Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
When we used to have wheels, I could NEVER get them straight or evenly inked, etc. I unmounted mine and FINALLY used them--AND they turned out just fine! :-) If you're good at them, then you could leave well enough alone, but I was lousy at them.
Another versatility thing is that you could use ANY ink color or type if they're unmounted--just like using any other stamp. Just a thought...
__________________ Diane H.
TAC Demonstrator #1484/Manager, Smilin' Stampers My TAC SiteMy BLOG
How about those SU wheels? I think I love those but I've read a few posts where people are removing them from the wheel. Are they not practical while mounted?
In the 5 years that I've been stamping/using SU/being a demo, I've NEVER heard of unmounting the wheels! How crazy is that?!?
I just might have to try that! I LOVE the wheel designs, but I find that I don't use them very often because I have to attach it to the handle, find the right color of cartridge for my project, and then fuss with getting my image to come out straight!!! I think I'd use them a ton more if they weren't on the wheel. Thanks!
Oh, and to put in my $.02 on the whole SU/TAC decision, go with the stamps you LOVE. Personally, I saw my first SU catty about 6 years ago and absolutely fell head over heels in love with it!!! Of course not every set is my style, but in general they just "fit" me better than any other stamps I've ever seen. I'm not an SU "purist" in the sense that I still buy a cute stamp from the LSS or another stamp company, but by far the huge bulk of my purchases are SU. So go with your gut/heart and choose which company best represents "you".
I recently unmounted my wheels because I often thought they'd be great for background designs but never used them because they were awkward. I LOVE them now - SO much easier to use with any ink (stamp or craft) color that you desire, easier to clean, etc. Now, I am a hobby demo so this is perfect for me (though I still recommend the benefits of this to my former customers and friends).
If you plan to really promote your business, you may wish to stay with the wheels intact because that is how the catalog sells them. OR if you plan on using them to decorate wrapping paper (which I dreamed of doing but never got around to) I would also recommend leaving them intact for they can roll farther distances. However, if you are like me and intend for them to act as background stamps, I highly recommend unmounting them and using them on acrylic blocks.
Well, to be honest, most of the stuff I picked out of the SU catalog were wheels. Im planning on just getting one to try and see where that goes.
They just look like something I would enjoy (until I cant get it to work)!
I found a thread with instructions on how to remove them from the wheel so I guess that even if I dont care for them I can always go that route.
Today Im going to spend the day with my newly acquired TAC catalog. :p
I highly recommend unmounting them and using them on acrylic blocks.
Hope this helps!! Enjoy your contemplations!
Will I be able to stick them on a acrylic block with double sided tape?
This is where for me it gets confusing with mounted/unmounted/ez mount and such.
All I have are rubber stamps mounted on wood blocks, bellas and clear stamps.
I see the difference in the ones I have mounted on wood and like the bellas. The bellas have no backing so I just stick them on acrylic with tape. If I wanted them with the cushion ( dont know all the stamping lingo yet) like my wood ones, is that what mounted means?
Will I be able to stick them on a acrylic block with double sided tape?
This is where for me it gets confusing with mounted/unmounted/ez mount and such.
All I have are rubber stamps mounted on wood blocks, bellas and clear stamps.
I see the difference in the ones I have mounted on wood and like the bellas. The bellas have no backing so I just stick them on acrylic with tape. If I wanted them with the cushion ( dont know all the stamping lingo yet) like my wood ones, is that what mounted means?
You could use tape, but I'd go for the EZ mount foam. I'd put the wheels on foam still because the extra cushion gives you a better imprint IMHO.
Mounted means that the stamps are on a block or wheel and are permanently attached. "Unmounted" just means that your stamp is either just the acrylic or just the foam backed rubber and the "block" is seperate.
__________________ Amanda Allison - TAC angel #3779
Lovin every minute of it! www.amandaallison.ismyangel.net
I received the petals wheel from SU spring special.. I didn't have the handle so I unmounted... It works well on ez mount and acrylic blocks. If I get anymore wheels, I will probably do the same- I can never put them on straight!!
__________________ Kelley- Mom to 2 beautiful boys and a princess! My blog: returning from a deep sleep!
It's good to check out the catalog! I had one for only a week and then jumped in...that was 5 years ago and TAC has been growing strong since then. That's the other "beauty" of TAC, other than the low minimums, there are still not too many of us around. But, even working with a long distance upline can work... :grin:
TAC is a great company the low min. is great plus the have a great demo discount as well as a really good commission. If you sign up to be a demo this month you will also receive the Level C and D Hostess Sets free!
