We often underestimate the role that objects play in our lives. The things that occupy our homes, shelves, closets and garages can become extensions of our beings, evoking strong memories and feelings. The Featured Object series explores our connections to the simple and banal objects that populate our lives, inspiring stories, thoughts and meditations.
“BE MINE.” “U R A QT.” “LUV U.” Though there has never been a national vote, Sweethearts are the unofficial candy of Valentine’s Day. The phrases and flavors have changed over the years, but the nostalgic sentiment remains the same. Tinged with humor and plenty of sweetness, author Andrea Seigel, art director Jaspal Riyait and writer Ann Friedman contribute their personal musings on this iconic candy, reminding you that it’s all about “TRU LUV.”
I’m of a generation raised on a deep suspicion of unwrapped Halloween candy, so I already came to Sweethearts with baggage. It’s not like I thought my classmates were painting them with liquid acid (we were GATE kids), but there was still something about loose candy rolling around in the bottom of a Valentine envelope that skeeved me out. I guess it was partly the chalkiness, partly the pockmarked surfaces, partly the homemade looking edges, and partly the super sketchy caps font, which had the uneven intensity of a prison tattoo.
Mostly it was that conversation hearts forced you into a false intimacy with your most undesirable classmates (the alluring ones never went for this kind of naked communicative effort), who you now had to think about handling the candy with nervous, sweaty fingers while opening an emotionally masturbatory dialogue with you in their minds as they drizzled their come-ons into your envelope.
Even a “FAX ME” could bring about the curdling sensation of being trapped in some kind of pending obligation with a kid who you wouldn’t ever borrow a chewed pencil from, even if your math test depended on it. And even if, in fact, the hearts had come straight out of the box, that didn’t matter — they still bore the personalized heaviness of coming out of someone’s warm, gamey pocket. This wasn’t a generalized OCD reaction on my part. I’ve never had any problems taking M&Ms from someone’s living room candy dish and, to this day, I’m still not super bothered by the idea of a waiter angrily spitting in my food in a restaurant kitchen. The impression was specific to those hearts, to the image they conjured of my fifth-grade stalker in his pungent home chanting, “KISS ME. SWEET TALK. CUTIE PIE. I HOPE. TRUE LOVE,” obsessively through his head as he slowly licked my envelope shut. And when I received that envelope, I’d think, “Dude, you should have gone with the pre-wrapped red heart sucker.”
— Andrea Seigel is the author of the novels Like the Red Panda, To Feel Stuff and most recently, The Kid Table. You can follow her on Twitter at @andreaseigel.
In recent years Necco has tried to extend the popularity of the Sweethearts candy beyond Valentine’s Day, releasing special lines for Memorial Day (“Proud,” “Love the USA”) and the premiere of Twilight (“Bite Me” “Bedazzle”). I have some other suggestions as to how the wafer company might diversify its product line.
Sweethearts© Tough Conversations Edition
Sweethearts© Outdated Technology Edition
Sweethearts© Hipster Edition
Sweethearts© Style Blogger Edition
Sweethearts© Jersey Shore Edition
Sweethearts© Office Romance Edition
—Ann Friedman wants a personal set of conversation hearts that read SHAME LUST, BONE ZONE, and CORE LADY.
Photo by Jaspal Riyait
Growing up in a traditional Indian family, where laying eyes on a boy was strictly forbidden, Sweethearts were the next best thing to being in a relationship. The words “Kiss Me” and “Be Mine” meant more to me than the cheap, factory-imprinted messages, and I savored each letter, enduring the chalky, Pepto-Bismol aftertaste. Hey, I took my candy boyfriend seriously and I remembered the fear of receiving a defective worn away message, or worse yet, no message at all, which was the equivalent to opening a fortune cookie with no fortune. Was this the a cruel way of telling me I would never find love? (All pity date offers welcome.)
With social media overtaking our lives and eating away at our capabilities of human interaction, it was only a matter of time before new messages appeared on Sweethearts. Sayings like “Tweet Me” and “Text Me” are the new cyber love notes of the millennium, a far cry from “Fax Me,” the first updated saying in the early ’90s.
This year, I will once again visit my childhood memories by rekindling the flame with my heart-shaped boy-toy, and for at least five minutes out of every year, my cavity-induced sweetie will let me believe I “Look Good” and am “So Fine.” Maybe this year he’ll utter those two words he fails to say the the other 364 days of the year… “Love Bites.”
—Jaspal Riyait is the art director at O, The Oprah Magazine. During the day, you can find her scrutinizing over typography and design, but at night her passion for food is in full force at platoputas.com, her daily food blog.
214 comments
ZengArtShop says:
so cute!
