Doin' the Dance #69-007H

"Once upon a time there was more time!" (My stamp #40-028C) And then along comes a show or two and my schedule is really thrown off. I have decided that in my next life I will be born on a planet with a longer day - say five more hours. And while I am at it, I think I'll throw in an extra pair of hands. Nothing like creating your own reality.

alternative reality

Roberta (left) and Deb at the Daytona booth.

Teesha has decided that the administrative aspects of running a convention cum festival is not something she wishes to deal with, with all of her myriad activities (not the least of which is The Studio magazine). Others such as Ginny Carter of The Creative Block, in Cleveland and Donna Kazee of A Small Cleverness, in Orange Park, Florida, have taken up the cause and been building upon the theme. Each has added her own special touch, and has put together shows with the same sense of innovation and enthusiasm.

What a pleasure these shows are. Only the most innovative of the stamp companies, all original work, the artists there to talk to in person, classes to die for... These juried, by-invitation-only shows seem to be the wave of the future, as the number of mainline stamp conventions proliferate to the point of oversaturation.

And now Lori Blaauw has scheduled a Northern California equivalent, State of the Art 2000, for next April 29th in Hayward. We will keep you informed as to all the pertinent details. Lori has begun to line up the best of the best in the stamping world. Her classes will be "outta sight." And the other media artists, with the wealth of talent in the San Francisco Bay Area, will be mind blowing. "Cake" as my two year old nephew Daniel would say.

Is this the demise of cute? Of course not. Whimsical stamps will always be with us. However, this is the beginnings of the entrance of stamping into the serious realms of the arts and crafts movement. It proves that "pushing the envelope" is not just for test pilots.

She Who Needs More Beads #148-002H

embellishment

angel companies

My views on this issue have been clear from day one. Use my stamps in the manner in which they were intended, stamp them as much as you like. It makes my heart glad to see all the fun you have with them and the great things you do with them. However, do not mechanically or optically reproduce them without my permission.

I have been asked numerous times if someone could use one of my images for a club, church or other non-profit bulletin or newsletter. And I have always said yes. I have even given permission to use my images on various personal business cards. Want to use my stuff, just write or E-mail me and we'll talk.

Guardian Angel II #77-002G

the league of women rubber cutters

classes, classes, classes

We will also be offering a very creative Polymer Clay Pin class on the same day. This hands-on, technique filled workshop, utilizes polymer clay, molds, rubber stamps and various surface techniques for decorating your creations. Learn a peyote stitch to finish off the pins.

For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area, I will be offering the Spirit Guide Vessel in Polymer Clay class for the South Bay Bead Arts Guild in early September. Contact me in a month or so for date, place and time.

 
Haida Dolphin #33-004E   Haida Dolphin #33-006E

if you fall off get right back on!

Unmounted stamps are the wave of the future! A significant, and growing, percentage of my orders now specify UNMOUNTED. It makes sense, as there have been numerous reports of mounted stamps taking over a household and forcing the family to seek other digs.

"It all started with just a few stamps" said Merna Le Roy of Catahoola, Mississippi, "just a small part of the family room, then I converted the spare bedroom, then the dinning room and the children didn't have a place to do their homework and had to rely on the kindness of strangers." "My god when does it stop?" sobbed Merna. To avoid cases like this, many stampers have turned to the dreaded unmounted die, and have found love and happiness at long last.

There are at least three methods for stamping with unmounted dies. However, the first thing you need to know is that you do not, repeat not, need cushion. These puppies stamp just fine without the stuff. On to the various methods:

• HALO System - this method uses Velcro, or other hook and loop tape. One side mounted to various size mounts, and the opposite to the dies. Even the cheap imported hook and loop tape will last for 15,000 or so sorties. There are several companies offering HALO systems, just look in the various stamp journals.

• Aileen's Tack It Over and Over - a viscous liquid that is brushed on only the die. When dries it can be used again and again, much like the Velcro, however, it is much thinner and thus causes less rocking. Again available in many stamp stores and through the mail. Look for ads in the journals.

• Double Stick Tape - this is the method I use. It is cheap and readily available where ever there is a stationary store handy. I use it with Lucite mounts and have never had a problem.