Good on you for having the courage to be honest, so many demos who leave aren't game enough to say these things, it's so refreshing to hear someone being up front about it.
Ohhh Thank you so much. I feel like I could have and maybe even should have said more. It is a fine line between honoring what was, and being thankful and yet also being honest about what is currently happening, and what has weighed on my heart. Thank you for leaving a comment and being so kind.
Katina I agree with you , nothing has tickled my fancy for years. ive been a demo for over 25 years. I'm not happy with the way they also handled their daughter's charges . good luck in your next endeavors!
Hi Katina! I am excited to see what you do next! I have been a follower for almost 5 years; I found you through your Project Life videos. I am excited to see more memory keeping!
@@coffeequeen3291 More memory-keeping is coming your way! It has been a long time since I felt this excited to share on RUclips. So Thank you for the comment and watching! It is so helpful for me.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I have been a part of your FB group for sometime, but come and go. I have been out of the memory keeping mood, but seeing you back on RUclips and focusing on Project Life/memory keeping is giving me the itch. ☺️
Katrina, thank you for your honest and heart-felt video. I have been a SU hobby demonstrator for 22 years. I taught card classes out of my home and also taught monthly scrapbook classes for a short time. I've always been more interested in scrapbooking and would find ways to use the SU products for my memory keeping. That's how i found your channel and LOVE all your memory keeping (Project Life) ideas. I'm now retired from my full-time job and find that i can't keep purchasing (I'm my own best customer) ftom SU. I LOVE SU but I feel torn. My frustration is similar to yours ... they will retire a stamp set only to redesign something similar so I have to purchase that in order to use at my classes. I have recently not liked most of their DSP (too many florals) and the product costs have increased (along with supply issues) that i just can't afford them anymore. I have 22 years of inventory that I need to use ... I need to start shopping my stash!!! I look forward to your videos. Thank you for sharing what you love!❤
@@lindagrames7208 thank you so much for leaving this comment. This is something that I really hesitated to talk about in the video, but it is another huge concern of mine and a reason I pulled way back at the beginning of the year. Over the last 4 to 5 years I have found that Stampin UP! is not designing anything that I’m terribly excited about. Like you said something retires and then something very similar is designed and in general I was spending a lot more than what I was making on product and finding that , that is really Stampin UP! to get demonstrators to buy all of the things. It’s not really about what customers want or need. It’s about getting demonstrators to buy an obscene amount of product to be able to create classes and kits. And I totally understand that and that’s totally fine. I just got into that space where I feel like you’re coming from where I have all of this product. I’m not getting a chance to use it and I’m just buying more stuff to have more stuff. I miss crafting … even putting together this project on camera. I had so much fun and it was so exciting to do. And now I love looking at it, hung up in my living room. I appreciate you leaving a comment and being here, and I hope that you will dive into your stash and use more of it and feel inspired… I’m always here to help if you ever have a question or need help using older product hit me up and will do something crafty and fun together.
I buy stampin here and there because I have a friend who sells it. She has been a demonstration over 20 years. If it was not for her I would not buy anything. I do love their wooden stamps. I bought some on ebay and thifted some. I am on a mission to use up my paper and enjoy what I already own. I like scrapbooking. Make an occasional card. I love watching your memory keeping and organizational videos.
I, too, mirror all of what you wrote. I’ve been a demo 24 years and will be resigning once my current stamp club ends in a few months. Product, prices, shipping and the family issue all play into this decision. I retired in May and it had been my plan to ramp up my little business. I’ll just be heading in a different direction with my crafting - still paper crafting but not with one particular company.
@@gaylewills1294 Thank you so much for commenting and watching. Yes to that mission of using it up!!!!!! I'm finding as I start using older items It is like getting new supplies. I forgot I had some of this stuff!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and you taking the time to leave a comment here. I hope that you will be able to find lots more memory, keeping inspiration and the weeks and months ahead.
You’re actually the first RUclips demonstrator who I’ve heard mention the Stampin Up legal issues and I appreciate that. I was shocked and disappointed. And that’s why I am no longer a hobby demo. I thought they were about family values like me. That and being my own customer wasn’t financially worth it.
I'm sure there will be many people that will not be happy with me for mentioning it. However it has weighed heavy on my heart and I feel like it is worth mentioning.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I agree with you. The legal issues are as serious as it can get. There is a great deal of dishonesty going on. I love SU products, especially the color coordinated paper, ink, ribbon and embellishments. The retiring then releasing of the same or extremely similar, the difference being a font or size of the dies is hard for demonstrators especially those who do it for a living. The cost of there products are high. If they were not supporting their entire extended family maybe the prices would not be so high. Good luck in your future endeavors.
I really appreciate your candidness. You actually validated my reasons for deciding to leave Stampin Up also. I came from CTMH. And I decided I was just going to do what I love - papercrafting - and not be affiliated with something that I wasn't excited about. Thank you. You do you and love every moment!❤
Totally understand why you left SU, good luck with your new found freedom 😊. Love the wreath!!! Might try that, don’t have a score board so it will take awhile😂
I have been a hobby demonstrator for 15 years. I sometimes sell to a crafting group that I am a part of. I have lost customers due to the SU family situation. They don't want to support SU knowing that the funds would most certainly go in part to the defense. I really don't feel good about it either. I was off put by the letter to demo's that basically said keep your mouth closed about it. I am about to resign as well. My husband is recently retired and I am caregiver for my son who has autism. I won't be able to meet the minimums on my own. I agree with you about the designer paper, the same old products and prices. I didn't purchase anything in the new holiday catalog preorder. I wish you well. Love project life!
I'm so sorry that you have lost customer because of what has gone on. I have had that happen, and I totally understand but it is still hard. It is hard because if you are a demo you are the face of the company. Customers leaving Stampin Up because of what is happening with the family doesn't effect the family. The Family is wealthy beyond wealthy. They will not feel it, it is the demos that are trying their hardest hat are effected. I know the letter, and how they have handle all of it has weighed heavy on my heart. I will be glad when I'm truly not involved with any of it anymore. Also HUGS as a mama of a child with autism I get it!!!!!
I wish you a peaceful heart as you turn the page on a new chapter! I left Stampin’ Up! A few years ago for many similar reasons. I’m sure people who follow you will mostly continue to do so because your intentions and love for sharing/teaching & your love for scrapbooking shines through in your content. Thanks for your honesty and I am glad you aren’t leaving RUclips!
Thank you so much! That prayer means so much for to me! I'm very scared about what and how things will go in future but I am very much trusting God! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment.
I appreciate this post. It just randomly popped up in my feed. I’m a former CTMH consultant and stopped selling maybe 13 years ago now but I live near where the daughter lived and my integrity won’t allow me to support my CTMH sisters that moved to SU until the grandparents allow their grandkids to see their sister and bonus mom. The custody situation has been so wrong that I can’t stomach it. And SU has my beloved page protectors right now. 😔 anyhow, thankful I found your channel. So many people have been clueless with what’s been happening here in North Florida.
The custody situation is heartbreaking and I just don't know enough about that part of the case to really comment or even really know how to feel about it. I do know that the other parts of the case weighs heavy on my heart. I've have followed it very intensely since before it was national news. A very few select of us in the Stampin Up world were aware that something was happening from conversations, and posts that happen well before it was in the national news. It is all very hard to deal with, and even understand how something like this could happen. I had several customers from the Florida area message me to let me know they would no longer purchase product from me and that is wasn't because of me but because of what was happening in the news. And I understood that wholeheartedly.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I’m certain those Florida customers appreciate your understanding. I didn’t even get an acknowledgement from my former CTMH reps who have gone to SU when I apologize for not being able to support them any longer.
@@AprilPeebles That is awful. At least a responds would have been kind. I will say that there are those who just don't know what to say or how to say it. I mean for 2 and half years now all of this has weighted so heavy on my heart, and wasn't sure what I was going to do, or how to do it and I didn't really know what to say. So I understand that.
thx for your honesty. i have felt for a long time,even though i throughy enjoy making cards, that i am addicted and have fell into the rabbit hole. Love the products and the colors and also uncomfortable with the push. It is expensive when a bundle is well over $100
@@dorothydipaola6353 yes it is very expensive indeed. One of the reasons that Stampin UP! product is more expensive is because they are paying demonstrators. That has to be taken into consideration. And it is very hard if you are a smaller demonstrator or just a customer… I was lucky to be somewhere in the middle of this and I earned a lot of product for free and it was helpful as I was building my supplies. Thank you for being here and leaving and watching the video. I appreciate it so much.
I liked Stampin Up for years. I still like their cardstock and some of the DSP. But I feel like the stamp sets are an awful lot like older sets they have had. I absolutely love Gina K, Simon Hurley and Jennifer McGuire (among others). I’ve learned much from them and Gina K’s stamp sets are fresh and amazing! I appreciate your honesty. I wish you all the luck in the world. Stay strong!!!
Thank you for being here! I've always loved their cardstock. It really is the thing that I fell in love with so many years ago. I really had no intentions at the time of ever really making cards! I just loved the cardstock and it worked so well with my cricut. The stamp sets and art work are awful. They are very dated, and they just never seem to get better. On top of the repeats. Gina and Jennifer are great, I've watched them for years. Simon is new to me! Thank you so much for the well wishes!
So happy to hear your thoughts, Katina! I have been an on-again, off-again SU demonstrator for many years, and have also struggled with a number of things with the company, including what seemed to be the repeated designs and products. And, as you said, there are so many other amazing companies out there. I started following you for your memory keeping and am looking forward to seeing more of that content! All the best!
Thank you for being here! I'm so happy you found my channel. Yes, the repeat designs are so hard, I feel like they have got worse over the last few years. I mean how many flower / floral stamps do I really need. I also think because Stampin Up is so anti-any other crafty anything they are always WAY behind the trends and that can be really hard.
Papercrafting is my first love, but I've been focusing on other crafts and things going on in my personal life. I had no idea about the chaos going on with Stampin Up. I found out today when I decided to check out the website and was surprised that it was inactive. I am shocked and slightly disappointed because I feel so many craft companies are dwindling and going out of business.
