I was in Michaels last weekend, looking for something coupon-worthy, and also looking for the April issue of SCRAPBOOK ETC. magazine, which the Peas had told me HERE is now available (bummer … most of the reviews are not favorable).
Darn if I couldn’t find SBE, but I did come across the gorgeous publication WHERE WOMEN CREATE. It’s a nice, thick, beautifully done magazine … well, more like a scrapbook idea book except that you get studio ideas instead of layout ideas.
At $14.95, it’s a bit rich for my blood considering it would be total eye candy for me, unlike a $15 idea book that I would actually use over and over. Anyhow, it comes out quarterly and I like to flip through it when I see it at Mike’s or BARNES AND NOBLE (they have the hardcover book of WWC, too!).
I’m always hoping to see a scrapbooker or at least a cardmaker and their studio featured, but so far I’ve come up empty. Hmmm … I wonder if they really haven’t chosen to profile a paper crafter, or if I’ve just missed it somehow. It’s entirely possible that I’ve missed it, which would be my fault since I’m too cheap to buy the magazine/book and “cheat” by flipping through it at the store. This issue did feature THE PAPER SOURCE, which is at least on the right track :)
Another thing I wish they would do is designate what type of artist each woman is, both in the Table of Contents and on the intro or title page to each artist. Again, if they DO do that and I’ve missed it, I apologize. But if I’m missing it every time, it can’t be that obvious, LOL! The cover gives the names of the artists inside and sometimes even the company they’re associated with, but just by a listing of names, I don’t know if any of them are scrapbookers/papercrafters. I mean, I’m pretty up on all the popular scrappers but I don’t know EVERYONE, sheesh.
One studio I flipped past was that of a knitter. I was stopped cold by a photo of her “Wall of Yarn.” It was all stacked by color in a large wall shelf, an Ikea EXPEDIT or similar. My first thought was, “But this magazine is about personal studios. Why do they have a photo of a store in here?” Then a second later, I realized, “Ah, that probably IS a personal studio!” But that lady had a shite-load of yarn!
Then I laughed so hard at myself (Bwahahaha! The other Mike’s customers were probably fittin’ to dial Mental Health for me … ), because I realized that that’s what people ~ non-scrappers, especially ~ must automatically think when they see MY scrap space. “Why does she have a scrapbook store in her house?” LOL Who could blame them? Instead of a Wall O’ Yarn, I have a Half Wall O’ Paper, a Bookcase O’ Idea Books, and Jars O’ Flowers, Ribbon, and Letters.
First, I was embarrassed. Oh. My Gosh. How embarrassing to realize that people who visit my home and peek into my office wonder why I have a scrapbook store. But then after I stopped internally blushing, I felt better. You know why? Because after flipping through Where Women Create all these times, I’ve seen some crazy, huge, awesome, expensive, fully-stocked, storelike studios of women who do all kinds of crafty and creative things … photography, art dolls, sewing, graphic arts, quilting, etc. And I realized something very comforting and very important.
We are not alone.
Scrapbookers aren’t the only ones so obsessed with supplies that it takes entire rooms to hold and organize them. We aren’t the only who live for Ikea and it’s plethora of crafty-friendly storage items. We aren’t the only women who find solace and comfort in our craft, who consider our creative spaces to be a haven, a place where we can go and truly be ourselves.
We are not alone. And that’s pretty great, isn’t it?
Aren’t we all so very blessed?
11 Comments
I am so guilty because apart from my scrappin’ stash I have a stash of patterns and fabric! Welcome to the club!
You know, I’ve always been intrigued by that magazine but never flipped through it. I think I may have to now just so I won’t feel bad about this store that I have in my scrap room, too.
You mentioned that you were out looking for the latest SBE issue. I actually just put up a blog post this morning that you can download issues now in PDF. I was able to download the April 2010 issue early last week before it was even in the stores. If you have a print subscription it’s free, or you can download individual issues (I think they’re $2) or get a digital only sub for $8 a year. I know that digital mags are not for everyone, but I love it because I get the issues before anyone else. If you want to check it out, try Coverleaf.com.
The first edition of WWC featured the CEO of Stampin’ UP! and I think there were a few others. I love that book, and have a few, I buy them, but only if they have people in there that I want to read about. The issue with Marie Osmond and her dolls, not so much, lol.
GREAT POST! LOVED READING IT.. and u are so right, we’re not alone.. I feel better now. LOL
What 14.99 and not one paper crafter that is outragious.
I love to look at others craft rooms. I have been told a few times (ok everytime) someone sees my scrap/craft room that it looks like a store. And honestly I don’t have nearly as much as some of them have, no seriously.
I totally already knew this secret…you know how? My mom turned my old bedroom into her “sewing room.” It is filled with books, notions, quilt hoops, fabric, fabric, and more fabric. My Lil Sis’s room looks like a guest room to the untrained eye…but if you open the drawers they are filled with FABRIC! Fabric is her “paper.”
I love to look at other people’s studios! Mine is really small, but my oldest will be heading off to college soon & then i am switching rooms with him and getting a much larger room!
My “studio” is my “mental vacation” place. :) Glad to see that we are not alone! Great post.
As usual, an excellent post! I think you said it in an earlier entry… that a huge part of our hobby is the actual collecting of the supplies and the subsequent storage/display of those supplies. Sometimes it doesn’t matter if we use them all or not. Other times, we just like to look at our stash. I mean, if I ever buy another sheet of paper, I should be shot, but I can’t help myself! (And I know I’m not alone in that statement!)
you know, i had that epiphany as well one day. i think mine was when i was on youtube and pulled up a shopping haul video for make-up or clothes. i was like, “oh my stinkin’ goodness! why would someone have so much stuff?” then it dawned on me….that’s what ppl think when they see my scrappy supplies. i’m a nut! yep. crazy, huh? i do drool over lovely scrap/hobby rooms. that magazine wouldn’t last long. hehehee
Thank you for your post about WWCreate – the women that are featured on our pages appreciate your support!
We have featured many scrapbook artists over the past year. Some of them continue to be traditional scrapbookers but some have moved more into collage and mixed media. We do not feature women because of what they do but because of where they do it and the the story of their journey. The studios must be ones that we feel will be of interest to the reader and each of the stories is such an inspiration. I am sorry that Tammy did not buy the issue with Marie Osmond, she would have been in tears by the end of her article.
We feel that all of us have a story to tell, that by the very essence of our creative lives we are often isolated, and that we all need a community of good friends for support and inspiration. If you know of any great scrapbook studios I hope that you will let us know.
My best always
Jo Packham
Where Women Create