I was just reading Jessica Guthrie's blog and she had a link to a story in the Press-Enterprise by Melissa E, a friend of mine.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_scrapbook31.46c8b1d.html

This is just dismal news. Really it is sad that for the last year about one LSS in Southern California has closed each month.

The Crop Circle…
Scrapbooks Unlimited…
Scrapbook Corner…
Scrapbooks N More…
Kandy Scrappers…
Among Friends…
Black Eyed Susan's…
Now & Then's Temecula Location…
The Loft…
Paper Pansies…

And I know there are more I can't remember the names of.

What can be done about it? It's not like all of us have the money to just keep stores afloat–we all are struggling with gas and food prices going nutso. And there are people suffering layoffs, can't find regular income…it is scary. I have a friend who got her MBA in December and can;t find a single job because the downturn happened right off the bat. She is doing temp work. Okay, so enough of this dismal talk.

What can we do about it? I for sure don't want to stop teaching classes. If there is no LSS, there will likely be no classes except for at my house and that's a bit far for most people besides me! LOL And then there won't be any crop nights either. And we'll all be buying Marcella by K and be knee deep in DCWV Stacks we got for 40% off. I don't even like any of those papers…

I know many people have had to cut back on spending, including myself. That's fine – if you don't have it, you can't spend it. But what about being more concerned about where you're spending your money? If you love the LSS, love cropping there, love the relationships with the staff and instructors you've developed, love coming in to see new stuff every week and talk to knowledgeable staff…why not just spend your money there? Why not avoid the J's and M's and Targets and Wally Worlds and AC Moore's for that matter and support the local stores?000000 Really, the LSS cannot always take a 40% off coupon.

Author: Jennifer Priest

It started with jewelry, beading, sewing, home decor, painting, basket weaving, pottery, and cross-stitch. Marry that to an entrepreneurial spirit & at 9 years old a girl is selling her wares at craft fairs as far as her parents and grandparents would drive her. These days, Jennifer enjoys crafts of all genres from sewing to scrapbooking to jewelry with a little dabbling in the mixed media world. Her style is approachable and she wants everyone who sees her work to feel that they too can embrace creativity and make their home and life beautiful.

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