Posts Tagged ‘Creative Scrapbooking’

Creativity always finds an outlet and a person who is brimming with ideas will always use his creativity in every field of work. Even out of the box thinking is a creative exercise that is undertaken by most of us in our day to day work. One such hobby that directly promotes creativity is scrapbooking. The age old art of creative scrapbooking has been around for a long time. The arrival of the online scrapbooking option has just made it even more popular among the people in today’s world. A person can now indulge in creative scrapbooking with the help of the many options easily available on a scrapbooking website. Armed with the online tips, ideas and tools a person can easily embark on an adventurous journey to the world of scrapbooking.

The idea of creative scrapbooking has a different meaning to everyone. The fun thing about creative scrapbooking is that everyone can come up with something different. We all have pictures of weddings, children, vacations, and various activities that have taken place in our lives. Creative scrapbooking combines those pictures with different layouts, stickers, writing, and borders to create original works of art. If you don’t feel creative enough, this may hinder your creative scrapbooking abilities. If you love to create pages with your favorite pictures, you can come up with your own techniques. If you aren’t sure of the effect a particular layout will have then you can place it all together without any glue. This way you can rearrange the elements if you aren’t happy with it.

One of the worst things you can do when it comes to scrapbooking is to compare your work to that of someone else. It many cases we are our own worst critics. You don’t want to simply copy the layouts of other people either. It is perfectly fine though, to get a general idea from what you see and adapt it suitably to make it your own. Creative scrapbooking is about being free to experiment. With so many different project tools and accessories available, you should have no trouble at all in developing creative scrapbooking ideas. You can consult with a book, catalog, or magazine to get some additional ideas as well.

The early part of creative scrapbooking may be the hardest because you are still learning about what the various tools and accessories can offer you. Once you realize that the sky is the limit you will relax and let yourself run wild with the creative scrapbooking ideas you have developed. Since creative scrapbooking ideas may strike you at any moment, it can be helpful to carry a small notebook with you. This way you can write down the ideas that come to mind. A particular scene or activity in your day just may trigger some ideas for scrapbooking later on. The beauty of scrapbooking lies in the fact that any incident can be converted into a cherished memory through creative scrapbooking. Once you have created your scrapbook, the moment is preserved forever and it becomes a source of joy for many years to come.

Creative scrapbooking is an art form that inspires ingenuity and relaxation. Nonetheless, it can also be fraught with stressful moments when scrapbooking blunders occur.

But worry no more! By using some of the following creative scrapbooking methods, you can make any scrapbooking gaffes look great!Scrapbooking Dilemma #1: Glue GlobulesCreative Scrapbooking Solution:

Any adhesive on earth has the potential to stick—or stick out—in unexpected and unwelcome ways.

If you find that glue has slopped all over your card stock, ribbons, or stickers, you may be able to rid yourself of the excess by applying an adhesive remover with a cotton swab and gently erasing it.

Does the notion of all that rubbing make you a bit uncomfortable? Is the glue dried on a precious photograph that you don’t want to mar? You can always add another element to your scrapbook, such as a sticker or picture, over the glue blob. Be imaginative and use your creative scrapbooking know-how to think “outside the album”!Scrapbooking Dilemma #2: Mispelled (oops… we meant “misspelled”) WordsCreative Scrapbooking Solution:

We’ve all done it—misspelled words in our beautiful scrapbooks. It’s enough to make even the most seasoned scrapper want to cry. But before you break out the tissues, realize that there are plenty of creative scrapbooking quick fixes for your quandary!

First, decide if it’s possible to simply correct the text by inserting the proper letter or even changing the word slightly. For instance, if you meant “too” and wrote “to”, you may be able to pop in that second “o” relatively easily.

If that’s not a possibility, cut a piece of card stock in the shape of the misspelled word and glue it on top of the error. Write in the correct word and… voila! You’re in business and have added an element of depth to your scrapbook page. Scrapbooking Dilemma #3: Paper Rips and BlipsCreative Scrapbooking Solution:

Who says that every paper has to be perfectly cut? Creative sprapbooking to the rescue again! There’s a trend known as “shabby chic” and many album designers love to pepper their scrapbooks with rough edges and asymmetrically cut papers and photos.

The next time you make a goofy cut, ask yourself, “How can I incorporate this into the theme of the book?” rather than, “How can I fix this mess?” You’ll be surprised at how one “mistake” can challenge you to “up” the proverbial ante and add pizzazz to your creation!Scrapbooking Dilemma #4: Half-Stamped ImagesCreative Scrapbooking Solution:

Veteran scrapbookers know that half-stamped images are the name of the game—but that doesn’t mean they like them. Quite the contrary, such blemishes are often met with sighs of frustration.

