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Post by Florida Cindy on Jun 26, 2014 14:28:39 GMT
2 PS closing/ AC bought WRMK and scrapping places going belly up in the past few years-what do you think is happening to the S/B industry?
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 26, 2014 14:38:37 GMT
I think it is not just a scrapbooking thing. I think it is indicative of our economy in general. And unfortunately scrapbooking is a hobby, and people are having to cut spending in non-needs categories just to make it by.
I know I've had to severely limit how much I spend on my hobbies.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2014 14:50:25 GMT
I think scrapbooking is taking 2 hits:
First people bought so much stuff for so many years building up their scraprooms, some just don't need much anymore (myself included)
Secondly, the economy. With wages not increasing, but prices on everything going up, this hobby is just no a priority to some now.
Makes me sad, but I personally do not have the extra money to spend on a lot of supplies now. I've spent about $50 so far this year is all.
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Post by abundantlifescrap on Jun 26, 2014 18:15:30 GMT
I think so many people are going the digital memory keeping route- faster and you don't need supplies... But it breaks my heart- I just love working with paper and creating by hand- I know you should never say never but... I'll never go digital!  |
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Post by miominmio on Jun 26, 2014 19:07:10 GMT
Where I live, scrapbooking is definitely a dying hobby. The economy is good here, but it seems SB just isn't trendy anymore. A lot of stores have closed the last two years, and less people attend crops. At the same time, knitting and crocheting is making a huge revival. Will scrapbooking make a comeback? I hope so, but I don't think it will happen anytime soon.
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tiffanytwisted
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Jun 26, 2014 19:13:38 GMT
I think scrapbooking is taking 2 hits: First people bought so much stuff for so many years building up their scraprooms, some just don't need much anymore (myself included) Secondly, the economy. With wages not increasing, but prices on everything going up, this hobby is just no a priority to some now. Makes me sad, but I personally do not have the extra money to spend on a lot of supplies now. I've spent about $50 so far this year is all. I definitely agree w/this. I have done some shopping this year, but I totally agree w/your reasons as to why the industry is taking a hit. Of course, if we all start worrying that it's all going away, maybe we'll all start shopping again and that will bring things back around! |
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mow180
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Post by mow180 on Jun 26, 2014 19:17:11 GMT
I think the industry must take some of the blame.
When they spend $3 on packaging a $1 item and then charge me $7.99 I get grumpy and refuse to buy!
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Joanne
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Post by Joanne on Jun 26, 2014 19:29:04 GMT
I have to say I agree they charge too much for things like flair and enamel dots for example
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Post by kristi on Jun 26, 2014 19:42:23 GMT
Most of the people I know rarely print photos. They also make Shutterfly books. The time & expense it takes to scrapbook is quite the commitment.
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oldcrow
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Post by oldcrow on Jun 26, 2014 20:02:06 GMT
I am old enough to have seen several "hot" crafts fade away. And to have seen some make a come back in one way or another.
Scapbooking itself is a very old craft and what we do is actually a revival. No, I am not old enough to have been around first time. It started with photographs and some really old ones were made with things like letters and dried flowers, things they wanted to keep and had special memories.
My grandmother had a scrapbook that she had made when she was young.
To keep a craft alive there must be a regular influx of new people to the craft. They are the ones who need to buy. Those who have been doing it for years could probably continue for years without buying anything. It is the buying that keeps a craft alive. That of course is my personal opinion.
