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Mike Hartnett has been sending me links to interesting examples of indie craft in mainstream media coverage. It’s amazing, how much of the craft world he’s able to monitor. Here’s one I wanted to share with you.
According to this Washington Post article, a recent issue of Quilter’s Home Magazine purports to reveal Shocking Quilts!
The quilts in question are art quilts by such artists as Gwendolyn Magee and Mary Beth Bellah (and follow those links – beautiful work). They depict things like guns, Viagra pills, a lynching, and yes, male anatomy.
The publisher opted to wrap every copy in plastic so these images wouldn’t be able to offend newsstand viewers. Still, Jo-Ann stores deemed the issue too controversial for its customers, and opted not to carry it in stores.
Mary Beth Bellah with her “Helping Hands” quilt. Image by Stephanie Gross from the Washington Post
I had a couple reactions to this story:
- Quilter’s Home seems guilty of sensationalizing. These quilts are essentially pieces of thoughtful artistic expression that happen to use a traditional craft technique. Granted, Quilter’s Home seems to be on a mission to bring sass to the realm of quilting mags, but is it really fair to term art quilts with adult subject matter as shocking?
- And secondly, Quilter’s Home publisher Mark Lipinski is quoted as reacting to the Jo-Ann decision this way: “[Jo-Ann] might be out of touch with their customer base. . . . When you consider that a 70-year-old could have been dancing naked at Woodstock and a 50-year-old could have been smoking pot in high school — sometimes you have to change your marketing.”
…Or both Jo-Ann and Quilter’s Home might consider that there’s a very wide demographic of 40, 30, and 20-year olds out there who merely appreciate seeing creativity in all its forms, without a side of Jerry Springer.
Your thoughts?
Puh-lease. Really? Banning the magazine?
All of the racy and objectionable advertisements out there, and this is what is deemed Controversial?! I guess pushing buttons sells magazines and raises awareness… maybe.
Personally, I think opting not to “quilt” a quilt, and instead to tie a pieced top, is a much more dividing topic in the quilting arena than any of the quilts I’ve seen in your links.
Puh-lease. Really? Banning the magazine?
All of the racy and objectionable advertisements out there, and this is what is deemed Controversial?! I guess pushing buttons sells magazines and raises awareness… maybe.
Personally, I think opting not to “quilt” a quilt, and instead to tie a pieced top, is a much more dividing topic in the quilting arena than any of the quilts I’ve seen in your links.
Hmm. JoAnn banning the magazine makes me want to go get a copy for sure. I’m frustrated with a lot of things about JoAnn’s (poor service mostly) and this kind of thing makes me even less impressed.
I see your point about QHM putting “shocking quilts!!” on the cover… I would have leaned towards calling them thought-provoking or something like that, especially with some of them having such heavy subject matter.
I think that this magazine will likely sell really well due to the “controversy” and the fact that you can’t just flip through the magazine at the newsstand, you have to buy it to see the photos.
Hmm. JoAnn banning the magazine makes me want to go get a copy for sure. I’m frustrated with a lot of things about JoAnn’s (poor service mostly) and this kind of thing makes me even less impressed.
I see your point about QHM putting “shocking quilts!!” on the cover… I would have leaned towards calling them thought-provoking or something like that, especially with some of them having such heavy subject matter.
I think that this magazine will likely sell really well due to the “controversy” and the fact that you can’t just flip through the magazine at the newsstand, you have to buy it to see the photos.
When I hear of this kind of censorship I wonder how numerous the fundamentalist Christians or religious conservatives are among crafters, and how they are distributed among particular crafts such as quilting.
Now that boomers are joining the AARP, I agree, age alone is no longer a simple indication of what is shocking LOL.
When I hear of this kind of censorship I wonder how numerous the fundamentalist Christians or religious conservatives are among crafters, and how they are distributed among particular crafts such as quilting.
Now that boomers are joining the AARP, I agree, age alone is no longer a simple indication of what is shocking LOL.
I agree JoAnn’s has been pretty bad with customer service lately, and their parking lot has been remarkably empty. They mail you coupons and e-mail coupons like crazy, but none of them can ever be used in the store because they are not for sale items and they conveniently mark everything on sale, even just 10% so you can’t use the 50% off coupon they keep sending you. This magazine being on their shelves could have actually gotten them some customers instead of turning us off with unnecessarily prudish behavior.
I agree JoAnn’s has been pretty bad with customer service lately, and their parking lot has been remarkably empty. They mail you coupons and e-mail coupons like crazy, but none of them can ever be used in the store because they are not for sale items and they conveniently mark everything on sale, even just 10% so you can’t use the 50% off coupon they keep sending you. This magazine being on their shelves could have actually gotten them some customers instead of turning us off with unnecessarily prudish behavior.
Oh please.
