What is important to you when you buy a stamp

willsygirl · 2 Weeks Ago

It has to be great quality...and it has to be versatile...love versatile stamps

Ruthiepowers · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat_woman

First thing is if I love the image. Second is price. Third, how hard is it to sneak past hubby.

In other words, budget. snicker

FlowersandHearts · 2 Weeks Ago

1. How much will I use it. (this includes how many times I will use it even if it's only on one card, IF I'm making a big batch of them...i.e. St. Patrick's Day cards...I just bought a set that I know I'll probably only use once, BUT I will make lots of cards for everyone I know the year I use it...lol!)

2. How much I've already spent that month.

3. How guilty I will feel if I buy it.

Cook22 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverIsis

BWAAAHAHAHAHA thats ME!

I actually missed out on a stamp I wanted last year but managed to get the "new" one in new packaging this year.

Same here - I missed out on a sweet Penny Black I really loved. Then they brought it out in their first clear Christmas sets - but it was smaller, and I didn't want the rest of the set, so I passed. And this year it was one of the first Slapsticks that they released - so now I have it, three years later.

Allistamps123 · 2 Weeks Ago

The only time I buy Halloween, St. Patty's, or Easter stamps are Mike's dollar stamps. I then use them and use them. They are great quality too.

biblesistersmom · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruthiepowers

Do you think it makes a difference if the rubber is made in the United States?

For me, made in the USA is very important. Not my #1 thing to look for, but I probably would not buy a stamp if it wasn't made in the USA. I prefer wood mounted - takes a lot of space, but easier time wise for me.

biblesistersmom · 2 Weeks Ago

I have purchased some of Mike's dollar stamps and only used them a handful of times. I need to be inspired with an idea when I buy rather than just picking something up because it is a bargain.

polargirl · 2 Weeks Ago

I have to love it and I try to meet the versatility requirement. I won't pay expensive shipping costs. If the company gives a shipping discount, I will keep a list of wanted items and place an order when I reach the minimum. I prefer wood mounted but I do purchase clear stamps if they knock my socks off. The most recent clear stamp set I purchased is Vintage Labels by PTI that coordinates with Nestibilites. Wow! That being said; I collect Halloween stamps but I have to absolutely love them and I am very picky. Definitely a plurge. I do not purchase Christmas stamps since I have enough to take me until I'm 95 years old.

missiowa81 · 2 Weeks Ago

First and foremost: the image. I only buy images I really love and that fit my style. I don't bother with anything else, even those images that are the latest rage.

Sentiments: classic and versatile. No puns, no (or rarely) "cutesy."

lazylizard · 2 Weeks Ago

The design and the quality of the art involved in the image are factors I consider. I think versatility is important, and I love a good priced stamp. I will lessen my standards when I find a steal of a deal and will buy good discounted items. I don't care for the simple images that look like something I could draw. I wouldn't need the stamp if I can draw it, KWIM???I love both rubber and acrylic stamps. Each has some advantages over the other. I really love finding great quotes and humorous senitments as well.

MikiBee · 2 Weeks Ago

My main consideration is the image. If I LOVE an image, I usually forget about the price or if I'll actually even use it! Ha ha.. joke. Sorta.

lol. But I am getting better. My second consideration-- I prefer unmounted rubber or clear stamps to wood mounted stamps. For one, they're much cheaper, for 2, I don't use the wood anyway, I just toss it, so to me it's throwing money and resources out the window. (No, I don't actually toss them, I give them away to other wood stamp lovers). But still.. if I have a choice I will always choose unmounted rubber or clear. I have to absolutely LOVE a wood mounted stamp to buy them now just because of the expense.

Erin K · 2 Weeks Ago

I'm trying hard to stop buying stamps. I have tons of stamps. I love them. I really can't say I need any more.

But what truly influences me is the blogs I read. I fight it by telling myself, "Erin you can make a similar project with stuff you HAVE" And I very rarely CASE a whole card anyhow. But when I see the bloggers I love making adorable projects with new stamps I get the itch to get those stamps. So in those cases I try to wait. Maybe a month or so. If I'm STILL itching for the stamp then I get it.

Pretty much every time I've seen a stamp and said, "ohmyheck I have to have that" and bought it right away I've barely used the stamp. Sometimes I'm over it even before the package comes to my home.

One thing I don't let influence me anymore is price. Now of course if some stamp was grossly overpriced I'd have to refuse to buy it. But in the normal price range of stamps I think it's far more important to get what I'll use than what is a "deal". And if I didn't want it at full price I figure I still don't need it on sale ya know?

Finally I don't buy special stamps because so-and-so would love them anymore. How many cards for so-and-so with the same stamps am I really going to make? So I get what I really like. So-and-so can appreciate a handmade card from me made with my favorite stamps or they can drive their happy butt to Halmark and get their own special card. lol

Cardmaking-Comp · 2 Weeks Ago

The most important thing for me when buying a stamp is whether or not it "speaks" to me. I have to really like a stamp and then I get it - sometimes I'm then stuck with deciding what to make with it but I just put it on my shelf and wait for inspiration to strike! (And that sometimes takes months!).

Lately I've been buying more sets purely because it gives me more variations for my charity cards.

Price is not a factor because if a stamp is "the one" I'll buy it and cut down on something else.

Susan

http://www.cardmaking-companion.com