1 year ago
TheUntamedHeart says:
Love it!
1 year ago
Yvonne4eyes says:
Gotta love the conversation hearts!
1 year ago
jcrabbit says:
so much passion and love, yet so not good to eat... I love these, but after like 4, I read and toss as I can no longer handle it... very cool post!
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Adorable! =)
1 year ago
TallyLocke says:
love the hearts! just wish they taste better!
1 year ago
tigersanddragons says:
I never could stand the taste of these candies, but they are iconic. My friend used them extensively in her fine art thesis, gluing them to picture frames and toilet seats.
1 year ago
thelittlemarket says:
Cute post!! Love it!!
1 year ago
MerCurios says:
Not sure if sweethearts would with go with the suggested quotes - the Jersey Shore edition is hilarious!
1 year ago
MissHildebrandt says:
These are very positive candies at least! I couldn't imagine getting a thick chocolate bar saying 'fax me'. I'd be at my local library real quick! Ha~ Anyways, Happy Valentines Day...
1 year ago
mcldrygoods says:
"I’m of a generation raised on a deep suspicion of unwrapped Halloween candy, so I already came to Sweethearts with baggage." this is so great.
1 year ago
beliz82 says:
Very cute
1 year ago
Witchey says:
As a cynical twelve-year-old girl, sweethearts candies are my mortal enemy. i cannot STAND getting those obnoxious meaningless candies. they seem to promote everything having to do with valentines day, a certain valentines day icon. i have a theory that sweethearts and valentine's day in general were created by all the lucky people who found love in this world to give to the unlucky, loveless people just to get there hopes up. i'm almost 100% sure that they just like seeing us get all disappointed when we realize that were still alone. uh! the nerve of things!:)
1 year ago
Witchey says:
I love the writing in this article, though. i may be bias, but i cant ignore the fact that this was a great article. so funny! it was written with great writing style.
1 year ago
Rawclates says:
Haha, gotta love em' & goodness there are some really cute candy heart items on etsy!
1 year ago
tennyoceres says:
I remember during my kindergarten Valentine's day I dropped a handful of them (in the same color) into a can of 7-Up I snuck into school. I could still taste the candy past the soda. Happy Heart-Shaped Candy Day!
1 year ago
trashbaggs says:
luv! luv!!
1 year ago
studiopainters says:
cute and lovely.
1 year ago
thebeadgirl says:
lol - too funny! i have pics of these sweet treats on MY blog today too! http://www.StudioJewel.blogspot.com :)
1 year ago
laurelinsailor says:
ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY GREAT!
1 year ago
gisforgrow says:
I just love it!
1 year ago
IndyspireArt says:
Fun post! Your point of view is hysterical :)I have always thought conversation hearts are adorable in a "cheesy" way. And yes, the chalky flavor is not very palatable. I do like baking sugar cookies or cupcakes and topping with icing and one or two of these to make them festive. The sweetness masks the chalkiness.
1 year ago
Junienone says:
FUNNY! Thanks for the great article! Conversation hearts are my favorite and my husband thinks they taste like toothpaste, so more for me. :)
1 year ago
ShirleyArt says:
Great article! I hated them as a kid.....but I think I have gained a new appreciation for them as an adult!
1 year ago
SlightlyEccentric says:
Hah! This story made me laugh~! " The impression was specific to those hearts, to the image they conjured of my fifth-grade stalker in his pungent home chanting, “KISS ME. SWEET TALK. CUTIE PIE. I HOPE. TRUE LOVE,†obsessively through his head as he slowly licked my envelope shut. " Hah! Love your style.
1 year ago
girliepains says:
The colours have me all giddy!
1 year ago
arlenena says:
I heart this! Happy Valentines Day everyone.....
1 year ago
ShoponSherman says:
Are they in the Smithsonian?? They should be.
1 year ago
ohbabydotcom says:
Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day xoxoxoxo
1 year ago
Sneddonia says:
What about Love Hearts, the British version? Those actually taste nice ^_^ http://www.lovehearts.com/ Happy Valentine's Day all x
1 year ago
RitaVanTassel says:
lololol
1 year ago
whatnomints says:
I actually wrote a blog post today about a message I found stamped on a pink heart 5 years ago - What did it say? "Let's Read" I'm not kidding - Needless to say I always get a kick out of seeing what new quotes they will come up with next!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Loved them when we were young! Did you know that they can last for a long time?
1 year ago
acuriousbrood says:
Hysterical...those chalky hearts give my family the creeps even when freshly poured from the unopened box. Oh no, who gave out the dreaded inedible hearts! Read them, pass them, chuckle and toss.
1 year ago
Floreal says:
Cheers to the hearts!
