FAQ

I don't take any formal position or responsibility for the information provided on this page, primarily these statements are my own opinion or account of experiences in the papercrafting world… for some this information will be helpful… of course I am always open to updates to this information, so please keep me in the know…


How to purchase from Papertrey in Australia?

Papertrey is a US based, direct mailing company. To my knowledge it is not available in any independent store-front and the company has no intention to sell directly to the public in any other format than their own online store.

Everything about Papertrey is fabulous with the exception of two things:

#1--Their Shipping Policy, which a while back converted all international shipping to the most expensive option available. To my understanding this was principled on minimising loss by implementing tracking and insurance services on mailed packages. The bottom line is, unless you are ordering a substantial amount, the shipping will be more expensive than the product. To compensate for this decision Papertrey offer a $10 discount on orders over $100 and a $20 discount for over $200; so if you plan on ordering through PTI then it is best to wait until your order goes over one of these two amounts, or to do a group order. One thing I will say is that they seem to have a fairly sophisticated system of calculating shipping, based on weight etc, as opposed to other stores that base it on amount spent or straight number of items… this means that when you buy the light things, like stamp sets, you get more bang for your shipping buck. Heavy items such as their cardstock will sky-rocket your spend… and you would really have to ask it is worth it? One other thing to remember about ordering papers is their card is not the standard A4 we are used to, it is the US sized version of this (a little smaller).

#2--Their Back-Order Policy, which only allows the items that are in stock to be available for placement in your shopping basket; ie. You cannot put anything on back-order. This is particularly frustrating when it is only one of the items that you are interested in purchasing as you have to either abandon your whole order or go without this item until you next order. I would much prefer the option to place something on back-order and wait for my order (within a reasonable time frame)… but understandably this is a lot of administrative cost for the company to absorb… for this reason I don't complain too much, but given the companies apparent size hope that this is addressed in the very near future.

With regards to group orders, I wouldn't suggest making the group too large. For two reasons, the first is common sense when you know the Australian Customs system… that is the larger the order the more likely they will assume commercial nature of package and therefore inspect and therefore charge you customs/import taxes. The second, falls to the matter of items which are out of stock and the inability to back-order…. And the likelihood that one of your group members will want an item that is out of stock at the time you are placing your order. There are systems in place for notification of re-stocked items, but this doesn't help when you JUST WANT TO ORDER IT NOW!! Therefore, if you are the co-ordinator of a group order then best to set the rules up front as to what you will do if an item is out of stock

All of this being said, I have stalked the new releases many a time… ordering immediately that the new items go on sale, with a comprehensive list and lightning fast fingers and often get all that I want. I normally would only order once or maybe twice a year for the reasons above… sometimes carrying the disappointment of not getting one item and turning this into a reason to use what I did get/have…. Which is plenty, so I am always open to sharing!!



How to purchase from Waltzingmouse Stamps in Australia?
This is another online store, a much smaller operation than Papertrey and as such you get much more personalised service.  I sit on the Waltzingmouse Stamps Sketch Challenge Team, known as the Mischief Makers, so I do have a rather large and continually growing stash of these stamps, it all started with 1 little stamp set and has grown from there.... and it was my constant use of these stamps that grew into the Challenge Team spot.... they are extremely well designed with a minute and accurate level of detail... and the ordering process is simple, they have a back-order system, and postage to Australia is fast compared to American Companies as it comes from Ireland via Royal Mail... very reliable and comparably cheap.  Claire does a great job of running this company and I wouldn't have any hesitation in ordering from Waltzingmouse Stamps, click and spend and before you know it your new stampage will arrive.  There is a free postage option for spend over 50 pounds too, which is great!


Acronyms, Short forms and Slang?

I add things to this list as people ask me what they are:

Bella:  Stamping Bella; although this is also a budget product line in Australia which I use from time to time.
Bestie:  One of your best friends
BFF:  Best Friend Forever
Blogaroo:  Weblog, often shortened to Blog; an electronic diary and enabling platform

CAS:  Clean and Simple
CASE:  Copy and Share Everything, a term used when you directly copy another's work whilst adding your own personal touches; protocol is to sight and where possible link to the reference point.
CHA:  Craft and Hobby Association (America)

Deets:  Details
DD:  Dirty Dozen, the name given to the Splitcoaststampers Design Team
DH:  Dear Husband (not that I have one of those)

Embellie/Bellie:  Embellishment

OTT:  Over the Top

Peeps:  People
PTI:  Papertrey Ink

Rodent:  Term of affection for Waltzingmouse Stamps

SCS:  Splitcoaststampers.com (the biggest and best online card making community)
SU:  Stampin' Up!


Do you sell your cards?

Sometimes, primarily through personal contacts, I have set up an Etsy Shop but haven't put anything in it yet… watch this space, there are over 700 in the top of my craft cupboard, I will be crossing this bridge in the early stages of 2013.

If you have a personal request I am always happy to consider these via email.


Do you teach classes?

