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Post by dig-it-al on Oct 20, 2020 15:52:06 GMT
So what is your process when shopping online for patterned paper? I'm finding that Collection Kits aren't really meeting my needs and I've become more of a B-side scrapper. (I just like the nice subtle patterns normally found on the B-side.) I find online websites to be so overwhelming with paper choices that I scroll for pages and pages to end up empty. Any search tips?
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Oct 20, 2020 22:20:03 GMT
Most of the papers I buy these days are purchased individually, by the sheet. Last year, I bought a bunch of AC Designer Destinations papers by the sheet at JoAnn's, but this year I can't seem to hook up with a decent sale. Even when they have their open stock papers at a great price, the manager at my local store won't include the AC DD papers in the sale. So I still haven't bought any. And I'm not crazy about the Project Pads as they're mostly A sides. Instead, most of my scrap budget for this year has gone to A Cherry On Top. When a new collection is available for pre-order, I'll sift through individual papers and add any that interest me to my cart. I've been placing orders about every 2 or 3 months, or when I have about 20 sheets in the cart. At that point, my shipping is still only $3.99, but if I add just a couple more my shipping will double. I'd rather keep the shipping low and order more often, so I watch that tipping point carefully. I don't really have any search tips. I'm only really interested in sifting through the new releases, so that limits the "work" of it from the start. Every few days, I'll set the search parameters to Paper Crafts / Paper / 12x12 and then sort by newest. There's never so much new stuff that I find it difficult to look through. But if you're looking through older lines too, I can see why you'd feel overwhelmed. The other thing that complicates it is that some manufacturers only show the A side in the thumbnail photo, so you have to click on every single paper in order to see the B side. That gets old fast, but there's no way around it. On the plus side, by opening the full page on each item, you can hunt for cherries for points toward a discount. The other place I order paper from is my LSS, but I don't make any rules for myself there. It's all about whether or not I have any fun money to spend. She can't special order paper by the sheet, but she will order pads for me, so I try to buy those from her when I'm ordering a collection. That's not something that happens often ( can you say Vicki Boutin? ) but it does happen a few times a year. Hope that helps? I think the best way to do online paper shopping is just to be in the right mindset for it. After the house is quiet, get in your pajamas with a mug of hot chocolate, and just enjoy looking at all the pretty things. Throw it all in your cart and edit it later.  |
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Post by refugeepea on Oct 20, 2020 22:52:58 GMT
I look for themes, but it doesn't mean I'll scrap that way. I usually like the color combos in masculine lines and nature/camping. Most of the time the B sides will work for any photo.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,688 
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Post by Elsabelle on Oct 20, 2020 23:47:48 GMT
Sometimes I’m in the mood for new releases and I’ll either buy a collection kit if I like all the papers or just choose the ones I want. Sometimes I just want a little bit from a collection. I’ll choose a smaller sticker sheet and a few pieces of paper.
Other times I’m in the mood to go through an entire clearance section and look at papers front and back to see if the b side interests me. After clearance I’ll look at older collections.
So, in short, sometimes I’m shopping for something specific and sometimes I’m browsing with nothing specific in mind.
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Post by hmp on Oct 21, 2020 0:43:58 GMT
To be perfectly honest, my process is I see it, I like it, I buy it. Such a simple process. I’m trying to figure out how to overcome it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 18, 2024 16:22:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2020 2:50:39 GMT
I tend to look for patterns I like, I know I like stars, so I pretty much buy what I can that has stars in colors I like. Stuff like that. I have enough random patterned paper though, so I don't buy too much any more.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,619
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Post by kitbop on Oct 21, 2020 3:09:10 GMT
I start with collections that colours attract me. Then I zoom in on the papers and select more carefully. For me, it's easier to both shop and scrap by collection. I also like to use pp as part of my embellishment (cheap) so I look for papers that i can fussy cut elements from.
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,041
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Post by joyfulnana on Oct 21, 2020 3:56:41 GMT
The colors are what draw me first. Then if there are enough papers I think I can use I buy the collection pack lol. I have too much paper right now, so I'm trying to limit it to just my absolute favorite papers. I'm like msliz, I mostly only cruise the new paper. Unless I'm on the hunt for a specific older line. |
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Post by susancinpa on Oct 21, 2020 11:35:08 GMT
I really like A Cherry on Top. Their website setup just works for me. I check out their website often so it isn't overwhelming to have so much new/pre-order to sift through at once. I add to my cart as I see things that spark my interest. I also have several baskets, so I can move things around. That way, if I want to check out with only certain items, I can move other items to another basket or wish list.
I look at the collections and then decide if I want all the sheets or just a select few and which embellishments I want as well.
Many online stores have sites that I find hard to shop, so I usually just stick with ACOT.
