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| - I stopped by this scrapbook boutique-type of store for the first time yesterday. I say "boutique" because it's a pretty small store with limited inventory per chosen brand of rubber/clear/cling/roller stamps, paper (by the sheet & packs) / foils / chipboards / woods, albums, cutting dies, stencils, embellies, punches, adhesives, tools, planner themes, and general crafts items (shadowbox, display letters, marquee). Most of the bigger name brands they carry can be sold cheaper elsewhere- whether at Michaels (especially with a coupon) or online (with occasional free shipping or no sales tax). Those cheaper alternatives also sell more inventory or sets that are not found at this store. When I shop in person, I prefer to support and purchase smaller (usually made in USA) brands and I need or could use, so I was happy they carried a few of those. They also sell country, shabby chic, Americana, and household items and small storage-type display furniture, which they showcase along with sample cards hung all around the store. They group their items in thematic categories i.e. baby, Christmas, Arizona. Sometimes they have discount specials, so be sure to sign up to be on their mailing list or "Like" their Facebook page, or use Yelp Check-in. I received $5 off $25 and because I was a new customer, and they gave me free paper/sticker/ribbon kit of my choice. (Thanks!)
The store offer crop nights for a pre-registration fee in the cropping room. They offer classes and sometimes have renowned teachers dropping by and teaching makes-n-takes of various craft projects. I do not partake in either so I won't rate them here. There is one restroom that customers can use and office water cooler to drink and party bites to eat.
Lucinda, one of the 2 associates working that day, assisted me. However, she wasn't familiar with the new company brand that specializes in ethereal paper pack which is difficult to find anywhere. The company listed the store's name as their authorized dealer on their website, and the store didn't even have a single pack of theirs in stock. She also didn't offer to order it for me and instead, mentioned Christina the owner's name without offering to pass the message along. This defeats the true purpose of visiting a physical store to purchase items locally or cheaper or quicker. So, off to order online myself eventually. I certainly hope they stock more of the smaller and newbie brands. I'd like to suggest that they also carry embroidery or quilling items, and crafting magazines and books. That's the appeal of a physical scrapbooking store where you can feel, smell, and test whether you truly want to purchase on the spot, without waiting on the mail.
During the early-2000s, Christina used to work at Recollections (Michaels scrapbooking store) at 75th Ave & Bell and opened this store with 3 fellow Recollections employees, Crop Girls- which she re-named Scraps of Love, after Recollections went out of business. Before their grand opening, they had a small yard sale (which they continue to have) inside the mall entrance where I was able to find a few scarce items, one of my favorites being a family tree-type book where I could fill in family info and affix photos that reminded me of the older version of pre-acid-free scrapbooking- such a fun find ;) Presently, Scraps of Love is one of the few scrapbooking stores still in operation in Phoenix metro. I've been scrapbooking since I was a kid and like to support a local scrapbooking store, which is part of the reason I made a purchase :)
The well-lit (and chilly) store is located at a very old strip mall (that looks like it's slated for demolition in the near future) in a dated 'hood with a very low vibe. The easiest way to find it is to spot a non-descript hung banner that reads Paper Crafts (which has been there since opening(!)
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