A scrapbooking crop is a fun, relaxed craft gatherings where you meet other scrapbook enthusiast and learn about the latest techniques and gadgets. It can be a small informal group of friends or on a larger scale with invitees from all over the country. Planning the scrapbook crop is much like planning any gathering. Here's how to set up a scrapbooking crop that will be a huge success.
*Start With A Plan And Program
Use a notebook to create a plan for the crop. Have sections for cost analysis, guest names, phone numbers, games and prizes, hourly agenda, refreshments, rentals, special speakers and so on. Using this as you plan the crop will help you keep things moving in the right direction as the crop begins.
Once everything is set up, create a program for each guest and present it to them as they arrive. The program should include a welcome, planned times for speakers, working, games, swapping, refreshments and any contests. Be sure you leave plenty of time for socializing as well as sharing ideas.
*How Many-Where-When
You can host a crop at your home with a few friends or invite a crowd; it all depends on how much room you have and what your budget allows. For a few friends, a family room is usually large enough to set up one card table per person and refreshments can be served in the kitchen.
For a larger event you can always use a church hall, recreation facility or rent a banquet hall at a local hotel. However, the latter will run up your cost unless you plan to charge a fee which is usual and also helps defray the cost of the speaker.
Choose your date carefully and take into consideration holidays, vacation time and work schedules. With plenty of notice, weekends usually work out well.
*Invitations
Create a scrapbook style invitation with all the pertinent information such as the date, time, place, guest speakers, demonstrations and a brief suggestion that each person decide ahead of time what they will work on. A map of the area is a good idea for out of towners and any discounts you have arranged for local accommodations.
*The Speaker
A well known scrapbooking expert is a great draw for a crop. If they have authored a book, it is normal for them to sell them at the crop as well as any tools or materials they have created. Giving a demonstration should be a large part of the allotted time so the guests can see as well as hear about the latest products and techniques.
*Refreshments/Lunch
You can adjourn the meeting for lunch if you so choose but providing a light lunch and refreshments served buffet style works well. Finger sandwiches, chips, pickles, dips, vegetable and fruit platters, cookies and cake slices are perfect for a scrapbooking crop. Provide bottled beverages such as soft drinks, water and juice and have extra napkins and sturdy disposable plates.
*Displays
Any displays or tools and materials for sale should be near the entrance, so the guests see them as soon as they arrive. A knowledgeable sales person should be available throughout the crop to demonstrate, answer questions and make sales.
*Creating Work Spaces
Provide each guest with a chair and a minimum of four by eight feet to lay out their supplies and work. Most facilities will furnish you with chairs and tables large enough to accommodate each guest. The best arrangement of the work spaces are to have two face each other.
Remember you will need an electrical outlet for the table of each guest. If you are renting a space, they owner should be able to help you with this as any loose cords on the floor would increase their liability.
*Games
Game #1-Dirty Scrapper
Instead of a swap table, have guests bring their unwanted tools and materials in a brown paper bag and place them on a table. Have each guest write their name on a numbered chart. When all guests have arrived have the #1 guest choose a bag, show its contents and carry it to their table.
The #2 guest can either steal the bag of guest #1 or choose another bag. If they steal #1's bag then #1 chooses a new bag, but cannot steal back her bag from #2. Once a bag is stolen three times it cannot be stolen again. Lots of laughs and fun.
Game #2-Charms
Give each person a safety pin with scrapbooking charms to wear. If anyone says the word charms the person who notices first gets one of their charms. The winner is the person who ends up with the most charms at a set time.
Game #3-Guess How Many
Fill a quart jar with scrapbooking materials such as eyelets, brads, buttons, snaps, small safety pins and flat back gems. Count the items as you add them to the jar. Beside the jar have slips of paper where each guest can write their name and how many items they think are in the jar. Check the guesses and announce the name of the one whose guess is nearest the correct total, during the scrapbook crop.
*Clean Up
Provide plenty of trash cans to hold the scraps. One at each work station is nice but you will need a large can with a liner for the final clean up.
Now, that you know how to set up a scrapbooking crop why not take the plunge and do it. It's almost as much fun to plan the scrapbook crop as it is to attend one and you'll make new and lasting friendships with other scrappers.