Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Being a Guy in a Girls Scrapbooking World

Hey all,being that my blog is about scrapbooking from a guy's perspective, I think its time to post something more about my life. I entered the scrapbooking world about a year and half ago as a way to adopt my newly adopted twin boys heritage since they came from an orphanage and had no history. I logged onto www.meetup.com and found the Nashville Scrappers and Stampers group. Well I knew kinda going in that alot of women did this so I was kinda worried about attending one of the local meetups. Finally after much deliberation, I found out that at this event they were going to have a yardsale, so I decided go and see what it was all about. Being new I had no idea what to even get but I arrived and introduced myself to a lady named Karen and she showed me to the yardsale table and told me to look around to let her know if i needed anything. Well being a social butterfly, I decided to look around in addition to yardsale shop and spoke to some of the ladies there. They were totally nice to me and begged for me to come join them sometime.

Well fast forward, and I am home and I get a message from this lady named Nicole, who was intrigued by how a guy would be interested in scrapbooking. She told me to feel free to email her and that I was welcome to come over to her house and she would teach me the craft. Nicole became my best girlfriend and my scrappin mamma almost instantaneously. She is one to the best friend that any guy scrapbooker could have. She encouraged me to come to the first crop of the meetup group and I finally broke down and went. Everyone was super friendly. They accepted me no matter what and offered help.

Well almost two years have pasted now and these ladies have become some of my best friends. They are intrigued still yet as to the things that I talk about. I can go into the local Hobby Lobby and craft store and have a group around me talking in minutes about the do's and don't of both beginner and advanced scrapbooking and guess what!!! Paper Crafting and rubber stamping. They want to know how i got into this and where I hang.

I have since become one of the assistant organizers of the Nashville Scrappers and Stampers meetup and am constantly bringing new members to the crops. I host with Nicole's help a locally monthly crop at my church and we always have a waiting list of people that want to come. If i show a new product at these crops, ladies are really fast to listen and gosh I feel on cloud 9!!!

All this being said, I really am a paper crafter and scrapbooker now and this goes to show that MEN CAN BE IN THIS WORLD!!! Spread to the word to all and share this blog with others, that there in no shame in being a guy in a Girls Scrapbooking World.

FYI, I am now working on being a guy Stampin Up Rep. If you know anyone out there that is looking for an excited guy to promote their product, send them my way.

5 comments:

Sassy Runner Girl said...

Stefan- I'd check with Dawn Raspas- she is located in NJ but an amazing, exciting demo- she has won 5 incentive trips!
Her website is
http://www.inkeruptildawn.typepad.com/

She is a senior manager.
Good Luck! I just joined SU myself- mostly for the discount :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Stefan,

Kelley in my Downline let me know that you are lloking for someone to help you get started as a SU! Demo, well I would love to have you join my group - InkerUpTilDawn!! I have SU! Demos from all over the country in my group. Please let me know what questions you have, I am happy to help you get started right away!!

Check out my blog at www.inkeruptildawn.com

Thanks!!
Dawn

Michele said...

Hi Stefen,

Great post! I look forward to your many informative posts. I may have to start a blog. :)

Karin said...

Glad to hear some guys are picking this craft up! Keep up the good work! :)

Calv said...

Hi Stefan :)

What a great post, and i totaly understand where you are coming from. Many of the experiences you wrote about there, it was like listening to my own life.

Seems like you've come far in the short time you've been crafting, you'll be giving Mr Holtz a run for his money soon! :)

I have made the best friends through crafts in the years i've been doing it, even found my partner of five years now!

Lovely to hear your story anyway, keep up the good work and i look forward to returning to your blog.