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angel97701
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Post by angel97701 on Jun 26, 2014 20:21:08 GMT
I am old enough to have seen several "hot" crafts fade away. And to have seen some make a come back in one way or another. Scapbooking itself is a very old craft and what we do is actually a revival. No, I am not old enough to have been around first time. It started with photographs and some really old ones were made with things like letters and dried flowers, things they wanted to keep and had special memories. My grandmother had a scrapbook that she had made when she was young. To keep a craft alive there must be a regular influx of new people to the craft. They are the ones who need to buy. Those who have been doing it for years could probably continue for years without buying anything. It is the buying that keeps a craft alive. That of course is my personal opinion. THIS! Like Macrame, ceramics, etc. Many of us have FULL scrap rooms, that we do not support the growth of the industry any more! We have a electronic die cut machines, die cut machines and so many stickers already that we could scrap forever! I have enough paper to make all the pages I would ever want . . . plus all the fun multi-media resources (paint, glitter, ribbon, you name it!) Scrapbook conventions will also go to the wayside as there are fewer vendors, and less attendees! We haven't taken classes for the last few years nor have we gone to the group crops because we didn't get much done and they were expensive! I think I will always scrap and make cards, but right now it depends on how much time I have! |
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mow180
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Post by mow180 on Jun 26, 2014 21:34:11 GMT
I love classes and crops. Sadly there are fewer of them, too.
It is my way of socializing and keeping my inspiration going.
I am sorry I was never able to go to a convention when they were jumping.
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back to *pea*ality
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jun 26, 2014 21:36:34 GMT
I think in part it is the economy. Gas prices, food prices continue to increase and there is less disposable income for scrap supplies after the necessities are covered.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Jun 26, 2014 22:41:52 GMT
For me I just don't have the time or the energy to scrap as much. I have a ton of supplies and don't need anymore but I do still buy just nothing like I used to - it is partly due to cost but more importantly I just don't have room for more stuff. I like having less stuff and I think that may be why I like Shimelle's style she uses simple products. She also uses what she has - yes she buys stuff but it doesn't seem like each page costs $25 like some of the ones you would see in the gallery at 2Ps. She adds just enough to keep it interesting without loosing the focus on the photo and the story.
She uses the same stamps over and over vs buying 20 different sets and only using them once. She doesn't have a die cutter or embosser either.
I don't spend as much on other hobbies either - I rarely knit and I used to buy more books and now I borrow 95% of my books from the library. I used to print up lots of photos now I only print them as I need them and since I am scrapping less I therefore spend less money - even during years that I am doing PL.
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mandymae
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Post by mandymae on Jun 26, 2014 23:16:01 GMT
I think it's a complex issue with more than one thing we can point to. Despite what we're being told, the economy is not doing as well as they want us to think it is. At least not for everyone. Scrapping isn't a necessity, so if the choice is between spending money on food for your kids, or paper, kids better win!
As far as companies being bought by AC, I can see good in it. While I don't like the idea of so many brands being brought under one umbrella (because I worry about quality without enough competition), I don't see it as a 'the end is near' thing. Shoot, my husband and I operate a very successful small business. We recently had someone casually offer to buy us out so they could obtain our product exclusively, yet we would still operate and be on their payroll. I think it was last night that we were discussing what the number would need to be. I think we came to the conclusion we weren't interested, but it is certainly tempting to know that we would have a set salary and wouldn't have to deal with all the business end of stuff anymore. Just because someone is bought or sold doesn't mean that the said businesses are not thriving.
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Post by anniefb on Jun 29, 2014 3:39:22 GMT
I agree, it is a complex issue. There are so many products out there and new stuff all the time. And how many die cut machines/tools/papers etc does the average person actually need? It's not surprising a lot of places are closing. I guess the AC buy-up just mirrors a lot of similar things happening generally in the economy. I don't think it's a bad thing per se.
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Post by momof3pits on Jun 29, 2014 6:30:59 GMT
My biggest concern with AC buying everything is what happens if, god forbid, they go under??? We would be left with next to nothing. With things headed the way they are, I am almost ready to pat myself on the back for all the hoarding I've been doing. Now I can tell DH I was really just stocking up with a purpose!
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Post by straggler on Jun 29, 2014 11:12:19 GMT
I think the industry was oversaturated, people bought way more than they ever needed and then the economy took a dive and has never recovered, at least not here. It is hard to justify spending money on a hobby when providing groceries is such a challenge! Bacon, $6 a pound! Who would have ever thought that could happen!
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Post by zeutdog86 on Jun 29, 2014 11:34:24 GMT
Ditto. I found that if I like something to buy it because it will not be around when I want it. This is sooooo true for paper. I love paper!!! I have tons of paper!!! Did I say I love paper?  ?
