2009 April | Josee Smuck-Stampin’ Up! Canada Demonstrator

April, 2009

A Silver Lining In A Tough Economy

An interesting article by Laura Tiffany, Entrepreneur.com

In economic times like these, the urge to hunker down in your house, limit spending and jump off the merry-go-round of shopping, credit and consumerism can be strong. And one way for people to step outside the system, if just for a few hours a week, is crafting. Rather than being a consumer, a crafter becomes a manufacturer; the end result of a night on the couch isn’t three hours of empty Tivo space, but a scarf, toy or handmade holiday ornament that one can give away, keep or sell.

While data are still being compiled for 2008, the Craft and Hobby Association reported that in 2007, craft sales in 39 categories reached nearly $32 billion, and nearly 57 percent of U.S. households engage in crafting. Online handmade goods site Etsy.com reported $88 million in sales in 2008, a significant increase over 2007 sales of $26 million. With 1.9 million members and more than 200,000 sellers, Etsy enjoyed $9.9 million in sales in January alone.

Like most retail sectors, it’s likely that craft sales may decrease in the coming months. But all signs point to more and more people diving into this market, both as consumers of supplies and handmade gifts, and as entrepreneurs selling their own items and supplies.

At the January CHA show, spirits were high as manufacturers and retailers recognized that the economic climate creates more folks ready to put needle to fabric and stamp to paper to join a crafting revolution that’s been in the works for more than a decade.

Some of the big crafting trends present at the show, which featured more than 900 exhibitors, include:

Scrapbooking. This is the most robust craft category that CHA tracks, and scrapbooking companies had by far the strongest presence at the show. While paper still rules scrapbookers’ supply cabinets, many crafters are taking skills such as stamping, painting and decoupage into other media for jewelry making–like sandwiching tiny art between glass slides for a pendant or stamping blank wooden bangles.

Crafts for kids. Kid-specific kits and products are hotter than ever, even in this tough economy. "Unfortunately, the schools cut a lot of creative areas, so it’s up to the parents to do it at home. And I really think [crafts have] become an important part of the American family," says Jenny Lowe, design director of Moorestown, N.J.-based Sbar’s Inc., a 50-year-old supplier of family-friendly crafts that has lived through its share of recessions. "Kids are just so eager to accomplish something. And let’s face it–crafting gets them away from the computer."
Some companies foresee growth in this area because of parents wanting to craft with their kids. Parents can purchase a $15 kit and have a fun evening at home, rather than pay $50 to take the family to the movies. There are also ancillary customers, such as church camps and Scout troops. And of course, there’s always the need for kids’ birthday gifts, too.

Tough times tend to spur creativity. As an entrepreneur, there are few better ways to channel your creativity than in a crafts business. Whether you start to find your artistic voice or you do it to sell personalized gifts, crafting makes the most out of your creativity–as an artist and as an entrepreneur.

Don’t forget that Stampin’ Up! is currently offering a 3 month payment plan, get more information here! You can start right away and be able to pay off your starter kit slowly!

Have questions? Just ask me!

FABULOUS FRIDAY FREEBIE: Apr 24, 09

Here’s another exciting Blog Candy, Blog Give-Away….or FREEBIE….whatever you call it, it’s a great time to win some FREE STUFF!

From Friday April 24th to Thursday April 30th, 2009-you’ll have the chance to win:

A package of 6 assorted Hand-Stamped Cards!

*Anyone can enter!

How to win:

Leave me a comment on THIS POST from April 24-30th, 2009 to let me know what types of cards you send out most (TY, birthday, etc) You’ll automatically be entered in the draw to win!

GOOD LUCK!

The winner from last draw is: Jenn P

Jenn will get to receive the Darling Dots stamp set. (Jenn-email me your address!)

Bugs & Kisses

Everyone needs "Bugs & Kisses"! Send some to your friends and family with these cute notecards!

~Love these products? Click here to go shopping now!
~Want free coupons? Sign up for my newsletter!
~I’m now on facebook! Become a fan here!