1 year ago
carousel2 says:
ha!
1 year ago
collectiblesatoz says:
Happy Valentines Day!
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Thanks for the laugh. My favorite candy for VD day are the conversation hearts. Always putting sentences together and leaving them on my kid's pillows or my husband's work bench. Never too old to have fun!
1 year ago
QueenofCuffs says:
Yup . . . there was always one to be found inside your coat, clinging to the deepest corner of your pocket and you pulled one out (coat fiber attached) at the most embarassing moment . . .
1 year ago
cod123 says:
love it!!
1 year ago
Avenue33 says:
My boyfriend always gets the Lovehearts that Sneddonia mentioned. They taste kind of like fizzy sweetarts. Generally they have the same sayings..."Be Mine" "True Love" etc... One time, however, he gave me one that said "Glad Eye". Any idea what the heck kind of love saying that is???
1 year ago
ddfoto says:
Loved the article!! Now I want some sugar:-)
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
My hubby gave me 10 boxes of these. Unlike Andrea, I didn't get the "willies". Although, I do remember getting them in grade school and immediately throwing them away because of the though of dirty hands throwing them in the envelope. Thank you, loved the article.
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
thought
1 year ago
PattiTrostle says:
Love this. I like the "Sweet Pea" candy..that is what I have always called my son!
1 year ago
CitySistersShop says:
CUTE! LUV IT! Thank you for featuring our Conversation Hearts photo!
1 year ago
Bumbleweedz says:
cute.
1 year ago
filofashion says:
Congrats !! So Beautiful ! Cute cute :)) Happy Valentines Day Everyone !!!
1 year ago
stepbackink says:
nice article :)
1 year ago
aoisart says:
Beautiful and sweet! Happy Valentine's day!
1 year ago
BooBooArtLLC says:
Here is my version of the conversation heart - wine charms! http://www.etsy.com/listing/65043177/on-sale-personalized-conversation-heart
1 year ago
tesorojewelry says:
I love Convo Hearts! I even have them in my listings! http://www.etsy.com/listing/66676685/valentine-sterling-silver-heart-post
1 year ago
KisforCalligraphy says:
I used over 120 conversation mottos all of which were originally coined by the New England Confectionery Co. or Necco for short. http://www.etsy.com/listing/65551561/conversation-sweethearts-paper-stickers (Necco also happens to be the name of my kitty cat who was named after the Necco Chocolate Wafer.) My cat and I really enjoyed the article. Her favorites are "PURR FECT" & "COOL CAT"
1 year ago
brynnalex says:
I'm a big fan of the "conversation hearts" !
1 year ago
roscata says:
Too funny! A year or so ago I did the same thing and made ANTI-Conversation heart candy pendants. I made them out of poly clay and stamped BITE ME, LUV SUX, WHAT EV, and KISS IT. I went out with a bunch of girlfriends for dinner and brought them as presents and they were a riot! Here's a pic of the charms... http://www.flickr.com/photos/roscata/3242239292/
1 year ago
TheVinylChalkboard says:
This is so cute! I have always thought that candy hearts were so much fun. I do wish they tasted a little better though, but then again I supposed that is probably a good thing right?
1 year ago
CarolAnnGarner says:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68111954/heartbreakers-5x7-photographic-print I like mine best. ;)
1 year ago
JulissiaandCo says:
I used those convo hearts this year as props in my pics that I took of my items for sale. Sadly... some of them (crunch) didn't make it (crunch, crunch)into the photo shoot...yummmmmm
1 year ago
JulissiaandCo says:
CarolAnn, you should use Peeps with your little people. Maybe one getting eaten by a pink bunny Peep....
1 year ago
AltogetherLeather says:
This is great - was giggling the whole time! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
1 year ago
amyfine says:
so cute
1 year ago
AZCreativeStudio says:
Lovely!!!!!!!!!!!
1 year ago
TheBlitzKriegFashion says:
cute!
1 year ago
hopelovescards says:
I made the most adorable Sweethearts Personalized Valentine's Boxes this year and they were a huge hit! Everyone loved them - wish they had made it into this article!
1 year ago
CoutureLife says:
This completely made my Valentine's Day!
1 year ago
faylynn123 says:
This is great! I just found a box from who know when it expires 8 year ago. I gave it to my hubby for v day. He said they were just a little hard. Lol
1 year ago
frommylifetoyours says:
This was a great story
1 year ago
resonates says:
Makes me feel like a school girl!
1 year ago
Asianexpressions says:
Cute!
1 year ago
cadreams says:
Good article-can't help it, I still love the candy hearts! Happy hearts day all!
1 year ago
nanioriginals says:
This is a great article. I agree the candy hearts have always been a big part of Valentines Day, but give me chocolate any day.
