Today...is a great day!

Today...I replied to a note from Marianne who let us know how she would like to see scrapbooking portrayed in the media:

Scrapbooking is so often ridiculed because of the following it has created. Realistically, scrapbooking has been around for many years, in fact centuries, in one form or another. As respresentatives, I would hope that the NSA provides a high standard of answers and a pride in our works.

I agreed:

Great opinion, Marianne!

Scrapbooking shouldn't be portrayed as a separate lifestyle, but simply as an extension of our lives. We're already taking photos; we're already making memories. Scrapbooking is a way for us to showcase and share them. Focusing solely on the creative aspect alienates newcomers. Scrapbooking is a great gateway to crafts, but it's not where it starts. It starts with a memory. And scrapbooking helps us appreciate the moments that become memories.

Thanks so much for your support and for expanding the passion!

ETP!

Labels: About the ING, Expanding the Passion, IMHO, it starts with a memory, Stop the DRAMA

Today...we need to take a stand against the antiquated mindset that scrapbooking is "dowdy" or "saccharine". There is a sexy side of scrapbooking, and we don't need (nor do we want) Martha Stewart to prove it for us.

Remember the Panty Journal?

How about Scrap City?

Consider some of the scraponistas out there and their cutting edginess.

Here's me looking down my nose at the Wall Street Journal article. Dowdy? Pfh.


We missed out when we failed to own our own definition of scrapbooking. And we're still explaining that it has nothing to do with doilies.

Mike Harnett warns us of stereotyping the category. And we need to heed the warnings across the board, especially regarding product development and usage. Not every scrapper wants the latest/greatest.

The only stereotype I want scrapbooking to have is that it's an activity for everyone. Scrapbooking is so personal and personalized that it can be whatever you want it to be. But the common denominator remains: memories.

So don't let some Wall Street know-it-all or high-brow hot shot define your passion or label your look. Besides, I'm quite sure the writers of both articles saved clippings of their printed stories, even before their first by-line.

So, what are your thoughts? Got any proof to the contrary? What image should scrapbooking have? Let's create it!

ETP!

Labels: IMHO, industry insights

Today...we need to admit that the "scrapbooking as art" and "gotta have it" vacuums have been filled. We've elevated memory keeping to a level that is alienating the newcomer, and we've saturated the market with a flood of product. It's time to identify the new needs of the industry and fill them. That's what the NSA strives to do with these products:

• Up-to-date LSS locator and directory where all brick & mortar retailers can list their store for free and scrappers can find a scrapbooking store easily


• Calendar of calls for publication, for enthusiasts who want recognition and publishers who are looking for fresh contributors


• An open forum where any product, store, or sale can be discussed

What else does the scrapbooking industry really need? My guess:

• Greater global synergy


• A unified voice


• A place for everyone


• An identity people can relate to


• Tools specific to the scrapbooking industry (ah, an upcoming blog topic!)

In other words: more newcomers.

Don't fear. Not only has the NSA identified these new needs, but we've been working very hard behind the scenes to fill them to satisfaction! If you're interested in a preview, email me.

ETP!

Labels: Expanding the Passion, hand holding, IMHO, industry insights

Today...I'm pointing out the reality trend that has emerged in scrapbooking (perhaps a response to all those reality shows?). The trend has been looming, I mean, how many single photos layouts wallpapered with flowers can inspire Suzy Scrapbooker who only wants to organize and preserve her 3x5 snapshots of her teenager's ninth birthday?

To draw your attention to the recent surge, take these examples:

• Tara Governo's Imperfect Lives (F&W) tells the kind of wonderfully human, less-than-glorious stories that often go untold. Its pages are full of honest, edgy, quirky, humorous layouts about real life
• Tasra Dawson's Real Women Scrap and t.v. for busy women
• Memorytrends April 2007 cover story "What Women Want...and how scrapbooking gives it to them"
• The handful of blogs attacking and smacking celebs and wanna bes (and no, I won't provide the links...stay here and finish reading)

Here are some other observations. The number of inquiries to the NSA for information for LSS business plans has decreased significantly. More hobbyists are waking up to the reality that operating an LSS is 99% retail and 1% scrapbooking. Real life (i.e., kids, the mortgage, aging parents, insert "any daily stress" here) or lack of business skills, foresight or critical thinking has pushed retailers to close their doors, and the predictions are realistic. Industry politicos worn of the impending doom; the number of LSSs in the US will be down to 800 by the end of the year; this vendor is not exhibiting at CHA-S, and that vendor is not going to Memorytrends.

All this is reactionary and old news in this cyber-fast world. What we really need is to be pro-active.

Tomorrow...I'll talk about the new reality.

ETP!

Labels: IMHO, industry insights, trade magazines

Today...I posted a challenge of sorts on the NSA forums. I encourage participation from every market segment!

Let's create the ultimate scrapbooking web site!

It would have a community organized by...
It would have valuable resources like...a comprehensive, accurate LSS locator and mapping function!
It would be highly functional and do the most amazing things, like...tell me when a certain product has arrived at my LSS

It would be pretty to look at, and in the most appealing color combinations like...Scott would not dare change
I would visit it every day because...I could cutomize it to display everything I needed to know about scrapbooking in one place
and it would provide the latest information about...what's in the magazines

It would network me with...manufacturers who need local representatives, demonstrators and instructors
and feed me information about...money-making opportunities

and it would not...spam me with offers or announcements I really don't care about
and would never...insult the way I scrap

but most of all,
it would move me to...scrap and scrap often and openly
and make me feel...satisfied

I would love to hear what you want!

