. . . or so I hear on the interwebs :(
This was one of the very few (hard copy) scrapbooking or papercrafting magazines left, if not THE last, and was published in the UK. I would buy it sometimes if I could find it at Barnes and Noble but that had become more difficult lately.
It was hard to confirm this rumor online because everything on their website and social media looks like business as usual. But a message board poster from the UK stated on 05-07-15, “I have been on the phone with the publishers this morning and they confirmed that Scrapbook Mag has ceased publication and the current issue on sale (no 89) is the last one!!”
Of course, this leads to the cries of dismay and sadness, followed by the realization that we as scrappers bring this on ourselves. Yes, the internet is an amazing and wonderful source of inspiration. But if you only or mostly consume free content, those who provide paid content can’t make a living from it and have to fold. I think it’s a very interesting discussion to have.
It seems that in turning the reins over to the everyday scrapper we are almost shooting ourselves in the foot (or Tiny Attaching ourselves in the foot? paper piercing ourselves in the foot?). So many of us are now providing scrapbooking content and inspiration for free via blogs, YouTube videos, and even free classes. Which is awesome! But in turn – and over time – all that free content takes away the ability for others (who may be providing superior content, more organized content, magazine content we can hold in our hands, etc) to provide paid content.
It’s something that shifts and moves every day like the sand under your feet at the waves’ edge . . . one of those Catch-22s of life, I suppose.
What do you think? How do you feel about the whole issue? And, no, that wasn’t meant to be a pun but if it makes you smile, I’ll claim it :)
14 Comments
Couldn’t agree with you more. I am a dedicated thrifty shopper who is always checking out the clearance aisles, but at the same time I love to support local businesses or small U.S. businesses and realize I may need to pay a bit more to get some of these unique goods and services. Plus, it makes me feel “oh so good” when I know I am not simply filling the coffers of a giant mega-store!
With so much content available for free online, it is easy for consumers to always expect “something for nothing”. Please remember “there is no such thing as a free lunch” and buy something from a local crafter or business.
OK, I’ll get off my soap box now, but I am so very saddened when magazines about an industry I love are no longer available!
I agree, Nadine. Though I’m a bargain hunter at heart, I do try to spread the wealth – shopping at any LSS I come across, paying full price for expensive magazines, supporting small biz online LSS, etc. One way I look at it is that my scrapbooking budget is what it is. If I can save 40% on one thing at Michaels, I don’t just tuck that money in my pocket – I spend it somewhere else on scrapbooking items. But the downside of that, I guess, is that I’m not spending 100% of retail 100% of the time, which may be what scrapbooking vendors need to survive in this economic downturn (??). Anyway … I think we’re on the same page :)
Well that stinks. There are few left. I have found Scrap365 also out of the UK and Somerset Memories ( which is well over my skill set but a gorgeous mag with 8 sheets of scrapbook paper). But I miss those days of my mailbox filled with scrap yumminess from my fave mags.
I know how hard I work on my layouts and ideas and free content is great, but I don’t find myself looking for free content all that much I prefer the now old fashioned method of magazines. Sigh. ..scrappy blues…
Thanks for the heads up about other scrappy mags, Teri. I’m sad right along with you. There’s just nothing like them.
I have found that magazine publishers are struggling in other fields also. Just look at the racks at your grocery stores, they keep getting smaller and smaller. My husband is a car guy who gets many magazines, like 10-15, a month. We can see the content shrinking more and more. The publishers are desperate. He gets 2-3 renewal offers a week at ridicously low prices,like 12 issues for $6.00. So it truly is not just because of scrappers looking at online content. It is a sign of the times.
That’s a great reality check, Martha. The only other magazines I’ve ever read consistently were People and Us. I subscribed to one and bought the other off the newsstand. When the economy turned, I had to give up my People subscription and it truly pained me. I had literally been a subscriber for 15 years and really loved receiving it in my mailbox each week. They still try to get me back, LOL. But I guess now I’m used to not getting it, somewhat “over it” with the celeb gossip, etc. You’re so right though – it’s not just scrapper magazines that are disappearing.
I agree with you and the above comments. I enjoyed having the physical paper mag to hold and look at, especially if I was traveling. Had subscriptions to 3 different publications at one point and now they are all gone, along with most of our LSS. The whole decline of the industry makes me sad and long for the way things used to be. Sigh. Time moves on and things change but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
Hi Jill! It is so very sad to watch the scrapbooking industry decline the way it is. Or not even just decline but change to keep up with the economy and technology. I’m happy to use technology for work, blogging, etc. but I seem to be more Luddite when it comes to my personal time, LOL. I’m with you; I want paper magazines, waaahhh! But all these changes are a lot of the reasoning behind the new membership sites I’m starting here. I think scrapbooking content and the way we consume it and what we want to get from it has evolved (whether with or against or will) and I want to tap into that.
Yes, I could not agree with you more. i love to support LSS (as you well know another great one bit the dust after 12 years in my area; there is one left and not sure how long they will be around) for the teachers, product info and a place to touch, feel and smell (love the smell of paper). I miss the days going into the stores and buying the magazines for inspiration. Now there is too much overload on the internet and less time to create; i’m more than willing to pay to see and refer back to great talent in magazines. Do you follow Scrapbook & Cards Today…..they put out a top quality magazine.
Hey Julie :) I’m sorry about your LSS. That’s so heartbreaking, especially when a long-time survivor like that store has to let go. I agree with you about the overload of content. Sometimes it’s almost too much of a good thing. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at Scrapbook & Cards. I’ve always stuck with purely scrapbooking magazines – but I can’t be picky anymore so I should check it out. Thanks!
I have a hard time reading magazines & e-books on-line I prefer the actual magazine/book in my hand I like being able to go back & look over the magazine several times,be able to take it with me wherever I go I used to buy the scrapbook magazines every month & now there are no scrapbook magazines to buy I resent it you don’t see quilting magazines being discontinued,in fact there have been new publications the last couple of years
Mary, it’s indeed frustrating, especially if you see other crafts with magazines that are thriving. I miss reading and carrying the scrapbooking magazine issues around, too :(
I miss all the wonderful scrapbooking magazines that gave me so much inspiration!
Me too, Susan! There is nothing else like them.