Tuesday 23 March 2010

So, how do you?

Yeah. How do you? Choose the rubber stamps you buy, that is. Do you have an occasion in mind? Do you choose a suitable stamp for a personality? Do you see it, like it and buy it? I do. All three. But there is fall-out from methods one and two, and I end up kicking myself for not following my own advice. For a handful of years, I stood the other side of the rubbery line and operated the till. I watched customers choose stamps. There's a lot to it for some people. Some will pick up a stamp, examine and ask for ideas. Easy. Then they would suggest other ways - mask this bit off, stamp this and cut off that - you know, maximum potential use would be discussed prior to purchase. Others would come in and search the shelves for a specific stamp - for the 14th anniversary or the 'you learned to knit' celebration. Unsurprisingly, this is the least satisfactory way to yield a good result on either side of the rubbery line....compromise for the customer and not many sales! And there are the people that for the price, want the Universal Rubber: one stamp with which to make every card ever needed. I rarely had those in stock! So, I soon realised that the best advice I could offer was this: buy an image that you really like. That way, you will use it a kerjillion times and it will fit a kerjillion occasions and sentiments. Buy a stamp to do a specific job and it will forever be just for that one thing - you might use it on other stuff, but not nearly as much as an image that you were drawn to because it was so nice. The last stamp I brought that didn't follow my own advice languishes at the back of the basket waiting to be cleaned. I thought it would look great on our Anniversary invites. I've stamped it 3 times and there's no escaping the conclusion that I don't much like it, however appropriate it is to the theme, party, blah. So at the weekend when the County Antrim coast and our thoughtful hostesses led us to a craft shop (Crafters & Co, in Coleraine) I didn't hesitate when I saw the two Stampers Anonymous stamps pictured. I have no idea what I'm going to use them for, I just instinctively know that I will use them, a lot. And they were a bargain too, which helps. See, if I stick to my own theories, it works - for me at least! So that's how I choose 'em - you?

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

i reckon you should send them both to me :D

i just choose what looks nice, i hardly ever use them of course!

Annie said...

I have to say I have usually bought mine so that they can be used for many jobs.....but have to say most of mine sit unused because I'm just too busy doing so many other things to use them....maybe I should sell them all and buy ribbons, buttons and threads? :-)
A x
ps have heard from Paula this morning...she was all decked up in white gown, socks and paper pants and just about to have her premed. It sounds like she will be in hospital for a week at least so hopefully we will all be sending her really positive vibes to get her through this difficult time.

PinksyDoodles said...

They are great stamps - so versatile! I choose on either the "love it" basis or the "how much use can I get from it in various different ways" basis.
I have given up on "because it is cheap" because that wastes too much money!
Clare x

Milliesmarvels said...

I buy what catches my eye when I am out shopping. I love both these stamps especially the one on the left.
I also buy sentiment stamps if I like them too as they will all eventually come in useful!
Jane
x

Diane.W. said...

Hi Julia!!! Fab stamps,that ticket one is great,I would cut all the tickets out & use them individually too,so versatile :o)x

Gez Butterworth said...

I think you're right to go with your instincts... you just can't help it when you fall for a stamp so go for it! I love just browsing for stamps you know when you spot 'the' one! .... or is it just me they speak too? rofl.. Hope you are having a lovely day. Gez.xx

Unknown said...

I have got em both and I love em both ... the harlequin stamp is just delicious!
How do I choose a stamp? ... Well I am more your see and buy it with no thought of how I am ever going to use it and often times don't kind of a girl :0)

Kaz said...

Oh I'm definately see one I like and buy it. Only, I usually can't stop at just the one!! I've got the harlequin one too and have used it loads. I used it on a canvas as a background once and stamped it using gesso (you just jave to remember to get the bits cleaned out straight away lol) then colour it - my fave way is glimmer mists on gesso. xxx

Helen said...

Love those stamps. Got the ticket one, on a long thin version from Stampers Anonymous, not used it yet... but it was a grab bag bargain! Normally I see them, want them, buy them... more often than not, I use them... you may have noticed one or two stamps in my collection! (Just wait for tomorrow!)

Cardarian said...

Really nice stamps - I envy you for the Harlequin one - I have been trying to find that one for ages! I am really the, what I like is what I buy girl not much to do with what is useful!The worse thing is we don't have much shops that sell stamps so I buy them over the internet - sometimes what you order doesn't really come to be what you want! But still I like my stamps and when I don't like them I go for digi!
I will see what you make with these lovely stamps!
Cardarian

KateT said...

I have bought many for specific projects and then not used them again. Off to Tidworth tomorrow so will try to take your advice - I have to love it or it has to be so cheap it would be rude not to buy it. ** Kate **

Elaine A said...