It’s really sad to see so many companies going out of business, especially the ones we loved. I didn't know anything was going on with Stampin Up website. I haven't purchased any product from them in awhile and I haven't even looked at what they have to offer.
Thank you. I'm glad to find someone who is having the feelings I am. Things have happened with SU that have hurt me and although they do have good product, it's not like it used to be where they were the only ones who had awesome things. I've been afraid to voice my concern. I do love to make cards and send cards, but I love 3D things. . . .boxes and things. I've had classes in my home but these people want to make things, not buy things and they do pay to come and I enjoy the time we have together. Thank you for your honesty and thank you for helping me to understand it's ok to move on. I enjoy your video's!! I don't scrapbook any more but I still love to see what others are doing. Thank you.
Thank you for leaving a comment and sharing your heart. I'm so sorry that there have been some hurtful things that have happened. I totally understand the range of feelings both good and bad. I know it is hard voicing concern. But there are people who do understand and will support you. Thank you for watching the video and leaving a comment.
Omg, you read my mind!! I talked to my upline about Shanna and how our Stampin Up dollars are going to support her defense and how it went to buy her houses and give her a lavish life of privilege. I also pushed demonstrator support for more scrap booking supplies and when they bought out another company they gave them all the perks that I have been asking for.
I know it is so hard!!! It is something that is happening, all of Stampin Up is not involved, but enough of all the things are involved with Stampin Up that it is very uncomfortable. I hope for those who are still with Stampin Up that do love scrapbooking that good things will come for them.
YES! They way SU is supporting her leaves a terrible taste in my mouth. I don't want to support that. You vote with your money. The whole situation is disturbing. Very disappointed in SU. Feels like an end to an era.
Thank you for your candid, from the heart story. I too have been bothered by the legal issues with SU but more concerned about how the family has handled it. SU is all about the "bubble" and I've seen this first hand over the years but since the legal challenges, it's front and center. It's clear to me the 'bubble' = 'control' and it's how they manipulate everyone. I've been following the case closely and I've learned a lot about the family... the dynamics, family incentives, stipends and the list goes on. I am heartbroken they will not allow the children to see their step family or grandparents. I don't understand how anyone can do this! I have followed you for a long time and loved your videos and will continue to do so. You have to go with your heart and I commend you on your decision. Best wishes on your future endeavors 🥰
Thank you Kelly for being here and leaving a comment. The legal issue and family stuff has really weighted heavy on my heart. The other piece for me that is so hard is that demonstrators (in general.. not all, but many of them) act like this is not a big deal, the bury their heads in the sand and pretend like there is nothing to see here... even just today more awful information came out and it made me sick. Thank you for being here, and leaving a comment and supporting me! I am so thankful that!
Hey Tina--Been with you since your son was a toddler. I found you because of project life and scrapbooking. I too got into card making ten years ago… but I’m burned out on cards at this time. Everyone has seasons/eras. I will still follow you, momma!
@@KatinaMartinez-01 Awwww you are so welcome! I’m here, just usually quiet. Finances are so so so tight or I would join your group. Wish I lived closer so we could do a scrap day! 💜
@@LynnsLaunderette I would love to scrap and craft with you! I will get back to do lives at some point where we can all just hang out together. I totally understand about finances! No worries ever!
Thank you for your honesty Katina. Like a lot of your viewers, I'm sure, I found your RUclips channel for your memory keeping and am very happy to see more of this content 🙂 Best of luck to you moving forward!
I agree with you for the past few years, I haven't seen anything that I got excited about. I just wrote a complaint to Customer Service asking them if they changed design teams because the paper that has come out lately is awful quality, ugly, looks old and not pleasing to the eye at all. Remember a few years ago with the Happy Santa in the Sleigh, the gnomes, the pink paper with presents and little deer on it, was just beautiful. There's nothing in the new catalogue that is anything I would buy. Let me know where you get your other designer paper, I don't know what's good and what's not. Thanks for your honesty.
@@theresachalone2083 I totally agree with you I used to love their pattern paper!!!! I literally have packs from 15 years ago that I still love and use… I would say the last five years their product design has really gone downhill. The honest issue is the people they have designing their product are old. I don’t mean that in a mean way I just mean they are old and they’ve been with the company for 20+ years… Stampin UP! always has a really bad situation of not looking at the craft industry as a whole and so they don’t see things that are trendy… I always say that Stampin UP! is 2 to 3 years behind the trends… For an example 4 years ago stencils were blowing up… They were everywhere every company was doing them… Stampin UP! just started doing more of them last year. Until Stampin UP! realizes that they are not an island that the crafting industry is a really great amazing big industry and they embrace that things are just gonna continue to go downhill. I haven’t looked at a catalog in over a year the little bit of product I have seen here and there I just have no interest in .
I found you by accident, so to speak, as your video just popped up so I watched it. I had no idea about the SU scandal, and it's so sad! 😞. But what I am happy about is that you are focused on scrapbooking! It seems everywhere I turn, even when a business has scrapbooking in their name, it's always just cards, cards, cards! I do make cards occasionally, but my first love, and my focus is scrapbooking. I liked and subscribed, and I will be looking forward to more videos about scrapbooking! Thank you!
Well I'm so glad I popped up in your feed and you clicked on the video! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. The Stampin Up scandal is sad! Yes to scrapbooking and memory-keeping. I know what you ... it was feeling hard to find memory-keeping and so many people kept saying to me that no one cares about memory-keeping anymore. I simply don't believe that!!!! I'm on a mission to share the love of memory-keeping once again and hoping and praying that RUclips will start letting my videos get seen more and that I can grow my channel and reach more memory-keeping fans!!!! Thanks again for being here and I can't wait to see you pop in on some more memory keeping projects!!!
You are welcome! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment. I am in love with this wreath and finally got it hung up in my living today! It is perfect.
I also stopped stampin up and will continue to use products I own but stopped purchasing a while ago! I don’t miss it, but I can’t wait to see what you do next!
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I appreciate it so much. Yes I am hearing that a lot that people have stopped purchasing… I’m sure many reasons for that… But I just know a lot of people are taking a little break.
I have used stampin up for 32 years and what has happened makes me ride the fence to use the products . I have a room full of stuff from stampin up and I’ll use what I have but not sure if I will be buying from here out. Thank you for talking about the truth. Hope to find you online
I know it’s so tough… And I have a room full of stamping up stuff that I fully intend to continue to use… I spent a lot of money on the stuff that I have and I’m not gonna get rid of it all and not use it… But I really haven’t Wanted anything that they have produced for years… And I’m just in a place where I’m only spending my money on things I really really want. It just seems that it’s harder and harder to support them these days.
I don’t think I could ever be bound to a company like Stampin aup with using only their tools and supplies, etc. That held me back anytime I even remotely thought about starting.
@@JustMeOnlyMeIndeed yes I absolutely agree. In fact, it did hold me back with some of my memory keeping because I really tried in the beginning to do things exactly the way Stampin UP! told you to do them… I am thankful that I have always use products that I wanted. I just didn’t always openly share that and I wish I had. There is simply too many amazing things in the crafting industry, and I don’t think it is in any companies best interest to pretend like they are the only company that matters. They’ve really gone too far with this idea… They’re now even preventing demonstrators who wanna partner with non-demonstrators on RUclips from doing that. They don’t want any other demonstrators or customers even thinking about other product and I feel like that is a real detriment to them. They do a lot of good things for the craft community… I always say that Stampin UP! is a gateway drug… You start using Stampin UP! and you don’t know that there’s other crafty things out there but you are creative and you love crafty, and you start looking… And you start finding It would be much better place for Stampin UP! to embrace the crafting industry as a whole
I have been a demo for 14 years and I am leaving also. I am so tired of loosing sales every month because SU is out of stock.I had a $23.00 order from one person and when I entered her order, they were out of everything except $30.00 worth of product. Also they are not as innovated as other companies and they seem to reissue similar products from the past often. I haven't bought any of their stamps or papers for months. I finally stopped having stamp camp once a month and just place orders for whoever wants something. Since I am not demonstrating my sales have drupped drastically. I have bought so much for the past two years from other companies because they have very creative designers. With the changes coming as to ordering, hostess benefits etc. there is no point in continuing. Good luck with your new venture.
Girl... I hear you ... I totally get it. It seems like we have been a demo for about the same time. It was becoming harder and harder maintain any sells at all. Between larger demos giving away the world with free stuff. (I found people only wanted to order when they were get a crap load of free stuff .. which by the way is never free... the amount of money I was spending on shipping stuff to people... it makes me cry to this day) and then back orders, and crappy designs... it was jus too hard to maintain any kind of sales at all. I was working 14 to 16 hours days for a company that I truly loved and respected only to find that they didn't "care" about me as a demo... I didn't make enough money for them to care about me... on top of how it felt like they lied and haven't handled the family stuff well at all. I really thought that just stepping back, and not doing it full time would be best for me. It has only been in the last few month that it has just become so clear that I just can't be apart of the company.
Yeah… my personal favorite was “people don’t host to get rewards.” Baloney! Like Katina, I am not thrilled with SU’s offerings anymore - they retire stuff and then duplicate it.
@@BKesq96 The dups are so hard!!!! I mean I get it... I can get down with a good flower stamp set ... but honestly to retire something to have something pretty much the same come out in the next catalog ... it is was getting old!!!!
I like your wreath. I need to make those rosettes again and try this. Thank you for sharing your heart. I have watched you over the years but not consistently. If I ever get into memory keeping, I know where to come.
