• Discover the Art of Scrapbooking

• Get the Right Scrapbook and Scrapbooking Supplies

• Find Scrapbooking Supplies on eBay

• Buy Scrapbooking Supplies With Confidence

Discover the Art of Scrapbooking

Discover the Art of Scrapbooking

Scrapbooks have evolved from the days when you glued some photos, ticket stubs, and newspaper clippings into a photo album. Today you can make your scrapbook truly reflective of your personality and style with the incredible assortment of products that are available for scrapbooking.

Also, try something new with computerized scrapbooking. It’s a great way to incorporate the latest techniques into your treasured memories. It’s easy to use your own PC to lay out and edit your digital photos like a pro. You can create and place your own amazingly realistic digital embellishments. Isolate single elements in a photo, change the color to suit your fancy, even repair damaged photos. Then create digital scrapbooks to share with friends and family over the Internet. You’ll find all you need to get started on eBay including software, guides, and CD-ROMs containing fonts, templates, instructions, and more.

Get the Right Scrapbook and Scrapbooking Supplies

Get the Right Scrapbook and Scrapbooking Supplies

Before you get started, you’ll need a few essential scrapbooking supplies.

Scrapbooking albums

The scrapbooking album you choose can help determine the entire look and feel of your scrapbook. If you plan to make a scrapbook for a special event, like a wedding or baby’s first birthday, you may want to choose an album that expresses that theme. A simpler design might be in order if you’re planning to document a year in the life of your family.

Size is important, as well. There are a variety of sizes available on eBay, including 5x7, 6x6, 7x7, 8.5x11, 12x12 and more. It’s best to choose a larger size if you’ll be using photos, as you’ll need extra space to add embellishments and writing.

Paper, photo mounting paper, and refill pages

Whatever type or size you choose, make sure your scrapbook album is archival. This means that it’s made with acid-free materials, and included paper is also lignin-free and buffered. Ever flipped through an old book with yellow, brittle pages? Lignin, a component of wood pulp, was the culprit. That “antique” look is probably not what you want for your scrapbook. Buffered paper is important because it will keep the acid in photos or other trinkets from affecting your scrapbook’s appearance.

Photos and printing

With a few well-chosen photos, you can create a theme or tell a story with your scrapbook. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that if three photos per page look good, seven will look even better. Showcase your best pictures. A little judicious editing gives each page a stronger impact.

If needed, crop your photos, then mat them in your album page. If you don’t already have dozens of photos stashed away for scrapbooking, consider getting a camera or photo printer to make your memories last.

Markers, pens

Although a picture is worth a thousand words, you may still want to write out a few sentences that express the emotions and memories that your photos stir up. A funny anecdote or a memorable quote can also make your album even more personal, and journaling is becoming a popular trend in scrapbooking.

Pens and markers come in a variety of colors and in widths ranging from ultra-fine to super-thick. Choose pens that complement your scrapbook’s theme and that are easy to write with. And when shopping for pens, remember that acid is the enemy. Be sure to buy acid-free pens.

Scrapbooking embellishments

Embellishments include everything you can imagine for decorating your scrapbook from names such as Making Memories and Jolee’s Boutique. You can use punches or eyelet setters to add grommets or eyelets to your pages, then lace them up with specially designed brads. You can jazz up your scrapbook with dazzling buttons. Spruce it up with stickers from famous makers like Creative Memories, or create your own with Xyron sticker-makers and laminators. Dress up your scrapbook with decorative fibers and trims for a look that’s good enough to wear. Deck scrapbook pages out with craft paper shapes such as die cuts, punchies, and paper piecing from popular brands like Sizzix, Sizzlit’s, Paper Bliss, and Paperkins. And mark up your scrapbook with your favorite rubber stamps from Stampin' Up! and others. You can also find retired and hard-to-find rubber stamps and dies on eBay. Just use your imagination!

Cutting Machines & Trimmers

Popular cutters and trimmers such as Accucut, the Sizzix Machine, the petite Sidekick, and QuicKutz let you easily die cut shapes, letters, and numbers from a wide variety of materials, including paper, fabric, and rubber so you can custom-embellish every page of your scrapbook. Many manufacturers make specially designed dies such as Sizzlits that, when popped into your cutting machine, let you create expert shapes, titles, words, and phrases. Don’t forget Coluzzle clear templates for cutting perfect ovals, circles, rectangles, mats, and borders. And be sure to have a nice sharp pair of scissors, like those by Fiskars.

Adhesives

Once you’ve created a visually pleasing page layout, you’ll want to ensure that your photos and embellishments stick for good. Look for an adhesive designed to work with photos and heavier cardstock. Again, acid-free is a key component to search for when you shop.

Scrapbook Storage

When you’re done, don’t forget to organize all your scrapbooking goodies in a convenient storage solution like Cropper Hopper or Crop in Style, so they’re always right at hand.

Creative Memories

You can find a wide selection of new Creative Memories products, usually sold by consultants, on eBay. Unlike other, more general scrapbook supplies, Creative Memories products use templates that work together. You'll also be able to find retired and discontinued Creative Memories products on eBay that are no longer available to most consultants.

Find Scrapbooking Supplies on eBay

Find Scrapbooking Supplies on eBay

Once you know what type of scrapbooking supplies you want, go to the Crafts portal, click Scrapbooking, and start searching for item listings on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Albums, Embellishments, Grommets & Brads, Die Cuts, Stickers, and more. As you dig deeper into the site you'll also be able to narrow down your choice by brand.     

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find scrapbooking software programs for your PC, type "scrapbooking software" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Scrapbooking Supplies With Confidence

Buy Scrapbooking Supplies With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.