How I Save Money on My Favorite Hobby - Frugal Scrapbooking Supplies
Let’s face it. Hobbies are great fun and sometimes can be expensive. I admit that I am an avid scrapbooking fan. I’ve been interested in scrapbooking for the last 10 years and it started when the first baby came along - I needed to have a pretty album to put all those baby pictures in! Apparently, I am not alone in this love of scrapbooking. Making scrapbook pages is a rapidly growing hobby. Just take a look in any craft store such as Michael’s or JoAnn’s and you’ll be amazed at row after row of supplies, some of which carry rather high price tags. It can become a very costly hobby and I am always on the lookout for ways to save money on my supplies so I read with interest what Mighty Bargain Hunter found at a garage sale.
Over the years, I’ve found several frugal methods for purchasing scrapbooking supplies so I can still enjoy my hobby and not pay a fortune for it! Here are some places for finding scrapbooking supplies that won’t break the bank:
1. Ebay. I have not found a “scrapbooker” going out of business at a garage sale, but I have seen items listed on ebay for just that reason. Sometimes stores just close their doors or someone who is a scrapbook consultant decides to get out of the business. If you search on ebay, you can find many great deals on scrapbook items. Specifically, look for a “lot” of scrapbook items where you can pick up a supply of papers, ribbons, and embellishments for very little money.
2. Store Clearance. I also hunt for supplies on clearance at Target or Walmart. Periodically, Target will do a reset of their scrapbooking department, and any seasonal products or products not moving well will be discounted. I’ve found tags and stickers at 50% or 75% off. Especially check the clearance aisles after a holiday - seasonal items will eventually be clearanced.
3. Garage Sales. This is where Mighty Bargain Hunter found a Stampin’ Up consultant (scrapbook consultant) who was going out of business and selling her inventory at a garage sale.
4. 50% Off Coupons. Both of my local craft stores, Michael’s and JoAnn’s, periodically feature coupons in the weekend newspaper. If there is a particular item that I am looking for, I watch for the 50% off coupons which usually allow the purchase of one item (that is not on sale) for 50% off. I’ve purchased some of the nicer albums in this manner.
5. Dollar Store. My local dollar store has a rather nice selection of scrapbooking supplies. All are acid free and archival quality too. I’ve seen wonderful seasonal papers, stickers, and even embellishments.
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Definitely agree on Ebay. Great source for everything! I have found Big Lots has alot of scrapbook supplies available as well!
Say how about going digital? Use Paint.NET as the free tool instead of photoshop and make digital scrapbooks. Hp conducts free courses online for this look at http://www.hp.com
[...] Not Made of Money, but she has an article about how she saves on her favorite hobby, how she finds frugal scrapbooking supplies. “Here are some places for finding scrapbooking supplies that won’t break the [...]
I’m a new comer to scrapping. I’ve found that some of the cheapest embellishments for scrapbook pages is often stuff we throw away. Old Christmas cards/Birthday cards , Bits of wrapping paper left over from gifts, tickets to events or programs from events (movies, theatre, wine tastings, etc) brochures used to plan a trip. Even the Mapquest directions you print out to get somewhere can be fun.
On a recent trip to Washington DC I picked up a free DC Metro (subway) map and used it in the scrapbook.
[...] hoarding all the yummy drool-inducing scrapbook products out there! I came across these 5 tips from Not Made of Money on frugal scrapbooking — how to enjoy your hobby without breaking your bank: 1. Ebay. I have [...]
I have laughed over the past ten or so years when scrapbooking came into vogue. I have been a scrapper for approx 20 years- and I spend so little on my supplies you all would not believe it! I am with Rob- my “papers” and “embellishments” are the actual things used. I love using a scrap of the actual Christmas wrapping paper for pages on each of my kids- or paper from their birthday presents, etc. I frame school pictures with actual schoolwork or drawings I have them do. All the specialty papers, magazines, etc seem to be more for those who can’t get ideas on their own as to how they want their pages to be.
When we go on trips, the map of the amusement park and freebie promotional stuff ends up being used on the pages.
I do have a very good collection of pens, scissors, glues, and picture corners. This being said- I spent MAYBE $15 on photo corners and a set of new gel pens last year.
Some of what I do is not what other scrappers would consider. I use the actual picture in my work- many would make a copy of a picture and then store the picture somewhere else. All I see this doing is creating to the clutter pile of the hobby. I am not 100% convinced that everything I do must be chemically pure, acid free, and achival in content. Consider what the scrapbook is for- does it really need to last thru the ages? Or is it more for the family to enjoy when reviewing its memories? As you can guess- I believe in the latter.
what do you think are some basic tools scrapbookers should buy? are fancy scissors and gel pens really necessary?
No. Patience and regular markers/scissors go far- but sometimes if a regular marker is too “juicy” it might bleed on the paper- if you are writing directly on the scrapbook page. Gel pens stay put and don’t have that quality concern.
[...] hoarding all the yummy drool-inducing scrapbook products out there! I came across these 5 tips from Not Made of Money on frugal scrapbooking — how to enjoy your hobby without breaking your bank:1. Ebay. I have [...]
How to Save Money on Scrapbooking?…
Here’s a post that caught my eye today. It talks about saving money on scrapbooking. After you’ve scrapbooked for awhile, you’ll quickly realized that scrapping can be an expensive hobby. Especially if you can’t resist those oh-…