By Christina VanGinkel
If you love to scrapbook, but have a difficult time picking papers and embellishments to coordinate with your photographs to make fabulous layouts, individual kits, or clubs that put together everything you could want in convenient kits that are delivered at specified intervals, might be just what you need.
Sometimes they are themed to a particular holiday or event, such as Christmas or bringing home baby. Other times, the pieces of the kit are assembled from a single company's line, or just assembled much the same way any average person assembling the contents of a layout might go about the task, picking and choosing assorted papers and embellishments that together, blend well into a layout in the style befitting the type of page it is. Some kits may also be themed on a 'designer's' favorites, and cover several different possibilities for layouts.
Finding a kit will depend first on whether you plan to make this a one-time purchase, or if you intend to purchase a subscription from a club or service. Also, note that when purchasing through a club or subscription service, you can sometimes purchase just a single shipment, but by agreeing to a lengthier service will often mean, you get a bigger discount on each kit.
Kits are marketed through both large and small companies, for a dollar amount often dependent on the contents and the seller, but your likes and dislikes should be what ultimately have an effect on your end buying decision. (And of course, the reliability of the seller and their reputation). Many smaller scrapbook companies and those that sell third party for larger companies often have good deals on kits with current stock and kits that include what is considered old, outdated supplies. They might have limited storage space for their inventory, often selling out of their homes through shows, and parties, so when they receive a new line, they must discount the old. To keep their product turnover high, they package an assortment of the line going out the door, so to speak, into kits for those of us who would just rather have someone else choose for us. The only problem with kits such as these is they often include a lot of papers and embellishments that did not sell to the average customer for some reason. The good part of this might just be that the seller orders more than he or she really needs, knowing that each time a new line is introduced, that they can always market the remainders together in just such a fashion.
Some kits will contain just enough paper and embellishments to make a single page or layout, but my favorites include enough supplies to make at least a couple of layouts. Kits like those that I just described above, often will provide enough papers and embellishments to fill a complete book!
To know what you are getting in a kit is really of the value being advertised; any kit you are considering should come complete with a contents list. This list should explain in detail what is included. How many sheets of paper, what line they are from, and if they are specific papers, their names should be listed, plus a detailed list of embellishments. If there are stickers, rub-ons, frames, eyelets, ribbons, pockets, tags, die cuts, etc., their amount should be listed, and their names if so available. If they are acid free, or lignin free, this should also be detailed. These types of kits do not commonly include albums or tools, so do not compare the two types unless you are in need of one of these alternative accessories.
Shop for kits online at outlets such as Joann's, Ebay, and through clubs and individual sellers, and ask other scrap bookers where they purchased their kits, and if they were satisfied with the contents. Before signing up for a membership that requires a long-term commitment, see if they have any sampler kits available to test the waters with. Word of mouth and recommendations from other crafters is often the best way to assure yourself that you will be satisfied with what you pay for. The availability to see several kits in their complete assemblage will also help you make any comparisons as to getting a fair value for your dollar.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Organizing Your Bead Working Supplies
A beadwork hobby can be a wonderful way to spend your time. This hobby is great because the pieces you need to work on the hobby are very inexpensive. Although if you keep the hobby, you will want to develop a large cache of beads, you do not need many when you are just starting out. One of the few drawbacks to bead working is storing the beads. Because the beads are very small, as are the wires and other supplies, you may find that you have trouble storing the beads. There are plenty of choices out there for you, however.
If you are willing and able to spend big bucks on your hobby, then you should consider a bead working kit. You can purchase holders for your beads. The benefit of these holders is that they often have pull-out trays and other contraptions that will make it simple for you to put your beads exactly where you want them. The downside is the expensive. These kits are pricey.
Shopping on a budget for bead working supplies can be simple and fun. When you get started, you may want to start with zippered sandwich bags. These bags are a really low-tech way to store your beads. Instead of putting them everywhere, you will be able to find exactly the beads you will need as soon as you need them. The benefit of these bags is that they are super cheap. They also are see-through, so you will be able to see what you have before you start opening bags.
Once you are ready to move up from the bags, you can try fishing boxes or hardware supply containers. As with clothing, men can purchase the same items for less. The same bead working kits that will cost you big can be found for little money. You often can find these items at the dollar stores if you keep your eye out. You basically are looking for a plastic or metal storage container that has small spaces for storing the beads. Be sure that you keep your eye out to be sure that there are no holes that the beads could fall through.
