Messy Desk Days Blog

Written by

Nic Howard

in

The scrapbook industry is changing.  It's cutting back.  Some smaller manufacturers are closing their doors while larger ones that are based primarily around craft and not just scrapbooking are scaling back to more of their original role in crafts.  Scrapbooking in the craft industry is shrinking back.  Slowly and surely.

This year we have seen Scrapbook Trends move to being an online magazine only.  We have seen the closure of Simple Scrapbooks Magazine, and we have seen Creating Keepsakes in obvious financial trouble.  Last night I heard of one more casulaty with the closure of Memory Makers Magazine.

This saddens me.  My scrapbooking career (and yes, I will call it a career, it's been full-time income earning – tax paying work for me for the past 4 years) rested firmly on the foundations that Memory Makers Magazine created for me.  They chose my entry as one of 10 winners out of 680 entries back in 2004.  They took a chance on a New Zealander when noone else would.  Those times working with Memory Magazine were some of the most exciting I could have had.  I had over 50 pages published just with them in that first year and my career grew from there.  I met one of my scrapbooking idols, Kari Hansen-Daffin back in those years – she was the first person I ever saw curl paper with water – I've never given that up, have I?! 

Anyway.  I'm saddened.  There will be no more Memory Makers Magazine.  No Memory Makers Magazine Masters contest.  It seems weird for the foundation of my scrapbooking to disappear.

I guess it's a lesson to all.  Enjoy the hobby you have as the resources for it will slowly disappear.  Support your LSS.  Promote events.  Tell people about good things that are happening in your area.  Encourage others to join you when going to scrapbooking events and discourage competition in the industry.  We are all in this hobby together, and if we don't support it, it'll continue to die back.

Thanks for the memories, MMMagazine.
laters

Comments

68 responses to “”

  1. topkatnz Avatar
    topkatnz

    thats very sad news … and kinda frightening too …

    Reply
  2. topkatnz Avatar
    topkatnz

    thats very sad news … and kinda frightening too …

    Reply
  3. topkatnz Avatar
    topkatnz

    thats very sad news … and kinda frightening too …

    Reply
  4. topkatnz Avatar
    topkatnz

    thats very sad news … and kinda frightening too …

    Reply
  5. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    So sad to see all these magazines go. I have to thank Memory Makers because it was one of your LOs in an issue of their magazine that led me to stalk… er, I mean, befriend you. (((hugs))) to you, Nic. And positive thoughts and prayers for those who have lost their jobs in the wake of this announcement.

    Reply
  6. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    So sad to see all these magazines go. I have to thank Memory Makers because it was one of your LOs in an issue of their magazine that led me to stalk… er, I mean, befriend you. (((hugs))) to you, Nic. And positive thoughts and prayers for those who have lost their jobs in the wake of this announcement.

    Reply
  7. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    So sad to see all these magazines go. I have to thank Memory Makers because it was one of your LOs in an issue of their magazine that led me to stalk… er, I mean, befriend you. (((hugs))) to you, Nic. And positive thoughts and prayers for those who have lost their jobs in the wake of this announcement.

    Reply
  8. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    So sad to see all these magazines go. I have to thank Memory Makers because it was one of your LOs in an issue of their magazine that led me to stalk… er, I mean, befriend you. (((hugs))) to you, Nic. And positive thoughts and prayers for those who have lost their jobs in the wake of this announcement.

    Reply
  9. Cath Avatar
    Cath

    This is very sad. I have spent most of today scrpaping some recent photos, so checking your blog and reading this is such a wake-up call. Imagine a quiet Saturday, a bunch of new photos, and hardly any cool supplies to go with them…
    I feel for the people losing their jobs, the scrap addicts worried about their hobby, the store owners, the career scrappers like yourself. Just sad.

    Reply
  10. Cath Avatar
    Cath

    This is very sad. I have spent most of today scrpaping some recent photos, so checking your blog and reading this is such a wake-up call. Imagine a quiet Saturday, a bunch of new photos, and hardly any cool supplies to go with them…
    I feel for the people losing their jobs, the scrap addicts worried about their hobby, the store owners, the career scrappers like yourself. Just sad.

    Reply
  11. Cath Avatar
    Cath

    This is very sad. I have spent most of today scrpaping some recent photos, so checking your blog and reading this is such a wake-up call. Imagine a quiet Saturday, a bunch of new photos, and hardly any cool supplies to go with them…
    I feel for the people losing their jobs, the scrap addicts worried about their hobby, the store owners, the career scrappers like yourself. Just sad.

