Crediting Digi Layouts in Galleries & Blog...

[LeeAndra]

When we were all over at SBB as it was the only all-digi site at the time, everyone made their own items or shared them at SBB. You listed credits to be sure you weren't taking credit for someone else's item(s) since it was the exception, and not the rule, that everyone made their own stuff. Gina (of DDE) and Janice (of SBG) were the first two people to become full-fledged designers and sell their products to the masses (on CDs!), and it took off from there. Thank goodness because I can't design my way out of a paper bag! Creative teams took a little longer to become the norm.

I think it is a combination of all those things: a throwback to when everyone made their own items + being part of a small(ish) cottage industry so you feel like you 'know' the designers and want to credit them out of respect/love + a way to advertise.

It's not as if you can go to a B&M Joann's or Walmart or wherever and pick up a Kristin Cronin-Barrow digital kit, kwim?! By listing credits (and direct linking), you give fellow scrappers the opportunity to discover new designers and further grow and support the industry/hobby that you love. In an online-centric industry, word of mouth (mouse? ) must be the most powerful (and easiest) way to spread information to the masses.