How to Turn Scrapbooking Hobby Into a Career

You have scrapbooks lining your bookshelves and lying around in every room. You are a frequent shopper at Michael's or other craft stores that sell scrapbooking necessities. You are just the type that could make a career out of this hobby. Interested? Read on.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Make scrapbooks for others. This is the first step to turning your scrapbooking hobby into a career. Give them as gifts, give them for no reason. Just throw together scrapbooks for your loved ones, and friends, and co-workers, and people you barely know. Maybe that guy who runs by your house every day. He might like an athletic-themed scrapbook. These people can pass the word along that you really have a talent for scrapbooking. It may be a hobby right now, but not for long!

2. Host a party. It doesn't have to be formal, just a few of your friends and interested people. They can bring their own books and materials, or you can provide them (for a small fee of course). Give them guidance and ideas to make their scrapbooks. Coach them in this hobby that you love.

3. Hold routine scrapbooking parties, with different themes. Start charging for your instruction and guidance. Make sure to have your examples on hand to show them. Have a wedding-theme scrapbooking party. The guests can bring their own wedding photos or those of a friend who they want to surprise with a scrapbook gift. Have a baby-themed scrapbooking party where the guests can be creative with photos and mementos of their children.

4. Make flyers for your guests to pass around. Post the flyers around your neighborhood,,church, post office and grocery store. Everywhere potential customers may see them. The best part is you get to pick the schedule. Hold the parties when your husband can watch the kids. Or host the parties when you have a day off from your regular job.

5. Consider creating scrapbooks for others, for a fee. Some people want the scrapbooks, or want to give them as gifts, but have no desire to sit through classes or think of ideas for themselves. They'll provide you with photos and mementos and whatever else you need, so that you can create a masterpiece for them. If it's something you love doing, why not get paid for it, right? It's no longer a hobby at this point. This is your career, and you get to pick the hours!

6. Apply at the local community college for a teaching position. Colleges have a variety of craft classes available to the public; your experience with your parties and customers give you have a good shot at getting a class of your own. Welcome to your new career as a professional scrapbooker!

Resources

• Free scrapbooking patterns
• Business Opportunities for Scrapbookers