Correct me if I'm wrong, but has the Greeting Card Industry gone to the dogs, or is it solely my opinion ?
At one point in my life, I was a Hallmark merchandiser, rotating seasonal gifts and cards in several local stores. It was a job I loved, playing with all those pretty cards and merchandise, and meeting some lovely people in the process.
At the end of the month, if any of the cards, wrapping paper, or candles showed the slightest of fluorescent light damage, I was able to keep them.
To this day, I still have files filled with old cards and boxes of hand-dipped candles.
It's a good thing too...... because each time I go to the store to pick out a new card, it takes forever to find a card that isn't too crude, common, or just plain ugly, and the choice gets even worse when looking for a specialized card, such as for a niece or nephew.At Christmas I searched high and low for a decent Grandson and Granddaughter card, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
My choice of greeting cards these days, are usually Hallmark's Marjolein Bastin, a Dutch artist who has an incredible eye for nature's beauty.
You can read more about the artist here: http://www.marjoleinbastin.com/en/about-marjolein/background/biography
I miss the old ways.
15 comments:
You're right, all the cards out there are junk! Your illustrations are great.
Hallmark has beautiful cards, but I will have to agree. Today's messages are sometimes a bit borderline. I think your job must have been lots of fun!
Incidentally, I no longer receive your comments to my blog on my email inbox. I do like to respond to comments people make, and I miss having a chance to do that with yours.
I think online card companies have a lot to answer for.
I have real difficulty finding an appropriate card these days, they seem to be too familiar or downright crude. It must be what the majority of people want though or the companies wouldn't produce them - a very sad state of affairs.
Beautiful pictures as usual.
I totally agree! It is getting harder and harder to find the "perfect" card with just the right message! My favorite Hallmark is also the Marjolein Bastin!! They are just beautiful!
We see the beauty of God's world today some younger then us see the world as a joke.
That's why I make a lot of my own cards. I find lovely verses on the net or write my own. Very fun hobby. These are very nice illustrations.
Jo, you are absolutely right. They've gone to the dogs just like all the TV shows now. I'm so tired of trash.
Henny Penny is right. There is a whole lot of trash floating around these days. The sad thing about it is that it's not looked down on but accepted as normal. I don't think it's us that are on the wrong side of the current culture.
Henny Penny is right. There is a whole lot of trash floating around out there these days. The sad part is that it isn't looked down on but accepted as normal.
I don't think we are on the wrong side of this argument.
I live in a very small town. The stores just don't seem to put any new cards out. It is so disappointing.
No, it is not just you, Josephine. I looked high and low for a birthday card for my granddaughter and found only coquettish Barbie and sensual Disney princess themes. Absolutely reprehensible what we are doing to our children by raising them on garbage. The old saying IS true, "Garbage in, garbage out", and, it appears that there are those with vested interests that want this outcome.
Has anyone picked up a young child's book today? I was looking for appropriate books for my granddaughter this past Christmas. I was in a quandary so asked a little girl shopping with her parents what books that she likes to read ( I am not allowed to speak to my granddaughter ). She brought me a book with the image of a very sensualized young girl. In side the book I found the content to be vulgar and inane. This book was marketed to 7 nad 8 year old girls. CAll me old fashioned but I thought this garbage not fit for any eyes at all.
Your readers are very astute as well. It seems we are on the precipice of a new society; One totally irreverent and ignorant.
I think this is why I prize your blog highly. The content is refined.
Thank you.
Marjolein Bastin are the only cards with having. Good choice! They have been my favorite for a long time. I also get her calendar/pocket planner each year.
WHen I am out and about during the summer I stop at a lot of gift shops, touristy places. I often see really lovely cards and I always buy a couple just to have on hand. If you go to the bigger stores I would have to agree it is a job to find cards, and the ones I do are expensive. So I pick them up when I see them. Have you looked at Jaquie Lawson online cards. they are my back up I have an annual subscription and they are beautiful. Yes I love Marjorie Bastion as well, I usually get her annual day planner.
Janice
It bothers me that the company is selling to the lower end of our morality, or lack of morality. As the society lessens its grip on things the card company followed.
I agree wholeheartedly. The greeting cards today are horrible. I miss the vintage ones with the lovely images like you are sharing in this post, and the words and language were also lovely way back when.
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