A growing force in the scrapbook industry, small boutique shops are opening up and adding new shopping choices all the time. Instead of creating a company that sells on a larger scale wholesale to other shops, they are making scrapbook supplies to sell direct to consumers. These aren’t companies you’ll usually find in your local craft store or favorite on-line shop, but rather small independent companies. These are women (and some men, I’m sure) who are creating treasures every day.

Some have their own websites, while others rely on sites like Etsy to host their stores, but they all have one thing in common: they’re little on-line shops making things for us scrapbookers to use in our pages and projects. With the rise of the internet and sites like www.etsy.com, it’s become easy not only to set up shop, but to find great things on-line. Today I’d like to share some lovely bits and pieces that I’ve found in my searches over the last few weeks.

At $5 for a set of six, I find these pastel crepe paper flowers from the Shabby Pea Designs shop tempting.  The shop has an eclectic mix of handmade embellishments, plus a few other treats as well.

The Crescendoh shop has all kinds of stamps, kits, and special supplies designed to bring out the inner artist in you. This set of stamps in particular caught my attention, and I know I’ll be back to browse more.

FuDi crochet is tempting me with a number of handcrafted flowers and crocheted shapes. These flowers, just $1.99 are one of many items I’m considering adding to my stash.

I have been addicted to Evalicious ever since discovering her shop via Ali Edwards’ blog a few years ago. I love the dictionary paper + button flowers and her felt circles with buttons so much. I use them frequently!

I’ve ordered from Tessa Ann before, and many times I’ve browsed her shop and sighed with longing. The buttons she creates are truly little works of art! This camper set sells for $6.50, and she will also do custom batches of buttons to order – a great thing for sure!

Pretty Little Studio is a shop I’ve been sucked into – and can’t stop looking! Filled with vintage inspired flashcards (image shown is part of a set - $5.99) and other paper goodies, it’s heaven.

Sweet Vintage 78 is based out of Australia, and the shop is filled with lovely things, including this trio of doilies that are available for $2.75. I really like that she cuts and custom dies these from vintage tablecloths, and that she lists ideas and notes that they are colorsafe.

These rosette flowers in the Sugared Songbird shop are lovely, but at $5 each I would be more inclined to choose them for a very special project like mini-book cover or photo frame that will be prominently displayed.

Those are just a few of the shops out there, and some of my favorites (including shops like Elle’s Studio, Ormolu, and Shabby Chic Crafts) I didn’t even get to! When looking to buy things for yourself I have a few suggestions:

• Get a recommendation from someone who’s ordered with them before, or if it’s an Etsy shop, view their rating to see if customers are satisfied with purchases from them.
• Read the fine print! That bargain lace that you’re buying might only be 1/2″ wide, or 1/2 a yard long, thus making it not quite such a bargain. Know exactly what (and what size) you’re buying.
• Search! Just type in some key words (on Etsy search) and you’ll be amazed at all the treasure you can find based on what you’re looking for.
• Check and see if the shop will do custom orders. Sometimes small boutiques will let you mix & match pieces, or will custom create things to your needs. This can get you exactly what you desire, and most do not charge extra for such a service.

Above all, enjoy! It’s a beautiful thing that thanks to the internet we’re able to enjoy the work of so many creative people in this way. I’ve only scratched the surface with this article – I won’t even get into finished art pieces, sewn treasures, jewelry, kits and supplies, and all the other goodness that is out there waiting for my wallet to find the money for!

If you have a favorite shop or site for boutique supplies, please feel free to leave a comment here on this post to share with the rest of us. After all – enabling others is the best part of finding new goodies.

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