What I Do: Creative Coach For Scrapbook Enthusiasts
Name: Shirley Merker
Occupation: Scrapbooking teacher for Stampin’ Up, Sun Prairie
Web site: www.sjsinks.stampinup.net
Years on the job: five
I’m a creative coach and offer fresh project ideas and encouragement to my customers who want to make scrapbook pages, greeting cards or gift items.
Helping someone create that perfect project for a special occasion is the best feeling in the world. Creating cards, scrapbook pages and gift items is about more than just stamps and ink; it’s about sharing a part of yourself with the people you love.
I started scrapbooking 12 years ago and my first project was a scrapbook calendar for my grandma with pages of family photos and fun memories.
There are three types of stamping events: the club, the in-home workshop and the class. At each event, I teach and share rubber-stamping tips and techniques so that guests can go home and create additional projects.
I keep events under two hours so that guests can stamp, shop, crop and then get back to their lives. I provide a little quality time where husbands, children, pets and cell phones are not allowed.
The club meets four times in six months. The club members create three scrapbook pages per meeting and I provide the samples and precut materials. The in-home workshop is held at the hostess’ home.
I provide two free make-n-takes and the hostess provides light refreshments. The goal of the in-home workshop is to expose new stampers to this hobby, teach a fun technique and educate guests on what Stampin’ Up has to offer.
Classes are usually held at my home and the guests create a set number of cards or scrapbook pages for a fee. I provide samples of the projects and the supplies to create them. New stampers are helped out by the more experienced stampers and we all go home with some nice projects and a smile on our face.
I teach that projects look better with two coordinating colors and neutral colored paper selections along with using non-paper embellishments like ribbon, eyelets, brads or pearls.
What I Do invites people to tell in their own words what they do to earn a living. The column runs every Tuesday. To suggest someone to feature, contact Jill Carlson at jillcarlson1957@gmail.com.
Taken From Madison.com