    Reply
  12. Cath Avatar
    Cath

    This is very sad. I have spent most of today scrpaping some recent photos, so checking your blog and reading this is such a wake-up call. Imagine a quiet Saturday, a bunch of new photos, and hardly any cool supplies to go with them…
    I feel for the people losing their jobs, the scrap addicts worried about their hobby, the store owners, the career scrappers like yourself. Just sad.

    Reply
  13. Lara Avatar
    Lara

    good summary and reminisces (such a word?) Nic. Surprising in some ways as often in a recession its the crafts and things you can do your self that go up a notch. Yup, we have to share our hobby/interest to keep it growing i guess.
    smiles.

    Reply
  14. Lara Avatar
    Lara

    good summary and reminisces (such a word?) Nic. Surprising in some ways as often in a recession its the crafts and things you can do your self that go up a notch. Yup, we have to share our hobby/interest to keep it growing i guess.
    smiles.

    Reply
  15. Lara Avatar
    Lara

    good summary and reminisces (such a word?) Nic. Surprising in some ways as often in a recession its the crafts and things you can do your self that go up a notch. Yup, we have to share our hobby/interest to keep it growing i guess.
    smiles.

    Reply
  16. Lara Avatar
    Lara

    good summary and reminisces (such a word?) Nic. Surprising in some ways as often in a recession its the crafts and things you can do your self that go up a notch. Yup, we have to share our hobby/interest to keep it growing i guess.
    smiles.

    Reply
  17. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Sad but things come and things go. Certainly hope scrapbooking manages to carry on though. It is such a rewarding craft.

    Reply
  18. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Sad but things come and things go. Certainly hope scrapbooking manages to carry on though. It is such a rewarding craft.

    Reply
  19. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Sad but things come and things go. Certainly hope scrapbooking manages to carry on though. It is such a rewarding craft.

    Reply
  20. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Sad but things come and things go. Certainly hope scrapbooking manages to carry on though. It is such a rewarding craft.

    Reply
  21. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    I am very sad about that news. I like that magazine

    Reply
  22. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    I am very sad about that news. I like that magazine

    Reply
  23. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    I am very sad about that news. I like that magazine

    Reply
  24. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    I am very sad about that news. I like that magazine

    Reply
  25. Lainie Avatar
    Lainie

    Oh man that is no good…Creative Keepsakes too! Hugs for you Nic.

    Reply
  26. Lainie Avatar
    Lainie

    Oh man that is no good…Creative Keepsakes too! Hugs for you Nic.

    Reply
  27. Lainie Avatar
    Lainie

    Oh man that is no good…Creative Keepsakes too! Hugs for you Nic.

    Reply
  28. Lainie Avatar
    Lainie

    Oh man that is no good…Creative Keepsakes too! Hugs for you Nic.

    Reply
  29. Andrea Ford Avatar
    Andrea Ford

    it is a worry for people whose jobs are gone or no longer secure, but I think from the consumer perspective, it will make us more creative and resourceful. Keep up the inspiration, I do pop in regularly to get a motivation and creativity boost. Happy Mothers Day Nic.

    Reply
  30. Andrea Ford Avatar
    Andrea Ford

    it is a worry for people whose jobs are gone or no longer secure, but I think from the consumer perspective, it will make us more creative and resourceful. Keep up the inspiration, I do pop in regularly to get a motivation and creativity boost. Happy Mothers Day Nic.

    Reply
  31. Andrea Ford Avatar
    Andrea Ford

    it is a worry for people whose jobs are gone or no longer secure, but I think from the consumer perspective, it will make us more creative and resourceful. Keep up the inspiration, I do pop in regularly to get a motivation and creativity boost. Happy Mothers Day Nic.

    Reply
  32. Andrea Ford Avatar
    Andrea Ford

    it is a worry for people whose jobs are gone or no longer secure, but I think from the consumer perspective, it will make us more creative and resourceful. Keep up the inspiration, I do pop in regularly to get a motivation and creativity boost. Happy Mothers Day Nic.

    Reply
  33. Delys Avatar
    Delys

    Wow scrapbook trends is my favourite especially since they pubbed me too! MM has to be my most fave mag I get so much inspiration from it and its saddens me to see it go.
    However in NZ and Aus I don’t think its all that bad and for me a SU demo here in NZ its been great as everyone wants to create and earn at the same time.
    I heard somewhere that in times of stress and hard times people turn to home made …baking, sewing, scrapbooking, growing your own veges and cards.
    Lets hope and I agreee…please support your LSS!