I’ve seen more shocking things on the magazine rack than this. When you consider that some of those quilts have a real story to tell about parts of our history some would rather pretend never happened, it might be good to have MORE discussion about them, rather than banning the issue all together.
Grow up, JoAnn.
On a related note, I read this blog post just after listening to the podcast on the Indie Craft movement and the craft industry….such a fascinating tie in here. I wonder what demographic of crafter deemed this magazine to controversial to sell? Or, more interestingly, who decided that crafters wouldn’t like it…judging a whole range of demographics and their presumed preferences?
Oh please.
I’ve seen more shocking things on the magazine rack than this. When you consider that some of those quilts have a real story to tell about parts of our history some would rather pretend never happened, it might be good to have MORE discussion about them, rather than banning the issue all together.
Grow up, JoAnn.
On a related note, I read this blog post just after listening to the podcast on the Indie Craft movement and the craft industry….such a fascinating tie in here. I wonder what demographic of crafter deemed this magazine to controversial to sell? Or, more interestingly, who decided that crafters wouldn’t like it…judging a whole range of demographics and their presumed preferences?
If you check out Mark’s blog (http://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com/) you’ll learn that the magazine has already sold out. He admitted recently in an interview on another podcast that part of the plan with the enticing headline & the plastic wrap was to lure buyers… & why not? So many magazines are going out of publication recently due to the economy, why not do all you can to sell your publication? I enjoy the magazine, heck I’m a magazine junkie, I enjoy them all!
If you check out Mark’s blog (http://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com/) you’ll learn that the magazine has already sold out. He admitted recently in an interview on another podcast that part of the plan with the enticing headline & the plastic wrap was to lure buyers… & why not? So many magazines are going out of publication recently due to the economy, why not do all you can to sell your publication? I enjoy the magazine, heck I’m a magazine junkie, I enjoy them all!
I’m so glad you posted this link, Ellyn. I totally agree that magazines are forced to resort to extreme measures to sell copies in this crazy economy, but I still can’t help feeling this approach to be exploitative, rather than celebratory, of the artists’ work.
I’m so glad you posted this link, Ellyn. I totally agree that magazines are forced to resort to extreme measures to sell copies in this crazy economy, but I still can’t help feeling this approach to be exploitative, rather than celebratory, of the artists’ work.
(insert eye roll here)
(insert eye roll here)
All I wonder is — is this the lengths a magazine has to go to to avoid going out of print? Is this yet another title that will be but a memory?
Jo-Ann’s isn’t my favorite place, but in truth, none of the Big Box craft places are. They put last season’s stock on sale, but haven’t gotten in the current season’s products. I’m sorry, but Easter Clothes suck in Mardi Gras colors, and there’s no way I’m knitting with 100% wool in August. Get with it, stores!
All I wonder is — is this the lengths a magazine has to go to to avoid going out of print? Is this yet another title that will be but a memory?
Jo-Ann’s isn’t my favorite place, but in truth, none of the Big Box craft places are. They put last season’s stock on sale, but haven’t gotten in the current season’s products. I’m sorry, but Easter Clothes suck in Mardi Gras colors, and there’s no way I’m knitting with 100% wool in August. Get with it, stores!
Maybe I’m a bit sensitive here because I just got a job at a great new JoAnn’s store and I’m loving it so far… but I’m not sure the issue should be JoAnn’s. Yes – I agree that banning an expression of creativity is wrong and yes, it does make the store seem out of touch with a huge portion of its customer base (and trust me – I do believe all of the customer service issues voiced above are real and valid). But if the information/the magazine came to the buyers office as sensationalized as it was promoted, I can see why a corporation (who has to be concerned about all of its customers) would have decided to pass. My concern is with Mark/the editor/the publisher. It does seem that it all was a marketing ploy to sell issues and I feel JoAnn’s may have played right into it. What great fodder to have a national chain to talk about and demonize for refusing to carry an issue. The Jerry Spring style ploys will erode reader’s trust and won’t help the magazine succeed in the long run which will be unfortunate for Quilter’s Home.
Maybe I’m a bit sensitive here because I just got a job at a great new JoAnn’s store and I’m loving it so far… but I’m not sure the issue should be JoAnn’s. Yes – I agree that banning an expression of creativity is wrong and yes, it does make the store seem out of touch with a huge portion of its customer base (and trust me – I do believe all of the customer service issues voiced above are real and valid). But if the information/the magazine came to the buyers office as sensationalized as it was promoted, I can see why a corporation (who has to be concerned about all of its customers) would have decided to pass. My concern is with Mark/the editor/the publisher. It does seem that it all was a marketing ploy to sell issues and I feel JoAnn’s may have played right into it. What great fodder to have a national chain to talk about and demonize for refusing to carry an issue. The Jerry Spring style ploys will erode reader’s trust and won’t help the magazine succeed in the long run which will be unfortunate for Quilter’s Home.
