Scrapbooking is Dead! (or is it?)
Scrapbooking is Dead.
Scrapbooking is Obsolete.
Scrapbooking is Over.
I’ve heard this declaration a few times. It makes me very defensive. I LOVE scrapbooking! How dare anyone suggest that my favourite pastime is dead!
The skeptics look at the ‘facts’ as they see them, and predict the demise of this amazing hobby. Discontinued magazines, closures of local scrapbooking stores and bankruptcy of manufacturers are cited as ‘proof’ that this industry is barely limping along.
I propose a different explanation.
Things have changed!
The economy has changed. Scrapbooking was at its peak in 2006. When the economy was booming people had money to spend on hobbies and crafts. Now people have tightened their purse strings and there is less money to spend on non-essentials.
Smartphones have arrived. People are now in a state of constant connection with the world via the internet. The more time we spend on the internet the more comfortable we become using it for all aspects of our lives, from banking and connecting with our friends to shopping to online education. Our world feels smaller and more accessible and we are taking full advantage of it.
Scrapbooking has changed. As the economy and technology have changed so has scrapbooking. Scrapbooking is still as relevant as ever and now it is more accessible than ever before.
3 Reasons Why Scrapbooking is NOT Dead!
1. Scrapbooking is versatile. Scrapbooking is different than it was 10 years ago. The very definition of what scrapbooking is has changed with the times too. If you make 12×12 albums, that’s scrapbooking. If you make a mini albums, that’s scrapbooking. If you create digital layouts on a computer, that’s scrapbooking. If you make digital photo books that is also scrapbooking. When you open up your definition of scrapbooking it is easy to see how it can fit into your life. The great thing about scrapbooking is how easy it is to make scrapbooking work for YOU!
2. Scrapbooking has embraced technology. No matter what style of scrapbooker you are, you can find it online now. Supplies can be easily ordered online. Classes have moved online too. You can attend virtual scrapbooking crops or ‘scrapinars’. Scrapbooking is available online at all price points, ability levels and styles. By embracing technology scrapbooking traded in the ‘video store’ model for the ‘iTunes store’ model and proved that it was adaptable to the new marketplace.
3. The goal of scrapbookers has NOT changed. Scrapbookers still want to preserve and share our memories.
So what do you think? Is scrapbooking dead? Stacy Julian, Becky Higgins and Rhonna Farrer, three dynamic scrapbooking icons, weigh in with their opinion in this video.
View it here: http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=71&sid=22979182
What’s your opinion? Is scrapbooking dead? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments.
Let your creativity shine!
Alice Boll.
Comments on this entry are closed.
LOVE that Becky mentioned record keeping 🙂 I am trained as a records manager -so my scrapping it record keeping + fun.
I think chronological-allyourphotos-acid free is dead.
No one can keep up with the old school stuff.
I do photobooks + digital scrapbooking + social media and LOVE IT!
I think that people approach chronological differently now. People have SO MANY photos that it is impossible to scrapbook them all. I’m glad that scrapbooking has evolved with the times. Thanks for your comments!
Great article and makes us all think a bit differently about the hobby we love. Thanks for asking the question! Not dead at my house … and use my Cricut and make digital layouts too.
Ooh! I love my Cricut! It opens up a whole new world of possibilities. It’s great to see new innovations, like the Cricut, and the impact they have on scrapbooking. Thanks for your comment!
Great article and something that I hear often. I have to say that I agree with you scrapbooking is most definitely not dead. I do all kinds of scrapbooking and make it easier on myself by using my phone and iPad to do it!
It’s great how scrapbooking has jumped onto our technology! We almost need a new word that encompasses more than ‘scrapbooking’ does. Thanks for your comment!
This is great Alice… I think there are so many angles to this. Traditional scrapbooking has definitely given way to all of the new variations – Project Life, mini albums/Day in the Life/Week in the Life, digital, Instagram, blogging, etc. But I still think people enjoy the process of physically creating something using their papers and other supplies. So I would say not dead, but definitely evolved.
For me I find scrapbooking to be a way to connect with my family, without my family. I can enjoy them and the life we are living while still having time to myself. I think that is precious! Thanks for commenting.
What a great article Alice! Dead? No, I think not. But like Becky, Stacey and Rhonna said in the video, evolved. Changing. Becky’s comment about people being overwhelmed and tired all the time really struck home. And I love Stacey’s comment about losing the guilt. ANY memories recorded go in the win column in my book! Thanks for sharing this and thanks for the deep thoughts!!
Thanks for your response. I met Stacy Julian a few years ago and I’m so glad I did. She showed that there is a way to enjoy this amazing hobby without the restrictions, labels and expectations. I agree that by recording any of our memories that we are successful. I was first introduced to scrapbooking in 1997, things have changed since then, but the message is still the same… share you stories, create your memories!
I wonder if all the restrictions we felt when our generation of scrapbooking began has to do with our negative aspects. It seems that we got a new shiny way of keeping our memories. Then we got digital crazy about the same time and we have too many pictures to scrap. I have felt the pressure myself. I have had to embrace new ways to fulfill the memory keeping I want to do.
Alice, You’re awesome for posting this video and sharing your thoughts. Scrapbooking is definitely not dead!! (thanks.)
Thank you so much Stacy! I’m thrilled at the way scrapbooking has embraced change and become such a diverse activity.
I agree with you, Alice. Scrapbooking is not dead. It’s changing. But another wonderful thing is that scrapbooking today is so many different things. Anyone can find their favorite way of scrapbooking. There’s not a right or a wrong way to scrapbook. I find that very hopeful for the future of scrapbooking. 🙂
I’m so glad that there is HOPE for the future! I can’t imagine NOT scrapbooking. My scrapbooking has changed over the years, so I really hope that the new options will entice new people.