Jennifer Schaerer
After my previously scheduled 10-year celebration blog post went live earlier today, it felt a little like I had paraded a large bouquet of birthday balloons past a funeral. Because our industry is nothing without its community and mutual support for one another, I want to take this opportunity to express heartfelt support on behalf of the entire Paper Crafts team to some colleagues across the miles today.
By now you’ve probably heard that one of the largest magazines in scrapbooking is sending its last issue out next month. Even though we’re not about the “Scrapbooks” part, Paper Crafts magazine and our special issues are definitely about the “Etc.” so the news that Scrapbooks Etc. is ceasing publication gave us a moment to pause and reflect. We may be entrenched in a competitive, economically challenging and evolving marketplace, but this is not happy news for us. After all, scrapbooking and card making are segments of the overall paper crafting hobby so it’s like we’re losing a well-loved member of the family.
We wish Michelle Rubin and her very talented editorial team the best of luck in finding new paths to follow, and hope they know we have the highest respect for them — both professionally and creatively.
What will happen to us who have Scrapbooks, etc. subscriptions, I wonder. I ahd not be notified they were leaving the business. Sad indeed.
Sad news, indeed! Just as the majority of small brick and mortar craft stores in my area have closed their doors and left only the industry “biggies”, the struggles seem to be spreading to the publishing arena as well. It’s obvious that paper crafting isn’t going anywhere for a long time, yet the way in which we obtain our inspiration, knowledge and supplies is rapidly evolving.
Despite being able to find most everything I need online, I’m still something of an instant gratification kind of girl, meaning that I still prefer to do my shopping in person and take my purchases home with me immediately and tend to spend more that way than I do online. I’d rather pay sales tax to the retailer than postage to the shipper. I like to look and touch the items on which I’ll be shelling out my hard-earned money. I feel the same way about books and magazines. I can pick up a physical magazine any time I want, keep it for as long as I want and not have to turn on my computer for access to them.
I am sorry to see such an iconic publication as Scrapbooks, Etc. go by the wayside as so many have before it. I guess it’s just another sad sign of the times.
Amen.
I just renewed my subscription last month!!!! I sure hope they take care of us whom have done this! Maybe make an extension of the papercrafters subscription I have? just a suggestion
This is very sad news indeed! I’m very glad I’ve kept all of my copies even though there weren’t many. I too just renewed in December. I wonder what will be happening to the remainder of my hard earned dough. Now I’ll just have to move to a different publication for inspiration.
I am at a lost for words….this is such unhappy news.
Such sad, sad news. PaperCrafts I have to commend you…you show us through and through that you are a true class act.
So well said, Jennifer. As disappointing as this is to lose another crafting publication, I hope it’s a reminder to us to keep our subscriptions going, buy subscriptions for our friends and continue to support the magazines we love!
This is what I love about this community. It IS a family. Well said.
It is a magazine I will miss. Glad I still have my Papercraft subscription.
Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt thoughts with us! Thanks, too, for caring!
Yes, Scrapbooks, Etc. will surely be missed. ‘Wishing Michelle and her staff only the best!!
I, too, am so glad that I have a subscription to Papercrafts!!
Yes!! SAD!! I too wonder what they have planned for those of us who have recently renewed our subscriptions!! They never stated a concern while sending out renewl requests!!?? THANKS and SAD to see them leave!! Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)
I am not a scrapbooker (mostly a cardmaker), but I am a lover of all paper crafts. I appreciate the inspiration I get from all outlets, including scrapbooking. I am saddened to hear this news. All my best to those at Scrapbooks, etc….including the customers who have enjoyed their publications.
Papercrafts….always a class act. Thank you for posting this…..very well put.
Yes, this was sad news indeed. It seems like more papercraft and scrapping/stamping magazines have gone out of business over the recent years than I could ever imagine. I am one who still loves to read “real” magazines, and not just online forums and blogs. My love of crafting comes from the feel of the products and the fun of seeing something grow as I cut, glue and layer. Just as I will probably never become a digi scrapper, I will always love my paper magazines and books and and am thankful that Papercrafts is still with us, even as we say farewell to other industry publications.
I had not heard about this before now and yes this is definitely sad news. While I have not “scrapbooked” in forever I still buy copies of this magazine just for the “Etc’s”. Wow, now I’m sadenned…..
A well written post. It is a sad occasion to see another scrapbooking publication shutting down. It may have been just some small minded accountant in a far off office who crunched numbers all day who made the decision, not someone who knows what goes on in the world of paper crafters. Let’s hope it’s not a foreshadowing of the industry. I love paper crafting and know a lot of other people who cherish their paper time as well. Best of luck to all their staff and contributors!