1 year ago
SugarCubeVintage says:
cute....happy v-day!!
1 year ago
SanDesign says:
Issues much?
1 year ago
opendoorstudio says:
always fun....my how theyve changed !
1 year ago
Pipkyn says:
Who would have thought that such a small thing could make such a big impact, I remember going through the whole packet trying to find the perfect one... I really love the jersey shore suggested designs too!
1 year ago
StudioCherie says:
i feel the love Etsy
1 year ago
jungledread says:
tweet me, text me, bite me
1 year ago
poorjimsvintage says:
I <3 Etsy
1 year ago
callmemimi says:
Really cute !
1 year ago
ChristinaThomasArt says:
Cute! And now I am hungry for those candies :)
1 year ago
AliceCouture says:
Sooo cute and lovely! A lot of love in ETSY!!! ^_^
1 year ago
vKnit says:
lovely picks here! xox
1 year ago
GoodLife00 says:
very cute,. wanna get some candy
1 year ago
fioreblu says:
Great Article! Love the pics.. so sweet! :)
1 year ago
ChrissiesRibbons says:
They are somehow so iconic, even though the UK equivalent of 'LoveHearts' look just slightly different... same chalky taste though I imagine!! A very funny article!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Love hearts always make me wince a little, not my favourite maybe I've just never been the mushy type...
1 year ago
chalkoholics says:
Fun article ;)
1 year ago
thenoddingviolet says:
lol..great article! Thanks for adding my hearts to the pics below :)
1 year ago
GardenDaisies says:
No matter how old I get, I still love these hearts, but I save the white ones for last, because they taste the best. I'm not sure if I could deal with them loose in an envelope touched by sweaty palms, though. Heeby jeebies. I used them as table decoration this year and we read them to one another in the candlelight :)
1 year ago
hazelnut81 says:
Ooo if these are like the British Lovehearts then they're scrummy as well as mini colour explosions - <3 it! www.hazeljennings.blogspot.com
1 year ago
3564td says:
It is not Valentine's Day without these! I am the only one at my house who will eat them and I can nver pass them up. My favorite are the orange ones. The taste has changed, but they are part of my history.
1 year ago
Morado says:
The cover photo is just too adorable!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Fun article. And they DO taste like Pepto-Bismol! Ha
1 year ago
AllureByU says:
Deliciously cute!!
1 year ago
TheMillineryShop says:
Loved these as a kid. would love them today I am sure. some things change, some things don't. At least the sweethearts changed and for the better!
1 year ago
rebourne says:
my mom would always buy us kids each a box of conversation hearts for valentine's day. she would bake a heart-shaped cake for us, and paint a red heart on our cheeks for school. now i try to carry on some of her traditions with my kids, and it is a lot more work than i ever realized!
1 year ago
PlumeandPetals says:
These are so yumiliciously cute =) I hope you guys had a great Valentine's Day! www.PlumeandPetals.etsy.com www.PlumeandPetals.blogspot.com
1 year ago
PrettyLoot says:
Adorable! Especially the ring.
1 year ago
PinkGingerBoutique says:
Great article. It's a shame that we only see these hearts during V day.
1 year ago
Avarae17 says:
I filmed at the UK factory that make these a few years back. As a gift they gave me a suitcase of them!!! yum yum xx
1 year ago
Avarae17 says:
oh and the only time they ever made personalized ones were for Lady Diana and Prince Charles when they visited the factory! he he!
1 year ago
pritchlc says:
I purchased a fabulous card from CitySisters and my girlfriend loves the design and uniqueness. It's top notch.
1 year ago
archaicdesign says:
this is disgusting, "who you now had to think about handling the candy with nervous, sweaty fingers while opening an emotionally masturbatory dialogue with you in their minds as they drizzled their come-ons into your envelope." thanks for that.
1 year ago
lauraprentice says:
ahahaha I am laughing so hard about your text editions! I got a heart yesterday with a hole in it... what does that mean? lol.
1 year ago
TheLittleRagamuffin says:
I was hoping to see some of Etsy seller CAPow's art here, but I'll just add it myself:) She's got great candy heart art: http://www.etsy.com/shop/capow
1 year ago
girliepains says:
HEH!
1 year ago
KarmaRox says:
"....while opening an emotionally masturbatory dialogue with you in their minds as they drizzled their come-ons into your envelope." ****************** OH. MY. GOD. And you thought the forums were BAD? WTF?
1 year ago
mathaowny says:
Wow. You guys can say that here?
