The Scrapbooking Business??

For years, our peers have been keeping a legacy of written history in the form of photographs, printed media, and memorabilia preserved in albums or scrapbooks. In fact, scrapbooking was a tradition similar to storytelling through pictures and visualization rather than a word of mouth. The humble beginning of the scrapbooking business began in 1976 when Marielen Christensen, founder of Keeping Memories Alive, started designing creative scrapbooking pages for her own family's photographic memories. She introduced inserting scrapbooking pages in sheet protectors and inside 3-ring binders. Ever since, it has become a lucrative business for many worldwide. This business is quickly catching up with children, adults, women and even senior citizens everywhere. As there are many opportunities available for a person to make money out of scrapbooking, it is not just a hobby. However, there are some that find cutting, sticking, and designing like a nightmare, especially if they aren't really into the practice. They might even find the prospect of putting together one page of artistic work too much for them to handle. Maybe they'd feel like you don't have the talent to put together one page even if their life depended on it. Maybe you just dont have the time to create a layout that will look nice with the photo or photos they want to use. Why worry about it when they can buy prepared scrapbook pages that already have layouts and designs. They just need to add the finishing touches like the photo and some accessories if they feel like it. One can do many things with scrapbooking, such as weddings, pregnancy, military, sports, educational years, vacations, etc. An individual can even attend classes and discover the best creations in places like Hobby Lobby or The Archives. This business has thrived into an industry that stocks scrapbooking supplies which were once difficult to find. It is considered as the meat and potatoes of the scrapbooking hobby by many enthusiasts. With the change of time, scrapbooking products have become sophisticated and easy to handle. They are all designed to make scrapbooking as simple as possible. Supplies are easy to find and can be ordered from a home-based retailer, on the internet, or in specialty stores. In fact, several within the business sell scrapbooking products via a multi-level direct sales company, while others are part of an independent group. As a testment to how big the scrapbooking business is, there are numerous shows and magazines that have cropped up on the subject. The industry offers so many tips and ideas on the internet as well. One can also find annual fairs and conventions taking place on scrapbooking.

Concept of Choosing Art

Robert Klonoski estimates six billion pieces of art being displayed in American homes. Only a small percentage of those pieces are originals. Original art, in marketing terms, tends to be a luxury item. The merchandise sells well in times of inflation and poorly in times of recession. The more expensive, the more elaborate it gets. Because art satifies their desires, people are more flexible where and on what types of pieces they spend their money. People do not have to buy the items, they want to buy them. It's the degree that a given work of art interests any potential buyer's deliberation about whether they are willing to part with any or all of their thousand dollars to purchase it. They may be interested in owning it exclusively for their individual viewing, or displaying it where others can also see it. Either way, they're obtaining it for the gratification. However, the simple decision about where to display it may have significance on what type of art they buy. If an individual is buying for their own viewing, he may be attracted to the art for its influence, quality, style, etc. They may relate with the artist's statement, connect with the artist's ideas, or share the same perspectives. Their ability to understand and appreciate the art that attracts them to it can also be a reason. In all of these situations, they corrolate in some way with the art and artist. The outcome is between them and the art. Then again, the buyer might view the art as a trophy, a symbol of their success and achievements in life. An indication may be made that they have a thousand dollars to spend and they can spend it on whatever they choose. They could believe that possessing original art sets them apart from those who own none. In these occurrences, they encounter a sense of contentment not necessarily related to the specifics of the art, but rather to the fact that they have the ability to own it. The art makes its owners feel better about themselves whenever they look at it and achieves its purpose from its owners' viewpoint. Many of the products we buy--clothes, cars, shoes--are functional, but yet also reflect aspects of ourselves. Art is no different, even though it illustrates things we like to see, feelings we can sympathize, or concepts that run parallel with our mentality. The art we buy is as much about who we are as it is about the artists who create it.

A Common Misconception

The majority of the population enjoy the arts: their beauty, inspiration, creativity. However, most people have a common misunderstanding that communities support the arts and culture at the expense of local economic development. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry creates $166.2 billion in economic activity annually. This spending assists 5.7 million full-time jobs in the United States. Because arts and culture organizations are firmly planted in their communities, these are jobs that remain local and cannot be shipped overseas. The industry also generates almost $30 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments each year. These levels of government collectly spend less than $4 million annually to support arts and culture. Also, arts and culture attract many tourists, and tourism research repeatedly shows that cultural travelers stay longer and spend more. Whether serving the local community or out-of-town visitors, an active arts and culture industry helps local businesses blossom. Today, cities all over the world are competing to entice new businesses as well as bright young professionals. International studies show that the winners will be communities that offer an abundance of arts and culture opportunities. As the arts flourish, so will change and creativity, the fuel that motivates our global economy.

Source: Americans for the Arts. Arts & Economic Prosperity III. Washington, D.C.

Price Distinction

For unknown artists, the prices for their pieces is always difficult to determine. To price correctly, you must compare the value of your pieces to those in the current market. The market isn't always collaborative; it is highly competitive. It never seems to run out of space for those who are more tenacious or skilled. Artists not only compete on inventiveness, originaltiy, or creativity, but on their pricing, marketing, and business tactics. Those who seem to demonstrate these tactics best usually become the most successful. What They Didn't Teach You in Art School, by Joanne Berkow, says you should charge by the square inch or by time. Once you are comfortable with a pricing structure, stay with it. Regularity is very important in creating loyal collectors and buyers from galleries. For example, it is easier to steadily raise your prices than to have to lower them due to no buyers. They need to know in terms of what you stand for in both art production and pricing.

By being an artist, you consume the duty of a small business owner. To be a good artist, you must study those whom interest you. To be a good business owner, you must do the same. Ron Burns obtains the signficance and the livelihood of pets in a distinctive style, he paints or draws them in captivating settings which add flabor to the piece. He and his wife are vigorous supporters of his work. This is how he sells his artwork for $20,000 and more for personal pet portraits.