__________________ The Angel Company Demo and SAHM to 3 beautiful children!
Will I be able to stick them on a acrylic block with double sided tape?
This is where for me it gets confusing with mounted/unmounted/ez mount and such.
All I have are rubber stamps mounted on wood blocks, bellas and clear stamps.
Blockheads Rubber Art Stamps has a very good article describing the various methods of mounting stamps.
I just started using wheels a few months ago. I do not really care for the regular sized ones, they are hard to keep straight. But I love the jumbo wheels. I don't use ink cartridges with mine, I just roll them on the ink pad a couple of times to make sure they are inked well, that works great for me. Make sure you purchase the handle (unless you are sure you want to unmount them) It is only 5.95 (jumbo I believe).
I buy TAC and SU and even CTMH. My sis is signing up to be a TAC this Friday...I am so excited. We love both and will share discounts. Great fun..stamps stamps and more stamps. All three of these companys do a great job and are good for different reasons.
Duh!! Unmounting Wheels!! Geez, that would make my life so much easier!! I have an TAC Jumobo Wheel with 3 (or maybe 4) girl faces that I just love. But I roll the whole thing out several times because I really only like one or two of the faces best! And if you roll crooked like I usually do, my girls faces get distored! I think I am going home tonight and unmounting that!
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
So far....There are more stickys on the SU catalog for the things I want!
I've looked through the TAC catty and there are a few things that I want but more SU than TAC.
TAC continues to be more attractive because of the minimums since Im looking at this as a hobby demo. Yet there are more things I want from SU.
VERY confused :confused:
Here's another question....
When potential customers place an order, do these companies take their credit card info and bill them directly or do I have to pay for it up front and charge the customers using Paypal,cash,checks.
How does that work for both companies????
So far....There are more stickys on the SU catalog for the things I want!
I've looked through the TAC catty and there are a few things that I want but more SU than TAC.
TAC continues to be more attractive because of the minimums since Im looking at this as a hobby demo. Yet there are more things I want from SU.
VERY confused :confused:
Here's another question....
When potential customers place an order, do these companies take their credit card info and bill them directly or do I have to pay for it up front and charge the customers using Paypal,cash,checks.
How does that work for both companies????
Barbie, Sorry to hear that you are confused!:confused:
It shouldn't be that way. Think about it and look at all the Pros and cons.
It's gonna have to be TAC. Can't beat the minimums.
Although there are a few more things I like out of the SU catty,( I really like those wheels) TAC is the way to go for me.
I can always buy from SU right?
Now, one more choice to make. Upline!!
I have had such wonderful people help me, answer all my ?????? and I am torn between two very nice ladies. :(
With TAC, each customer can pay with their own credit card. When you sign up with TAC, you should look into signing up with Angelnet. It's a one-time $4.95 set fee. You can place your orders online and check to see when the order has been shipped. Once I understood how it all worked, it's become a no-brainer for me. Granted, I don't think I've placed an order with more than three customers at one time.
Kimberly
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
Location: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest! Olympia, WA
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congratulations!
Barbie-I know it was a tough choice, but like you said you can always buy SU, too.
I have a friend who is a SU demo, and we buy from each other all the time.
For me, I went with TAC because of the mimimums and knowing that I could make them all by myself, if need be. I've met some wonderful Angels here and on ASB and we'll help you out whenever you need it!
Barbie-I know it was a tough choice, but like you said you can always buy SU, too.
I have a friend who is a SU demo, and we buy from each other all the time.
For me, I went with TAC because of the mimimums and knowing that I could make them all by myself, if need be. I've met some wonderful Angels here and on ASB and we'll help you out whenever you need it!
Thank you. I'm sure I will love it and I appreciate the help.
Such a great time to sign up with TAC too - what a terrific sign on special!! You are getting SO much for your money! Enjoy your new toys that will be coming your way.
Kimberly--I would STRONGLY recommend AngelNet (one time $4.95 setup fee) for ordering online so your customers can use individual credit cards. TAC accepts Visa, MC and Discover. No extra CC fees involved for you or them.
For others who pay cash or checks, you take the $$ upfront, then you pay. You get a commission check mailed out 5 business days after the 15th and end of the month.
I keep a separate checking acct. and credit card just for my TAC business. It keeps everything straight and is much easier! :-)
If you wanted to let customers pay by paypal (which some of my long-distance customers do), then set up a separate PP account for your TAC stuff and have them pay upfront.
HTH! :-)
__________________ Diane H.
TAC Demonstrator #1484/Manager, Smilin' Stampers My TAC SiteMy BLOG
I'm taking it with me to work today. So many great things.