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Post by kluski on Jun 29, 2014 13:11:32 GMT
I wonder if it isn't related to the digital world we live in. By that I mean, people take tons of pics on their phones and even cameras but never actually print them. I am guilty that I haven't printed any pcs in months. I need to but just haven't.
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Post by jamh on Jun 29, 2014 13:33:51 GMT
I am old enough to have seen several "hot" crafts fade away. And to have seen some make a come back in one way or another. Scapbooking itself is a very old craft and what we do is actually a revival. No, I am not old enough to have been around first time. It started with photographs and some really old ones were made with things like letters and dried flowers, things they wanted to keep and had special memories. My grandmother had a scrapbook that she had made when she was young. To keep a craft alive there must be a regular influx of new people to the craft. They are the ones who need to buy. Those who have been doing it for years could probably continue for years without buying anything. It is the buying that keeps a craft alive. That of course is my personal opinion. I am old,too,and completely agree with the above explanation. Hobbies/crafts are cyclical, and when the economy goes south, hobbies are some of the first budget items to be cut. I remember when crocheting granny square afghans , macrame, and embroidering huge wall hangings,etc. were hot hobbies. I think photo books have also muscled-in on scrapbooks,too. JamH |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Jun 29, 2014 14:20:22 GMT
I think it's the digital age. Back in the day you had to use up a roll of film, take it to be processed and either SB them or put them away never to be seen again. Now most everyone has either a cell phone or a digital camera. The photos can easily be posted to FB or some other social media site to see and share. For me, I switched to digi because it was convenient, I didn't have to drag all that stuff out, I could stay in the same room with DH and lastly, I thought SBing items were overpriced ($3.99 for four fancy brads!). Plus I have my photos rotate as my screen saver so even the photos not SBed are being seen. With digi I can buy supplies, make a page, send it off to be printed with out leaving the comfort of my chair. I do still make cards so I get my paper fix.  Another thought - A lot of SBers have chosen to go the Project Life route. It's so easy and you can buy one kit and document a years worth of life with minimal supplies and time. |
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Post by scrapbookdiva on Jun 29, 2014 14:27:00 GMT
Most of the people I know rarely print photos. They also make Shutterfly books. The time & expense it takes to scrapbook is quiet the commitment. I honestly think this is the key. It's not just scrapbooking stores that are closing, but photo/camera stores that are closing, too. I don't know any one of my friends that actually prints their photos, never mind a photo book. It makes me sad that in 15 or 20 years, people will have a huge gap in missing photos because they either didn't back anything up, or the types of data storage has changed so much. |
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Post by Sparki on Jun 29, 2014 15:09:46 GMT
I'm very sad about it, but I've even gone the photo book route. Actually, kind of digi scrapping, then printing in photo books. The traditional scrapbooks were so heavy, and took up so much room.  The photo books just take up so much less space. |
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Post by artisticscrapper on Jun 29, 2014 20:52:31 GMT
I think a lot of people came to scrapbooking because at the time it was the 'in' hobby. As an above poster stated crafts and hobbies go in cycles and when scrapping peaked and then started to decline the bandwagoners went to quilting. My M's and J's had huge sections for that. When that ran its course knitting came in and now there are aisles of yarns and knitting supplies.
As far as AC gobbling up all the smaller companies, this goes on all over for all things. Many of the everyday products we buy under familiar names are owned by giant conglomerates. With scrapping not being a big seller any more many companies were probably happy to have AC come in and buy them for $$$.
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Post by Megan on Jun 29, 2014 23:55:02 GMT
I'm sorry to any garden girls here, but 2peas customer service sucked. I refused to buy from them and I really think a large part of the reason they were on the top of lists of scrapping sites was because of the community (drama and all!), not their shopping. I have a feeling we only caught a small bit of the complaints on the message boards and the closing of 2peas was a long time coming.
That said - I don't think the industry is dying, I think it's shifting. More people are going digital (not me, lol!), some people love monthly groups through Stampin Up or Close to my Heart (that's where a good part of my craft budget goes!).
