| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | mouth and not in your hand. |
| Before I discovered the world of scrapbooking, I was | | | | --> How structured would you like your meetings to |
| inexplicably drawn to my local office supply store. I | | | | be? Some scrapbooking clubs will invite Instructors to |
| loved to stand in an aisle surrounded by the different | | | | teach a variety of more advanced techniques. Check |
| colors of copy paper. And the pens! | | | | with your local scrapbooking store and direct sales |
| At the time, I thought this was really strange. (So did | | | | consultants to see which classes might be available. |
| my family). And then I discovered that there are a lot | | | | Tip: You — or one of your club members |
| of people who share this fascination. I realized that | | | | — might want to consider becoming a |
| there is an entire industry that caters to my obsession | | | | consultant yourself in order to supply the group with |
| with patterned paper and coordinating embellishments. | | | | product and training in the latest techniques (direct |
| Then I discovered that these people also form clubs | | | | sales consulants often receive this training from their |
| where they get together, share ideas, and eat | | | | teams and from the company themselves, ie. ) Then |
| chocolate. What could be better? | | | | you can earn a profit and the club can earn and share |
| Scrapbooking clubs are the quilting bees of the modern | | | | the free hostess rewards. Free scrapbooking goodies |
| era. When you join — or form — a | | | | for all! Or you can schedule your crop around a |
| scrapbook group, you create a regular time to meet | | | | monthly scrapbooking club kit, ie.: It’s fun to see |
| with creative, loving, and family-centered friends. | | | | the different projects that each club member comes |
| Carving out a regular time to meet is an ideal way to | | | | up with, using the same supplies. Plus, some monthly |
| create and maintain these meaningful friendships. Plus, | | | | club kits(like the one cited above) come with idea |
| as everyone gets together to work with family | | | | sheets and an artist/designer gallery of club creations. |
| photographs and poignant memories, conversations | | | | --> What is the best way to set up the meeting |
| tend to be deep and meaningful, too. | | | | space? Make sure the lighting is adequate and that |
| You can start your own scrapbooking club by asking | | | | each guest has enough table space. You can set |
| yourself these questions: | | | | everyone up on your dining room table, or — if |
| --> How often do you want to meet? How frequently | | | | you have the space, create a more elaborate |
| do you want to hold group meetings (or crops)? | | | | configuration. One idea I found on the Two Peas in a |
| Weekly, twice-monthly, monthly? It’s best to get | | | | Bucket ( message board is to create a square from 2 |
| a consensus from group members as to which day | | | | 8-foot tables and 2 6-foot tables. This configuration will |
| works best, as well as which time of day. Will you | | | | comfortably accommodate 8 scrapbookers. |
| need child care — and how many people will be | | | | It’s fun to have some community tools on one |
| pitching in for the sitter? How many people do you | | | | table, too. I have the basics: trimmers, Coluzzle, Silent |
| want in your scrapbook club? | | | | Eyelet Setter, a mini sewing machine, etc. |
| The group dynamic varies greatly if you have 12 | | | | I also like to bring a selection of my favorite idea books |
| people, versus 30 or more. Decide in advance how | | | | and scrapbooking magazines, especially those that |
| many people you think will comprise an ideal group. Do | | | | feature seasonal project ideas. |
| you want an intimate gathering of friends — or | | | | And place a small gift bag or paper lunch sack in the |
| the energy of a larger collaboration? | | | | center of each table for little scraps. This goes a long |
| --> Where do you want to host the crop? You can | | | | way in helping to keep each workspace organized and |
| start out at your home, if you have the space. Or you | | | | clutter-free. You can also set a relaxing (or energizing) |
| can ask if the scrapbookers in your club would like to | | | | mood with your choice of soft background music. |
| rotate houses. | | | | --> How will you find club members? If you |
| For larger groups, consider churches, community | | | | don’t already have a group of scrapbooking |
| centers, or conference rooms. Often churches and | | | | friends (or you want to find more), simply announce |
| businesses will be very receptive to providing space | | | | your group in the community. |
| for this type of gathering. Scrapbooking is a fun, | | | | Word of mouth is the best way to do this. Ask your |
| family-oriented activity, which places of worship and | | | | scrapbooking friends to bring their scrapbooking friends |
| community centers generally love to embrace. | | | | to the club meetings. |
| --> Do you want to charge membership dues? If you | | | | You can also post flyers and announcements on |
| have to pay for your scrapbooking space, you’ll | | | | community bulletin boards in libraries, grocery stores, |
| probably want to recoup those costs. If you are going | | | | community centers, etc. |
| to provide instruction (or food or a babysitter) - simply | | | | Check to see if your local newspaper will run a free |
| charge reasonable dues from each member to cover | | | | ad in the Community Notes section before each |
| your costs. Many scrapbookers are accustomed to | | | | scheduled crop. For example: Free Scrapbooking |
| paying for this type of scrap space. | | | | Crop. All levels of experience welcome. Instructor |
| --> What will you serve? You can serve food - or not. | | | | designer on hand to answer questions and provide |
| I like to keep things really simple. I have a simple basket | | | | instruction. Come have fun and meet new friends. |
| of cold Evian bottles - which I stock up on when | | | | Time and location. Your contact info. |
| there's a sale. | | | | You can also send email invites to all your friends. ( is a |
| The best foods to serve don’t leave anything | | | | great tool for keeping track of invitees. Simply pitch |
| behind, so stay away from anything that would make it | | | | your crop night as a girls’ night out (or |
| necessary for guests to wash their hands with each | | | | mom’s night out) where you’ll get |
| bite. If you’re going to serve finger food, use | | | | important things done (and it never hurts to let them |
| toothpicks. And — for the chocolate fix - M&Ms | | | | know you’ll have chocolate on hand. |
| are wonderful because they really do melt in your | | | | |