I need your help! After months of research (about 9 months to be exact) I am really close to opening up a new business venture. I have been working with manufacturers and will soon have my own line of clear
Acrylic Stamps
to sell. I have designed all of the art (previews soon) and am now deciding what other things to offer in addition to my stamp line and trying to set my prices.
I am so excited because I’ve always thought that everyone should have access to great design, regardless of your crafting budget. I will be selling everything at great prices. If I wouldn’t buy it at that price, than I’m not going to sell it at that price. There’s lots more things that I’ll share later, some are still in the works!
So here’s where I need your help. Instead of doing a focus group at my house I’m going to host one online. If you don’t mind, please post a link from your blogs to here so that I can reach as many people as possible! And, for all those who comment I will enter you in a drawing for a brand new copy of the March 2008 Paper Crafts Card Magazine.
Here’s what feedback I need (and please be honest, brutally honest if necessary!! It will help me tremendously!)
Have you used clear stamps before?
What types of projects do you use stamps for? Cards, scrapbooking, paper crafts, home decor, clothing, etc.
Would you like to learn how to use them for things other than cards and scrapbooking?
Would you pay $12 for a stamp set with anywhere from 10-20 images? (So far, all my stamp sets are manufactured on sheets that are 4″ x 6″ and contain as many images as I can fit on them. If you wouldn’t pay $12 per set, how much would you pay?
Are there stamp sets with particular themes that you’d like, but can’t seem to find anywhere? (examples include inspiring quotes, multiple baby, borders, backgrounds etc.)
Do you buy crafting supplies online? If so, what?
Any other comments are welcome.
For now I’ll be selling stamps and a few supplies that I can’t seem to find anywhere locally but that are really great! I’ve got other awesome items that will be phased in around the holiday timeframe for some great custom crafted gifts for friends and family.
I’ll keep everyone posted on the status because I’ll be looking for hostesses for crafting parties soon! (Probably in the April/May time frame)
Thank you so much for your help and I look forward to hearing everyone’s comments! I’ll have the drawing for the card magazine on Saturday, Feb. 23 so leave a comment before then to be considered for the drawing!
Erin
Have you used clear stamps before?
yes
What types of projects do you use stamps for? Cards, scrapbooking
Would you like to learn how to use them for things other than cards and scrapbooking? probably not
Would you pay $12 for a stamp set with anywhere from 10-20 images? it depends on how much I liked it, I usually buy all my clear stamps at Hobby Lobby when they are 40 or 50% off
Are there stamp sets with particular themes that you’d like, but can’t seem to find anywhere? I see cute little journaling box type things in scrapbook magazines but can’t seem to find them anywhere else, I would love a set like that
I shop everywhere, unfortunately for my wallet, as long as I like it- I have shopped online, parties, stores, catalogs
Used clear stamps? yes.
Projects? Cards, scrapbooking
Would I want to learn to use them for other things? Like what?
Pay $10-12 for a set? If I really liked it, probably!
Particular themes? Not really, I mostly like the alphabet and numbers.
Exciting Erin!
Used clear stamps? no
Projects? Cards, scrapbooking
Would I want to learn to use them for other things? no.
Pay $10-12 for a set? Sounds reasonable to me.
Particular themes? I like words and phrases. And maybe words and phrases making up shapes (if that makes sense).
So what is the difference between clear stamps and other stamps?
Thanks to everyone’s comments so far!
Laura: Lately I’ve thought about using them to stamp on fabric, or a little image, maybe one that says “Sweet Pea” for a onesie for a baby gift. Or stamping a floral on a lampshade for a custom look that’s easy and inexpensive to do.
Celia: There are lots of things that I like better about clear stamps, versus other types of stamps…
For starters:
They take up much less room to store. When you want to use them you just stick them onto a clear acrylic block and stamp away. They stick to the block using something similar to static cling. Instead of storing each stamp on a thick wooden block, you have a few different sizes of acrylic blocks that you can use for all your sets. (Which I’m selling for about half the price of everyone else!) If you’re trying to line up where the image will stamp, you can see right through it and be able to line them up exactly where you want them. Plus the fact that they are less to manufacture than rubber stamps.
And one of my favorites is that sometimes on the rubber stamps I just want one part of the image. Like if it’s a picture and a word. With the clear stamps, you can lay them out however you want: Just use the image, or the word, put the word above the image, or below the image. The possibilities are endless with these stamps. So really you get even more for your money than standard stamps because they are so flexible. Whew, that was long. But that’s just a start. Thanks for asking about them and if there’s any more questions, ask away!
