KTSW Loves: Scrap Society–The Revival of Crafting in a Digital Era

By Rachel Stringer

Promotions and Community Relations Member

As a child, I loved crafts. I would look for any opportunity to bring out the colored construction paper, markers and glitter (if my parents allowed) to create whatever I wanted. My creativity was flowing and my imagination was in the clouds.  

However, over time, this changed. I stopped seeking opportunities to create, and it often felt like a chore to do. None of the projects were being completed, and I was in a constant cycle of short-term motivation that quickly dwindled. When I was younger, I could sit for hours surrounded by materials, creating something complete and meaningful. Where did this desire for creativity go? 

I wanted to understand why. So, I talked to Abby Krueger-Read, the president of Scrap Society, a TXST organization that encourages creativity without pressure or perfection. Through scrapbooking, members explore new themes and bring their stories to life. The organization is new, starting off with around 30 members, but is now growing exponentially.  

First off, college can feel overwhelming. Assignments, tests and homework all pile up. When discussing how burdensome these stressors can be with Krueger-Read, she expressed how this shared stress fabricated a source of connection between the Scrap Society members.

“I think because of me and the vice president being more STEM oriented, we have been able to kind of help other STEM students let out their creative side that they had to push down a little bit just to get through their courses,” Krueger-Read said. 

For Krueger-Read, scrapbooking is a safe place from how hectic life can be, giving her a specific time in the day to slow down and release whatever she has been feeling internally, on a page.  

Scrap Society isn’t just about creating—it’s about connecting. Navigating relationships in college while maintaining a sense of self can feel exhausting. Sometimes, it’s the most unexpected friendship that becomes the strongest.

Krueger-Read highlights specifically how Scrap Society brought her closer to others in an unforeseen way.

“Usually when people become friends or build any sort of relationship, it’s based on similarity,” Krueger-Read said.  “Well, the similarity for us is scrapbooking. People’s aesthetics and the way they do things are so different from each other. I’ll walk around and see somebody scrapbooking a dinosaur. That’s amazing. The fact that your brain was able to think that and put it on paper is beautiful. So, I think that one of the biggest ways to connect with people is by embracing the fact that people are different from you.”  

Being able to see the process of an individual’s thoughts displayed on a page brings a sense of intimacy to this person. It has shown a piece of who this human is, and that can build a genuine understanding between these individuals. 

Looking at the bigger picture, at a young age, we are pushed to figure out what we want to do with our lives. When we don’t, it feels like we are falling behind. This causes us to focus on success and monetary value, neglecting creativity and enjoyment. This, paired with the rise in technology, has caused creativity to feel more like a general idea.   

Social media has popularized the idea of “healing your inner child,” which encourages reclaiming old hobbies and rekindling childhood dreams. At the same time, though, our reliance on digital media for immediate relief—scrolling, binging, consuming—can make it harder to engage in creative outlets that require dedication and attention. 

All in all, being intentional with your time matters. Those little moments to go outside and soak up the sun, read a book, or journal, make such a difference in your approach to the day. Discover yourself outside of a screen, outside of just following the patterns of what our society implies we need to do. Just like how Krueger-Read has found her source of creativity through crafting, everyone deserves to discover what allows them to feel most seen, understood and connected beyond a screen.