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 21, 2020 12:58:22 GMT
Most of the papers I buy these days are purchased individually, by the sheet. Last year, I bought a bunch of AC Designer Destinations papers by the sheet at JoAnn's, but this year I can't seem to hook up with a decent sale. Even when they have their open stock papers at a great price, the manager at my local store won't include the AC DD papers in the sale. So I still haven't bought any. And I'm not crazy about the Project Pads as they're mostly A sides. Instead, most of my scrap budget for this year has gone to A Cherry On Top. When a new collection is available for pre-order, I'll sift through individual papers and add any that interest me to my cart. I've been placing orders about every 2 or 3 months, or when I have about 20 sheets in the cart. At that point, my shipping is still only $3.99, but if I add just a couple more my shipping will double. I'd rather keep the shipping low and order more often, so I watch that tipping point carefully. I don't really have any search tips. I'm only really interested in sifting through the new releases, so that limits the "work" of it from the start. Every few days, I'll set the search parameters to Paper Crafts / Paper / 12x12 and then sort by newest. There's never so much new stuff that I find it difficult to look through. But if you're looking through older lines too, I can see why you'd feel overwhelmed. The other thing that complicates it is that some manufacturers (Echo Park) only show the A side in the photo, so you have to click on every single paper in order to see the B side. That gets old fast, but there's no way around it. On the plus side, by opening the full page on an item, you can hunt for cherries for points toward a discount. The other place I order paper from is my LSS, but I don't make any rules for myself there. It's all about whether or not I have any fun money to spend. She can't special order paper by the sheet, but she will order pads for me, so I try to buy those from her when I'm ordering a collection. That's not something that happens often ( can you say Vicki Boutin? ) but it does happen a few times a year. Hope that helps? I think the best way to do online paper shopping is just to be in the right mindset for it. After the house is quiet, get in your pajamas with a mug of hot chocolate, and just enjoy looking at all the pretty things. Throw it all in your cart and edit it later. That is pretty much how I shop at ACOT, too. But, pretty shiny things "fall" into my cart - like inks, enamel dots, Thickers... |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 21, 2020 13:05:19 GMT
When I could shop at the LSS, I took my photos and browsed till I found papers and card stock to match. I don’t like shopping at the big box stores for papers, but I have done it in a pinch.
I find shopping online to be difficult. It’s not just the overwhelming feeling of where to start, but colors on the computer screen may not be quite the same in real life.
I mainly rely on my stash these days. If I can’t find anything in my stash that works, then I sometimes create my own background paper with stamps on a neutral colored card stock, but that takes a lot more time. There are other ways to create background designs for scrapping, too. In a pinch, I just use solid colors of card stock for my layout.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Oct 21, 2020 13:35:03 GMT
I find shopping online to be difficult. It’s not just the overwhelming feeling of where to start, but colors on the computer screen may not be quite the same in real life. That's the truth |
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Post by dig-it-al on Oct 21, 2020 13:43:27 GMT
Instead, most of my scrap budget for this year has gone to A Cherry On Top. When a new collection is available for pre-order, I'll sift through individual papers and add any that interest me to my cart. I've been placing orders about every 2 or 3 months, or when I have about 20 sheets in the cart. At that point, my shipping is still only $3.99, but if I add just a couple more my shipping will double. I'd rather keep the shipping low and order more often, so I watch that tipping point carefully. I don't really have any search tips. I'm only really interested in sifting through the new releases, so that limits the "work" of it from the start. Every few days, I'll set the search parameters to Paper Crafts / Paper / 12x12 and then sort by newest. There's never so much new stuff that I find it difficult to look through. But if you're looking through older lines too, I can see why you'd feel overwhelmed. I've never been an "add to my cart" person. Not sure why just didn't do it. Maybe I should give that a try for when I find something interesting so I don't forget. Searching through the new releases might also be what I need to do. That would definitely reduce the amount of product I'm looking at. I was finding that I was searching by Manufacture just to limit the quantity to filter through. I felt I was limiting myself. There could be something out there that I'm missing. Ha! Thanks for the suggestions. |
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Post by dig-it-al on Oct 21, 2020 13:49:53 GMT
The colors are what draw me first. Then if there are enough papers I think I can use I buy the collection pack lol. I have too much paper right now, so I'm trying to limit it to just my absolute favorite papers. I'm like msliz , I mostly only cruise the new paper. Unless I'm on the hunt for a specific older line. I agree with you on this. Color is what draws me in as well. But the kit (with embellishments) I can usually pass on. I may have to go another route (like go look at the manufacture's website for the collection release) just to see both sides of the paper. I just gave this method a try and found some birthday paper in a kit I hadn't even really considered due to the "theme". Thanks so much! |
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Post by dig-it-al on Oct 21, 2020 13:52:10 GMT
I really like A Cherry on Top. Their website setup just works for me. I check out their website often so it isn't overwhelming to have so much new/pre-order to sift through at once. I add to my cart as I see things that spark my interest. I also have several baskets, so I can move things around. That way, if I want to check out with only certain items, I can move other items to another basket or wish list. I look at the collections and then decide if I want all the sheets or just a select few and which embellishments I want as well. Many online stores have sites that I find hard to shop, so I usually just stick with ACOT. Thank you for this. I didn't even know that multiple carts/baskets are even an option under one user login. Between this and the lower shipping cost mentioned previously for ACOT I gotta go check it out! |
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Post by susancinpa on Oct 21, 2020 14:21:36 GMT
Thank you for this. I didn't even know that multiple carts/baskets are even an option under one user login. Between this and the lower shipping cost mentioned previously for ACOT I gotta go check it out! Also check out their promo codes (top right of screen just to the left of the search box), there's often a free shipping code with a certain $$ order (or discounts for international, HI & AK orders). |
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Post by scrapcat on Oct 21, 2020 15:25:11 GMT
Hmmmm...I'm trying to figure out if I have a process? I generally try to keep in mind what I scrap...so I buy boy lines, food lines, gardening lines, lots of summer/pool/beach lines, fall/halloween. I don't scrap much Christmas, so I may only buy a few pages.