Very similar, yet different to SU.
How about those SU wheels? I think I love those but I've read a few posts where people are removing them from the wheel. Are they not practical while mounted?
no! they are great if you are doing a small card, but the reason people (or at least MY reason) for unmounting them and putting them on a block of their own, is because when you are doing something larger than the diameter of the wheel, it is SO much easier to line up if you want it running across something long! the wheels are great! HTH!
All these wonderful things!!!! I need another job!
Any words of wisdom on CTMH??
Here's a question ( is there a quota for questions?) ;)
I just got a couple of acrylic stamps that I ordered from image stamps. I was looking for police related stamps and she made some for me
I cant get a clear image....I tried versafine, dye everything I have. I stamped on different paper, on top of mouse pad, without, washed them, rubbed them with eraser...everything I know to try.
I have $1 Michaels stamps and they work great. What am I doing wrong?
It's gonna have to be TAC. Can't beat the minimums.
Although there are a few more things I like out of the SU catty,( I really like those wheels) TAC is the way to go for me.
I can always buy from SU right?
Now, one more choice to make. Upline!!
I have had such wonderful people help me, answer all my ?????? and I am torn between two very nice ladies. :(
Barbie,
Just in answer to your question about uplines, I would recommend interviewing several potential uplines and finding out what their goals are for their business and what they will do to support you as you start your business? Would they be willing to do your first workshop for you to get you started? Do they belog to a larger demo group that has meetings and/or swaps. Do they have a website/e-mail group for thir downline? Do they have a business focus or do they stamp as a hobby? Do they only want business builders on their team or do they welcome and support all demonstrators. Do they have the resources to help train you in how to recruit your own team and how to find new customers? Who would be your source of support if your upline decided to drop?
While no one really needs a great upline to succeed in the direct sales business, having one is a tremendous asset, especially as you're starting out. It is so worth it to do a little legwork before signing up to make sure that your upline is everything that you're looking for. Even if you're just thinking of joining to support your own hobby, it's worth making sure that if you ever change your mind and decide to build your business you will have a source of support and encouragement.
Hope that helps.
Diane
p.s. As a Stampin' Up! demo I am biased towards Stampin' Up!, but for whatever it's worth since I became a demo last June I never had to satisfy my quarterly minimums out of my own pocket! If you're willing to do 1 party per quarter -- whether for another hostess or even a mystery hostess party at your house -- that typically will more than satisfy your minimums.
They do--don't think anything special is happening right now (sorry--not a demo anymore so I don't have totally current info!), but they almost always have a sign-on special during Sell-a-bration (Feb-Mar) as well as other random times throughout the year.
Also, I'm assuming they're going to do some fun, big stuff next year for their 20th Anniversary. That's actually when I'll sign back up--can't miss out on all the hoopla of the big celebration! And I DEFINITELY can't miss Convention again! I sat this year's out and it nearly killed me. Last year's was amazing!
Back to sign-up specials--sometimes they take $$$ off the cost of the kit, a lot of times they throw in fun freebie (free sets, access., etc.). Just depends.
Right now Stampin' Up! is not offering a recruiting special, but they do offer them at random times throughout the year. My favorite was last May, when you could get a Level 2 and Level 3 hostess set from the upcoming catalog for free when you signed up. The new recruits got these even before current demonstrators could!
Don't forget that SU mails out a full color magazine each month called Stampin' Success and a quarterly magazine called On Stage to all demos.
We also have an extremely comprehensive demo website that is full of templates, patterns, workshop ideas, samples gallery, etc.
SU has a toll free number for demos and customers
I started out as a hobby demo too and I had no problem making my minimums as I had two other friends who ordered from me.
When you place an order with SU, you instantly keep 20% so there is no waiting for the company to "pay" you. If you are ordering only for yourself, you will have to pay full price to TAC when you place the order and then wait for your discount amount to get back to you.
SU just gave away 20 cruises to random demos at our annual convention
SU has regional training seminars all over the country multiple times throughout the year. Fun, fun, fun!!!!
If you have a problem with a product, SU is right there to replace it immediately.
There are no shipping charges on the hostess benefits with SU.
You can be the hostess with SU, not sure if TAC lets their demos receive hostess benefits.
Great Rewards points with SU. This year, I was able to get 10 boxes of catalogs ($280 value), some business forms, a 1 3/8 square punch and $250 in Visa gift cards that I can use anywhere with my Great Rewards Points.
Su has over 55,000 demos, they know what they are doing!!!!
These are a few things that I don't think have been addressed yet.:p
