New to Stamping ... Help, pleaz!

lallyy · 04-10-2010, 12:46 AM

Hi everyone, I'm new to stamping and know nothing other than I want to use it in cardmaking and scrapping. I received two packets of "my acrylix" stamps. I also received cardstock, embelishments but no mounting blocks or ink. Can you tell me where to get these inexpensively? What kind of stamp pads do you recommend for these stamps? Any advice or feedback is appreciated. This is one craft I'm determined to learn! I'm sick of spending so much money on simple all occasion cards. thanx

**gma2rjc** · 04-10-2010, 11:46 AM

I've seen packages of the acrylic blocks at Dollar Tree. You could also check other discount stores.

I'll tell you a few of the things that I know about acrylic stamps. Sorry if you already know all or some of this.

You only need one set of acrylic blocks. Get a variety of sizes if you can. If you only want to get one or two, a large block works for big and small stamps. They come in all different sizes. The nice thick ones that are easier to grip are usually more expensive. It is nice to have a small block too for the smaller stamps.

Once you're ready to start stamping. just peel the stamp you want to use off and put the flat side of it against the acrylic block. Tap it on the ink pad and you're ready to go.

The stamp pads I have are mostly from "Stampin' Up!". I like theirs because for each color of ink they sell, they have markers, ribbon, eyelets and paper in the same color. This is perfect for making cards and scrapbooking. I can't say that their ink is or isn't of a better quality or price than others, but I like it. I have a couple pads made by "Tsuikineko", which I bought at the store. I really love their ink and they have a huge variety of colors to choose from. "Color Box" is a good brand. They sell small eye-shaped ink pads and they're a lot cheaper than buying a full-sized pad. The last I knew, they're between $1 and $1.75, depending on where you buy them.

DYE ink is not a permanent ink. It will fade and can wash away with water.

PIGMENT ink is permanent. It's the best kind to use if you're making something you want to keep for a long time. The only drawback with it, is that it sometimes takes longer to dry than dye ink.

The best places I've found to get good quality ink pads inexpensively, is on ebay or Craigs List.

Clean every stamp when you're done using it, and between uses if you're using different colored pads.

You can use a baby wipe to clean the ink off. For permanent ink, I like "Staz-On all purpose cleaner".

When you're not using your ink pads, store them upside-down. This keeps the ink at the top of the pad.

Hope this helps!

Barb

lallyy · 04-10-2010, 03:22 PM

This is awesome information and I didn't know any of this. I'm going to run to the dollar store tomorrow and see about the blocks. That is defineately a better price than what I've been able to find anywhere else. I don't mind starting out with the thinner ones and working my way up the food chain. I looked on Craigslist in my area for supplies and didn't find any. Maybe I should expand my search to other areas? What I did find was 31 yards of flannel material for $40 to make rag quilts I saw here on the site.

I'm excited about getting started with my card projects. I'm going to start drawing out some designs I've thought of and go from there once I get ink and blocks for the stamps. Thanks for all the information and if you think of anything else I need to know, LMK. I'm a pure novice at this! I appreciate any help I get. TY

**gma2rjc** · 04-10-2010, 09:16 PM

Wow! What a great deal on the flannel!

I looked at Dollar Tree today and they have less scrapbooking/stamping stuff than they did a few months ago. If you have JoAnne's, Hobby Lobby or Michael's nearby, use one of their 40% off coupons. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I saw a clear acrylic block in one of the dollar bins at Michael's around Christmas time.

If you want to, you could go on www.stampinup.com and look for a demonstrator in your area. Contact her and ask if she'll do a beginners demonstration or class for you and a few of your friends. Or, maybe she's doing something similar for another customer and you could go to that one? I'm not familiar with 'Close To My Heart' stamps, but I know they have very high quality products and demonstrators all over the country. One of their demonstrators might be able to teach you some things too.

Barb

teetle · 04-12-2010, 03:34 AM

The main thing is not to scrimp on the quality of ink and stamps. When I first started, I bought the cheap stuff thinking it couldn't be that different. Well, it is. And now all that stuff is just junk to me and I donated it so didn't really save me money.

