Is it usual to charge for a Scrapping Class?

[GrayFal]

I have been watching the weekly sales and going to AC Moore here on Long Island to buy my supplies.....I see they have scrap 'classes' every Monday Evening but there is a $15 fee. I met a scrapper there when I was picking up supplies on Monday and I asked her if the fee included the supplies for the class and she said no.
Is this usual ?
I haven't gone anywhere else (there is also a Joann's I haven't been to and a Michael's I went into but found AC Moore had much nicer supplies) to look as I am new to this but seemed to recall posts here telling people to go to crops???? And to CM meetings???

What's the difference ?

 

[Tiger Fan]

I've seen it done with and without a charge. It simply depends on the place/person doing the class/crop and what is or is not included. I would simply check into what exactly is offered and included and see if it seems like it is worth to you. I know as a CMC I always charged $5 for monthly crops and $10 for first time/ongoing actual classes. Each of those did include some supplies, but it was minimal. Especially at the class they were actually paying for my teaching, which is very common in my area. Our LSS has some classes that are free and offer only some instruction and then it goes all the way to some classes or crops costing quite a bit (I've seen crops go from $15 for an evening all the way to $395 for an entire weekend) and again it varies a great deal as to what you get for the money. I always simply weigh the options as to deciding when to go and what to pay. Have fun, crops and classes can be a lot of fun and a great way to meet other people and learn new techniques.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[Franne]

HI, a crop is basically what you would be doing at AC Moore for the $15. A crop is just time that you spend scrapbooking. You bring your supplies and you crop. Lots of times the store you go to has tools for you to use, like sizzix, cutters, etc. and you pay a fee to "use" their cropping space and/or tools. The most I have paid is $10 at a LSS (local scrapbook store). Usually the $10 also includes drinks and chips, sometimes even pizza.
The CM (Creative Memories) meeting you refered to is the same thing, you go to a consultant's house and they have a workshop or class there. The fee for this is usually $2.50 an hour. I charge a flat fee of $10 or free with a $50 purchase. I usually put out cakes, cookies, etc...
For both of these options you aren't really getting a "class". If you want a class from a CMC all you do is ask her and maybe she can set something up. Also you can have a party, where you invite friends over and everyone brings pictures and learns how to make a page. Then you get credit to spend based on the sales...it's just like a tupperware party but everyone goes home with the page they did. It's a great way to get started if you aren't sure where to start.
I hope that answered your questions
Franne

 

[ToDisney]

I've only been to classes at my LSS. The charges there do include some supplies, but we have to bring our own cutters, scissors and adhesives. The classes I have attended, I have come home with 2 completed layouts. The costs were $15 and $20.

 

[Thumpersmom]

Classes at our LSS are around that price too. It usually tells you what it includes and what you need to bring. The expo's that I have been also are the same way. At the expos I have always ended up with enough "free" product to cover the cost of the class.

 

[ToDisney]

Okay... the crops I've been to are mostly at my LSS. I've only done one CM one and it was $10 and nothing was provided (she only charged me, not her friends... I never went back). For a Friday night crop at my LSS (5 to midnight), snacks provided (not drinks) it's $5. For a "Super Saturday" (again at my LSS), it's $30 and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks plus giveaways. It runs from 9 am to midnight. Of course at crops, we take all our own supplies or buy what we want there.

 

[TN Traveler]

Looks like $10-$15 is the going price for most crop nights at LSS or through a CM thatis teaching a new technique. However, I have a friend that is a CMC and b/c she has a small child has very little time to crop. She has a night set aside every month where we go to her church and crop w/o kids running around!! That in itself is a blessing! She doesn't charge anything but does have supplies available if anyone wants to purchase anything. We help each other out w/ideas and supplies. It's great. I went last night and got 4 pages done in 2 hrs. That's very good for me b/c I'm not very imaginative and really struggle to come up w/new ideas.

Karen aka TN Traveler

 

[Alice28]

When I was a CMC, I charged $5 or $10 depending upon what type of crop. For just a regular ole' crop, I charged $5 for 5 hours of scrapping time, always had a CM handout or two to give to everyone (with page ideas) a small Thank You gift like a sticker sheet and die cut, and I provided snacks and sodas. I also had a door prize worth about $8-10 that one person would win.

The $10 ones I provided more of a meal and then usually everyone would walk out with $5 or so worth of prizes/products (I did this for Croptoberfest).

My CMC that I go to now (and signed under when I was a CMC) charges $25 for Nat'l Scrapbook Day but she provides a full meal, and TONS of prizes. My mom and I tallied up what we won, and we easily got $25 worth of products walking out of there. It was great!

At LSS, you are usually paying for the space provided, and the ability to use some of their supplies, like a die-cutting machine or punches, etc.

 

[bigbabyblues]

The CM class I went to originally was $10, it included basic supplies--a page, protector, and two of those cut pieces of paper, triangles I think, and a sheet of stickers. All the workshops I've gone to have been either $10 or $5 and bring snack to share.

 

[GrayFal]

Thank you all for your responses - I have a better idea about what to expect.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I even find CMs charging different prices. One CM I know charges $20 for a Friday night crop. Which in my opinion is a rip off. She provides a meal but it is the same meal everytime and it is not very good. Pizza would be better. But instead she makes a chicken salad with about 1 to 2 bite sizes of chicken in it and the rest pasta. I don't go to her crops anymore because there is no way she spent that kind of money on food. Another CM I know charges $10 and provides more food than necessary with drinks and does a little demostration and sometimes has raffles and door prizes. My LSS is the best deal because they charge $10 but you have an opportunity to shop and use their die cuts. You'll probably go to a few crops until you find your favorite one.

Tina

 

[sunkissed212]

My local store charges $10 for a class (less if you're a "member"), and that's mostly to soak up the cost of the supplies that get used during the class (paper, adhesives, etc). Those things do cost money and it seems like $10 is an average price that places will charge.

I usually dont' go to those unless I'm with someone that doesn't scrap all that often, I'll usually go to the open crops where you just go in and work and then pay as you go if you buy stuff. Actually, you get a card and as you get stuff from the store, you take it to the counter and they scan it and then you pay as you leave. I like that idea a lot!

 

[OurDogCisco]

My local store charges $10 for a class (less if you're a "member"), and that's mostly to soak up the cost of the supplies that get used during the class (paper, adhesives, etc). Those things do cost money and it seems like $10 is an average price that places will charge.

Wow, that is a great deal since it includes the paper & adhesive. I've never been to a crop where that stuff was included. Only thing that has ever been included are cutting tools like the CM products or if it is at my LSS it is use of their die cut machines. Otherwise, if you need adhesive and paper you have to buy it.

Tina