Perfectly Pink Fifth Avenue Floral

I’m sure I’ve talked about this before…but, do you have those cards that you make that just MAKE YOU HAPPY?! We’ll I do and this is one of them. I love working with Pink Pirouette and I’m so sad that we will no longer have this colour after June 30th. Because it’s an In Color, it is only in the catalogue for 12 months and then a new 6 In Colors come out. Normally, I can handle "losing" these 6 colours…even though I love them each year. We’ll let me tell you something….this time I AM NOT OK WITH LOSING PINK PIROUETTE! (Sorry, about the screaming…lol) I love, love, love this colour and find it’s just such a pretty girl colour. Do you think I should start a petition or something…hee, hee. Ok….I’ll get over it eventually…but, I will be stocking up on this colour for sure before it goes out! AND you should too!

This pretty card was another card we made at my Fifth Avenue Floral class and I think one of the favourites!

Directions for flower:

Start with Vellum Cardstock and swipe it with the Embossing Buddy to reduce static and make the embossing powder go where you actually want it to go!
Stamp the flower on the Vellum using Versamark.
Sprinkle White Embossing Powder and tap off excess.
Heat set with the Heat Tool.
Colour back-side of flower entirely with Pink Passion Stampin’ Write Marker. Highlight "lines" with Regal Rose Stampin’ Write Marker.
Cut out flower and use little dots of Crystal Effects to glue to card. (You don’t need much and it will dry clear!)

Don’t forget that if you shop online this month, you’ll receive a fabulous Fifth Avenue Floral Project Tutorial! Check it out here!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral (111734), On Your Birthday (111664)
Ink: Versamark (102283), Regal Rose (105211)
Paper: Pink Pirouette (111351), Regal Rose (105130), Whisper White (100730), Vellum Cardstock (101856)
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Crop-a-dile (108362), Crafter’s Tool Kit for paper piercing (104310), Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111373), Heat Tool (100005), White Embossing Powder (109132), Embossing Buddy (103083)

~Love these products? Click here to go shopping now!
~Want free coupons? Sign up for my newsletter!
~I’m now on facebook! Become a fan here!

Black Elegance with Fifth Avenue Floral

Black seems to be a under-used colour in cardmaking, don’t you think? I created this card for my card class yesterday and love how the embossing on the black makes this card so elegant. It’s similar to a card I’ve posted before, but, I changed the "card" colour to Basic Grey instead of white.

Instructions on creating background:

Lightly pass the Embossing Buddy on your black cardstock to reduce static.
Stamp the flowers from Fifth Avenue Floral randomnly using Versamark ink pad.
Cover cardstock with Clear Emossing Powder. Tap off excess.
Use Heat Tool to melt powder.

Don’t forget that you can take advantage of my FABULOUS FREEBIE and my ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Josee’s Anniversary Special

I can’t believe I forgot my official Anniversary date with Stampin’ Up! This month, on the 15th of April was my 7th year with Stampin’ Up! I can’t believe how time flies.

Seven years ago, I went to Toronto to see the Stampin’ Up! presentation by Shelli Gardner. They were there to launch Stampin’ Up! Canada and all I knew was that they were a stamping company that also focused on scrapbooking. I had never stamped but was a scrapbooker for a few years.

Here’s the conversation with my husband before I left for Toronto:

DH: "You know…you don’t have to sign up right away, you can think about it!"

Me: "Yes, honey!" (hee, hee)

So, near the end of the presentation, Stampin’ Up! said: "If you sign up tonight, not only will you get to be a demonstrator…BUT you’ll get a free Stampin’ Up! apron!"

Me: "Sign me up!!!" lol

So, I came back home to Ottawa with no stamping experience…but, a really cute Stampin’ Up! apron…lol! Seven years later….I still love SU and am looking forward to the next seven great years!

In celebration of my Anniversary, I’m having a 5-day CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SPECIAL! I greatly appreciate all of you who have supported me in my business…you mean the world to me!

2-part CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SPECIAL: (Apr. 20-25)

Special 1:
"Start a business; you too can get an apron!"
Sign up to be a demonstrator before April 25th and you’ll receive free: Circle Scissor Plus! Sign up online to order your kit and I’ll mail your your Circle Scissor Plus directly to you! Get more info on becoming a demonstrator here!

Special 2)
"Go shopping…your husband called & said it was ok!"
Email me an order over $75 before the 25th of April and get FREE SHIPPING! (If you choose to order online, I will mail you a cheque for the discount!)

Thanks again to everyone who has has supported me in my business…I really do appreciate each and everyone of you!