Etsy Seller Interview With Cindy of The Scrapologist

Cindy is the owner of The Scrapologist ™, a shop that specializes in creating handmade albums and journals.

She defines her products as “legacy paper creations”, and her main goal is to encourage people to get their photos off of their phones and into a beautiful album where they can be enjoyed for generations to come!

Cindy of The Scrapologist
Cindy of The Scrapologist

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Tell us a little about your shop and who you are.

I’m Cindy, I own The ScrapologistOpens in a new tab., and I sell handmade mini albums, journals, mini album kits, and junk journal supplies including digital kits.


Vintage paper on The Scrapologist
Vintage paper on The Scrapologist

How long have you been selling on Etsy?

I have been on Etsy since 2012. I originally started out making scrapbooks and cards, and later became interested in making mini albums and junk journals.

My husband bought me a book press for our anniversary several years ago, so in the near future I will be introducing a line of handmade books made in the traditional bookmaking style with sewn-in signatures.

I was a full-time musician for the past 40 years, but all gigs were cancelled in 2019 & 2020; I knew I would not be happy at a traditional job, so I turned my Etsy business into a full-time venture during that time.


Junk journal kit by The Scrapologist
Junk journal kit by The Scrapologist

What’s the hardest part about selling online?

Back in 2012 on Etsy, I could just “list it and leave it,” items sold with little to no effort.

To be seen now, I have to be involved in my shop every day in some fashion, and must be very active on social media.

Most recently I became the primary caregiver for my dad who has dementia.

So balancing home/work life has become difficult in recent years. I think this is something that every woman struggles with.



What’s your daily routine like?

I am currently working part-time and caring for my family, so I have to squeeze in time each day whenever I can to care for my shop.

There is never a “normal” day here!

I try to get up at 5am to work on listings, photography, write descriptions, post to social media, etc.

I love the quiet of the morning to do the mundane business stuff. In the evening after dinner is when I head to my studio to create.


Vintage book plates by The Scrapologist
Vintage book plates by The Scrapologist


What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start selling online?

It can be difficult to shift your mindset from doing a hobby to running a business based off of the craft that you love.

Make sure that you want to make that transition before you start.

Think about what it will mean to HAVE to create vs. creating when the mood hits you.

If you decide to make that transition, be prepared to have disappointments along the way, and remember that you will have to focus every day on the business.

Things will take time…there is no immediate gratification. Set little goals that are achievable to set yourself up for success!


Connect with Cindy here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheScrapologistOpens in a new tab.

TheScrapologist.comOpens in a new tab.

Cindy also has a YouTube channel where she offers free tutorials on a variety of paper crafts. https://youtube.com/@TheScrapologist

Kara Buntin

Kara Buntin has run a profitable home-based business since 1999, and has a background in art, theater design, and cake decorating. She's a top Etsy seller with over 51,000 sales on Etsy and her own website, and helps other home-based business owners with their business goals and SEO. She founded the Artisan Shopping Directory website to promote the artisans who are members of her EShop Success marketing program.

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