Scrapbookers Using Idea Books and Magazines

Each Wednesday, I write a post that is from my dissertation.

Last week, I discussed how scrapbookers use (or don’t use) the internet to learn about scrapbooking. This week, I will tell you about how they use idea books and magazines.
How Do Scrapbookers Use Idea Books and Magazines
Scrapbook magazines are read religiously by some; while other respondents could not even recall what they subscribed to because they did not read their subscriptions. Magazines are used like scrapbookers use the internet–for ideas, inspiration, and scraplifting (copying the scrapbooking design of another).
How do Industry Workers Use Idea Books and Magazines
Industry workers are much more likely to purchase and read scrapbook idea books compared to other scrapbookers. This makes sense because they are more devoted scrapbookers and therefore, more willing to spend the extra money for an idea book. One scrapbook store, gives a subscription to one of the scrapbook magazines as their employee’s holiday bonus each year. The purpose of this gift was to provide additional education to the employees about the products they are selling.
How Publishers Use Idea Books and Magazines
Make no mistake, magazines and idea books are advertising vehicles. Most readers either do not notice or do not care, but they are designed to sell products and keep people scrapbooking so as to maintain the industry.
The Takeaway
Most of my respondents did not read or purchase idea books or magazines. They either did not realize they existed or they just did not have the money in their scrapbook budget for the books and magazines. Others just did not care for them or did not have or make time to read them. The scrapbook publishing industry has changed quite a bit since these interviews in 2008. Magazines have been shuttered. Idea books are published much less frequently.

Related posts:

• I Scrap Alone
• Scrapbooking Norms: Learning the Rules of Scrapbooking
• Scrapbooking on the Web