1 year ago
VeyCourtCottage says:
"sweaty fingers while opening an emotionally masturbatory dialogue with you in their minds as they drizzled their come-ons into your envelope." ******** I will never be able to eat conversation hearts again. Apparently the clean up of the forums has not spilled over to here.
1 year ago
dianedesign says:
Herpes? R U Gay? WTH? Is this article a joke?
1 year ago
HelloCrafty says:
between the masturbation, drizzling come(ons), and herpes, the fun of this article has taken a very.wrong.turn. and you were trying to hide ETC?
1 year ago
eclipse says:
drizzled their come-ons. um, eeew. Grade school kids??? Also what's with the "R U Gay" heart. what if I was, you got a problem with that?
1 year ago
mathaowny says:
The fact that the R U GAY heart is lumped in with HERPES and NOT INTO U makes it seem homophobic. Not really a nice message to send. Either we're an adult-friendly site, or we aren't...but don't send mixed signals by cleaning up one area then dirtying another.
1 year ago
touchthedutch says:
I am obsessed with these...and they were an exploration...I sell bitterhearts on my etsy page... http://www.etsy.com/listing/7498692/bitterheart-pin Thought you might enjoy :)
1 year ago
gothicreations says:
he licked my envelope! Is that what the kids call it these days?
1 year ago
Horticopia says:
I suppose SOMEBODY thinks that they are being cute or clever or terminally hip, but I find homophobia & STD's not suitable for general consumption... RUDE,RUDE,RUDE!!
1 year ago
eclipse says:
Yeah I think that is where the "R U Gay" heart is bugging me. It's next to Herpes, as if they are both equally negative things. Like childish kids calling eachother "Gay" as an insult. I'm not sure if that is how it's intended, but the context makes it seem like a slur.
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
Um.
1 year ago
cattuslavandula says:
Gross article. Sometimes you people try too hard to be 'cute' or whatever you are trying to be. Maybe you could come up with something more professional for St. Patty's Day? Or maybe follow the guidelines for 'forum decorum' when writing the next blog article?
1 year ago
gothicreations says:
nothing says fun like getting your envelope licked in the copy room.
1 year ago
mathaowny says:
Didn't they shut down threads if we wrote 'f*ck' just like they did here?
1 year ago
auntjanecan says:
R U Gay????? Herpes???? ..... emotionally masturbatory dialogue with you in their minds as they drizzled their come-ons into your envelope." Grow up
1 year ago
Artinfacts says:
Wow, just wow. tic tock tic tock
1 year ago
urbangipsy says:
I just don't like chalk in my mouth, no matter the color or word on it ath ath
1 year ago
SewFunThings says:
Absolutely disgusting writing!! Take this sick article off!
1 year ago
KarmaRox says:
Conversation hearts are the new coral.
1 year ago
Plinkjewelry says:
great read
1 year ago
redthreaded says:
I don't really want to be thinking "that's what she said" when reading a Storque article. Yikes.
1 year ago
Naps says:
Putting the "R U Gay" heart with the other negatives is offensive.
1 year ago
bellacruz says:
well, that was interesting. It's amazing how long-standing candy can be.
1 year ago
plasticpumpkin says:
Bears repeating: 8 minutes ago Naps says: Putting the "R U Gay" heart with the other negatives is offensive. If it were meant to be open-minded to gay lovers, why did you group it with "Herpes"?
1 year ago
archaicdesign says:
totally inappropriate for a business site.
1 year ago
JDWolfePottery says:
plastic, it is in the tough conversations section, not in the "these are all bad things" section.
1 year ago
JDWolfePottery says:
I guess none of you have ever fallen for someone who may not be attracted to your gender before.
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
Once, I fell for a guy and I had no idea he was gay. He was my friend and took care of me when I had the flu. I was an idiot I guess for not realizing. One night we were playing a game of "I Never" and he drank when someone said one of the "I never did __ with a guy" I don't even remember what it was but he drank and I was like NO! you are supposed to drink if you HAVE done that.... LIGHTBULB! And I asked him if he was gay. it was a big dramatic moment. I felt so stupid! He ended up being a great friend though, and I am so glad we got it all out there and could be fully ourselves as friends.
1 year ago
WoodlandCottage says:
LOL! As for me, I had a love/hate relationship with heart candy since the first grade. I've always secretly yearned for a desirably boy/man to present me with the perfect Valentine's sweet heart. Never happened, leaving me, each year, a little hurt. Now, I buy my own candy! Thanks for sharing, y'all!
1 year ago
BowWowzerZ says:
this is my feeling about candy hearts http://www.etsy.com/listing/56527694/bite-me-heart-pet-id-tag-aluminum-as
1 year ago
cartoonmonster says:
uh... some underlying issues happening here, eh? R U GAY? really?
