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There has been a lot of discussion in magazines and on the internet lately regarding discontinued or no longer available rubber stamps that are used in different projects.  I just need to have that exact rubber stamp that is being used by the artist.  It is frustrating when I cannot get it and it is no longer available.  How can we get artists to stop using these rubber stamps for the sake of us consumers?  -- Margaret

There is likely no way to prevent rubber stamps from being used in projects that are being used anywhere.  This often applies to classes in different rubber stamp stores as well; however, a store owner can better control what is being used versus not being used.  My best advice to you is to try to change your personal mindset that would allow you to visualize other stamps being used in place of one that is discontinued.  In order to be successful with this new mindset, you will need to practice.  I totally understand what you are saying but if the rubber stamps are not available, then no matter what you do, you will just continue to drive yourself crazy.  Some options might include eBay, yard sales, and used stamp sales to name a few of the places that might be possible for you to look into.  Just don’t give up because you just never know where any of these stamps might show up. 

I am interested in selling some of my work using primarily rubber stamps in my projects but I have heard that companies frown on this kind of endeavor because of copyright policies.  Is there some way to get around such policies?  Karen

This particular topic is rather complicated for a small column such as this one.  My best advice to you and anyone who wants to conduct similar business is to contact each company whose rubber stamps you expect to use to get their own copyright policy.  Many companies will allow you to use their rubber stamps provided no mechanical reproduction is used.  Although it initially might be painful to contact each of the companies, it is worth the trouble to keep you out of any potential legal battles in the future.  Be sure to keep the policy statements from each company on file in the event you should need to make reference to it at any time.  Best of Luck!!

I’m just curious about what appears to be all the rage these days.  They are called “inchies”.  What is it about them that makes them so popular?  Is it true that they are only 1” x 1” designs?  -- Jena

You are absolutely correct about the rage.  Inchies have hit big time but let me tell you that they are tons of fun and anyone can get very creative with them.  Some manufacturers are creating images specifically for inchies which are 1” x 1” pieces of art.  They can be traded and, with a magnet on the back, can be used with anything metal, i.e., frame, cookie sheet, etc.  It could be a very nice way to seasonally change the décor in a home, office, or other environment that you hang out in a lot.  Any rubber stamp works with an inchie.  Just determine what part of the stamp you want to feature and stamp that part onto your 1” x 1” square.  You could also do the reverse and stamp your paper and then cut it down to a 1” x 1” size.  The main thing is to have fun with them.  Many stamp stores will undoubtedly have a trade time so check it out with your local store.

I have been toying with a Cuttlebug purchase but have not taken the plunge yet.  Is this machine as good as I hear it is or is it just another machine that will gather dust in my closet?  My birthday money is burning a hole in my pocket, so, please let me know what you think.  -- Susan

I have owned and continue to own several machines comparable to that of the Cuttlebug.  I find the Cuttlebug to be, by far, the most value added to my collection of “toys”.  I am in the process of selling some of the others since, with the Cuttlebug, I do not need them any longer.  The Cuttlebug works with many of the competitor’s dies and is much easier to manage.  Once you have figured out the “sandwich” combinations, it really is easy to use.  There are a lot of “envelopes” (or jackets) made specifically for the Cuttlebug that are available which will emboss your paper, metal, and likely many more materials.  The results are very cool.  There are also dies that cut and include a folder to then emboss what you just cut.  I think it is worth looking at and I’m sure that your local rubber stamp store would be happy to demo it for you.  I would highly recommend the Cuttlebug to anyone who likes the embossed look.  It is deep and very attractive.  Happy Birthday!!

I have been looking for a specific product and thought maybe that you could help me.  I hope you have heard of Tim Holtz, an industry hotshot who works for Ranger.  I believe that Tim has come out with a line called “Grungeboard” but I’m not sure if it is affiliated with Ranger.  I’ve been having a difficult time tracking down this particular product.  Any ideas where we consumers could find this product?  -- Susie

I’ve been doing some research and here is what I’ve been able to find out.  Grungeboard is part of a line called “Idea-ology” that is a trademark of a company by the name of “Advantus Corp” which Tim has an affiliation with.  Not certain of all the ins and outs on this one but I’ll keep looking.  In the meantime, I was able to easily find my grungeboard at my local rubber stamp store.  It is a very cool product which, by definition, is “a compressed, flexible sheet of dingy material with a debossed texture that can be painted, inked, sanded, hammered, die-cut or grunged”.  It definitely has lots of possibilities.  If your local rubber stamp store does not currently carry this product, encourage them to do so.  Lots of designs and textures are available.  As I understand it, Tim has a video on his blog showing how this product can be used.  If you have not seen it, let your local rubber stamp store know that this resource is available to them.  Tim’s blog can be reached via his website at www.timholtz.com.  Select “blog” and from there be sure to mark it as a favorite making it easier to get there in the future.  Hope this helps!

I’m curious how others handle the tremendous amount of rubber stamping information that the internet has to offer.  I cannot spend hours with three small children although, while they are napping, I do enjoy being able to “surf” without anything in mind.  I do, however, need to focus.  Any suggestions would help. -- Amanda

Some people do spend hours and hours on the internet but this seems to be their passion and pastime.  You are correct in that there is lots of information available and one way to “shrink” down or handle what you access is to add to your favorites any sites that really do interest you.  By adding these to your favorites, it’s less likely that you will surf because you already have some favorites selected.  As you gain more speed in viewing what is on the internet, you can then add to your favorites.  Be sure to select sites that you really like and some that offer tips, techniques, and other great things.  The internet can be loads of fun but it must be used with discretion of sorts!

Now that the holidays are over, I want to get an early start on the new year.  I was a crazy lady this past holiday season and I really want to avoid anything coming close to that for 2008.  Any suggestions on what I can do to simplify my life? -- Connie

The solution seems pretty simple to me but we don’t always see beyond our own boundaries so asking such a question is a good thing.  I’m sure others would think of other solutions but mine is to make a commitment to get together with friends at least once a month forming a club of sorts.  You could even go so far as to allow only holiday projects to be worked on.  Before you know it, you will be well past what needs to be done for holiday gift giving in 2008.  It’s really that easy – just do it!!

I am interested in carving out some of my own designs.  I feel rather timid about it and can’t seem to take a step forward without some level of fear.  Any suggestions for getting me started.  -- Gerri

First off, I love eraser carving and I’m sure you will also.  It is so fun to see your very own design take shape but I do understand your fear factor.  It’s easy to toss a piece of paper away if you make a mistake but not so easy to toss away the eraser carving material as the expense is so much greater.  You must, however, get past all of this and the easiest way of doing this would be to participate in an eraser carving class.  Fun, fun, fun is what it’s all about.  This would take you well beyond any fear of moving forward on your own.  It would also provide you with the “how to’s” for transferring your image to your block along with other tips and techniques.  Check in with your local rubber stamp store and see what they have to offer.  You’ll be glad that you did.

Please help.  I am drowning in paper and yet I buy more almost on a weekly basis.  Does one really need as much paper as I have?  I’d say “not really” but how can I stop myself from buying yet more?  -- Margaret

I suppose you could join “Paper Anonymous” where you would identify yourself with an introductory of “Hi, my name is Margaret and I have not bought any paper in three days”.  Perhaps this would help but, better yet, your solution is simply to use the paper you have.  As long as you use it, why not get more.  Papers today are versatile, well designed, and have varying weights for varying projects.  You are not alone just in case you think so.  We are all paper “hogs” as some might say but, hey, we could have worse habits.  Share it, cut it, use it, and just play with it.  You’ll be fine!

