Today was one of those days when I feel really good about our industry. Memory Makers Editor Beth Williams and I were part of the group that helped out at the CHA kids crafting event at one of the Boys and Girls Clubs centers here in Chicago. Why was this important? This center can potentially serve hundreds of kids a day. Their annual budget for craft supplies is $0.

Zero. That's because an annual membership for "drop ins" is $20 (unlimited visits) and the center's actual expenditure per child per year is about $1000. Do the math and you'll understand why there isn't much budget for googly eyes and beads.

The small but mighty team- well actually we had a pretty good adult to child volunteer ratio compared to other events over my career-brought crafts to 150 children. A shout out to Fibrecraft and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L. There was so much Creative Hands craft foam the kids couldn't get over it. We used yards and yards of Photo Adhesive. Ellison stepped up with Hello Kitty adhesive-backed Sizzix diecuts and Arte Latin-Oh brought tons of Spanish language scrapbooking products. We had 12" Styrofoam squares, stamps from Plaid, EK Disney papers, ribbon, Duncan glues.... I am sure I'm leaving someone out and if so, I am sorry.

Kids decorated foam visors and door knob hangers. Pack o Fun was onboard with a cute bookmark incorporating shaggy yarn. We created photo bulletin boards with the scrapbooking supplies.

Folks these kids were SO SO excited. Beth W. Tells me that one little girl told her "this is the best day of my life." My favorite refrain was  "You mean we can take this home and everything?"

Imagine having no craft supplies then coming into a gym piled with craft foam, paper, stickers and jewels. Did I mention the building didn't have any air conditioning? It was crazy.

There was no such thing as less is more. The children used tiny adhesive backed letters to cram every family member's name on that 12" paper. If one fairy or pirate sticker was good, 12 were better and nobody told any of these children to stop. They had free reign to go wild.

Adhesive-backed jems were turned into faux earrings, especially by the boys who thought they'd try it out without getting in trouble with mom.Even the jaded too-cool-to-craft teen boys eventually warmed up and scrapped a page and made foam visors. I think we came across some future Memory Makers masters and industry designers in the group as well.

The day started off with a proclamation that July 16th would be kids craft day in Chicago. Then in the craft industry's version of the Oprah's Big Give- CHA's Victor Domine & spokesperson Terri Oullette announced that generous industry members donated tens of thousands of dollars worth of supplies ( I won't steal his thunder for the exact amount but it was A LOT) to share with another location.

The kids left with a goody bag of fun stuff (well of course- it was a craft event after all) and multiple projects. They were an absolute pleasure to work with and I am still riding high on the sparkling eyes and big smiles. I think we volunteers enjoyed it as much as the kids.

I really salute all of the companies and volunteers who stepped up to help out this Club. Your generosity will make it possible for these kids to continue to enjoy crafts and that is a great thing.

To any of you manufacturers who have odd lots, bits and bobs, little things that fall on the floor in the manufacturing process... these items can be repurposed by youth groups for art projects.   I can't think of a better way to GREEN our industry while inspiring the love of crafts in a future generation.

Great job Victor and Terri O. This was one organized event! What a wonderful day and we were glad to be a part of it-- Beth

The lady of the house can add a new title to her resume- Chief Thrift Officer. This is an outcropping over concerns of rising fuel costs and how they are impacting household costs on so many levels.

I am reading that women in particular are actively seeking savings opportunities without compromising quality or lifestyle. Speaking from experience, I can say women take pride in creating a beautiful (and wholesome) lifestyle on a shoestring.

It's not parsimony we're talking here. It's about stretching the most from every nickel spent.

I've seen it called the Bisquick effect or Betty Crocker effect- but essentially, accomplished women are now turning to domestic activities as another avenue to demonstrate a high level of accomplishment. And if you consider Betty Crocker and Bisquick- those are two well-respected brands that are about shortcuts without compromising quality.

Translated into scrapbooking and paper crafting terms- consumers will be shopping craft stores for more solutions to creative entertaining, family greetings and home decor. They will spend money but they want the absolute most out of that expenditure. They also need that product to save time or steps as every working mom is time-challenged on some level.

My colleague Beth Williams at Memory Makers says an ancillary trend is how women who are cutting back will find new ways to treat themselves to little luxuries. She may buy the latest fashionable outfit, handbag or shoes but she will treat herself to a new paper or tool- a small outlay of cash that has the emotional reward of a luxury purchase.

Retailers- here's a great opportunity for you:

• Promote the cost-effectiveness of cardmaking (Their's $4.99, yours $1.25 plus 15 minutes of "you" time.)
• Almost done pages and kits - pre-designed layouts that all you do is drop photos in OR kits with all pieces cut.
• Create whimsical signage. "$1 luxury" "Luxuries under $5" " Go ahead, treat yourself, it's cheaper than shoes and easier to sneak in the house." (ED NOTE: Before anyone accuses me of encouraging someone to be less than honest with their spouse (not doing that), can I just say that the most popular tee shirt worn at the Great American Scrapbook Convention this past weekend was "My husband lets me have all the scrapbook supplies I can hide".)
• Promote classes and demos around 10 things you can do with eyelets or 15 uses for the Crop-a-dile.
  

Celebrate thrifitiness. Include tips in your newsletter and invite consumeres to share their own. Showing your customer that you want to help her make her money stretch further will help you build a stronger relationship with her.--Beth