The next time you experience a half-stamped image, understand that you have a few choices and needn’t assume the worst.

You can easily put a sticker or attach a similar add-on over the mistake. Or you can fill in the image using a gel pen (which can add a fabulous “freehand” aura to the page.) Finally, you can try to re-stamp, though you’ll need to exercise high levels of patience as you carefully re-apply your stamper.Scrapbooking Dilemma #5: Sticker ShockCreative Scrapbooking Solution:

Wait a minute. That sticker shouldn’t be there! It doesn’t make any sense! It’s terrible! It’s going to ruin everything…! Or is it?

Misplaced stickers may be the perfect inspiration for creative scrapbooking changes. Perhaps you originally had a plan for the page you’re designing, but a fortuitously mislaid sticker forced you to take your album in a much more unique direction. It would be serendipitous, instead of catastrophic!

(Of course, if you don’t want to work around your sticker, there’s special remover that every scrapper should have some in his or her scrapbooking kit and it works wonders.)There’s an old saying that there are no mistakes in life. We’d go so far as to say there are no mistakes in scrapbook designing, especially when you apply creative scrapbooking techniques!

Creative scrapbooking has taken the world by storm. It’s relaxing, fun, social… and, let’s face it, incredibly addictive! After all, what scrapbooker doesn’t smile with pride when she or he finishes a decorative project?

If you have the talent to create eye-catching, creative scrapbooks, you can actually turn your hobby into a lucrative creative scrapbooking career. In this three-part series, we’ll show you some of the secrets to running a home-based creative scrapbooking company that regularly adds extra coins to your coffers!Why Creative Scrapbooking?

People from all walks of life have photos and mementoes cluttering their homes. They’d love to organize and arrange them, but don’t have the time (or, in some cases, the ability.) That’s where you, as a professional scrapbooker, can step in!

Through creative scrapbooking, you can create delightful, entertaining, and touching memory books that will be certain to have a very long shelf life. Imagine… your scrapbook creations could someday become precious family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation!What Types of Scrapbooks Sell?

Creative scrapbooking is an incredibly versatile field because you have virtually no boundaries. Graduation scrapbooks, family tree scrapbooks, baby scrapbooks, wedding scrapbooks, and achievement scrapbooks are only a few of the countless styles of creative scrapbooking inventions you can market.

Use your imagination; anything that’s relatively flat can go into a scrapbook, so the sky’s the limit.Can Scrapbooking Really Be Profitable?

Creative scrapbooking, as with any legitimate business, won’t make you rich overnight. But if you’re determined and plan your creative scrapbooking operation pragmatically, you can absolutely make money from this burgeoning industry.

Best of all, creative scrapbooking is a low overhead industry. You’ll need to start with a modest amount of scrapbooking supplies, but you can build your stock over time thanks to fast shipping and wholesale prices offered at Internet scrapbooking supply stores.How Can I Start Professionally Scrapbooking?

Obviously, the first step to starting a creative scrapbooking company (even one with a single employee, aka “you”) is to develop a business plan. This document should include an overview, financial information (including income and expense projections, marketing ideas, local competition statistics, and realistic growth rates.

Though you may not be able to find exact data to work into your creative scrapbooking business plan, try to be as complete as possible. The more information you include, the better your chances of success.Do I Need Any Formal Training?

Though there are no credentials needed to call yourself a creative scrapbooking pro, you may want to take a few community courses on scrapbooking design. Doing so will keep you “in the know” as far as the latest products and trends are concerned; it will also provide you with fresh ideas to propose when working with clientele.What Do I Need in Terms of Stock?

One of the most essential items you’ll need to start a creative scrapbooking venture is scrapbooking paraphernalia. Chances are, you already have some supplies around your home, but if they aren’t organized, it’s time do so.

Invest in some bins (dollar stores have a plethora of options) and label them according to scrapbooking supplies, such as stickers, papers, backgrounds, adhesives, albums, markers, scrapbooking magazines (for inspiration), and borders. This way, you’ll always know exactly how much of each scrapbooking necessity you have and can order more before you run out.Do I Need to Rent a Space for My Scrapbooking Business?

Though it would certainly be wonderful to have an “offsite” locale for your creative scrapbooking enterprise, it’s more likely that you’ll need to make due with your current digs.

Anything from a corner of your family room to a renovated closet can serve as your creative scrapbooking “headquarters”. Just make certain that you have enough space and light to work your magic and store your scrapbooking supplies!What Will I Tell My Family?

