gotta scrap! | about us

gotta scrap! is owned by two sisters, often referred to as Lucy and Ethel. We have always looked for opportunities to be together and have always wanted to have our own business. There were a few restrictions; however, this business had to be something involving creativity, had to be fun and something we could do with PASSION! Ever since we were little girls, our Mother always embellished and altered everything she brought home. Everything we wore . . . she added lace, ribbons, embroidery, rhinestones, pearls – anything that would make it glitzier and prettier. As a result, we “became” our Mother and have been doing the same things to everything we touch . . . how perfect is that to go right along with our scrapbooking and papercrafting. THE RESULT: a match made in heaven for us!

Patty Rattan (Ethel) and D’Uan Berendzen (Lucy) bought gotta scrap! in March of 2001. We started out in a 1300 sq. ft. space and quickly (within three months) outgrew our little shop. We moved to a space triple the size (nearly 3,500 sq. ft.). When our lease expired this past March 2007, we decided we needed to make some BIG changes. We redesigned our store and classroom/crop room, changed out all our fixtures and opened up a lot more space. We opened with all NEW product at the same thing which was so much fun!

In September, 2009, we closed our brick and mortar store and opened our online store! We hope to gain many more customers and friends online in addition to all our loyal and wonderful customers we have enjoyed during the past (almost) eight years. One of the things that made us sad about closing our store was that the BIG stores don’t take the time to show you how to use new products. Our fear was that if independent stores don’t stay in business , there will be no one left to demo and share ideas with you in order to keep this hobby ALIVE! We will continue doing videos and at some time in the near future, will offer a FORUM on our website that allows you to always be in contact with us! We will at some point offer layout design advice catered specifically to your pictures and to your layout(s). We really enjoy hands on; as many of you know and will remember, we will take over your project(s) if you let us! We have BIG plans to chart new territories in this amazing world of scrapbooking…we think you will love what we have in store (actually online) for you! We truly believe that God closed the doors of our beloved store only to open another for our new online store.

Howdy! I'm Jennifer Birdwell Franz and I've been scrapbooking in some form or fashion since I was a little girl. But about 10 years ago, I went from a casual cropper to the fanatical, serious scrapper – even some of my family members were making scrapbooks before scrapping was even "in style". Speaking of style, mine is simple with a little bit of funk and distress thrown into the mix.

I managed a scrapbook store in New Jersey for 4 years, moved to Iowa and continued working at another scrapbook store for one more year and in between I even spent time in a portrait studio and a specialty stationary store. During the years at the scrapbook stores, I was fortunate to attend CHA tradeshows, CK workshops, & CK conventions.

I grew up in Garland, so it’s so nice to be back home with my husband Tim of 8 years and our beagle Marino. I am so blessed and excited to now be a part of the gotta scrap! Team!

After being with gotta scrap! for almost a year and becoming like a member of our family, Jennifer will stay on board to help us with all new designs and perform her magic on creations for gotta scrap! One more little hint: We are working on a little surprise for you that will involve her amazing creative lettering/font and her awesome doodling. STAY TUNED!

Dallas Morning News Article

Helping hands Make good on your creative urge with the right instruction
MALLARY JEAN TENORE
Staff Writer mtenore@dallasnews.com
Published: September 5, 2008

Need a little nudge to dust off that sewing machine in the attic? Wondering how those beads you bought at that craft fair will ever find their way onto your wrist or around your neck? Being crafty requires little more than imagination, inspiration and the wherewithal to take instruction. With some exploring, you can discover plenty of available help in the Dallas area geared toward people of all ages and skill levels. Recently, I went on a scavenger hunt for a few craft programs and came back with a handbag, a bracelet, a bookmark, hand-painted pottery and the beginnings of a knitting project. Read on to find out more about the places behind the crafts. Gotta Scrap 910 Steger Towne Drive, Rockwall 972-772-5197 www.gottascraprockwall.com You have to go here if you like to scrapbook. The store is a haven of materials, complete with a back wall of discounted goods and a table of jars filled with felt flowers and sparkly decorations. Gotta Scrap offers several scrapbooking classes each month, as well as classes in making everything from jewelry to cases for cellphones. For the $45 jewelry-making class, you'll need to bring your own jewelry pliers - and some patience. The class is four hours long but worth it. You'll learn how to make a bracelet and a classy-looking metal bookmark with three strands of charms dangling from one end. If classes don't suit you, check out Gotta Scrap's "Creative Cafe," which is a small table toward the back where customers can work on their own projects during store hours. You're given a list of materials needed for a particular craft. Available projects vary and cost $3 to $15. It's a good place to talk with, and gain inspiration from, other crafters.