Last year I purchased a “Scor-it” and if you know what I am referring to, you know just how wonderful this product is and what a gem it is to own.  I have recently seen ads for a mini Scor-it, although I am having a hard time finding it.  Since I have not seen it for myself, I’m wondering if you know what the advantages would be to owning one this size.  I’ll never give up on my original Scor-it but I’m curious about the smaller version.  -- Kathy

I have spoken to the manufacturer of Scor-it products to get information on where these can be purchased.  He stated that they are experiencing manufacturing delays which are out of his control at the present time.  He is as frustrated as are his customers and is working feverishly to rectify these delays.  His expectation is that the mini’s will be available by mid to late November of 2007.  The primary difference in the original Scor-it and the mini is the size.  Owning a mini will become very useful when taking it on the road or when the larger version is plain overkill for the project you are working on and a hassle to retrieve out of the closet.  I’d expect lots of individuals will end up owning both for these very reasons.  I own my own large version of the Scor-it and would never give up on it either but I am considering purchasing one of the new mini’s.  We’ll see – maybe Santa will bring it!

Over the years, I have bought several hole making devices primarily to set eyelets (which I dearly love) but I am still not very pleased with what I have invested in so far.  Could you please suggest some choices that would be available to myself and to others who might like help in this area.  I’m tired of spending money on products that just don’t seem to work efficiently. -- Katherine

I know that it will be hard to believe, but I am still a die hard when it comes to hole punching.  It’s hard for me to get away from the original hole maker which I don’t believe really has a name.  It’s the steel metal post that makes a hole anywhere – and I mean anywhere.  The problem with this tool that many found a “hazard” is that a hammer is required to hit the metal post in order to create a hole.  Personally, I have no trouble with this option, however, the market saw a need for something different so lots of other tools were popping in haphazardly.  Since the initial steel post, nothing has come close to it except for a punch called “Screw Punch”.  This particular punch is often referred to as a Japanese Screw Punch as it is manufactured in Japan but has no real identifiable information about it on the packaging.  Book makers, hobbyists, and lots of folks in the rubber stamping and scrapbooking world are sold on the Japanese Screw Punch so I would advise that you contact your local store to see if it can be ordered for you.  The price point is just OK (about $45.00) but I do believe that you will find it easy to use and, in the long run, quite affordable.

What is the least expensive embellishment that a stamper could use to add pizzazz or bling to a project?  Just curious what you might think?  -- Maria

This really is a tough choice and I have given it lots of thought since receiving your letter.  I think for me that it boils down to brads.  If you are not familiar with them, get acquainted with them as they offer lots of options for adding that pizzazz you are looking for.  They are relatively inexpensive and very easy to use.  You can also paint them, use rub-ons over them, and do just about anything you want with them.  Most rubber stamp stores carry them and now scrapbooking stores do as well.  A piece of caution, however, is that there are many to choose from so this just might be the hard part.  If you are like many of us – gotta have them all, hence, forget about the least expensive part of your question!  Just move on to the next chapter…

I hear so much about distressing these days. Why is this technique so hot and what can I do to make it happen for me? I do like what results when people distress but I cannot seem to get the same look. Is there a kit or something available that would help? -- Connie

I love the distress look also and there are many approaches for making it happen. One method is simply using Distress Inkpads manufactured by Ranger. These inkpads come in several colors and are perfect for that direct to paper approach. Another easy and inexpensive method is to crumple up the paper you are using (this breaks down some of the fibers) and then smooth the paper out again. Using a dye based inkpad, hit the peaks of the paper with the ink again using the direct to paper method. Another inexpensive method is to have a cup of tea and use the teabag as the “inkpad” for edging your paper. Some of the paper could warp depending on how much water content there is in the teabag but, again, this adds to the vintage look and can be rather appealing. I’m sure that more methods are available but these should get you started. Be sure to ask others what they do and what is their favorite method. This could lead to some serious distressing!! Have fun!

I have been rubber stamping for about a year or so now and I have collected a rather extensive collection of rubber stamps that, at one time, I dearly loved. It seems now that my interests are changing and what I once thought of as something I really liked, I no longer care for. The designs no longer have their original appeal or I have outgrown the design altogether. I have thought about donating them to a local school but I would like to know what others do in this situation. It would be wonderful to recoup some of what I have invested. Any thoughts? -- Beverly

Well, you certainly are not alone. Most of us have, or will go through, what I refer to as a growing period. This growing period is likely to last you a lifetime because so much is available and a technique you use today may become passé tomorrow. I for one have never been able to part with a stamp regardless of whether or not I have ever used it. It is just a thing with me that I must have loved it at some point in my life. There are, however, numerous ways of distributing your rubber stamps (and accessories) for a small profit.

First off, a donation to a non-profit organization will yield you a tax write-off but be sure to get a receipt if you go this route so that it can be registered properly during tax time.

Another great way of recouping some funds is to host a yard sale. Although this method is more time consuming than some, you will likely get a nice return on your used rubber stamps and accessories.

Connecting with a club can often yield high returns. If you are not a member of a club, check with your local rubber stamp store which could likely point you in their direction.

My favorite suggestion to anyone, however, and also most painless way I believe, is for you to participate in a used rubber stamp sale at your local stamp store. Not all stores see the benefit(s) in hosting such an event but check it out at your local store and encourage them to host the event. It is lots of fun and provides many opportunities for others to enjoy rubber stamps that you once enjoyed.

Additionally, some nursing homes and assisted living facilities host regular craft classes or craft events. These facilities are a great option for donations of this sort. Their budgets are generally not directed to these creative endeavors so any help they can get is hugely appreciated. This, of course, would be a non-paying alternative except that you would likely get a payoff in the heart! Hope this helps.

I am having trouble finding decorative 8-1/2” x 11” paper.  There is lots of 12” x 12” paper to choose from but it seems the smaller size is becoming obsolete and retail stores are not carrying as much as what they used to have.  As a rubber stamper, I need the smaller size for my projects and find that there is too much waste with the larger size.  Is it going away forever and what are my options?  --Sophie

I do believe that many manufacturers of decorative paper are becoming less and less enchanted with the 8-1/2” x 11” size.  Seems like there is more demand in the larger size and the consumer is probably who is really driving this train.  As more and more scrapbooking paper is required and or requested, these manufacturers are responding.  The good news is that as a rubber stamper you are able to extract several greeting cards from a single piece of the larger size.  From my standpoint, it is at least available and has not gone obsolete altogether.  Perhaps some better planning on your part would create less waste and make the larger sheet more economical in the long run.  I just love all the options of so many designs for every possible occasion, event, or milestone.  These options are much greater than in the 8-1/2” x 11” format so consider splitting the larger size paper with a friend.  Divided, you can easily create at least two A-2 sized cards as the baseline.  Just take a moment to reevaluate your process and you might just see that these papers are exactly what you need!  The market for 12” x 12” paper is growing every day.

I think I have an easy question but one that I have wondered about ever since I started buying rubber stamps.  Seems like lots of people have opinions on this but wondered what yours might be.  I’m interested in knowing what the best product is for cleaning my rubber stamps.  --Betty

In my experience, I have not found one product to be any better than the next.  Many companies claim that they have the “ultimate” in a cleaner but I’m still rather fond of your basic baby wipe.  I’ve never been one to clean my rubber stamps back to a perfect condition once they have been used so baby wipes suit my purpose very well.  Tsukineko’s StazOn All Purpose Cleaner is a good one, not only for StazOn, but for other inks as well.  There are many others on the market so I would suggest that you check in with your local stamp store and see what they carry.  Using a old toothbrush under running water is also a method but be sure to dry off your rubber stamp immediately otherwise it will likely warp.  Hope this helps.