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Post by momof3pits on Jun 30, 2014 4:41:25 GMT
I think it's the digital age. Back in the day you had to use up a roll of film, take it to be processed and either SB them or put them away never to be seen again. Now most everyone has either a cell phone or a digital camera. The photos can easily be posted to FB or some other social media site to see and share. For me, I switched to digi because it was convenient, I didn't have to drag all that stuff out, I could stay in the same room with DH and lastly, I thought SBing items were overpriced ($3.99 for four fancy brads!). Plus I have my photos rotate as my screen saver so even the photos not SBed are being seen. With digi I can buy supplies, make a page, send it off to be printed with out leaving the comfort of my chair. I do still make cards so I get my paper fix. Another thought - A lot of SBers have chosen to go the Project Life route. It's so easy and you can buy one kit and document a years worth of life with minimal supplies and time. I think this is an excellent point. With the age of taking pics on phones, I have so many pics and am so behind on scrapping and even printing them that I feel like I am drowning! |
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Post by carolynhasacat on Jun 30, 2014 4:49:19 GMT
There are lots of digital avenues now, too. My young cousins think of Facebook like a digital scrapbook. They post all their photos and tell their stories there. They're not seeing the reason to have hard copies of these things. And if they do, they print their FB pages (or Instagram or whatever).
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Post by DinCA on Jun 30, 2014 8:26:02 GMT
I think it's in a stage of reorganization - kind of like a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
First, the cost of supplies has tripled in the last five years. My $50 box with free shipping is a lot lighter than it used to be. Coupled with a still lagging economy, a lot of LSSs have not been able to hang on. I also think that even some of the bigger manufacturers have found that the cost of doing business outweighs the benefits. And then there's the fatigue I'm sure many of the owners are feeling. When a company like AC is willing to buy you out, it would be hard to decline.
And social media has certainly had an effect. A lot of people like the immediate gratification of sharing their photos online and rarely print them. Unfortunately, they are also the people who often lose all of their photos when they lose their phone or it breaks. It has taken its toll on the industry, though.
Having said that, there are still a lot of people like us who really want to see and feel their photos in an album of some kind, so we are going to be the group that saves the industry while it readjusts. Also, when the dust settles, I wouldn't be surprised to see several small companies pop up as the industry begins to grow again. I'm not saying it will ever be like it was in the early 2000s but it won't die.
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jun 30, 2014 12:35:44 GMT
Everyone has made a lot of good points, and I think it's to some extent "all of the above."
I had scrapping friends who quit long before the economy tanked. They got busy and/or lost interest. As others said, hobbies come and go in popularity. There will be a few who love a hobby so much they never lose interest, but most people vary their hobbies. I used to sew, crochet, and cross stitch before I started scrapping. I used Sculpy to make fun jewelry. I made soft sculpture dolls. I painted. I have no interest in those hobbies anymore. I started scrapping almost 18 years ago and have kept on scrapping.
Many LSS opened and closed before the economy went bad, partly because they really didn't know how to run a business, and partly because they just couldn't compete with the bigger stores who could get products for better prices than they could.
Digital scrapping gave traditional scrapping competition.
The manufacturers, in an effort to get scrappers to buy more product, focused on pages that had more products than pictures. I think that discouraged a lot of potential scrappers as well as established scrappers, who felt that scrapbooking cost too much per page.
Trends changed incredibly fast, and those who weren't trendy sometimes felt that the trendy scrappers looked down their noses at them. Maybe it was a false perception, but it was there. If you feel that others consider your pages inferior, it's easy to lose your enthusiasm.
Scrappers built up stashes, then purged, repeated the process, then felt guilty about all the money they had wasted.
As scrapbooking got more sophisticated, it took more time. The pages I make today take a lot longer than when I just slapped some stickers and colored paper squares on the page. I like my pages a lot better, but I am a super slow scrapper now when compared to my early days of scrapping. Time is something that is in short supply for a lot of folks.
In other words, I don't think it was just the economy, or just bad business sense, but a lot of factors.
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? 
The photo books just take up so much less space.
