January 3, 2007

Small Business Internet Craft Stores

Good grief, my time has become so precious that I have no minutes left in the day to shop at my local stamp store, which is 30 minutes away -- when it isn't rush hour. So when I buy crafts, it is almost always on the internet. That's where I can find gorgeous polka dot organdy ribbons and lucsious Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket papers, etc. without leaving the comforts of home. But, the internet is so faceless, so cold, that I thought it would be interesting to try and locate some of the smaller on-line "stores" that are run by fellow stampers/crafters. The list below is what I've come up with so far and surely is woefully incomplete. If you live near the big chain craft stores or a scrapbooking/stamping store, you may be able to get most of what you want at those stores, and you may get better deals. However, for those of you who like the idea of supporting a small businessperson, who is also a crafter, or who do a lot of shopping on the internet, I hope you enjoy this list! Please note: I have NOT purchased from most of these vendors. If I have, I've included a note to that effect and what my experience was. Feel free to share positive experiences you have had with small business craft vendors! Negative experiences are not welcome as I do not want to facilitate anyone's loss of business (there are often two sides to a story!). Finally, I hope these links work. I've had to hand input the html codes because I'm working on a MAC. [Insert grumbling here.] StarLitStudio is run by StarLitStudio (Cindy) on Splitcoast. She sells a ton of vintage items, papers, emphemera, assorted stamping supplies, May Arts ribbon (yum), etc. I have had marvelous experiences with Cindy and highly recommend her. Stamp N Store is run by dansah on Splitcoaststampers and carries a line of stamp pad and ribbon/stamp wheel storage units. Stamping Bella is run by Scmem on Splitcoaststampers. Cute line of unmounted rubber stamps and other stamping related products. ribbonsandbowshomy -- Do you like ribbon?? This store is recommended by many folks, including Risa on Splitcoaststampers and is owned by her friends, Jennifer and Paul. Scrappin Deals -- Also recommended by "Risa" on Splitcoast! The owners are her friends. Stamp On This Owned by Annette (PaperRapt on Splitcoast) -- You can find things to stamp on! Stamping Freak GinaK on Splitcoast runs this store, which features her own line of Gina K Design, Cornish Hertiage Farm Background, and Creative Mode stamps. Gina also carries the Marvy scallop punches, Ultra Clean stamp cleaner (which everyone raves about -- I've yet to try it), Mono Multi glue, "the good" blending stumps, and a bunch of other things including her own Technique DVDs. SUInk -- Owned by Denise Wenzloff, daneec2 on Splitcoast -- Wooden storage units for stamp pads, reinkers, etc. and a storage unit for ribbon. Jacksonbelle Embellishments -- Lindsey (jacksonbelle on splitcoast) carries a bunch of great ribbon, papers, primas, etc. Note: she carries Cosmo Cricket and Basic Grey papers (two of my faves). Scraptitude is a digital scrapbooking store run by laurakj on Splitcoast. Laura is also responsible for the awesome Stampin Up Color Combo that you can find on her site. Sassy & Sweet Crafts is owned by Anna Wight (one of my favorite watercolorists!) Anna sells ribbon and stamps and paper, etc. and will be opening up a non Ebay online store soon. Ellen Hutson LLC -- I've purchased from Ellen and can recommend her store without reservation! Ellen sells kits, Memory Box duplex cards and envelopes (can be hard to find) and Lockheart stamps.

4 comments:

  1. Wonderful job! Thanks for compiling this list!

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  2. Anyone in MN should check out Anchor Paper's stores. I have one near me in Burnsville. It is cheaper than Archivers. Not sure if they can really be considered "the little guy" because they are part of a big paper company but I respect them more than the big names out there.

    Also, where I'm moving to (yay!) in South St. Paul, MN has a little store called the Scrap Doctor (I think?). I have yet to visit but I plan to sometime after the move in late Jan.

    As for online stuff, I think you made a great list here Joan!

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  3. Thanks for the list Joan. It's great to have it all in one place.

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  4. great list! I've bought from: Lindsey (Jacksonbelle), StarlitStudio (Cindy), Ellen (Ellen Hutson), Sassy & Sweet (Anna) on numerous occassions and they have all been FABULOUS! I highly recommend them to all!!

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