Sometime back, I purchased a set of Walnut Inks made by a manufacturer called Tsukineko. I bought them from a local store when I saw them used in a demo but now I can't for the life of me remember what to do with them. -- Sherry

It sort of makes me laugh because lots of folks pick up cool items at demos and such but then get home and can't quite duplicate what they saw in the demo. My first suggestion would be to try and get a hands on approach at such an event. This helps channel the process a bit better in the brain. It may not always be possible but it's worth trying. My second suggestion is to eliminate “timid” from your vocabulary and just play, play, and play some more. You just discover something great with a look that you really love. The Walnut Inks manufactured by Tsukineko are really quite wonderful. Their easiest use is to simply spray some of the ink onto the surface you are working with. This will result in a one of a kind and can be done on various types of paper and also to stain wood. My favorite paper is actually “glossy” or coated paper. I just love the look it gives to paper. Spraying is easy but as an added bonus, Tsukineko also has individual daubers which can be placed on top of the bottle after the spray nozzle is removed. With a dauber, you can easily add dots of walnut ink color to your project. Using glossy paper, it's easy to create a very subtle background. Daub lots of different colors and rub off the excess with a dry cloth or paper towel. Rubber stamp over the background and voila – instant and likely beautiful art. Playing around with these inks is truly a good thing. Take some time to do just that and most of all have fun!

I'm not sure that I want to limit myself to this but I'm mildly curious about what you would recommend. If I could only purchase one inkpad on the market today, which one would I want? There are many to choose from but I really just want one! -- Muriel

That really is an interesting question but in my mind it is a very easy question to answer. Although there are many inkpads as you mentioned and all of them serve their own purpose, my number one choice would be the Versafine inkpad manufactured by Tsukineko. I don't own stock in this company but the performance of this ink is like no other. It translates the finest of detail in a rubber stamp to paper with clarity and perfection like no other inkpad can that I have ever been acquainted with. Working quickly it will also emboss but I prefer just to stamp with it. Although there are not a ton of colors to choose from, I do love what they have and will continue to purchase them until I have the entire collection. Give the Versafine a shot. I think you will also just end up loving it!

I want to know everything there is to know about Suze Weinberg’s “Hot Pot”. I have been making embellishments using a mini crock pot and when a friend saw me using it, she insisted that I should check into this hot pot. So, what gives? Do I really need to own one? -- Susie

Well, first off Susie, it is called a “Melting Pot” and is manufactured by Ranger. Most rubber stamp stores are likely to carry this product or certainly can special order one for you. As a “must have,” that depends fully on what you have in mind for its use. Some of its features include optimum temperature control (unlike a crock pot), rapid and even melting of many craft mediums, it has large handles for easy lifting, is made with an elongated spout for accurate pouring (for molds as an example), and best of all it has a non-stick surface for easy cleaning. It contains interchangeable trays to move from one medium to the next if required. There is also a set of tools which can be purchased for use with the melting pot. If you often make and pour molds, this alone would qualify you as a candidate for this great product. Before making a purchase, you might want to see if you can borrow one and test it out for yourself. Beware, however, that you may never want to return it!!

Whine, whine, whine. I really want to take classes but with three young children and a busy schedule it always seems impossible. I’ve been trying to teach myself different techniques but following directions from a magazine is often unsuccessful. I am truly a hands on person. Is there a solution for a busy mom like myself to make some progress using different cool tools for different techniques and other stuff in this industry? -- Martha

Well, I certainly think you are entitled to at least one night out a week – maybe with just the girls. If help from the family is unavailable and your husband refuses to be alone with the kids, a solution, although expensive, would be to hire a babysitter. It would at least guarantee you some free time just for yourself. You could make this proposal beginning with just one day a month and working your way up to more days as you see the success of hiring a babysitter.

My first thought, however, is a bit on the crazy side but if your local stamp store would agree, why not host a 4:00 am rubber stamping class. All that would be required on your part would be to gather your friends and show up at 4:00 am. I have exaggerated the time a bit but that’s so you can see what I mean. Anything is possible so put your imagination to work and make something happen. The reverse is also possible whereas your rubber stamping party could start after all the kids are in bed making it so much easier for your husband to handle. Just a few ideas but remember that what is really important is to keep your creative spirit going no matter what you do.

I have been rubber stamping for several years and I have recently discovered that lots of people would like to buy some of my work. I’m not sure exactly how to make this happen as I have been told that many companies will not allow me to use their artwork for resale. Do you have any advice for a “newbie” in this market? -- Amy

It is true that some companies continue to have a non-angel policy as it is referred to in this industry. A company who has an open angel policy will generally allow you to do whatever you would like for resale provided that each item is hand stamped. In other words – no mechanical reproductions are allowed. I have made reference to this topic in this column before. It is an ongoing and often hotly debated topic. The site “littlebits.com/bbs/bbsrs.htm” lists many rubber stamping companies and what their policy is. This is a good starting point and, if you have any doubts, contact the company directly. Some will even issue you a stamp that can be used on your projects which reflects them as the maker of the stamp. It is initially tedious to do but in the long run will pay off if your sales go well. Lots of luck!

I am a fan of die cuts, but with so many different machines to choose from that create the die cuts, I am somewhat perplexed. Each has its own uniqueness which makes it that much more difficult. What would your recommendation be if you could choose only one? I would like to market some of the output so I would like a machine that is not tedious and produces an outstanding product. I am looking forward to your reply. -- Jennifer

Right off the top of my head, I would recommend the Accu-Cut. This unit has been around for a very long time. Lots of schools own them which should tell both of us something. It is also possible to have your own unique die cuts made by the company which manufacturers them. This is a real bonus when you want to market the output. You would need to inquire directly from other companies to find out if this is an option. If you are not in a position to own one just yet, testing the market by using one that is available from a scrapbook store or rubber stamping store is a good option. It’s possible that either would have many different machines on site so that you could try them all out for yourself. Bottom line is that these machines are great and have lots of possibilities. I personally would like to own all of them but that is not possible. Good luck with your search. I’m sure that once you get started, it will all fall into place.

I have been contemplating buying a craft iron from Clover but I am not convinced that I really need it. I love gadgets and such and the craft industry certainly has its share of them but please convince me that I really need this particular item. -- Sheila

Well, I certainly got a robust laugh from your letter. I could easily say “well, of course you need this iron” and let it go at that but I think you already know that and are just looking for some validation. If it is in fact validation that you want, well, what can I say but “you've got it”. The Clover Craft Iron is actually a very nice tool for your craft toolkit. Two of its greatest features from my perspective are that there are no steam holes and that it stores flat. It transports easily and has that wonderful stick resistant sole plate that we all love so much. I really do think it is a reasonable investment and with the holidays just around the corner could be included on your “wish list” of things you gotta have! Keeping it fun Sheila is important and I get the sense that you are good at it. Keep up the FUN work!

I don't particularly like stickers for my projects but the price is often right. I do a variety of art and would like a classy sort of look. The stickers with dimension are too expensive for me but I do like how they look. Any ideas for taking stickers up a notch? -- Diane

Well, I can certainly tell you what I do with stickers and really love the look. I will often select my stickers so that they are easy to cut. I will begin by sticking them down onto cardstock followed by mounting them up with mounting tape. You will immediately get a different look. If you leave margins on either side, you could then add embellishments such as brads, eyelets, sequins, etc. If they are easy to cut, you could cut the sticker out after sticking it to cardstock and before mounting it up. Stickers are very classy looking these days and very affordable. I would also suggest watching for sales and making them stretch as I have suggested. Stickers are not just for potty training anymore. On the contrary, they are made to create and embellish already wonderful art!! Just keep it fun!

