How to Start a Scrapbooking Retreat Center
Scrapbooking is a mere pastime for some, a passion for others. If you fall into the latter category, you may wish to start a scrapbooking retreat center where others can come to learn scrapbooking techniques and bond over craft glue and rubber stamps. If that is the case, you will need to put some forethought into such a business venture. With some careful planning and strong advertising, though, you can start a scrapbooking retreat center.
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Things You'll Need
- Flyers and other advertising materials
- Organizational supplies
- Tables
- Scrapbooking magazines
- Scrapbooking supplies
- Baskets or bags
Instructions
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Determine how much space is available. If you can't afford to start up a bed and breakfast, use the space you already have to offer weekend retreats. For example, convert a basement with a few spare bedrooms into a scrapbooking retreat center. Be sure to leave fresh sheets on the bed for each new guest and have a small menu with a few choices to offer for each meal. If this is too much to take on right away, start small. Coordinate weekly or biweekly meetings with local scrapbookers. If you do not want to offer your home as a meeting place, check into the cost of renting out space at a community center or church.
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Advertise your scrapbooking center. Options include word of mouth, flyers, an ad in a local newspaper and a blurb in church bulletins. In all advertisements, be sure to include contact information.
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If interest is shown, set up for scrapbooking projects. If you are renting space, you may want to keep scrapbooking supplies organized in a cart on wheels. Susie Cortright, founder of Momscape's Scrapbooking Playground, suggests that if space permits, you "create a square from (two eight foot) tables and (two six foot) tables. This configuration will comfortably accommodate (eight) scrapbookers." Stock up on scrapbooking magazines and tips---some of which can be printed off of the Internet---and gather an array of supplies, everything from scrapbooking paper and pieces of cardstock to stickers and rubber stamps. Cortright recommends placing "a small gift bag or paper lunch sack in the center of each table for little scraps. This goes a long way in helping to keep each workspace organized and clutter-free. You can also set a relaxing (or energizing) mood with your choice of soft background music."
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Determine what kind of rates or dues to charge. Be sure to cover the costs of any food or supplies provided. Also, be sure to charge to cover the costs of inviting any instructors to give lessons.
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Call around to local scrapbooking stores to see what classes might be offered that would enable you to bring ideas back to the scrapbookers at your retreat center. If you would rather not try to teach, see if an instructor will come to your center and teach a group.
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Tips & Warnings
Advertise your retreat center during the holiday season. That's a time of the year when many people wish they could be more "crafty" and make sentimental gifts for loved ones---something a scrapbooking retreat center would be sure to help them with. Offer gift certificates. These may be popular gift ideas for family members and friends of individuals who enjoy scrapbooking.