You also will want your storage container to have a place for wire, clippers, and other supplies that will be much larger than the beads themselves. If you work at it, you can find a storage container that will hold all of the beads you have. Otherwise, you will find that you can have three or four storage bins. Either option works well; just be sure that you find what makes you comfortable.
Another storage option is to use craft dividers. These plastic dividers have a number of spots for you to organize your supplies. While you may have to mix and match beads because the compartments are a bit larger, you will find that you will be able to find everything in these dividers easily. You can purchase small drawer sets intended for organizing that will fit these dividers. Then you can pull out a drawer, get what you need, and be on your way. These dividers can be great if you will have a large number of beading projects going on.
If you are really serious about organizing your bead working supplies, then you will want to label your crafts. There is nothing more frustrating than to be working on a craft project and find that you cannot find the beads you need. Mark them with easy-to-identify labels, such as large letter beads or small iridescent beads. Be sure that you can remove the labels in case you do not purchase more of this type of beads in the future.
These quick tips will help you to organize your bead working supplies so that you can work on your craft instead of just your organizing. There are so many choices out there that you are sure to find something you want. What is most important is to find something that works for you. Do not settle and do not rule out anything for storing your beads. Keep your eye out everywhere you go; you never know when good bead working systems will pop up in unexpected places.
By Julia Mercer
If you are willing and able to spend big bucks on your hobby, then you should consider a bead working kit. You can purchase holders for your beads. The benefit of these holders is that they often have pull-out trays and other contraptions that will make it simple for you to put your beads exactly where you want them. The downside is the expensive. These kits are pricey.
Shopping on a budget for bead working supplies can be simple and fun. When you get started, you may want to start with zippered sandwich bags. These bags are a really low-tech way to store your beads. Instead of putting them everywhere, you will be able to find exactly the beads you will need as soon as you need them. The benefit of these bags is that they are super cheap. They also are see-through, so you will be able to see what you have before you start opening bags.
Once you are ready to move up from the bags, you can try fishing boxes or hardware supply containers. As with clothing, men can purchase the same items for less. The same bead working kits that will cost you big can be found for little money. You often can find these items at the dollar stores if you keep your eye out. You basically are looking for a plastic or metal storage container that has small spaces for storing the beads. Be sure that you keep your eye out to be sure that there are no holes that the beads could fall through.
You also will want your storage container to have a place for wire, clippers, and other supplies that will be much larger than the beads themselves. If you work at it, you can find a storage container that will hold all of the beads you have. Otherwise, you will find that you can have three or four storage bins. Either option works well; just be sure that you find what makes you comfortable.
Another storage option is to use craft dividers. These plastic dividers have a number of spots for you to organize your supplies. While you may have to mix and match beads because the compartments are a bit larger, you will find that you will be able to find everything in these dividers easily. You can purchase small drawer sets intended for organizing that will fit these dividers. Then you can pull out a drawer, get what you need, and be on your way. These dividers can be great if you will have a large number of beading projects going on.
If you are really serious about organizing your bead working supplies, then you will want to label your crafts. There is nothing more frustrating than to be working on a craft project and find that you cannot find the beads you need. Mark them with easy-to-identify labels, such as large letter beads or small iridescent beads. Be sure that you can remove the labels in case you do not purchase more of this type of beads in the future.
These quick tips will help you to organize your bead working supplies so that you can work on your craft instead of just your organizing. There are so many choices out there that you are sure to find something you want. What is most important is to find something that works for you. Do not settle and do not rule out anything for storing your beads. Keep your eye out everywhere you go; you never know when good bead working systems will pop up in unexpected places.
By Julia Mercer
Getting Started In Bead Working
Getting started in any hobby really is a matter of being sure that you stay organized as you begin the hobby. Bead working is no exception. In fact, because with bead working, you will be dealing with very small objects, it is vitally important that you keep them organized. Here is all you need to know to begin your bead working hobby.
You should start by making sure that this hobby is one you want to pursue. Visit your local craft store and pick up a bead working kit. You should be able to find one fairly cheaply. You will want to get a beginner level project, such as a small pair of earrings or a little bracelet. Then you should come home and work on this project. Be sure that you keep the instructions and everything that came with the kit.
