Retirement List Coming Tomorrow!
Tomorrow, I will be sending information and a link on everything retirement related. If you can't wait until my email comes out, you can always check the online store for the Last Chance Items section (it's not up yet). www.mailsomethingpretty.com/shoponline
There is a possibility some of my recommendations below will be on that list (I don't know what's retiring either). Luckily, a new catalog begins on May 4 and I'll have new products to recommend 😊
Last week I wrote about good things to have in your "craft pantry". If you missed the article, you can read about it HERE.
Continuing on the topic of what are the essential items you should have as a crafter, I decided to break my answer down to the different types of crafters. This week's email is all text, only one picture at the end (it would be way too long if I included pictures of everything I recommended). I did link a bunch of them for you. Click on the link and you will see a picture of the product.
The whole catalog can be overwhelming with its 185 pages. Luckily, Stampin' Up! created a Beginners Brochure (only 14 pages) with suggested easy to put together projects. Among those are kits. Kits are perfect
for the beginner because everything comes pre-cut and designed for you. Follow the directions and put your cards together. You can see the Kits page HERE. If you are a total beginner, I suggest one of the All-Inclusive kits (everything you need comes in the box - no add ons needed).
I consider a Beginner as someone who has done some crafting, maybe made cards casually with a friend or sister, has taken one or two classes, or has seen stamping before - it's not totally new, but their confidence is not strong yet.
Kits work for this type of crafter too. There are different level kits. I suggest a Semi-Inclusive kit with an accompanying stamp set & ink pad (the ones recommended in the kit description).
A good mantra to follow as a beginner is: stamps, ink & paper. Find a stamp set or two that has versatility for different occasions. Only a couple of ink colors and matching paper. Maybe one pack of patterned paper that matches your other colored papers.
These are my top sets for versatility and great for beginners (really anyone):
Happy Thoughts, 154507, $21 - good sentiments for both inside and outside the card. Block H will work with all stamps in this set.
Seaside Notions, 149278, $23 - multiple good sentiments plus shell & seahorse artwork. You can keep the artwork as is, or color in with colored pencils. You can use only black with this set. Block D will work with all stamps in this set.
Jar of Flowers, 152515, $23 - Create 4 seasons of bouquets - either by themselves or in a mason jar. You can color these flowers with colored pencils too, no fancy coloring necessary (or just stamp as line art). Block D will work with all stamps in this set. This set has the option of being both for
beginners or the next level. Use one ink if coloring with pencils or add a light blue ink if you want to stamp the water (Pool Party or Balmy Blue). Optional coordinating Jar Punch that you can buy as a bundle with the set,154064. And optional Mason Jar Shaker Domes if you want to turn it into a shaker. The mason jar doesn't have to be just for flowers.
Search out #simplestamping online (google search) and a whole lot of easy & simple cards will pop up for you to reference and copy.
Notecards & Envelopes (I mentioned these last week). You get 20 of each in a pack and they come pre-scored. Stamp on top of the card and that's all you need to do. Keep it simple.
Paper Trimmer, 152392, $25. You will need something to cut paper with, and as great as a scissor cutter you may be, a paper trimmer will cut the size you want and straight. Bonus, the Paper Trimmer will score your paper too for easy folding.
Don't forget Envelopes.
If you only got one pack of paper, I would get Basic White. You can use this paper as both a card base and for layers. Of course, it's nice to add color to cards. You can purchase packs that come in color collections - 20 sheets, 2 each of 10 colors. This is a great way of discovering which colors you like without buying a whole pack of 24 of each color. Color Collection options: Brights,
Neutrals, Regals and Subtles.
Ink - Coloring. With 53 colors, it's hard for me to tell you which color to choose. Choose colors you like and ones that work with the stamp sets you are choosing. I recommend StazOn Black ink, 101406, $10. You can use this ink with the watercolor pencils (described below). You can do more with this ink too, when you leave the beginner stage.
