| Before I discovered the world of scrapbooking, I was | | | | Some scrapbooking clubs will invite Instructors to teach |
| inexplicably drawn to my local office supply store. I | | | | a variety of more advanced techniques. Check with |
| loved to stand in an aisle surrounded by the different | | | | your local scrapbooking store and direct sales |
| colors of copy paper. And the pens! | | | | consultants to see which classes might be available. |
| At the time, I thought this was really strange. (So did | | | | Tip: You - or one of your club members - might want |
| my family). And then I discovered that there are a lot | | | | to consider becoming a consultant yourself in order to |
| of people who share this fascination. I realized that | | | | supply the group with product and training in the latest |
| there is an entire industry that caters to my obsession | | | | techniques (direct sales consulants often receive this |
| with patterned paper and coordinating embellishments. | | | | training from their teams and from the company |
| Then I discovered that these people also form clubs | | | | themselves,ie. ) Then you can earn a profit and the |
| where they get together, share ideas, and eat | | | | club can earn and share the free hostess rewards. |
| chocolate. What could be better? | | | | Free scrapbooking goodies for all! Or you can |
| Scrapbooking clubs are the quilting bees of the modern | | | | schedule your crop around a monthly scrapbooking |
| era. When you join - or form - a scrapbook group, you | | | | club kit, ie.: It's fun to see the different projects that |
| create a regular time to meet with creative, loving, and | | | | each club member comes up with, using the same |
| family-centered friends. | | | | supplies. Plus, some monthly club kits(like the one cited |
| Carving out a regular time to meet is an ideal way to | | | | above) come with idea sheets and an artist/designer |
| create and maintain these meaningful friendships. Plus, | | | | gallery of club creations. |
| as everyone gets together to work with family | | | | --> What is the best way to set up the meeting |
| photographs and poignant memories, conversations | | | | space? |
| tend to be deep and meaningful, too. | | | | Make sure the lighting is adequate and that each guest |
| You can start your own scrapbooking club by asking | | | | has enough table space. You can set everyone up on |
| yourself these questions: | | | | your dining room table, or - if you have the space, |
| --> How often do you want to meet? | | | | create a more elaborate configuration. One idea I |
| How frequently do you want to hold group meetings | | | | found on the Two Peas in a Bucket ( message board |
| (or crops)? Weekly, twice-monthly, monthly? | | | | is to create a square from 2 8-foot tables and 2 |
| It's best to get a consensus from group members as | | | | 6-foot tables. This configuration will comfortably |
| to which day works best, as well as which time of | | | | accommodate 8 scrapbookers. |
| day. Will you need child care - and how many people | | | | It's fun to have some community tools on one table, |
| will be pitching in for the sitter? How many people do | | | | too. I have the basics: trimmers, Coluzzle, Silent Eyelet |
| you want in your scrapbook club? | | | | 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 the | | | | And place a small gift bag or paper lunch sack in 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? | | | | way in helping to keep each workspace organized and |
| You can start out at your home, if you have the | | | | clutter-free. You can also set a relaxing (or energizing) |
| space. Or you can ask if the scrapbookers in your | | | | mood with your choice of soft background music. |
| club would like to rotate houses. | | | | --> How will you find club members? |
| For larger groups, consider churches, community | | | | If you 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 generallylove to embrace. | | | | to the club meetings. |
| --> Do you want to charge membership dues? | | | | You can also post flyers and announcements on |
| If you 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 thistype of scrap space. | | | | Crop. All levels of experience welcome. Instructor |
| --> What will you serve? | | | | designer on hand to answer questions and provide |
| You can serve food - or not. I like to keep things really | | | | instruction. Come have fun and meet new friends. |
| simple. I have a simple basket of cold Evian bottles - | | | | Time and location. Your contact info." |
| which I stock up on when 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 behind, | | | | great tool for keeping track of invitees. Simply pitch |
| so stay away from anything that would make it | | | | your crop night as a "girls' night out" (or "mom's night |
| necessary for guests to wash their hands with each | | | | out") where you'll get important things done (and it |
| bite. If you're going to serve finger food, use toothpicks. | | | | never hurts to letthem know you'll have chocolate on |
| And - for the chocolate fix - M&Ms are wonderful | | | | hand.) |
| because they really domelt in your mouth and not in | | | | Have a great time meeting new scrapbooking friends |
| your hand. | | | | and inspiring one another to complete cards, layouts, |
| --> How structured would you like your meetings to | | | | and gifts-from-the-heart in your new scrapbooking club. |
| be? | | | | |