Sign up for our Email Newsletter		gotta scrap! is owned by two sisters, often referred to as Lucy and Ethel. We have always looked for opportunities to be together and have always wanted to have our own business. There were a few restrictions; however, this business had to be something involving creativity, had to be fun and something we could do with PASSION! Ever since we were little girls, our Mother always embellished and altered everything she brought home. Everything we wore . . . she added lace, ribbons, embroidery, rhinestones, pearls – anything that would make it glitzier and prettier. As a result, we “became” our Mother and have been doing the same things to everything we touch . . . how perfect is that to go right along with our scrapbooking and papercrafting. THE RESULT: a match made in heaven for us! Patty Rattan (Ethel) and D’Uan Berendzen (Lucy) bought gotta scrap! in March of 2001. We started out in a 1300 sq. ft. space and quickly (within three months) outgrew our little shop. We moved to a space triple the size (nearly 3,500 sq. ft.). When our lease expired this past March 2007, we decided we needed to make some BIG changes. We redesigned our store and classroom/crop room, changed out all our fixtures and opened up a lot more space. We opened with all NEW product at the same thing which was so much fun! In September, 2009, we closed our brick and mortar store and opened our online store! We hope to gain many more customers and friends online in addition to all our loyal and wonderful customers we have enjoyed during the past (almost) eight years. One of the things that made us sad about closing our store was that the BIG stores don’t take the time to show you how to use new products. Our fear was that if independent stores don’t stay in business , there will be no one left to demo and share ideas with you in order to keep this hobby ALIVE! We will continue doing videos and at some time in the near future, will offer a FORUM on our website that allows you to always be in contact with us! We will at some point offer layout design advice catered specifically to your pictures and to your layout(s). We really enjoy hands on; as many of you know and will remember, we will take over your project(s) if you let us! We have BIG plans to chart new territories in this amazing world of scrapbooking…we think you will love what we have in store (actually online) for you! We truly believe that God closed the doors of our beloved store only to open another for our new online store. Jennifer Franz Howdy! I'm Jennifer Birdwell Franz and I've been scrapbooking in some form or fashion since I was a little girl. But about 10 years ago, I went from a casual cropper to the fanatical, serious scrapper – even some of my family members were making scrapbooks before scrapping was even "in style". Speaking of style, mine is simple with a little bit of funk and distress thrown into the mix. I managed a scrapbook store in New Jersey for 4 years, moved to Iowa and continued working at another scrapbook store for one more year and in between I even spent time in a portrait studio and a specialty stationary store. During the years at the scrapbook stores, I was fortunate to attend CHA tradeshows, CK workshops, & CK conventions. I grew up in Garland, so it’s so nice to be back home with my husband Tim of 8 years and our beagle Marino. I am so blessed and excited to now be a part of the gotta scrap! Team! After being with gotta scrap! for almost a year and becoming like a member of our family, Jennifer will stay on board to help us with all new designs and perform her magic on creations for gotta scrap! One more little hint: We are working on a little surprise for you that will involve her amazing creative lettering/font and her awesome doodling. STAY TUNED! Dallas Morning News Article Helping hands Make good on your creative urge with the right instruction MALLARY JEAN TENORE Staff Writer mtenore@dallasnews.com Published: September 5, 2008 Need a little nudge to dust off that sewing machine in the attic? Wondering how those beads you bought at that craft fair will ever find their way onto your wrist or around your neck? Being crafty requires little more than imagination, inspiration and the wherewithal to take instruction. With some exploring, you can discover plenty of available help in the Dallas area geared toward people of all ages and skill levels. Recently, I went on a scavenger hunt for a few craft programs and came back with a handbag, a bracelet, a bookmark, hand-painted pottery and the beginnings of a knitting project. Read on to find out more about the places behind the crafts. Gotta Scrap 910 Steger Towne Drive, Rockwall 972-772-5197 www.gottascraprockwall.com You have to go here if you like to scrapbook. The store is a haven of materials, complete with a back wall of discounted goods and a table of jars filled with felt flowers and sparkly decorations. Gotta Scrap offers several scrapbooking classes each month, as well as classes in making everything from jewelry to cases for cellphones. For the $45 jewelry-making class, you'll need to bring your own jewelry pliers - and some patience. The class is four hours long but worth it. You'll learn how to make a bracelet and a classy-looking metal bookmark with three strands of charms dangling from one end. If classes don't suit you, check out Gotta Scrap's "Creative Cafe," which is a small table toward the back where customers can work on their own projects during store hours. You're given a list of materials needed for a particular craft. Available projects vary and cost $3 to $15. It's a good place to talk with, and gain inspiration from, other crafters. home \| about us \| store \| classes \| showcase \| demos \| blog \| contact us