    Reply
  34. Delys Avatar
    Delys

    Wow scrapbook trends is my favourite especially since they pubbed me too! MM has to be my most fave mag I get so much inspiration from it and its saddens me to see it go.
    However in NZ and Aus I don’t think its all that bad and for me a SU demo here in NZ its been great as everyone wants to create and earn at the same time.
    I heard somewhere that in times of stress and hard times people turn to home made …baking, sewing, scrapbooking, growing your own veges and cards.
    Lets hope and I agreee…please support your LSS!

    Reply
  35. Delys Avatar
    Delys

    Wow scrapbook trends is my favourite especially since they pubbed me too! MM has to be my most fave mag I get so much inspiration from it and its saddens me to see it go.
    However in NZ and Aus I don’t think its all that bad and for me a SU demo here in NZ its been great as everyone wants to create and earn at the same time.
    I heard somewhere that in times of stress and hard times people turn to home made …baking, sewing, scrapbooking, growing your own veges and cards.
    Lets hope and I agreee…please support your LSS!

    Reply
  36. Delys Avatar
    Delys

    Wow scrapbook trends is my favourite especially since they pubbed me too! MM has to be my most fave mag I get so much inspiration from it and its saddens me to see it go.
    However in NZ and Aus I don’t think its all that bad and for me a SU demo here in NZ its been great as everyone wants to create and earn at the same time.
    I heard somewhere that in times of stress and hard times people turn to home made …baking, sewing, scrapbooking, growing your own veges and cards.
    Lets hope and I agreee…please support your LSS!

    Reply
  37. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Yes, well said Nic! It’s a worry for me to being a store owner, the worst thing about it is I love it so much! I’d be absolutely depressed if the craft phased out, I truely believed that scrapbooking would stand the test in time as once you know about it, its hard to go back, everybody has photos right? I think it will always be around to some point, admittedly their has been a flood of scrapbook manufacturers, maybe too many for the industry. It would be horrible to see all the physical shops close and only the online stores going as scrapbooking is such a social craft to meet and share with others, we all need a place to go and what better place than a store with access to products? One thing I must say is that I’ve always been happy to support any other scrapbooking/patchwork store as I like to still buy products that are outside of what we can stock also (hey I’m a scrapbooker at heart what can I say!…lol) would be nice though to see other store owners support me too because I believe the same as you Nic, we are all in this together because of the love of the craft, simple as that!

    Reply
  38. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Yes, well said Nic! It’s a worry for me to being a store owner, the worst thing about it is I love it so much! I’d be absolutely depressed if the craft phased out, I truely believed that scrapbooking would stand the test in time as once you know about it, its hard to go back, everybody has photos right? I think it will always be around to some point, admittedly their has been a flood of scrapbook manufacturers, maybe too many for the industry. It would be horrible to see all the physical shops close and only the online stores going as scrapbooking is such a social craft to meet and share with others, we all need a place to go and what better place than a store with access to products? One thing I must say is that I’ve always been happy to support any other scrapbooking/patchwork store as I like to still buy products that are outside of what we can stock also (hey I’m a scrapbooker at heart what can I say!…lol) would be nice though to see other store owners support me too because I believe the same as you Nic, we are all in this together because of the love of the craft, simple as that!

    Reply
  39. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Yes, well said Nic! It’s a worry for me to being a store owner, the worst thing about it is I love it so much! I’d be absolutely depressed if the craft phased out, I truely believed that scrapbooking would stand the test in time as once you know about it, its hard to go back, everybody has photos right? I think it will always be around to some point, admittedly their has been a flood of scrapbook manufacturers, maybe too many for the industry. It would be horrible to see all the physical shops close and only the online stores going as scrapbooking is such a social craft to meet and share with others, we all need a place to go and what better place than a store with access to products? One thing I must say is that I’ve always been happy to support any other scrapbooking/patchwork store as I like to still buy products that are outside of what we can stock also (hey I’m a scrapbooker at heart what can I say!…lol) would be nice though to see other store owners support me too because I believe the same as you Nic, we are all in this together because of the love of the craft, simple as that!

    Reply
  40. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Yes, well said Nic! It’s a worry for me to being a store owner, the worst thing about it is I love it so much! I’d be absolutely depressed if the craft phased out, I truely believed that scrapbooking would stand the test in time as once you know about it, its hard to go back, everybody has photos right? I think it will always be around to some point, admittedly their has been a flood of scrapbook manufacturers, maybe too many for the industry. It would be horrible to see all the physical shops close and only the online stores going as scrapbooking is such a social craft to meet and share with others, we all need a place to go and what better place than a store with access to products? One thing I must say is that I’ve always been happy to support any other scrapbooking/patchwork store as I like to still buy products that are outside of what we can stock also (hey I’m a scrapbooker at heart what can I say!…lol) would be nice though to see other store owners support me too because I believe the same as you Nic, we are all in this together because of the love of the craft, simple as that!