I generally use the Scrapbook.com wishlist to "like" papers, then I will review and see what may apply to something I want to scrap or what I really like. I generally try not to buy anything right away unless there is a specific purpose. I probably only buy 2-3 papers from a given collection.
I also have a rule when I do like a paper I always buy 2 because generally I want to use both sides.
I am finding even though I have some beautiful theme papers, I am reaching for them less and less and want basic designs.
I tend to stick to the same 5 or so manufacturers, but sometimes I try a new one and am pleasantly surprised. I am really loving the Bella Blvd Besties collections which are dotted on one side and a loose grid on the other.
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Post by papersilly on Oct 21, 2020 19:52:27 GMT
i have more than enough paper to last 10 lifetimes. when i did shop for it, i preferred sheets over collections. cardstock over paper weight. double sized versus single sided. ah, the good old days.....
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Oct 21, 2020 22:43:57 GMT
Try doing a search for 6x6 pad or 6x8 pad. That will show you the paper pad covers, which usually show most of the collection patterns. You can click on the image to enlarge if it catches your eye-- usually, it's colors for me, sometimes patterns depending on if I'm on the phone or computer. Then, when you're looking at the pad cover image, you'll probably notice if you like one or two or all of the papers. At scrapbook.com, if you scroll down on the page, they have a block of info that includes things like the name of the paper line. Then you can click on that and see everything from the line, including 12x12 papers. (It's very helpful when you see a snippet of a page and you think "oh, what a pretty sunset look" and then you see the full page and realize it has a whole scene on it.) I think ACOT has something similar for navigation, but the last time I was there, it was different from what I remembered. They may not have a hyperlink to the collection name? but you can probably search it pretty easily. Just remember that the scale is usually a little different.  |
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Post by cmpeter on Oct 21, 2020 23:53:24 GMT
I don't generally buy patterned paper online, I really like to see it and the colors in person. The exception is if I see something used in a Youtube video...then I've had some good luck buying the exact paper used in the video.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Oct 22, 2020 1:59:16 GMT
Individual sheets: If I like it, I buy it. If I love, love, love it...I buy more than one sheet. If it's pattern that can be mixed and matched, I buy more than one sheet.
Paper pads: If I like a majority of the papers I buy the pad. I usually only buy a paper pad when it's on sale or I have a coupon.
Whatever paper(or other supplies) I don't want or care for in a pad, I pass on to a co-worker who scrapbooks or prior to Schools closing, I would give my Niece a bagful and she would take what she wanted for the classroom and put the rest in the Teacher lounge.
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 22, 2020 13:51:55 GMT
Another idea for sharing your supplies that you don't love any longer - I give mine to a friend who has a young granddaughter that likes to scrap with grandma. This way she has her own stash.
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Post by myboysnme on Oct 23, 2020 23:20:29 GMT
I tend to buy by theme so I use tabs at the side for themes. On a site like Scrap your Trip I tend to do a lot of scrolling. I look at the themes but then I just scroll page after page and add to cart. Then I have to pare it down because I put too much in the cart!
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,679
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Oct 23, 2020 23:59:02 GMT
I regularly check the New section at my favourite online store and just add things to my cart that I think I like. Periodically I'll go through the cart and remove things that no longer excite me. By the time I actually checkout I've probably looked at those papers 20 times or more so I'm reasonably confident at that point they are things I definitely like and will use.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Oct 24, 2020 17:10:14 GMT
I usually just check out new releases by my favorite companies and to expand my horizons the releases posted here. I’m another one who usually doesn’t buy entire collections since I usually end up with papers I don’t use. I do like kits though since I get a nice mix of products. I don’t subscribe since some months the products aren’t a good fit.
Adding papers to my cart When I shop online is a great idea. Thanks.
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,980
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Oct 26, 2020 3:11:09 GMT
Like you, I prefer the classic patterns on the reverse sides. On the rare occasion I shop for paper online, I buy by the sheet. I maintain a basket(s) at online retailers from perusing the new products & pre-order/coming soon sections on those sites at least once per week & manufacturer release posts on this board.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Oct 26, 2020 7:37:44 GMT
First, I come to 2peas and find our what's new & great!😁
I'm almost always happiest when I buy pp by the sheet. But it's costly.
Before the pandemic, I would buy paper pads at Michael's. Either Hot Buys at $5 for a 12x12 pad, or from the clearance section.
For pads, I mostly shop for color. Blues, greens, kraft, true reds.
By the sheet is usually more theme oriented. Holiday, birthday, etc.
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