What does the Slow AF Run Club have to do with scrapbooking?
I’ll give you one big hint. It’s COMMUNITY! And I’ve got an idea brewing for a bigger, better on-line scrapbooking community. Read on!
This past week, I participated in a Mighty Networks Creator Summit, a workshop about creating a community and business that you love. I’ve been contemplating how to better translate all the things I love about in-person scrapbooking crops – the community, support, cheerleading, joint problem solving, sharing, and inspiration – to an on-line space. I’m really thinking about how to better connect with scrapbookers around the world. This summit planted the seed of a new idea!
The Inspiration – The Slow AF Run Club
One story during the summit that really sparked my thinking was that of Martinus Evans, the founder of the Slow AF Run Club – an on-line inclusive running community.
Martinus makes space for the “back-of-the-pack” runner, empowering those who perhaps think running isn’t for them. The club helps new runners to build confidence and consistency, to set and reach new goals. To go further. and faster (or not!)
The Slow AF Scrapbooker
Martinus was as entertaining and inspirational as the name of his business might suggest. I literally laughed out loud (LOL) when I heard the name of his business, the Slow AF Run Club. I immediately thought, “I am the slow AF scrapbooker.” It can take me months, and yes, sometimes years to complete a scrapbook. And, sometimes, I beat myself up for not finishing projects. Maybe you can relate?
My Aha Moment
As I listened to Martinus, the lightbulb went off. This is exactly what I am trying to do with the Scraptivist. I’ve had so many people say to me, “I’d love to make a scrapbook, organize my photos, and preserve my family photos and stories, but I’m just not crafty. Or I’m just not organized enough. Or, I don’t have enough time.” But if Martin can empower everyone and anyone to run, we can make scrapbooks! We can get those photos organized. We can document our family stories. We can complete those albums!
The Idea – Inspired Scraptivists United
I’d like to bring together a community of scrapbookers to an on-line space where we can build confidence, skills and consistency. This is bigger than a Facebook Group. This is a space where we can collaborate. A space that makes it easier to share and connect. Together, we can set and reach new scrapbooking goals. Together, we can complete more pages. (Or not. And that’s okay, too!) Most importantly, together, we can enjoy our craft and celebrate each other, because, the best friends are your scrappy friends! I’m toying with naming the community “Inspired Scraptivists United.”
I want to hear from you!
One immediate change I’ve made to better build community is to add a comments section to my blog. You can find it at the bottom of this page – just scroll down a wee bit. I want to hear from you. Drop a comment below to let me know your ideas for an on-line scrapbooking community and whether you might be interested in joining such a community. Or let me know what you think of the community name. Or maybe you have a better idea for a name?
I look forward to working with you all to try new things and to grow this beautiful community of on-line scraptivists.
