I am on several style-related e-mail lists (I know, you couldn't tell based on my usual wardrobe of sweats and a t-shirt... I like to at least KNOW that I'm out of style!). One that came across my virtual desk today was talking about shopping sales and how easy it is for women to buy the wrong things, overspend, or otherwise make fashion missteps when items are emblazoned with "40 percent off" stickers.
As I read through this newsletter, I realized how easy it is to fall into the same traps when shopping for scrapbooking goods. How often have I scooped up a stack of patterned paper that goes with nothing in my scrapbook "wardrobe" just because they were two-for-one? How many times have I plopped down my 40 percent off coupons to become the owner of idea books of which I'll never crack the spine?
Even the freebies I (used to) get as a (former) member of the Simple editorial team didn't temper my desire to "get a bargain." After all, just think of all the money I was SAVING!
But "not spending" and "saving" are different things, as I am finally beginning to realize. That's why I was so taken by the instructions provided in this article on fashion and shopping.
So in my infinite wisdom (!), I thought I'd take these nuggets of information and advice froma fashion expert Nancy Nix Rice (www.NancyNixRice.com) and convert them for use by scrapbookers. So read on for some ways you can make your bargain hunting productive and useful..
#1 - Inventory your stash. Notice items you use often. Do they need to be replaced or supplemented? If you use your red pens all the time, for example, a red stamp pad could make additional layouts or projects with the same materials. And consider stock-piling new red pens for when the current ones wear out.
#2 - List your NEEDS - in writing. "Lists are empowering - not limiting," writes Nancy. She suggests breaking lists into categories:
A - Basics that need replacing soon - your favorite cardstock, adhesive, etc.
B - Missing mixers - "Identify these by specific description or by end use," writes Nancy. ("polka-dot patterned paper" OR "Disney accents for Orlando trip").
C - Awkward occasions - What are the pages or pictures you have trouble scrapbooking? For instance, if you are a brights-lover, you may not have an appropriate selection of materials for a memorial page for your father-in-law. Or if you tend to scrap girls, you might have trouble creating a page for your new nephew with all the flowers and pastel pinks in your stash.
#3 - Shop UP a notch. "Now's the time to move up the quality ladder," says Rice. For instance, if you've so far purchased all your supplies at Walmart or the craft store, you can hit the sales at a specialty scrapbooking store to upgrade some of your materials.
#4 - Be retail savvy. Nancy's recommendations work perfectly for scrapbookers. "Shop at off-peak hours like early AM or dinner time. Check your mail/email for extra-discount coupons - why pay more than you have to? Take along items you need to match - it's far less trouble that returning a poor choice later," she recommends.
#6 -Be smart about what you like. If you tend towards earth tones, a collection of primary accents aren't going to work on your pages. If you don't use stamps, a set of Autumn Leaves alphas isn't a deal. "A 'bargain' you can't fit into [your album] is just wasted dollars," writes Rice (with adjustments from me). "Just say NO."
#7 - Do an at-home fashion show with your bargains. With clothing, you'd try your new purchases on with old favorites from your closet. Do the same with your new scrapbooking supplies! Spread out your new goodies and mix and match with other stuff from your stash, your scrap pile, etc. You may find that your new purchases go great with some old favorites, making both more versatile and useful.
What's your biggest scrapbook "fashion faux pas?" What do you have trouble resisting even though it clashes with your scrapbook style? Tell me about it in the comments and maybe I'll send one of MY missteps your way! ;)
Want to read more from Nancy Nix Rice? Visit her at www.nancynixrice.com.
I have a bad habit of buying sets of paper when I only really like 1 or 2 of the patterns...
Posted by: Kim | April 22, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Oh my, I have so many vintage items and find that I am a very graphic scrapper. I love looking at vintage collage type work but have yet to do any myself.
Posted by: Ami Pilon | April 22, 2009 at 02:33 PM
When I first started scrapping, I used to buy 'the slabs' full of random paper that I really didn't like all that much just because it was so cheap. Eventually I ended up giving almost all of it to my kids for their crafts. I don't make that mistake anymore, and only buy multipacks of paper if I like more than half of what's in there.
Posted by: Tanya K. | April 22, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Asking for scrapbook papers for b-day, Christmas without being specific about what I wanted. I've recieved some items I would never have bought {just not my taste} that my family/friends lovingly and with best wishes for me picked out. I've learned to be very specific!
Posted by: Nancy | April 22, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Love your list, Lain! What a cool idea, to turn fashion advice to scrappin' advice. You rock. :)
Posted by: Barb | April 22, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Awesome suggestions. I like how you related that article to scrapping. The biggest scrapping faux pas I've made, as far as I can remember, was a tool that simply didn't turn out as useful as I expected it to be. I'm hoping to give it to someone who can use it or sell it at an upcoming garage sale.
Mel
Posted by: Melissa LaFavers | April 22, 2009 at 09:11 PM
hmmm....makes sense to me! my biggest problem is just buying something (paper, book, embellishment, etc) because i really, really, really liked it but had no actual need for the item at the moment. mostly, if i'm honest, there haven't been a lot of moments.
Posted by: tammy b | April 22, 2009 at 09:47 PM
You are soooo creative, always thinking outside the box!! My scrapbooking faux pas is albums...I have several CM albums that I am not using that are taking up space in my shelving unit--I switched to 3 ring and LOVE them so much more. Not only do I have the CM albums, I picked up a half dozen American Crafts 8x8's at Big Lots for 4.00 a piece. I just can't help myself.
Posted by: Ann Grounds | April 22, 2009 at 11:56 PM
My problem? I really like to buy flowers. I use *very* few of them, but boy, I have quite a collection.
I'm working really hard to simplify (and come to terms with the difference between what I like/think is cool and what I actually will use)...but it's a process.
Great post!
Posted by: Kiera | April 23, 2009 at 12:18 AM
I used to buy whatever was on sale. Now I have been more selective, even simplifying and minimizing my storage (on purpose) in order to have less on hand. I get overwhelmed digging through so many containers of this that and the other that now I give away what I don't use or organize in such a way that I can easily find what I need. It also helps for those times when I run out of something: I can see that I am out easily and pick it up on my next run to the store.
Posted by: Dawn Berreth | April 23, 2009 at 01:44 AM