1 year ago
rtisan says:
Seriously?
1 year ago
artbytrudy says:
plasticpumpkin says: Bears repeating: 8 minutes ago Naps says: Putting the "R U Gay" heart with the other negatives is offensive. If it were meant to be open-minded to gay lovers, why did you group it with "Herpes"? ............................................ I am appalled. Double Standard for forum behavior that represents a small percentage and a blog that represents All of us. Inapropriate to say the least.
1 year ago
McIsaacArt says:
zipped lips will remain in place
1 year ago
magicjelly says:
Wow! Etsy comes up trumps again. Good job...
1 year ago
CarolBradley says:
!masturbatory???? In an anti-heart article? gagh!
1 year ago
sunkengardenbeads says:
What an appallingly immature article. I thought Etsy was better than this. Whoever wrote it should be ashamed of themself. Take it down!!
1 year ago
SaltysPirateDen says:
methinks the editorial staff needs some adult supervision
1 year ago
grimmlynn says:
The idea in theory is cute, but R U Gay being lumped into the negative category including Herpes and Not Into It seems like a poor choice. Also, I take huge issue with the one that says F*CK HR. Maybe women need a choice in the matter, not just guys taking orders?
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
I think the point is that they are both subjects that would really be uncomfortable ask someone, or discuss with someone. It is awkward to ask someone, are you gay? Esp if you are attracted to them. But those things come up in life and in human interaction. That point is highlighted by the fact that it is on a candy heart, which you expect to say the normal sweet things that candy hearts do. Even Brachs conversation hearts say things that are pretty sexual and as my 6 year old was reading them out of his valentines loot, it sounded odd coming from him and almost uncomfortable. I really don't think Etsy had an agenda here beyond the discussion of conversation hearts and what they can mean to people.
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
Sweethearts© Office Romance Edition F*UCK HR. Just to clarify, does that mean F*CK HUMAN RESOURCES?
1 year ago
organikx says:
My daughter came home at lunch yesterday with a cupcake with sweet little candy hearts sprinkled all over it, teeny tiny little ones, they had nothing on them. Refreshing, considering.
1 year ago
SilverSmack says:
I remember being in high school and finding one that the printing didn't come out right, so it looked like it said something very naughty. I thought it was the funniest thing ever!
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
my son's had things like, "shake it baby" and "do you want me?" like ooo this sounds so bad coming from the mouths of babes.
1 year ago
Archivia says:
Whoa. I read this part: "handling the candy with nervous, sweaty fingers while opening an emotionally masturbatory dialogue with you in their minds as they drizzled their come-ons into your envelope." I am really surprised at this being allowed in Etsy's official blog. Wow. Also, I agree that RU Gay seems like a very homophobic one when lumped with Herpes and Not Into You. Not very cool or forward thinking. And F*CK HR? Really?
1 year ago
Archivia says:
I mean, that "Office Edition" sounds like the kind of office Dov Charney runs.
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
none of you have ever worked in shitty offices where you wanted to send the snide human resources dept. a "F*ck HR" heart? Or a "bend over you lazy shit CEO" for knocking down the huge number of photocopy booklets I had neatly stacked over the printer?
1 year ago
Archivia says:
is it HR for Human Resources or an abbreviation of Her? Because it seemed like the latter to me.
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
PoleStar says: none of you have ever worked in shitty offices where you wanted to send the snide human resources dept. a "F*ck HR" heart? -------------------- I only sought clarification, as I perceived some people read that heart as "F*UCK HER."
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
whoops. sorry about that.
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
Being that came from the Sweethearts© Office Romance Edition, yes I read that as "Human Resources", not "Her", but I perceived some were reading that as "Her", which is why I sought clarification.
1 year ago
EarthGrrrlCrafts says:
What the hell IS this mess? We've been muted, booted, and middle finger saluted out of our Forums because we got off topic too much, but here, in the Etsy blog it's ok to make candy sound like... Penthouse Forum? And I REALLY don't appreciate the R U Gay? Heart being lumped into the 'tough' category as if it's acceptable to use that terminoligy as an insult. Thank you, for once again defining hypocrisy. For once again reinforcing the 'do as i say, not as i do' set of rules. For once again proving to us that so long as it sells big, you LOVE it. And the rest of us can keep our fucking mouths shut, thank you very much.
1 year ago
organikx says:
LOL, would appear that the storque has become the new forums!
1 year ago
Archivia says:
BGS, those aren't official Sweethearts© hearts, they are the author's suggestions to Sweethearts©.
1 year ago
Archivia says:
I officially "heart" EarthGrrrlCrafts right now.