@@CraftEccentricity thank you so much. Well, I never completely stopped using other product… I did feel very shamed for using other product and it did cause me not to always use the things that I love… That was really difficult. My biggest regret is that I just didn’t stick to memory keeping and scrapbooking from the very beginning… I felt very pressured to do card making to make the business work and to make Stampin UP! product work and I really wish that I just would’ve listened to my heart and just stuck to memory keeping Kept doing what I loved Sometimes feel like it is hard because my channel grew a great deal when I did making, and so now as I am back to memory, keeping sometimes the struggle on RUclips can be real… It’s hard to get my videos, watched and seen now and something that I’m just trying to work better Thank you for being here and I appreciate it so much
@@tlthomp59 yes it is in the news and it is all over RUclips. I did put a link to an overview of what is happening in the description box in case anybody is interested
I agree. I was only in it for awhile & couldn't afford it anymore. Plus there is way too many floral lol. I haven't been excited about products in awhile. I love the wreath you're making. I love the crafts you make. ❤ I totally understand your choice. 😊
Good Luck to you. I wish you had listed the various sizes you cut the paper to make the rosettes. It really turned out so cute and I have a bunch of strips from making bows. They are 1 x 12, but that still should work, but the various sizes do make it look different.'
The strips I used were 2 inches and 1 inch… I find it best to just use two different sizes. I should have scored the 12 x 12 paper before cutting the strips. It would’ve been easier but I just totally forgot about that tip. You also need to glue two strips together and I overlap the strips by just a quarter inch And then I scored every half inch
I'm new to paper crafting and decided to purchase a subscription from PaperPumpkins, that is how I found videos from past boxes etc. I've made a bad decision I think. Good luck to you, I plan to follow you🎉
Ohhh!!! Don't feel that way, I don't know that you mad a bad decision, as I have said in the past if I would have just stuck to purchasing Stampin Up products It would have been much better in the long wrong. The major problems are that within joining and becoming a demo. The only other issue I know can be hard to figure out, and there are people on both sides of the issue is all the legal issues with the family. Some people feel like purchasing products doesn't mean you support what they are doing, and others feel like it does mean you support the family and what they are doing. My major reason for NOT purchasing products is they don't have anything I want. There is nothing that feels worth dropping money on. There are so many other products in the market that I love. I love their cardstock, and inks and still use those. I have many retired products that I will still use. I would also totally purchase products that I love from the very few demos that I have left that are friendly. I think supporting them and what they are doing is totally okay. Each person just has to decide what they feel is best for them!!! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment. I appreciate that so much and I hope that you enjoy the paper pumpkin kit you got.
You have to do what is best for you.!!! I first found you a few years ago for organizing and loved how you were into and saw the details. I was never into cardmaking, but I dabbled in it when SU first came out and have some wood stamps and a few things. But then.... I started noticing your Project Life and scrapbooking more. I have been scrapbooking in some form or another for 40+ years (YES - I have my first scrapbook from 1978). I tried Project Life when it first came out, had to buy it all and lots of core kits. Never did get comfortable with it though. Then when you showed how you did it monthly....THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!!! I subscribed to Ali Edwards monthly kit last June and have been doing it monthly since then. I even love your calendar idea because I have always kept a family calendar and kept them. Now that we are retired and have been empty nesters for quite a while, we don't do much, but some months we may. I love your membership site and just want to tell you "THANK YOU". Take care of yourself and your family! You Got This Girl!! ~Linda
Thank You Linda for leaving a message and being here. I love organizing and it is like a hobby of its own!!! I'm so glad you signed up for Ali Edwards product! It is my favorite for memory-keeping. I have some fun videos coming up with her product this month.
I just found you & look forward to any paper projects. I am not as much of a card girl either. I have scrapbooked in the past & now am working on journals
Hello, new subbie here! Found your story interesting. All the best to you. I’ve never used SU nor am I a card maker, my sister & Mother are, and use SU. My love is in recycling garbage and turning it into keepsake treasure junk journals and memory books etc. Paper makes me very happy! I share my makes on my channel too :) Not a selling channel, just love creating:) Thx for sharing this video with us.
Thanks for subbing! I love the idea of recycling things and using them to make journals… I’m too much of a matchy Machy kind of person so I have always found mixed media and junk journaling type projects a struggle!!!
Thank you so much for your candidness. My first experiences with “Scrapbooking” was an invitation to a Stamping Up demo and a weekly scrap hour. I was all in on Stamping Up. I was a quick study and made some decent cards and pages for my scrapbooks. As I got better, I would bring stuff that I had made, and while other people were looking in amazement at the things I had made, I was quickly met with, “well not everyone is as advanced as you”. It left me with a sour taste in my mouth, for, not necessarily the product but that a demonstrator wouldn’t push their clients to be the best that they could be. I’m not one to stay one dimensional but it seemed like as long as you used Stampin Up products, you were golden. I, like you, use many vendors in my card making and scrapbooking. I want to leave my kids with the best memories long after I’m gone. That was the last time I purchased from Stampin Up.
Am terribly sorry that that was your experience with a Stampin UP! demonstrator. That really is completely unnecessary. I’ve always said that the most important thing I want for anybody who watches my RUclips videos or who had purchased Stampin UP! product for me is that they were excited about crafting whether that was stamping with other product or not whether that was making projects that I was excited about or not… I want People to joy and crafting. I struggle a deal with anxiety, not only from a traumatic childhood, but a traumatic illness that I went through… Crafting has brought me so much joy has changed my life and such amazing ways and that’s the only thing that I would ever want anybody to feel if they were crafting with me. People take for granted being able to craft with other people… Being a Stampin UP! demonstrator allowed me to find friends that loved crafting and will always cherish that
Hi Katrina. I have to say, I am not surprised at all. I love your memory keeping videos and wish you the best. I will continue to watch your channel as you inspire me to get caught up on mine 😊
Yes it is wonderful to know that! That is what I love most about this community. Coming Together, and even when we don't agree with another we respect each other, and are still willing to have a great relationship and we can keep having fun and crafting together.
Hi there, I use to buy from stamping up I spent a lot on products. But I did start my crafting with memory keepers, making a scrapbook for my granddaughter’s graduation. I have only bought from stamping up very little in the past few years because I am now on fixed income. I’m wishing you a very happy new start. Tfs everything. 😊Blessings
This is my first time listening and watching. It's the title that made me look because I also am quitting Stampin'Up. I'm only a small time discount shopper (from Canada), but I was finding it a LOT to spend per quarter for a retired person on a tight budget and I was getting way too much product not being used and having not enough space to store it all. The MAIN reason though was when I did hear about their daughter and also the story behind the whole family I decided not to support them any more. It's certainly a sad and embarrassing situation for them to be in and I do feel bad for them. I love making cards but what do you do with them all after??
Hi Linda, Thank you for clicking the video and leaving a comment! I'm so glad you are here. I understand it can be a lot to spend each month. I mean It would be fine if spending a lot each month left you with the most exciting items that you just couldn't put down... but to not be overly excited about it and just be finding places to put stuff it is just not fun!!!! and worth it. I very much wish Shelli would step away from the company so the she could handle what is personally going on... that would make many people feel better but the fact the she still is here, still going to events, acting like nothing is happening is just gross!!! I get not wanting to support Stampin Up. As for what to do with the cards after ... this was always a struggle for me... I was never good at getting them in the mail to people... and I would end up with tons... I was able to sell mine in groups.. but honestly it was always a struggle for me.
Good for you ... follow your heart! I have followed mine and I'm no longer interested in supporting the company. If you know, you know! I'm getting more into journaling and memory keeping. I've always enjoyed your videos. You and Wendy were the only SU demos I continued to follow, and now you're both former demos! Keep making videos and I will keep enjoying them!
Yes, if you know you know and I totally understand respect that. While I'm not currently purchasing product from them I am going to use what I have. It is heartbreaking what is going on with Stampin Up from that aspect. Thank you so much for commenting and watching! Yes lots of videos coming up with fun creative inspiration!
i started following you back in the cricut days, i bought a lot from you. but like you i was a scrapbooker and not so much card maker. i liked the cardstock and stamps and markers. i have quite a collection of colors by getting in in colors bundles. i still have most of it still. never really used it, recently sold a lot of stamps. never even used or opened. i still have cards that you made and sent with orders etc Always got so many deals and extra goodies from you. kind of strayed away but since you been doing more scrapbooking and organizing i have bee watching you again. good luck on your new journey loving your videos
Hey there! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for purchasing from me. You can't imagine how much it helped me, and our little family. I am so thankful for your support. I'm so sorry you have products you just didn't use! I know that feeling all too well. You can / could check out Facebook Groups for selling Stampin Up items. There are a TON of them!!!! Thank you for coming back and watching once again!!!
This is a GREAT video - thanks so much for sharing. I'm a customer and I wish I watched this before making my purchase yesterday. This also solidified my decision to not become a demo
Oh No! I'm sorry you didn't see the video sooner, but I'm glad it helped you make a decision. And totally don't even worry about your purchased, I'm sure it was a blessing to the demo you placed it with and you were excited with product and wanted to purchase it will be fun to get your goodies and craft! Thank you for being here and commenting!
I am a hobby demonstrator and am thinking of leaving SU as am finding it difficult to meet the quarterly order requirement. I have way too much unused stock but keep putting in orders in order to get the catalogues. Stupid, I know! For the past few years have struggled to find stamps that really speak to me. They seem to be the same themed stamps but just altered a bit. How do I stop being a demonstrator?? Do I just stop my quarterly order or do I have to contact my upline and advise her? Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi there! I know that can be hard, I was always thankful that from the beginning I had enough customers to help me with the quarterly requirement. I've always loved getting the discount, that was always my reason for signing up, but now that I have all the bigger items like a full set of Stamp Pads, and all the cardstock, punches or dies I'm feeling like I don't really nee that discount. And you are right it has been hard to find anything that has excited me in years. If you know you won't meet the quarterly you can just not meet that and then you will drop. If you meet that easily, then you have to call DS and resign. I don't know much about as I haven't done it yet. I will be doing that on the 20th of September. But DS is always amazing at helping.
Yes, sometimes it’s just time to move on and do something different and I always wanna be honest and transparent in my videos and in my sharing. Thank you so much for leaving, and being here. I hope you enjoy the videos that are coming up.
