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Step It Up: January 2012
Beginner. Intermediate. Advanced. These three categories are generally how we in the crafting world, or any hobby world really, identify our skill level. As the paper-crafting world has transformed over the nearly 10 years I have been crafting, these categories have come to have a different meaning. But if you are anything like me, you feel a little unsure of how to define your skill level, and if you are just starting out, may feel a little uncomfortable saying "I'm a beginner." With that, I thought I would take a moment to spell out what each of these different skill levels mean. I have created three different layouts displaying one style for each skill level, based on the November 2011 Sketch Challenge by Rachel Myerson. 
Beginner - A beginner scrapbooker may be: - new to the world of scrapbooking,
- unsure of the products available and how to use them
- limited to using minimal supplies, because she doesn't have the stockpile nor the techniques available, and
- fearful of making mistakes, which often translates into clean and simple layouts.
Supplies: Photos taken by Trina Jones Photography Intermediate - An intermediate scrapbooker will have: - a familiarity with the world of scrapbooking, papercrafting, or another creative intensive industry/craft/hobby,
- a stash of supplies, some touched, some untouched, some used and loved, some used and loathed,
- improved photo-taking skills,
- the desire to try varying techniques,
- no hesitation in spending more time working on a single layout.
Supplies: Photos taken by Trina Jones Photography Advanced - An advanced scrapbooker has: - accumulated knowledge of techniques, supplies, and resources,
- obtained a stash of favorite tools, techniques, supplies, and resources generally used on a regular basis,
- allowed the creative process to take its own path,
- begun creating more detailed intensive layouts including paper piecing, handmade embellishments, more photos, etc.,
- reached an even greater improvement in photo-taking skills and use of photos on layouts to tell a story,
- acquired a willingness to spend more time per layout based on the amount of detail.
Supplies Photos taken by Trina Jones Photography
Regardless of your skill level, your layouts can look fabulous. Some general things to keep in mind about skill level: - You can be at different skill levels with different styles of scrapbooking.
- Using techniques from various skill levels is a skill in itself.
- I have found that as my skill level has increased, I am more okay with mistakes. For example, while working on these layouts, I dropped an ink pad on the page several times, and forgot to place an element and only remembered after a few days that I wanted to put it on, resulting in the lifting and regluing of several layers.
- If you want to increase your skill level, pick one technique and use it until you have mastered it. Later you can combine several techniques on one layout.
- While learning new techniques, start small - it is much less daunting if you start with a 4"x6" surface (like a card or tag) than on a 12"x12" sheet of paper.
Shop at the Scrapjazz.com Store for theme based scrapbooking products! Great for scrappin' your trips, sporting events, special occasions, parties, and more!
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