I know this post is going to raise a lot of eyebrows and annoy an Israeli or two, but let’s face it… as a whole, Israelis do not know what scrapbooking is. At least not the way Anglos do. For instance, if you ask ANY Anglo if they scrapbook, they’ll answer yes, no or I’ve always wanted to, etc. Ask an Israeli and they’ll answer, “What’s that?” or “I don’t understand.”
Since the opening of my store, I’ve attended two fairs. One fair was geared for the Anglo community. All the participating vendors were Anglos and the people who attended were Anglo. The second fair was 95% Israeli vendors with about 80% Israeli attendees.
The Anglo fair was fantastic! I had a great time and enjoyed meeting all the fellow scrappers and wannabes. The “Israeli” fair was a huge flop and I barely covered the cost of my table. Not only did they not know what scrapbooking is, they just couldn’t understand why a sheet of stickers costs 13 shekel or more. Or why an album cost 75 shekel instead of 30 or 40 from the photo shop.
I tried to explain acid-free and photo-safe to them, but my Hebrew just isn’t good enough to convey the necessity of these materials. Scrapbooking just isn’t a household term in this country. Not like in the States or any other English speaking country.
Perhaps it’s a regional thing. Or perhaps even, Israelis scrapbook without using acid-free materials. Which is actually just album design. Scrapbooking by definition (in today’s world) means album design using photo-safe materials. But, anyone who knows anything about scrapbooking is using acid-free, so I can’t imagine that Israelis are using non-photo-safe materials. Nah… I just don’t believe it.
I’ve been to their websites. I’ve seen what they sell. I’m familiar with all the name brands they’re selling. And it’s all photo-safe.
Anyway, after the responses to my previous blogs about scrapbooking in Israel, I was sure that I had made a mistake. That Israelis do know what scrapbooking is and that they’re doing it everywhere. But it’s simply not true. There are scrapbookers in Israel… no doubt about that.
But I said it before and I’ll say it again… in general, Israelis don’t know what scrapbooking (photo-safe album design) is. I’m not disappointed. Not at all! This is the challenge… educating the native Hebrew speakers of this country about preserving their precious memories in photo-safe albums using photo-safe supplies.
I’m glad I’m not the only one, though. I see the owners of the other sites are out there educating the population, as well. Kol Hakavod!
I just love this hobby. I think everyone should be doing it. My dream is to walk into any art supply store in Israel and find a section (a LARGE section) selling PHOTO-SAFE scrapbook supplies. How nice would that be? In the meantime…
Happy Scrappin’!
This was by chance that I found your blog, I didn’t know there are scrappers in Isreal. Go girls
Hi there, wow the greatest thing about scrapbooking is that it is an international language. I feel like I know a bit about you through scrapbooking. I would love to chat more. Email me!
Hi, just stumbled upon your blog. I’m intrigued by the Jewish holidays as my hubby is Jewish so I loved seeing your kids at Purim!
I sooo totally know what you mean about scrapbooking supplies and trying to explain it to others who aren’t so familiar. I used to live in Italy for a few years and trying to explain an acid-free tape runner to a Neapolitan was like talking to a newborn baby. It was a cute conversation but it didn’t lead anywhere! It is like finding good hamantaschen in the Northern Virginia (not)!
You go! Spread the word of scrapbooking in Israel. More power to you.
Come visit my humble blog when you get a chance — http://leasanders.wordpress.com
Hi, by accident came upon your blog while trying to find a place where to buy scrapbooking supplies here in Israel. Maybe you can help?
I am in the Gush Etzion.
I am lad to see I’m not alone
Yeah, I was supposing that scrapbooking there would be something like that. But, hey, let’s spread the word and tell everyone about this gorgeous hobby! And, of course, photo safe stuff.