These days it seems the economy affects every corner of our lives. Scrapbooking – whether you are a hobbyist or work in the industry – is no different.
The effects of the economic crisis on scrapbooking will go deeper than just the business effect on the industry from consumers who can’t afford to buy as many supplies as they previously did. The effect will be seen in style trends as well, which will be influenced by the work of people who are trying to scrapbook with fewer supplies and resources.
What scrapbooking trends do I think we will see (or continue to see) in the foreseeable future because of the economy? Let’s take a look:
Paper Piecing: This technique has already been making a comeback recently after dying out about 5 years ago. I think it will continue to grow in popularity, with its appeal being partially that it can be created affordably from paper scraps. For scrapbookers with a larger budget, electronic die cutters will help create this look (especially as the technology continues to fall in price).
Clean & Simple: Pages loaded with embellishments will be “out” as consumers stick mostly to the basics like paper and cardstock on their pages to cut costs.
Focus on Techniques: Embellishments that are used will be much more technique-based then in the recent past as reusable tools replace single-use embellishments in scrapbookers’ design options. Elements like decorative scissors, punches, stitching, and stamping will rise in popularity (some of which we are already seeing). Scrapbookers’ priorities are switching from time (using pre-made but more expensive embellishments) to money (using techniques to make their own embellishments). Product or content that manages to address both of those often competing needs will have a huge advantage in the marketplace. Trends like this make Ultra-Pro’s acquisition this summer of Around the Block look very market-savvy.
Budget Scrap Spaces: Scrapbook organization has been a hot segment for the industry for quite awhile. But as home values decline, less financing is available, and family incomes go down, most of us will be trying to “make do” with less home than we really need. Scrap rooms will get less fancy, with fewer built-in cabinets, or even go away entirely for a lot of scrapbookers. Scrap space style will be more organic and less coordinated, built from what is on hand and budget options like storage cubes. For an increasing number of people without dedicated scrap spaces, totes will become an important storage option.
About Nancy Nally
These are some really insightful observations, Nancy! Do you have any ideas about how both stores and designers can adapt their offerings to handle these changes? Have you heard of any stores offering, for example, “$5 Layout” classes?
My concern has been for retreat aspect of scrapbooking.
So far, I have not noticed a slow-down in Central Texas…people purchase less at retreats…but don’t attend them less.
I also think that more and more people are shifting to digital scrapbooking. While you can spend a great deal of money on supplies, it is not necessary. In fact, many of us who started the trend of digital scrapbooking about 6 years ago, did so because we could not afford to purchase product and learned to create our own instead, plus those that we do purchase can be used time and time again and altered and recoloured.