An Open Letter to Stampington



I was at Barnes and Noble in Burbank last night and flipping through one of the latest Stampington magazines, I found the above blurb. My name is mentioned twice in the article by the artist. The first time, it is mentioned and spelled correctly. The second time, I'm listed as being Kelly Kilmore. This is right above a typo that calls Fabriano Uno Paper, Fabrino Paper. 

Damnit, Stampington, when someone is paying top dollar for a magazine, they expect correct information all around. One typo every now and then, sure. Multiple typos with incorrect information on one page? Not acceptable especially for a $15 magazine.

For many years, I would run to the newsstand or local rubber stamp shop every time a new publication from Stampington hit the shelves. I would pour over the pages of their magazines (Somerset Studio, Art Journaling, Where Women Create, Artful Blogging, you name it, I probably bought it at some point.) I spent hundreds of dollars on a yearly basis on their publications. Then one day I stopped. 

Something about it didn't excite me like it used to. The magazines were full of typos and seemed sloppily thrown together. The ads increased (ads for their other publications took up a lot of the magazine.) Putting down $15 for a magazine that didn't make my heart go pitter patter made me sad.

I won't go into other issues like friends having their art stolen from other artists, published under someone else's name, emailing and calling Stampington and not being credited for their work. That's not the worst of it. Years ago, I sent in artwork, paid for return postage and had my art given to another artist. They have asked me to send in my journals since then, not knowing any of the new editors and wary of how they have treated art in the past, I have since refused.

As artists, we want better. As paying customers, we deserve better. Until this happens, I'll continue to keep my dollars in my wallet when it comes to Stampington. This is a publication that used to make me very happy and now it breaks my heart that I pass it by on a regular basis.

Update:

Friday Evening, I received the following from Stampington: 


Hello Kelly, 


I am reaching out to you to let you know that we saw your open invitation to us regarding the misspelling of your website. I would like to apologize on behalf of Stampington & Company. We definitely welcome constructive criticism and we will work harder so that these issues won't occur in the future. We feel terrible, and we do not take errors like this lightly. 

You have our sincere apologizes,

-- 
Best, 
Evelyn Mateos 
Editor

Comments

Curiouser Alice said…
You said everything I've thought, and more. I hope they see it, and take it for the constructive criticism that it is.

Storytime: I actually won a giveaway by them last year, and they sent some really cool art supplies.

They also sent three of their magazines - Somerset Apprentice, Somerset Studio and Art Journaling. I was most excited about the magazines, for the reasons you listed. It's been so long since I've gotten Art Journaling, because like you said, it's pricey. I've never gotten the Somersets before.

I kept the Art Journaling magazine intact. Somerset Apprentice is now my mousepad and Somerset Studio is what I use for glue-sticking collage elements.

Wanna know why? The things they publish are literally the same things people were doing 10 years ago. I can see why it stopped making your heart pitter-patter - it's the same stuff recycled, over and over and over again. Even the Art Journaling magazine was mostly the same stuff I'd seen 5 years ago, with a couple that were fresher. That's the only reason it hasn't been repurposed.

People have moved well beyond what was popular so long ago. Artists have grown and changed and broken into new territory. Why isn't that being shown?

And holy crap, the ads. It felt like they were half the magazine.

I imagine it's tough for them, because we can all go to the internet for most of what they publish. I guess it's a safe business strategy? To just repeat what worked before, for people that haven't been exposed to that style yet?

It's just that I'd rather plop that money down on Uppercase Magazine, which actually does feature new and fresh artists.

That typo was inexcusable. It's your WEBSITE. And sending your art to someone else?? Also, inexcusable. I imagine that's the scariest part of writing for a magazine - hoping you get your art back. You're not wrong on any of this. Like I said, I hope the reaction isn't retaliation, and instead, they listen.
Janet said…
I couldn't agree more. I stopped buying the "art" magazines quite some time ago. Same old content, same artists all the time...as if no one else is making art! Plunking down that kind of money for a magazine that had nothing of interest in it was not my cup of tea. I know the magazine business is tough but that makes it all the more important to get it right so you can keep what customers you have. Typos drive me crazy in publications. Whatever happened to proof reading something. Good for you for speaking out and standing up for yourself. (PS I saw this on IG)
Jerene Dunn said…
I think it is HUGELY disrespectful to misspell the artists name, for crying out loud. I stopped buying your those magazines because 15 bucks for one magazine is too damn much money.
martha brown said…
I stopped buying them too.
It also annoyed me that I used to be paid to write articles for them (to accompany my work) and then all of a sudden they wanted my work and 200-500 words for free! Once someone wrote a “how-to” article to go with my work!
I just keep rereading my old issues, lol.
Debbie said…
I worked there in the early 2000s. I was the eCommerce Manager. I contributed artwork. I was an Artist on Call. I stopped buying their magazines awhile back & honestly I haven't missed them. It's inexcusable for them to spell your name wrong...you've contributed artwork to them for years. I'm glad you called them on their mistake & I'm glad you're not contributing anymore. I don't even check out what they're up to anymore.
Did the apology email actually contain another typo? "You have our sincere apologizes"? I mean, in the grand scheme of things, that's pretty minor but you'd think the editor might proofread her messages.

I find I'm not as excited by Stampington magazines anymore either, it just all feels the same.
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Emie58 said…
Thank you for speaking up. I also quit purchasing their products years ago bc I felt the content was not as good as previously. Since hearing your story, I'm glad I haven't bought their products for even more reasons.
Karen M. said…
There’s one of the big problems right there. The EDITOR ends with “ you have my sincere APOLOGIZES” What?? If you’re going to work with copy, you should have a proofreader that can do the job. You would expect more from the editor too. This response was no consolation for all their trespasses, which she failed to acknowledge. Lame, and too little too late.
Kelly Kilmer said…
All I did was copy and paste. "Apologizes" is in the response.
Tracey said…
You know this kills me and I've ranted about it before. They really piss me off. Instead of having 50 different magazines, maybe try to have just a few well-done, quality publications.
baker_eliz said…
Okay, I get what everyone is saying about Somerset and agree, though I still get Art Journaling. I would love to have some good alternatives. Kristina mentioned Uppercase. Any other suggestions for both art journaling and collage materials?
baker_eliz said…
I've never had anythingpublixhed and probably never will, but I've taken classes from you and many others at art retreats and I know how much heart, time, and effort all of you put into your work. It must be very disheartening to have your work stolen or misattributed. I would just be devastated.
Traci Bunkers said…
Oi vey! I'm sorry Kelly. How disappointing. There's no excuse for it.

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