THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996 TAG: 9607190185
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANELLE La BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 75 lines
Amy Dilorio Mays wanted to find a way to have fun and supplement her family's income at the same time. As a Creative Memories consultant, she can do both. And she is able to share her knowledge about what's involved in preserving treasured photographs.
Almost everyone has shoe boxes and bags of photos in their homes, she said. Many intend to put them into scrapbooks. But the hard part is getting started.
For two years, Mays has led more than 200 classes on how to design interesting, long-lasting photo albums.
``It's sort of like a quilting bee, a gathering of people to preserve memories,'' said Mays, whose goal is at least five classes monthly. The cost is $12, which includes one album page and designer materials. A second class costs between $5 and $7.
During a 30-minute presentation, Mays explains that safe materials are the key to preserving photos. She talks, too, about arranging photos with captions.
Polyvinyl chlorides, acidic paper and the chemicals used in photo development cause photos to deteriorate.
The Creative Memories products include acid-free adhesives and pages. The bound page will lie flat.
During class, she talks about ways to simplify photo sorting.
One approach is to separate pictures by decades, then to approximate years, she said. Or cull out shots of one family member - Mom, for instance, and her family. Make one family album and one for each child.
It's good to document pictures, Mays said, but avoid writing on the backs of photos with ballpoint pens because the ink eventually bleeds through.
It's also a good idea to shoot at least one roll of black and white film each year because the clarity lasts longer.
Students spend half their time in class working with their own pictures. Creativity flows freely as participants begin showcasing some of their favorite photos. One class period allows time to complete one or two sides of a scrapbook page.
Creative Memories products include circle cutters, a variety of shaped hole punches, stamps including baby footprints, calligraphy pens, albums and extra sheets, a variety of templates, borders, mounting paper, an assortment of scissors, die cuts and a large assortment of stickers.
The products are moderately priced, said Mays, who frequently offers products at a special price.
Two years ago, Mays invested $160 to become a Creative Memories consultant.
Although she lives in Virginia Beach, most of her customers thus far have been in Chesapeake.
Mays provided the program for a regular meeting of the Woodards Mill Garden Club.
Members came prepared for the session with a stack of their own photos. One brought shots of club members busily tending the subdivision entrance.
Another member expressed some guilt about storing her photos in folders.
``At least I'm labeling them now,'' said Jinxey Poniatowski as she placed, then rearranged, pictures from her family's latest ski holiday.
``The end product gives me such a sense of satisfaction,'' said Stacy Harrington, who has attended several classes. ``It makes all the effort worthwhile.''
``Writing in the album provides a better idea of the good or bad time we were having,'' said Maria Vandenheilingenberg.
She did not attend her mother's funeral in Holland.
``I was not able to be there at the time,'' Vandenheilingenberg said. ``If I'd had the words with the pictures (they sent), it would been so much more real.''
Folks who are willing to open their homes for one of Mays' classes can earn a free album, which normally sells for $40. To a hostess, the class is free.
Mays says that referrals keep her fairly busy.
When possible, she participates in events such as the baby fair at Chesapeake General hospital, where her display includes a baby album filled with pictures of one of her two children. She shows off her prized ultrasound pictures and explains to parents how to protect such treasures from yellowing or fading.
Mays is also a tax consultant. Her background includes school administration and teaching. by CNB