Movie Stars

I recently purchased a sheet of rubber stamps from The Stampsmith featuring photo images of movie stars. I adore these images and made some cards using them. The focus is definitely on the movie star, so I decided to keep the cards simple -- no fancy or complicated techniques or layouts.

I'm sure you recognize Lucille Ball and Betty Grable. It's taken me a while to be able to get good, clean stampings from these detailed photo image stamps. When I finally broke down and purchased a Versafine inkpad (by Tsukineko) I couldn't believe the results. This inkpad is specifically designed to capture the details in fine rubber stamps, such as those created from photos.

Cardmaking and Calla Lilies

This lovely calla lily image is one of my favorites from Stampin' Up. I use it often and the resulting cards always sell quickly. These two cards illustrate just how different the cards can be when using the same image and even the same layout.

This first card features a dark background that is a piece of marbled paper (marbled with acrylic
paints and metallics). The calla lily is stamped in a pale soft green and the quote is stamped in black. The metallic matte seemed to be the perfect layering component.


In contrast, this next card is a bit lighter. I used a tone-on-tone layering approach with the papers. The soft gray seem to really suit the calla lily.


Next time I use this stamp, I think I'll try it with white ink on a black or brown background. But I have a feeling my next stamping play time will be several months away, as my busy craft show season is right around the corner and I must focus on jewelry.

Saying Thank You

Selling my jewelry on etsy is very different than selling it in person at a craft show. At a show, I can engage the customer in some conversation, help her try on a necklace or bracelet and hold the mirror (usually at the wrong height because I'm so short!) for her to see how the necklace looks.

That human touch isn't easily translated to online sales. Emails are nice, but it's hard to convey one's true personality via an email. This is why I've decided to include a hand made thank you note in each order that I send. I've combined my love of stamping with my jewelry making!

I purchase these blank note cards and envelopes from Marco's Paper. The size is perfect: 2" x 3 1/2". I line them up (thanks for that time saving hint Diane!) and stamp away. I like to use floral stamps, flourishes or nice shapes -- nothing too complex. I add a simple thank you stamp (I have several different ones) and I'm done. I always write a handwritten thank you on the inside too.

Here's a sampling of the batch I made yesterday.



Sometimes, these little touches can make a big difference.