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I have just become really into stamping. I have been building my collection of materials for a few months but I feel like I can't do anything really cool yet. I have several stamp sets, an alphabet, lots of paper, and a SU marker set.
What would you buy next to build my collection? What is the thing you can't live without?
Sponges, a paper piercer, some mini brads...those are all inexpensive things. I love my cuttlebug but that's definately not cheap and not required...just fun! ;-)
Well, I can't live without my ink pads. I even like the spots. It was a good way to sample all of the colors. I also love my watercolor crayons. I use them all the time. With your markers you can do some neat coloring on stamps then huff and stamp. That is one of my favorites because the colors come out so nice. Also, a basioc background stamp. I started to use BG's more and they really add depth to your cards.
Good Luck
For me it would be my ink, but especially the craft in spots, clear embossing powder and a heat tool. That way you can make any image or sentiment not just great, but fabulous!
__________________
~~~ Barbara~~~ ~~Case me if you please~~100% great trades~~
stampin' scrub/stampin' mist : cleans and conditions rubber
paper cutter
craft & rubber scissors : a must have for trimming -- cuts like a hot knife thru butter
coordinating ink/paper
punches
brads/eyelets/snaps and a good setter
RIBBON
These are MY must haves anyway.
Just beware -- make sure you're in for the long haul. It's very addicting -- and SO rewarding.
I agree with everything StampT said. You definitely need the stamp trimmer scissors, ink, stampin scrub/mist. And you can't have too many embellishments!! I've only been stamping for a few months also, and it IS hard to know what to buy first. Have you tried the Simply Sent card sets from SU!? They have everything you need to do at least 10 cards. I think they are a great way to start.
sam
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a few basics
Just a few ideas:
-paper piercer
-quality paper trimmer
-quality ink pads-when I first started stamping, I heard that you should have more ink choices than stamps-I didn't believe it then, but I do now. I have never gotten rid of a decent ink, but I have discarded lots of stamps I have 'outgrown'. Ink choices allow you use your stamps on many surfaces and have many different looks.
-quality adhesive-something you like to use that won't frustrate you either in cost, application, or durability
-texture-find what you like that adds texture to your piece; ribbon, brads, diecuts, fabric, special papers, distressing, etc. Dimension adds so much to a card!
Have fun!
Rachel V.
I love my tape dispenser/runner thingy (such and official term) it just makes taping a breeze. I am also a huge fan of brads and use my paper folder with that a lot. Finally I find my stamp-a-ma-jig has really helped imrpove my cards - everything just lines up so much better! have fun.
I think the most basic piece of equipment is the paper trimmer. There are many threads on the pros and cons of each brand, if you're still in need of one.
Other than that, I'd suggest a good pair of scissors (I like my Cutter Bee pair) and adhesive (both the tab/dot variety and the roll-on kind). I'm a ribbon nut, but I can admit that it doesn't fall into the necessity category. ;)
Keep it simple and make sure you have a good paper cutter and bone folder. These simple tools will make it easier for you to creat and you can always pick up the endless embelishments as you see them (it never stops!)
__________________ Sarah CAS Challenge Spring 2013 Design Team Member Visit my blog
I recommend a good papercutter, a Stamp a majig for positioning those alphas and your 2 step stamps and the craft and rubber scissors for trimming your stamps (if you purchase Stampin Up! or other unmounted rubber stamps).
Also, if you don't already have the full SU marker set, I would gradually add on by buying one color family at a time or by buying the spots.
A White craft ink pad and the SU white Signo gel pen are also nice for stamping on darker cardstock.
I could mention A LOT of things I couldn't possibly live without, but my newest favorite thing is my stampamajig. I've had it for quite a while but realized while cataloging my stamp sets. I really wish I had started using it sooner. It would have made for less stress positioning stamps, trimming, etc. I got mine at my LSS with a coupon...I'm pretty sure Michaels and other large stores have them too.
When I started stamping, I spent all my $ on stamp sets. I got discouraged b/c everything I made looked like it came from a 4th grader. Then a wise person encouraged me to invest in good quality ink and cardstock, so I started collecting SU's 48 colors. What a difference!! I could go on about embellishments and accessories, but the ink & paper were what made the difference in my stamping.
__________________ My Gallery Team Jasper! "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" Mt. 6:21
white gel pen (the one Stampin' Up sells is by far the best out there...seriously!), ribbon, my punches (ie: word window, slit, horizontal slot, circles, etc..) Those would be my have to have items beyond stamps, ink, paper, adhesive and trimmer!