I just read the article over at AOL a few minutes ago. I buy QH sometimes from the newstands. I would have bought this one too. I just went on a big magazine spending spree the other day, I did not see this one. Granted, I also live in the Bible Belt.
I am glad to see a different variety of art quilts. I am happy to see that artists are brave enough to make them.
Yes, your right our Baby Boomers are signing up for AARP. This is a different world now.
With magazines going belly up at a fast rate I am happy that some magazines are trying to change their content for a modern day society. I love my magazines but sometimes I read them & get bored with the 1980′s content.
I just read the article over at AOL a few minutes ago. I buy QH sometimes from the newstands. I would have bought this one too. I just went on a big magazine spending spree the other day, I did not see this one. Granted, I also live in the Bible Belt.
I am glad to see a different variety of art quilts. I am happy to see that artists are brave enough to make them.
Yes, your right our Baby Boomers are signing up for AARP. This is a different world now.
With magazines going belly up at a fast rate I am happy that some magazines are trying to change their content for a modern day society. I love my magazines but sometimes I read them & get bored with the 1980′s content.
I knew it was a sensation when the story made it onto npr’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me. It is all about creating a buzz, I guess.
I knew it was a sensation when the story made it onto npr’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me. It is all about creating a buzz, I guess.
…So this story has spread far and wide. This makes me apprehensive that other craft publishers will attempt to capitalize on this “success,” and float “shocking” stories of their own. Seriously – what a salacious and irresponsible way to introduce indie craft to the mainstream audience.
…So this story has spread far and wide. This makes me apprehensive that other craft publishers will attempt to capitalize on this “success,” and float “shocking” stories of their own. Seriously – what a salacious and irresponsible way to introduce indie craft to the mainstream audience.
Okay, maybe Mark has a flair for the dramatic! But, I think most people would call a quilt of Jesus with a rifle, or one showing hanging (lynched) bodies and KKK robes in front of a Confederate flag, shocking and controversial! Unfortunately, only the original magazine article carried these images, they didn’t make it into the Washington Post or subsequent articles. I am in favor of artistic expression, and, while I wouldn’t want any of these quilts hanging in my home, I believe there’s room in the quilting world for all types of work.
Okay, maybe Mark has a flair for the dramatic! But, I think most people would call a quilt of Jesus with a rifle, or one showing hanging (lynched) bodies and KKK robes in front of a Confederate flag, shocking and controversial! Unfortunately, only the original magazine article carried these images, they didn’t make it into the Washington Post or subsequent articles. I am in favor of artistic expression, and, while I wouldn’t want any of these quilts hanging in my home, I believe there’s room in the quilting world for all types of work.
Catching up. And, oh boy, I’ll probably wax philosophical or something, here. I’ll try to tone it down, though.
I think maybe it’s my advanced age that makes me view the label ‘shocking’ askance most of the time. Can we really be shocked by the quilted representation of a scrotum? Or, intestines? Have we not been exposed to CSI and any number of shows of that ilk, not to mention reality shows depicting blurred-out unmentionables, for years, now? (Or, maybe that’s just the contents of MY DVR…)
Anyway, I think it’s silly that the driving force in decision-making for mega-corps is alway fear. Like, when Penney’s stopped sponsoring the Ellen Show because she came out. Or, Pepsi pulled Madonna’s contract because of the Like A Prayer video (I told you–I’m old). It’s control by ‘disapproval’. Come on. The control/censorship is illusory in this and most instances. People who enjoy, for example, intestinal art are going to find it, view it, buy it, and make it if they want to. It would be nice if enough people boycotted the fear-mongers that they stopped pretending to have moral sensibilities at moments like this, but we won’t. So the attempt to control/censor will always rear its head. If Jo-Ann’s found out that a certain vociferous faction of their supposed clientele actually stopped complaining and BOUGHT quilted corpses, they’d have them announced proudly in their flyers. But they’re just too morally upstanding–I mean–hypocritical to represent reality in the form of what people are actually interested in, or creating or experiencing.
Now, I have to go to confession before lunch is over!
Catching up. And, oh boy, I’ll probably wax philosophical or something, here. I’ll try to tone it down, though.
I think maybe it’s my advanced age that makes me view the label ‘shocking’ askance most of the time. Can we really be shocked by the quilted representation of a scrotum? Or, intestines? Have we not been exposed to CSI and any number of shows of that ilk, not to mention reality shows depicting blurred-out unmentionables, for years, now? (Or, maybe that’s just the contents of MY DVR…)
Anyway, I think it’s silly that the driving force in decision-making for mega-corps is alway fear. Like, when Penney’s stopped sponsoring the Ellen Show because she came out. Or, Pepsi pulled Madonna’s contract because of the Like A Prayer video (I told you–I’m old). It’s control by ‘disapproval’. Come on. The control/censorship is illusory in this and most instances. People who enjoy, for example, intestinal art are going to find it, view it, buy it, and make it if they want to. It would be nice if enough people boycotted the fear-mongers that they stopped pretending to have moral sensibilities at moments like this, but we won’t. So the attempt to control/censor will always rear its head. If Jo-Ann’s found out that a certain vociferous faction of their supposed clientele actually stopped complaining and BOUGHT quilted corpses, they’d have them announced proudly in their flyers. But they’re just too morally upstanding–I mean–hypocritical to represent reality in the form of what people are actually interested in, or creating or experiencing.
