Dies Direct?

[Shopping Diva]

Has anyone checked this company out? The banner has been flashing above today.

[Dragonwold]

Looks like they have some pretty neat stuff. Doesn't say they ship to Canada though. From the sounds of it, they used to make some of the dies for the "other" companies, that now have them made in China.

[CardLadyToo]

I checked them out - pretty pricey to me - $35.00 + for a set of 6 dies?? Yowsa - I will stick with nesties - at least I can use a coupon!!

[glitter-dust]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardLadyToo

I checked them out - pretty pricey to me - $35.00 + for a set of 6 dies?? Yowsa - I will stick with nesties - at least I can use a coupon!!

I agree! There is always a coupon for about 40% off every week for one of the local craft stores.

[katestamps716]

They are the company that used to manufacture for Spellbinders before they went off to China. I believe they make all the PTI and MFT dies as well. I met them at CHA. Their main thing is that they are a US based company and don't use any lead in their dies.

[NancyK.]

I love the fact that they are a USA company and if I did not already have my spellbinders nestabilities I would order from Dies Direct. I don't mind spending a few more dollars if it means keeping people employed here.

[CathyC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katestamps716

They are the company that used to manufacture for Spellbinders before they went off to China. I believe they make all the PTI and MFT dies as well. I met them at CHA. Their main thing is that they are a US based company and don't use any lead in their dies.

No company selling dies in the US is allowed to use lead in their products no matter where they are made.

Cathy

[CathyC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyK.

I love the fact that they are a USA company and if I did not already have my spellbinders nestabilities I would order from Dies Direct. I don't mind spending a few more dollars if it means keeping people employed here.

With the paper crafting industry being a $30 billion industry, I would say that we are keeping people employed here.

Many US crafting companies produce their products overseas, but that is certainly not all it takes to get these products to market. What about all of the retailers, warehouse people, customer service people, designers, consumer show people. The list goes on and on.

There would be far fewer products available to all of us if the only place they could be manufactured was in the US. I'll just go along, happy in the fact that I have supported the American worker by just spending my money on products that are part of this industry, because I really would hate to think of what our choices would be without products manufactured elsewhere.

Cathy

[Joan B]

Cathy, if you are affiliated with Spellbinders, can you tell me if it is true that Spellbinders has a patent on the "open" dies -- the ability to have an open center in the die? I've read this but wasn't sure.

Thanks!!!

[CathyC]

Yes Joan, Spellbinders does hold 2 US patents on their dies. The patents protect the dies with the apertures or openings in them. The openings in the dies were designed so that you can emboss with them, making them unique.

The patents are the reason you now see so many dies made as solid plates. Making dies like Spellbinders dies, with openings, infringes on the Spellbinders patents.

Foreign die companies are prohibited from selling dies with openings into the US. Those that do so are also infringing on the patents.

Since I am Spellbinders Design Team Coordinator, I am happy to help set the record straight.

Cathy

[sprtchick]

I have purchased from Dies Direct and I can tell you I will never work with them again. I dont want to say why..lets just say I dont trust that company.
blessings.

[wmpenguin]

Joan - Here is a patent owned by Spellbinders, which I'm guessing is for Nestabilities, but I'm not very good at deciphering the technical language of patents (it gives me a headache!). It doesn't mention "holes" or an "open center" though... anyway, if you want to continue to search, this would be a great starting point.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...N/spellbinders

[wmpenguin]

sorry, while I was typing, Cathy responded already!

[CathyC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmpenguin

Joan - Here is a patent owned by Spellbinders, which I'm guessing is for Nestabilities, but I'm not very good at deciphering the technical language of patents (it gives me a headache!). It doesn't mention "holes" or an "open center" though... anyway, if you want to continue to search, this would be a great starting point.

United States Patent: 7055427

The patent referred to in the previous post is actually one of 2 Spellbinders patents. It is for the original Gemini dies that are no longer produced. It detailed using one side of the die for cutting and the other side for embossing. So that's been around a while too.

The second patent is for all of the dies that Spellbinders makes that have an opening in them including, but not limited to, Nestabilities, Shapeabilities, Borderabilities, Frameabilities, Pierceabilities and a few other "abilities" that I can't think of right now. It simply covers dies having openings in them that Spellbinders uses for their embossing feature.

Hope this helps.

Cathy

[Joan B]

I love this legal talk!! LOL

I also love the space in the center of the dies! thanks for the info.

[sprtchick]

Spellbinders is number #1 because they were smart smart smart....gotta get them all...lol.
blessings.

[thescrapmaster]

I couldn't get onto the diesdirect site tonight. . . I wanted to check it out since y'all were talking about it, but I couldn't get there. . . anyone else having issues?

[RIRed2]

I love spellbinders, but I can not always get the shapeabilites to cut all the way

[CardLadyToo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIRed2

I love spellbinders, but I can not always get the shapeabilites to cut all the way

I had the same problem and someone (on SCS) suggested to use was paper when cutting and it seems to help - also once I roll it through the first time - I roll it backwards through again and it seems to get all the cuts made!

