stamping basics

[mel_stormer]

i am a new stamper and was wondering what are the best items to purchase when first taking up stamping. I don't want to waste money on things that i probably would not use so what would you suggest to be good basic items needed to start stamping?

[jeanstamping2]

Well if you are just starting out stamping, I would get some of the basic for stamping.

1.Good Black ink pad. TAC has Palette ink which is Dye and Pigment ink roll into one pad.

2.Cardstock. White or Vanilla From SU I have to agree on this.

3.Colored Cardstock

4.Scrap packs of Paper.

5. Few stamps or stamp sets. sayings.



6. a ruler.

7. Good Scissor for cutting Rubber and Paper.
( I have about 4 set's of scissor's & I even have one for just cutting Ribbon.)

8. Brads, Eyelets, Photo turn's

9. Fiber & Ribbon.........( Fiber is one of my favorites)

10. A good stamping friend.

[TNstampgirl]

1.Black ink pad
2.Stampin' Scrub (use mine all the time, wouldn't stamp without it)
3.Good quality white cardstock (Stampin' Up! whisper white is VERY good)
4.Colorful cardstock
5.a few basic dye ink pads (red, brown, green blue, purple)
6.Adhesive (you may have to try a few to find one you really like)
7.a few embellishments (ribbon and brads are pretty cheap, that really dresses up a project and makes it look professional)
8.basic stamps (flowers, leaves, seasonal sentiments)
9.really good scissors (cutter bee scissors are great and totally worth the $$)
10. 12" trimmer

Step it up:
An alphabet set if you scrapbook
metal embellishments
Chalks, watercolor pencils, blender pens, markers


WOW this sort of turned into a wishlist sorry....hth

[laurakj]

Here's what I would say:

1. A good waterproof black ink (SU or Memories both are good)
2. White cardstock (SU is my favorite!)
3. colored cardstock
4. an all purpose stamp set or 2 (both images and sentiments)
5. something for coloring, colored pencils, chalks, markers etc...
6. clear embossing powder
7. heat tool
8. 2 rulers, 1 clear and 1 metal with a cork backing
9. a 12" trimmer
10. a good black pen for writing (Zig or SU both are good)
11. good scissors (Cutter Bees!!! wonderful!)

Those would be my suggestions for the basics. Of course as you go along, you'll want it all HTH

[WeimFamily]

What Laurakj & TNstampgirl suggested are great! I would also suggest picking up a small (1/8") hole punch. You can use this for holes on tags, to insert brads, and several other things. I use mine all the time.

[Ellibelle]

Hi, when I started out with stamping, I had no stamp with any sayings. Then after some time I bought the sincere salutation set from su, that has a saying for almost every occasion. Then I knew what I was missing all along. I also think a versatile set woud be great, like "it's tag time" or "a greeting for all reasons " The second one has lots of sayings too. I wish I had that in the beginning, too. I could have created so many beautiful cards! I think with those sets you can really make a card for any occasion.

And then to make the card perfect, like others here suggested, I'd get some ribbon, I get my gingham ribbon at joanns and I love it, and brads, maybe some colored pencils or pastels. Have fun stamping!!

[born_to_stamp]

Besides the basic supplies that everyone mentions - you need a good versital stamp set. My first set was "A Greeting for All Reasons" from SU! It has been a great set, it covers all basic holidays and occasions. I have had it for over two years and I still use it often

[Jennypoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by born_to_stamp

Besides the basic supplies that everyone mentions - you need a good versital stamp set. My first set was "A Greeting for All Reasons" from SU! It has been a great set, it covers all basic holidays and occasions. I have had it for over two years and I still use it often

Can I ask a quick question? Do they still sell this set? and how Much is it? and is there anyway for me to see it? lol. I am just starting to gather stamps, and I really want a nice saying set. I do live in Ontario but have gotten all my SU stuff from the states. I found it so much cheaper.
Thanks alot for the help!

[WeimFamily]

To see the stamps, effective today you can view the catalog on-line at www.StampinUp.com. It's really cool!

Edited to add: Yes - the set is still available. Check page 80.

[inkyimages]

Did anyone mention VersaMark yet? All my new stampers buy this because I always demo it and they all fall in love with all the things you can do with it.

Karen

[Joan B]

the best advice I wish I had had from the start is to go slow. Your style will change, and you'll look at the stuff you bought a year from now and wish you hadn't bought it. Also, I believe in buying the best quality. Many of us have bought cheaper stuff and then just replaced it with better quality, wasting money. Here's my thoughts. Keep in mind that I'm a SU demo, so I'm biased!

1. try and get to some workshops/classes before you spend much. You'll get a feel for what you like.
2. Get a good quality black waterproof ink pad and a reinker. SU's is not waterproof even though they claim it is. (sorry, but that is why they recommend Staz on for watercoloring). Get Staz On or Memories.
3. Versamark pad. You'll reach for this a lot. It will make a watermark on the page and will also be your go to pad for embossing.
4. Invest in a good paper cutter. Do some research. pm me for advice. I've done a LOT of research on this issue.
5. If you are going to buy SU or any stamps that need cutting, buy the SU scissors (or KAI) same thing.
6. Invest in good quality paper. SU's is the best. And, buy their coordinating inks. It will save you a lot over time. Just get Whisper White to start with and one color family at a time. Try out the stampin spots to get a feel for the colors.
7. If you are going to get a heat gun, get the Heat IT by Ranger or check into the cordless one at Bonnie's Best Art Tools (on line). The Heat It is so quiet and doesn't blow a lot of air around. I haven't tried the cordless, but am very intrigued.
8. There are a TON of stamp companies. I stick to SU because I'm creative impaired and there are literally thousands of examples of how to use their sets on the internet. However, you will find lots of stamps -- some even nicer (!!) elsewhere. Check out www.addictedtorubberstamps.com and drool for a while. Remember, though, a great stamp is useless, if you don't know what to do with it. That's why I've learned to stick with SU.
9. This is an addiction and I'm not kidding. Once you get started, you will need SPACE, TIME, and CASH!! Figure out now where you are going to put the stuff. It's like a bacteria -- it grows!!
10. Buy used if you can. Used stamps work great and there are tons for sale here and elsewhere.
11. Enjoy -- it is a wonderful hobby.