I started scrapbooking about three years ago. When I decided to take the big leap into what has become a favorite hobby, I had no idea what supplies I needed or even how to plan layouts and purchase supplies based on those plans. I ended up buying more than I needed, along with items that I didn't use and still don't use to this day. If I had taken the time to research and plan, I would have saved a lot of time and money.
Over a long duration of time, scrap booking can and will be a very expensive hobby. But the longer you scrap and the more customary you become with tricks and techniques, the more supplies you will need to be able to achieve what you'd like with the pages you're planning. That doesn't mean that you need to buy all of those supplies at once, though. The best way to start - and decide either or not scrap booking is a hobby you'd like to continue - is to start with the most basic supplies and add as you go.
There are three things in my scrapbooking supplies that I find to be indispensable:
o A 12" paper trimmer is useful for trimming both 12" by 12", as well as 8 ½" by 11" papers. It works great than scissors at cutting right lines, and can cut more than one piece of paper at a time.
o Both 12" by 12" and 8 ½" by 11" cardstock paper in several colors. You can purchase "starter packs" of both at shop like Wal*Mart for a low price. I also purchase white cardstock in packs of 500, because I use it for printing pictures, titles, journaling, and more, and go straight through white faster than I do colored cardstock.
o Adhesives are needed to acquire the elements of the layout to the page. I stock all things from pop dots, to photo corners, to double stick tape. Metal glue also comes in handy if you plan to add metal embellishments to your layout. Spray-on adhesive is handy when utilizing vellum, because it dries clear and leaves the vellum unblemished.
Other items that I find I use often since I started scrapbooking include:
o Eyelets and tools are a favorite way to add some interest to your page. There are several dissimilar kinds and sizes of eyelets, so some fellowships make eyelet tools that are 'universal', meaning they have detachable pieces to fit the size of the eyelet you're placing on the page. The most useful eyelet tools are a hole punch, a hammer, and an eyelet setter. Other tools comprise tweezers, pliers, paper piercers, and needles.
o Specialty and patterned papers help add unique touches and variance to layouts. Specialty papers comprise mulberry paper, handcrafted papers, vellum, transparencies, cork, and many others. You can use these types of papers as the background for a page, mattes for pictures, borders, and so much more. I keep patterned papers and vellum in both 12" by 12" and 8 ½" by 11" sizes, while the others I generally stock in only 8 ½" by 11" because it can be pricey and I tend to use them in small quantities.
o Stamps are also a great addition to any scrapbooker's inventory. Stamps are available for any season, holiday, and varied occasions, as well as alphabets. I tend to purchase my stamps as needed, because they can cost anywhere from to or more, depending on the size of the stamp. If you stock stamps, you'll also need to stock ink pads. I also purchase the colors and pigments as needed.
o No layout is complete without photos. I find my digital camera to be irreplaceable, as it allows for me to print my photos at home without having to take film to be developed, edit photos to the size I want or to fix flaws in the photography, and prevents me from having to scan images in to my computer to be printed. If I do use industrialized photos, I try not to use the customary unless I have the negatives.
o Ribbon and other fibers help dress up and add depth to layouts. I use all things from ribbon that costs $.49 a spool, to specialty fibers and mesh.
As you produce your scrapbooking hobby, you'll find that you have a need for other items, or you may find that you don't use the items listed above as much as you originally intended. Each scrapbooker develops his or her own style and habits that can't be unbelievable when first beginning out. The best way to get started is to buy what you think you might use, and add to your catalogue as you find a need for an item. But most of all, it helps to preplan layouts before you purchase anything, as most citizen tend to purchase things he or she won't use.
Scrapbooking is a very fun and addicting hobby, and can get quite expensive in the long run. But it is worth it when you view your completed layouts and preserved memories!
A Quick-Start Guide to Scrapbooking