Tag: creative

Blog

When opportunity knocks…

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Sometimes opportunity comes in unexpected ways and usually when we are not really looking for it or looking for something different.  I know that’s what happened to me with my business.  I was happy being a Stampin’ Up! customer – supporting my friend and buying the supplies I needed to satisfy my hobby.  Then one day my friend said to me “you should really sign up as a demonstrator and take advantage of the discount.” At first I thought oh no – not my style – I am not a pushy salesperson – BUT neither is my friend.  She never pushed me to buy what I didn’t already want or need so I decided to take a leap of faith and learn more about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.

What I learned surprised me.  First it was only a $99 (plus tax) investment to get started.  And what did I get for my initial investment?  Over $125 in fantastic products plus business supplies and a fabulous support network to help me along the way.  Next I learned that to stay active as a demonstrator I only needed to sell $300 worth of products every quarter. Well heck, I was spending that much every three months as a customer and NOT getting the benefit of the 20% discount.  Once I did the math I was sold (I’m a numbers gal so once I did the math it was a no brainer for me). 

I was also relieved to realize I didn’t need to pressure people into purchasing from me, in fact I could just go along my merry little way without ever having to “bother” another person about my hobby.  And so I began my hobby – spending time in my studio creating one of a kind cards to share with friends and family.  As I worked with the stamps, ink, and paper, I grew more confident in my abilities to create mini works of art in the form of a greeting cards.  Friends and family loved receiving my special cards for birthday, anniversaries, and other occasions.  And I LOVED makng them.  To me, my little “hobby” is a great outlet for reducing stress and anxiety.  Escaping to my studio to work with my stamps, ink, and paper is my “me time”  when I can shut out the world and relax.  I am always so much more relaxed after I have spent some time creating.

I am passionate about what I do and I want to share this opportunity with others.  The absolute beauty of stamping is there is NO right way to create.  Each project is as unique as the person making it.  Stamping is for all skill levels – beginning crafter to avid creator and no prior experience is necessary.  If you have ever thought you might like to try your hand at creating with stamps, ink, and paper now is the time.  With the current Stampin’ Up! Extra Extra promotion you can join now until August 31, 2019 and receive an extra $30 in product in your starter.  Yup for just $99 (plus tax) you will receive over $155 in exclusive Stampin’ Up! products AND you will also receive a $10 coupon to use next month.

So if you are in the United States and would like more information, I would be happy to chat with you.  You can email me at craftyklock@gmail.com for more information. Or if you are ready to sign up today, you can click here.

Blog

Virginia’s Tax Free Shopping Weekend is here!

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The Virginia 3-day sales tax holiday starts Friday, August 2nd at 12:01 am and ends Sunday, August 4th at 11:59 pm. During the sales tax holiday, you can buy qualifying school supplies ($20 or less per item) without paying sales tax. Many of our Stampin’ Up! items qualify for this exemption.  If you need adhesives, markers, watercolor pencils and more now is the time to stock up.  See below for a list of qualifying Stampin’ Up! products and order your items here.

If you are placing an order greater than $150, I want you to redeem all the Stampin’ Rewards you’ve earned. Yay! If your order is less than $150, I’d love for you to add the following Host Code so I can bundle your order with others to receive rewards.

The August Host Code is: AF7W7MQV

Blog

Card Making for a Cause

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Over the past year my husband and I have been privileged to participate as Honor Flight greeters where we welcome our veterans who have come to the Nation’s Capitol to see the monuments. Now we have the distinct pleasure of serving as Guardians for a local Honor Bus.

On Saturday September 7, Jim and I will accompany Veterans from the local area on a trip to Washington, DC to see the sights. We are so excited for this opportunity to honor our Veterans and give back to them in this small way. Part of the Honor Flight/Honor Bus experience is the SURPRISE mail call on the return trip. During mail call Veterans receive cards and letters from family and friends. What a wonderful idea!

To support our local honor bus I am hosting a FREE card making for a cause event this Sunday, July 28. I have three time slots scheduled 1 – 2 pm; 2 – 3 pm; and 3 -4 pm with space for 10 participants at each time slot. If you are local to the Leesburg, VA area and would like to participate, please sign up for one block of time through my Eventbrite links.

To register for the 1 – 2 pm time slot click here

To register for the 2 -3 pm time slot click here

To register for the 3 -4 pm time slot click here

Blog

My Journey

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My first cards were not very good – in fact they were pretty laughable but we all need to start somewhere right?  As I continued with my cardmaking journey, I became more confident in my abilities and had so much fun creating – not just cards but decorations, gift times, and gift packaging.  Then I went to my first Stampin’ Up! OnStage event.  Oh my goodness – what a fantastic experience.  Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators are some of the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet.  Everyone was so supportative and encouraging; sharing ideas, swapping cards, and giving advice.  I left On Stage with a new sense of purpose and a burning desire to share my passion with others. 

