About a year or so ago, I found the Manhattan Scrapbooking Meetup Group. I was thrilled! There are no scrapbooking stores in Manhattan (no LSS and no box stores), so finding other scrappers was such a delight. This wonderful group of ladies is such an inspiration to me. I enjoy their camaraderie, the late nights, and the massive creativity demonstrated in their pages.
But now my cup runneth over.
A scrapbooking store is opening in Manhattan. (insert jaw dropping)
I never thought it would (could) happen! With Manhattan real estate prices what they are and the dearth of scrapbookers in the City, I figured it was a lethal combination. But this Fall, we will have our own scrapbooking store: Portrait Bug! (insert happy dance) And what's more, they've invited me to be a part of their very first design team! Yay! A design team that is just *amazing* by the way. There are four other girls besides me:
Kristina Contes lives on Long Island. She was a Creating Keepsakes Hall of Famer in 2007. She is a long time designer for Hambly, though I first noticed her when the Effer Dares first came out a few years ago. I love her graphic freestyle look.
Alexis Hardy lives on Long Island as well. I have been a fan of her work for a long time. She was on the Hambly Design Team for a quite a while and I believe she was even the DT coordinator until recently. Among other things, she currently designs for Label Tulip (kit club) and Dream Street (she has a line of paper for them).
Breanne Crawford
lives in New Jersey. I had the extreme
pleasure of spending a very long Saturday with her about a year ago. There was a SIStv crop out in Pennsylvania at a great store called Memory Lane and she offered to pick me up in New Jersey and drive me out there. She was recently a guest designer for Hambly (sensing a theme here?) and among other things, is currently on the Scrapjacked team.
Jody Wenke lives in Connecticut. She has a lovely clean and graphic style. I haven't met her yet, but I'm looking forward to it!
And yes, I am the only one who actually lives in New York City. So, I have to represent! LOL!
I went to our first design team meeting on Tuesday night. It's a really great group and I'm excited about the vision for the store. Let me see, where to begin...
So, the motto for the store is "Snap n' Scrap." The focus is on helping people to get their photos out of their computers, out of shoeboxes and into pretty pieces of art. The owner, Kim, and the DT Coordinator (though that title seems inadequate because she's a major part of the store - maybe scrapbook and retail expert?), Meredith, want the store to be a boutique. They have no interest in competing with AC Moore or Michaels or any of the online stores. Rather, they want to be trend setters. So, there will be exclusive kits and hand picked products.
I walked through the store on Tuesday. It's just a shell, the construction hasn't started yet. They're planning to have the scrapping stuff up front. Along with product, there will be a make and take you can do up at the front as well (changing every week or two). Then, you'll have the portrait studio behind that. The focus is on taking pictures of people's kids and pets. Up a few stairs to the photo sales desk and the waiting room. Behind that is the crop room/classroom/party room. I can't wait to see it once the construction is done! It's a great location (Broadway between 91st and 92nd) and the bus even stops right in front (perfect for getting my crop bag there)!
I don't think I can truly tell you just how *thrilled* I am that we're going to have a scrapbooking store of our own! Kim and Meredith have a strong vision and there are lots of fun little details they have planned that I can't wait to see come to fruition.
CONGRATS on the DT gig... very cool.
Posted by: jen | July 11, 2008 at 12:43 PM
sounds like such fun Julie!!! If they do start selling stuff online, make sure to let us know!!! I'd love to help supply your scrapbooking addiction :)
Again, congrats on ANOTHER design team :)
Posted by: Bobbi in KY | July 11, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Oh my gosh that is sooo cool!!! I can't wait to go there!!! Do oyu think they are ready in November???
Posted by: nat | July 11, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Congrats on your new gig! A LSS in NYC...very cool! They do NEED one. Neat that you were at MemoryLane PA. That is the closest LSS to me. It's about 1.5 hours down the PA turnpike, but it's a nice ride. Great store.
Good Luck!
Posted by: Denine | July 11, 2008 at 03:23 PM
omgosh. what an awesome description. you rock. so excited to be working with you, my friend!
Posted by: Breanne Crawford | July 11, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Congrats on the DT and getting a store close by - it sounds like it will be an absolutely wonderful place
Posted by: Sandra Collins | July 11, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Huge congrats! What a fun group to be hooked in with! ;)
Posted by: Sarah Moores | July 12, 2008 at 12:08 AM
so excited...it's going to be excellent :)
Posted by: kristi | July 12, 2008 at 12:47 AM
OMG, what thrilling news. Congratulations on the DT. And add the store to the long list of reasons why I am moving back to NY. Can't wait for it to open.
Posted by: Liz | July 12, 2008 at 02:47 AM
I'm pretty psyched about this, especially since I'll be moving back soon~ Although, I may not be Manhattan proper...we're still thinking about exactly where we'll end up, but I'll be close enough for crops for sure anyway.
Posted by: Cindy Lee | July 12, 2008 at 01:32 PM
congrats on the DT Julie. Sounds exciting. If I ever pop over from Australia for the day, I'll look it up!!LOL
Posted by: Sue Brown | July 12, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Congrats on the DT Julie! And finally a LSS close to home:)
Posted by: Sue Clarke | July 13, 2008 at 08:02 AM
How exciting! Congrats on the design team gig as well! It sounds like they have a great business plan and I wish them oodles of success! You know that I know all they challenges they are going to face, but I think they will deo just fine!
Posted by: Christina | July 13, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Hi Julie:
thanx for the info and congratulations on being on the design team.
I hope that won't mean you'll leave us for bigger and better!!!
See ya Friday,
Sandi
Posted by: sandra miaskoff | July 13, 2008 at 03:00 PM
HURRAY FOR JULIE!! and Cheryl, hee hee. I'm so excited for you guys to finally have a real store! What an amazing thing to be on such a crazy talented design team. You are pretty much a celebrity now. And tell Kristina Contes I loved her dare book :)
Posted by: Kira | July 13, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Awesome Julie.. I know I used to spend a lot of time in Kates Paperie when I lived in New York it was about the closest place to a scrapbook store...
Posted by: Sherry | July 14, 2008 at 09:42 AM
OMG!! Julie congrats on being selected for the DT!!! Your work is AMAZING and I look forward to having ur products sold locally. I am also super excited to have a scrapbook store in NYC!!!! I love scrapping w/ you @ out meetups and learning more about different brands and products and now you'll be able to share that wonderful talent with all of New York...and I don’t have to buy glue online!! YES! Few things to think about...I love Hambly and Prima....want to see some of that! Pray you all offer classes and open work space during the week with a % off sales during that time :-) Also...will the store be 'pet friendly' for tiny ones as the Upper West side is quite friendly...dog park on 76th & Riverside! Let me know if I can be of service to you all...Super Excited!!!
~Amber
Posted by: A. Williams | July 14, 2008 at 01:02 PM
YES!!!! Ohhh I'm soooooo very happy!!! Can't wait for the store to open. I'll even volunteer to help out with the merchandise if it gets to open sooner. I used to be a manager at a retail store so I know all abut that. Let me know...
good luck to you all!
Posted by: Rosie | July 19, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Is the store open? I will be in NYC the first week of October and want to come if it is open. Please let me know and where it is.
Posted by: Kathy | September 25, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I am visiting nyc on Sunday the 19 th of April wandering where are you located and are you opened
Posted by: tina murray | April 16, 2009 at 07:58 AM