Now, I have to go to confession before lunch is over!
Don’t blame Joann’s; blame Lipinski. If he was sincere about wanting folks to see some of these interesting works of art, he would have simply put “Art Quilts” on the cover and no one would have noticed. He marketed this magazine — and it is sold out because of — the “naughty” content. He is a master manipulator and he profits from it. I’ve not found anything in QH that I haven’t seen before; it isn’t interesting in the least. Why did Joann’s ban it? Because they didn’t want to participate in the controversy; unfortunately, in doing so, they created the controversy. pax vobiscum
Don’t blame Joann’s; blame Lipinski. If he was sincere about wanting folks to see some of these interesting works of art, he would have simply put “Art Quilts” on the cover and no one would have noticed. He marketed this magazine — and it is sold out because of — the “naughty” content. He is a master manipulator and he profits from it. I’ve not found anything in QH that I haven’t seen before; it isn’t interesting in the least. Why did Joann’s ban it? Because they didn’t want to participate in the controversy; unfortunately, in doing so, they created the controversy. pax vobiscum
I certainly hadn’t imagined quilting to be “naughty”. Perhaps the perception of quilting as traditional is what makes these alternative quilts so interesting and different.
I agree with others that it was clever marketing (free advertising of a “banned” issue). While the quilt creators can be seen to be taken advantage of, they presumably are getting lots of exposure from this and hopefully most is positive.
Thanks for posting this!
I certainly hadn’t imagined quilting to be “naughty”. Perhaps the perception of quilting as traditional is what makes these alternative quilts so interesting and different.
I agree with others that it was clever marketing (free advertising of a “banned” issue). While the quilt creators can be seen to be taken advantage of, they presumably are getting lots of exposure from this and hopefully most is positive.
Thanks for posting this!
OMG. Humans have been making phallus’ for millennia. Look at the Washington Monument for goodness sake.
This is a great way to alienate those indy crafters they want to court in the big box stores. I think the ‘Naughty Quilts’ is an adorable idea~! A great way to sell the magazine. I don’t usually go for quilt magazines because they market to a group I’m not really a part of. They have too much “cute” junk in them.
Am I worried one of my children will see a penis? 50% of the people in the world have them. Look at Georgia O’Keefe’s work. It’s not a penis but more female, and they sell her paintings EVERYWHERE.
Not everyone wants to make cute. Some of us want to be original. I’m going to open up a new window right now so I can purchase this magazine to help them out. If they did it for shock value to sell a quilt magazine, I say Kudos! Well done!
Nutmeg
materialmama.com
OMG. Humans have been making phallus’ for millennia. Look at the Washington Monument for goodness sake.
This is a great way to alienate those indy crafters they want to court in the big box stores. I think the ‘Naughty Quilts’ is an adorable idea~! A great way to sell the magazine. I don’t usually go for quilt magazines because they market to a group I’m not really a part of. They have too much “cute” junk in them.
Am I worried one of my children will see a penis? 50% of the people in the world have them. Look at Georgia O’Keefe’s work. It’s not a penis but more female, and they sell her paintings EVERYWHERE.
Not everyone wants to make cute. Some of us want to be original. I’m going to open up a new window right now so I can purchase this magazine to help them out. If they did it for shock value to sell a quilt magazine, I say Kudos! Well done!
Nutmeg
materialmama.com
Content aside, I detest magazines in plastic sleeves anyways. 1) Why do we need more useless, environmentally harmful plastic in our universe anyways?! 2) If it’s a publication that I am unfamiliar with, nine times out of ten I will not buy it, because I can’t browse through it first. 3) If I were the type of person to be offended by “adult content” in a quilting magazine (I am NOT), I think I would be even more offended if I brought it home, ripped open the plastic and saw a penis patchwork!
My two cents…
Content aside, I detest magazines in plastic sleeves anyways. 1) Why do we need more useless, environmentally harmful plastic in our universe anyways?! 2) If it’s a publication that I am unfamiliar with, nine times out of ten I will not buy it, because I can’t browse through it first. 3) If I were the type of person to be offended by “adult content” in a quilting magazine (I am NOT), I think I would be even more offended if I brought it home, ripped open the plastic and saw a penis patchwork!
My two cents…