Scrapbooking can be expensive, especially when you have to have the latest embellishments. So how can you cut costs, but still obtain great results on your scrapbook pages? Keep an open mind and you’ll find all sorts of things!
Look around your house first. Often times something simple can become something unique on your scrapbook page. For instance, the ribbon can be removed from a child’s bow. The fun, colorful paper clips you use in your office can be incorporated into a scrapbook page for half the cost over the clips found at your local scrapbook store.
Besides looking around your home, there are some stores that have some great items to be used on a scrapbook page. You’ll be happy about the savings. The following stores are my favorites to visit for great scrapbook embellishments. Keep an open mind while shopping and you can find some neat stuff.
- Dollar stores – Everything here is $1.00 which makes it budget friendly. Look in the party aisle, greeting cards, and most of them have a craft aisle. I’ve found ornaments, office supplies, hardware and artificial flowers and greenery to use in my albums.
- Big Lots – They often have closeouts on miniature doll house items, as well as offering craft items and more.
- Hardware stores (e.g. Lowes, Home Depot) – One of my favorite stores to shop for scrapbook embellishments. The great thing is you can purchase single items, rather than bulk or packaged items. If you only need one hinge, this might be the place to go. Check out the hardware section. Many of your newer embellishments can be found here. You can also get paint chips here – free!
- Toy stores – Think small. Many of the items found in a toy store can be used. On a recent shopping trip I found a fun dress-up boa and was able to incorporate it into a scrapbook page for my daughter. They also have packaged craft supplies for children.
- Office supply stores – Anywhere that sells school supplies or office supplies is stocked with great embellishments. Post it notes, paper clips, and other supplies make excellent embellishments.
- Discount Chains and Drug Stores (e.g.. Wal-mart, Target, Walgreens) – These stores have a dollar section and you can often find tiny little notepads, buttons, and even at times actual scrapbook supplies. Also, special medicine containers and pill containers can be altered and used as mini-scrapbooks.
- Candy Store – If you like altered things – some great containers come from a candy store. Think of Altoid containers, Tic Tacs and more.
In addition to these great stores, you can often find things at the following places:
- Garage Sales
- Rummage Sales
- Flea Markets
- Electronics Stores
- Goodwill
- Grocery Store (think drink tabs and bottle caps)
- Craft Stores
- Archivers
- Hobby Shops
- Local Scrapbook Store
Keep your mind open to the endless possibilities. Metals, coasters, paint chips, wood pieces, textures, sandpapers, wallpapers and miniatures are just the beginning of what you can find!