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I was recently introduced to A*muse stamps, and I think that they are quite cute. But, there really isn't a A*muse following. I was just curious why they aren't more popular or more widely used? Is it because they are in direct competition with Stampin Up? There are very few blogs, very few used set listings, etc. What am I missing?
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Originally Posted by coffeegal85
I was recently introduced to A*muse stamps, and I think that they are quite cute. But, there really isn't a A*muse following. I was just curious why they aren't more popular or more widely used? Is it because they are in direct competition with Stampin Up? There are very few blogs, very few used set listings, etc. What am I missing?
I'm SU only but I like the look of the amuse stamps too and window shop somethings for inspiration and just for fun. Amuse didn't used to be direct sales like SU, they just started that a year or two ago so I think that's why they don't have a large following right now. That model is still new to them.
I had never heard of them until now. I just checked them out and they are really cute but I think they are kind of pricey.
__________________ Johanna in Indiana - GO COLTS! 2014 100 X 100 Challenge 43 of 100 completed (Round 2-4/21)
2014 Stamping goal: 5 Christmas cards a month
I had never heard of them until now. I just checked them out and they are really cute but I think they are kind of pricey.
Not really different than SU in price.
I'm madly in love with their ink pads and paper. And their stamps. They have a much better range of neutral colors (sorry, SU, but you are just lacking in this), and some really beautiful colors.
__________________ aka Sue. Or Sue-odd.
No blog for me. My gallery chronicles my card-making successes and mishaps.
I haven't bought SU in probably 5 years so I don't even know what they cost these days. I love Close To My Heart and I buy a lot of other acrylic stamps from independent stores. Sorry, I hope I didn't offend you because that was not my intention at all. I know you get what you pay for and these may be really high quality that is worth the little extra money. I do have a few sets that I bought that were really cheap and they stamp great but they don't stick to the block anymore and I have to use glue to get them to stick now. I do like that these sets come in a DVD style case and there are a lot of really cute sets.
__________________ Johanna in Indiana - GO COLTS! 2014 100 X 100 Challenge 43 of 100 completed (Round 2-4/21)
2014 Stamping goal: 5 Christmas cards a month
A Muse Artstamps are definitely not new. I started buying them probably 10 years ago and my purchasing stopped when they went the consultant route. There are no demonstrators anywhere near where I live and I've never been able to figure out how to buy their stamps now. Ugh..
My very favorite sentiment stamps are old A Muse Artstamps wood mount. They were the first to do the smaller sentiments and they are still timely and fresh looking after all these years. They have since switched totally to cling mount, which is the trend. This is a shame since what I really love about these wood mount sentiments is that they are skinny and so distinctly different from any other wood mounts that I have. They are a pleasure to use and I never need to use a stamp positioner to get a straight image. Sigh...wish they would go "retro" and offer them in wood again.
Not every change is a good one. They lost me as a customer because I have no way to see their stamps IRL because there is no consultant within several hundred miles. Just my 2 cents on the subject....
I haven't bought SU in probably 5 years so I don't even know what they cost these days. I love Close To My Heart and I buy a lot of other acrylic stamps from independent stores. Sorry, I hope I didn't offend you because that was not my intention at all.
Not at all. I think both are a bit pricey but that doesn't stop me from buying them. ;)
__________________ aka Sue. Or Sue-odd.
No blog for me. My gallery chronicles my card-making successes and mishaps.
Not at all. I think both are a bit pricey but that doesn't stop me from buying them. ;)
That is the truth! LOL
__________________ Johanna in Indiana - GO COLTS! 2014 100 X 100 Challenge 43 of 100 completed (Round 2-4/21)
2014 Stamping goal: 5 Christmas cards a month
I've LOVED A Muse since I found them in '07 at The Ink Pad in NYC. I have bought from a consultant and I went to one of the seminars they had when they first went to the consultant format. The lady who founded A Muse still has a store in Seattle on Greenwood Ave. N. I've never been there but would love to get there. One of my girlfriends went there on a trip a couple of years ago and said it was a really cute store. Not having been to the store myself, I don't know if they still sell stamps in wood form there.
I recently became an A muse Studio consultant and I cannot say enough good things about this company! The paper colors are wonderful, colored on one side only so you don't need to do tons of layering, and smooth enough to use Copics for coloring. As for the stamps, they come ready to use and already stored in a DVD case.
I have been stamping for about 12 years now and over time I have learned to choose quality over quantity....although I do have quantity, believe me!
I am so happy to see this thread.
Last edited by Jeanne S; 01-23-2014 at 09:02 PM..
Reason: spr
I was really excited about their stuff, but I think when I checked, the paper only came in 8.5x11inch. I am a scrapbooker, and I wanted 12 x 12 paper, I'd rather get coordinating stuff instead of trying to match stuff after the fact. But I loved the stamps.
Ah yes, they are not new, just newer than SU!. I remember A Muse from years ago too. I remember when they switched to direct-marketing format too.
And actually (to the OP), I do think they have a following, just not one as large (or as visible) as SU!'s, especially on a site like SCS, which was started with SU! in mind.
this company is lovely and the designs are fabulous. I love the ink and paper as well. I don't buy many of their sets because I have a strong preference for high quality clear sets and their sets are rubber on cling. Excellent quality though.
Now if they converted to clear I'd be all over them!!!
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I got into Amuse back in 2007 when they carried their own line of Elzybells stamps. I only bought Elzys and when they stopped carrying them, I stopped buying. Their current images are certainly cute, but not typically my style.
I have a lot of Amuse from when they were sold in our LSS but once they went to their new model I haven't bought anymore. Not because of the demo aspect but because I just haven't take the time to find a demo. I do like their images but not the paper - never was a fan.
I really love red rubber, clear mount stamps. To me the a*muse stamps feel a lot like SU except they have the image lasered onto the stamp already. They stick to my blocks better. The consultand @coffeegal85 and I talked to had the same reaction about their paper. While 8.5x11 is OK for cards, it's not ideal for scrapbooking.
I like the company and think they are priced very much like SU. I'd love to see more of what people are using their stamps for!
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This reminds me I need to go check out their stuff. I do that every now and then as they have totally cute stuff and I like looking at the catalog for ideas for sketches and color combos. I'm a total window shopper of all things....stamps, clothes, shoes, bags, home decor......it's like my second hobby, lol!
I love AMuse! I like that they are cling mount and come in a plastic CD type case. I can store all my sets easily. They have wonderful pigment ink (but they can dry out, so buy reinkers for your favorite colors) with matching cardstock. The cardstock is thinner than SU and are colored on 1 side and white on the other (kinda like some designer papers out there). They also have matching ribbons and other accessories which is a fun plus!!
I agree A muse is not widely known and difficult to find . It took me nearly a year to find an A-Muse demo. I even wrote to the company and they did not respond.
I wanted to try the white Pearl Embossing powder.
Fortunately an A-Muse demo ( Kamila ) took pity on me and order it and mailed it to me at regular postage rate so I didn't have to spend $7 postage to get a $5 item LOL
They need a marketing department !!
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
A*Muse Stamps - What is the deal?
