Cost of Scrapbook Supplies
When you decide to start a scrapbook, the first thing that comes to mind is the cost of buying scrapbook supplies? And like most things, there’s the good and bad news is that you have a great variety of choices for many albums, embellishments and accessories. While it’s great to have some purchasing options, it will also be too easy to spend a great deal more money than you had intended. Everything you look at gives you a new idea for a page and you could get more scrapbook supplies than you need for the next year. I know that’s true for me. So, here a few tips to help you get what you need but not break the budget doing it.
Scrapbook Supplies At Home
You will probably be surprised at the number of scrapbook supplies you already have. Some of the main scrapbook supplies are adhesives and scissors. You have to use these on every page. Having specific scrapbook scissors is great, offer varied cuts, but you can be a little creative and come up with variations with regular scissors in the beginning. Purchasing some glue is nice but you probably have double sided adhesive tape. After a while of getting used to the convenience of double sided adhesives, you probably won’t want to use any other glue or adhesive.
Scrapbook Stickers and Embellishments
It is so convenient to use scrapbook stickers and other embellishments. You don’t have to think about it, just grab it, stick it in place and you’re done. But let’s look at some other supplies you already have and find a creative way to use them. Flowers can always be cut from the leftovers of scrapbook paper or cards. Use a button or we all have an earring that we lost one. Parts of that earring may be the center of your flower. Take one flower from the bouquet your husband gave you for your birthday. Dry it by hanging it upside down for a few days. Spray the petals with hairspray or spray adhesive to help preserve it. Cut off the stem and glue it to the frame around the picture or anywhere on a scrapbook page. This will have a lot more sentimental value.
Scrapbook Supplies Sharing
Chances are that some of your friends also do scrap booking and have their own scrapbook supplies. If so, you may have some things that they don’t and they may have some re-useable supplies that they would be happy to share. Trade these things back and forth and you both save money. These would be items that can be used over and over again like rubber stamps, die cuts, stencils, or cutting pads. If you need a rubber stamp pads for one or two pages, the cost can seem a little expensive for something that may later just sit in a drawer. But if you and your friend each buy one or two stamp pads to share, the cost is cut in half and your creativity is doubled.
Scrapbook Paper and Card Stock
Two of the things in constant use are scrapbook paper and card stock. While these come in wonderful designs and graphics printed on them, they can be expensive. Buy only a few of these designed papers and cards. Often plain colored paper and card stock will be part of a scrapbook supplies sale. When it is, buy in bulk or split with cost with a friend. By cutting the edges and layering the card stock and paper, you can create wonderful background and borders for your photos. With the help of an edger tool or border punch, you will be able to create your own unique designs.
Plan and Inventory
When you go to the grocery store, you always know what you have on hand and what you need for your recipes. Scrap booking is essentially the same. You should plan on a design (the recipe), know what you have on hand (your pantry) and then list what you need to buy (your grocery list) so that you will only buy the items that you need. Put your needed items into sections like stickers and put the ones you need, like baby stickers, Christmas, wedding and so forth. You won’t buy duplicates of some that you already have on hand and you won’t forget to get something that you really need for your scrapbook project.
Scrapbook Supplies Online
Many websites now have scrapbook supplies online. Often they have discount scrapbook supplies and bargains that you can’t find in the stores. You will save money, not have so many items that it becomes cluttered and no guilty conscience. Even if you find a great sale, stick with your theme and buy what you need. If you have money left over, go for the standard items on sale like paper and card stock or that one item you can’t live without.
It takes a little time to get organized and used to applying these tips, but you will be able to enjoy scrap booking, be able to maintain the scrapbook supplies with little clutter, have an inventory of what you need for each project and spend fewer dollars.