I have in the past but not for some time.  I have some things on the boil at the moment, so maybe sometime later in 2013...

In saying this, I welcome questions on how to do things, and in fact if you live locally I am always open for a visit and how-to session!! I also keep an eye on the market with regards to video tutorials, so may be able to direct you to something out there in cyber land.


Do you post everything that you make here on this Blog?

The short answer to this is No. The majority of what I make is seen on this blog in one way, shape or form…. However; I have accounts at Splitcoaststampers.com and the Waltzingmouse Stamps Forum also. If there are particular challenges going on at SCS I may choose just to load to that forum, and I certainly don't load everything that I post here on the blog at SCS, although I do try to keep up with both where I can…. More to that point, I have made a particular effort in the last year to take more photographs (not something I like doing or have much interest in) and blog more often… but even still only about 50% of what I make actually gets published electronically. I started this blog so that I could join in the fun of competitions and blog hops and the like, and of course to share work as others do… my main focus is on enjoying my hobby, so I spend more time making cards than I do writing about them, and that will always be the case with me.


How long does it take you to make a card?

How long is a piece of string… it really depends on the card… although on average between 10 and 30 minutes… with very CAS cards something will come together in a few minutes normally. Most cards take me about 15 minutes… of course my recent affection for die cutting can elongate the creative process. Sometimes a card will take me an hour or even two hours, but only if I am trying something new, investing time in intricate cutting (which I love to do) or hit a stumbling block… I have a very short attention span at times, so the process would need to have me pretty engaged for me to stick at something for longer than 20 minutes.

Whilst saying this, I should probably pro-claim that I am an insanely organised individual. One of those people who like to know where everything is and accounts for my time in one minute intervals… this helps me to pump out the projects pretty quickly, and when I am having a time of diminished mojo or fuzzy head space, I stamp off things, cut them out, hand make embellishments and general stock-pile little bits of loveliness; in turn making the end product a lot easier when I finally get to putting things together. All in all though, I don't care how long it takes to make something, as long as I am enjoying the process!!!


What inks do you use, how many do you have?

Oh dear do I have to admit to this? Many, best way to explain is what I most use the different types of ink for:

Stampin' Up! Dye Based Inks:  All forms of rubber stamps, colouring on porous surfaces, particularly good with Waltzingmouse Stamps.

ColorBox Pigment and Chalk Inks:  All forms of rubber stamps, anything that I am going to heat emboss.

Ranger Distress Inks:  Antiquing card stock and embellishments, applying colour to backgrounds, loading into misters for spray effects

Tsukineko Memento Inks:  Outline stamping when you need to colour with an alcohol marker like a Copic.

Versamark:  Watermark stamping, wet embossing.


What are the best ink pads for the different types of stamps?

Stampin' Up! Rubber Stamps:  Any Dye or Pigment Ink, most Alcohol Inks…. Rubber is good with most ink types!

Other Rubber Stamps:  As above, however, sometimes you need to base the ink type on the style of stamp, particularly if you stamp has fine lines, you will need a fine ink.

PaperTrey Clear Stamps:  Work best with a hybrid ink, like the Palette range or their own ink range.

Waltzingmouse Clear Stamps:  Very pleased to report that SU inks work a dream with their version of poly. Also works with pigment and hybrid inks.

Verve Clear Stamps:  Work best with a hybrid ink, but I also use dye based inks with these.


How many stamps do you have, how do you store them?

Thousands, although I will say that I had a HUGE cleanout last year and off-loaded a lot, and will do the same again later this year.

I have a long history with stamps and their storage, and can say that I have tried many different storage options and have returned to the tried and true method of storing them by manufacturer, where possible in their original packaging. Of course this is a very personal choice, works well for me because I am a visually oriented person, so packaging and designating specific places for things means I know where they are.


How is your work space set up?

I work standing up at a bench that is 101cm from the floor, with designated space for regular tasks. I will post some pictures of my creative space one day.  Like most people its full of stuff and although ordered is never really that pristinely clean!!!


Have you been published in a Magazine, do you submit your work for publication?

In 2008 I had a lot of rejects and moved away from trying for some time, focussing on blog publishing instead.... I had a real bee in my bonnet about staying with my own style and not being prepared to compromise this just to get published.... the break was worth it and the first thing I submitted for publishing in 2012 was accepted and I have been published a few times from there... the buzz you get from publishing is really great!!


How do you take your photos?

You would be best to go elsewhere for photography advice, there are good tutorials for this on www.splitcoaststampers.com ....

Photography is not my forte, I do use a light box as I mostly create during the dark hours.  I know some peeps invest in good cameras for this purpose but to me that is a total waste of time and money as the only thing I take photos of is cards.  Although I want the deets to be clear for viewing, blogging about your cards is not a photography competition, so if you too are challenged, read a good tutorial, do the best with what you have, and just go with the flow, it works for me most days!


Other Questions?
You can email me through my Profile, leave a Comment or direct email to Edna15@live.com.au