ETP!

Labels: IMHO, matchmaking, pudding

Today...I realized how long it's been since I blogged. So sorry. I have thoughts in my head that I think would make good blog posts, but somehow they never make it to the computer. I shall try harder.

So this is the thought that came to me today, and I immediately wrote it on my white board. I'll share it with you:



ETP!

Labels: About the ING, IMHO

Today...I drove home to Houston after spending Easter weekend with family. On the ride through Waco, TX, I had the urge to visit the local scrapbooking store. I had one consumer magazine with me, but it listed only four stores in Texas and none in Waco. So I pulled off the interstate, into the parking lot of a dry cleaners, and fired up the laptop. Amazingly, I got a strong internet connection and went straight to the NSA Store Locator. A quick search showed me that Crop-Paper-Scissors was just a bit further south.

I was looking for two things specifically: a skull and crossbones stamp and Rangers' Distress Ink refill in old paper. On Saturday, I had searched three box stores and a chain scrapbooking store with no luck. But Crop-Paper-Scissors had an extensive display of Distress Ink products, including refills, so soon I was doing the happy dance.

Independent retailers are an enthusiast's best friend. If you're enthusiastic about scrapbooking, please support your local retailer!

ETP!

Labels: consumer magazines, IMHO

Today...is the day scrapbookers around the world (at least in the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), England and Wales) who entered the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame contest anxiously await a call from founding editor Lisa Bearnson. She makes "the call" to all 25 winners. If you get "the call," it most likely will change your life forever.

Scrapbookers that make the Hall of Fame go on to contribute to the magazine on a consistent basis, design the hot products we will lust for a year from now, and get book deals that feature their special style or approach. Some accept the HOF as a pinnacle and go on to reach other life goals, scrapbooking-related or not.

There will be the drama...of waiting for the call, watching the boards, counting the number of secret toots, hearing the disappointments, then the jealousies. It's the same every year.

And every year I am blown away by the winners - and the honorable mentions - and their ability to inspire and touch scrapbookers of all levels. Their pages are very powerful. And everyone who enters a competition such as the Hall of Fame pours forth their best and newest work. Just entering the contest and meeting the required assignments can be self-satisfying.

Congratulations to everyone who entered, and especially to those who get "the call."

ETP!

P.S. I just received notification that the founder of Pioneer Photo Albums, Jason ("Irv")Ruebens, passed away at the age of 99. Born in New York, he started Ruko Camera Cases in the early 1940's and then moved on to California in 1960, eventually creating the nucleus of what is today Pioneer Photo Albums. Pioneer Photo Albums continues on strongly with his work ethic, and is still run as a privately-owned company by the family members who will greatly miss his presence.

Labels: consumer magazines, IMHO, Latest and Greatest, Stop the DRAMA

Today...EK Success announced its launch strategy for the new Martha Stewart Crafts™ line of paper crafting, scrapbooking, and storage products, begining with limited retail distribution in May to all Michaels stores, followed by distribution to EK Elite independent craft and scrapbooking stores later this year.

Today...I highlighted this tidbit of advice offered to independents by Rob Krieger, president of Checker Distributors, in the January 2007 issue of Craftrends, page 34:

The strengths independent shops can use to their advantage...are their unique product selection, classes, and individual attention (emphasis
mine).

and he advises retailers to...

"Find suppliers who are directing their total sales and marketing efforts to make independents successful. Why depend on a supplier who is doing all they can to help chains be successful at your expense?"

Krieger goes on to encourage independents to "think outside the box" and lists suggestions like using the Internet to attract younger customers, choosing the right supplier ("Make every attempt to buy products and brand names that are not in the chains."), keeping up with trends, and offering unique classes.

I can't help but think that EK Success released word of the launch schedule as a way to avoid a communications fiasco a la Provo Craft and the Cricut. They're making sure everyone knows that the box stores will have Martha's product before they attempt to ship it to their "elite" customers. Thanks for the warning, EK, especially before you have thousands of independent reltailers decend upon you at CHA.

Independents need to think outside the box or the only place to shop for scrapbooking supplies will be inside the box stores.

Labels: IMHO, industry insights, trade magazines

Today...I heard of the demise of another scrapbooking company. Leaving Prints has shut its doors. While some, especially direct sales representatives of any company, see this as a blow to their chances to build their own business, I also see it as a struggle for the scrapbooking industry to expand the passion to a greater consumer base.

Direct sales companies, with their home party plans, have the permission to enter people's personal space, both physically and emotionally, that other retailers do not. Sales reps are friends and acquaintences, actual people, who can provided that personal contact and relationship not available from a retail store or web site. That type of hand holding is needed in scrapbooking, especially to introduce scrapbooking to the intimidated and overwhelmed newcomer.

So when the industry looses a player such as Leaving Prints, it leaves a sad impression with us all.

ETP

Labels: Expanding the Passion, hand holding, IMHO