I agree with the cardstock and ink. You really need a wide variety. I never can decide which SU! color family I like the best--it depends on the day-so I've gotten them all little by little.
Wish I'd thought of the 2nd mortgage thing though!! I wonder if I could get one without my hubby knowing???!!!! LOL
sam
I love my watercolours. Back in my early days of stamping, I spent $$ on markers, but ever since I switched, I find I can get the exact shade of colour that I want much cheaper! Also, I use a really big needle (for yarn) instead of a paper piercer. And I can't live without my double-stick tape. It holds everything together really well (much better than glue) in the climate that I'm living in (cards adhered with glue fall apart here).
SU's Mat Pack, aqua painter, black stazon ink pad, white gel pen, craft and rubber scissors, Ultra Clean stamp cleaner and a stamp scrub, bone folder, Tombo Mono Multi glue, Tonic tabletop cutter. Buy SU paper and ink pads as you can!
__________________ Laura SCS Member #772 My Gallery
Versamark. It is a stamp pad that makes a watermark on any color paper. It is great for background stamping. It is very versatile plus you can emboss with it. Love it!!!!
You seem to have the basics. I would suggest looking into accessories or tools, next.
A good paper cutter is a great investment. Make sure to get a good one - the inexpensive ones don't cut straight.
Another tool I love to use is the Stamp-a-ma-jig. You can get much more use out of your stamps with it because you can combine images and place sentiments exactly where you want them. Since you've mentioned you have some markers already, you can use parts of your images and play with them by using the Stamp-a-ma-jig.
Stampin' Spots are also great because you can get a lot of different ink colors fast without breaking the bank.
If you'd like to try your hand at watercoloring, you can use ink from your Spots or from your markers (rub either one of those on a plastic tray or something similar and create a color palette to watercolor from), you could buy the blender pens or the Aquapainters. I have to say that my personal preference goes to the Aquapainters. They're a tad more expensive, but they produce very nice result. They're sharp enough to color in tight spots, but will also allow you to cover large areas without leaving marks (whereas the blending pens tend to do that).
I could go on and on because there are so many products I love, but it tends to be overwhelming when we're starting, so those would be my suggestions to get you started.
For me it would be my ink, but especially the craft in spots, clear embossing powder and a heat tool. That way you can make any image or sentiment not just great, but fabulous!
I'm pretty new to this site too although I'm a seasoned crafter in general. I had rubber stamps, blank card sets, ink, a paper cutter and many other craft tools when I discovered SCS and had been making my own version of cards for years. But, all of the advice and recommendations I've gathered here have helped me make good choices as I've bought more supplies. Among the best things I've learned are to use good inks like versafine and to pick the right ink for the project. Selecting the right adhesives has helped me too. My suggestion is to do a lot of reading on this site while you are building your stock of supplies. Look at cards in the gallery to help you decide what types of embellishments and supplies you would like to use and then use coupons to buy the expensive items.
I have to have cardstock and ink pads, as well as silver brads, the 1/16 punch (although I've found out that a thumbtack will make a hole for a brad much cheaper), and a punch to add "tabs" to my cards sometimes. You can fold a word window punchout in half and brad it on or the new tab punch is cool, too. Just little things to add to a plain card.
Basic tool essentials for me are a paper trimmer and heat gun. Essential basic supplies like good quality paper, cardstock and inks.
I would add that it's absolutely essential to have the right adhesive for the job. It's too frustrating to try and use a glue hat just isnt right. I had no idea when I started this hobby just how many glues I'd need.
I cannot live without my 'snotty' glue for paper and CS. It's actually photo glue but the owner of the LSS where I buy it always calls it 'snotty' glue LOL! It's fab, fab, fab - I always have spare tubes on hand. It doesn't dry straight away so you're able to manouevre your paper/CS into place so you position it right. And any excess glue simply wipes away to nothing. It even gets rid of those fingerprint marks you sometimes make on dark CS.
Besides paper and ink and stamps, the stuff I would never want to be without:
Tonic Paper Cutter - I bought mine about a year ago and I've been in love ever since. It cuts straight every time!
Stamp-a-ma-jig - I'm prolly too much of a perfectionist, but I've been a much happier stamper now that I can place my images exactly where I want them.
Watercolor pencils and an Aquapainter - I prefer watercoloring to color my images, this is such a convenient and portable way to do it.
What very basic supplies can't you live without?
