Pretty New to SU...need advice

[RobinF]

Good Evening...I am fairly new to stamping and especially SU. I have purchased 2 sets of spots (bold brights and earth elements). I've also purchased some paper, some accessories (cleaner, scallop punch) and several stamp sets. My question is should I start buying some larger ink pads and if so which colors? What other things would be good for some one starting out. Thanks sooo much...Robin

[jennik]

JMHO mind you....... when I started out stampin', I bought just the colors I thought I would use, (black, navy, red, etc., ). I soon ended up saving my pennies and getting the entire family. Rich Regals, bold Brights, Earth Elelments and finally Soft subtles, One at a time. And never regretted it for a second.

Happy Stamping!!
Jennik

[karrieg]

Paper cutter, envelopes, punches. As far as ink, why don't you get the other 2 families of spots, then you have all the colors. As you stamp, you can see which you use most and buy those in the full size pads. Hope that helps.

Karrie G.

[Minders]

Things I can't live without:
Large and small tag punch
blender pens
water color wonder crayons
brayer (for background stamps)
black staz on ink (for water coloring)
versamark ink (for embossing and watermarking, this works good if you don't have the particular ink color you need, the ink will leave a slightly darker image, again good for backgrounds)

Things that I'm ordering (cuz my cards need a little something)
heat and stick and 2 way glue pen
glitter

As far as ink pads I don't have the spots, but 2 color families of the large (and plan on ordering the other 2 soon). I have used other spots before and just personally prefer the large pads. It is nice to have all the colors though, with just 2, I'm constantly finding myself needing the others so go for the other spots for sure!!!!

Hope that helps, happy stamping and good luck not becoming obsessed (and poor) like the rest of us, hahah!

Mindy

[RobinF]

Thanks ladies...so much to consider!!! I'll probably get the spots then start on the large pads of colors I like!

[1mom02]

Be sure to order the reinkers. This way if your spot starts to dry out you can remedy that right away. Spots are smaller and will dry out quicker than regular pads plus the spots don't do so well upside down.

I second the Black StazOn & Stazon Cleaner for water coloring.

SU! has a single aqua painter on sale right now in conjunction with their birthday promotion, so it's a good time to try it out.

I also love the punches. There are many to choose from and if you want them all, it's easier to start with ones that coordinate with the stamp sets that you have.

Good luck!

[momis mama]

you might want a couple background stamps too!

[Chucky]

I would definitely invest in:

Aqua Painter
Whisper White/Very Vanilla Cardstock (to watercolor on)
Black Stazon and Stazon Cleaner...LOVE the cleaner!!!
Versamark Pad

A few Stampin' Write Markers - to "isolate" areas on a stamp, or color in small areas...to start off with, just pick colors that coordinate with cardstock you already have, and possibly from the rich regals or soft subtles, so you'll have some form of "ink" from every color family? Also, base your colors on the stamp sets you have so far...if you have floral sets, make sure to buy a green marker for leaves/stems, etc.

Stampin' dimensionals - cheap and they last forever!

"vintage" brads (these are the assorted metal colored ones) - an inexpensive way to add simple but classy embellishments that match everything!

Snail Adhesive and Tombow glue

White grosgrain ribbon, and ink refills to dye it - this way you're not stuck with only 1 color of ribbon. Anytime you need a new color, buy the cheap ink refill and you're all set!

At least 1 background stamp - either "En Francais", "Sanded", or "Friend by Definition", depending on your style.

Paper Trimmer - could not live without it!!!

Hope this helps, although it'll hurt the bank account I'm sure!

Have fun picking out all your stuff!

[meluvstampin]

I would buy the larger inkpads in the colors you find yourself using the most. These are must haves for me

Blender Pens - these are perfect for coloring with inkpads & chalks
Aqua Painter - for water coloring with your inkpads
a good paper trimmer -
a good scissors
Bone Folder
Ribbon or eyelts or brads
A couple of Punches. I love my scalloped edge & circle punches
Markers I use alot!

As you get more comfortable using new products then I would invest in the watercolor crayons & chalks.

[wagleg]

Since you just started Stamping, Just to let you know that SU has Sellabration in Feb-March. When you order $50 worth of merchandise you get a free stamp set. In case you want something that you don't need right away.

[indyemmert]

I don't use the large pads at all, and I have been demoing for almost 5 years. It was probably 2 years before I even needed to re-ink any. You can store them upside down as long as you make sure all loose threads are trimmed off of the pads.
If you want to get some larger pads, start off with the ones you think you would use the most.

[inkymommy]

I have all the spots & the craft spots & the markers. I've been at this a while, though. I recommend the spots in all colors and the neutrals in the large size. I have the large pads in half the colors but rarely use them. HTH.

[RobinF]

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions. I might need a job to pay for this ... there are so many things I want...wait NEED.