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Hey there! So, yes, you can call
this “gossip” if you like, but I often get questions about what is going on
in the industry and people here rumours about shifting in companies… so, I
thought I would put out what information I receive about industry updates.
PLEASE feel free to give me other
info that you hear. I really do want it to all be “actual” instead of “rumours”,
so I’ll do my best to put out only solid info.
I have no idea how often I’ll
find out information about which companies have sold to which, but there
has been so many little companies being bought by bigger companies lately
that it is hard to keep track!
Currently, there is information
about Manufacturers, local stores and other news.
Updated 1/5/10:
Oh boy, oh boy! I haven’t updated this since 7/15/09 and
before that was 12/20/08 (today is 1/5/10) – GEEZ! I need to stay more on
top of this! The hard this is that SO MUCH has been happening and there are
so many changes that I just keep thinking, “I’ll do it next week”.
Don’t forget, please support the crafting industry! Especially
your independent retailers! See www.the350project.net
for some interesting info!
2010:
Manufacturers/Distributors &
Designers:
Ø
Dream Street Papers (manufacturer) has
announced they will close (1/2010).
Ø
Bazzill Basics Papers (manufacturer) has announced
they will raise prices to stores. No word on specifics yet or notice as to
how that will affect prices to the consumer (1/2010).
2009:
(All of these items for 2009 happened
– to the best of my recollection - sometime in between July 2009 and
December 2009)
Manufacturers/Distributors &
Designers:
Ø
Be Blessed (manufacturer) has
announced they will close.
Ø
Creating Keepsakes (magazine publisher) was
sold to new owners. Lisa Bearnson also left the company.
Ø
Luminarte - (manufacturer) had announced they were closing, but in
late 2009, Creative Imaginations (manufacturer) acquired them. They will be
a slimmed down version, but their Twinkling H2O’s will still be available.
Ø
Scenic Route Paper
Company (manufacturer) - announced they will close
their doors (9/2009)
Ø
Chatterbox (manufacturer) – it was
purchased by 7Gypsie’s. Melody Ross (found of Chatterbox) announced earlier
in the year that she would leave CBX and now 7Gypsie’s has liquidated all
CBX products.
Ø
Colorbok (manufacturer) has acquired
the Heidi Grace and Cloud 9 lines.
Ø
The former owners of Lil’
Davis Designs (manufacturer) have started a new company and will have their
first release in 1/2010.
Ø
Kodomo Designs (manufacturer) announced
that they will no longer ship to the United States (Therefore, we
will no longer be able to retail their items).
Ø
Kokuyo Adhesives (manufacturer) announced
that they will no longer ship to the United States (Therefore, we
will no longer be able to retail their items).
Ø
Masterpiece Studios (Stemma) (manufacturer) announced
that they exit the scrapbooking industry
Ø
Quickutz (manufacturer) sold off its
Silhouette digital die cutting division to another company.
Ø
Stamping Station (manufacturer) will change
its name to Scrapbook Customs
So Cal Stores:
Ø
Scrappin’ Good Times(Store)
in San Dimas
Closed (12/2009)
(All of these items for 2009 happened
– to the best of my recollection - sometime in between January and July
2009)
Manufacturers/Distributors &
Designers:
Ø
Luxe Designs (manufacturer) has announced
that they will close on 7/31/09. (7/13/2009)
Ø
Be Blessed (manufacturer) has
announced that they are for sale.
Ø
Paper Cellar (manufacturer) has
announced that they will not sell anymore items in the US.
Ø
Donna Salazar (designer) announced she will
leave Prima to start her own line.
Ø
Liz Hicks(designer) announced she
will leave Prima
Ø
Creating Keepsakes (Magazine) was sold
(7/2009)
Ø
Rogers (Distributor) closed
Ø
Daisy D’s (manufacturer) closed.
Ø
Melody Ross - announced she will leave
Chatterbox.
Ø
Memory Makers (magazine publisher) is
ceasing publication with the Sept/Oct issue (5/2009)
Ø
Fiskars (manufacturer) discontinued
the Heidi Grace, Cloud 9 and Lil’ Davis
brands. Winter/Spring was their last release.
Ø
Around the Block (manufacturer) closed
Ø
Aimee J (manufacturer) sold
Ø
Inque Boutique (manufacturer) was sold to
Darice
Ø
Cook Bookin’ Line (manufacturer) was sold to
a new owner.
