He Understands Why Women Scrapbook

Today, Scrapbook Update welcomes Candy Rosenberg as guest blogger.

Candy Rosenberg is a commissioned artist and published paper crafter/educator located in Grants Pass, Oregon. She is the Editorial Director of ScrapnArt.com Magazine, an arts & crafts reporter for the Examiner.com, Education and Online Marketing for Graphic 45 Paper Company, and Endorsed Educator for Tattered Angels & Copic Markers. 

Recently, while setting up for a class at Krop, Paper, Scissors, located in Grants Pass, Oregon, co-owner John Poore, was assisting me in getting the tables set up. As we were working, I asked John how his painting was going. “It’s going great," he replied, then paused and said "I now know why women scrapbook.” Of course, I asked him why, and made him promise that he would sit down with me and explain in more detail.

I cannot spin this tale without first sharing the love story that spans over 29 years between John and Karyn Poore. John served in the Navy for 20 years and his wife dutifully followed him in his many moves and travels, including Italy. When John retired from the Navy, the Poores settled down and got jobs, with Karyn securing a position as the manager of a scrapbook store. After two years, the couple decided it was time to pick up and move to beautiful Grants Pass, Oregon.

John and Karyn opened Krop, Paper, Scissors in 2006. Karyn had been a scrapbooker for many years and paired with John's handyman persona, they knew they would make a great team. John is very supportive of his wife and shared with me that after all the years of Karyn supporting his dreams and the sacrifices she made for him and their family, that it was time he did the same for her. I had the pleasure of meeting them within the first few months of opening their store and now have been a customer for nearly four years.

In January, Karyn dragged her husband, to a “painting” class for date nights. By the second class, John was hooked. They completed the class together and he has continued to paint. When I first got a chance to see his work, I was quite surprised at how well he painted. John is quite a man’s man, and I did not think painting would be something he enjoyed. I was wrong. John is not only good at painting, but he has a natural eye for this art. I was lucky enough to be his first sale by purchasing a beautiful treescape that truly spoke to my heart. I had to have it and quickly called it mine.

So back to the beginning of the story.

I got the chance to sit down with John for an in depth conversation, to not only explain what he meant by his comment about "understanding why women scrapbook," but to get a man's point of view on women and scrapbooking. I had some burning questions. His answers were simple and thought provoking. I appreciated what he shared and I know other women who craft will too.

From personal experience and from many stories I have heard, women are often made to feel guilty for crafting. Their spouses or significant others complain about buying supplies, spending too much time on crafting or the amount of time spent with friends along with a myriad of other reasons. My first question to John was his views on this touchy subject.

To my surprise, John told me that what bothered him the most was never seeing finished projects or albums. With all the time that was spent scrapping, talking about it, participating in crops, retreats and so forth, there seemed to be very little accomplished. This was a bit of an eye opener and a very palatable reason for frustration. In our conversation, John shared another of his pet peeves, the lack of pages that show HIS passions and hobbies or him having fun with the children or grandchildren. He also asked that we remember to journal the story, in other words, do not forget to scrap your man and tell his story too! I was really moved by this, as I am guilty of this myself, and it really made me think about how important it really is.

Overall, John really appreciates what scrapbooking is all about. I asked him if owning a scrapbook store has changed his views. His reply was candid. He realizes that many women's lives are very chaotic, with all that we are responsible for, and that this hobby provides us a therapeutic escape, like his painting does. And, although we may not always complete many projects or albums, we are better people for the experience.

He understands why women scrapbook.