Setting up a scrapbooking crop can allow you to share your ideas with others, gain inspiration for yourself and create a circle of friends with one brilliant hobby in common.
If you are already part of a group of friends who enjoy scrapbooking, an easy way of setting up a crop is to host it at your house. Just lay out some drinks and nibbles and invite your friends over for a day or evening of scrapping. This will cut out many of the costs otherwise involved when setting up a crop. To save even more, rotate the host house among your friends. It also spreads around the delights of hosting among friends who enjoy it.
If you don’t have the room to host at your own house or you would like to invite others from the community who you don’t know as well, consider another venue. Community halls, church fellowship halls and local schools are all options worth a look. However, there are other issues that will need to be weighed when choosing a venue in addition to the cost of hiring the room:
Everyone will need to travel to your venue – either by car or public transport, so ensure that there’s adequate parking and that it’s accessible via public transport. As for the room itself, if you are going to be there for more than a couple of hours, ensure that you have access to toilets and a kitchen. Most will have them…but ensure that they’re unlocked and that you have permission to use them (for instance, if you are meeting at a school). Are there tables and chairs provided? Who’s responsible for set up and tear down?
In addition to the cost of the room and refreshment, if you’re hosting classes, keep in mind the cost of class materials. You’ll have to recoup all these costs through admission fees. And if your price is too high, you won’t be able to attract new people and might have to seek out a more affordable venue, etc. There’s no point in hosting a crop if you have to bear the financial burden by yourself.
The final thing to decide is what you’ll do at your crop. Are you just going to invite people to bring in their own projects…or are you going to put on some type of class…or possibly a mixture of both? In order to attract the largest number of people and have them leave the crop satisfied with their investment of time and money, you may want to talk to potential attendees ahead of time and see what they’d hope to get out of the event.
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We used to do something similar… back in the 7th grade. I didn’t know that adults could be scrapping-fans and, more than that, that they host such get-togethers.
This sounds fun. I think I will host a scrapbook crop.
Mine favorite way is to set up folding square tables to place them together to create one large square made up from all of the tables. This allows you to place two people per table, one on each corner, maximizing workspace but allowing individuals to see what others are working on, as well as keeping conversation active.
These are all great ideas to hold a successful crop. If you are having a lot of people at a church or hall, you can also invite local scrapbook vendors to sell there products. You can either charge the vendors a flat fee of $25 or so for attending, or take a cut of any sales the vendor makes.
You should also ask the vendors to provide raffle prizes for your attendees. This is a great way to cut down on your expenses, and get more people interested in attending. The vendors don’t have to sell scrapbook supplies, I have been to crops where vendors sold Pampered Chef or even massages.
This sounds fun. I think I will host a scrapbook crop.
This is a great idea. My mother starting having these recently and has made some new friends.
Nice, me and my wife make an scrap book for our baby
Scrapbooking is a great idea for not only spreading your ideas for others but also enjoying yourslef on a daily basis. I really enjoyed making my last scrapbook with my family. Thanks for the advice!
Well This made me remember the time wen we used to make scrapbooks on our own and it used to be fun..I am thinking to create one for me now …lol..
I got my son into scrap booking but he seems to have jumped into the future cos he’s now using a program on his computer to do it. I’m sure that can’t count! But nevermind – he still enjoys himself and that’s what matters.
I WANT TO HOLD A SCRAPBOOKING CROP! I am trying to gather info on holding a crop at a hall in my town of Picayune,Ms in January. I attended only one a couple yrs ago in La., but the owners of the scrap store closed. It was from 10am to 10pm. It was a lot of fun and I have been so disappointed ever since that no one seems to be holding them at all, especially in my town. so I figured, if I want it, I need to start it! I am a Stampin’Up1 demonstrator(pretty new), but this would not be a Stampin Up event, per say, I would of course have my catalogs and contact info there for anyone interested but I am most interested in starting what I would hope would be an ongoing event that would be great for my community. I am really looking for feedback from your readers. The hall I am looking to rent will cost me $125.00 for 4 hours, and the cost of advertising. I am afraid this would not be long enough. I’d like to know if you have ever attended a crop? what was it like? How long and how much? What was provided? I am basically looking for ideas to throw the crop. i would really appreciate any feedback you could give me. I am worried about the people who may not have their own supplies. I cannot sell Stampin Up products there because that is considered Cash And Carry, and against their policy. I also am thinking I would have to get people to give a downpayment for their seat, being that it would help to know how many people will attend and if we would fill to capacity, and to assure everyone a seat. Ideas and info please!! Also, I am thinking of charging 10-$15.00 for the crop and serve light snacks-chips, soda.
@james yes there are plenty of online tools for scrapbooking and it is true that thanks to the internet there are plenty of sites and ideas to find.
I really like scrap books, with my kids it really helps to remember what has happened and keep a record of all the cool things my kids have got up to.
Many women go to crops dragging along several rolling totes. Others come pushing Iris carts while others carry in boxes and bags! It doesn’t matter how they arrive or how much stuff they take with them…the crop is sure to provide several hours of scrapbooking and socialization! A crop will also give you a great place to share scrapbook tools and idea books! Not to mention the inspiration of fellow scrapbookers.
The underlying reason that most people attend crops is to get out of the house and gather with friends. Crops have been compared to the quilting bees of the past. Quilting bees were a social outing for women to gather and work on their quilts. Scrapbookers may not be quilting with fabric but they are weaving their families memories into storybooks that will share their life with future generations.
Non-messy or greasy finger foods are the best for crops. (No one wants oily hands when working with paper.) Provide something sweet and something salty, such as pretzels and M&M’s, and ask each guest to bring a small snack as well. You can serve alcoholic beverages if you want a fun “girl’s night in,” but remember too much alcohol and scissors do not mix!
I’ve tried some scrapbooking crops online, they offer nothing more than a scheduled chat between members. While others have scheduled demonstrations, talk about certain techniques, and so on. You need to make sure you are reading all the information available about this particular crop to know exactly what you are being offered and whether or not it is worth your visit.
Sounds like a great idea but i live in a small village and the town is about 1 and half hours away. Maybe i might try to find one in my area but i doubt there will be one
I just launched my crop on meetup group online and put some fliers around town and I already have 18 people coming after only a week. We are having it from 9-5 at a local church which is only asking for a small donation, food, drinks, vendors, demos, and prizes. I can’t believe how easy it was to start and how many people are wanting to come…take the leap and try it!
Mine favorite way is to set up folding square tables to place them together to create one large square made up from all of the tables. This allows you to place two people per table, one on each corner, maximizing workspace but allowing individuals to see what others are working on, as well as keeping conversation active.
The best way to get people excited about your scrapbooking crop or retreat is to choose a theme for the event and carry it through with themed party decorations, a clever invitation, coordinating party invitations, music to get the party started. Follow up with a photo op, a make and take project or a unique crop game.
Susan and Meredith at Key Lime Crops have come up with complete party theme packages that take all the work out of planning a scrapbook crop or retreat. When you are a store owner or retreat planner or even a convention planner you want to make sure that customers leave happy so they will come again and spend money. Try the Scrap Therapy crop or One Spa-tacular Day, or my favorite, Puttin’ on the Glitz! There’s also a free crop sampler to try before you buy.
Have fun!
Funnt enough I never came across the idea of setting up a scrapbooking crop. Reading it all now, it makes so much sense. Bearing in mind my technical non-ability, it will take me some time to grasp it all, but I’m convinced time & effort will well be worth it. Good stuff, appreciated.