Totally agree. I was a SU demo many years ago just to get the “discount“. But! Way too expensive and I had other ways I needed to spend my $$ than trying to keep current with their product. Will be watching as your focus shifts back to your love for memory keeping! Oh! Adore the wreath but always score your paper full size and then cut your strips! Saves so much time when making rosettes!
@@KatinaMartinez-01 oh gosh girl I get it! I have done that before too! Lol! Slower to make but just as productive with beautiful results. Doesn’t matter how we get there, just that we arrive ❤️
Good video...SU is a great entry level company. There are so many companies out there that go beyond the card making 101. I watched Wendy video and agree with both of you. I haven't been excited about much in the recent catalogs. I bought 1 set from the new mini catalog, 1 stamp set. I do suspect they are struggling financially if they are bringing in a lower quality paper with white in the center. The stamp sets seem to be getting smaller as well for the same price. Honestly I felt bad going outside of SU but I had to if I wanted to expand my card making experience. Thanks for the video.
I always say it is a gateway crafty drug! It totally gets you hook, make you feel safe with your crafting and you slowly start seeing what else out there and wanting to try things. I'm sure they are struggling financially from what they have been doing the last several years, but I doubt they are struggling in any real way that will make them do anything different. Yes I think many demos felt bad, I never did because I got into Stampin Up for different reasons, I was already a crafter, and crafting, and creating was what was important to me. I never wanted to lose that.
@KatinaMartinez-01 just this week I decided to join in a card swap for the first time. I was excited because I had just made the cutest card using Waffle Flowers fall postage die set and the SU More Than Autumn and the Latte Love stamps. Welp. After I read all the rules I knew I couldn't use any "contraband" AND it had to be current stuff! So my excitement to participate soon turned to disappointment. Now I had to focus on keeping in the narrow guidelines instead of making something I was excited with.
Hi Katina, great video! best of luck on your journey forward. I loved watching you make the wreath. I am with SU at the moment and came over via CTMH. It was interesting to hear you say that you struggled finding local craft supplies because that is my struggle too! Not sure if I will stay with SU as I find them more focused on business building and really I just need a reliable place to order craft supplies. I’m curious about what your vision for scrapbooking would be? What kind of products would you like to see? I haven’t been excited about their products either. I struggle to use them since I’m a little newer to memory keeping. I don’t make cards. Anyway, long comment!! Haha! Have a great day!
Thank you for being here!!! My vision and excitement for Scrapbooking is WIDE! I don't know that I can explain it all in a comment. But basically I believe in keeping it simple, and documenting everyday moments. My biggest issue with Stampin Up is they don't see the value in it, and they don't see the point in have products to support memory keepers. They throw some product at here and there, and they say will this stamp set or that stamp set COULD work for memory keeping. But they don't create products that really support memory keepers.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 love that! Subscribed! I'm still learning and looking for more focus on the memories! I love that artistry of it all too, but my "why" is my kids :) Would love to see creative ways to add journalling!
@@lifeandwhimsycreations2964 I do have a video coming up this month that is focused on journaling. Once that video comes out make sure to watch and if you leave a comment letting me know if I covered the topic enough, or if I did I will be sure to get back to you and do another viddeo if needed.
I was a UK demo and lost inspiration with their products I also didn’t like how things were out of stock and retired quickly. Also no one in the UK is talking about the murder case it’s as if they are scared to mention it, it’s a very serious issue and also didn’t sit well with me and all these reasons were why left last year
It is so hard when things are out of stock! It really kills the joy of crafting and being excited for product to come with always knowing you may not be able to get it is not fun.
Thanks so much, Nina. I appreciate so much all of your support and kindness over the years. Your friendship and kindness has met so much to me. Thank you for still being here.
I have been an SU demo for almost 11 years. I was also a scrapbooker but turned into a card maker. However, I am discouraged and ready to drop myself. I want to do memory keeping and SU refuses to support that (except by selling MORE floral paper). Like you, I have been less than thrilled with their family drama, with the horrendous new catalog layouts, and with their “online exclusive” garbage. For the last year or so, I have had almost no customers because they don’t want to shop online. Thanks for your great channel here (that I discovered by accident)
Thank you for being here and leaving a comment. I'm sorry that you are feeling discouraged. I hated feeling way, and it totally understand the struggles that Stampin Up has right now. If Stampin Up had support memory keeping in a better way I might have felt like I could stay even to just get the discount. But honestly I placed my last order this week and picked up some adhesive, page protectors and a few 6x8 albums and NOTHING else made me excited. Why in the world would I purchase any product that I wasn't excited about. For me that sealed the deal. I don't want to just make Stampin Up money because I have to buy to meet anything. Aside from all the family drama that just keeps getting worse and worse!!!!! Looking forward to you being here!!!!
You go girl, there are sooo many other companies with many great items & when I heard about the scandal it changed my whole view about the company, still following you
Thank you so much for still being here! I honestly wish I had decided to leave 2 years ago when I just started feeling things shift for me... but I thought it could get better, I even thought that just staying a demo and getting the discount would be okay... but it has just become so clear in the last 3 months that things are getting worse and I just can't be apart of it anymore! Even more info came out today that just made me sick!!!!
Totally understand your decision. I love SU's colour palette & cardstock for cards, and I do love making cards. I would say I am equally in love with both memory keeping & cardmaking. And I could never be a demo. You did great to stay at it so long. My frustration is that SU does seem to think they're supporting memory keeping. I started shopping with them in 2003ish and they did claim to be about memory keeping & scrapbooking. Back then when there were fewer options for scrapbookin products that was ok - but with all the options available now, it isn't.
Hi! thank you for being here, and leaving a comment. Yes, Stampin Up Colors and Cardstock and main product is amazing and I've always loved. They are a card making company, they are not and do not support memory-keeping in the most traditional way. Yes, they may start supporting it more, but overall they have never supported that. They also create a culture where you are not allowed to look at other products. A former demo just told me today she was "not allowed" to join together with another demo and do a an event ... because Stampin Up doesn't want anyone to purchase from anyone else but them... they truly don't care about the indrustry of crafting and that is so sad to me. I just can't support that kind of culture nor do I want to. Many other companies do Scrapbooking and doing it well! I will support them and enjoy their product.
Thank you so much. I am really not sorry to have left. It was a great journey, and something that I will always be thankful for, but I'm so glad to be done, and moving on. It was a huge weight lifted once I left and that was confirmation enough that it was the right decision for me.
I was a hobby SU for a year but i couldnt keep up with the buying each quarter. If i need, or want, anything i will just order from someone. I also have a full time job and selling was never my intention. I get why you made your decision. There have been other companies and product out there for years that I have. I like SU colors, but with tax and shipping, it's hard. Your wreath is beautiful. I have a question though, where did you get all of your buttons?
Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I totally get that, selling just isn't easy for me, and it is just not something I want to do. I love teaching and want to focus on that. Funny thing about the buttons - all Stampin Up! Years ago (like 14 or 15 years ago) they had buttons that matched the color families and I purchased several sets on the clearance rack when they all retired.
Katrina just DO YOU, and be at peace❤. Subscribing to your channel just because of your honesty. Be Bless, also I would like to try my hand at memory keeping.
@@gigiandrews5327 Yes the do! I love them. I love Kristina line of product that just came out this week. If I was still making cards I would totally purchase some of her things from C&9
@@KatinaMartinez-01 Yes, the release is amazing. All the bundles sold out in the first hour or so. C9 already has more on order. What a blessing for her and C9! Jennifer McQuire did 3 videos yesterday debuting Kristina’s release along with C9. I wish you the best! ❤️
Always! I try my best to always be honest and transparent as I love this community and I love being able to do RUclips. It has not only helped me share my creativity, but it has also helped me with my anxiety many times. Thank you so much for being here and leaving a comment.
I completely agree with you that Stampin Up is really lacking in the Scrapbooking side and I have never been overly impressed with their product offerings myself. I too use a variety of products from different companies in my crafting and don't feel I have to stay with one single company or product. Best wishes on your next chapter and I'm sure you will continue to make beautiful crafts! I loved your fall wreath!
I just subscribed to your channel. I read many of the comments and feel all was covered. I am have done memory keeping, i am big into cards at the moment. I watch a lot of channels and will quote two of them Natasha Forte "The world is your osyster" and Tim Holtz "You do you" The whole industry is built on variety. And you said it in your own words "Be happy and follow your heart"
Welcome aboard! Thank you for subscribing and leaving a comment. And thank you for reading through the comments. There has been so many and I am blown away by everyones kindness and love they have shown me.
Thanks for the video! You need to follow your heart and do what you love or crafting becomes a burden. BTW, what brand is your glue gun? It seems to stay hot a long time. I've been looking for a good cordless one.
Totally agree with your thoughts about the products. I love the continuity of colours from SU but haven’t been able to find the enthusiasm to,purchase any products for the last 3 years . I think the way they are losing demos for whatever the reasons the owners are going to struggle more and more . I don’t know nor need to know the ins and the outs of what is going on but it’s obvious that a lot of people demos or just hobby demos are no longer happy with the products . I wish you well for your future crafting journey .
Ohhh wow 3 years now... I know it has been decline for sometime. I feel like it has gotten harder for over the last year and half, but honestly the last maybe 5 years it has been great. I think around the time covid happened the product just stopped singing to me. I do believe the company is struggling in certain aspects, but then I also see that with the Close To My Heart stuff that has happened in the last 6 months that has been a boast. They will do what they want to do which is totally fine. I just know that it is not helping me, or inspiring me and I maybe should have done this a year ago when it all started weighting heavy on me. I just very much wanted to make it all work. I also really wasn't sure how much support I would really have outside of Stampin Up. Stampin Up demos are pretty loud that the only success you have is that when you are with Stampin Up. It can be scary.
