[My favorite companies] StampinUp!, Simon Says Stamp & Hero Arts

By the time you see this post, I will be on my vacation. I will be away from this space for almost 6 weeks. {Hopefully I have managed to persuade or bribe convince my family to let me carry some crafting supplies with me and I will still be creating. You will hear all about it after I return in January. }

While I am away, I just could not leave you guys without some crafty inspiration now, could I?So, I have put together two series of posts which will introduce you to crafting companies and crafters which I admire / adore.

Let’s get started with part 1 of the first series – My Favorite Companies. And since this is thanksgiving-black Friday-cyber Monday time frame, be sure to check these out, as they will be having several great sales / offers.

Affiliate links have been used in this post. If you make a purchase by clicking on any of the links below, I will get a small commission. I appreciate your support!

StampinUp!

This is one of the first companies I got introduced to for paper crafts (Thank you, @BrandyCox!). They have a whole business model built around paper crafting. You can join as an independent demonstrator, build connections, grow your network, make sales and earn rewards in money and/or StampinUp! products.

Things I love about StampinUp!

• You can make your a business out of your hobby. (There are some restrictions though, if you join as a demonstrator, you cannot promote any other company’s products, or something to that effect. Something you’d want to check out and make sure you are okay with if /when you take the plunge.) You can still buy their products from another demonstrator even when you aren’t one yourself though.
• Their inks / papers / embellishments in coordinating colors make card making very easy.
• Their paper catalogs are so full of ideas.
• I’ve met / interacted with two of their demonstrators and these ladies are so wonderful. You will be in a supportive tribe when you work with StampinUp demonstrators and many of them do run classes / camps / stamping parties locally.
• They have deals every week on some or the other products.

My favorite recent products

Watercolor Wishes Card Kit

Happy Scenes Photopolymer Bundle

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Simon Says Stamp

This is one of my favorite stamping companies ever and they have many more things than just stamps! Their online store is a one-stop shop for most of your crafting needs. Stamps, inks, papers, dies, adhesives and many more things from several different brands are all available at this place.

Things I love about Simon Says Stamps

• One stop shop for all paper crafting needs
• They do have their own stamps too
• Their card kits are one of the best value for money! I am a happy subscriber :-) And yes, they do ship internationally too. They also have galleries created for every card kit where you can share your creations made using these card kits.
• Their blog has so many talented people share beautiful ideas all the time
• They have two challenges – Monday and Wednesday and both are so fun to participate

My favorite stamp / die sets from recent Create Joy release

Simon Says Stamp CHISHOLM WREATH Wafer Dies s309 Create Joy

Simon Says Stamp Wafer Dies Set WREATHS SetW237 Create Joy

Here are some card ideas using the stamps above  

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Hero Arts

Another great company with beautiful designs for stamps and dies. I love their pretty word stamps like the Peace and Joy stamp. I also love their stamp-and-cut products where they have one die and a couple images that match that die. Great for beginners and good value for money :-)

Things I like about Hero Arts

• Their minimum order for free shipping in US is $50. No coupon code needed. :-)
• Their word stamps, stamps with layering images are so pretty!
• They have recently started My Monthly Hero kits and each one is gorgeous.
• Love their stamp-and-cuts
• Their inks are just so buttery and stamp beautifully

My favorites from their recent stamps 

Hero Arts Clear stamps ACTS OF KINDNESS CL911

Hero Arts Clear Stamps COLOR LAYERING DIMENSIONAL BIRD CL906

The first one is a special stamp set made in collaboration with Jennifer McGuire for #sharehandmadekindness challenge. Hero Arts will be donating 25% of the profits from these stamps to the Kind Campaign to support their efforts in ending bullying.

Some inspiration to go with these stamp sets:

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{Made by yours truly}

That’s all for today. Hope I am leaving you with a ton of inspiration to create something beautiful. Do visit those source links and give some love to these amazing artists.

Thanks for dropping by,

Much love,
~Varada