A while ago I asked my Stampin’ Up!® customers and Facebook followers what was holding them back from crafting – and I was shocked that many of them said it was inspiration.
This surprised me because there’s LOADS of inspiration out there. Blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, the Stampin’ Up!® catalogue... and that’s when it struck me:
The problem isn’t a lack of inspiration but information overload.
So, with the Christmas holiday looming and possibly the chance to do some crafting over the break, how do you narrow down all that amazing inspiration into something you can actually MAKE with your Stampin’ Up!® supplies?
I have narrowed this down to four invaluable tips which will help you make the most of your existing supplies – and any down time you get over the next couple of weeks.
1. Work with what you have
There’s no point in searching for great ideas only to discover you can’t make them until you have a new Stampin’ Up!® stamp set, two new ink pads, a Black & Decker Workmate and a hazmat suit.
Start your search for ideas using supplies you DO have.
How? This can be as simple as typing the name of your stamp set and “Stampin Up” into a Google image search, or Pinterest.
Yes you’ll see projects using Stampin’ Up!® supplies you don’t have (yet) but you can adapt. If it uses a scalloped rectangle die and you don’t have one, just use a standard rectangle die instead... or simply cut a straight rectangle. You can always add the fancy dies to your wish list for later, then remake the project with your new products when they arrive.
2. Don’t fall down a Pinterest rabbithole
Pinterest is a fantastic resource but isn’t it addictive? You can soon find yourself totally absorbed by under-stairs reading nooks, motivational quotes and recipes for snowman-shaped biscuits.
If you’re like me, you’ll approach Pinterest as if it’s your first visit, every time... even though you already 300,000 Pins of fabulous Stampin’ Up!® projects saved that you have NEVER looked at again.
Go to your ideas board and see what you saved for the future – that future is right now.
Don’t have an ideas board? Here’s my tip for organising your Pins. I no longer save ideas by stamp set but by theme such as masculine, trees, seaside, etc. Stamp sets may come and go but the themes remain the same, and it means I can take inspiration from a project I saved years ago using a brand new Stampin’ Up!® stamp set.
3. Limit your supplies
I know that some of you (no names!) have so many Stampin’ Up!® supplies that it can be overwhelming. Honestly, most of my long-term customers have WAY more supplies than I do.
Yes, there is such a thing as too many craft supplies!
This is because I am a firm believer that it’s a waste to have so many unused supplies sitting there doing nothing.
Therefore, I strongly urge you to sell or donate them so you can clear your craft space and your head.
However, I know you won’t take any notice so instead, start each craft session by choosing TWO stamp sets and a limited colour palette, maybe taking inspiration from some Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Paper. This should help you to focus the mind and not get sidetracked or overwhelmed.
I found myself struggling a little with overwhelm at the weekend because my pre-order has arrived. I have a pile of gorgeous new products from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration brochure and Stampin’ Up!® Jan-Apr Mini Catalogue and didn’t know where to start. So I broke the products down into small piles, mini “Suites” of stamps, paper and embellishments, and allowed myself to work with just one pile at a time. It worked!
4. Stay on course
When you've come up with – or found – two or three ideas, stick to them. Of course it's fine to go off-piste and develop a project, as long as it doesn't involve pulling out a load more Stampin’ Up!® supplies and creating that all-too familiar feeling of overwhelm.
It was this discipline which enabled me to plan a whole class on Sunday. I had one stamp set and two packs of paper, and have created a class full of choices for my lovely customers.
Want to get involved? The class is open to anyone, anywhere in the UK as it takes place on Zoom. Find out more here:
Thank you for the refresher course and reminder of using what you have. I tend to forget that and order those specific supplies to create that one card and never to use that product again. I am trying so hard to keep my supplies to a minimum as it is overwhelming when you have too much to choose from. I will have to re-read your guidelines throughout the year -- or maybe I should read it every week!
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