or a CD album is not copying per se. Items are out there and they are up for grabs. They might be unique oh say for a day or two and then you'll see 10 more different but same items in other's designer's kits. So what?? The designers again who make their stuff unique are the ones who will sell. I mean aren't you getting sick of all the ribbon wraps in every color and flavor out there-so who made the first one ever? I sure don't know and don't care-just wish a new trend would start soon.