I totally agree with you. I am also ready to resign as a demonstrator for the same reasons. I am not happy with the way all of this legal stuff has been handled and want no part of it. Since this I feel SU’s product and quality have gone down hill. The company no longer appreciates the small demonstrators who don’t make as much money as the million dollar demonstrators
Yes, it is hard. Stampin Up is a business so they do care about that LESS than 1% that is making a lot of money. Stampin Up has just changed so much over the most recent years and it is sad. I'm happy to be able to move on and not have to worry about it any longer.
i also left stampin up but mostly for financial reasons. as a hobby demo i was the only one buying the quota of product! after many years and owning a lot of product, i just couldn't justify it anymore. plus i was discovering other stamp companies with really fun and cute things. and i couldn't afford both! lol i really like the SU core products. paper, ink, etc. i like that the color is consistent across the product and i will continue to buy those. thanks for sharing your story. i agree with one of the other comments about sending you koodo's for being honest and sharing your story. it's really nice/refreshing to hear truth. lol good luck with all you do in the future!
Thank you for being here! It is hard as a hobby demo to keep up with the quota. I was lucky enough that I never struggled with that. right away I was able to cover that but I keeping up with the other things such as a rolling sales is a nightmare! Thanks for such kind words! I appreciate them so much.
Replay. I have backed off with ordering as well. I am a discount shopper and I don't find too many items that I want to order. I was selling on ebay the stuff I bought to keep my level but didn't use.
I just quit stampin up for the same reasons. I was with them for 3 years. I didn’t like being limited to only stampin up products, I didn’t like that so much of what is out there is just recycled from previous years.
Katina, I applaud you with the utmost level of respect for being 100% genuine & speaking from the heart on matters that are important to you and touchy with others. It takes a lot of courage and d strength to do what you just did and as a current SU demonstrator myself, I understood you and where you are coming from. I also was never a card maker until I joined SU nearly 15 years ago. I was ALWAYS a scrapbooker/memory keeper. You need to do what you are passionate about. I don’t talk much, more so I just watch videos but I felt pulled to speak on this today. I will continue to follow your journey and say hello from time to time. We have a mutual friend in common, Megan Elizabeth. :) She loves me 😂 just ask her haha. Anyways, thank you for your honesty and please don’t allow the few or possibly many people out there get ya down when they start griping. You do you! ❤
Ohhh Thank you so much! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment. I always try my best to be honest and sharing my heart here. OHHH Megan yes she is my bestie! Love her so much!!!!!
@@KatinaMartinez-01 you are so very welcome girlie. It’s hard to really be vocal and honest with things at times because so many people out there have opinions and they think that their way is the “right” way etc and so many people think they are entitled to this or that etc, just seems like you will always upset someone even if your intentions are pure and honest. That’s why I said for you to just do you! It was brave to come on and open up about what was on your heart. And I can appreciate that. 😊❤️ And yes Megan is a sweetheart. :)
As a former CTMH consultant, I am not thrilled with what they are coming out with for scrapbooking! I loved CTMH products for scrapbooking and am saddened by them closing. I too love scrapbooking over card making. I don’t really feel Stampinup is really geared towards scrapbooking they never have been. I’ve always felt it’s just not their jam I too love their products for card making. Best of luck Katina.
I'm so sorry your not thrilled with what product is coming out. I totally understand. I really loved CTMH and honestly I have felt regret that I didn't get involved with CTMH first.
Please don’t misunderstand me I love Stampinup products just not for scrapbooking. Although I’ve seen some former CTMH makers do some pretty nice pages. I’ve enjoyed following you and will continue to do so.
@@Deborah-crafty-buzzing I do totally understand… There’s a lot of product From Stampin Up that I really do enjoy the core products. Stamp pads and card stock are always so amazing to work with.
Im a hobby demo and am sad to see more of you leaving SU, but im not sure how long i can continue. Not being able to get product for months seems to be more of the norm and its not pandemic time's whichh was expected. If they create their own product, why? I do have the same feelings about the "new" product's- not interesting since seems like ive seen it before and likely already have it. Not happy with the SU family news either... Im very interested in this wreath....something i sure can do, since i watched carefully as you assembled. Always enjoyed you and Wendy's projects. Best of luck to you.
Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I understand wholeheartedly how difficult it can be to be in Stampin UP! particularly if you’re a smaller demonstrator, you have a smaller customer base. There’s so much that I could say about the product being out of stock and it not being trendy and it being outdated. But honestly, it’s probably not worth wasting my breath over because I know Stampin UP! isn’t interested and evolving in that way. And that’s totally OK… I finally accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to change anybody’s mind about scrapbooking and Stampin UP! so instead I’m just doing scrapbooking and crafting again the way I want. I totally understand that it’s their family and they can choose to deal with family issues however they want it just as incredibly sad !!
Stampin up cardstock is great but everything they sell is way to expensive for me. Just can’t afford it. I just subscribed to your channel. Love the wreath!
Thank you for subscribing! I understand that! That is why I always wanted the discounted and doing it full time I like I did for years allowed me to get so much of product for free!
Congratulations! Like others, I have been uninspired by what is being released. I left a few years ago, but rejoined a few months ago in hope to get inspired to craft more. I have learned that there are so many other better companies out there. I have always felt like SU doesn’t see what going on in the industry in a timely manner. Half of the product can be purchased elsewhere. Like the die cutting machine is just the Spellbinder machine with SU name on it. I’m giving it until the January catalog to see if there is anything I like before I’m done for good.
Hi Candice - Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I've wished for years that Stampin Up would doing a die cutting machine with someone like CTMH did with Cricut. Good luck with the catalog that comes out in January - I've heard there will be more memory keeping in that one! Figures crossed it gets better!
So glad the family dynamics has been brought up! Have been seeing less quality, fewer stamp sets I want to buy, the terrible change in the catalogues, online only products, etc. and feel like money is tight due to the daughter’s trial. I found very little I was interested in the fall catalogue. Am considering dropping my hobby demo status also! The treatment of the grandchildren not being able to see their half siblings is despicable.
I know… I do think it is terrible. It is weighed so heavy on my heart for the last year and I just don’t know what the right answer is to do, but I do know that it’s harder to support the company right now.
Thank you for your honesty with the RUclips community and sharing the plans for your new journey. I have the opposite story where 25 years ago I became hooked on purchasing a plethora of Creative Memory items, but I was never really into scrapbooking. Needless to say, I have a closet filled with empty albums but I know I can use their paper products and other really useful tools. I became interested in card making 4+ years ago and have purchased a lot of SU products. I thought about becoming a demonstrator but like you, I don't like it being restricted to only their products. As you mentioned, there are a ton of companies who create fantastic stamps and other products, especially related to memory keeping. One company I recently purchased some items from is Heidi Swapp (I have zero affiliation with the company or products). I only mention is site because she has alot of products to create memory pages that look like calendars. I have purchased some of her items to create cards and they are high quality. I wish you the very best and it is a gorgeous fall wreath.
Creative memories is how I got started… That’s how I even knew. There was something as memory keeping. I honestly fell in love when I first saw the product… And I purchased creative memories for many years. I do love Heidi swap as well. she is amazing in the memory keeping community.
Oh my I watched you years ago and I don’t know what happened but I some how lost you in my feed. I’m so sorry you are going through this but it seems you are making great decisions for you and that’s what you’re supposed to do. I do agree with you on stamping up. A lot of their products are repeats from years past so I don’t buy very much other than their inks and re inkers. My frustration has been as you have talked about product, not being in stock and having to wait forever for it to come back in. For an example, I was purchasing the new colors and I’m still waiting for one of the colors to come in. And they just did that Halloween house and it was sold out so fast and they’re not gonna get them back in until November that does not make sense to me. I pray you find exactly what you’re looking for and I will keep you in my feed so I can see what you do in the future. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
Hello & Welcome back! It is so nice to see you here again. I know it has been frustrating with back orders. The hardest thing is that Stampin Up is not addressing that issue. Their solution is simple to say customers join and become a demo so you can pre-order. To me that is not a answer. Thank you for being here and sharing.
This wreath is absolutely adorable! It's amazing what we can do with paper, isn't it. Respectfully, the situation in the news isn't a Stampin' Up! situation. It is a Gardner family situation. it has nothing to do with the business. And, everyone in the family isn't to blame for one (or two) person's actions. And we can't expect Shelli and Sterling not to support their daughter no matter what she did. Most of us would, even if we didn't necessarily condone it. Again, family issues though, not SU issues. But I do understand your feelings about it. That said, I am a demo but I'm also a memory maker and I am not really impressed with the approach to scrapbooking at this point either. I will say I am hopeful and want to give them time to get their bearings. They really had to throw things together quickly in order to try to fill at least some of the CTMH void this quickly. Right now, they are obviously going to fumble for a bit. I do like the idea of getting two-tone cardstock and the flip flaps. I really hope we'll be able to order each color individually. I'd super love to see them get a collab with a cutting machine company like CTMH had with Cricut. That would be awesome. But I'm not holding my breath. I totally agree with your stance on the products. I don't think it is a good policy for them to limit demos to marketing SU product only. We are allowed to use whatever we want, they can't tell us what to use. But we can't make any kind of compensation from other companies including small commissions for affiliate links. And you are right, other demos are not kind about it when you do use non-SU products. They aren't the only company in the business and I think everyone would benefit more if they all supported and lifted each other up.
Hi! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. If you know then you ... and you clearly know and are in a place of defending the crazy, awful situations.. It seems to me that you are more than likely a demonstrator and you don't want the negative news to affect your business and I can respect that. However, I will respond to several of your statements because they are misinformed and incorrect. First - it is a Stampin Up Issue / Problem. Shelli and still a part of the company, receiving money from the company for her role in the company... Shelli is paying for many aspects of the case at hand it just came out in the last court season that Shelli gifted the exact amount money that was used in a crime. I know more about this case than most because I have followed from the beginning. FROM BEFORE IT WAS IN EVEN IN THE NEWS. None of this would be an issue if Shelli had stepped down from her position at Stampin Up. Until she does that every Demonstrator and customer supports Shelli and the money she using in this case. Which I'm not saying is right or wrong ... I understand being in a space of not at all being okay with what is going on but Stampin Up being my job and not being able to walk away. HOWEVER ... I would never, and have never defended the company to just keep getting people to purchase the product from me. I'm not judging in that way. I'm making decisions for myself.