Watercolor Pencils. We offer two assortment packs. Assortment 1, 141709 has 13 pencils for $16 and Assortment 2, 149014 has 10 additional colors for $12.50. Again, take a peek at the color offerings and choose the colors you like. You can use these pencils just like a regular colored pencils, or you can introduce water to them (after you color) with a paint brush, or a Water Painter or Blender Pen to create
a watercolor look. *If you go the watercolor route (introducing water), then I recommend using Shimmery White card stock because it will hold up to the water better than the Basic White paper (if you are coloring just a little, then the Basic White should be fine).
Casual - Beyond Beginner (but not Expert ... Yet)
Many of my people fall in this category. You can make cards independently, but want to learn more techniques - not just stamping on paper. You have all the basic supplies and have the desire of wanting more - not just versatile products, more specific ones.
Punches are great to have. Many of the punches coordinate with stamp sets. But, if want to elevate your card making and paper crafting.....
I highly recommend a Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, 149653, $120, for this crafter. You will be able to emboss (add texture) to card stock and cut specific images with dies. Some dies are specific (coordinate with specific stamp sets), some are shapes and some even add texture. Once you have this machine, your world of card making will open up and almost every card you make hereafter will use it.
At this stage, you don't need stamp set recommendations. You choose what you want or what you need for specific occasions.
You are starting to build your own color collections. Be sure to balance out colors. It's nice to have different, coordinating shades of the same color. For example, Coastal Cabana pairs nicely with Bermuda Bay. Or, if you want contrast, I love Poppy Parade paired with Granny Apple Green. One of my favorite colors is Night of Navy because it works well with both bright and subtle colors.
Heat Embossing is a fun WOW technique that is not hard to do, but requires a few tools. It can also really elevate your projects and allows you to stamp on darker colors. You will need a Heat Tool, 129053, $30, VersaMark Ink, 102283, $9.50 and Embossing Powder. Colors come in: White, Clear, Gold & Silver. If you use clear, it turns the stamped image into a darker
shade of the card stock you stamped on. White is great to stamp on almost any color and the metallics are so nice for the holidays.
I'm trying to limit myself to keeping to these items, but if you want more suggestions, I am happy to give them to you, based on your ability and what you want to do/learn.
I put "expert" in quotes because many of you would not call yourselves experts, but you are. You know a lot of techniques. You know what you want to make. If you don't know how to do/make something, then you'll look it up and figure it out.
Did you know the Mini Catalogs are designed with you in mind?
These catalogs showcase lots of layers, dies, coordination, technique and stepped up stamping - all just for you.
I really don't have to make recommendations to you because you buy what you want or need. You'll figure out what to do with it later (am I right???).
I am loving the Sand & Sea Suite - definitely a suite for the experienced stamper. There's so much to do with it.
Another suite I don't have yet, but is great for someone who wants to do it all is the Fine Art Floral Suite. A friend mailed me a card made with these products, and ooh la la! Photo at the bottom of email.
Both of these suites have been super popular and are expected back in inventory the week of April 5. You can still order them, but they will ship later (and separately if you order other things) when they come in.
I purposely did not include the word "Demonstrator" in any of the above descriptions because demonstrators can fit in ALL categories. A brand new stamper can sign up to be a demonstrator just as easily as an expert/avid one.
The technical definition of a demonstrator is: someone who buys a Starter Kit. That's it.
What TYPE of demonstrator you are/become is variable depending on your goals for buying the products. Only want the great price of the kit? Only want the great products for yourself? Want to stamp with others? Want to make a little or larger income? Want to build a team? And you can start at one place and then change into another.
You can learn more about the Starter Kit and becoming a Demonstrator here -
I hope the above information on what is essential is helpful. It's not a one-size-fits-all type of answer, but hopefully these categories and some of the listed products are helpful.
If you would like specific recommendations, I am happy to help!
Thanks,
Christine
Made for me by my friend Jeanne (who I met at a Stampin' Up! event in Utah years ago and it turns out we live in the same state).
Christine Josti
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
call/text 339-788-1915
|
|
|