I find paper to be a real challenge. I have discovered that most papers are intimidating to me which makes them hard to work with. I suspect it's only a phobia of sorts but what can I do to get past this phobia and make handling and using paper fun like it is for most people? -- Allison

Well now Allison, this is a good one and one that has not passed my desk before. Let's see what we can do to help you.

First off, take any piece and any size decorative paper and tear it to shreds. It probably will feel good except that you might feel you have wasted money on the purchase of this paper. Tearing (but not into shreds) is often a method used to accentuate a card or project. Some people love it and some people hate it but it's definitely an option.

Paper may be intimidating for you because you have no idea what to do with it. Magazines are a tremendous help for ideas and suggestion for using decorative paper. Once you have cut into a piece, it becomes much easier each time you do it. Don't think that you have to use the whole sheet. Take a small piece and use it on a project. Put the rest aside for a project later on. To get past this “phobia”, I suspect that you just need to get out there and play – lots of play. So many of us love paper but I can appreciate how difficult it might be for someone to use. There is so much to choose from so just pick a sheet and get started.

Something else you could do is get together with other friends who love this industry and play “copy cat” for a while and see what they do. Could be eye opening.

I hope this helps. The most important thing of course is to have fun so don't let it get the best of you. You'll discover a whole new world once you get going!

I never thought I would be writing to a “column” but here I am. I'm looking for help with adhesives. There are so many available that I just don't know what is good and what is just OK or what I should be using. Some of what I have already bought either curls the paper or in the case of attachments, well, they just fall off. Can you help me with this dilemma? -- Tiffany

Well Tiffany, you have certainly hit on an “emotional” topic. What I really mean by emotional is that most people finally settle down to what adhesive works best for them but up to that time, they have and likely need to investigate what is on the market and this can become difficult because of all the money you are spending along with all the advice that may come with it.

The following tips are not necessarily to convince you that they are the best but simply to get you to view your adhesive in maybe a different light.

Let's take embellishments for example. A glue stick is clearly not strong enough for charms and/or embellishments no matter how much of it you use. A better choice is to use something like “The Ultimate” which is very strong for gluing embellishments even as heavy as charms. Not good for paper, however – at least in my opinion. Just too wet for paper like most of the liquid glues.

Double stick tape on the other hand is a good option for mounting paper to paper and is available in many forms. Some are tape runners available from many manufacturers or even something as heavy duty as an ATG Tape Dispenser from 3-M. This one is really heavy duty but once you've used it, you're not likely to go back to anything else. I find that double stick tape is the best to use when making greeting cards or projects that required a nice, smooth finish. Beware, however, that double stick is unforgiving in that once it is down – it is down and hard to pick up if your placement is off.

You are likely going to make up your own mind once you get going. You have already learned from some of your purchases so now it's time to put those down and move ahead to something else. I'm confident that anyone working in a rubber stamp or scrapbook store will be more than willing to help you learn more about adhesives and what they might have on their shelves. Don't hesitate to use the stores as a resource anytime you have a question. The more progress you make, the clearer it will get. Hope this helps!

I have heard a lot of people talking about a product called Twinkling H20's. I am not sure how they are used and exactly what they are so I was wondering if you could tell me more about them. I did see some completed samples from a friend of mine. She loved the technique but was not real clear on how she got there. She is fairly new to all this stuff. I will be taking a class but before I commit, I thought I would find out more. Thanks for the help. -- Sammy

H20's are becoming extremely popular in this market and come in over 100 colors so knowing something about them is probably a good idea before making any purchases.

First, let me say that they are wonderful and one of my own personal favorite mediums. First off, they are non-toxic, archival safe for the scrapbooker, and just plain simple fun to use. You can purchase small jars but my favorite are the 10 gram jars because their lids are clear so you can easily see all the wonderful colors that are available. The lids on the smaller jars are not clear. H 2 0's generally come in sets so it makes it a bit easier to choose colors. Dipping a wet paintbrush into the cake of color will re-hydrate the cake allowing you to apply the color to your project. Spritzing directly into the jar and letting it sit for a bit will penetrate the cake and cause it to muddy a bit. This also makes for some great color to add to your project including direct to rubber with the H 2 0's using a sponge or stipple brush. Are you convinced that there are lots of things that are possible? Rest assured that there are so check in with your local rubber stamp store and see what they have to offer. If a class is available, do consider taking it to learn first hand all about these fantastic little paints. Here's to H20's!!

I hear that Stazon Ink is all the rage these days. I have invested in so many other inkpads that I am reluctant to purchase yet another line of inkpads. Do I give up on what I have and move on or is it OK if I don't make another investment in ink? I do like following the trends but it is getting difficult with new stuff coming out so often. Please share you thoughts! -- Sherry

Well, first off, yes, it is certainly OK if you decide to lie low for a while and not make any more purchases. I would never give up on what I already have especially if it is working well for me. Manufacturers are constantly trying to improve and/or be a front runner in this industry. That really is their job and most of the time we do appreciate what they have to launch but sometimes it gets overwhelming for me as well.

Stazon is a wonderful ink that has its own staying power. It is an acid-free and archival ink that dries quickly and can be used on surfaces such as plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, coated papers, and leather. It is not recommended, however, for fabric. It is also available in several colors so owning just one may not be enough. Just go slow and take it easy until you decide for yourself that this is a “gotta have” inkpad for your toolbox.

I keep hearing about a “Direct to Paper” technique but have never seen it or been able to find someone who knows anything about it. Is this a well hidden secret or is it as cool as what I am able to find and read about in magazines? -- Melinda

Direct to Paper is a very easy concept and, yes, it is very cool as well. It simply involves using your inkpad and applying ink from the inkpad directly to your paper. You can simply add highlights to the edges of your paper or create shapes and backgrounds by using different sizes of inkpads. These are only two samples of what is possible. Be sure to make certain that the inkpads you use work with the type of paper you are using. For example, you would not mix a pigment inkpad with glossy paper as the pigment ink would never dry on the glossy paper unless it was embossed. Hope this is what you were looking for.

I have a slight problem with rubber stamping that I thought you might be able to help me out with. I tend to favor rubber stamps with considerable detail to them and, as a general rule, I have difficulty when stamping such stamps. The image is simply not crisp or clear and I can forget embossing altogether since I end up with lots of blobs and it ends up looking pretty bad. Would you have any hints or tricks that could assist me in the stamping style that I like the best? -- Cathy

Well, for the most part, I believe my response is fairly easy. I have personally had great success in stamping detailed images with the Versafine inks from Tsukineko. Please don’t confuse this ink with other inks that have similar names. The Versafine ink is an archival instant dry pigment ink that is well suited to fine detail and works best on matte cardstock. It comes in a host of colors but I believe it is a well kept secret for the most part. Although its existence is not from very long ago, most people are unaware that such an ink exist. Give this a try. I think it will work well for you and resolve the conflict you have with using your detailed stamps. You will now likely experience a whole new world of rubber stamping.

I am fairly new to rubber stamping and my first real experience with it proved to be a disaster. I was attempting to make baby shower invitations for a friend but the ink never dried on my paper. It was a huge mess and I nearly swore off stamping but a friend assured me that this is not necessarily how it is. Can you help me with this ink business so that I have a better understanding of what is “good” ink and what is “bad” ink so this does not happen to me again?  -- Becky

I was sorry to hear about your “huge mess” and your first experience. Unfortunately, many individuals make the same or similar mistake that you made when it comes to the inks used in a project.

