Scrapbooking supplies?

@MsJessi (423)
United States
March 10, 2007 4:31pm CST
Where do you get your scrapbooking supplies from? And if you're a mom, when do you find the time? I got into scrapbooking about a year ago, when I got a part-time job at a scrapbook store. So basically, I NEVER got a paycheck, cause I was constantly taking supplies home and then the boss would deduct from the check, leaving me with nothing! lol. But once I left the job, I pretty much stopped scrapbooking because I couldn't afford the supplies anymore. At least, not the supplies I wanted and had gotten used to using. So do any of you have any tips on how to buy supplies cheaper?
2 people like this
11 responses
@LadyLeene (584)
• United States
11 Mar 07
If you learn how to make recycled paper, which is actually fairly easy, you can use whatever scrap paper is laying around your house to make semi-stiff covers and pages for scrapbooks. You can add glitter or fried flowers to this, then fing rings or a hole-puncher + string or thread to tie the pages together. Then, you just use tape or glue to stick stuff to the pages, possibly inside small plastic bags if you want to save things like hair, fur, baby teeth, or so on. I once knew a Mom who made scrapbooks while her son was napping; but if your kids aren't napping anymore, then you clearly won't be able to do this.
• United States
11 Mar 07
^dried flowers, not fried flowers! Aren't typos great?
@MsJessi (423)
• United States
12 Mar 07
haha, I would have figured it out eventually...lol. Yea, I would get time on weekends to do this...go hide in my bedroom and leave the kids with hubby! lol.
• United States
12 Mar 07
I usually buy from the local walarmt and or craft store. As to make things cheaper. I went digital. I would spend hundreds on scrapbook supplies and you can only use an item once. So i bought some digital scrapbook software and started saving images online, and now i do all my scrapbooking on the computer. IT cost 20 for the software, and seeing all my pictures are digital anyway.. it works for me.
@MsJessi (423)
• United States
12 Mar 07
Yea, I'm kinda already in digital scrapbooking...except I gear mine more towards graphic arts...thanks hun.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
11 Mar 07
My scrapbook page - Take the greeting cards that everyone gave you and paste them on to the page so that they can all be opened. Inside, paste a picture of you with that guest or their gift. It's a cost-free way to scrapbook the occasion :)
Well scrapbooking supply stores are expensive, but you can get supplies anywhere! Here are some ideas - Go to Joann's or Michael's on a monthly basis looking for sale items, stock up on stickers that are on sale because you can always use them. Go to the Dollar store! Yes the dollar store has things you can use:) Just buy some gift bag related items, or other decor items, and make them fit your needs. Finally, keep items from everywhere you go. If you go ot a bday party and you want to scrapbook it, pick up some of the napkins, or other decor that they may have. This can then be used to decorate the page. So you see, it's not about having a ton of money to spend, it's about being creative:) I bought a stack of 100s of different colored sheets of paper that I'm still using on almost every page. Attached is one of my more creative scrapbook pages. I took each of the cards my family gave me, and inside the card I put a picture of me and them at the party. This page cost me the price of glue and that's about it:)
@MsJessi (423)
• United States
12 Mar 07
That is true...I am pretty good about saving things from events...movie stubs used to be the worst!! lol. I guess my only problem now is, storage!! lol. Need to remedy that. Thanks.
• Australia
23 Mar 07
I use pretty decorative bobby pins they I do not wear anymore as simply cut off the bobby pin with wire cutters and they can be inexpensive at times !!I also do beading ,so I also use small beads with thread !! Old postage stamps can be also used !!!
• United States
19 Mar 07
I shop at joanns A LOT, But I rarely pay full price for my scrapbooking supplies. I use coupons whenever I can.
@deesamps (653)
• United States
23 Mar 07
I get my scrapbooking supplies from Hobby Lobby, Micheal's, JoAnn's, Wal-mart, and a store called Chasing Rainbows in Independence,Kansas. I scrapbook whenever I can find the time, mostly though it is after my kids go to bed or are at school.
@dopey22girl (3319)
• United States
18 Mar 07
Lol you sound kind of like me. I work at a craft store, and we have a HUGE selection of scrapbooking stuff. It is really hard for me not to spend my entire paycheck there. Lol. What is really nice about it is that I get a 30% discount, which is really good! Otherwise I get supplies from other craft stores such as Michaels, and occassionally from places like Target and Walmart.
• United States
14 Mar 07
In order to get some of my favorite supplies cheaper I signed up as a consultant not only do I get a discount through the company but I also have business license that allows me to buy wholesale. I vendor at about 10 fairs a year that I take my family with me so I still can care for my children and support my scrapbooking habit. I have even been able to start a vacation fund.
@AndiCat (325)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I normally get my scrapping supplies from AC Moore, Michaeal's, or Scrapbook Cottage. The merchandise at Scrapbook Cottage changes constantly so there is always something new to see - and BUY! There may be some wholesale sites on the web to check into. I've never bought my supplies online. I think they way you did it by working at the store might be the best way to do it!
• United States
12 Mar 07
I go to places like Michael's, WalMart and Target. Michael's is a little more expensive but sometimes you can find good sales. Supplies from WalMart and Target may not be as good of quality but you can make it work, just be creative!
• United States
14 Mar 07
scrapbooking supplies are really expensive!! i used to spend hundreds of dollars everytime i go to a scrapbooking store.. i get so excited that i literally want to buy the whole store!! but i realized that that compulsive buying wasnt good.. i learned to resist compulsions.. and i only buy things that are on sale now.. i also go to Dollar stores, they've got some cool stuff there too.. some arent but some are pretty decent and workable.. wal-mart has some great supplies too..