Keep It Tight
No
less than 3-5 members, no more than 10. Too few people and you may as well be watching
chick-flick movies, bring out your favorite korea-novelas and passing around
potato chips. Too many, and it ceases being a scrapbook club and officially
becomes a shindig! Unless, of course, that is exactly what you meant to do all
along, you naughty scallywag.
Talk To Your Local Art / Paper Store
Art
stores like Paper Market / Made With Love run their own scrapbook clubs and
workshops, but they’re also invaluable if you’re starting your own. Smaller
independent clubs will often have staff members who specialize in clubs. It’s
worth making an appointment with them to see what they can offer you. Depending
on the shop, some can even host your club in their workshops/stores, or hold
mini presentations of new product releases that might suit you for next month’s
projects. Some shops can organize discounts if you’re a member.
Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel
Find
a day of the week that suits everyone’s schedules and doesn’t conflict with yoga
classes, jobs or band practices. First Monday night of each month that sort of
thing. Then stick with it. Unless it’s just a fad they why the hell are you
putting a club for?
Call the Shots
It’s
bit painful to say this, but democracy doesn’t always work. (See: current
affairs on Philippine Democracy). Scrapbook clubs nominate their lead designer
of the month, which will appoint the theme and color scheme of the month. But
this approach inevitably ends in heartache and horror. I’ve seen people bring
in their own designs and preferred color scheme, some people are drawn to
subtle dainty designs while others aim for the hot flashy ones. Members will compare,
stare and judge each other’s color selection and even add in the personality
data linked to each hue, and this may lead to personality clashes . As the organizer,
call the shots and determine the color scheme or theme of the month, if you want
to make a vote stick to the winning theme even if it’s Goth or way too bizarre for someone else’s taste.
Be Diverse
Over
the course of 6-9 months, there’s plenty
of room for design themes. Go for something completely different every time,
and each month I am sure there is something festive happening that you can use
as inspiration. Move from Valentine’s to Spring themes to Summer and the list
goes on. Aim to consider designs and
themes from different countries and culture, especially if you’re living in a
heavily multi-racial influenced nation; there so much inspiration around you.
Cast for Conflict
You’ll
never please everyone, so don’t aim to. Don’t aim to please yourself either. Some
may have a slightly different interpretations over themes and designs, in short
we all have our “own and unique” style… and think back what is the sole purpose
of putting a club anyway? To share and Inspire, not to dwell on ill feelings
and start a cat fight.
Blog It
Share
your work, your ideas and well the photos documenting the results of your she-bang
collab-projects, a lot of people nowadays resort to D-I-Ys, and somehow want to
get their inner Martha Stewart known.. some even make profit out of their
scrapbook shindig, plus it’s also a great way to invite more people, create
diversity or exchange ideas.
Have Fun
This
is scrapbook club, not a boring seminar. Good scrapbook clubs involve good
music, some food and a good cuppa. Go to your partner workshop or if you’re
hosting the club at someone’s house, make everyone bring food and drinks to
share. The sign of a good club is when everyone goes home, equally intoxicated
with joy and filled with creative mojo.