Basically, there are only two types of ink on the market – a dye based ink and a pigment ink. These are the two types to remember. I suspect that you used a pigment ink which is best suited for embossing given that it will never dry on certain papers such as vellum, glossy, photo, and other coated papers. Manufacturers want you to be attracted to the different vibrant colors available and have manufactured most of these inks with clear see through lids. These are very easy to spot but should be avoided when using coated papers unless you emboss.

Dye based inks on the other hand are a fast drying no frills ink well suited to all types of paper including vellum and coated papers. You are not likely to see lots of sparkle with dye based inks but they do come in many different colors.

I would strongly urge you Becky to take a beginner’s class and ask lots of questions. There is way more to this whole ink business than I can cover in this column. Another option would be to spend time cuddled with some rubber stamping magazines. These magazines often discuss inks, papers, and tons more that might be of great help to you. Please don’t give up. It’s a very fun and creative environment to be in and is likely one that you will come to enjoy immensely.

I am on the hunt for some sort of adhesive that will work with attaching micro beads to different craft projects. I have tried several tacky types of glue with little or no success. I've seen projects done using these beads on glass, for example, but can't seem to make anything work for me. Any suggestions? -- Martha

I suspect what you are looking for is referred to by several names. The most common name is “Wonder Tape” and is available in most craft and/or rubber stamp stores but call ahead just to be certain that they carry this product. It is also sometimes referred to as terrifically tacky tape. This product is a double-sided tape that is one of the strongest tapes you can buy. It will hold beads to wood, glass, metal, plastic, paper and many other surfaces. An easy way to identify this tape is to look for a roll that is red in color which is why sometimes it is called red liner tape. This is just the plastic which covers the tape until it is ready to use. One side goes down directly from the roll and when you are ready to attach something you remove the plastic to expose the other side of the sticky. This tape also comes in sheets for larger projects. When you find this tape, be sure to ask for its companion tape that is punchable. Can you imagine the possibilities?

Please help me to understand the fascination with using staples on craft projects. I have seen absolutely beautiful ribbon used in a project with one big ugly staple holding it down. Everyone tells me it's the “in” thing but it leaves something to be desired for me. Am I missing the boat on this one? Sammie

Well, I must admit that this one made me laugh. No, I don't believe you are missing the boat at all. For some people, this is the look they want and it's reasonably inexpensive and easy to do. Most people have one stapler or another in their homes. I have seen some projects where a staple is used to hold down whatever object is being used but then covered with an embellishment or something similar to make the project more attractive. There is also a new stapler on the market from EK Success called a “Fastenator” which attaches decorative staples to projects. I recently read that EK Success has also introduced several new styles of staples that can be used. I heard a rumor but have not been able to validate it so far that one of these styles has a space which allows ribbon to be woven through the staples. It sounded cool but best call your favorite rubber stamp or scrapbook store to make sure they carry this product and have it in stock. It's been around a while but remains a novelty and not necessarily a must have

I am wondering if you have any tips or tricks to dry embossing. I really do like the look and love using chalks with it but I find it can get tedious and tiring on my hand. I have also had my papers tear from what I would call over use or maybe just too much “embossing”. Any ideas or suggestions? -- Phyllis

Dry embossing has always been a reasonably delicate art form for me. I also love the way it looks but have limited patience so until recently I usually did not do much dry embossing. Using waxed paper over your paper is an immediate help and will lessen the likelihood that your paper will tear. It is a very inexpensive “tool” but there is also a product called “Paper Glide” on the market which is also supposed to help with your stylus gliding over your paper. Both of these will likely help and are both reasonably cost effective. I must admit that I have taken up dry embossing again when I was recently introduced to a machine called “The Wizard”. Being the skeptic that I am, I figured that it was just another marketing ploy when told that it would make dry embossing seem like a dream come true. You can probably take a look at one of these at your local rubber stamp store. Although it does not work with all brass stencils, it does work with many of them. I was fascinated with the results and I think you would be also. What will they think of next?

New things crop up all the time but this one really has me baffled. I've just read an article on altered trading cards and I'm still wondering about them. Have you ever heard of these? I must admit that I'm intrigued so I would love to learn more about this alternative art. -- Margie

Your timing is certainly good in that more and more information is being made available on this alternative form of art. Probably my best advice to you is for you to attend a ATC swap (as they are referred to) as an observer or visitor to the group. Participants will likely provide you with far more information than you bargained for. An ATC club meets at Friends and Company (for whom I write this column) once a month so call them to get further information. I'm told that ATCs are very fun and like with anything else in this industry - addictive!

I recently bought a new table for my craft room. This was a long awaited purchase and I must admit that I was excited. Unfortunately, one of my kids used a heat gun directly onto the table and now it has been initiated quite well. I have gotten past the initial shock but would like to protect what is left as best as possible. Is there anything that you know of that might help me?. -- Patricia

Please keep in mind that, like so many things in your craft room, a table is a tool. This initiation clearly tells me that you have a “working” craft room and pristine it need not be!! So, congratulations on having a room that works for the whole family. There is a product, however, that could help protect any surface in your craft room. It is called a Non-Stick Craft Sheet and comes in a 9” x 12” and a 15” x 18” size. Nothing sticks to this sheet so it is useful in the kitchen area also. Be sure to keep craft and kitchen tools separate. Once any tools have been used for crafts, they should not be allowed back into the kitchen and exposed to or used with food. The craft sheet is also heat resistant with very easy cleanup. Even melted embossing power peels right off. Many craft stores will likely carry this Ranger product so check them out. Just remember Patricia to keep it fun. Like you, your kids will always remember their fun times in that craft room!

The purpose of my letter is that I am so overwhelmed by the scrapbooking and rubber stamping industries that I hardly know where to start. My interests lean towards scrapbooking because I love photography but I also love the rubber stamping aspect. I don’t have the time to devote to such creations as I have seen in most retail stores. Any suggestions you might have for combining my interests in this industry would be appreciated. Thanks for your help. -- Ginny

Thanks for your letter. I can certainly relate to your dilemma and, although there are lots of approaches that are possible, my first tendency is to point you towards a smaller sized scrapbook that could incorporate all the things you love or things you might learn to love. Instead of trying to complete one big scrapbooking project with multiple pages, consider something smaller like on the lines of a 6-1/2-inch x 6-1/2-inch journal instead. Lots of great papers are already cut to size to fit these and you can certainly personalize them with lots of your own photos as well as with rubber stamps, stickers, embellishments and lots more stuff. Most retail stores carry some type of journal and many of the accordion style have become extremely popular and are much easier to give away than something you have spent months and months on. The bottom line, Ginny, is that your involvement can be to whatever degree you wish to take it. Once you have mastered a smaller project, you might find that larger ones are less intimidating and that you actually like them since you are likely to use more photos in a larger project. Most folks pick one over the other, but rubber stamping and scrapbooking go very well together. Most of the products can be crossed over and are easily interchangeable. Considering both as areas of interest will undoubtedly enhance any of your creative endeavors. As a parting thought, learn to keep it safe and, most of all, keep it fun. Hope this helps.

I love the idea of using alphabet stickers and alphabet rubber stamps in many of my projects but I am bored with the same ones over and over again. I really can’t afford to be constantly buying new ones so I was wondering if you had any suggestions for bringing a spark back into my work without all the expense of new stuff. What was once a lot of fun has become mundane and ho hum. I love your column and have read all your letters and responses on line at the Friends and Company website. You have always had great suggestions for other people so I look forward to hearing from you. -- Stephanie

First of all, thank you so much for the nice compliment. I love making people happy and handing out suggestions that can be useful and fun. I am certainly fortunate to have an outlet that allows me to do just that!

