Traveling?  Attending an out of town convention?  Going on vacation?  Whether your trip is for business or pleasure, if you’re a scrapaholic like me, then chances are you would manage to squeeze in some time to check out the scrapbook stores of the country you’re visiting.
 
But before you take off, it’s best to do some checking first and see if the place you’re visiting has actually even heard of the term scrapbooking.  Also, if you’ve got a busy itinerary, it’s advisable to search for stores that would be near the area you’re staying at to save time. 

Think of all the extra shopping time you would have if you already know where to go!  ;) (More time, more hoarding? Uhmmmmm- M)

Based on my own ‘hits and misses’, here are some tips on how to search for scrapbook stores:
Search Engines – This was the first place I looked.  Prior to going to Singapore last Easter break, I did a search on Google using the keywords “Scrapbook stores in Singapore”.  The result wasn’t that great though.  Top of list was a link to the Yahoo Singapore Directory which supposedly listed the scrapbook stores there.  I checked it out and it wasn’t very helpful to me. 

The next 3 results were not what I needed.  Next was a link to a scrapbook forum which contained all the key words I typed in.  Bingo!  Sometimes, you don’t get exactly what you’re looking for.  Instead, you will find links to other sites and there you will find the answer to your question.  I didn’t even bother looking at the rest of the results (there were 10 pages or so!) because normally the most relevant ones are on top of the list.  Results will vary depending on what you’re looking for.  I’m certain if you did a search on the scrapbook stores in the US, you will get a gazillion results. 

You will then be given a list of retail stores at or nearest your specified location.  You can do the same thing with online scrapbook stores.  Most of the online stores I buy from also have retail stores you can go to.  The website of scrapbook magazines can also give you store listings.  I know for sure Creating Keepsakes has a store locator link.  If by chance you are having difficulty looking for the link that says store locator, you can click the “site map” or “site index” or “index” and you will be directed to a page that gives you a complete directory (like a table of contents) of the site, minus all the confusing graphics and pictures. 

(TIP: If you’re not sure of the website address, go to Google and just enter the key words.  OR, I usually try this:  For example, type in eksuccess on the address bar of your browser and while holding down the control key, hit enter.  What this does is it completes the address with a “www.” in the beginning and completes it with a “.com” on the end.  Simply put, the browser is doing the search for you using the most common domain suffix which is “.com”.  If such an address exists, then you will be automatically directed to the site!  Cool, huh?)

Scrapbook magazines – Scrapbook magazines provide a list of stores all over the United States and Canada as well as other international countries.  Last time I looked, they even included stores in Taiwan, Japan, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Australia, and Hong Kong! The store listing is usually found on the last few pages of the magazine. 

When all else fails, ASK around!  Post messages on scrap book forums, email your friends or relatives who are based in the country you are visiting, ask people who you know have been there, or you can even ask ME!