I have all the colors of Stampin Up classic ink pads. I got lucky and bought an entire set of all colors and the storage caddy for them all on ebay for around $220 shipped. They were used but almost all were in good condition and I have just bought refills whenever my demonstrator has a promotion. (I buy them in the set since it's even cheaper that way).

I also no longer use the inexpensive clear stamps. I have noticed a HUGE difference when using quality acrylic stamps. (photopolymer ones are the best clear stamps). I also convert my rubber stamps to clear mount bases using EZ Mount foam.

I recently made the investment in the Stampin Up acrylic blocks since they just came out with clear mount systems. Their blocks are awesome and have a great wedge for holding them. I bought the whole set since it was cheaper and my demonstrator offered a discount on any one item last month. That's when I always buy my big ticket items. As soon as I tried them at a class, I knew I had to get rid of my old blocks since they were so much better.

Once you find a brand you like, try to stick to it since you can match everything up. Most of the stampers that I know and whose blogs I follow also use Stampin Up. I love that all their stuff coordinates (paper, ink, ribbon, accents, markers, etc). It's almost all I buy now.

I will eventually buy some craft ink pads too, other than the white/ivory ones I have. These can be used for colored heat embossing as well as stamping on darker papers.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

http://sweetteetle.blogspot.com/

lallyy · 04-19-2010, 12:16 AM

Thanks so much for the feedback. I've learned a lot from you all. Now I can venture out and shop with a little more knowledge. Glad I asked before buying. This will save me bunches over the long haul.

achristian · 04-21-2010, 05:14 PM

I agree that Stampin' Up! has good quality stuff.

You don't have to store their ink pads upside down though. The design is such that it flips the pad part upside down for you to keep it juicy.

I'm also giving away cardstock and one ink pad on my blog right now.

**gma2rjc** · 04-21-2010, 05:49 PM

You're right about the new design of Stampin' Up! ink pads. But the old S.U. style and most other brands of pads you buy in the stores need to be stored upside down.

Achristian, have you ever seen S.U. retire so many colors all at once? Wow!

Barb

achristian · 04-26-2010, 09:56 AM

Barb,

I have not seen them retire so many at once, but I am excited about the new colors! They are fabulous! And I've been wanting room for more ribbon and embellishments on the picking line for a long time now.

christinepyrch · 08-30-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

The main thing is not to scrimp on the quality of ink and stamps. When I first started, I bought the cheap stuff thinking it couldn't be that different. Well, it is. And now all that stuff is just junk to me and I donated it so didn't really save me money.

I have all the colors of Stampin Up classic ink pads. I got lucky and bought an entire set of all colors and the storage caddy for them all on ebay for around $220 shipped. They were used but almost all were in good condition and I have just bought refills whenever my demonstrator has a promotion. (I buy them in the set since it's even cheaper that way).

I also no longer use the inexpensive clear stamps. I have noticed a HUGE difference when using quality acrylic stamps. (photopolymer ones are the best clear stamps). I also convert my rubber stamps to clear mount bases using EZ Mount foam.

I recently made the investment in the Stampin Up acrylic blocks since they just came out with clear mount systems. Their blocks are awesome and have a great wedge for holding them. I bought the whole set since it was cheaper and my demonstrator offered a discount on any one item last month. That's when I always buy my big ticket items. As soon as I tried them at a class, I knew I had to get rid of my old blocks since they were so much better.

Once you find a brand you like, try to stick to it since you can match everything up. Most of the stampers that I know and whose blogs I follow also use Stampin Up. I love that all their stuff coordinates (paper, ink, ribbon, accents, markers, etc). It's almost all I buy now.

I will eventually buy some craft ink pads too, other than the white/ivory ones I have. These can be used for colored heat embossing as well as stamping on darker papers.

Thanks to Teetle has some wonderful thoughts on this. I couldn't say it better!

I too, used to run to the big box stores and purchase everything I needed. Needless to say, I went to a Stampin' Up! workshop and immediately saw the difference in quality and have never looked back. I also donated everything that was not Stampin' Up!

My thoughts are, if you take the time to make a handmade card or scrapbook page, make it awesome quality because it will show.

Just this past summer, I went clear mount. LOVE THEM! Also like the easy storage. The clear blocks are wonderful and have a great feel. My sister has blocks she bought a long time ago, and she has decided she is getting rid of them and buying Stampin' Up's because of the feel.