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Stuff that a "big box" store doesn't have, like A Muse, Stamping Bella, Unity, MFT, Lockhart, American Art Stamps. Lots & lots of luxurious ribbon & trims, every embellishment known to man, cool packaging (like PTI's clear boxes for card sets), and a very cool selection of specialty papers. I think of more specialty items when I see the word "boutique." I like that word.
1) stamp companies that aren't very/at all represented at the big chain stores, like Outlines, CHF, or Magenta
2) focused selections of stamp images from the big companies, like maybe a group of House Mouse images, or Fluffles, or all the Calendar Chicks, or something
3) "speciality" images, like the gorgeous, begging-to-be-coloured stained-glass type peonies or whatever type of flower they are -- I've seen cards using these as focal images in the gallery and they are stunning!
4) a range of tools and their accessories/refills; here I'm thinking more of Dove blender pens with their extra tips and the large refill bottles of fluid, paper piercers and piercing templates, Judikins colour dusters, daubers
5) coordinating tool lines would be a nice bonus, like the stamps that coordinate with die cutting dies or punches
6) cool/quality card bases, like Fabriano Mediovalis blank reply cards, Hero Arts or A*muse notecards, etc.
7) if possible, "trial sizes" of some products that more often come in bulk sizes -- I'm usually on a budget and while I may balk at making a $15 "impulse" purchase on just one item, I find it lots of fun to be able to spend $20 on a variety of small amounts of several items.
And with all that said, do you KNOW how many times I've wished the few online stores I shop at carried the Fabriano cards and colour dusters?? And how often I've felt some small regret at not picking up the fun, gorgeous Hero Arts card bases I found at a stamp and gift boutique on Whyte Ave in Edmonton?? I haven't found them anywhere I've shopped since.
another vote for Inque (simply beacuse of the botique). Other companies are the ones I buy at the LSS - not big box and widely known names. Amuse, american art stamps, Michael Strong, Hanko ..and so many more.
When I hear boutique, it makes me think personal service as well as more specialized products. If you're thinking brick n mortar, some ideas are:
- back issues of magazines and a reading corner
- catalogs from suppliers that customers can review and the ability to place orders for those products from you
- samples, samples, samples
- free "technique" demos (my lss does this weekly and I think almost everyone walks out with a basketful of goodies)
Whatever your venture, best of luck to you!
__________________ Anjou My Gallery * My Blog - Dreaming in Color "Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so." - Belva Davis
OH and I would FREAK OUT if I saw Rachelle Ann Miller, Sarah K, or other European type stamps in person!
Elzybells! But NOT the Amuse kind, the real (original, don't know of the best word here for it) kind of Elzybells from England. And only because they are larger and I love to color.
COPICS!!!!!! And refills, as of today I need at least 3 refill colors and of course they are not here near me.
Primas, BUTTONS, Making memories products, Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon, Sassafras Lass, Maya road, bare elements!
Ooooooooooh, Kaiser craft pearls!!!!
Scor-pal and Nestabilities!
So yeah, like everyone else I would hope to find all the cool stuff that I buy online in a stamp boutique.
My favorite boutique-style store has one thing that I *LOVE*. They have this table with adorable metal baby buckets on it... and in each little bucket is a different embellishment goody. They've opened single packages of brads, felt embellishments, chipboard shapes, prima flowers, etc... and sell them individually.
My favorite boutique-style store has one thing that I *LOVE*. They have this table with adorable metal baby buckets on it... and in each little bucket is a different embellishment goody. They've opened single packages of brads, felt embellishments, chipboard shapes, prima flowers, etc... and sell them individually.
My favorite boutique-style store has one thing that I *LOVE*. They have this table with adorable metal baby buckets on it... and in each little bucket is a different embellishment goody. They've opened single packages of brads, felt embellishments, chipboard shapes, prima flowers, etc... and sell them individually.
Aaaaaaaah! One of the stamp stores in Texas that carries the Little Monkeys store more stamps system has an embellishment wagon that is similar to this! I saw the wagon in the store photo tour and didn't quite understand how it worked, but you description here makes it sound really cool!
__________________ God grant me the space to put away the things I buy, The money to buy the things I want,
And the wisdom to know when to get rid of something, so I can get something else.
////*////*
1) stamp companies that aren't very/at all represented at the big chain stores, like Outlines, CHF, or Magenta
2) focused selections of stamp images from the big companies, like maybe a group of House Mouse images, or Fluffles, or all the Calendar Chicks, or something
3) "speciality" images, like the gorgeous, begging-to-be-coloured stained-glass type peonies or whatever type of flower they are -- I've seen cards using these as focal images in the gallery and they are stunning!
4) a range of tools and their accessories/refills; here I'm thinking more of Dove blender pens with their extra tips and the large refill bottles of fluid, paper piercers and piercing templates, Judikins colour dusters, daubers
5) coordinating tool lines would be a nice bonus, like the stamps that coordinate with die cutting dies or punches
6) cool/quality card bases, like Fabriano Mediovalis blank reply cards, Hero Arts or A*muse notecards, etc.
7) if possible, "trial sizes" of some products that more often come in bulk sizes -- I'm usually on a budget and while I may balk at making a $15 "impulse" purchase on just one item, I find it lots of fun to be able to spend $20 on a variety of small amounts of several items.
. . .
Oh, yeah, baby!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
When you hear "Stamp Boutique"...
