scrapbooking

Pursuing your passion for preserving your family’s memories or giving yourself an artistic outlet doesn’t have to break the bank.  Try these tips to cut down on scrapbooking expenses.

1.  Strength in numbers.  Pool supplies with a group of friends and get together regularly to scrapbook.  That way, between all of you, you only need to buy one each of the tools.  If a regular get-together isn’t an option, then plan to each have a turn with all of the tools for one week on a rotating basis.  This system works especially well when it comes to larger ticket items such as die-cutting machines and large trimmers or re-usable embellishments such as stamp sets.

2.  Hostess or Consultant Benefits.  Using the same group of friends, consider how you can use the home-based craft companies to work for you.  Perhaps one of you could become a consultant for Creative Memories, Stampin’ Up, or Close to My Heart and all of you can enjoy a discount.  Or you can hold crop or card making parties as a group and take turns using the hostess benefits.  As an added bonus, the hostess free products and discounts will help you build more of a supply to share as a group.

3.  Free Crops.  Many churches or community centres hold monthly all-day crops with free admission.  Not only does this save you having to pay a fee for workshop space, but often there will be draws, giveaways, the use of their large cutters or other supplies, and a scrap bin that you can donate to or take from.

4.  Scrapbook Swaps or Garage Sales.  Scrapbook garage sales are becoming more popular.  Keep your eye out for them by checking online listings or asking your local scrapbook store.  These swaps or sales can benefit you either by enabling you to sell some of your unwanted or extra supplies (you know- like the tacky stickers your aunt gave you at Christmas!) and use that money to buy items you do want or need, or by buying things at a huge discount off what you would pay in a store.

5.  Clip coupons.  This one takes very little explanation.  Often, craft and scrapbook stores will offer huge discount coupons to get you in the door.  The money saving tip in this one is simply to decide before you go that you will use only that coupon and buy nothing more.

6.  Be conscious.  Be aware of small frugal ways that you can stretch out your supplies such as cutting out the centre of the paper you are using to matte a picture on and using it for another purpose.  The outline of sticker letters can be used, scraps can be used, cookie cutters can be used as stencils, or a cup or plate can be used to trace out a circle.

7.  Look for inspiration everywhere!  Old wallpaper scraps, paint chips, or fabric ends can be used to jazz up your next layout.

8.  Digital scrapbooking can be a money saver as well as a time saver.  There are some programs for digital scrapbooking that are available for free or for a nominal price.  Beware that, just like traditional scrapbooking, this can become expensive.  (I am a traditional scrapbooker through and through so have not spent much time on this point, but if it interests you, I would encourage you to do some research online.)

9.  The computer can even be a traditional scrapbooker’s friend.  Using your computer, you can easily find free printables and clipart and can create some beautiful journalling boxes that can be printed out.  Just ensure that the paper you use for your printing is acid-free and lignin-free so that your photos are not damaged.

10.  Think outside the “box”!  Scrapbooking storage cases, organizers, and bags can be among the most expensive purchases a cropper will make.  By being creative, those costs can be cut dramatically.  A large size pizza box is the perfect size for transporting 12×12 paper and pages and most pizza places will give you one or two for free if you go in and ask them.  Your local hardware store can be a scrapbooker’s dream!  Tool boxes, tackle boxes, tackle organizers, and tool caddies make great organizers and carts for a fraction of what a similar one made specifically for crafting would cost.

If you have any other ideas for keeping this wonderful hobby affordable, please leave them in the comments section.

scrapbooking