January Newsletter 2010

Hello to my Creative Friends,

And a big hearty welcome to the very first of the Scrapville Newsletters!  I hope that we are able to form a creative and inspiring relationship throughout our mutual interests.

For those of you that do not know me, I will give you a brief run down, then get into the real stuff!!

My partner Lui and I are from Myrtleford, and we have two very active teenage boys.  All three contribute to the greyness of my recently coloured hair!  I still feel the love, it’s just in that vastly expanding ‘grey area’....  My three boys are very blokey and outdoorsy, and I enjoy every moment I can taking their photos and being involved with them in all the unpredictable situations that blokey boys will bring...  Trust me, there are many!

I have been crafty for as long as I can remember, and shamefully a remarkable paper hoarder (I get that from my mother..... who is not around to dispute it).  I have always loved being around papers and pens, writing and drawing, and putting it all together in a variety of artistic mediums.  With the growing emphasis on handmade and heartfelt crafts, I naturally emerged from the joys of my crafts to scrapbooking.  Yep, I was a goner!!   I loved the idea of focusing on a photo and drawing attention to it, whether it be by journaling or decorating with complimentary embellishments, it had such appeal.  This would be something I could hand down to my children and their children after them, and display beautifully the story of our lives.

So from that point, and I hope for so many of my readers, I ventured into the world of scrapbooking, card making, and a pathway to the most wonderful friends I could ever hope to meet.  This world of creativity had opened up a direction for me that was just so fulfilling I couldn’t get enough.  (Oddly I am hearing you....)

So, now we are here.  Opening my own shop-front Scrapbooking business was a huge decision, but it came down to a balance of what was to come next in my life.  “Scrapville” was born upon the needs of a region in demand, and the drive of a person with enough creativity and soul to put what was lacking into reality.  I welcome the challenge, and look forward to fulfilling the needs of the creative spirit in all of us.

My first day of Trading was December 21^st 2009, and it was an enormous effort to get the doors opened before Christmas.  I really do appreciate the efforts of all those behind the scenes, my network of friends and my Creative Team who helped me pull it together.  I also thank the suppliers who helped me get all their beautiful products onto the shelves and make it a reality.  So, on behalf of myself and Scrapville’s supporters, I welcome you to this new and exciting venture.  We will endeavour to meet your needs wherever possible, and offer support and assistance where we can.

Our official Grand Opening will be held on Saturday, 6^th February from 10.00am to 4.00pm.  You will get to meet the Creative Team, participate in product demonstrations, pick up the latest Scrapville Blog Sketch Challenge, and put your name down on the Events Calendar for February.  Listed in the calendar will be our classes, crops nights and product demonstration sessions.  For those of you wanting to entertain the children we will also be holding Kids Classes and Kids Parties, with the emphasis on a set workshop.  Find out more at the opening.

With the Scrapville Blog up and running, I would like to advise that we will be offering a monthly Sketch Challenge from the 15th of each month to the 15th of the following month.  The Blog Moderator will be generating random prizes for the Sketch Challenge, so be sure to log on and download the latest Sketch.  Being a very generous person, the Blog Moderator will also randomly pick one of the comments left on the Scrapville Blog to send out a RAK, so be sure to get online at www.thescrapvilleblog.blogspot.com and check it out.

For those of you wanting something a bit closer to home, we will be offering a Monthly Pack for sale.  If you choose to purchase this pack just call into Scrapville and pick one up, or send an email with “Monthly Pack” in the subject bar to have one posted out.  All you need to do then to qualify for a prize is upload your project to the Blog Moderator, or call into Scrapville and we’ll do it for you.  The Monthly Pack will run from the 1st of the month to the 1st of the following month.  The criteria for the Monthly Pack will be advised each month.

Special Broadcasts and Announcements will also be posted to the Blog, as will the monthly Newsletters.  Scrapville will also have the Newsletters available in store for those that do not have internet access.

Scrapville’s Grand Opening is set for Saturday, 6th of February.  The shop will be ‘spark-alark-alark-a-bling’, and open for all and sunder to wander in and meet myself and my network of helpers.  We will be demonstrating all the shop’s exciting new toys and techniques throughout the day, with well prepared samples and portfolios throughout.  There might even be some spot giveaways....  We would be very pleased to have you call in and say hello, and wander into a demonstration or two.

You are the reason Scrapville is here, so please let us know what you think.  I will be sending out an information feedback form to those on the email listing, to complete and return.  We want to know what you want, what you need and what you expect from us.  As a new business we are here to meet your needs to the best of our capabilities.  Help us to help you by filling in the feedback form, and a random prize will be selected for one of the lucky participants who reply.  Got to be a pretty special deal to receive a RAK in the mail from Scrapville for just filling in a form.... Do it!!

“What’s in the shop” you ask?  Oh my goodness, where do I start.............  How can I unpack boxes of stock when I am so busy diving into them to check it all out??!!  Uh Huh, difficult...  We have;

Imaginisce i-Top and brads, Imaginisce Lucy Bird and Scooter’s Vacation (very cute..), Bo Bunny Love Bandit, New Embossing folders for the Cuttlebug and Texture Boutique; Fabric, Puffy, Flocked, Vinyl, Foam and Chip Thickers,  Bling Rub Ons, Bling Rhinestone Options, (Ladybug, Owl, Frames, Cupcake & Dove), Craft Fair 12x12’s (Various), Basic Grey 12x12’s (Sugar Rush), Laguna Guy 12x12’s, Laguna Girl 12x12’s, Luxe Capris 12x12’s, Little Yellow Bicycle Sweet Love 12x12’s, Adorn It 12x12’s, Lil Davis mini chipboard alphas, Lil Davis vintage wood words/shapes, Glitter Chipboard shapes & alphas, Lil Davis Ribbon cards, Transparent Overlays, SEI Brads, Pearl Brads & Buttons and Paper Piercer Templates, heaps more chipboard shapes and words, ...... and there’s more......

I am sure you are all sharing my excitement, and I can’t wait to hear what you all think.  Please call in soon and say hello, pick up some lovely new bits and pieces, and put your name down for a Crop Night.  Everyone is welcome, bookings are open, no experience necessary, enthusiasm a must!

For the time being the shop will be trading at the following times.  This will be temporary for the next month or so, and dependent upon customer demand.  Your feedback will help me to determine the most appropriate trading hours.

OPEN: Tuesday and Wednesday          9.30am to 5.00pm.

            Thursday and Friday                 9.30am to 5.30 pm.

(Friday Night Crops will commence from 7pm to Midnight – Bookings are essential and the first Crop is scheduled for Friday 22^nd January)

            Saturdays                                  9.30am to 2.00pm.

Classes are initially to be scheduled on Thursday nights from 7.00pm, and Saturday afternoons from 3.00pm.  Please confer with the Calendar for a description of the class, requirements and pricing details.

To all those people who have ventured into the shop, thank you for your custom, your understanding, and your perseverance of my fatigue whilst I worked on getting all the bits and pieces to come together.  I look forward to getting to know you all, working with you and supporting your creative needs as Scrapville continues to grow.

Janet Watt

Manager

Scrapville