Local
scrapbook stores (hereafter referred to as LSSs) are considered
the heart and soul of the hobby of scrapbooking by some
enthusiasts. LSSs are where one can attend classes and find
out where the best crops are. Supplies can also be ordered
online or ordered from a home-based retailer. Some of these
sell products through a multi-level direct sales company
while others are independent and may be part of a business
group. Many local suppliers offer instructional classes.
Scrapbooking is not only a hobby to create
a place for ones keepsakes, but also has become a popular
way to make gifts for weddings and other special occasions.
Many people opt to make their own gifts of scrapbook art,
while others hire a professional scrapbooker. The most important
scrapbooking supply is the album itself, which can be permanently
bound, or allow for insertion of pages. There are other
formats, such as mini albums and accordion-style fold-out
albums. Some of these are adhered to various containers,
such as matchbooks, CD cases, or other small holders.Modern
scrapbooking is done largely on 12×12 or 8½×11
pages.
More recently smaller albums have become
very popular. The most common new formats are 6×6,
7 x 7, or 8×8. Basic materials include background
papers (including printed and cardstock paper), photo corner
mounts (or other means of mounting photos such as adhesive
dots, photo mounting tape, or acid-free glue), scissors,
a paper trimmer, art pens, archival pens for journaling,
and mounting glues (like thermo-tac). More elaborate designs
require more specialized tools such as die cut templates,
rubber stamps, craft punches, stencils, inking tools, eyelet
setters, heat embossing tools and personal die cut machines.
Various accessories, referred to as embellishments,
are used to decorate scrapbook pages. Embellishments include
stickers, rub-ons, stamps, eyelets, brads, chipboard elements
in various shapes, alphabet letters and ribbons. The use
of die cut machines is also increasingly popular; in recent
years an electronic die-cutting machine, similar to a printer,
can be connected to ones computer to cut any shape or font.
One of the key components of modern scrapbooking
is the archival quality of the supplies. Designed to preserve
photographs and journaling in their original state, materials
encouraged by most serious scrapbookers are of a higher
quality than those of many typical photo albums commercially
available. Scrappers insist on acid-free, lignin-free papers,
stamp ink, and embossing powder, and pigment based inks,
which are fade resistant, colorfast, and often waterproof.
Older magnetic albums were not acid-free and thus caused
damage to the photos and memorabilia included in them. In
addition to the collection of photographs, tickets, postcards,
and other memorabilia, journaling is an essential element
in modern scrapbooks.
Scrapbook Totes
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