Catalog Confusion?

New Catalog Schedule!

Aloha, all!

Did you notice that Sale-a-bration just ended? Yep, after just TWO months, Sale-a-bration is gone. What is that all about? If you’re asking that question now, just wait until later this month when you start hearing about what’s going to retire on May 1^st. May 1^st? Yes, you read that right. But I’ll bet you thought that the current Mini Catalog is the January – June Mini Catalog. Doesn’t the spring mini end at the same time as the annual catalog? Not anymore. Confused? Me, too.

It’s a New Year and a New Catalog Schedule

OK, I know that the year is already 3 months old. But it is still getting its bearings when it comes to Stampin’ Up!’s catalog schedule. To help me out – and you get the benefit, too! – I made up this chart showing when Stampin’ Up!’s catalogs are going to be live for ordering.

First Let’s Look at Annual Catalogs

Stampin’ Up! designs its Annual Catalogs to appeal to all levels of stampers and crafters, but especially those generally enjoy crafting with beautiful products and really like an easy way to shop The catalogs are organized by type of product through out. If I want ribbon, all the ribbons are in one place. Same with papers, inks, embellishments, adhesives, dies – well, you name it. Including, of course, stamps!

With that kind of a publication which is useful and usable by everyone, there definitely needs to be one throughout the year. This year, though, introduces the new annual schedule. Instead of tracking with the spring mini catalog, it will end as May begins and a new Annual Catalog will take over.

Then There Are the Mini Catalogs

Stampin’ Up! designs the Mini Catalogs to appeal to the more avid stamper and crafter. Of course the products are great for every crafter. But the catalogs are arranged in such a way that whole groups of products are gathered together so that the avid crafter can easily see how they all work together to help create beautifully coordinated papers, stamps, embellishments, ribbons, dies and other special effects products.

With that focus in mind, beginning with 2021, there will always be a current Mini Catalog. There will be one for the period January through the end of June and one for the period July through the end of December. Just between you and me, I’ll probably continue to call the second Mini Catalog the “Holiday Catalog.” I think that’s more fun!

Sale-a-bration X 2!

Yes, two Sale-a-bration promotions each year. And they’ll both be a bit different. As I mentioned earlier in the year, the January-February Sale-a-bration featured (and will feature next year) domestically-sourced products. Historically, the short sales cycle combined with Chinese New Year have caused product availability issues. During the July-August Sale-a-bration, there will be a larger variety of products and they will be available only while supplies last. That’s primarily because of the much longer shipping time and the shorter Sale-a-bration period.

What Does This Mean for Right Now?

For right now it means that, by the end of this month we are going to know more about retiring products. This means we’ll know which products from the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog and the January – June 2021 Mini Catalog will not be in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. For the latter catalog’s items, there may still be the possibility that some products will remain available for purchase, just not shown in the new Annual Catalog. Stampin’ Up! hasn’t told us anything to that effect. But it has happened in the past, so I personally consider it a possibility.

My recommendation right now is that you look through the current Annual Catalog to see if there’s something you’ve considered buying. That way, when we know what’s retiring, you’ll know if you need to consder buying sooner than later.

Lots is going to happen in the next month. I’m going to be prepared and I hope you are, too!

Meanwhile, Happy Stamping!