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Scrapbooking is a method for preserving a legacy of written history in the form of photographs, printed media, and memorabillia contained in decorated albums, or scrapbooks. more...

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Historically, scrapbooking was a tradition similar to storytelling, but with a visual and tactile, rather than oral, focus.

History and Overview

Scrapbooking with photos has been around since photographs became available to ordinary people. Old scrapbooks tended to have photos mounted with photomount corners and perhaps notations of who was in a photo or where and when it was taken. Modern scrapbooking has evolved into creating attractive displays of photos, text and memorabilia. No one knows why scrapbooking as a hobby has taken off in recent years. It may be that the most compelling reason is the strong social network that scrapbooking can provide. It is now a multi-billion dollar industry with a large number of companies creating scrapbooking products. Across the world, "scrappers" or "scrapbookers" get together and scrapbook at each other's homes, local scrapbook stores, scrapbooking conventions, retreat centers, and even on cruises. Scrappers share tips and ideas as well as enjoying a social outlet. The term "crop", a reference to cropping, or trimming, printed photographs, was coined to describe these events. This hobby has surpassed golf in popularity: one in four households has someone playing golf; one in three has someone involved in scrapbooking.

In the late 1990's, many scrappers opened stores to turn their hobby into a business. Unfortunately, within 5 years, many of those stores were forced to close due to a downturn in the economy and the fact that many store owners mistakenly assumed that loving to scrap was enough to run a retail store. Many owners simply didn't know HOW to run their stores. During this time, more multi-level direct sales companies were formed. Several were closed due to mismanagement, while others weathered the tough times. It also gave rise to a new breed of business - the home-based retailer. Companies arrived to provide information for women who wanted to break out of the direct sales mold and go out on their own. While vendors had traditionally stayed away from the home-based market due to fraud, they began to warm to the idea of the non-traditional sales channels as a way to get their products in front of more consumers through home parties and workshops. Working with a company like this enabled them to tap into legitimate home-based retailers.

Originally, it was hard to find scrapbooking supplies, but now most major discount stores and almost all major craft supply stores stock them. Local scrapbook stores (LSSs) are considered the heart and soul of the hobby of scrapbooking by some enthusiasts. LSSs are where one can attend classes and find out where the best "crops" are. Supplies can also be ordered online, or ordered from a home-based retailer. Some of these sell products through a multi-level direct sales company while others are independent and may be part of a business group. Many local suppliers offer instructional classes. Scrapbooking is not only a hobby to create a place for one's keepsakes, but also has become a popular way to make gifts for weddings and other special occasions.

Read more at Wikipedia.org