Yes, I see that you are a maker that has come over and I can understand what you came from, and what you are walking into is different and I can understand not being impresses. I didn't say this in my video but will here - It is not about how quickly Stampin Up threw something together, I wouldn't expect things to be perfect. The problem is the people they have designing product. The product they design is OUTDATED, and not on point for what is currently trendy, and liked. It is also very DATED! Stampin Up customer primary demon / customer base is older. Stampin Up is not interested in doing anything that is trendy. They are also repeat things often. They also do not understand the Memory-Keeping industry or community. So what they put out and design time and and time again is crappy and awful. I 100 percent know you are allowed to other product you just can't make money doing so. I've been doing this for 12 years and have had to answer the question many times. The bigger problem with Stampin Up is they don't want to play nice with anyone else in the crafty industry. That is sad!!!!!! It is sad that is the way they see it. As for not making money with other products everyone has to do what is best for them. I was never in this space, with our without Stampin Up to ONLY make money. I will never EVER again use a product "just because I can make money on it" and I will never choose to NOT use a product simply because I can't make money on it. THAT THOUGHT IS KILLING THE CRAFTY INDUSTRY and the crafting community. No one is interested in really crafty, only crafty if you click on my link and buy product so that I can get paid. It is a very sad place we have come to in this space.
Last but not least - Stampin Up is NOT interested in grow, and evolving. Stampin Up has always put their hand in the sand and stayed stuck. For years we have wanted a cutting machine, they did focus groups and then never did anything. They only now are supporting Scrapbooking because CTMH closed.. they never would have done it other wise. They just not interested in that kind of thing. They will put out the product and designs they do catalog after catalog. And people will keep getting burnt out!!! Both trying to sell it and trying to purchase it.
@@KatinaMartinez-01I agree with you 100% about the murder crime. I’m going to have to conscientiously get out soon. My conscience is bothering me to support these millionaires who are lying for their daughter and have paid for her crimes! They have enough money to pay for a dirty defense attorney who is costing a lot! . I know all the dirty details of the Gardners not letting Jared’s widow and half siblings see Jared’s kids! They’ve paid a load of money for years! Etc, etc….. I was also spoiled from being a CTMH maker! Our commission was better, we could order bulk supplies to make our classes cheaper. They specialized in patterns, and all kinds of things and their prices were a lot better than SU! ( for the most part.) Our online address was free until the last couple or three years. But, the cost was only about $30 a year (Canadian)! Monthly specials, stamp of the month. Equal amount of scrapbooking and card making! I miss them! I could go on and on! Hostess rewards were a breeze to hook up! No long codes, etc..I better stop. I should say something positive about them. I do love their embellishments and they have fancy die cuts but soon you’re getting very repetitive. Some of their specialty paper is so beautiful! They do have beautiful products- but, pricey for this Canadian! I did want to grab CTMH products that SU bought. But, I have noticed that their new scrapbooking line to mimic CTMH is not the same amazing style😢 Anyways, I need to soon cut the ties and enjoy my huge stash from my years in CTMH and four months of SU. I was encouraged to actually hear someone address the “elephant in the room”- I haven’t wanted to believe that this is and was supported by the SU company. But, it honestly is! Is it right for me to support this? I know the truth, no matter how ugly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sandy
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I am a demonstrator but I do not run it as a business. I am soley a hobby demo. I have no customers. None. I don't run classes. I am purely a discount demo. I have never been a maker either. I don't know where you got that from. I do understand your point of view. And I still respect it, even though you've basically called my morals into question. If we knew the personal life of the owners for every business we patronize and based our buying decisions on that, we probably would not have much to choose from. I buy what I like to use. And I use many companies products, not just SU. Saying that using Shelli's pay from Stampin' Up! makes this a SU issue is just weird to me. Because that would be like saying if I work for a company and I then use my earnings in the commission of a crime, that it is then the company's responsibility. Or, if I use my earned money to help my son/daughter defend themselves against a crime, then the company I work for is responsible. As far as scrapbooking goes, time will tell how SU goes about it. I'm interested to see. I believe the only reason they weren't interested before is because CTMH had such a great hold on it and they didn't think they had a chance of gaining much by delving into it. Now that has changed. But, again, who knows. Time will tell. I do wish you luck in your future endeavors. You are a talented and enthusiastic crafter with many valuable insights and experiences to share.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Good on you for having the courage to be honest, so many demos who leave aren't game enough to say these things, it's so refreshing to hear someone being up front about it.
Ohhh Thank you so much. I feel like I could have and maybe even should have said more. It is a fine line between honoring what was, and being thankful and yet also being honest about what is currently happening, and what has weighed on my heart. Thank you for leaving a comment and being so kind.
Katina I agree with you , nothing has tickled my fancy for years. ive been a demo for over 25 years. I'm not happy with the way they also handled their daughter's charges . good luck in your next endeavors!
Thank you so much!! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment.
Hi Katina! I am excited to see what you do next! I have been a follower for almost 5 years; I found you through your Project Life videos. I am excited to see more memory keeping!
@@coffeequeen3291 More memory-keeping is coming your way! It has been a long time since I felt this excited to share on RUclips. So Thank you for the comment and watching! It is so helpful for me.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I have been a part of your FB group for sometime, but come and go. I have been out of the memory keeping mood, but seeing you back on RUclips and focusing on Project Life/memory keeping is giving me the itch. ☺️
I totally agree with you. I admire your sticking to your convictions,
Thank you so much! And thank you for being here and leaving a comment !
Katrina, thank you for your honest and heart-felt video. I have been a SU hobby demonstrator for 22 years. I taught card classes out of my home and also taught monthly scrapbook classes for a short time. I've always been more interested in scrapbooking and would find ways to use the SU products for my memory keeping. That's how i found your channel and LOVE all your memory keeping (Project Life) ideas. I'm now retired from my full-time job and find that i can't keep purchasing (I'm my own best customer) ftom SU. I LOVE SU but I feel torn. My frustration is similar to yours ... they will retire a stamp set only to redesign something similar so I have to purchase that in order to use at my classes. I have recently not liked most of their DSP (too many florals) and the product costs have increased (along with supply issues) that i just can't afford them anymore. I have 22 years of inventory that I need to use ... I need to start shopping my stash!!! I look forward to your videos. Thank you for sharing what you love!❤
@@lindagrames7208 thank you so much for leaving this comment. This is something that I really hesitated to talk about in the video, but it is another huge concern of mine and a reason I pulled way back at the beginning of the year.
Over the last 4 to 5 years I have found that Stampin UP! is not designing anything that I’m terribly excited about. Like you said something retires and then something very similar is designed and in general I was spending a lot more than what I was making on product and finding that , that is really Stampin UP! to get demonstrators to buy all of the things. It’s not really about what customers want or need. It’s about getting demonstrators to buy an obscene amount of product to be able to create classes and kits.
And I totally understand that and that’s totally fine. I just got into that space where I feel like you’re coming from where I have all of this product. I’m not getting a chance to use it and I’m just buying more stuff to have more stuff.
I miss crafting … even putting together this project on camera. I had so much fun and it was so exciting to do. And now I love looking at it, hung up in my living room.
I appreciate you leaving a comment and being here, and I hope that you will dive into your stash and use more of it and feel inspired… I’m always here to help if you ever have a question or need help using older product hit me up and will do something crafty and fun together.
I buy stampin here and there because I have a friend who sells it. She has been a demonstration over 20 years. If it was not for her I would not buy anything. I do love their wooden stamps. I bought some on ebay and thifted some. I am on a mission to use up my paper and enjoy what I already own. I like scrapbooking. Make an occasional card. I love watching your memory keeping and organizational videos.
I, too, mirror all of what you wrote. I’ve been a demo 24 years and will be resigning once my current stamp club ends in a few months. Product, prices, shipping and the family issue all play into this decision. I retired in May and it had been my plan to ramp up my little business. I’ll just be heading in a different direction with my crafting - still paper crafting but not with one particular company.
@@KatinaMartinez-01I only buy the paper and the inks. I've only one stamp set.
@@gaylewills1294 Thank you so much for commenting and watching. Yes to that mission of using it up!!!!!! I'm finding as I start using older items It is like getting new supplies. I forgot I had some of this stuff!
So proud of you! I completely understand your reasons! Will continue following your videos, love your memory keeping!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and you taking the time to leave a comment here. I hope that you will be able to find lots more memory, keeping inspiration and the weeks and months ahead.
You’re actually the first RUclips demonstrator who I’ve heard mention the Stampin Up legal issues and I appreciate that. I was shocked and disappointed. And that’s why I am no longer a hobby demo. I thought they were about family values like me. That and being my own customer wasn’t financially worth it.
I'm sure there will be many people that will not be happy with me for mentioning it. However it has weighed heavy on my heart and I feel like it is worth mentioning.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I agree with you. The legal issues are as serious as it can get. There is a great deal of dishonesty going on. I love SU products, especially the color coordinated paper, ink, ribbon and embellishments. The retiring then releasing of the same or extremely similar, the difference being a font or size of the dies is hard for demonstrators especially those who do it for a living. The cost of there products are high. If they were not supporting their entire extended family maybe the prices would not be so high. Good luck in your future endeavors.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 it has totally made my heart heavy as well.
@@ConfederateDixieDarlingtheir prices are pretty competitive. I buy from other companies and the prices are definitely comparable
I really appreciate your candidness. You actually validated my reasons for deciding to leave Stampin Up also. I came from CTMH. And I decided I was just going to do what I love - papercrafting - and not be affiliated with something that I wasn't excited about. Thank you. You do you and love every moment!❤
Totally understand why you left SU, good luck with your new found freedom 😊. Love the wreath!!! Might try that, don’t have a score board so it will take awhile😂
Yes! Thank you! I am doing really great and feeling more creative than ever. For sure give that wreath a try.
