Great question and a great plan of action for going into business. I had read about putting photos in acid free albums but didn't have any idea where or how to start. My one and only class was the Creative Memories class. At the time (3 years ago) it was $10.00. I think it lasted about 2 hours. With a very nice snack time at the end. The Consultant was an excellent Hostess as well. It was the best ten bucks I ever spent. Of course I ended up spending $200.00. And that was the best money ever spent too! She went over every assect of Scrapping. I had NO complaints. The thing I liked best was, to summerize the class: 'This is what you do and this is what you need to do it.'

WOW! Great question!!
Up until about a year ago I went to Crops quite regularly.
The things that I really liked were:
~the expensive items were there for us to use, so that we didn't have to put out the money for something that we would use infrequently
~at each class the hostess would teach a new skill..stencilling, embossing, etc or she would hand out a instruction/idea sheet for layouts
~she had all the other supplies right there for us to buy as we worked, so if we needed just one sticker or a die cut etc, they were right there to purchase
~she charges $15 for a 6 hour crop (6-midnite) or 12 if paid three days in advance
~because of the hours, no one brings children..which is kinda nice, as we look at it as a moms time out.
~we always get a break half way thru for goodies and coffee

The things that I would be looking for would be:
PLENTY of room to work..sometimes her crops get a bit crowded and that can be frustrating
~music that keeps you moving, not fighting off sleep!!
~the hostess that I go to has TONS of supplies for us to use, and there is no extra charge for using these things..she has punches, stamps, stencils, large paper cutters, crimpers, ( I can't even think of all that she has there!!) Its just really convenient to know that we don't have to purchase all these things, as she will have them there.
I think somewhere I may still have all my CM class information...maybe it will help you with some ideas..I'll see if I can find it if you think it might help.
Good Luck!!!!
~Mar~

It would be SOOOOOO nice to have a place to crop where you could use any brand of scrapbooking supply! Here, at the Creative Memories crops, they really frown on you using/bringing items that are not CM...what a drag!
~mar~

Wow Penny - great question! I wish I lived near you so I could go to your perfect store. :)

Anyway, the only crops I've ever been to have been CM crops (and mar, my CMC lets us use other companies products - she doesn't mind one bit. I think it really depends on the CMC). The thing I like best is being able to use the more expensive items (like the circle/oval cutter, paper cutter, variety of stencils, idea books, etc.) for free, getting the "crop talk" at the Crop till you Drop, which provides a handout with ideas pertaining to the talk of the month, layout ideas from other people (and from the books and crop talks), and snacks. :) She charges $10 for the 6 hour crop and that includes pizza or some other "dinner" item, plus munchies and drinks.

What I don't like is when she's out of stock on a particular sticker(s) or die cut, limited space (it IS in her kitchen, after all), and the fact that she ONLY sells CM products (obviously), although she doesn't mind that we all use products from LSS and Michael's (as a matter of fact, she provides several punches, which CM doesn't use or sell, as well as Fiscars decorative scissors since CM only has 3 designs).

I like the "no kids" part, even though she has a toddler and an infant -- they're both in bed (well, the infant isn't, but who cares - he doesn't do anything. :) and it's a nice nite out for me. If it wasn't for these crops, I probably would never get out without a toddler attached to my hip. :)

Patti

Have plenty of working space; use of products that are available to purchase--not just from one company like Mar said...Helpful hints when using certain products and FREEBIES are always a great enticement if you will, to attending the class. :o) I have given a few classes and given "scrappin' stuff" bags and door prizes. Hope it works out for you! Hilary

You are SOOOOOOO lucky about your CM consultant!! That would be absolute heaven for me!! I am currently working on my 10th or 11th album now, and no longer use CM products exclusively. I mean, really, you can only make the same stickers, paper, and diecuts look different for so long!! LOL My consultant has lots of tools that aren't CM, but as for the basics of paper, albums, stickers and dies, she only allows those to be used at her crops. Bummer!!
~Mar!~

Have some advanced classes for experienced scrappers. Teach them some really complicated techniques--like photo kaleidoscopes, intricate paper piecing, creating things with punchies, etc.

The reason I have never gone to a class is because they are all for beginners (the ones around here) and I don't need to spend money to hear something I already know. It would be so boring!!

Oooh - freebies are a big hit with me too. And not just a little contest for teh most pages completed in a night (and by the way, my CMC doesn't require a page to be considered complete only if it's ready for a page protector. I refuse to journal at crops - I can't think clearly - and she respects that of all of us. A completed page is a page that needs nothing more BUT journaling). Anyway, I like getting the little "treats" each time we go.

Oh - she also leaves out a little box with 1/2 sheets of stickers (basically they're stickers she's used where she didn't need the entire sheet). These are for us to use, free, should we need 1 more pumpkin or whatever. This way we don't need to buy an entire sheet if she has just what we need. It really helps. And no one abuses it by taking stuff for "later".

Mar, my CMC doesn't SELL anything other than CM, but she doesn't mind that we use other stuff in her house (so yours doesn't even let you bring stuff in?? I wouldn't be able to bring 1/2 of my supplies!). As a matter of fact, she likes to see what we've found and gets excited about new products we bring in. I've gone shopping with her at Michael's many times (we're friends outside of scrapping - our kids are only 6 weeks apart) and she buys other stuff too. But, in her CM display albums, it's ONLY CM products. Which I can understand and don't blame her one bit. She IS trying to make a business. :)

Penny i love some of ideas that you have gotten here. i havent been to a class in soooo long that i have almost forgotten what one is...i agree totally with who ever it was that said have some more advandced classes like the kalidascope (sp??) paper peicing is so much fun, and pop-up pages. i also would recommend classes on such stuff as using rubber stamps and embossing and the colored chalks. you could even once you get started have "specialized classes like vacation pages, baby pages , wedding pages or winter/snow pages something like that. you should also provide access to all large cropping needs like circle cutters and croppers , crimpers things like that and pens in all colors i actually went to a crop one time where the hostess would make you buy any pens before writing with em i mean i have only boys and the need for bright pink ink dont come around often but i did need it that page but i refused to pay $2.50 for a pen that i was gonna use once . All of the classes that i have been too have only been $5.00 but we furnished the snacks everyone brought something to snack on the hostess furnished plates and drinks. hope this helps and be sure and let me know when the first class is :)

Some of your clients might want to bring their kids to class, but I think you need to stand firm on an "adults only" policy for crops. It should be a day/night out for mommies and having kids there is too distracting. Then, offer a Mommy and Me class for ages 6-11 and their parents that would be a fun time for everyone!