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
I think it has to do with all the fears you face in those years "are you gay?" AM I GAY?" That question inserting itself into your brain in those years when you have no idea who you are or what you want or like. Herpes....wow that fear, will that dark and scary STD that you don't know much about have something to do with your first sexual experience? Taking the benign and trite conversations on the hearts and inserting those statements into a teenagers thoughts. That's what those hearts are about. Don't think it is trying to offend but to cause you to think more about your relationship to yourself in those awkward years. Maybe the hearts could have had more power than we knew before they were eaten (gross) or thrown away more like in my house.
1 year ago
celebratetheodd says:
How does masturbation imagery work for your and our cooperate image, Etsy? Especially considering all the 'cleaning up' you have been doing lately? Hypocrisy much?
1 year ago
CoastingAlong says:
Naps says: Putting the "R U Gay" heart with the other negatives is offensive. ------------------------- I agree. Did Pat Robertson write this Storque article?
1 year ago
riptidemurmur says:
what's next, david eggers penning a blog? this is at least heartbreaking. how is referencing herpes even remotely amusing? and then to place that particular anatomically incorrect sugar wafer next to a nasty put down and an inquiry into sexuality? 2 out of 3 of those are negative in tone-why include the third? this reads like the unworldly furtive afternoon scrawlings of an apathetically depressive and inexperienced sub-suburban teenager with a black and white composition notebook. a tasteless twit with a jagged pencil gripped in warm shaky palms and feverishly scribbling onto paper with absolutely nothing of substance to say. boo again etsy. boo again.
1 year ago
SissysArt says:
"It's time to close this article. Please remember to be respectful" Yeah, right! Hypocrisy is right. Unbelievable Etsy or maybe I should really say "par for the course".
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
Archivia says: BGS, those aren't official Sweethearts© hearts, they are the author's suggestions to Sweethearts©. ----------------- Yes, I understood that.
1 year ago
Archivia says:
Oh, sorry bgs!
1 year ago
allisoneastmanbeads says:
Um, talking about 5th graders and using the terms "masturbatory", come-ons and the cheeky use of envelopes? That is really too far. I'm sorry, but I am not of a mind to want to be thinking about awkward 10 year old boys at the same time as masturbation. If the writer of this article is, then you might reconsider your author's pool.
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
Archivia says: Oh, sorry bgs! ------------- No problem sweetie! (((hugs)))
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
I think this article was meant to bring you back to when you were that age of raging hormones and what these hearts could imply and terrorize your mind with . REmember when you were 10? it wasn't all barbie. Sometimes Barbie made out with ken. This wasn't meant to be a plot set up to make you imagine random kids but to bring you back to those confusing days of tween and teen. Gotta go to bed, but goodnight!
1 year ago
eclipse says:
I think the HR does mean human resources but I had to read it a few times to get that. Due to the text-speak and abbreviations used in other hearts (R U gay, it is very easy to think "HR" means "her" at first glance. especially because candy hearts use all caps anyway.
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
AND sometimes barbie and barbie made out too. just sayin
1 year ago
BohemianFleaMarket says:
It must be April 1st...
1 year ago
catmomofseven says:
PoleStar says: AND sometimes barbie and barbie made out too. just sayin -------------------------------------------------------- Ken had the hots for Skipper but he kept it in his pants.
1 year ago
UneBelleVie says:
EarthGrrrlCrafts: THANK YOU! I was disappointed that many of the forum categories were shut down, but I tried not to complain. This is sheer hypocrisy, though, and I think should be protested. At least the forums were more out-of-the-way. THIS is in the Storque blog, for crying out loud, and directly endorsed by Etsy! To say it is in bad taste is probably the understatement of the century.
1 year ago
organikx says:
The fact that this article has degraded to what it is now and is still here is a real eye opener. Forum posts that dip to this level are closed in an instant. Interesting to see if a storque aritcle will get closed or not.
1 year ago
OhFaro says:
Good God. Don't you people have anything better to do than find something to bitch about.
1 year ago
DistinctiveColorArt says:
Has Etsy ever closed or removed a stork article?
1 year ago
ScentedLuxuries says:
I am appalled by that article.
1 year ago
ScentedLuxuries says:
I have nothing better to do right now OhFaro ;-)
1 year ago
ScentedLuxuries says:
No. I've seen people's shops magically and suddenly closed over comments, but have not seen an article removed.
1 year ago
TimeAndAgainFashions says:
I think ETSY and these authors are mastubatory: excessively self-absorbed or self-indulgent
1 year ago
trinlayk says:
Etsy, I know (and love) people who were assaulted because some street toughs PRESUMED the person was gay. This is SO not funny, hip or cute.
1 year ago
enchantedhue says:
hilarious how literary ignorance can turn a witty metaphor into a pearl-clutching event !
