Lynn Baldwin: 31, Independent demonstrator, Stampin' Up!, St. Petersburg
By Times Staff Writer
Published June 30, 2004
What do you do as a Stampin' Up! representative?
Basically what I do is I make cards. People come and we do what's called a "10 for 10." We make 10 cards for $10. People just come and everything is pre-cut, all they have to do is stamp and put the cards together, and at the end of the two hours, they leave with 10 cards. And then people can buy product if they want to, depending on their needs.
What types of cards do you make?
Thank yous, anniversaries, birthdays, you name it, we do it. Depending on what people want to do...
How long have you been doing this?
I've been doing this almost a year, but probably mostly since January full force.
How did you get interested in it?
I went to a show, a Stampin' Up! demonstration, probably about a year ago where the demonstrator made a couple of cards and we got to make one and take it home with us. I liked it so much, I thought "I'm going to try and do this as a business."
Is this full- or part-time?
I consider it part-time. I probably do it about 20 hours a month, depending on how many shows I have, because I do have to precut everything for the shows.
What's involved in getting ready for a show?
To get ready for a show, I pick five different cards (designs); either that or the client picks five cards. Then I have to go and cut every piece of paper that is in the card, then I put together a little baggie and in it there is everything you need to make 10 cards, two of each, including the envelopes.
What happens at a show?
All the supplies will be on the table for you when you get there. And you just come, you pick up a baggie, you put it together like the model, and if people need help they call and I will help them with any questions they have. If they haven't done a certain technique before, I'm there to answer questions.
What supplies do you bring to a show?
I use card stock paper. Stampin' Up! carries a full line of 48 colors that I can use. I bring stamps, I bring the ink pads, and any other accessories that go along with it, like tape to glue it all together; eyelets if the design calls for eyelets, or ribbon.
How many people usually attend a demonstration show?
Between five and 10.
What are the most popular cards you do?
Birthdays and thank yous are the biggest. We just had graduation season so last month graduation was one of the cards I featured at the show. I try to do things that are appropriate for the next month. Like in January, we made Valentine's cards. We did St. Patrick's Day cards in February.
What is your secret to making a good stamp?
You pat it a couple of times on your ink pad, just to make sure it's covered and just press; down and up. Don't wiggle it, just press down. If you press too hard, you're going to get the seam around your stamp.
How many stamps do you own?
I would say probably close to 50 sets. I've never actually counted them.
How often do you schedule card-making sessions?
I do this once a month, regularly. And then I have other shows on top of that. So once a month, most of my regulars will come and make cards, and then other people come and go every month.
Where do you hold shows?
I do them at my house, mostly, but if someone wants to have it at their house for a change, I do that too.
What's involved in getting started?
It was about a $200 investment. That was for certain stamp sets, and inkpads and the paperwork. You get an instructional video on how to run your business and how to set it up. They basically get you a start-up kit with everything you need to start.
Do you have to be artistic to do this?
You don't have to be artistic, because the (company) Web site is really helpful. If I'm not feeling overly creative, I can decide what stamp sets I want to use and I can go to the site and it will show me like 10 different designs with that one set.
What is your favorite thing about doing this?
My favorite thing is probably getting together with the people. And it gives me something creative to do. I like to sit and design cards. And I like to give them to people. I haven't bought a card in over a year.
What is your least favorite thing?
Probably cutting out one-inch squares. I have a big cutting board that I cut everything on. Sometimes the cutting is time-consuming.
Do people also use stamps for scrapbooking?
Yes. I use it a lot for scrapbooking, I've done both books for my boys (ages 41/2 and 2), and I would say 80 percent of it is stamped.
How much money do you make?
On a monthly basis, it depends on how many shows I do. This past month I had four (shows), which is the most I've ever had. In just product, I probably make between $300 and $500. With the 10 for $10 I probably make between $100 and $120 after I've paid for all my card stock and things like that.
What would your dream job be?
Well, I've been at home since Caleb was born 41/2 years ago. So staying at home. I love being here for them and watching them grow.