[Patti Lee]

I also had trouble getting into their web site - it beings me to a wierd diff site that has nothing to do with them.........I wonder what happen? Love tos ee what types of dies they produce and compare cost etc.......anyone have even a phone number from CHA (January) where they participated as one fo the vendors? Theor videos seem very interesting but no contact info which I find very strange.............how could you promote what you are selling without a contact?

[resqbarbie]

i just posted this exact thread a few days ago! LOL Good to have lots of input...

[stamp_momma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gale

OT but is the banner really flashing?

This campaign has been paused for the time being, but the answer to your question is no. The banner was not flashing. The banner is single framed, with no animation. I think she was simply referring to the change of graphics as you navigate from one page to the next.

We do allow tasteful animation, but not strobe lights.

[thescrapmaster]

Their site is working again :O)

[sewflake]

I too LOVE LOVE my Spellbinders. I was having REAL issues with my Shapeabilities not cutting well. I fixed that problem by buying a new (it was a gift for Christmas) Big Shot. Have not had a problem since!

[lilactime]

Where is the best place to buy Spellbinders Dies in Canada please?

[Miss Meowy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CathyC

With the paper crafting industry being a $30 billion industry, I would say that we are keeping people employed here.

Many US crafting companies produce their products overseas, but that is certainly not all it takes to get these products to market. What about all of the retailers, warehouse people, customer service people, designers, consumer show people. The list goes on and on.

There would be far fewer products available to all of us if the only place they could be manufactured was in the US. I'll just go along, happy in the fact that I have supported the American worker by just spending my money on products that are part of this industry, because I really would hate to think of what our choices would be without products manufactured elsewhere.

Cathy

I agree that the craft industry is a huge one. But the more jobs that go overseas mean less people employed over here. As an owner of a stamp company I can count on one hand the number of people purchasing my product from China. The majority of people who purchase my stamps live in the US. So it's just in my best interest to keep money cycling in the US by having all my products made in the US.

When you have paper printed overseas, it means jobs lost to printers over here. When Sanford moved production of Prismacolor pencils to Mexico last year it meant that the only pencil factory left in the US closed. People here lost their jobs. Lost jobs means less people spending money. Less money being spent means stores closing, warehouse people and customer service people losing their jobs. It's all a crazy cycle. At this point, our economy really can't afford to lose any more jobs overseas.

In addition, if you produce things overseas, you are less likely to have as much control over your product and the quality than you would in the US. I can easily afford to buy a ticket to anywhere in the US, but the cost and language issue would be a problem outside.

Sorry for going on. Off my soapbox now.:-P

[binx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Meowy

I agree that the craft industry is a huge one. But the more jobs that go overseas mean less people employed over here. As an owner of a stamp company I can count on one hand the number of people purchasing my product from China. The majority of people who purchase my stamps live in the US. So it's just in my best interest to keep money cycling in the US by having all my products made in the US.

When you have paper printed overseas, it means jobs lost to printers over here. When Sanford moved production of Prismacolor pencils to Mexico last year it meant that the only pencil factory left in the US closed. People here lost their jobs. Lost jobs means less people spending money. Less money being spent means stores closing, warehouse people and customer service people losing their jobs. It's all a crazy cycle. At this point, our economy really can't afford to lose any more jobs overseas.

In addition, if you produce things overseas, you are less likely to have as much control over your product and the quality than you would in the US. I can easily afford to buy a ticket to anywhere in the US, but the cost and language issue would be a problem outside.

Sorry for going on. Off my soapbox now.:-P

I agree with your soapbox. ;) Lost jobs - any jobs - from U.S. productions are yet more hits to our ailing economy when we can so little afford more bad news in that sector.

I didn't know about the Prismacolor pencils being made in Mexico; learn something new every day.

Returning to the original topic, I'm sorry to hear about the one bad experience w/Dies Direct, what a shame when something bad happens to taint a reputation. Otherwise, I, for one, sure would be interested in their U.S.-made product.

Has anyone else had experience with this company? Maybe a better experience?

[shellca]

I clicked on their banner last night, but their stuff is too pricey for me. I didn't see anything I had to have (yet)

[vensung1]

I've purchased dies from Papertrey Ink and if made by this company I have no complaints. The dies cut well and I love the selection PTI has to offer and their prices are great. I adore their new party favor box and it's coordinating layer..... I hope they continue producing more items along this line.

[sprtchick]

....just remember...a companies reputation is everything...some are not so good. Some are very good with a great track record.
blessings.

[shulsart]

I have purchased many products from Dies Direct. I absolutely LOVE their embossing plates. To be able to emboss an area that is 5 7/8 x 7 3/4 inches is heaven. Most of the cards I make are 6 inches square so this is perfect. And their Stackers are pretty cool too. I have the French Flair set and the largest die is 5.5 inches so I can actually use it for the shape of my card. I really like how heavy duty these dies are. And the fact that shipping is only $5 is a great plus. I give them a definite thumbs up!

[Westwind]

Are these die compatible with any machine?

[shulsart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westwind

Are these die compatible with any machine?

Yes, they make Cheery Lynn Designs dies, Memory Box, MFT and quite a few other companies. You can use them in any machine. Visit their website for helpful tips and videos Cheery Lynn Designs: Scrapbooking Dies