How it all began. . .

Once upon a time, scrap books were for young girls and lovelorn teen-agers! And when a lot of us were growing up, photos were kept in boxes or unimaginative albums which lined up in pictures in a row. Pictures were viewed because one knew the family members or persons who were in the albums.

Fast-forward to today, when scrapbooking has become a favorite pastime of adults as well as the young ones. Modern and cool moms preserve their memories for all generations in photo albums cum scrapbooks. Sometimes the kids join the fun and it has become a fulfilling bonding activity. Today's scrap books are a work of art - creative, colorful, decorated as the owners ran amuck with their imagination. And each album told a story ...a real story! And, even if strangers look at other people’s albums, the people who view it become new friends as they appreciate each lovingly composed scrap book page.

Memorybox was established in the year 2000 by Jocelyn Ong to introduce the use of acid free products in preserving and enhancing photos. While visiting the US in 1998, she found an amazing way of preserving and displaying pictures. Knowing that we Filipinos are fond of taking pictures she figured that the business could have a market potential in the Philippines. Before jumping into the business, she attended several scrapbooking tradeshows in the US and got in touch with several suppliers there to look into the possibility of importing scrapbooking supplies in the Philippines. As she was learning about the business, she also developed a personal interest in the craft thus influencing her family and friends to get into the hobby. What began as a small group - friends and friends of friends - has now evolved into a larger (and still growing!) circle of scrappers.

Initially, the company introduced the use of acid-free scrap book supplies. New technology in acid-free and lignin-free paper revolutionized preserving photographs. Then Jocelyn added accessories, specialty background papers, cardstock, stickers, craft tools and bright, attractive albums because her mommy clients discovered that "scrap booking" had become a fun family activity. Subsequently, the teeners became another set of clients with different needs and more flamboyant tastes. The parents were only too happy to indulge them because it kept the teenagers at home.

Some working moms did their scrap books as stress-relief from their day jobs. Other full-time moms took “vacations” from parenting by making fun scrapbooks. A word of caution from their clients – Scrapbooking is addictive and Memorybox products are unusual, extraordinary and really irresistible!

As the clientele grew, Memorybox became a member of the Hobby Industry Association in the US to explore all the products of the industry. Yearly, Memorybox passes on their new finds and trends to the Scrappers in a craft party, who in turn await the party as it coincides with the annual sale of the company when old inventory is sold at 50% to make room for the new inventory.

In 2007, when Jocelyn Ong left for Canada, her niece, April Ong took over Memorybox. Because, April is herself a scrapper, she brings to Memorybox clients her novel ideas and innovative layouts using the various products of US suppliers who have made Memorybox as their distributor for the Philippines. With the website (www.memoryboxph.com) facelifted, clients are able to shop via the internet as well.

The company became the distributors of Fiskars products in the Philippines. This is a must for scrappers who need tools such as paper edgers in different designs, paper trimmers, punchers, shape cutters and templates, embossing tools and templates, special scissors and other craft and cutting tools. The other brands that Memory Box has are Cloud9, Heidi Grace, K&Company, Tinkering Ink, Designs by Reminisce, HOTP, EK success etc.

At present, Memorybox products are available in the toys section of Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-la and in Kodak Rockwell. The main office which houses the whole collection is in Binondo or interested parties may log on to their website. Very soon they will also be in Dreams Galleria.

As an avid scrapper, April has opened Memorybox classes to teach the techniques used in creating beautiful scrapbook pages to preserve and protect their photographs and inform new scrappers of what is available to them. Additionally, for those who are super busy or who are overwhelmed by the sheer number of photos they have collected through the years, Memorybox can service them by designing and lovingly creating scrapbook pages.

Some of the products that Memorybox carry are:

• Acid-Free Photo albums
• Acid-free and lignin-free papers in many colors, brands and sizes.
• Stickers
• Embellishments, including but not limited to brads, snaps, eyelets, fibers, charms, tags and wire products.
• Assorted adhesives, including glue sticks/pens and mounting tapes/squares.
• Appliques such as chalk, stains
• Books (for ideas and techniques).
• Cutting tools such as scissors, precision knives, trimmers, circle cutters, shape cutters and scoring blades.
• Embossing templates and tools.
• Organizers, to hold everything from papers to pens and punches to stickers.
• Punches in different shapes and sizes.
• Pens, pencils and markers of various brands, sizes, and colors.

Memorybox also carries fabric paints Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paint in slick, pearl, glow and metallic finishes; chunky stamps, Aleene’s Glue (tacky, decoupage, paper glaze, fabric, leather, etc.)

Memorybox’ main office is located at Rm 416A BPI Bldg. Plaza Cervantes St. Binondo Manila and may be contacted at 242-1164 or sales@memoryboxph.com or memoryboxph@gmail.com.