If you’re worried about “breaking” the news to your family that you’re setting off on an entrepreneurial scrapbooking journey, you’re not alone. Many first-time business owners are reticent to reveal their plans to loved ones for fear that their significant others will not be supportive.

With that said, it’s critical to the long-term success of your creative scrapbooking business that you have the “buy in” of your kin. So take a deep breath, muster up all your courage, and boldly state, “I’m going to become a professional scrapbooker! And when the money starts coming in, the first dinner out is on me!”The Next Step

Are you eager to start your creative scrapbooking adventure? In our next article, we’ll explore how to set your prices and market and advertise your home-based scrapbooking services…

It’s ironic; what makes a creative scrapbooking business unique attractive to entrepreneurs seeking a work-at-home venture is also what makes it so incredibly challenging. After all, there are no definitive “rules” when it comes to pricing your scrapbook creations or determining where and how to advertise your services.

However, there are general business planning techniques you can use as a starting point to give your creative scrapbooking company the best chance of long-term success.Setting Your Creative Scrapbooking Price Rates

Whether you specialize in wedding scrapbooks, memory scrapbooks, award/honor scrapbooks, or other creative scrapbooking creations, you’ll need to develop a price guideline. Otherwise, it will be difficult to negotiate with clientele.

Determining your creative scrapbooking business price guideline may seem daunting at first blush, but it’s actually not that complicated when broken down into “bite sized” pieces.Hourly Rates or Standard Price per Scrapbook?

First, you’ll need to determine whether you want to set prices per project or per hour.

One huge advantage to charging per creative scrapbooking project is that consumers are accustomed to paying for products this way. After all, people don’t purchase a pair of shoes based on how long it took a cobbler to make them; they simply look at the price tag or retail value and decide if they feel it’s a worthwhile investment.

That being said, setting a price per creative scrapbooking project may not always be beneficial for you. If you discover you’re spending inordinate amounts of time on each scrapbook you create, your originally quoted price might not match your efforts. (Remember the old adage: Time is Money.)

Essentially, you can expect to experiment with your creative scrapbooking cost methods at first. Perhaps with some clients, you could offer a “per project” rate, but with others, you might try an hourly approach. There’s no “right or wrong” process–you simply want to find the best one for your creative scrapbooking business.Remember to Consider “Hidden Costs”

Before “going public” with your scrapbook price structure, make sure you’ve accounted for the many costs (both direct and indirect) associated with owning a creative scrapbooking business. Be certain to include the amount you expect to spend on basic creative scrapbooking supplies such as specialty paper, a scrapbook, adhesives, stickers, markers, and fabrics.

Add into your creative scrapbooking price figures telephone calls, mileage (if you’ll travel for consultations), babysitting costs, and any overhead.

At this point, your initial price estimates may seem too high or low. Consequently, you can modify them accordingly, although you should never underestimate what people will pay for a one-of-a-kind scrapbook.Selling Your Creative Scrapbooking Services

You’ve determined your basic scrapbook price. Creative scrapbooking supplies are on hand and on order. You’re organized, primed, and ready to go. But wait! You still need to attract that first key customer.

Advertising and marketing are stumbling blocks for many creative scrapbooking business start-ups; consequently, plenty of scrapbook enthusiasts shy away from becoming entrepreneurs because they assume they’ll never be able to publicize their talents. However, if you approach the selling of your creative scrapbooking services pragmatically, you’ll have an excellent chance of attracting clientele.

Initially, you may want to try a technique that has worked for many other creative scrapbooking aficionados – scrapbook “parties”. These get-togethers are akin to the “tupperware” gatherings made famous in the 70s. Put simply, a friend offers to host a scrapbook party at his or her residence for several persons interested in the world of creative scrapbooking.

Your role at the scrapbook party will be to introduce them to creative scrapbooking and to talk about what you can do for them. Obviously, it will be crucial to bring along business cards (why not design handmade “mini scrapbook cards” for the occasion?) as well as sample scrapbooks you’ve created. Coupons for discount scrapbook services make nice add-ons and will encourage scrapbook party guests to hire you. From this party, you can expect to get a few “nibbles” and perhaps one or two customers.

Naturally, it’s essential to do a fabulous job on your first scrapbook assignment. You must give it “your all”; that way, your client will have a reason to brag about and show off your customized (and exceptional) creative scrapbooking services to friends, family, and coworkers. You can also use your satisfied customer (if he or she agrees) as a “spokesperson” for your creative scrapbooking business in future advertising campaigns.Next … Beyond Marketing 101

In the final article of our three-part creative scrapbooking business piece, we’ll examine particularly creative scrapbooking business marketing ideas and provide hints on running your creative scrapbooking company wisely, ethically, and efficiently.