I personally love working with a host of stickers and alphabet rubber stamps for many of my projects. If you recall in my last column, there was some discussion on mixing and matching to any degree desirable. Although your concerns are not exactly the same, keeping those options in mind is a good start. When it comes to lettering, a ton of options are available. For example, stamp the letter “A” on light blue paper and then cut it and mount it on a darker blue. Cut your paper into a square or make it round, or make it weird, or make it whatever shape you like. Continue with your project until you have all the letters desired. Mounting it sort of gives it a shadow look. You could also crop the letters closely to get a true shadow affect. The same can be done with alphabet stickers so do keep that in mind. Another approach might be to use a marker pen with a large tip to add dots all over the lettering. Using a stylus, you could create and add texture to your lettering by rubbing it against something with character and interest. Add a button or two as an embellishment to create interest when using the letter “O”. Use an eyelet or grommet to dot an “I”. Punch your letters out in different colors and combine different colors into one word. Add stripes, circles, or anything that appeals to you.

Good grief!! I just realized that someone could host an entire class on just the basics of lettering. I think I need to look into this. Stay tuned!! In the meantime, I hope this helps. 

I have purchased several of the new Mica Magic pigment inkpads by Color Box and I adore the colors but the pads leave something to be desired. I just can’t seem to get as good an inking as I think it should be. I have heard rumblings that the company is addressing consumer concerns with these inkpads. Do you happen to know any of the details? --Pauline

Yes, indeed I do, however, there is not enough space in this column to provide you with a full response directly from the Colorbox Crew. The bottom line is that the manufacturer of this product, Clearsnap, is addressing consumer concerns rather well and is fully committed to consumer satisfaction. The details are outlined in a full page letter from Clearsnap that should be available to you from your local rubber stamp store. Please check in with your local retailer. It should have this information available for you or should be able to obtain it easily.

I am both a rubber stamper and a scrapbooker. I love all the goodies and embellishments that each of these crafts offers but I find that I am “stuck” with many unused alphabet stickers once all the vowels are gone or any of the letters for that matter. I am beginning to accumulate bins of these stickers and I am finding myself at the point of not wanting to buy any more because of all the leftovers. Have you any suggestions how I can accomplish my lettering in any of my projects without breaking the bank and having to purchase more and more of these stickers? I do like them and find them relatively easy to use but enough is enough. Any help? -- Sandra

Your letter definitely made me laugh. I think we all have been through exactly what you have described but please recognize that mixing and matching any of the letter combinations can be attractive and also very fun. Who is to say that all the letters have to match? It may take you a couple of passes before you become comfortable with mixing your stickers but rest assured it will begin to get easier the more you try it. We are so accustomed to staying within the box (probably because of our youthful training) that it can be challenging to do otherwise but do give it a try.

As another alternative, you might consider owning several alphabet stamp sets. When purchased as unmounted, they can be very inexpensive. With your own alpha sets, you can explode with whatever colors you so choose. Mixing and matching these rubber stamps is an OK thing to do as well. Experiment and see what happens. There is no “right” or “wrong” these days in any of these art forms. Hope this helps and best of all keep it fun!

I would love to have some of my own original artwork turned into a rubber stamp. Is something like this even possible? -- Mary

Absolutely!! Any rubber stamp store should be able to direct you to who might produce these custom stamps if they are not able to do so themselves. The process is relatively simply and much less expensive than one would think. I would encourage you to visit your local rubber stamp store as the first place to start asking questions. With so much connectivity, i.e., the internet, a search is also possible if you were so inclined. This is the best way to ensure that the rubber stamps you use for craft fairs and functions where you might want to sell your work belongs exclusively to you with no copyright issues. Hope you are successful. It is so much fun to see your own artwork on the face of a rubber stamp.

First off, let me say that I do enjoy reading your column. You are always so helpful with your ideas and suggestions. I don’t really have a question but instead was wondering why the Post Office charges extra postage for odd shaped or square envelopes. I have become very fond of the Wildcard Templates from Wordsworth and wonder why the extra postage when the weight is the same? I guess I do have a question after all. Any thoughts? -- Julie

Well now Julie, that would be two questions! All kidding aside, many individuals are not aware that it does take extra postage for odd shaped or square envelopes so maybe this column will be helpful to many others. I have shared many moans with individuals whose invitations were returned for this very reason. Short of contacting the Post Office, I suspect that the handling of the envelopes is where the extra work comes into play, hence, the extra postage. These shapes are not easily processed at the post office. A secret to getting past the extra postage is to put your finished, odd shaped card, including its envelope, into a regular envelope using just the regular amount of postage.

Your recipient will receive the exact same card and your pockets will be a little richer. The same can be done with a square card by using a slightly larger regular envelope to place the square card into. I hope you can make sense of what I am suggesting that you can do. I would hate to ruin my reputation after your great comments on my column. Spreading the wealth of information is my motto so thank you for the kind words!

I get so angry with rubber stamp companies when they do not take the time to make certain that when they mount the rubber onto the wood that it is straight and in line with what is shown on the index. What can we do to get their attention and let them know that we really do want a quality product? -- Meagan

First off, I must admit that I agree with what you are saying. I especially hate a crooked word rubber stamp. I usually end up having to toss out my first card unless I have checked it before. Now I try to remember to check all my rubber stamps before I even buy them. A solution to your dilemma works on a good percentage of rubber stamps. Place the entire stamp into your microwave for about 10 seconds. Try to peel up one corner and if it comes up clean you are good to keep going. If not, put it back into the microwave for another 5 seconds and try again. Most of the mounting will come off clean. If it happens that it does not, remounting the entire piece of rubber is another alternative. I hope this helps. Don’t forget that writing to these companies is also an effective method to make them more aware about quality control.

Some time ago, I learned (I think in a class) of a really cool storage container to dispense my Pearl-Ex into so that my large jars do not get contaminated from use before they get used up. Although I have searched high and low for the name of this container, I cannot find it anywhere nor does anyone seem to know what I am talking about. Any clues you might have would be extremely helpful.  -- Cindy

You are probably not able to find it because most rubber stamp stores may not carry the “Bead-Caddy” storage container. This container is most commonly found in bead shops. The Bead-Caddy is a bead organizing system that has 13 small compartments for beads, pearl-ex, eyelets, brads, and whatever else you can think of. Several stack nicely and the organizer has a see-thru design for easy identification of what is inside. Each compartment also has its own lid so each compartment can be closed up when not in use. Rubber stampers and scrapbookers are finding this handy storage container a must have. Check with your local stamp store to see if they can get it for you and, if not, let your fingers do the walking and check bead stores listed in the yellow pages.

What is a good way of bonding metal charms to paper. I know that I can tie them to fibers and let them hang but I don’t always want to do it this way. I have tried several different adhesives with poor results. Surely there is something in today’s market for this purpose. -- Margaret

The absolute best results that I have had with gluing metal, fibers, plastic, glass, leather and so much more is the Crafter’s Pick glue called “The Ultimate!” This is a non-toxic, water based super glue that adheres to just about anything and dries clear. I even heard that it was recently used to adhere chocolate to a display board by a student with excellent results. This universal household glue is getting to be more and more popular so check around your area for a supplier near you. If you are not able to find it, go to their website at www.crafterspick.com

I am interested in finding out what might be available in the way of creating my own stickers. I love the idea to personalize some of the things that I design but find glue and other adhesives less than desirable. Is there anything on the market that is available for this purpose? -- Linda

Well, two things come to my mind immediately. The first is using sticker paper which already has the adhesive on it. Simply rubber stamp your design, cut it out, and place it wherever you want it to go. Should be simple enough, however, finding sticker paper could be a challenge. Check with your favorite local rubber stamp store and see what they can do for you in this regard.

