A bad experience with Kristina Werner

I think she says that to encourage all of us who aren't artistic, but like to try artsy things - like card making or whatever.

In my accounting brain I think debit/credit, right/wrong, follow the instructions exactly.  It's hard to let go and try new things or "be creative" or "artsy".  It's rare that an original idea comes out of my craft room because my brain doesn't think like that.   It's also why I'm a better baker than cook.  I need rules and to stay the proverbial box.

I am not impressed by "celebrity" status. If I like their work, I want to see more of it. If I'm not that crazy about their style or projects, I don't care how many people think that celebrity's videos are a must watch.

What I hate is when I watch a video where the person is just rambling on and on. It's one reason I don't make videos when I post one of my projects on my blog, because I would probably be one of those who ramble and drive people nuts. I post photos, and in the past I posted a few tutorials, but all of it was/is done with photos, never videos.   I write better than I speak, at least when talking without a script, but as evident in this post, I can still ramble when writing.  

I personally prefer written tutorials with pictures. I can see what I want quickly, and review again if necessary, also quickly. Videos take more time, so I watch videos far less often. I rarely get very far with videos where people chatter and take too long to continue to the next mini album page or part of whatever project it may be.

It's one thing to hear what products are used and who makes them, but when a person spends a lot of time just talking about stuff that doesn't really matter, I get frustrated and impatient. I don't care if they are celebrities or Jane Doe. I want to see cool projects without having to listen to that person talking about something (personal or not) that really isn't important to anyone but the person who is rambling on and on about it.

It's not going to bother me as much if it is a written tutorial. I can skim what is written and skip to the good stuff. I can't do that as easily when watching a video.

I like the ones who keep to the subject, get to the pertinent points quickly, and move through the project relatively fast. If there is something that I didn't catch, I can go back and watch again, but I won't waste my time if it is a rambling person's video, no matter how cool the project may be.

Edited to add:  I was really suprised and kind of disturbed to read that some people leave negative feedback. I never do that. It would be rude or mean spirited. If I don't like their videos or blog, I leave. It's totally unnecessary and unkind to leave rude or negative feedback unless there is a really valid reason for it (like if the person who made the video went off on a personal rant or vendetta -- I might post that the rant was unnecessary, but that is about as negative as I would get).  Thankfully, no one has ever posted (or tried to post) anything rude or mean spirited regarding any of my blog posts. I set it up so that I have to approve any comments before the comment will post on my blog. Maybe that discourages the negative Nellies.

@giantsfan That makes sense why Jennifer tells her viewers "I am not an artist but an engineer" Thank you for writing. I don't watch her videos. She doesn't seem like a mean person what I know of her reputation. I am honestly very curious about the stars. I know I should just go watch their videos, lol. I only have a certain amount of time a day to watch videos and my subscription list keeps that time filled.

JustTricia I wish I could like your reply three thousand times. I hear the disclaimers all the time too on videos & I know they are just trying to deflect the haters from starting in the first place. I would do the same thing. I would be flabbergasted if somebody thought I was trying to be catty to them that I provided a disclaimer.

Yes, I am with scrapnnana I am always surprised people leave hateful comments. It is just bad manners. I always try to be the girl online that I am offline. This world is small and we will probably meet someday.

I use to do a lot of social media. I use to write tutorials, run forums, etc.. I took a break because of life. Yes, I had some negativity on my sites. I deleted it not because I was being hateful and trying to censor. I wanted my site to be a positive and safe place for my visitors. I wouldn't have a bunch of hateful people in my home making my guests feel uncomfortable. I am not having it on my online homes either. Right now I am only doing Pinterest but I delete negative comments on my Pinterest too because I want it to be positive. I do listen to the criticisms and if I find one that is legitimate I will rectify it and address it online.

I do have to apologize. I always forget that a lot of people watching YouTube are really setting down and watching it. I understand now why you would all hate the rambling. That is very good feedback. I am seriously thinking of making YouTube videos. One of the reasons why I am so interested in this thread. I tend to listen and I am playing a video game when I am watching videos.

I watched a video one day this lady went on a thirty minute rant that she wants people to pay attention to her video. It really makes her angry when she finds out her viewers are doing other things while watching. I was like "D***N Lady! I didn't say anything I just unsubbed from her channel. I am not the viewer she wants.

Hey, I took a card class with Jennifer McGuire in Montreal, too - at Scrapbook Centrale. It was a few years ago, I'm trying to remember what year - 2009 or 2011, maybe (I also took a Copic class there which was amazing as well) It was fantastic, and I found Jennifer to be very nice and very helpful. I became a big fan that day. It's funny, I really like her, but I don't watch her videos a lot - only when I want information on a technique, really.  I learned a lot from Jennifer in that class, and I watch her videos to really learn stuff.

For relaxing, however, I tend to watch cardmakers like Prairie Paper and Ink more - ones that do a lot of colouring and use a lot of the product I like.