Ø
Creating Keepsakes (magazine) announced that
the May/June issue would be the final issue for their magazine: Simple
Scrapbooks.
Ø
Meri Meri (manufacturer) exited the
Scrapbook Industry to refocus on their main business: Invitations.
(April/May)
Ø
Celine Countryman (manufacturer) exited the
Scrapbook Industry (Spring)
Ø
The Paper Lady – (manufacturer) closed
(this might have been 2008)
Ø
Trim Designs – (manufacturer) ceased
production (I think this was in 2008)
So Cal Stores:
Ø
A Scrapbook Corner (store) in Temecula has
announced they will close their retail location and move their focus to
their warehouse location.
Ø
Santa Barbara Scrapbooks (store) has announced she will close late
august
Ø
Remember Me (store) in Valencia
has announced they are for sale (June/July 2009).
Ø
AJ’S Scrap Shack (store) in Ventura announced they might close (June
2009)
Ø
Scrapbook Boulevard (store) in Victorville
closed (early spring 2009)
Ø
Strictly Scrapbooking (store) in Cerritos announced they will close their
final location.
2008:
Ø
Be Unique (manufacturer) closed
(12/31/08)
Ø
Stamp Diego (store) has announced that
they will close. (12/2008)
Ø
Picture This! (store) in Chula Vista has closed
(12/2008)
Ø
It’s About Time (Murrieta) closed (11/2008)
Ø
Scrappin’ Attack (store) remodeled and
reopened with new owners. (11/2008)
Ø
Scrapbook Sensation (store) in Alpine has
announced they will close by the middle of November. (11/2/08)
Ø
Scrapbook Attic (store) in La
Mesa – Closed on Friday, October 31st. Yellowbird in
El Cajon
will be honoring their Crop Memberships (with certain exclusions) through
June 2009. (11/1/08)
Ø
Strictly Scrapbooking (store) in Torrance closed. They
still have their other location.
Ø
MISPRINT! A HUGE apology to Hearts & Crafts in Ramona (the scrapbook store up
there). I had a call last month from someone claiming to be the owner of
that store letting me know that they were closing. However, the call turned
out to be FALSE! Hearts & Crafts in Ramona is NOT closing! They are
still open and going strong! SORRY GUYS for the mistake! (10/2008)
Ø
Auntie Amy’s in Riverside has announced that they will
close. (9/2008)
Ø
Memories In Uniform (manufacturer) has
announced that they have closed effective immediately (8/24/08)
Ø
Ever After in Carlsbad has announced that they will be
moving to a new location September 2008.
Ø
Scrappin’ Attack has announced they will
close Friday August 29th 2008.
Ø
Stampaholics in San Diego has announced that they will be
closing (8/8/08).
Ø
Screamin’ Susie’s in Whittier has announced that they will be
closing (8/6/08).
Ø
Daisy D’s (manufacturer) has
announced that they will be closing (8-2008).
Ø
Beary Patch (manufacturer) will be
closing (8-2008).
Ø
It’s About Time in Murietta has moved a few
doors down from their previous location (8-2008).
Ø
The Loft Scrapbooks in Menifee has announced
they will close by the end of August. (7-2008)
Ø
Scrapbook Your Life in San Diego has announced that Liz has
taken on new partners, has new product, a new website and soon a new blog!
Congratulations Liz! (5/1/08)
Ø
Scrapbook Your Life in San Diego has a BIG announcement to be
made soon along with the launch of a new website (4/2008)
Ø
Now & Then in Temecula has announced
they will close. They will still have their Wildomar location. (4/17/08)
Ø
Jazi Crafts in Oceanside has announced that they will be
moving a few doors down and will now be open 6 days a week again! YEAH!
(4/16/08)
Ø
Stamp Diego in Rancho San Diego closed. If I understand
correctly, they are hoping to reopen shortly in the Lakeside
area. (4/2008)
Ø
Far & Away (a manufacturer) announced
they are closing ASAP. (3/2008)
Ø
Picture This in Chula Vista sold to new owners (2-2008).
Ø
Young Play Memories in Tracy, CA
has announced they will be closing. The reason that I mention them is b/c
they have been known due to the fact that they were the largest scrapbook
store in the US
at 20,000 sq ft.