The second suggestion is to purchase a “Create a Sticker” Xyron 150. It is a terrific sticker maker and is totally refillable. You will find this method so easy that you will need nothing else except your creativity to work for you. The Xyron 150 is readily available for purchase and is very affordable. Best of all, keep it fun!

I love rubber stamping but I really do not have time for some of the more sophisticated cards that are being done by many people. I want fast, easy, and simple cards that are nice to look at and nice to receive. Any suggestions? -- Samantha

I have received many inquiries similar to yours so please do not feel alone. I do have a suggestion for you and although the magazine is a bit pricey, it will serve you well in the long run. Stampington and Company is a manufacturer of rubber stamps and is also the publisher for a series of magazines that are excellent resources for any level of rubber stamper. The “Take Ten” issue is one that I believe could easily assist you in creating great looking cards that have character and can be very attractive. Two volumes have been issued by Stampington with Volume II being a very recent release. Check with your favorite rubber stamp store to pick up a copy and decide for yourself. All projects, and there are more than 500 samples to look at, are geared for taking no more than 10 minutes on each project. Imagine that – a whole host of greeting cards that take ten minutes or less to produce. I hope this helps and that your creativity will spiral upwards!!

I have recently been introduced to brayers and find that I like using them to create some backgrounds but I feel that their cost does not warrant buying any more. I understand that they come in different sizes and some even have designs on them so I am still open to purchasing more, however, I have only been able to create limited backgrounds with the one that I own which is 6-inches wide. I was wondering what other uses there might be for these brayers. Thanks for your help.  -- Annie

Brayers indeed can be fun and are really not cost prohibitive once you discover some of their uses. Here are just a few uses that I have enjoyed working with.

• Using markers, make stripes all around the brayer using the same color marker or varying the colors. Remoisten the brayer by huffing on it. This will rejuvenate the ink. You can also try dots, squiggles, double stripes or whatever you can think of. Create plaids again using stripes but use a criss-cross pattern. Use a thin marker and a wider marker adjacent to the thin line to create yet a different effect.

  Use glossy paper to really make the colors pop out.

• Using an embossing pad, stamp images, i.e., snowflakes, hearts, dots, etc, and let dry. You can speed up the process by using your heat gun to dry the images.  Using any color of dye based ink or a Kaleidacolor inkpad, brayer over the images. The stamped images will resist the dye based ink making a very striking background. This works best with glossy paper. Other resist mediums include crayons, rubber cement, masking fluid, wax resist sticks, metallic pens and, with some experimentation, lots of other mediums. You will probably also need to experiment with the types of paper used. One of my favorite techniques with the brayer is to use wax paper and a stylus tool. Write your message out over the wax paper or create a pattern with your stylus tool. Brayer over the waxed saying or design and it is like magic to see the ink resist the waxed area of the paper.

Because there are so many possibilities for working with brayers, I’ll stop here but hope that you will continue to explore all the possibilities that the brayer has to offer. It’s a great tool and having too many is not likely going to be a problem. Most of all – have fun!

I have been looking for a particular rubber stamp with little success. It is a relatively simple design but no one seems to have it. How would I go about making my own? Could I really do this? -- Marsha

Of course you can to this. There are a couple of ways that I can think of to get you there. First, if the design is really simple, just plan to carve it out yourself. You did not mention what the design was but take a bold apple design as an example. Transfer the image to a block of eraser carving material and carve away. Staedtler produces an excellent material for this purpose and is very easy to use. Consider taking one of many carving classes that are offered in local rubber stamp stores. You would be amazed and delighted by what you can do. Another option would be to have the stamp custom made for you. This is also easy in that the manufacturer only needs camera ready art. Most rubber stamp stores also offer this service so check in with them. The cost is much less than most people think. From here, anything is possible. Good luck!

What are some of the ways that I can stretch my rubber stamping dollars. I love this stuff and can’t get enough of it but my dear husband says enough is enough. Maybe if I can show him that I really am conservative he would understand better. -- Edith

I really do have to laugh because your “condition” is far too common. There are many ways in which to save money and still have access to all the newest and greatest “stuff’. The first suggestion would be to partner up with several friends. Say that there are 4 of you. Buy each a ream of paper at a discounted price and split them up four ways. Everyone gets enough to have lots of great new papers without breaking the bank. Compare notes with your friends and do not duplicate each other’s products. Instead, make time to meet each month to share what new treasures each of you have. You might have a circle punch, one friend might have a square one, and another an oval, etc. etc. Do you see what I mean? Another solution would be to find “deals”. A common deal finding arena is a used rubber stamp sale. Lots of goods are offered at better than below wholesale prices. Sometimes the product is used but who cares as long as it is not abused. Lots of instructors liquidate their stuff once it has gone through a series of classes. Be creative and join a rubber stamping group. These groups are always informative, fun, and energizing. Hope this helps. We can’t let significant others stand in the way of progress now can we?

I’ve heard that a new marking pen on the market called “slick writers” is better than most. What makes this particular writing pen better than others and where can I find them? They seem difficult to locate and I have yet to see one for myself but am very curious about them. - Sheryl

I’m not sure why you would be having difficulty finding the slick writers. These are truly phenomenal pens that are being carried by many rubber stamp stores. I have also seen them in other craft type retail stores so just keep looking and you are bound to come across them.

The slick writers come in three different points – fine, medium, and broad. They are acid free, permanent marking pens that are made in the USA and are also non-toxic. These marking pens are specially formulated for “slick” surfaces, hence, their name. They are easy to use on vellum, stickers, photographs, metal, plastics, and many other surfaces. Just give them a try to see for yourself. We love them and you will likely love them too. Just remember to have some fun with them.

My family has expressed interest in making invitations for my wedding which is in just six months. None of us have ever rubber stamped before and I am somewhat concerned that we just don’t have the experience necessary to pull it off. My sister also wants to make all my shower invitations and three are planned. What’s your advice on such an important event. - Ruby

Sounds like a very busy time for you and your family. Such a stamping endeavor can certainly be made fun and can also be a terrific bonding experience. Given that you have six months, I would strongly urge you and your family to register for a beginner’s rubber stamping class. With the basics you will learn, you should be able to begin collecting materials and deciding on which direction you want to go. From my perspective, this is very doable but you do need to start immediately. Once you have the basics under your belt, begin with something easy, like the shower invitations. Keep them simple but pretty by including vellums in your design. Tie with ribbon or eyelets and voila – you’re done. Design a prototype before spending any money so that you know exactly what you will need to purchase and also to make certain it is a design you like. Partner up with your local rubber stamp store. I am sure they will be delighted to help you with all the planning and design. Just remember that it needs to remain fun and not tedious. Never let the fun get lost. We don’t want to see you disappointed.

