Michael's Disappointment

[Stampalotsue]

You know, down here where I live, I don't have a huge selection of places in which to purchase my stamps. I suppose I shouldn't complain... I do have one place, Novel Approach, which is pretty well supplied with Rubber Stamps, but it is mostly a scrapbooking store. There are at least three scrap stores within 20 minutes of my house.

I also have a Hobby Lobby and a Michael's. I don't shop M's much, but will go in and buy the occasional book or magazine with the 40% off coupon. Lately, my M's has been pretty shabby... in complete disarray, messy, etc. Very depressing. I now know it was in preparation for the new Martha Stewart craft line.

The new M's ad came out today... and it displays, in all it's glory, all the MS stuff available. And on top of the, the coupon clearly states that it's NOT to be used on ANY MS stuff. What is that all about? :hissy: Is her stuff just too new, or too good, to be "discounted"? Is it that unique that you will just be dying to pay $19.99 for a box to store your stuff in? It must be that I can get it in that lovely MS green that she loves. :eyeroll:

Has anyone of you actually gone in and seen any of these things? Can you tell I'm not overwhelmed by the thought of MS jumping on the paper arts wagon? Personally, I have always thought she seemed very patronizing. But what do I know? I'm just a lowly paper artist down in Texas....

[XrayAmy]

Personally, I have always thought she seemed very patronizing. But what do I know? I'm just a lowly paper artist down in Texas....

Ya think? :laugh: I wonder if her "holiday" in prison didn't bring her down to earth a bit. We don't have a Michaels here, the closest we have is a Wal*Mart :lol: I didn't know Martha Stewart was coming out with a line at Michaels. Didn't she do the Kmart thing too? I find it interesting that these "celebrities" pimp their name so much.

[stampin stacy]

My step mom and I were talking about this last week and how she is sooo... late deciding to enter this market and as she said, "Well she was ummm....... gone for a while" :)) .

Seriously, I would expect any one who is going to jump on the scrapbooking bandwagon at this late date to at least be innovative about it not same ol, same ol. Then again when is the last time Michaels was exciting when it came to stamping and paper arts. I hardly ever go to that section of the store anymore. BTW, Sue do you find rubber stamp mags there anymore? The last few months I haven't.

[jhitchin]

This is why I don't go to Michael's for rubber stamping gear, or really any generic craft store. While I will buy patterned paper for cards there, I do not get stamps or inks there.

I also don't buy stamps based on name. The image itself has to grab me, not the line. Though there are lines I like because they have a lot of images I want to use.

And Michael's probably doesn't allow coupon use on the Martha Stewart stuff because their profit margin is probably smaller on those items. Pity, really.

Jeff

[Stampalotsue]

BTW, Sue do you find rubber stamp mags there anymore? The last few months I haven't.

Actually, I went in the other day with my 40% off coupon. I bought a copy of Art Doll Quarterly! They also had Rubber Stamper. Now that they have all the new MS stuff organized (and they have it all at the FRONT of the store, instead of buried in the back corner), they have cleaned up their mag display and books. Like I said b4, I use the coupon on books and mags that I don't subscribe to.

[Stampalotsue]

This is why I don't go to Michael's for rubber stamping gear, or really any generic craft store. While I will buy patterned paper for cards there, I do not get stamps or inks there.

I also don't buy stamps based on name. The image itself has to grab me, not the line. Though there are lines I like because they have a lot of images I want to use.

Jeff

I agree. I *rarely* (uh, maybe every other year?) buy stamps at HL or M's. I am buying more and more UnMtd's online, or at conventions. Or on Ebay. I do buy doodads for collage at HL, and patterned paper when it's on sale.

[Maryann]

I buy direct from the companies as they often have good specials. You have to pay shipping but the choice is phenomenal. I buy at conventions, too, but be careful with ebay - always compare with the company price, and ebay shipping can be a killer!!!!

[Nancyt]

I'm like you MaryAnn, I do most of my shopping on-line. We are down to one convention a year now in my area. I do love the conventions and all their demo's.
Nancy T
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H.O.T. (Hooked on Techniques) Design Team http://www.stampersmall.com
Faerie Song Art Stamps Design Team http://www.faeriesong.com/artstamps