Posts

Showing posts from August, 2012

About Classes

Image
I keep running into people who ask about classes and say that they don't want another hobby. There isn't room in their home for another large project. They don't have the kind of money to invest in a lot of products. Their spouse will be mad if they start a new thing and all sorts of other things. I have to say that if one of those options is your case then classes might be the best fit for you.  I do ask that my class participants provide a simple class kit. That makes it easier for everyone that attends.The kit should include: paper snips, a bone folder, and some sort of adhesive (I like our Tombow Multipurpose glue, SNAIL, or Anywhere glue sticks for making cards). It saves time when we don't have to share. People will usually share tools and I always have an extra glue stick for first timers and those who forgot or didn't have time to run home first. These things can be stored in a drawer, a box or other small space and don't require a lot of cash. Each o

Masculine and Feminine cards from the same stamp set

Image
We were given a challenge to make both a masculine and a feminine card using the same stamp set. I took mine one step further and used the same color scheme to show that making a card for a man or a woman isn't about color. It's just about style. I used the Moving Forward stamp set. It's this year's Ronald McDonald House set. For every purchase of this set, Stampin' Up! will donate $3 to the Ronald McDonald House charities. It's available in both wood and clear mount. The set has a blimp, a tricycle, a boat, a frog, a bird, flowers and a cute swirly line to show flying birds, hopping frogs or whatever. The main images also feature the sentiments: Happy Birthday, Thinking Of You, and Hello, Dear Friend. You can purchase the set by calling or emailing me directly or shop 24-7  on my Stampin' Up! website . Item number (W-126320/C-126322). The blimp is my masculine card. I added the Naturals buttons on the bottom and embossed the blimp with silver. I sponged

Addicted to Framelits

Image
So Stampin' Up! has these items called Framelits. They are little metal frames that you use with your Big Shot. How they work is that you stamp your image on cardstock, then line up the framelit over the top, run it through the Big Shot and it cuts it out perfectly in the shape. It's not hard on the hands like punches can be and the edges are smooth. Sometimes punches get a little dull and leave a rough edge. You can fix that by punching through heavy duty aluminum foil but the framelits are really nice. They also store in a much smaller space. I showed off the altered paper clips I made a few days ago in the blog hop for vc_rocks. The candy cane was cut with the Holiday Framelits. There are a few more shapes in that collection. When you first look at the price of the framelits (around $26.00), it seems too pricey but when you think of each piece as a punch then the cost is much better. After all, punches range from $10.95 - $17.95 each. The Holiday framelits have a: ca

Treasure hunt

Image
I'm joining the Late Night Stampers Treasure Hunt this round. What is that you say? Think blog scavenger hunt. I will list my clue here in a bit. Start with that or wherever you started. Then find 50, yes that's five-oh, clues from now until October 29th then email me at june.reister@gmail.com and turn the list of clues in. I'll need the clue and where you found it. So make the list like this: June Reister- and my clue  I'll also need your contact info so I know where to send your prize. When all is said and done someone will find all the clues, turn them in, get entered for a drawing, get their name drawn and win $150 in Stampin' Up! products! That's a whole workshop in a box. What will you get if you win? I don't know but that is one happy shopping trip.  In addition, those who are emailing me with their clues will be entered into a second drawing for a free roll of the new Satin Stitched ribbon. Choice of color is yours.  Contest ends Octo

VC_Rocks Blog Hop- Punches and Big Shot

Image
This is the final blog hop for the summer of VC_Rocks. We're featuring punches, Simply Scored and Big Shot fun. If you're following the hop you came from Carey Roger's Blog . Didn't you like her card made with the framelit? Too cute! If you missed the start of the hop, you can get a complete list at the  VC_rocks blog I always loved our punches. I love how it's easy to punch out a stamped image and then center it on a matte. Maybe you want to punch the matte too. Anyway. I own almost all of our current punches and have tons of retired ones as well. I have so many that I keep them in 3 locations. I have some in a shoe holder on the back of my craft room door, some more on a rail on the wall and still others in a desk drawer. Here's some pics of my scattered punch storage. I used to have them all in the shoe holders but I got so many that the holders fell down, the punches flew everywhere and it created a big mess. So don't overload your

Customer Service

Image
One of the things I do my best to provide is excellent customer service. Sending a card or note in the mail is one way to showcase my business and provide customer service. I always tell my down line and others that demo for other companies the same thing. The principal of the matter is customer service. If you say you'll do it, then do it. If you say you'll do it and find out that you cannot, then contact the person right away so that they can  find another way to get it done. Apologize and be sincere about it. Ask if there is something else you can help with instead. Communication is one of the key things in customer service. Listen. I mean really listen to what they want If you can't do it, then say so.  Make phone calls regularly Check in after they get their order Make sure they get their order in a timely fashion The other thing I remind people of is: If you give so-so customer service, the customer may or may not pass your name along. If you give gr

Holiday Catalog

August 1st! Can you believe it's here already? Well, it is and along with it comes the Stampin' Up! 2012 Holiday Catalog. It's bigger than previous years and also will last longer. It's better for your budget too. You don't have to cram everything you want into 3 months. My customers who purchased $50 or more in the past 3 months should have received one in the mail. I also selected a few random people to send them to. I have some here to hand out as well. If you want one, let me know. I'll post some pictures later today because, I'm sure you know, I've misplaced my camera again.