I love to dry emboss but it seems that my paper always tears while I am working on it and my projects never come out looking very good. Are there any tips for getting a more polished look?  - Joyce

Dry embossing is an art in itself and does take some practice but anyone can do it. The results can be, without a doubt, striking and very classy looking too. Dry embossing is relatively easy provided that you use the tools and equipment made specifically for this form of art. Adhering your stencil and paper to the light box helps to keep leverage on your side. Using masking tape works well provided that you “dull” the stickiness first otherwise you are likely to tear your paper when removing it. Dulling can be done simply by sticking the tape to your clothing a couple of times. It can also be used over and over again. Using the largest stylus possible on any design is best otherwise you take the chance of tearing the paper. This may be where you have been running into problems. A stylus is best suited to this technique, however, any blunt tip like a ball point pen that has run out of ink or any rounded object can do in a pinch. There is no right or wrong side to your stencil. If you flip it over you are able to get a mirror image of the design. This is a fun tip that is nice to have in your hip pocket. Working with delicate designs can be difficult. Avoid lifting the paper to see how the design is coming along because lining it up again can be difficult. Also, place a piece of wax paper over your design. The wax paper allows your stylus to glide around the edge and, again, will less likely tear your paper. Finally, tracing only the outline or edge of the design is necessary. By doing so, tearing is once again less likely to occur. Taking a class on dry embossing might help in getting you an expert to help out. Dry embossing is fun and I encourage you to keep trying until you get exactly the look you want.

It seems that the rubber stamping world is wild about eyelets. I suspect that they have spilled over into the scrapbooking industry as well. I have used them on occasion to mount vellum to cardstock but beyond that have found very little use for them. What makes these itty bitty metal contraptions such a wonder and what other things can they be used for?  - Marsha

Once upon a time, mounting vellum to cardstock was about all that eyelets were good for. There is now vellum tape on the market so eyelets actually get used less and less for that purpose. One of my favorite things to do with eyelets is to embellish a project with them. Some of the fun I have had include using black flat-tops for watermelon seeds or red flat-tops for the berry in a holiday holly design. Purple colored round or flat-top eyelets work great to highlight any grape design. The market now supports all sorts of eyelet shapes including candy canes, gingerbread boys and girls, shamrocks, butterflies, dragonflies, tulips, daisies, lips, x’s and o’s, hearts, flowers, pumpkins, ghosts, stars, squares, rounds, snowflakes, balloons, fish, and on and on. Get the idea? All of these also come in numerous colors so you will never get bored. Can you picture your holiday greeting card which includes a Christmas tree decorated with colored eyelets? We sure can so we hope you just have fun and will let us know what sort of things you found to do with eyelets.

I have only been rubber stamping for about a year now and I get frustrated when I make a mistake and my design does not transfer from the stamp properly to the paper. It seems that I waste lots of paper and energy. Someone told me I should look into a stamp positioner but I’m not sure what exactly this is. Can you help? - Deborah

There are lots of factors to consider here. The first you should look into is stamping on a cushion of sorts. A magazine does well; a commercially bought foamie may do better. These provide you some cushion needed to produce a good, crisp image. Standing also helps to get better leverage on your project

Now to get down to your question, a stamp positioner is a neat and handy tool for exact placement of an image and can be used to overstamp an already stamped area matching the design exactly. It is often used when creating scenes that require exact placement. It is a bit difficult to describe its use in this short of a column so I would suggest that you explore the stamp positioner on your next visit to your favorite rubber stamp store. Be aware that you will need to become acquainted with its use and practice before tackling a real project. I would not call it a “must have” for the toolbox but it certainly can come in handy on occasion. Hope this helps.

What’s the best advice you can give a new rubber stamper.  - Jessica

Start slowly and take classes. Starting slowly will stretch your budget. You won’t be spending money on items that you really might not need or even know how to use. Classes will provide you the baseline for your future direction. They enhance your experience and provide you the knowledge necessary for making purchases and help to build the skill you will need in knowing how to use your products. Classes are fun and you can often connect with other stampers in a fun and rewarding environment.

I got caught up in a rubber stamping convention frenzy and bought tons of Pearl-Ex because of a demonstration that I saw.  Now, several months later, I am wondering what to do with it all.  Besides giving it away or selling it on e-bay, any suggestions?  - Debbie

Please do not consider giving it away or selling it since it is an extremely versatile product with lots of different uses in a number of different ways.  My best advice would be to check with your local stamp store and request a Pearl-Ex class if there is not one scheduled and get yourself signed up right away.

Pearl-Ex is a pigment that is made from powdered mica.  It is not metal, therefore, it will not tarnish or rust.  It can be applied to many surfaces such as walls, furniture, paper, canvas, glass, clay, jewelry, wax, and so much more.  It can be applied with a finger or brush and sealed with any fixative.  Pearl-Ex works particularly well over black or dark backgrounds and can also be mixed into acrylics, watercolors, oils, wax, clay, nail polish, varnish, several types of adhesives and, again, so much more.  Now can you see the value of a class?  Don’t delay – do it today and you will undoubtedly love the results.

I recently saw a technique called “Bleaching” and was simply awed by the results.  Is one bleach better over another for this technique?  - Elaine

Not to my knowledge but my personal preference is the Clorox Advantage Bleach.  It seems to have more grab to it since it is thicker than normal liquid bleach.  In a simple test that I did in my home, I really could not find any major difference.  We also think this technique is cool!

What can I possibly be doing wrong? It does not matter which rubber stamp I use or from what company, I can never seem to get a very good image pressed onto my cardstock. I have been through nearly a half ream of 80# cover paper stock just trying and still at the point of great frustration. Please help. - Veronica

Although I do not have much information to go on here, I highly suspect that the problem is your stamping surface. In other words, the table or whatever you are stamping on is not level for one reason or another. Most surfaces are not level and may contained warps, grooves, or who knows what. Believe it or not, this is a common mistake for both seasoned and new stampers. To eliminate this problem, try using a cushion of some sort. A very inexpensive cushion would be an old magazine which has just enough give to it. You could also invest in a “foamie” for under $2.00 which works great as well. These can generally be found in most rubber stamp stores or craft stores as well. Best of luck.

Why does embossing seem so difficult? I’m always confused at the type of inks to use and the embossing powders seem like an endless choice. What can I do to help educate myself on all these choices? I love the look of embossing when I see it in the rubber stamp stores but it seems difficult to comprehend. Any suggestions?  - Adrian

Embossing is truly one of the easiest techniques to conquer. My very best advice to you would be to register for a beginner’s embossing class. In such a class, you are likely to cover all the basics, including the best inks to use and what embossing powders are all about. Most rubber stamp stores offer these classes on a regularly recurring basis so do yourself a huge favor and register as soon as possible. You will be glad you did and come to realize just how simple this technique really is.

How can I step out of my box and use my rubber stamps in more ways than one. I generally buy a stamp with one thing in mind and that is all I end up doing with it. Is that unusual?  - Carol

Whether or not using a rubber stamp in just one way is unusual or not I’m not really sure. I do know, however, that what you need is a personal challenge. Pick out any stamp – preferably one that you really like – and make a pact with yourself that you will use it six different ways over the next two weeks. Carry the stamp with you if you are having stampers block. Rub it, talk to it, or hug it if you have to. Let it talk back to you and I can promise you that it will if you let it. Open your mind to all the possibilities and it will come. This personal challenge has worked for several folks that I know. The bottom line though is to have fun!

I have not had much success with stamping on surfaces such as metal, leather, or other media except for paper. Is there a trick to this? - Sharon

Up until just recently, stamping on surfaces other than paper was always a formidable task. We are very fortunate in that our manufacturers are constantly looking out for our welfare and coming up with products that help us with our creativity and artistic ventures. One recent product that was developed for stamping on a multitude of surfaces is called “StazOn”. This new inkpad has already proven to be very effective not only for paper, but for plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, coated paper and other surfaces as well. We recently used StazOn to stamp on acetate for creating a stained glass effect. The only surface that it will not tackle is fabric. StazOn is also acid-free and archival, and fast drying. Your favorite rubber stamp store should carry this product but, if not, contact Tsukineko, the manufacturer.

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