Ø
The Crop Circle in Los Angeles has announced they will be
closing (1/22/08)
Ø
Kandy Scrappers in Corona has announced
they will be closing. (Jan 08)
2007:
Ø
Junkitz has closed its doors
completely (12/21/07). The owner’s of Junkitz are joining up with Inque
Boutique.
Ø
Chatterbox has been bought by Ultra
Pro – the owners of 7Gypsie’s. (12/12/07)
Ø
Paper Patch announced that they will
close on 12/31/07 (12/10/07).
Ø Lil Davis is resurrected! Fiskars
bought them! Stay tuned!
Ø Michael’s has announced that their
“Scrapbook Store Chain”, Recollections, will be closing.
Ø Memories In The Making in La Mesa, has announced the closing of
their remaining location. They will be closing their final location in La Mesa on 10/14/07.
Ø Scrapbooks Unlimited in Temecula has closed.
Ø Scrapbook Attic in La Mesa moved to another location just a few
doors down from their previous location.
Ø
Lil Davis: although no formal
announcement has been made, that I’m aware of, it has been widely stated
that this company has closed. They still have a website, but apparently
there is no product shipping. We apologize if you were anticipating
anything!
Ø Cat’s Craft Cupboard in Escondido moved. You may have heard that
they had a little flood. Well, during the “mop up” a new location fell into
her lap – so you can now find Cat at 252 East Grand Avenue across from A Bird
Haven (one block south and ¾ of a block east of the old location)
Ø Michael’s will now be accepting their
40% off coupon on Martha
Stewarts Crafts products. (We will not be receiving MSC products)
Ø GTCR the owner of EK Success announced the purchase of Wilton and Dimensions.
Dimensions owns K&Company and Inkadinkado.
Ø
Scrapping
Cottage
in Escondido
will close at the end of July. She will, however, continue her online
store.
Ø
Imagination
Project
has announced that they will be exiting the scrapbook industry (7-2007)
Ø
Vituri LLC
(dba AMM-formerly All My Memories) have announced the acquisition of the AMM’s
Urban album product line by Imaginisce.
(6-9-2007)
Ø
7 Gypsies, which was one of the
assets of Ultra Pro, LP, was acquired by The Marlin Equity Group, a private
investment company based in Los
Angeles. The deal was effective 6/1/07. The name
of the company will remain the same and they state that everything will
remain “Business As Usual”. (6-1-2007)
Ø
AMM
(formerly All My Memories) has announced that they have sold their key product lines to
Advantus – the owners of Heidi Swapp and Cropper Hopper. Items include
their Tote-ally Cool! Tote lines and their Vituri Bags. (6-1-2007)
Ø
Memories In
The Making in Santee has closed. Please visit them at their location in La Mesa.(6-2007)
Ø
All My
Memories
has announced that they will be selling their business to one or more
buyers and that the sale will be completed by the end of June 2007.
(5-2007)
Ø
Memories In
The Making in Santee will be closing this month. Brenda, Shelley and Diane will be
pouring all of their time and energy into their flagship store in La
Mesa.(5-2007)
Ø
Paper Zone in Mira Mesa will be
closing by the end of the month.(2-2007)
Ø
Stamp
Addict
sold to new owners.
Ø
Stamp Diego sold to new owners.
Ø
Deluxe
Designs
announced that they are closing after ten years (1-19-2007)
Ø
Wordsworth has sold her images to
Rubber Soul, who will continue to make her rubber stamps, but the sticker
portion will cease to exist beginning in February 2006 (1-2007)
Ø
The
Stampin’ Post in Temecula moved to a new location on Main Street. (1-2007)
2006:
Ø
Maude
Asbury
scrapbooks will now be made by Collected Memories
(12-2006)
Ø
Pressed
Petals
is now part of Die Cuts With A View (~12-2006)
Ø
Scrapping
Cottage
has moved to a larger location in the same area. (12-2006)
Ø
Picture
This in
the mall has closed 12/24/06.
They still have their location in Chula
Vista.
Ø
All My
Memories
has decided to focus their business only on scrapbooks and storage items.
They will no longer make paper, embellishments, stickers, and rubons.
Ø
MM’s
Designs
has changed their ownership situation and their name. They are now “M.
Middleton” (11-2006)
Ø
Inspire Me in Temecula has sold to new
owners as of 11/11/06.
