Preserving Memories Through Creativity

Most people display their pictures in special frames at their homes or keep them in photo albums. However, photos alone will have little meaning for family or friends if the character in the portraits is not around to share the memories that were captured.

Scrapbooking has been a hobby that is growing in popularity. In fact, it has now evolved into a very popular craft. While some indulge in this hobby for future generations, still others would do this for fun.  Scrapbooking can be addictive, so they say.

Getting Started

Organization of Photos

Organizing photos and memorabilia would consume most of the time in scrapbooking. Below are some tips for making this step a lot easier:

• Gather all the photos and memorabilia in one place. Look into the attic, basement, garage, drawers, files, cabinets, old and new photo albums, photo frames, old Christmas cards, and letters from loved ones.
• Create categories for the photos and memorabilia. The categories can be date, activity, theme, or person.
• Sort the photos according to the categories created.
• Write any special or important details of the photo at the back of it. Use a photo-safe pencil when doing so.
• Store the photos in a safe place.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia enhance one’s scrapbook projects. Large items can be photographed and written about. Flat items can be protected with acid-free laminates. Paper items can be free of acid by using a de-acidification spray.

First Project

Deciding on where to start with the project can really be overwhelming. It is therefore advised to start first with a manageable project that has a clear beginning and an end.

Basic Supplies

Purchasing scrapbook supplies can be expensive. Therefore, it is well-advised that one should start scrapbooking with the most basic supplies and by not rushing out to buy everything at once.

Albums

The choice of the album is very personal. If money is a bit tight, starting on with the pages first will do while the scrapbooker is still saving for the actual album.

• Albums vary in sizes; however, the 12” x 12” size is the most popular.
• The cost of the albums varies from around $20.00 to over $100.00.
• Consider post bound, strap, or ring binder type of album.

Many like the 3 ring binders because of its ease of use when inserting or removing pages. The other two are popular but a little more time-consuming.

Adhesives

Tab dispenser and dots glue dispenser are ideal for beginners. The former is ideal for adhering photos and papers plus it is easy to use. The latter is great for adhering small items and has the added advantage of being repositioned when mistakes are committed.

Vellum tape is used when one is ready to advance from basic pages. It is ideal for adhering see-through paper as it doesn’t make the glue visible.

Double-sided tape is also popular for adhering difficult items. Aside from being transparent, some brands are foamy that give a 3-D effect.

Pens

Pens are used for adding titles and journals to pages. The scrapbooker must make sure to use pens that contain pigment ink that are acid-free, permanent, or waterproof. Pens are available in many colors and styles. The styles include scroll, brush, calligraphy, bullet, chisel, fine, dual, and medium tips.

Scissors

This is definitely an essential in scrapbooking. Choosing a pair of straight, fine tipped scissors enable the scrapbooker to cut precisely in tight spaces.

Paper

Colored papers can be used as backgrounds. They can also be used to create borders, mat photos, or punch out shapes. The material must be acid- and lignin- free. They come in various colors, textures, designs, and thickness.

Ruler

A clear ruler is ideal as the scrapbooker can see through where he rules his lines.

Other Useful Supplies

• Paper Trimmer – available in different cutting shuttles such as wave, zigzag, and scallop

• Cutting Tools – tools that create all sorts of shapes can save time and gives smooth edges

Other Options

• Stickers
• Stencils
• Punches
• Stamps
• Die-cuts
• Decorative edge cutters

Many have discovered that displaying pictures with text can explain the significance of such photos. Therefore, scrapbooking is the perfect way to preserve photos and memories in a creative and unique way.

Scrapbooking: As Hobby and As Money-Making Venture

So many craft enthusiasts and even ordinary homemakers are into scrapbooking these days. Scrapbooking is the pleasing and creative way of collecting and keeping photos and mementos in personalized albums. Unlike the conventional photo albums, modern-day scrapbooks use various decorative and specialty papers, buttons, beads, ribbons, sequins, shells, cut-outs, and other items as embellishments for the album pages.

Scrapbooking makes an enjoyable and artistic hobby. It gives you the chance to dig into your collection of photos and preserve the best ones by mounting them on acid-free paper. Then you get to exercise or practice your creativity by decorating around the photos and all over the pages to make them look nice and interesting. Shopping for embellishments, or looking for pretty little items around the house which you can use for your scrapbook pages, can also be fun in itself.

Aside from mounting photos and gluing the embellishments together, scrapbooking also involves journaling. This means telling the story behind a photo. You indicate who is in the photo, where and when it was taken, and some little anecdotes about that moment. This particular task relieves stress and allows you to reminisce and feel nostalgic.

If you are a new scrapbooking hobbyist, remember that the most impressive and beautiful scrapbook pages are actually those that are simple and clutter-free. Remember that embellishments are there to enhance the photographs and make them look more interesting, not to steal the viewer’s attention from the photos. Remember that the real essence of scrapbooking is to preserve the photos and the memories that come with them. More important than the aesthetic aspect of it is the time and care you devote into preserving your photos and your memories.

So there is no wonder so many people are turning to scrapbooking during their spare time.

And because scrapbooking is so poplar these days, scrapbooking businesses are also sprouting like mushrooms. When before you’d be contented collecting old buttons, ribbons, old gift wrappers, and other unused knick-knacks at home to use on your scrapbook pages, now, you can’t help but get your hands on so many cute and pretty scrapbook materials displayed in craft stores. Commercial stickers, papers, and decorative items of all colors and designs abound.

If you are one who wants to take advantage of the popularity of scrapbooking and get into a scrapbooking business, then take time to know everything there is to know about scrapbooking. Your customers will expect you to be an expert on this kind of craft and may come to you to ask certain questions and suggestions about their hobbies. Read craft books, visit scrapbooking or hobby-related websites, and interact with other scrapbooking enthusiasts.

If you want to try your hands on scrapbooking as a business, this information or pointers will be of great help to you:

* High-quality scrapbooking products, especially those made of 100% acid-free paper and tape can be expected last around 15 to 20 years without discoloring. Scrapbook materials made of mediocre or poor-quality paper (or fake “acid-free” paper) will fade out and discolor after only a short time. Thus, it is very important that you source or get your materials from reputable and reliable suppliers. It is also important that you distribute only products and materials that bear a credible and well-respected brand.

* Make it your hobby as well. Or at least try creating your own personalized scrapbooks in order to get acquainted with the craft. This is the only way for you to understand the nature of your business and to understand what customers or what your market wants and needs. This is also the only way for you to establish a personal relationship with and an attachment to your business and to really learn to love it for what it is.

* Know your market well and establish your business and customer network by joining or attending scrapbooking seminars and workshops. Through events like these, you will get to interact with your market customers and learn about what would sell. This is also a good chance to advertise the products or services you offer and expand your client database.

* Think up of new promotional ideas and projects that would help sustain the people’s interest in the craft or in the hobby. This also helps sustain the interest of your customers in your business.