A Design Team Call, of sorts.
I started scrapbooking by accident, making a gift that was a group present in stolen moments hidden away so the recipient wouldn’t see. By the end of that first album, I was already in love with the idea of this craft. The idea that you could put photos and notes and memorabilia and just cute stuff together with some paste and ink and have a truly unique handmade time capsule of memories filled my heart with excitement and my head with ideas. That was a very long time ago, in 1998. Very much has changed since then. But not that excitement and not those ideas.
The funny thing for me is I could start about ten sentences with ‘The most amazing thing about scrapbooking is…’. At least ten. Which is terrible, because clearly I should know how to use a superlative and if it truly is ‘the most’ then it can only be one. I just don’t know how I would choose. I’m amazed that I have all these albums that track all those changes in life since 1998. I’m amazed that this format of memory keeping makes it easy for me to go back and document things that happened before I was a scrapbooker (not so easy with Facebook or Instagram or whatever other online capture of everyday life). I’m amazed that teaching in this craft became my actual job. I’m amazed that I’ve met such wonderful people with amazing stories. I’m amazed that some of them became my closest friends in life. I’m often amazed that my husband doesn’t stress about me taking up an entire room of our home with albums and craft supplies! And over this last year and a half, I’ve been more and more amazed at how much it fills me with happiness to see people creating their own projects with products I’ve helped to make. I can have the most rotten of days when everything just seems to be going wrong and I’ll take a peek at a project on Instagram and the entire bad day is gone. I really didn’t predict when I had that first discussion with American Crafts that I would ever be that emotional about product! But I truly am.
It’s that emotion that has made me put something off for a bit. I love seeing everything that is shared and I hope those who don’t post their projects online are enjoying the products as well. But one other thing that hasn’t changed is that I’m just a one scrapbooker show over here. After a year and a half of products with American Crafts, it’s time I branched out a little bit and put together a team of crafters to help me share the ways these products can be used in styles that are not my own. I need someone who is confident with cards, someone who has a passion for pocket pages, maybe even someone who plans with panache or dazzling with decor. I’d also appreciate some help from a few fellow 12×12 fans too, since there is such a wide range of styles in the scrapping world.
From this, yes, it’s time for a design team call. Rather than just say there are x number of spots and each person will have to make x number of projects per month or similar, there are a range of opportunities available. Some will be perfect for someone who works well in a tight time frame, like making projects for display at the CHA trade show. Some will be perfect for someone who has wanted to try out the idea of being on a design team but didn’t love the idea of the commitment, with just a one or two project remit. My hope is this will be a great way to share the love: of paper craft in all forms, of sharing ideas, of meeting new faces in this industry, and yes, of my products too.
To apply, please send an email to shimelle+dt@gmail.com and include the following in your message:
…Your name and location
…Links to pages where you share your work with others. This might include: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, your own blog, the blog of a brand you currently design with, the gallery of an online store or community. Please don’t feel you have to include any platform you use just to share non-crafty things. I totally respect that many people use Facebook to connect with real life friends rather than scrapbookers, and so forth.
…A summary of what kind of crafting you do, how you got started with it, and why you love it.
…Images of three to five projects you have made and love. I hope you’re applying because you love the products in the American Crafts Shimelle collections, so it would be awesome to see at least one of those projects including Shimelle products. However, if that just isn’t possible, then that’s fine. You do not need to purchase anything new or make anything from scratch just for this call.
…For at least one of those projects, please include a short write-up to go with the project. Think along the lines of if you were posting this on your blog, Instagram, or elsewhere, what would you want to communicate to your readers?
…Answers to these questions:
1. What are your favourite colours for crafting?
2. How long do you like to take on your projects from start to finish?
3. If I asked you to make something new next week, no rules at all, what’s your first impulse for what you would make?
4. I’m ordering for us at my favourite coffee shop. What would you like?
5. What are your favourite tools for crafting? (Think die-cutter, stamps, punches, etc, rather than individual elements like paper and stickers for this question please.)
That’s everything. And it’s due by the 21st of October, 2015.
Like I mentioned earlier, this isn’t a case of everyone on the team having the same exact remit. Instead, I’ll be contacting applicants by email with the specifics, and I won’t be announcing anything in a public format until all those conversations have been had and all the details are agreed. But like all the guest posts on this blog and the guest contributors to my online classes, all the work will be compensated with pay. Paypal usually works easiest, but if that doesn’t work for you, there are other options we can discuss.
I’d love to hear from you. In fact, I would find it amazing.
Thanks for considering it!
Read more about: american-crafts
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12 October 2015, 08:57
This is exciting news! I am a huge fan of you and your collections. I’ve been hoarding my Shimelle stuff, so this call would be a good reason to use some of it ;-) Best wishes to you in your search for a fabulous design team!
12 October 2015, 09:47
It’s a great story of evolution [not that I’m suggesting you’re developing an extra arm … although how handy – no pun intended – would that be for taking a photo, using a tape runner and corralling a small human all at the same time?]. No, but to track how you’ve moved from hobbyist, to teacher, to design team member using other people’s ranges, to being a design team host where people use your product. ‘Shimelle: scrapbooking like a boss’ … feel free to add that to your tagline any time. ;-)
It’s a lovely symmetry. And – before I even read to the end – I knew you’d be offering payment. Nothing but respect for you lady.
