Stamp Show!!

[love2scrap]

I'm going to a stamp show this weekend with my Mom and Aunt. I can't wait! I went last year and had a great time. Got some awesome stamps! It's small, but they vendors pack a TON of stuff. I'm hopeing one of them has House Mouse stamps. I want some of those sooooooo badly!!!

[fabyon]

Those little mice are soooo cute ! I have a catalogue someone got me and I tend not to look as I would want the whole lot. lol

[asiverson]

Oh a stamp show, lucky you! Bring your wallet, your check book and your credit card(s)! Have a wonderful time. And I totally agree with you and Fab that those little mice are adorable!
Annette

[Heather]

Cool! Have loads of fun! :)

[love2scrap]

I'm back! I had so much fun! There was only one vendor that brought two (yes, that's two) gruffies stamps. They didn't look like I would use them more than once so I passed on those. No other vendor had house mouse. So I guess I'll just keep looking and drooling online LOL!! I did however get my first Whipper Snapper stamps. One says God Bless America and the other is Patriotic Bear. They are so cute. I did a make and take of the score it and bind it all. I just may "need" to get those LOL!! Just not the pink bind it all LOL!! Don't like pink. I got a ticket for free admission for today so I may just head back, after all it's only about 5 minutes (if that) to get there. That's just way to close LOL! But I did pick up some really cute snowman stamps. I just love snowmen. Now I have 9 different kinds.

Here's a pic of what I got.

[Heather]

Ok, you got a free admission ticket and it's less than 5 minutes away?! Yep, you need to go again today! That's for sure! :D Love the stamps you got, especially the patriotic bear! Have fun again today! :D

[Sandra]

I'm back! I had so much fun! There was only one vendor that brought two (yes, that's two) gruffies stamps. They didn't look like I would use them more than once so I passed on those. No other vendor had house mouse. So I guess I'll just keep looking and drooling online LOL!! I did however get my first Whipper Snapper stamps. One says God Bless America and the other is Patriotic Bear. They are so cute. I did a make and take of the score it and bind it all. I just may "need" to get those LOL!! Just not the pink bind it all LOL!! Don't like pink. I got a ticket for free admission for today so I may just head back, after all it's only about 5 minutes (if that) to get there. That's just way to close LOL! But I did pick up some really cute snowman stamps. I just love snowmen. Now I have 9 different kinds.

Here's a pic of what I got.




:)Hi there hope your day is going well !!! Sounds like you are a very happy camper getting those stamps you bought at the fair.I love snowman stamps also.For my winter cards.But I only have 2 which is plenty for me.Since I have other winter scene stamps. I got the 2 a few months ago at a flea market. #1 is from Hero Arts, H2884 Playful Snowman and #2 is from Inkadinkado,a Jackie Frerichs Design,6057-P. Sorry I can't show what they look like but I thought by my giving you the description you may have these two as well.Sandra

[Kissedby2]

Oh so cute stamps!

[love2scrap]

I'm back, again LOL! I got some more stamps and I forgot to mention before that I also got some EZ Mount foam. I had three unmounted stamps and couldn't find it locally so I was thrilled to see it at the show.

here's another pic!

[love2scrap]

Sandra, I don't have those. I'm going to have to take a look for them:)

[love2scrap]

Oh so cute stamps!


Thanks! :)

[Melanie]

Looks like you had fun! I just love those patriotic kitties in the second set of stamps you showed!

[love2scrap]

Thanks! They are so cute!

[Sonshine]

Cute stamps! Do you have a Hobby Lobby near you anywhere? The one by me carrys a very large selection of House Mouse stamps (kudos on my love for HM stamps). And since they publish a 40% off coupon for anything not on sale - you can pick them up super cheap. That's how I get mine. Happy stamping!!!

[love2scrap]

No, I don't have a hobby lobby. Just Michael's and ACMoore. The few LSS don't carry a lot of stamps (if any). I've actually entertained the idea of starting my own store seeing that there's NOTHING around. But not sure.

[Irishlady]

If you start your own store, let me know. You'll have my mail order business. If you do start the store, you have my prayers for a great success at it. I'm sure that more people wish for more stores in your area. Judi

[love2scrap]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. I overheard one woman at the stamp show saying how there was nothing in the area. The only thing really holding me back is the fear of putting my family in any kind of financial trouble and do I want to make a career out of a hobby.

[Heather]

do I want to make a career out of a hobby.

Apart from the financial aspects of it, this is something to really consider. I've heard so many people say that when they get into a business related to their hobby, it's no longer fun. Would hate for that to happen.

[fabyon]

Please consider having a dry run with a direct selling company as the initial outlay is minimal. I've seen a couple of business programmes that showed how people just go for bigger business propositions such as franchise or even start their own business and get into debt because the business is unsuccessful. What people don't get is you can't really draw a salary from a starting business as you need at least the first two years to reinvest the little profit one makes into the business itself. Unless you have previous retails experience, don't start big, at least with a direct selling company you start having a customer base then once you have a good following only then you can start a brick and mortar business.

[Irishlady]

That's great advice. May be if you can find like say a home party type business where you don't have the over head of building, insurance, buying stock & all the rest of that good stuff, you could try that. I'm not sure any of those companies are still around. Haven't been to that type of party in years. You can work some of it over the internet like Avon does. I'll still be your first customer. Just remember, that once a hobby becomes a job, its no fun any more. Also remember that we're here for you to bounce ideas off of & to give our 2 cents. With the way the economy is right now, its a bit scary thinking of starting a new business. Though I did hear some one say that now is the time since a small business has a better chance of making than a large one. I want proof first. No matter, what I'll keep you in my prayers. Judi

[love2scrap]

That's all great advice! Thank you so much.

That's my fear (obviously besides failing) is if I do this, will I still want to make my own scrapbooks.

I already "work" for a direct sales scrapbooking company and it's not going to well. My area is saturated with CM and I've had to many people tell me "I only us CM products" etc... But I also know that there's other out there that are "starved" for different products than what M's and ACM sells.

My husband thinks I should start a webstore only first, see how it goes then move into a store. But I'm thinking which is smaller, owning a store and selling locally or selling to the world. Not sure. I'm in the "gather" phase right now. I know you don't usually draw a paycheck for a while, my sister has her own pet store and that's what I told her before she bought it.

I'm really at a crossroads. I lost my job 3 yrs ago and want so badly to do something different and exciting. I've got 14 yrs experience with customer service and retail (that's the other part holding me back). All I really know is that I can't sit in a cubicle and shuffle papers and reports. I need something that changes almost daily. I don't care how much hard work something is, if I love what I do, I'll find it fun. Ugh.

Well, thanks so much everyone for listening. That's rare in my life. I really appreciate your advice and insights.