Once you have decided to pursue bead working, you will need to do two things. The first is to look for a book on bead working. While you may think that it is odd to read about such as hands-on hobby, you will find that you should learn about the hobby. Find out about the possibilities that are out there for you. What can you do with the hobby? Can you turn it into a business? Can you give your products as gifts? What are the specialties within bead working? You should be able to find out all of this information from the books that you read. Be sure that you check out the author. She or he should have some experience as a bead worker and should be able to provide unique information.
The research part is something that you should continue as you learn more about bead working. Now, let us return to the instructions you saved from your first project. You did save them, right? Well, you will need to purchase a notebook. Get a small three-ring binder, and you can upgrade later if needed. Take the sheets of instruction from your first project. Copy them so that they are on full-sized sheets of paper. Write the name of the project at the top of the page and put it into the notebook.
Be sure that you keep up with your notebook as you go. You should keep up with it by putting everything together when you use it. Mark the projects as you do them. You eventually will have sections for different types of bead working, but for now, you just need to get the notebook started.
Once you have these basic organizational tools in place, you can get started with the hobby. Of course, you probably have been bead working while getting the research and notebook together, but now you can begin full force. Just remember to take notes and keep up with your instructions as you go. It really will benefit you later to keep all of this information together now.
When you know that you will be bead working for life, it is important to begin looking for a wholesaler. This process used to be much more difficult, but now you can do everything online. You will be able to plan out the projects you want to complete. Then you should work on getting the beads wholesale, particularly if you will be setting up at craft shows. You will get much better pricing and even should be able to find a wider selection of beads.
Never stop learning. That is the key to this type of hobby. You will need to be able to keep up with trends so that you will be able to provide something interesting and unique to your customers and to your friends and family. Bead working is interesting in that it is a hobby that can grow with you. There are simple and complex patterns out there for whatever mood strikes you, and you will find that bead working is something that everyone from toddler to the elderly can do because of the size of beads available. That means that this hobby definitely is a family-oriented one. You will be able to share it with your family members and get them in on the fun of bead working.
By Julia Mercer
You should start by making sure that this hobby is one you want to pursue. Visit your local craft store and pick up a bead working kit. You should be able to find one fairly cheaply. You will want to get a beginner level project, such as a small pair of earrings or a little bracelet. Then you should come home and work on this project. Be sure that you keep the instructions and everything that came with the kit.
Once you have decided to pursue bead working, you will need to do two things. The first is to look for a book on bead working. While you may think that it is odd to read about such as hands-on hobby, you will find that you should learn about the hobby. Find out about the possibilities that are out there for you. What can you do with the hobby? Can you turn it into a business? Can you give your products as gifts? What are the specialties within bead working? You should be able to find out all of this information from the books that you read. Be sure that you check out the author. She or he should have some experience as a bead worker and should be able to provide unique information.
The research part is something that you should continue as you learn more about bead working. Now, let us return to the instructions you saved from your first project. You did save them, right? Well, you will need to purchase a notebook. Get a small three-ring binder, and you can upgrade later if needed. Take the sheets of instruction from your first project. Copy them so that they are on full-sized sheets of paper. Write the name of the project at the top of the page and put it into the notebook.
Be sure that you keep up with your notebook as you go. You should keep up with it by putting everything together when you use it. Mark the projects as you do them. You eventually will have sections for different types of bead working, but for now, you just need to get the notebook started.
Once you have these basic organizational tools in place, you can get started with the hobby. Of course, you probably have been bead working while getting the research and notebook together, but now you can begin full force. Just remember to take notes and keep up with your instructions as you go. It really will benefit you later to keep all of this information together now.
When you know that you will be bead working for life, it is important to begin looking for a wholesaler. This process used to be much more difficult, but now you can do everything online. You will be able to plan out the projects you want to complete. Then you should work on getting the beads wholesale, particularly if you will be setting up at craft shows. You will get much better pricing and even should be able to find a wider selection of beads.
Never stop learning. That is the key to this type of hobby. You will need to be able to keep up with trends so that you will be able to provide something interesting and unique to your customers and to your friends and family. Bead working is interesting in that it is a hobby that can grow with you. There are simple and complex patterns out there for whatever mood strikes you, and you will find that bead working is something that everyone from toddler to the elderly can do because of the size of beads available. That means that this hobby definitely is a family-oriented one. You will be able to share it with your family members and get them in on the fun of bead working.
By Julia Mercer
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