My only pet peeve when watching videos is when people ramble on a lot while showing their hands. I just want to see the card or scrapbook page being made, with a voice over as to the reasons why this did certain things, etc. I do appreciate the Jennifer McGuire's and Kristina Werners of the world for being concise and informative - and they do it for free. I don't have a problem with constructive criticism, but I don't understand why people feel the need to be nasty.

scrappington That is horrible she suffers depression. Hugs to Jennifer. Depression is hell and destroys your life. I can see why she she says the things she does. Depression sufferer too. I never meant it as criticism my curiosity. I am interested celebrity gossip hound. Trust me when I say I am a big poster over at the major celebrity sites. People fascinate me. I use to hear about her over at SCS all the time. The ladies over there either hate her and wish her unwell or love her to pieces.

I heard she can be elitist. I don't think that is a bad thing either. I grew up in an elitist family. I thought maybe she felt like scientists, mathematicians, engineers are different than artists or crafters and that the art or craft should be perceived differently. That is a discussion I do hear a lot. I have been told because I went into a scientific field that I have no business also doing art professionally.

I don't follow the ladies not because I think they are horrendous or anything. Most of the ladies who do stamp videos represent companies. Lot of their techniques and teachings are what the company wants them to do and not necessarily their own style. That is understandable. I have no issues with that. I noticed when I followed the stamping ladies I was developing bad habits for my own art. I needed to turn that off.

I love she gives away her stash. I respect that.

Scrapnnana - I also prefer written/photo tutorials. For whatever reason, I can digest them better. I can print them out and read over them without having to be on the computer The youtube tutorials I am always having to pause and rewind and it's just ugh. I appreciate that Jennifer McGuire usually includes a short written description of what she's doing, so I can watch the video once and then just use the written part as a refresher.

Now, knitting and crochet tutorials - love videos of those. Much easier to understand how to manipulate the yarn/hook/needles when you can see someone doing it.

I don't know Jennifer at all. Never met her and only "know" her from social media. She has also mentioned that she is shy and suffers from anxiety and I feel that that is part of the reason I am drawn to her videos. I have heard the comments about her being elitist or stuck up, but I can relate to that having been subject to those same comments, not because I am those things, but because I am shy/introverted in social situations and I'd rather read/craft/stay home than anything else. I don't worship or even seek out "celebrities" and quite honestly, haven't even really used You Tube until recently. 

She doesn't seem like she's bragging at all to me and I feel bad when she feels like she must apologize for things related to her (FREE!) video because people sometimes feel the need to be nasty or complain about it.
Her videos appeal to me because she has a calm demeanor, soothing voice and always seems prepared, not to mention the awesome ideas she comes up with or improves on and she freely shares her information. 

Those people who leave nasty comments should think of how they would feel if people were saying those things about them. Even though she's well known in stamping, she's still a person with feelings. And people with depression/anxiety/whatever can tend to take it harder than others. Probably the reason for her campaign to spread kindness

Ian did one a couple of weeks back.

He purchased both his Misti and the Platform.


Review

That's interesting. J McG is my favorite YouTuber because she is so inspiring and because she edits well, sparing me any "now, where did I put that blue ink pad?" moments (I have enough of those, myself - I don't need to live through someone else's). I didn't know she was an engineer until I read this thread!

I used to watch a lot of home-organization videos. There was one woman who gave all her tips, showed examples, whatever - and then at the end of each video, she shared personal stuff. It was GREAT! Those who want to feel like they "know" their YouTubers could listen to the personal stuff. Folks like me could check out after the info was given. I appreciated that she made it clear when the personal stuff was starting.

I love Jennifer McGuiers videos. I find them to be creative and her techniques aren't intimidating so it makes me more likely to try them.   I really like her kindness philosophy and she seems like a good person at heart. 

I do get the sense that she has anxiety or may have insecurities which could translate to some as elitist or stick up. I also think some people unfairly inflict their jealousy on her too. 

Now Kristina Werner, she just isn't my cup of tea. I occasionally watch her videos but I've never really been inspired by her. 

Speaking of deleting comments, I've deleted my own sisters comments, lol. This is what I told my sister, who is the queen of snark. I can't have negative comments on my posts. If I'm creating a project for a company, they want to hear nice things, positive and uplifting comments. They don't want to see negative remarks. In general, I don't have negative remarks (just my snarky sister who really knows nothing about what I do) but there is the occasional thumbs down on YouTube which I ignore. Personally, I don't want the company that I'm representing to be put off with negative critisism (again, I reference my sister!) so that could be the reason why some of you see your comments deleted, even though in your eyes, the comments weren't really mean. For a designer, any negativity on social media can spell disaster, as things can quickly get out of hand based on opinions and loyalties. It's an unfortunate reality that often, comments are left on social media that would never be spoken when face to face. Just my two cents.