Ø
Keepsake
Company
in Chula Vista
closed November 2006.
Ø
Ever After
Too in Escondido closed September 29, 2006.
Ø EK Success Will be announcing the
information about their Martha Stewart collaboration around the middle of
December 2006
Ø
Michael
Miller
has exited the scrapbook industry.
Ø
NRN Design has exited the scrapbook
industry. They have sold their remaining business to another company (can’t
recall the name right now).
Ø
Scrapbook
Answers Magazine:
Per a 10/12/06 release,
November will be the last publication of “Scrapbook Answers”. If you have any
questions about your subscription, information is below in their statement:
As you may have already heard through the Internet
grapevine, our November 2006 issue will be our last. In the year that we
were in publication, we received tremendously positive response from
readers and the scrapbook industry. People told us that our approach to
sharing scrapbook how-to information was useful, fresh, and down-to-earth.
The Answers Disc was one-of-a-kind among scrapbook magazines.
We want to thank every single reader, contributor, and
vendor who helped Scrapbook Answers make its mark on the
scrapbooking world. We will miss you terribly. Your support and enthusiasm
helped keep us motivated to plan and create each new issue of the magazine.
·
For questions about current subscriptions, please call
toll-free (888) 721-7387 or e-mail SBAcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com
·
To share your thoughts on Scrapbook Answers,
please e-mail: letters@scrapbookanswers.com
·
(Please note that e-mailing any other address to share
comments on the magazine will cause delays in processing customer service
and other requests.)
·
To purchase back issues of Scrapbook Answers,
call (800) 865-7240.
Thanks again. It's been a wonderful ride. Much too short.
Best,
Leslie Ayers
Editor in Chief
Ø
Primedia
(Creating Keepsakes Magazine, et al): Enthusiast Media LLC, an entity formed by affiliates of
Sandler Capital Management, has acquired substantially all of the assets of
the Crafts Group from PRIMEDIA, Inc. (NYSE: PRM) for approximately $132
million in cash. Here
is their public announcement. (9-2006)
Ø
NRN Designs – has announced that they are
getting out of the Scrapbooking Biz. They plan to focus their efforts and
energy on Invitations and Announcements. (9-2006)
Ø
Memories in Mira Mesa reopened as a Paper Zone. They have incorporated
“Paper crafting” from the Paper Zone with “scrapbooking” from Memories
(7-2006)
Ø
Fairytale
Creations
is under new ownership. (7-2006)
Ø
Cool Scrapbook Stuff has existed for 7 years as
of June 2006. We started as an online option, plus a department inside of a
copy shop that my ex-husband and I owned. We now have the most extensive
selection of scrapbooking, card making, and rubber stamp supplies that
you’ll find anywhere in the county! You’ll find that our prices are lower
than most stores. Plus, we strive to have plenty of staff and excellent
customer service! Read about what sets us apart
from other stores (6-2006)
Ø
Stamping
Details
had their grand re-opening on their new & improved and EXPANDED location.
Same location, but just MUCH LARGER! It looks fabulous! You should check it
out! (6-2006)
Ø
Scrappin’
Attack
celebrated their 1 year anniversary (6-2006)
Ø
Treehouse
Designs
is exiting the Scrapbooking industry and will only continue with their
invitation side: Inviting Company (~6-2006)
Ø
Ever After
Scrapbooks in Carlsbad
opened in their new location on the opposite side of Smart & Final (in
the same shopping center) (6-2006)
Ø
Memories In
The Making celebrates
it’s 9 year anniversary (5-2006)
Ø
Stamping
Details
celebrated their 2 year anniversary (4-2006)
Ø
CK Contest – Be a Scrapbooking
Superstar! Entries are due by July 1, 2006. Here
are details.
Ø
Scrapjazz.com and Scraptutor.com were
both acquired by Scrapbook.com. Their public release.
Ø
Make-A-Wish: Did you know that 4¢ is
donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org) for every Scrapbook
Adhesives by 3L product that we sell?
Ø
National
Breast Cancer Foundation: Did you know that Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L is a sponsor of
the National Breast Cancer Foundation?
