This post was originally written for Crafterminds, a website dedicated to providing resources to craft bloggers. It inspired some pretty good discussion in the comments. Feel free to leave your opinion in the comments here!
One of my tweeps recently tweeted a link to this article identifying the 10 Most Overused Words on Wedding Blogs. The post got me thinking about the craft community and our buzz words that seem to crop up unnecessarily often. So I made up a little list of my own.
Each of the words on this list can AND should be appropriately used. However, any word that is used too often begins to lose its power. Like a beloved stuffed animal, these words may be safe and snuggly, but they are becoming worn and frayed and are starting to develop a peculiar funk.
So, put up your feet, dust off your thesauruses, and join me in expanding our vocabularies.
Disclaimer: This list comes from a desire for mutual growth, not a place of judgment. I count myself as a member of the craft blogging community, so I am equally responsible for the proliferation of these words. I am guilty of using just about all of the terms on this list, and I hereby solemnly vow to take my own medicine and to try to minimize my use of them in future posts.
“We all judge. It’s our hobby. Some people do Arts & Crafts. We judge.”
Stanford Blatch (SATC, Season 5)
10. Vintage
Unless you are actually using vintage materials, refrain from describing a craft as vintage. Just because it has a picture of a rotary phone on it, doesn’t mean it’s vintage.
Try these instead: classic, bygone, nostalgic
9. Shabby
This is a good example of a word that became trendy and consequently took on a new connotation. If you check out the actual definition of the word… well, it’s not so positive. But, if you are determined to describe your project as run-down, seedy or dilapidated, at least mix up your adjectives now and then.
How about: worn, tattered, frayed
8. Chic
Chic is a French word that is an adaptation of the German word “schick” meaning skill. That origin makes it an appropriate word to use when describing attractive handmade goods. But not everything needs to be chic.
Replace it with: fashionable, current, swank
7. Fab
Sex and the City made its mark on popular culture in a myriad of ways, including instigating the wide-reaching overuse of the word “fabulous.”
As a writer, take the time to choose your words carefully. Is that potholder really fabulous? Really? Really.
I thought not.
6. Treatment
Let’s lay our proverbial cards on the table. There is the tiniest bit of pretentiousness in the craft blogging world. It’s that inner voice that tells myself, “I’m not just randomly hacking at this table with a piece of rebar. I‘m distressing it.”
I think our community could benefit by eliminating the need to say you gave your project a treatment. You wiped on a glaze. Cool! Be okay with that!
Less highfaluting options: method, procedure, application
5. Absolutely/totally/incredibly, etc.
Stephen King wrote, “I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs.”
One of the loveliest characteristics of the craft blog community is our ever-present desire to compliment each other’s creations. I know I have felt that to really emphasize my admiration of an idea I need to throw a few superlative adverbs into my description of it.
The truth is that adverbs make little difference on the overall impact of your message. Nine times out of ten, you can eliminate them from your post and not miss them at all.
If the embroidered onesie is adorable, call it adorable and leave it at that.
4. Crafty
Did you know that the primary definition of the word crafty is “skillful in underhand or evil schemes; cunning; deceitful; sly?” While that might be an accurate description of all my Pottery Barn knock-off posts, I don’t think that is how most craft bloggers usually use the word.
More accurate substitutions: arty, imaginative, inventive
3. Inspired
As with “chic,” describing a craft project as “inspired” may well be dead on. This is certainly the case if your project was inspired by another piece found elsewhere. But, just for diversity’s sake, give one of the word’s many synonyms a day in the sun.
Give these a shot: influenced, motivated, sparked, prompted
2. Frugal
I like saving money. I do. I appreciate bloggers who make an effort to create beautiful or practical items on a budget. But, I am ever so slightly sick of reading the word “frugal,” especially when it’s so much more honest to say what we really mean: cheap!
Also acceptable: thrifty, economical
1. Vignette
A vignette is a story, an illustration. A well-styled décor display might tell a story if the pieces are meaningful and complementary. However, a bunch of tchotchkes sitting on mantel does not a vignette make.
What other words you do feel are overused in the craft blog universe?
Do you have any blog writing questions?
Comment here or on my facebook page, tweet me or send me an email with any and all questions you have. I will answer as best as I can, and, if I don’t know it myself, I will do the research for you!
I read this at the other site and I agree, I am so sick of seeing the word "frugal". It's an ugly word, thrifty is so much prettier. LOL!
I'm sick of seeing "sweet." Sweet little cupcakes, sweet baby's outfit, sweet charms. For giggles, I searched Etsy for "sweet" and had over 118,000 matches and less than 3,000 involved food. UGH! (lol)
I think this is a great list. I'm always trying to use "different" words in my blogs. It's tough sometimes!
Thanks for sharing… I'll keep all this in mind!
I *heart* blah, blah. That heart thing is driving me nuts. It was cute for awhile and could still be if I didn't see it so much.Thanks for these tips. Gives me something to think about and process when blogging. I am guilty of 6 of these!
uh oh! My most recent post is about my "shabby chic" bed re-do for my daughter! eeeps! I actually DID use a vintage bed, although I'm not sure I said so. I get called "crafty" all the time by my non-"crafty" friends!
LOL! I love it. I hate the 'Shabby Chic' term anyway! I might have used vintage looking before, I will have to check. :)Thanks, this was great. (oops I mean Fab)
Great post! I, too, am guilty!
Is it too late to add 'chevron'? I feel as though this word/thumbnail of the pattern keep following me everywhere I go. 🙂
Great post!I agree about chevron. Ick!I'm most guilty of adding in adverbs…
POP!!! "A little POP of color." "These boring white everything make the fuchsia pillows really POP." I might POP!!!
This is lol hilarious – probably because I am soooo guilty!
Easy-peasy
I'm so glad I clicked on the Mad Skills link party just now—I've quoted the "crafty" part on my own blog, this made me think about describing myself that way and I didn't know where I'd seen your article. Now I do and I'm off to properly cite my sources ;PI find myself over-gushing a lot, especially in the comments. You know those crazy fanatic-fans who faint when a star walks by and breathes on them? That's me in the comment department when a post resonates. Obviously I'm working on this….. 🙂
Great list and additions by others. I also dislike "I {heart}" notations, along with "I LURVE." What does that mean and why is it used so much? I, too, am tired of hearing about "making it pop." If I may add some non-word irritants, I'm turned off by words that are crossed through, followed by some euphemism, as well as playlists that scare that crap outta me just as I've started reading a post. I do admire those who are willing to share their thoughts and projects — something I would probably never do. So, for that, bloggers get points despite whatever I find annoying.
CUTE is used for everything and has been for the past 20 years! Can we find a word to replace that?
I know I have been guilty of something here more tan once. I have to say the adverbs are hard to let go of. I spend half my post writing trying to fit as many adverbs as I can and the other half deleting them all lol. I think this rule will allow me to write more posts. I like the attitude of this post some things just need to be said and it was humorous.