Creating Keepsakes to Stop Publishing

Saying Goodbye to Creating Keepsakes

As the Internet gained in popularity, the publishing industry suffered.  Many newspapers moved to an online only format and magazines closed shop.  The scrapbooking industry has been hit especially hard by this recent trend.  As sad as it may be, it really does make sense.  Companies have moved their advertising dollars online, because they can hit a wider and larger audience than print advertising.  Magazines such as Creating Keepsakes responded by decreasing the size of their print magazine and moving a lot of the content online.  This frustrated consumers, so many stopped subscribing.  Why pay for an online magazine when there are millions of layouts/ideas on Pinterest for free?!  So, Creating Keepsakes announced today that it will cease publication after the November/December issue.  Those of us who subscribe will receive two monthly issues of their new online magazine, Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking, for every issue left on our Creating Keepsakes subscription.   Lots of subscribers are upset and would prefer a refund.  I’m looking forward to seeing the format of the online magazine, but I know that I won’t subscribe to it.  Even though I have access to Creating Keepsakes’ online editions, I don’t use them that often.

So, here is what I’m wondering…will Creating Keepsakes continue sponsoring their conventions (CKC)?  I remember when I wouldn’t miss a CKC.  In fact, for several years, my friends and I attended the Seattle AND Portland CKCs.  Yet, again, I think the Internet is hurting business.  People expect a good deal when they go to these shows.  Yet, I often found that vendors were selling REALLY old product that was only slightly discounted.  Why would I spend my money on old product when I can buy new product online for a greater discount.  Since most online stores don’t have a brick and mortar storefront, they can afford to discount their product since they have less overhead to cover.  Convention vendors have the expense of travel and lodging on top of shipping their inventory from show to show.  I think these shows will eventually go the way of the magazines.

So, goodbye Creating Keepsakes!  It has been nice knowing you.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think about this news.  Are you disappointed to see the magazine go?  Will you read it online?  Do you still attend CKCs?  If not, why?