    Reply
  41. Faye Avatar
    Faye

    I don’t think scrapbooking will ever disappear. The craft in some form or another has been around for years and will be for many more. What will disappear is the enormous amount of product that has been promoted in the last few years and really you don’t need all that product to scrapbook. It’s sad to lose the magazines though, especially with the jobs that go with them.

    Reply
  42. Faye Avatar
    Faye

    I don’t think scrapbooking will ever disappear. The craft in some form or another has been around for years and will be for many more. What will disappear is the enormous amount of product that has been promoted in the last few years and really you don’t need all that product to scrapbook. It’s sad to lose the magazines though, especially with the jobs that go with them.

    Reply
  43. Faye Avatar
    Faye

    I don’t think scrapbooking will ever disappear. The craft in some form or another has been around for years and will be for many more. What will disappear is the enormous amount of product that has been promoted in the last few years and really you don’t need all that product to scrapbook. It’s sad to lose the magazines though, especially with the jobs that go with them.

    Reply
  44. Faye Avatar
    Faye

    I don’t think scrapbooking will ever disappear. The craft in some form or another has been around for years and will be for many more. What will disappear is the enormous amount of product that has been promoted in the last few years and really you don’t need all that product to scrapbook. It’s sad to lose the magazines though, especially with the jobs that go with them.

    Reply
  45. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    End of an era for sure… MM was my first pub 🙁 Big hugs to you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  46. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    End of an era for sure… MM was my first pub 🙁 Big hugs to you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  47. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    End of an era for sure… MM was my first pub 🙁 Big hugs to you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  48. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    End of an era for sure… MM was my first pub 🙁 Big hugs to you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  49. Pearl Maple Avatar
    Pearl Maple

    So well said.
    Too often i hear people saying it is sad that a shop or magazine has closed because of the market.
    But we are the ‘market’ we decide where we shop and for what. We do have more power than we know, by supporting our LSS, submitting to magazines or idea books, purchasing magazines and telling the industry what we like, we can be rewarded with the kind of scrapbooking we want.

    Reply
  50. Pearl Maple Avatar
    Pearl Maple

    So well said.
    Too often i hear people saying it is sad that a shop or magazine has closed because of the market.
    But we are the ‘market’ we decide where we shop and for what. We do have more power than we know, by supporting our LSS, submitting to magazines or idea books, purchasing magazines and telling the industry what we like, we can be rewarded with the kind of scrapbooking we want.

    Reply
  51. Pearl Maple Avatar
    Pearl Maple

    So well said.
    Too often i hear people saying it is sad that a shop or magazine has closed because of the market.
    But we are the ‘market’ we decide where we shop and for what. We do have more power than we know, by supporting our LSS, submitting to magazines or idea books, purchasing magazines and telling the industry what we like, we can be rewarded with the kind of scrapbooking we want.

    Reply
  52. Pearl Maple Avatar
    Pearl Maple

    So well said.
    Too often i hear people saying it is sad that a shop or magazine has closed because of the market.
    But we are the ‘market’ we decide where we shop and for what. We do have more power than we know, by supporting our LSS, submitting to magazines or idea books, purchasing magazines and telling the industry what we like, we can be rewarded with the kind of scrapbooking we want.

    Reply
  53. Nina Avatar
    Nina

    oh, that’s sad Nic! No doubt, you will miss the publication of MMM …. but your contributions, not only to MMM but to the Scrapping Industry in general, is one to be extremely proud of!! you have inspired so many people, me included!!
    Oh … wish i knew how to curl paper using water!!
    Nina

    Reply
  54. Nina Avatar
    Nina

    oh, that’s sad Nic! No doubt, you will miss the publication of MMM …. but your contributions, not only to MMM but to the Scrapping Industry in general, is one to be extremely proud of!! you have inspired so many people, me included!!
    Oh … wish i knew how to curl paper using water!!
    Nina

    Reply
  55. Nina Avatar
    Nina

    oh, that’s sad Nic! No doubt, you will miss the publication of MMM …. but your contributions, not only to MMM but to the Scrapping Industry in general, is one to be extremely proud of!! you have inspired so many people, me included!!
    Oh … wish i knew how to curl paper using water!!
    Nina

    Reply
  56. Nina Avatar
    Nina

    oh, that’s sad Nic! No doubt, you will miss the publication of MMM …. but your contributions, not only to MMM but to the Scrapping Industry in general, is one to be extremely proud of!! you have inspired so many people, me included!!
    Oh … wish i knew how to curl paper using water!!
    Nina

