My Stampin' Up! Craft Is Going Viral!?!?! What?!
So I posted this cute "Loads of Christmas Cheer" wood slice in a FaceBook group.
OMG!!! People really seem to love it and the post is starting to go viral! People are copying it, sharing it, asking me questions, and looking me up (personally) as well as my business! I've had 468 likes, and over 100 comments within 2 hours of it being posted.
I was not entirely prepared for this... but I am SO ready for it.
As excited as I get about EVERYTHING I do (those of you that know me, know I'm good at turning on that excitement glow) - well, my excitement has never led to a large following of people getting excited with me! I think it may be because this time I've shared my creative process so fully - and that's what is being appreciated by others! I've given them everything they need to replicate what I've made, including access to how I source my materials and information on all the trouble-shooting I've done. I've even secured a discount for everyone with my supplier! It's the full package. But it wasn't easy to let go...
Within the Stampin' Up! organization, it is my understanding that this is their desire that we use their products, share our best practices and allow others to replicate our craftiness. Internally we call it CASE-ing each other. It's the sharing nature, the high quality standards, as well as the customer service (I'll talk about another time) which actually draws me to this brand and their product.
So, I had a feeling my Christmas Truck coasters were going to be a hit and I would be asked about my process and where I got my wood slices. I had handed some out at a recent conference, and other makers were literally following me back to my seat to take photos of my last one after I ran out of items to swap. I knew that if I was going to share the photos online, I was going to need to be comfortable sharing everything I've learned... but honestly, I've been struggling with that.
You see, I take quality seriously in my business. I source my materials carefully and test items well before using them in my classes. I try to think up all the hiccups that may happen in the making process, so they can be avoided, as well as how the product will hold up after it's been made. So after putting all that effort in, I struggle with sharing it, because it's my hard earned knowledge. Do you ever feel that way? Like the knowledge you have is valuable and you don't want to just give it away?
But then I remembered - when I founded my business, Make Something, Inc. - it was to inspire creativity in others and put actual craft materials into hands while building customer confidence they can produce something of worth (of course, like all art, worth being completely subjective here). In order to achieve that and authentically live my dream, I need to share all that I know so that others can be just as successful at making something as me.
That's when it was obvious that my adorable craft needed to be shared, and likewise, all that I make needs to be shared! There is no reason to hold on to how to do anything, if me sharing is helping someone in whatever way they need to be helped. Right? Right! So this is me... letting go!!!!
But then it occurred to me that what I made wasn't just amazing because of great products from Stampin' Up! and my creative energy and thoughtful testing, but it was also because I had found a supplier of wood slices who produces a high quality, consistent product. I didn't want to send my peers off to make their own items with their own supplies - I wanted to send them to my supplier so that they would get the same result as me, and I wanted to reward him with their business, too! (Full disclosure, I do not know this business owner, I just believe in giving business to people who do what they do, well!).
So there you go. Quality stamps and ink from Stampin' Up!, quality wood slices with a discount code, and Amy's recipe for making an adorable project. So what do I stand to gain from all this exciting exposure?
The thrill of a semi-viral post and multiple compliments on my creation, yes!
Satisfaction helping a small business owner score some new customers. I think so! Motivation to start a blog - although I that I stink at at! Check!
...and good karma points for sharing my work with everyone? That would be lovely!
I hope you like my first ever blog post and that it gives you a little insight into me. I hope that as a result someone will decide to replicate this craft to spread some holiday merriment in their own circle of family and friends, and that someone else will place a wood slice order via the details below to support a small business based in PA. Of course anyone local is welcome to come see me at the St. Augustine's Christmas craft fair on Saturday, December 8th from 10am to 4pm (where I will have these wood slices available for you to color), or you are always welcome to email me privately if you'd like to book an event to Make Something with me!
Toodles -
Amy
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Amy's "Loads of Christmas Cheer" Wood Slice
* "Ride with Me" Photopolymer Stamps (Stampin' Up!)
* Momento Black Tuxedo Ink (Stampin' Up!) - you don't need Stazon
* Black Stampin' Write Marker (Stampin' Up!) - to draw in any gaps in the stamped image
* Magenta Sharpie (for the truck)
* Light Green Sharpie (for the tree) - regular green is too dark but could be used for shading
* Snowfall accent puff paint (Stampin' Up!) - note: you don't need the snow, it is cute without it, but if you do want to add it, the paint is retiring 12/30/2019, and you need a heat gun/embosser to make it puff
* 6" x 10" cellophane bags to wrap them (make sure you don't get them smaller)
* Twine/Ribbon of your choice
* Wink of Stella (Stampin' Up) - to brush on some sparkle without a glittery mess
* 4" Wood Slice from https://bulkwoodslices.com/
At checkout, use code "AMY10" and you will get 10% off. Free shipping on orders over $25!
These slices are cut almost smooth with a slight "warm wood colored" patina.
For sanding - I use the black & decker electric "mouse" sander with fine grit paper. It gives them a smoother, lighter colored surface - taking the stamped image better and easier to color. Be careful when stamping... the slice "drinks" the ink... so if you mess up or miss part of the image, it is not easy to "erase" the entire slice with sanding to start over. (Wouldn't that have been nice!) You could spot sand minor smudges - but are better off trying to correct images with a black Stampin' Write marker or try coloring over any mistakes.
I've aged my slices & they hold the color well. I've wet & dried them and they appear to hold the image without bleeding - sealing isn't necessary, which is great news for coaster lovers!
Enjoy Making Something!
If you are interested in purchasing any of the Stampin' Up! products, you can look me up as a demonstrator at www.stampinup.com. Search for Amy Salib in "New Jersey"!!!
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