Creativity: Now and Always

I have been scrapbooking as long as I can remember. I began saving cards, notes, pictures, and ticket stubs on binder paper when I was very little and could barely spell. I don't know what made me want to scrapbook since my mom was never interested in doing it (she does love to receive them as gifts though). I always knew that saving the family memories was important to me. I was the one with the camera. I was the one everyone called if they needed a photo of someone or some thing. I was the one who saved every thing. I still am.

Scrapbooking is not a fad. It is an important part of our lives. I call myself the family historian and there are many people who feel the same way. Even though many scrapbook stores have gone out of business, there are still plenty of us out there looking for more fun ways to preserve our memories. I patronize those small scrapbook shops and the independent papercrafting artists and vendors (like me!). I encourage each of you to do the same. Find a small scrapbook store or independent vendor and see what she has to offer. Give her some business and keep the industry going.

Jeanette Lynton, founder and CEO of Close To My Heart, has written in her blog about the longevity of the scrapbooking industry, despite the recent removals of several scrapbooking lines.  Read about it below, then pop over to my site and support an independent vendor. Then you will be ready for your work as the family historian.



From Jeanette Lynton's blog

Creativity: Now and Always

Within the past month, paper crafters have heard and seen some hard news—well-known industry names have announced bankruptcy or removed their scrapbooking lines. It may leave many wondering what the future is for our beloved pursuit of memory keeping and creativity. As the CEO and Founder of Close To My Heart, I have many thoughts on the topic and wanted to share a few with you.

First off, preserving our memories is NOT a fad. It's one of the most important things we do in our journey here on earth, and it's as key as breathing and as sustainable as family. In the past few years, we have seen scrapbooking come into the spotlight and many flocked to set up shop and design products to capitalize on it. While we at Close To My Heart have welcomed the focus on scrapbooking over the past few years, we know that even when the hubbub fades, the core and relevance underneath the hype remains. I have been in the industry for nearly 30 years—LONG before it was "trendy"—and plan to be in this essential industry for decades to come.

Because Close To My Heart will be here for the long-term, we have run our business differently than many others. We are not leveraged to the hilt or financed by outside investors. I have always believed in organic, cash-based growth, and the simple provident rule of spending less than I earn. It's a principle I've applied to business and it's ensured that Close To My Heart operates profitably. We have been profitable month after month, year after year. Our credit rating is excellent, and this protects our commitment to delivering a wealth of diverse, beautiful products at competitive prices while providing secure commission checks for our Consultants, employees, and vendors.

Second, yes, the industry is changing. I welcome and embrace that! In my 30 years in business, I have seen many changes and they almost always yield fresh directions, new products, and a new crop of crafters. Change always brings opportunity! I have long said that as long as little girls are born with hands, they will want to create. I am grateful to be a part of such an important contribution to society and know that this will continue.

Ultimately, I invite everyone—whether you are an existing Consultant or customer, a past purchaser, or even if you have never purchased a Close To My Heart product—to get to know us again for the first time. Close To My Heart is strong. Papercrafting, memory keeping, and creativity are more important than ever before and we provide unique, diverse products for every style and ability of crafter.  Close To My Heart is committed to scrapbooking, and if it's a passion you share, then YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.