I have been a hobby demonstrator for 15 years. I sometimes sell to a crafting group that I am a part of. I have lost customers due to the SU family situation. They don't want to support SU knowing that the funds would most certainly go in part to the defense. I really don't feel good about it either. I was off put by the letter to demo's that basically said keep your mouth closed about it. I am about to resign as well. My husband is recently retired and I am caregiver for my son who has autism. I won't be able to meet the minimums on my own. I agree with you about the designer paper, the same old products and prices. I didn't purchase anything in the new holiday catalog preorder. I wish you well. Love project life!
I'm so sorry that you have lost customer because of what has gone on. I have had that happen, and I totally understand but it is still hard. It is hard because if you are a demo you are the face of the company. Customers leaving Stampin Up because of what is happening with the family doesn't effect the family. The Family is wealthy beyond wealthy. They will not feel it, it is the demos that are trying their hardest hat are effected.
I know the letter, and how they have handle all of it has weighed heavy on my heart. I will be glad when I'm truly not involved with any of it anymore.
Also HUGS as a mama of a child with autism I get it!!!!!
I wish you a peaceful heart as you turn the page on a new chapter! I left Stampin’ Up! A few years ago for many similar reasons. I’m sure people who follow you will mostly continue to do so because your intentions and love for sharing/teaching & your love for scrapbooking shines through in your content. Thanks for your honesty and I am glad you aren’t leaving RUclips!
Thank you for the kind words. I'm for sure not leaving RUclips.
Praying all goes well for you and even better than you expected! Will continue following you for my memory keeping education. Thank you!!
Thank you so much! That prayer means so much for to me! I'm very scared about what and how things will go in future but I am very much trusting God! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment.
I appreciate this post. It just randomly popped up in my feed. I’m a former CTMH consultant and stopped selling maybe 13 years ago now but I live near where the daughter lived and my integrity won’t allow me to support my CTMH sisters that moved to SU until the grandparents allow their grandkids to see their sister and bonus mom. The custody situation has been so wrong that I can’t stomach it. And SU has my beloved page protectors right now. 😔 anyhow, thankful I found your channel. So many people have been clueless with what’s been happening here in North Florida.
The custody situation is heartbreaking and I just don't know enough about that part of the case to really comment or even really know how to feel about it.
I do know that the other parts of the case weighs heavy on my heart. I've have followed it very intensely since before it was national news. A very few select of us in the Stampin Up world were aware that something was happening from conversations, and posts that happen well before it was in the national news.
It is all very hard to deal with, and even understand how something like this could happen. I had several customers from the Florida area message me to let me know they would no longer purchase product from me and that is wasn't because of me but because of what was happening in the news. And I understood that wholeheartedly.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I’m certain those Florida customers appreciate your understanding. I didn’t even get an acknowledgement from my former CTMH reps who have gone to SU when I apologize for not being able to support them any longer.
@@AprilPeebles That is awful. At least a responds would have been kind.
I will say that there are those who just don't know what to say or how to say it. I mean for 2 and half years now all of this has weighted so heavy on my heart, and wasn't sure what I was going to do, or how to do it and I didn't really know what to say. So I understand that.
thx for your honesty. i have felt for a long time,even though i throughy enjoy making cards, that i am addicted and have fell into the rabbit hole. Love the products and the colors and also uncomfortable with the push. It is expensive when a bundle is well over $100
@@dorothydipaola6353 yes it is very expensive indeed. One of the reasons that Stampin UP! product is more expensive is because they are paying demonstrators. That has to be taken into consideration.
And it is very hard if you are a smaller demonstrator or just a customer… I was lucky to be somewhere in the middle of this and I earned a lot of product for free and it was helpful as I was building my supplies.
Thank you for being here and leaving and watching the video. I appreciate it so much.
I liked Stampin Up for years. I still like their cardstock and some of the DSP. But I feel like the stamp sets are an awful lot like older sets they have had. I absolutely love Gina K, Simon Hurley and Jennifer McGuire (among others). I’ve learned much from them and Gina K’s stamp sets are fresh and amazing! I appreciate your honesty. I wish you all the luck in the world. Stay strong!!!
Thank you for being here! I've always loved their cardstock. It really is the thing that I fell in love with so many years ago. I really had no intentions at the time of ever really making cards! I just loved the cardstock and it worked so well with my cricut.
The stamp sets and art work are awful. They are very dated, and they just never seem to get better. On top of the repeats.
Gina and Jennifer are great, I've watched them for years. Simon is new to me! Thank you so much for the well wishes!
1st time to your channel-appreciate your work and honesty! Thank you
Thank You for your honesty here! I watch you very often and Wendy too. May God bless all your efforts in the future Lots of love your way
I appreciate your kind words, and the prayer! I'm thankful that!
Thank you Katina for your honesty and for doing what is needed for you. Praying your new adventures are the best yet!
Thank you so much! I do appreciate those prayers! It has been a little scary trying to figure out the right thing to do.
So happy to hear your thoughts, Katina! I have been an on-again, off-again SU demonstrator for many years, and have also struggled with a number of things with the company, including what seemed to be the repeated designs and products. And, as you said, there are so many other amazing companies out there. I started following you for your memory keeping and am looking forward to seeing more of that content! All the best!
Thank you for being here! I'm so happy you found my channel. Yes, the repeat designs are so hard, I feel like they have got worse over the last few years. I mean how many flower / floral stamps do I really need. I also think because Stampin Up is so anti-any other crafty anything they are always WAY behind the trends and that can be really hard.
Papercrafting is my first love, but I've been focusing on other crafts and things going on in my personal life. I had no idea about the chaos going on with Stampin Up. I found out today when I decided to check out the website and was surprised that it was inactive. I am shocked and slightly disappointed because I feel so many craft companies are dwindling and going out of business.
It’s really sad to see so many companies going out of business, especially the ones we loved. I didn't know anything was going on with Stampin Up website. I haven't purchased any product from them in awhile and I haven't even looked at what they have to offer.
Awe thanks for the great video and for being honest about what your new adventure. So enjoy your creative scrapboking video. Blessings and good luck❤
Thank you so much!
Thank you. I'm glad to find someone who is having the feelings I am. Things have happened with SU that have hurt me and although they do have good product, it's not like it used to be where they were the only ones who had awesome things. I've been afraid to voice my concern. I do love to make cards and send cards, but I love 3D things. . . .boxes and things. I've had classes in my home but these people want to make things, not buy things and they do pay to come and I enjoy the time we have together. Thank you for your honesty and thank you for helping me to understand it's ok to move on. I enjoy your video's!! I don't scrapbook any more but I still love to see what others are doing. Thank you.
Thank you for leaving a comment and sharing your heart. I'm so sorry that there have been some hurtful things that have happened. I totally understand the range of feelings both good and bad.
I know it is hard voicing concern. But there are people who do understand and will support you. Thank you for watching the video and leaving a comment.
Omg, you read my mind!! I talked to my upline about Shanna and how our Stampin Up dollars are going to support her defense and how it went to buy her houses and give her a lavish life of privilege. I also pushed demonstrator support for more scrap booking supplies and when they bought out another company they gave them all the perks that I have been asking for.
I know it is so hard!!! It is something that is happening, all of Stampin Up is not involved, but enough of all the things are involved with Stampin Up that it is very uncomfortable. I hope for those who are still with Stampin Up that do love scrapbooking that good things will come for them.
YES! They way SU is supporting her leaves a terrible taste in my mouth. I don't want to support that. You vote with your money. The whole situation is disturbing. Very disappointed in SU. Feels like an end to an era.
@@Heather_LoveTheLittleHouse That is so true. You vote with your money is an awesome way to look at that.
Thank you for your candid, from the heart story. I too have been bothered by the legal issues with SU but more concerned about how the family has handled it. SU is all about the "bubble" and I've seen this first hand over the years but since the legal challenges, it's front and center. It's clear to me the 'bubble' = 'control' and it's how they manipulate everyone. I've been following the case closely and I've learned a lot about the family... the dynamics, family incentives, stipends and the list goes on. I am heartbroken they will not allow the children to see their step family or grandparents. I don't understand how anyone can do this! I have followed you for a long time and loved your videos and will continue to do so. You have to go with your heart and I commend you on your decision. Best wishes on your future endeavors 🥰
Thank you Kelly for being here and leaving a comment. The legal issue and family stuff has really weighted heavy on my heart. The other piece for me that is so hard is that demonstrators (in general.. not all, but many of them) act like this is not a big deal, the bury their heads in the sand and pretend like there is nothing to see here... even just today more awful information came out and it made me sick. Thank you for being here, and leaving a comment and supporting me! I am so thankful that!
Hey Tina--Been with you since your son was a toddler. I found you because of project life and scrapbooking. I too got into card making ten years ago… but I’m burned out on cards at this time. Everyone has seasons/eras. I will still follow you, momma!
Thanks Lynn, so glad you are here!!!! I think of you often! You have been here with me forever it feels like. Thank you for your support an kindness!
@@KatinaMartinez-01 Awwww you are so welcome! I’m here, just usually quiet. Finances are so so so tight or I would join your group. Wish I lived closer so we could do a scrap day! 💜
@@LynnsLaunderette I would love to scrap and craft with you! I will get back to do lives at some point where we can all just hang out together. I totally understand about finances! No worries ever!
Thank you for your honesty Katina. Like a lot of your viewers, I'm sure, I found your RUclips channel for your memory keeping and am very happy to see more of this content 🙂 Best of luck to you moving forward!
Thank you so much! I appreciate you leaving a comment and being here!!!
I agree with you for the past few years, I haven't seen anything that I got excited about. I just wrote a complaint to Customer Service asking them if they changed design teams because the paper that has come out lately is awful quality, ugly, looks old and not pleasing to the eye at all. Remember a few years ago with the Happy Santa in the Sleigh, the gnomes, the pink paper with presents and little deer on it, was just beautiful. There's nothing in the new catalogue that is anything I would buy. Let me know where you get your other designer paper, I don't know what's good and what's not. Thanks for your honesty.
