Once a year, Columbus, Ohio is the host of a scrapbook expo. The Memories Scrapbooking Expo
showcases local area venders who carry Scrapbooking supplies. Think of it as
one great big shopping mall for crafters.
I have been going for years when it started out at Veteran’s Memorial
Downtown. It more out about 2-3 years
ago to the Ohio State Fairgrounds. It
is a two day event, and in addition to buying supplies there, you can actually
work on projects. During the years I
worked at Archiver’s, I always wanted to work the expo, but according to my
manager, I was much needed at the store, and I was disappointed.
So this year’s showcase had 52 venders, and one of the
problems I had with the building is they do not give venders enough room to
allow customers to move around. Just to
be on the safe side, I had my mother tag along with me. The one thing they need to allow is the
movement of customers from booth to booth, and without the space of the booth.
So, what did I buy?
I bought within my budget, which was $100 cash. If I went over, I had my business debit card
to pick up the slack, or my mother. The
first booth, I bought some state 3-d stickers by Jet-setters (not the name of
the vender). Nebraska is perfect for the
pictures I took in 2007 when we (me, my parents, and oldest nephew (then age
11) went to visit a family friend and his wife. California stickers for the pictures I took
on the second half of the trip (same year).
We went to the beaches, Disneyland, San Diego, Hollywood, Beverley
Hills, and my childhood home in San Bernardino.
To name a few. Last some Florida stickers for my parents cruise last
month. Next, we went over to the
Stamper’s anonymous booth, and I got my first set of Tim Holtz textured fade
folder, made by Sizzix. If you are familiar
with the Cuddlebug folders, it is the same thing, and you can use these with the
Cuddlebug. (Even though Sizzix highly recommends you use them with the Big Shot
and any of their machines. The only
thing I was not pleased with this vender, is they had catalogs out in the open
of the booth, and then he tells people you have to spend $50 to get the books. It should have been on a sign somewhere.
After I made the purchase, we walked around a little more,
and along the way were booths with the beginner or busy person in mind. This vender, whose name I really did not pay
attention to, had page kits and pages already put together. I looked but did not purchase, because I am
trying to have something like that as one of my products, but it is nice to see
someone else doing it. I wish I had
time to ask her questions about her success in this line of scrapbooking, but I
was leaving in a few moments and she was busy with customers. The next booth had scrapbooking supplies
that I normally buy at Archiver’s, so I did a hit and miss with that vender.
Food!
I have not eaten so me and mom grabbed a bite at the only
two carts at the expo. I did not feel
like eating tacos, so it was off to the next one. I wish I had grabbed a taco. First off, the woman acted like she could
not wait until she left for the evening, then she threw together a deli
sandwich the way I do it at home if I was in a hurry. The meat was very cold the bread (which was
white bread) was even colder. My
sandwich had cheese on it, and the woman forgot to put some on mommy’s. The sandwich was roast beef was dry, even
after I put mayo on it. Let’s just say
that the lunch was not worth the $8.00 she charged.
Back to looking
Next place was Jillibean.
I like this line, because she names her seasonal line usually after
soup, and I love soup. I bought 4 piece
of Easter paper from the “Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup” line. As well as some
labels and a pack of Wood Flags (made of real wood). Next stop was a place where a guy was
selling Washi Tape. Washi tape is to me
paper tape that was all the rage in Japan, and made it here to the United
States and the rest of the world for decorating purposes. It is often transparent, comes in bright and
cheery colors. Many companies from the
vender I am talking about, to Tim Holtz to K and Co (Makers of the Smash
book). On his website, the vender sells
the Washi Tape for about $3.00 a roll.
At the expo, he was charging $4.00.
What gives? Unless you have a
great big bill to pay for when you get home, please do not over charge your
customers. I just walked away, and I
will get Washi tape either on his website, or purchase elsewhere. My last place I visited before going home was
a vender selling Cricut cartridges.
Here is another tip: Get them on
Ebay, unless there is a sell going on at Mikes, Hobby Lobby, or Joanne’s. You are better off. I had to have the cart, “New Testament”. Why?
Because I could not wait for it to go on sale at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby,
Or Joanne’s. I need to work on some Easter
cards, ASAP. It is “Stop the Presses”
time. Mom wants Easter cards to send
out, Other than that, New Testament would have to wait.
My overall feelings…
I love shopping for scrapbooking stuff. I cannot get too much right now because of
budget constraints. Other than that, I
like to stock up on supplies. I would
have enjoyed it more if I did not have only two hours to get everything (mommy
had to check on the nephew’s homework and call his teacher before 3pm, plus we
had church revival that night). If you
are the type of person who loves going to expos like this, have fun, and would
on projects at the same time, this is for you.
I am disappointed that there were a lack of local (Columbus area)
scrapbooking stores who participated this year, but then we had 4 LSS ( local scrapbook store (s) ) closed for
good between last year’s expo and this year.
Unless I am willing to order online, deal with Mike’s or Joanne’s, or
drive to either Easton Town center, Grove City, or Powell, Ohio, there are no
more LSS for me to go to, My mom, who is
not a scrapbooker enjoyed herself, and we ran into one of the members of the
church we belong to.
Tips:
Here are the tips I find useful:
- Plan ahead and know your budget. Ever if you have paid all your bills, and gone grocery shopping for the month or have money like “The Donald”, still have a budget.
- Check to see what you have, and what can wait until you do go to a “brick and mortar”, and get you basics there. Sometimes these venders have sales, and maybe not.
- Pack a lunch. Yes most of these places have food, but they are usually higher in price, and not good for you.
- Go with someone. A friend or a family member can help with you budget.
- Get items that you cannot find at the LSS.
- Do not stress and have fun. Have plenty of money, and have a backup system in case the fund run out.
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