Meet Samara Joseph: Artist, Author and Instructor!

This week in the "Spotlight" we introduce Samara Joseph: artist, author and instructor.   Sam's passion for paper crafting grew from a need for more than 600 Thank You cards.  After several, expensive trips, to her local card store she realized that she could probably make her own cards and the rest as we like to say is “history.” A few months later this crafter embarked on a remarkable trip to the “Mother Land.” Capturing these memories on paper developed her scrapbooking skills.

Listed among her entrepreneurial accomplishments is a successful business scrapbooking for other’s and creating personal journals and personalized greeting cards.  As a writer, Sam has written for both Scraps of Color and her local Michigan Scrapbooking Magazine.  She is a Certified Copic Marker Instructor, a Certified Spotted Canary Instructor and a Demonstrator for Stampin’ Up!

When asked what her most burning desire is, Sam responded, “To assert to the paper crafting industry the need and market for more diverse representation within their products. That’s why I love Scraps of Color. We are a strong community. We satisfy our soul, demonstrate our strength on a daily basis and illustrate our abilities as a collective force on this journey of creative endeavors."  

This week, Sam provides the following advice to those who wish to begin or grow  a successful "scrapping for others" business. 

Do others often admire your work? How often do you here, "I wish I could do that." Perhaps a more common phrase is, "I wish I had time to do that." These words my friend could be the beginning of a budding business for you. Offer to help your admirer using your “30 second elevator phrase."  A phrase you've written, perfected, and practiced out-loud until it rolls as naturally off of your tongue as the words please and thank-you.

What is an elevator phrase? It’s your description of your business that captures both your passion and your desire to offer your skills to others. It might sound something like this: “I know it takes time and patience to gather your photos, design a page and purchase all of the materials that it takes to pull it all together. I’d love to help you with organization or even do a few page lay-outs for you. When is the best time for us to continue this conversation?  

Once you’ve established a date with your potential client, spend time determining your menu of services and your fees. Also identify the amount of time you will have available to complete the project at a comfortable pace for yourself.  Be prepared to offer services at various price points. One client may be able to afford to pay for an entire 20 page album at $20.00 a page. Another person may have the desire but not a budget to commit to an entire album all at once. Offer to do a 2- page layout once a month for a year. Have several contracts ready to present to your client and be sure your contract clearly defines the terms for a complete album or a 12-month commitment.

Where can YOU find Samara Joseph?

Class information: Sam holds classes on the second Tuesday of every month at The Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, 22100 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI  48124. Classes include technique, design theory and organizational tips. Classes begin at 2:00 p.m. If you need an evening schedule contact Sam here to coordinate private classes in her home studio.

Check out her upcoming event:

Jazzy Scrapping presents Day to Crop II

Saturday, March 9, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Location: The University of Michigan – Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan 48126-2638

Fee: $45.00 thru Feb. 28/$55.00 after Feb. 28th.

Includes: Raffles, drawings, prizes. give-a-ways and gift bag, valet services, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner,  make & takes and vendors, Chair Massage(add'l cost) 
Featuring Copic Classes by Suzanne J. Dean of the Color Me Creative Classroom(additional fee required)

Be sure to like Stampin' Up with Sam on Facebook

or contact Sam Joseph via email here for additional information. 

Would you like your business to be featured in the "craftlight?"  Just send us an email here, telling us a little bit about your crafty business.  We'll send you our short questionnaire and you'll be featured here on the site, as well as on Facebook and Twitter!