Have you used clear stamps before? Yes, thats almost all I use
What types of projects do you use stamps for? mostly Cards, and paper crafts, but some scrapbooking
Would you like to learn how to use them for things other than cards and scrapbooking? yes, always looking for new and fun ideas
Would you pay $12 for a stamp set with anywhere from 10-20 images? yes would be willing to pay a little more ($17 or so) for bigger sized images
Are there stamp sets with particular themes that you’d like, but can’t seem to find anywhere? Not really.. If I see something that I like or I can use I buy it.
Do you buy crafting supplies online? yes, I look for unusual things.
Hello there-
I am a lurker of anything crafts (see my online store http://www.lollyjaneboutique.com) and am glad I found you b/c I {LOVE} stamping, too!
Used clear stamps? yes!
Projects? cards, embellishments on crafty projects
Would I want to learn to use them for other things? definately!
Pay $10-12 for a set? for sure- i’ve paid up to $40 for a Stampin’ Up! set before… (geeeez!)
Particular themes? i’m into baby sets, holidays, vintage & unique lettering/alpha sets
best of luck! :)
Lurker and cousin of Celia
Have you used clear stamps before? YES, I love scrapbooking and making cards
What types of projects do you use stamps for? Cards, scrapbooking
Would you like to learn how to use them for things other than cards and scrapbooking? No, that’s all I really do.
Would you pay $12 for a stamp set with anywhere from 10-20 images?
For sure! Right now the sheets I get are usually around $20 and I’m not a fan of that.
Are there stamp sets with particular themes that you’d like, but can’t seem to find anywhere? Not so far.
Do you buy crafting supplies online? I haven’t yet, but I might be looking into it.
never used clear stamps. have used stampin up. mostly cards and scrpabooks. would love to learn new things. 12 for that many stamps, definetly. would LOVE quotes, kids, i have bought online from lasting impressions and other odd spots. can’t wait for your line.
Wow Erin! That’s way cool! If you don’t already have enough info here’s my input:
Used clear before – yes and love it!
Types of projects – cards, scrapbooking, any home decor or other “paper-crafty” thing – I’ll stamp on anything!
Pay $12 – yeah, and more if I really liked it and couldn’t live without it (which is most of the time!)
Particular themes – I can’t think of any, but I’ll buy them all!
I’m a stamp freak, what can I say?!
Good luck!
AHAA! Competition! LOL!! NO really! That is awesome! You are so very talented and I can’t wait to see what you have to offer. I am quitting SU in March and was planning on taggin’ you to “take over” for me, since you have the talent AND the business sense but this is great!
In answer to your questions
Have you used clear stamps before?
Yes, but honestly I don’t care for them. I prefer the images I get from rubber. They seem to be a little sharper. That may be just a manufacturer issue though. I also have had trouble keeping the edges from getting inked much more than rubber(leaving a mark around the actual image). I do like the way you can see through them for placement and build words with letters and phrases with word etc.
What types of projects do you use stamps for?
Cards, scrapbooking, paper crafts,
Would you like to learn how to use them for things other than cards and scrapbooking?
Of course. I am always interested in trying new things. Not sure how good I will be at it, but I love to see what is out there.
Would you pay $12 for a stamp set with anywhere from 10-20 images?
Yes. I am always up for a bargain, but at the same time quality is always an issue. If the stamps don’t work well for me I won’t buy them. Trying them out beforehand is a huge plus. I buy SU because I know they are quality and if not they will fix it.
Are there stamp sets with particular themes that you’d like, but can’t seem to find anywhere?
LDS (Baptisms, Blessings, Weddings any other LDS events), Boy Scouts, Military, Horses (riding,etc.) are a few that seem to be in high demand but low availability. And Alphabets are always awesome for Scrapbooking, both large and small fonts.
Do you buy crafting supplies online?
Not unless you count my entering my SU orders ?
Any other comments are welcome.
I would love to see what you have!
Amy
Very cool, Erin. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Have you used clear stamps before? Yes.
What types of projects do you use stamps for? Cards, scrapbooking, paper crafts.
Would you like to learn how to use them for things other than cards and scrapbooking? Sure.
Would you pay $12 for a stamp set with anywhere from 10-20 images? For sure!
Are there stamp sets with particular themes that you’d like, but can’t seem to find anywhere? I’m always looking for things not too girly and I love alphas and backgrounds.
Do you buy crafting supplies online? If so, what? If digi-scrapping stuff counts, then yes. I usually buy stamps from the SU! catalog or hobby lobby, but would be interested in an online store too.
Good luck with everything!