1 year ago
cattuslavandula says:
Literary ignorance? Poor taste on a business site is more like it.
1 year ago
jewellerytreasures says:
beautiful products and an interesting read
1 year ago
SonasCandles says:
Seriously?
1 year ago
thesequinnedsheep says:
I really object to the vulgar tone of this article, I'm very disappointed in Etsy for allowing it to be published. It's in very poor taste. Unlike Love Hearts (the British version of conversational hearts) which are delicious and very cute!
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
Look, it wasn't homophobia. Also, yes 5th graders have sexual feelings. Even if they can't define them, which was kind of the point of the article. I know some of you are telling Etsy to "grow up" but maybe some of that should be directed towards yourselves. R U Gay isn't homophobia, it's a question. You can turn it into homophobia I suppose if you try hard.
1 year ago
robinseggstudio says:
I agree that this article has immature tones and is mostly in poor taste. I would have never attached it to my business site, personally.
1 year ago
PoleStar says:
I think everyone of us have had our "what is appropriate for the storque" moments. Mine was an article discussing the birqa and if it was a valid form of expression over a tool of repression. I felt the opinions of the article were inappropriate. There is a comment section here for debate. But calls for the removal of the articles are, in my mind, over the top.
1 year ago
woodguy32 says:
wow..
1 year ago
whimsypics says:
KarmaRox says: Conversation hearts are the new coral. **************** Yeah.
1 year ago
celebratetheodd says:
'Do as I say, not as I do.' Not the best model of business or parenting, in my opinion.
1 year ago
spac says:
Bad Taste. And when I think of my 10 year old-5th grader self, pictures of masturbation certainly DO NOT come to mind. I didn't find the "metaphors" even remotely witty.
1 year ago
BlueKittyMiniatures says:
I read about this on off-Etsy sites and thought it must be trouble-makers making it all up so I came to see for myself and every word I read is true. Gross, tacky and I wonder what the makers of these hearts will make of it.
1 year ago
LonesomeRoadStudio says:
*pops popcorn* Can't wait to read all about Peeps for Easter!
1 year ago
JadeCreations says:
Etsy I think your muting abilities have been placed on the wrong people. Check out your own staff. Some hand made soap mouth washing is in order!
1 year ago
sarahknight says:
Wouldn't it have been adroit if Etsy had just found products based on "conversation hearts" and then like interviewed the people who made those products — linking to their shops? I bet most of those creators would have been thrilled. I think we'd all be pretty chill with that, wouldn't we?
1 year ago
tfondren says:
The masterbation analogy is the worst I have ever seen. There was NO BETTER analogy than that?
1 year ago
lovebean says:
keeping it classy, etsy!!!
1 year ago
Artinfacts says:
(still 41 hours later and counting)tick tock tick Ahh, the smell of hypocrisy in the morning. Ewwwtsy, have you no business sense at all? Mute you! Take down your two finger salute.
1 year ago
modernrubbishsf says:
I was also in the GATE program, I wouldn't be so sure those kids wouldn't paint the hearts with acid. It made me laugh at a young age to leave my regular curriculum twice a week, go into a room with the other GATE kids and we were given logic puzzles and other brain teasers to keep our minds sharp. I would walk into find my fellow GATE students sniffing glue.
1 year ago
AtabbycatArts says:
Etsy has no idea what the f' they are doing.. Whack sellers with one hand and stick their foot in poo and wave it in every ones face the next.. The article made my stomach do a flip.. "gamey pockets"? just urgh.
1 year ago
rainestudios says:
the swami knows all.. the swami sees all.. even conversation hearts: http://etsyswami.tumblr.com/post/3327665993/a-difficult-conversation
1 year ago
woodguy32 says:
candy with no wrappers... oh my... germs...
1 year ago
OhFaro says:
Etsy- Keep your edge, keep your spice and seasoning and please, don't white-bread down the site any more than you already have.
1 year ago
TheWhimsicalMuse says:
Blech! You can do better, Etsy, so much better. sex related analogy + elementary age children = NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! If it were pertaining to an 18 year old or older, fine. No big deal. This, however, was obviously pertaining to a child in elementary school. Please make it go away!
1 year ago
MariaSoleil says:
ibtl? oh...wait...where am i?
1 year ago
julietgo says:
In this new blog series, we invite contributing writers to interpret common or popular objects. Those interpretations will always be personally informed, from a diverse set of sensibilities. Thank you all for sharing your response to the post. The range of opinions you’ve expressed is proof that you, our readers, also have diverse perspectives. At this time we’re closing the comments, to keep the discussion from straying off the original subject of the article. Thanks.
1 year ago