Lost Swap Pages, a very sad tale

 A few years back, I participated in a round robin swap with three talented ladies.  Beth Leintz, Lisa McIlvain, and Sandra Blanks.

Here is a post from March '12 when we were packing up the completed books to send to Stampington, per request of an editor there.

Here is the cover that I made for my own book.  The theme of all four books was "Her Life in Stitches" and since I didn't sew, I dedicated mine to my mother, who was a talented seamstress.  So, I added her photo to the cover that I made from an old book.

Well, two years later, the books have returned from the magazine, after one of us asking for them to be returned. Some pages of each of ours had been published, which is always an honor.

This photo shows the back side of the pages I showed in the first photo for this post.

And it is also a picture of my whole, entire book.   

Yep, it is the ENTIRE BOOK.

I received two pages back from the whole swap, no covers, nothing else. And one page here was sent to me by Sandra after the books were complete, so it has been sitting in my cabinet waiting for the rest of the pages to be sent back so I could add it to the book.

This is a special page that Beth made for me, in honor of my mom too.  It wasn't returned.

Now, hopefully, this means that the missing pages are being published some day? I hope it doesn't mean they were treated casually and just lost in the storeroom. I've sent a message to the magazine and got a nice response, saying they will look around for them.  But I've lost other things there, and know others who have too.  

Sure, they get tons of art sent in, some by request and some just from artists hoping to get picked to appear in their magazines. These books were all requested. Beth and I took the time to pin a tag to each and every single page, reading- "Made by Beth Leintz for Sandra Blanks" or "Made for Karla Nathan by Lisan McIlvain", etc.  

Beth and Lisa are very happy with their books. I haven't heard from Sandra about hers.

Lisa (who Stampington mailed all the pages to) mistakenly sent me some pages made by myself for her, Beth, and Sandra, and I've got those ready to send to the rightful owners. So, their books will be nice and full. The photo I saw of Lisa's book had quite a few pages, and I'm sending her 3, so hers should be fat, full, and look complete. 

Although, this special page I made for Lisa, with a "Borrower's" theme wasn't in the photo she sent to me of her book. This one was made because she mentioned how much the book had meant to her as a child.

Here are a couple of posts I did about the swap at the time.  This is Lisa's cover.  Here is a page I made for her, that was published. 

I'm not trying to dis Somerset here. I can understand how this happens.  I told you in my last post, just how hard it is for me to get things right when I host a swap for 100 people.  Just imagine how hard it is to keep track of the bazillions of pieces that Stampington must get in the mail.

In the past, I've never complained about lost items that I've made.  No big deal, I'll make more. But I am saddened by the loss of gifts made for me by these talented ladies. And I guess I'm bringing this up to let you know that this is a very common thing.  If something is precious to you, I recommend hanging on to it, not sending it in to be featured in a magazine. 

Somerset has beautiful publications and I've always been pleased to be in them.  But, if you are sending something in to any publication, please keep in mind that they deal with so many applications and so many pieces, that mistakes will be made. DON'T send in anything that you don't mind losing.

If more of my pages are found, I will be sure to let you know.  I'll be singing it from the rooftops.

EDIT:

The pages were found! My entire book, is all in one piece and will be sent home. I have to thank Miss Shawna Horan for searching for and successfully finding it.  I am thrilled to be getting the artwork made by the other swappers back again.  Delightful news!

If you do send in work to a magazine, keep records. Remember who requested it, who you talked to and have photos.  I did none of those. But I went through my blog archives and found some pictures that helped in the search. 

Comments

[Erica H]

What a terrible shame!!!
I don't know why Somerset doesn't do what other magazines do for open calls - you email a PHOTO of your project and if they like it, then you send in the actual piece. It would definitely cut down on the amount of stuff they receive and store.
I sent some items in to Somerset several years ago. And, after several months, I finally had them all returned (none were ever published). Some were damaged (missing pieces) and ALL had a "P" written in ink on them (I assume meaning "pass"). I've never sent them anything else. They just don't respect people's work like they should. And for the amount they charge for those magazines, they should be able to hire a company to handle the storage and returns for them.
I hope you do receive all of your pages. I remember when you all created these books, and they were beautiful!

[Laurie Jackson]

Oh, I remember when you did those books and posted about them -- all the pages were fabulous. I've had an experience where things that did not belong to me were "returned" to me from Somerset! I contacted them and sent them back but who knows if they will ever get to their creators/owners. That is very, very sad and I'm sorry it happened to you, most especially with a project that held such meaning for you. :(

[fairyrocks]

I agree with Erica, They should call for a digital photo first, then do the selection based on that. Would save a lot of expense and time for all considered. I hope you get your work back. Double insult that they requested your work, then fumbled it to the lost project pile. I have looked into submitting, but it always seemed so fly by night I have never taken a chance. They also ask for return postage on the blind submitted work. I imagine many people have lost that good faith gesture too.

[bobbie]

I have friends who have 'lost' things at Somerset. When I'm asked why I don't submit my things, I tell them that.
My heart breaks for your loss; hopefully all your things will eventually come home to you ~

[Karla Nathan]

It has been nice over the years to be featured, and I appreciate that, but Ive learned from being in dozens and dozens of magazines that it is a lot of effort for little return.

[Karla Nathan]

And that postage adds up, doesnt it, Laurie?

[Karla Nathan]

Oh my, they wrote on your piece with ink? Im sorry to hear that.

[carol pohl]

I am sure this happens tons of times unfortunately. I don't know how you keep yours straight, you did a wonderful job and always do. I am so glad for you that you finally go your book back. In this day and age of all the digital stuff (if i actually get to talk to a human) i always take names departments and sometimes the time and date i talked to them. such a shame we don't do to many personal things like write actual thank you notes, etc. don't get me wrong i love email and would be lost without it as well as texting and voice mail. thank you again for all your wonderful posts and SWAPS Ditto on the digital pic to begin with, sure would save a lot of time and headaches.

carol

[Karla Nathan]

How nice that you do written notes, Carol. I always think I will, but end up emailing instead. Good for you!

[Ginny]

I agree from my own experience it was nice to feature in a magazine and completely agree if the work is valuable don't bother sending it away to a magazine, just share your work on Blog, your reaching just as many people if not more as Blog is International and Stampington is not found in all corners of the world. They don't look after your work and I feel that the photography was a bit hit and miss too. Some of my pictures looked appalling compared to how they looked in the real, ie. bleached out with unsuitable backgrounds. Where as other contributors had some great quality pictures, luck of the draw. Thankfully my book came safely back to me in the UK through the kind help of my American swap friend. I do enjoy reading the Stampington magazines but having seen how things go behind the scenes I would never submit anything to them again.

Ginny (UK)

[Karla Nathan]

Ive been really lucky with the spreads Ive been in, Ginny. But yes, the whole storage and return issue doesnt always go well. Im glad your piece was returned too.

[Pallas]

I'm glad they found your book pages, and they were returned to you. It is such a lovely book.

[Karla Nathan]

Yes, me too, Pallas! Im so excited to finally get to spend some time looking through it. We mailed them off before we even had a chance to enjoy them.

[Gayla]

I'm so glad this is all going to work out okay for you. It is hard to keep something like this straight, but I know you are happy about the news. Happy Thanksgiving!