Is a card kit right for you? Let’s discuss the pros and cons.
Benefits
Less decision fatigue
Right amount of supplies for project
Community / craft-alongs
Drawbacks
You must take all components of kit
You may receive unwanted kits with any subscription
Subscription commitment (some kits)
Can go either way
Cost of kit may be higher or lower than component prices
Someone else has done the creative work
May get exclusive product or may get hard-to-sell product
Kits I’ve tried:
Simon Says Stamp
Club Scrap
Spellbinders
Hero Arts
Stampin’ Up Paper Pumpkin
I’ve mostly bought Club Scrap and Spellbinders kits on clearance, when they are a value proposition even if I don’t want all of the elements. Simon and Hero Arts may put elements on sale, but kits generally are not sold at a reduced price. I’ve been so disappointed with the quality of Paper Pumpkin compared to regular SU products that I wouldn’t buy one even at a clearance price.
Consider:
How much stamping / die cutting / paper cutting do you want to do?
How many un-used kits (from any company) do I already have?
Are the past kits appealing to me?
Do I generally like this company’s products?
Is this company aligned with my craft interests? (Stampers should be looking to stamp companies, for example.)
Are there instructions or inspiration?
Are any instructions clear and easy to follow?
Current Club Scrap offerings are at https://clubscrap.com/pages/categories under card kits. Regular price is $35.95, but check the clearance page for a selection of page and card kits priced at $16.95. Kits generally make 12 cards and no stamping is required. Their YouTube channel has helpful videos and kit-specific instructions are on their website under Resources. If you are shopping on eBay or other secondary market, have no fear – the instructions go back to 2007. The instructions are also a good resource for page and card sketches!
Papercraft Crystal 