Hi Julia -

I purchase stamps based on my gut feeling. You know, that oh my God, gotta have it, who do I rob to get money to buy it, we don't need a roof over our heads, feeling! LOL! Like you Julia, I find that if I buy a stamp for an ocasion, I seldom use it again.
Now who do I rob, to get those two stamps you just purchased?!!

Elaine Allen

Anonymous said...

my my Julia...do i spot some 'timyness' in your choice of stamps!!! the harlequin I could do with myself for a specific challenge..but alas I have it not! never mind I shall shifty through the drawer and find an alternative.

hadn't you better get your finger out and get those invites made...'tis THIS year you're celebrating!! imagine they are for someone else..maybe that'll work! lol!!

Bethan

Pam said...

Fab stamps. I tend to buy stamps on a whim because I like them/like what someone else did with them then just wait for the right ocassion to use it. Hugs Pam x

Artyjen said...

Choosing is a combination of loving the image just because! and how much mileage I can get from it! When you're monetary challenged like me buying stamps on a whim is usually a bad decision LOL !!!

scrappyjacky said...

I definately go for the one I love....even if no idea what I'm going to do with it.....and I love the ticket stub one up there.

Deanne said...

Hmmmm I dont stamp much but I would love to get more into it. The stamps I have are ones that I've seen and thought I have to have it cause I love it! lol
I dont mind whether they are digi or 'proper' either lol x

Angie said...

Love those stamps ....
Mmmmm ... how do I choose a stamp????
Well I dont go for a specific one for an occaision ...or card or LO ...I go with heart and gut. If I fall in love with a cute one ... I buy and rarely use it but if I use a gut instinct that there are loads of uses and it will always look right no matter how long I have it ... it usually is fine. I cringe at some of my early purchases lol

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

I just go with what I like, though there are times when I may look for something inparticular. I thought the other day I'd like a really nice 'Happy Birthday' stamp; one that could be used as the focal point maybe; even though I've got several but nothing special. It would be nice to have a few other greetings stamps too :)
Anne xx

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Meant to say I'd love a few more 'arty' stamps but dont do enough arty stuff. The diamond stamp you've got will be very useful.
Anne xx

Linby said...

I went Coleraine and never saw that shop- feel I missed out especially as I would have bought the harlequin one. I used to buy stamps for different people in mind but since I have been blogging I have gone mad and bought just what I like but don't know what I will do with it!
Linbyx

Kathy said...

I suspect you'd be appalled by my lack of rubber, Julia. You'd probably set about converting me to it's joys!

Anyway - hows the "Using flowers" mission going along? how may have you used since last week's WOYWW comment on my blog? hehehe

Spyder said...

I a touchy feely, hold them, smell them, squeeze them a bit, imagine all the cards I can make with them, put them back coz they're too dear, go home and sulk and wish I'd bought them, kind of person my self...

Smudgemakes said...

I love your new stamps!! Myself, I like cute! It can be anything at all, really! There is no specific reason though, if I don't have it, and I see it.. I want it!!

ikki said...

Great stamps for your collection, for me my collection is quite small as I've only just become "addicted" (by stamping that is)and I tend to buy if I like and hope the "ping" will follow! ikki

Carmen said...

Me, I'm a rubbish stamper so when I do see them it's because I love the images and usually the super duper examples that are sitting on the shelf next to the,. Then they come home and gather dust. There is some that I am coveting that I just KNOW that when they finally come to live with me will get used and used and used... and that's the Bombshell girls. One day, one day.

I can imagine you using those ones pictured lots and lots Julia.

Create With Joy said...

Hi Julia

Love your new stamps and I tend to be totally impulsive - except for those darn budgetary constraints, if I love it, I want it, regardless of its practicality - I have tons of stamps, most uninked (although I have this "Ink It Up" theme going on in my mind where I am actually trying to use more of my stamps and other stash stuff this year!) I also find that when I find a stamp that I love, I tend to go back to that stamp over and over again, regardless of all of the other untainted pretty stamps begging for my attention... But I think the most important factor in whether or not I use a stamp is whether or not I actually SEE it - which comes back to addressing my storage and organizing issues...

Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com

Penni said...

My method of buying stamps is "If I like it, I buy it!" I love the one on the left with the tickets, its fabulous - I definately would have bought this one without thinking about it!!!

Hugs
Penni
X

Chocolate Fudge Cake said...

I usually buy stamps because I love them and have very few that I don't use. I also have the harlequin one that you have pictured and like you, knew I would just use it loads - when I then saw it was only priced at £2.99, well I have never grabbed a stamp so fast!

mckinkle said...

Fab stamping buys there Julia, I can see why they shouted 'buy me' at you!!

I listen for the little voices, doesnt everyone?! The 'buy me' ones I mean!

Keryn x