Best of luck with assembling your team. ‘Scrapbookers: Assemble’ … there’s another one for you … . If you ever need to employ a really corny copywriter I’m your man. ;-)
12 October 2015, 10:17
My heart just skipped a beat! I love the idea of showing off your products doing what I love to do more than most anything else in the world (only my family gets more love than scrapbooking!)
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
12 October 2015, 10:45
Oh wow. Seriously?! It would be my dream to be on your DT! Your style has single handedly revolutionized the way I scrapbook and even if I am not chosen, I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart!
12 October 2015, 11:47
Oh – this is amazing! I love your products and it would be a dream come true to be on your DT. That being said, I’m off to begin my reply.
12 October 2015, 12:56
Good for you, Shimelle. So happy to see the growth of your brand and business!
12 October 2015, 12:58
Giddy for the chance to work with you!!
12 October 2015, 13:02
This is awesome stuff Shimelle! Looking forward to seeing all of the DT members once they’re chosen… I’d apply but I need to get back into scrapping first!!
12 October 2015, 14:26
Oh My!! How exciting!! I would soooo be applying, if it weren’t for a few kinks…the big one being that we chose to make things simpler at home by doing away with the internet (so I get my fix while at work-and we own the business, so it’s totally ok that I get my fix at work :D) Anyhoo, all that to say, if I was more into posting, I’d be all over this!
But I will be excitedly waiting now, to see what lucky creatives get chosen and what they make!
What fun!!
12 October 2015, 16:21
Wow! What a wonderful opportunity Shimelle!
I’m sure there will be some very keen applicants.
12 October 2015, 23:17
What a great opportunity!I will be working on a submission this week!
13 October 2015, 04:55
How exciting! Can’t wait to see your DT and their outputs!
13 October 2015, 08:55
My first reaction to reading this was “Shimelle is awesome!” This is just wonderful Shimelle. I am so excited for you and your success doing something you love. My daughter and I loved making our way through the Glitter Girl episodes on Two Peas and every other video you’ve put out there. We’ve enjoyed your classes both video and the audio one with Noelle. Love your style, love your attitude & love your products! I wish I was on social media with my scrapbook pages so I could apply. It would be such a thrill!!! I look forward to seeing your design team.
13 October 2015, 14:58
This is the sweetest sounding DT call I’ve ever read, and I totally want to enter a submission just so I can answer your awesome questionnaire! You are going to end up with amazing submissions and a fabulous team – I can just feel it! Have fun!!
13 October 2015, 17:20
Seriously been hoarding most of my Shimelle items… using them in bits and pieces on home decor and in my planner mostly. Can’t wait to send in an application to be on a team with your fab products! So excited at the opportunity!
14 October 2015, 14:59
Now that would be a team i would want to be on! If only I was brave enough. I might apply just to answer those great questions, so if you get one of those weird applications…
Good luck with it all and I look forward to seeing what your team designs :-)
15 October 2015, 14:27
Sounds like fun! I sent in all my info yesterday! Good Luck everyone!
16 October 2015, 08:47
what a fantastic opportunity! I bit the bullet and sent my application yesterday. And I have to say as soon as I finished my application I went and scrapbooked 2 more pages, it just got me so inspired!
16 October 2015, 11:18
I’m excited to hear that you’ll have a design team Shimelle – it will be “amazing”! You’ve been my major source of inspiration over the past few years and I’m looking forward to the wonderful things that will come from you & your team. Personally, I lack the talent & especially the technical savvy required to be a team member, but am anxiously awaiting the fun to come! Maria
16 October 2015, 20:21
Wish I could qualify….too busy being a free spirit right now…
k8
20 October 2015, 08:36
Still working on it! It is anytime on the 21st right? Need tea.. and biscuits.. and breathe!
20 October 2015, 17:24
How did I not see this until now? Thank goodness for Instagram! Eek, better get a shake on and email some projects to you by tomorrow!
20 October 2015, 19:09
O.M.G.!!! How amazing does this sound?! I will now get out of bed and write that email! I had a horrible day so at least this makes me excited! So much about going to bed early so I don’t fall asleep at the office tomorrow haha! Thanks for this opportunity xxx
21 October 2015, 23:02
I sent my entry before the due date. I have my fingers crossed – and it makes typing difficult. Good luck everyone!
22 October 2015, 21:13
Well, I was thrilled to see this post but then, like many other commenters, I discounted my ability to qualify as awesome… but thanks to Jen Hart’s post, I knew I had to send in my own email submission. Of course, I promptly thought of way better ways to say everything as soon as I hit “send!” And, now I’m getting OCD about checking my email… needless to say, I’m very excited to see who gets to play for Team Shimelle!#scrapaddictproblems
24 October 2015, 02:11
Best of luck to all who applied – can’t wait to see your new team Shimelle!
5 November 2015, 13:09
Awwwww booo! I haven’t stopped by your blog in a while and I missed the deadline. Phooey! I would love to enter next time if you have another! I’ve always wanted to try a team, but you’re right about the commitment sometimes being too much. I’ll try to remember to stalk you more closely! ~Melanie
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