    Reply
  57. Graham Samuel Avatar
    Graham Samuel

    It is sad about MMM – but I don’t think we as consumers should discourage competition. Competition means that shoddy online retailers who take ages to send orders don’t have to be supported; I can go to another online store who values my custom enough to send my order on time. Competition means a single magazine doesn’t have a monopoly and I can choose one that better reflects my tastes and produces a professional publication. Competition means that I don’t have to go my ‘local’ scrapbooking shop that charged well above retail prices for everything and gave me crummy service to boot; I can go to one a couple of suburbs away and I’m paying less and I receive much better service. I don’t think we should allow sloppy operators to get away with it. Competition is us voting with our feet so that the *good* operators survive and flourish.

    Reply
  58. Graham Samuel Avatar
    Graham Samuel

    It is sad about MMM – but I don’t think we as consumers should discourage competition. Competition means that shoddy online retailers who take ages to send orders don’t have to be supported; I can go to another online store who values my custom enough to send my order on time. Competition means a single magazine doesn’t have a monopoly and I can choose one that better reflects my tastes and produces a professional publication. Competition means that I don’t have to go my ‘local’ scrapbooking shop that charged well above retail prices for everything and gave me crummy service to boot; I can go to one a couple of suburbs away and I’m paying less and I receive much better service. I don’t think we should allow sloppy operators to get away with it. Competition is us voting with our feet so that the *good* operators survive and flourish.

    Reply
  59. Graham Samuel Avatar
    Graham Samuel

    It is sad about MMM – but I don’t think we as consumers should discourage competition. Competition means that shoddy online retailers who take ages to send orders don’t have to be supported; I can go to another online store who values my custom enough to send my order on time. Competition means a single magazine doesn’t have a monopoly and I can choose one that better reflects my tastes and produces a professional publication. Competition means that I don’t have to go my ‘local’ scrapbooking shop that charged well above retail prices for everything and gave me crummy service to boot; I can go to one a couple of suburbs away and I’m paying less and I receive much better service. I don’t think we should allow sloppy operators to get away with it. Competition is us voting with our feet so that the *good* operators survive and flourish.

    Reply
  60. Graham Samuel Avatar
    Graham Samuel

    It is sad about MMM – but I don’t think we as consumers should discourage competition. Competition means that shoddy online retailers who take ages to send orders don’t have to be supported; I can go to another online store who values my custom enough to send my order on time. Competition means a single magazine doesn’t have a monopoly and I can choose one that better reflects my tastes and produces a professional publication. Competition means that I don’t have to go my ‘local’ scrapbooking shop that charged well above retail prices for everything and gave me crummy service to boot; I can go to one a couple of suburbs away and I’m paying less and I receive much better service. I don’t think we should allow sloppy operators to get away with it. Competition is us voting with our feet so that the *good* operators survive and flourish.

    Reply
  61. Lezlee Avatar
    Lezlee

    Sorry to hear about MMM! First I heard. What a shame. Can’t imagine scrapping will go away all together – too many of us do it! Will be interesting to see how the inspiration shakes out via mags or something else. Yippee for BPS, eh? 😉

    Reply
  62. Lezlee Avatar
    Lezlee

    Sorry to hear about MMM! First I heard. What a shame. Can’t imagine scrapping will go away all together – too many of us do it! Will be interesting to see how the inspiration shakes out via mags or something else. Yippee for BPS, eh? 😉

    Reply
  63. Lezlee Avatar
    Lezlee

    Sorry to hear about MMM! First I heard. What a shame. Can’t imagine scrapping will go away all together – too many of us do it! Will be interesting to see how the inspiration shakes out via mags or something else. Yippee for BPS, eh? 😉

    Reply
  64. Lezlee Avatar
    Lezlee

    Sorry to hear about MMM! First I heard. What a shame. Can’t imagine scrapping will go away all together – too many of us do it! Will be interesting to see how the inspiration shakes out via mags or something else. Yippee for BPS, eh? 😉

    Reply
  65. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    I was so sad to hear about it too… I knew there were some hard times, but it’s sad that it came to this. 🙁 I know how you feel….

    Reply
  66. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    I was so sad to hear about it too… I knew there were some hard times, but it’s sad that it came to this. 🙁 I know how you feel….

    Reply
  67. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    I was so sad to hear about it too… I knew there were some hard times, but it’s sad that it came to this. 🙁 I know how you feel….

    Reply
  68. Courtney Avatar
    Courtney

    I was so sad to hear about it too… I knew there were some hard times, but it’s sad that it came to this. 🙁 I know how you feel….

    Reply

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