Find bits and pieces at new SW scrapbook store
HOBBYISTS and crafters will be happy to learn that a scrapbooking store, Scrap-a-Licious, has been opened in Somerset West.
Shirley Cunnington and Sharon de Klerk, sisters, who regularly drove through to Durbanville to get their monthly scrapbooking “fix”, decided to bring their hobby closer to home and opened the store at 15 Lourensford Road.
Scrap-a-Licious opened its doors in June and the owners’ mother, Irna Maunder, now runs the coffee shop on the ground floor of the building. Not only do they stock a variety of scrapbooking materials, the shop also offers classes for beginners, advanced scrappers and a “scrap-and-chat” - an opportunity to meet other enthusiasts.
All the tools are at the disposal of scrapbookers and, says Cunnington, it is ideal for working mothers. “My sister and I fell in love with scrapbooking just over two years ago. We were really tired of traipsing through to town every time we needed some materials or decorations and decided to open a shop.”
Says De Klerk: “Every time we drove to Durbanville to spend money on scrapbooking, we also stopped for coffee on the way and had to find a place where I could smoke. When we decided to open our own place, these were the different requirements we wanted to fill in our own business.
“Now the public can browse in the shop, attend classes, relax at scrap-and-chat or just visit the coffee shop, relax in the garden and let the children play in the play area.”
The shop is intentionally spacious - an attempt to make shopping an uncramped and pleasant experience. “Some women come in, drop their bags or children and just lose themselves among the paper, the decorations or the ideas in albums around the shop,” says Shirley.
She says she is one of those people who loves to keep things. “I had all the old photos, the memorabilia, but did not know what to do with it, to preserve it for my children and their children one day. We have lost the ability to journal and scrapbooking is the ideal way to get your memories down in a safe, fun way. We use acid-free glues and now you have the chance to print those digital photos and make something of it for all to see.” Sharon adds that you do not have to be artistic to scrapbook.
Says Shirley: “Scrapbooking can best be described as being similar to the old collage, but what distinguishes it, is the journaling - little thoughts that can either be hidden in little envelopes or behind photos, or be displayed in the open.”
Embellishments such as pieces of shoestring, an old sweets wrapper or wedding card are traditionally added to the scrap pages, but the shop supplies additional embellishments in various colours and themes to bring additional colour.
Scrap-a-Licious offers five beginner classes a week. It also hosts themed classes. Classes can accommodate up to eight people and vary from two to four hours. Contact Scrap-a-Licious on tel: 852-7439 or e-mail: scrap-a-liscious@ananzi.co.za.
The shop is open from Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00, but the coffee shop closes at 14:00 on Saturdays. It can be contacted on 852-6805. The store is available for private functions.
http://www.news24.com/Regional_Papers/Components/Category_Article_Text_Template/0,,303-307-311_2038100~E,00.html