Ø
Advantus announced on June 12th
that they will be severing their relationship with Magic Scraps effective 1/1/07. Ashley
Smith, founder of Magic Scraps, will begin a new venture in digital
scrapbooking called Polka Dot Potato. Magic Scraps products will be
available only while supplies last. The Magic Scraps Scrappy Glue and
Scrappy Tape will continue to be available. (6-12-2006)
Ø
Carolee’s
Creations
is “updating” their name to Adornit! due to trademarking conflicts.
Ø
Ever After will be moving a couple of
doors down and expanding. I’ve known since January, but they have finally
made their announcement in a North
County newspaper, so
I thought it was ok to “spill the beans” as they say. They are planning to
reopen at their new location on 6/6/06.
Ø
A Scrapbook
Corner has
transferred owners to Joshua and Jenn Summers – Shelly’s son and wife.
Shelly has retired - at least for a while J. (effective 3/6/2006)
Ø
Scrapbook
Attic announced
a new owner effective 3/1/06.
Best of luck to Nanette (the new owner) and to Cynthia (the previous
owner).
Ø
EK Success they were all “Martha” two
days in March 2006! They were there as part of the announcement that Martha
Stewart is releasing an entire line of scrapbooking products that are set
to come out late in the year. We will be carrying everything! (of course!)
Ø
Urban Lily has announced that they
will be closing. And then the next week they announced that they found a
new capital partner and are releasing a new line. (2/2006)
Ø
Clearsnap has sold to new owners.
(1/2006)
Ø
Paperkutz has issued its last issue.
The January/February publication was their last issue. There has been no
public announcement that I am aware of.
Ø
Expressions
Magazine
has issued its last issue. The January publication was their last issue.
There has been no public announcement that I am aware of.
2005:
Ø
Cloud 9 has been bought by Fiskars (12/6/05)
Ø
Accent
Depot
has been bought by Hot Off Of The
Presses (~12/2005)
Ø
Heidi Grace has been bought by Fiskars (letter dated 11/18/05)
Ø
EK Success has new capital investors.
(~11/2005)
Ø
Scrapbook
Diva
closed her store downtown to pursue other interests and avenues of her
business (10/31/05)
Ø
Karen
Foster
stepped down from her Owner position in her company to focus on being a
creative force in her company. There are new owners (~10/2005)
Ø
Magical
Memories
in Escondido
sold her location to the owners of Ever After (10/1/05)
Ø
Stampaholics has new owners and changed
their name to “Stampaholics Etc” (9/2005)
Ø
Wubie
Prints
sold to new owners (~9/2005)
Ø
Picture
This
from Chula Vista
opened a second location in the Mission
Valley Center
mall. (8/2005)
Ø
Sticker
Studio
is now part of K&Company.
(~8/2005)
Ø
Memories in
the Making (Poway) opened in Santee
in the old Scrapbook Junction location (5/2005)
Ø
Pink
Pineapple Scrapbooks in Vista opened (4/16/2005)
Ø Memories in the Making (Poway) moved out of their Poway
location (4/16/2005)
Ø Scrapbook Junction in Santee
sold to a new owner and moved to the Carlton Oaks area. The new store is
called “Scrappin’ Attack” (4/2005)
Ø
Michael’s is entertaining the idea of
being sold. Funny – but they have deleted the original listing! But here
is the current Bloomberg listing.
Ø
Jo-Ann’s Is planning to open their
“superstore” here in San Diego County starting in 2006. Our Poway location is not slated to change.
2004:
Ø Magic Scraps is part of Advantus.
(~11/2004)
Ø
Ann-ticipations After 15 years,
Ann-ticipations closed. They apparently had some items picked up by a new
vendor, but we will not be carrying them anymore. So, we only have what we
have left.
Ø
Do you have
a PERFECT MEMORIES scrapbook? Well, they went out of business. A new company is using their
name but is not related. I’m not sure if their refills will be the same or
not, but we have the 12x12 refills still in stock from the original Perfect
Memories.
Ø
News regarding
PSX In
2004, PSX (Personal Stamp Exchange) was purchased by Duncan Enterprises.
Duncan then decided that they will not be continuing with the line and has
announced the closing of the PSX division. Therefore, if there are any
products that you like by them, you should stock up now. FYI, though, there
were a FEW images bought by another company. But I haven’t heard which
images…
Ø
Inkadinkado Late in 2004, Inkadinkado
was bought by K&Company. They will have their first release since the
merger in February. Stay tuned! It should be exciting!
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