It’s been a long journey – with many highs and some lows.  Growing a business is a slow process, with successes coming in little spurts just when I need them.  Working a full time gig to pay the bills while trying to grow my Stampin’ Up! business on the side is not easy.  I worry about finding the right balance for me.  Some days it’s a struggle and some days not.  On days when I struggle I remember that God has a plan for me and I need to trust that plan.  As soon as I remember to cast my cares to God and trust in Him I always get a little spurt to keep me going.  And this is how I know I am on the right path.

Lately I have felt I am on the verge of a big breakthrough – I can feel it, I can envision it, so I just need to be patient and wait for it.  I absolutely LOVE what I do.  Creating is so good for the soul and helps keep the mind active.  In a world that is increasing becoming disengaged, sending someone a hand written note on a beautiful handmade card is so powerful.  Family and friends who have received a card from me have told me how much it meant to them because they know how much I care.

So won’t you join me on this journey?  You can join me in one of several ways:

  • Attend one of my monthly studio classes
  • Join my team
  • Order my August On Line class featuring the versatile Waterfront Stamp Set
Blog

Waterfront

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Happy Tuesday! It’s hard t believe the summer is half over – I’ve been so busy lately that it just seems to be flying by. Thankfully I have been able to take some time to head down to my studio and play with my stamps, ink, and paper. It seems lately I’ve been focused on all the new goodies that came out in June so this week I went to my stash to take out one of my more neglected sets – Waterfront. I’ve had so much fun playing with this set – it is so versatile the possibilities are endless. I was so excited to play with this set again that I’ve decided to offer this as my August Class to go

I am only offering 8 to-go bundles. The price of the bundle is $37 and it includes the Waterfront stamp set with 16 photopolymer stamps, all cardstock (cut to size and embossed as necessary) and embellishments to make 8 beautiful cards (2 each of 4 designs).You also receive a full color .pdf document with step by step instructions and a Facebook live class to assemble your cards. All you need to add is ink and adhesive (which you can order from my store). You can order the August Class to go bundle through Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/august-class-to-go-featuring-waterfront-stamp-set-tickets-65381123701 Order by July 27th. Bundles will be mailed by August 10 and the Facebook Live class will beheld on August 17th.

You can check out my Facebook page Stampin with Crafty Klock for a look a my previous Daisy Lane Bundle class. Sign up soon to be sure to get your bundle.

Here are some of the cards I made today with the Waterfront stamp set

Blog

Crafty Foxes

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If you have ever thought about joining Stampin’ Up! now is the perfect time to join my team. During July and August if you sign up as a new demonstrator you will get an extra $30 of product in your starter kit AND a $10 coupon to use the following month! That means you can get $155 in product for just $99 (plus tax) and shipping is FREE! Plus you will get a $10 coupon to use the following month when you place an order.

As a member of the Crafty Foxes team you will get:

  • 20% discount on all your orders – no coupon needed (and the ability to increase that to 25%)
  • Earn additional income of up to another 18% of your total sales
  • VIP access to new product releases and pre-order before they hit the streets
  • Earn free stamps with various promotions
  • Qualify for cash bonuses, product rewards, incentive trips, and more
  • Receive Stampin’ Success magazine on a quarterly basis

Plus a a member of the Crafty Foxes creative team, you get extra special perks.  I am passionate about what I do and want to help you achieve your goals, from learning new stamping techniques or building a stamping empire!

  • Monthly team gathering in Leesburg, VA with stamping and sharing PLUS Facebook live options for long distance team members
  • Team Facebook Group
  • Team recognition and incentives throughout the year

So whether  you are a hobbyist or more business minded Stampin’ Up! has something for everyone.  What are  you waiting for?  Join my Crafty Foxes creative team today!

Blog

Wildly Happy

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When I attended Stampin’ Up!’s April On Stage event I received the Wildly Happy stamp set for a prize patrol. I was so excited as I though the set was just adorable. Fast forward three months and I am finally in my workshop playing with this set and oh my! Do I love this set.

Each month Stampin’Up! has a #simplestamping challenge and this month the challenge was to highlight some of the new Designer Series Paper (DSP). I had been thinking about the Wildly Happy stamp set and how it would pair so well with the new 2019-2021 In Colors . I knew this #simplestamping challenge was the perfect time to execute my concept! Panda’s paired with Pretty Peacock, foxes with Terracotta Tile, bunnies with Rococo Rose, and elephants with Seaside Spray. Add in the matching cardstock, ink, and DSP and Voila! Four adorable cards perfect for all stampers.

Take a look at my cards. You can order your own stamp set, ink pads, and paper through my online store. And if you order now, for every $50 spent in July you will receive a $5 bonus coupon to use in August. Happy Stampin’.