@@theresachalone2083 I totally agree with you I used to love their pattern paper!!!! I literally have packs from 15 years ago that I still love and use… I would say the last five years their product design has really gone downhill. The honest issue is the people they have designing their product are old. I don’t mean that in a mean way I just mean they are old and they’ve been with the company for 20+ years… Stampin UP! always has a really bad situation of not looking at the craft industry as a whole and so they don’t see things that are trendy… I always say that Stampin UP! is 2 to 3 years behind the trends… For an example 4 years ago stencils were blowing up… They were everywhere every company was doing them… Stampin UP! just started doing more of them last year.
Until Stampin UP! realizes that they are not an island that the crafting industry is a really great amazing big industry and they embrace that things are just gonna continue to go downhill. I haven’t looked at a catalog in over a year the little bit of product I have seen here and there I just have no interest in .
I found you by accident, so to speak, as your video just popped up so I watched it. I had no idea about the SU scandal, and it's so sad! 😞. But what I am happy about is that you are focused on scrapbooking! It seems everywhere I turn, even when a business has scrapbooking in their name, it's always just cards, cards, cards! I do make cards occasionally, but my first love, and my focus is scrapbooking. I liked and subscribed, and I will be looking forward to more videos about scrapbooking! Thank you!
Well I'm so glad I popped up in your feed and you clicked on the video! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. The Stampin Up scandal is sad!
Yes to scrapbooking and memory-keeping. I know what you ... it was feeling hard to find memory-keeping and so many people kept saying to me that no one cares about memory-keeping anymore.
I simply don't believe that!!!! I'm on a mission to share the love of memory-keeping once again and hoping and praying that RUclips will start letting my videos get seen more and that I can grow my channel and reach more memory-keeping fans!!!!
Thanks again for being here and I can't wait to see you pop in on some more memory keeping projects!!!
Thank you for sharing! I appreciate your honesty, and I love your focus for crafting. ❤ I want to try to make this wreath idea.😊
You are welcome! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment.
I am in love with this wreath and finally got it hung up in my living today! It is perfect.
I also stopped stampin up and will continue to use products I own but stopped purchasing a while ago! I don’t miss it, but I can’t wait to see what you do next!
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I appreciate it so much. Yes I am hearing that a lot that people have stopped purchasing… I’m sure many reasons for that… But I just know a lot of people are taking a little break.
I found your channel just recently. It’s so refreshing with honesty. I wish you all the best ❤
I have used stampin up for 32 years and what has happened makes me ride the fence to use the products . I have a room full of stuff from stampin up and I’ll use what I have but not sure if I will be buying from here out. Thank you for talking about the truth. Hope to find you online
I know it’s so tough… And I have a room full of stamping up stuff that I fully intend to continue to use… I spent a lot of money on the stuff that I have and I’m not gonna get rid of it all and not use it… But I really haven’t Wanted anything that they have produced for years… And I’m just in a place where I’m only spending my money on things I really really want. It just seems that it’s harder and harder to support them these days.
I don’t think I could ever be bound to a company like Stampin aup with using only their tools and supplies, etc. That held me back anytime I even remotely thought about starting.
@@JustMeOnlyMeIndeed yes I absolutely agree. In fact, it did hold me back with some of my memory keeping because I really tried in the beginning to do things exactly the way Stampin UP! told you to do them… I am thankful that I have always use products that I wanted. I just didn’t always openly share that and I wish I had.
There is simply too many amazing things in the crafting industry, and I don’t think it is in any companies best interest to pretend like they are the only company that matters.
They’ve really gone too far with this idea… They’re now even preventing demonstrators who wanna partner with non-demonstrators on RUclips from doing that. They don’t want any other demonstrators or customers even thinking about other product and I feel like that is a real detriment to them.
They do a lot of good things for the craft community… I always say that Stampin UP! is a gateway drug… You start using Stampin UP! and you don’t know that there’s other crafty things out there but you are creative and you love crafty, and you start looking… And you start finding
It would be much better place for Stampin UP! to embrace the crafting industry as a whole
I have been a demo for 14 years and I am leaving also. I am so tired of loosing sales every month because SU is out of stock.I had a $23.00 order from one person and when I entered her order, they were out of everything except $30.00 worth of product. Also they are not as innovated as other companies and they seem to reissue similar products from the past often. I haven't bought any of their stamps or papers for months. I finally stopped having stamp camp once a month and just place orders for whoever wants something. Since I am not demonstrating my sales have drupped drastically. I have bought so much for the past two years from other companies because they have very creative designers. With the changes coming as to ordering, hostess benefits etc. there is no point in continuing. Good luck with your new venture.
Girl... I hear you ... I totally get it. It seems like we have been a demo for about the same time. It was becoming harder and harder maintain any sells at all.
Between larger demos giving away the world with free stuff. (I found people only wanted to order when they were get a crap load of free stuff .. which by the way is never free... the amount of money I was spending on shipping stuff to people... it makes me cry to this day)
and then back orders, and crappy designs... it was jus too hard to maintain any kind of sales at all.
I was working 14 to 16 hours days for a company that I truly loved and respected only to find that they didn't "care" about me as a demo... I didn't make enough money for them to care about me... on top of how it felt like they lied and haven't handled the family stuff well at all.
I really thought that just stepping back, and not doing it full time would be best for me. It has only been in the last few month that it has just become so clear that I just can't be apart of the company.
Yeah… my personal favorite was “people don’t host to get rewards.” Baloney! Like Katina, I am not thrilled with SU’s offerings anymore - they retire stuff and then duplicate it.
@@BKesq96 The dups are so hard!!!! I mean I get it... I can get down with a good flower stamp set ... but honestly to retire something to have something pretty much the same come out in the next catalog ... it is was getting old!!!!
I like your wreath. I need to make those rosettes again and try this. Thank you for sharing your heart. I have watched you over the years but not consistently. If I ever get into memory keeping, I know where to come.
Thank you so much!
Great explanatory video. I have never understood how anyone could craft using just one companies product. Enjoy your freedom, and happy crafting!
@@CraftEccentricity thank you so much. Well, I never completely stopped using other product… I did feel very shamed for using other product and it did cause me not to always use the things that I love… That was really difficult.
My biggest regret is that I just didn’t stick to memory keeping and scrapbooking from the very beginning… I felt very pressured to do card making to make the business work and to make Stampin UP! product work and I really wish that I just would’ve listened to my heart and just stuck to memory keeping Kept doing what I loved
Sometimes feel like it is hard because my channel grew a great deal when I did making, and so now as I am back to memory, keeping sometimes the struggle on RUclips can be real… It’s hard to get my videos, watched and seen now and something that I’m just trying to work better
Thank you for being here and I appreciate it so much
Good for you!! The company owners are in bad trouble. Its in the news!!
@@tlthomp59 yes it is in the news and it is all over RUclips. I did put a link to an overview of what is happening in the description box in case anybody is interested
@@KatinaMartinez-01I watched some stuff on it months ago. I guess I will need to catch up.
I agree. I was only in it for awhile & couldn't afford it anymore. Plus there is way too many floral lol. I haven't been excited about products in awhile. I love the wreath you're making. I love the crafts you make. ❤ I totally understand your choice. 😊
OHHH my word ... right... with the florals... like stop it already... like we have flowers!! lets move on!!!!
Good Luck to you. I wish you had listed the various sizes you cut the paper to make the rosettes. It really turned out so cute and I have a bunch of strips from making bows. They are 1 x 12, but that still should work, but the various sizes do make it look different.'
The strips I used were 2 inches and 1 inch… I find it best to just use two different sizes. I should have scored the 12 x 12 paper before cutting the strips. It would’ve been easier but I just totally forgot about that tip.
You also need to glue two strips together and I overlap the strips by just a quarter inch
And then I scored every half inch
Look forward to seeing what you do next. Thank you for sharing your creative energy and inspiration over the years.
You are so welcome! and thank you for being here.
Very pretty! Good luck with new adventures.
Thank you so much!
I'm new to paper crafting and decided to purchase a subscription from PaperPumpkins, that is how I found videos from past boxes etc. I've made a bad decision I think. Good luck to you, I plan to follow you🎉
Ohhh!!! Don't feel that way, I don't know that you mad a bad decision, as I have said in the past if I would have just stuck to purchasing Stampin Up products It would have been much better in the long wrong. The major problems are that within joining and becoming a demo.
The only other issue I know can be hard to figure out, and there are people on both sides of the issue is all the legal issues with the family. Some people feel like purchasing products doesn't mean you support what they are doing, and others feel like it does mean you support the family and what they are doing.
My major reason for NOT purchasing products is they don't have anything I want. There is nothing that feels worth dropping money on. There are so many other products in the market that I love.
I love their cardstock, and inks and still use those. I have many retired products that I will still use.
I would also totally purchase products that I love from the very few demos that I have left that are friendly. I think supporting them and what they are doing is totally okay.
Each person just has to decide what they feel is best for them!!! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment. I appreciate that so much and I hope that you enjoy the paper pumpkin kit you got.
You have to do what is best for you.!!! I first found you a few years ago for organizing and loved how you were into and saw the details. I was never into cardmaking, but I dabbled in it when SU first came out and have some wood stamps and a few things. But then.... I started noticing your Project Life and scrapbooking more. I have been scrapbooking in some form or another for 40+ years (YES - I have my first scrapbook from 1978). I tried Project Life when it first came out, had to buy it all and lots of core kits. Never did get comfortable with it though. Then when you showed how you did it monthly....THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!!! I subscribed to Ali Edwards monthly kit last June and have been doing it monthly since then. I even love your calendar idea because I have always kept a family calendar and kept them. Now that we are retired and have been empty nesters for quite a while, we don't do much, but some months we may. I love your membership site and just want to tell you "THANK YOU". Take care of yourself and your family! You Got This Girl!! ~Linda
Thank You Linda for leaving a message and being here. I love organizing and it is like a hobby of its own!!! I'm so glad you signed up for Ali Edwards product! It is my favorite for memory-keeping. I have some fun videos coming up with her product this month.
I just found you & look forward to any paper projects. I am not as much of a card girl either. I have scrapbooked in the past & now am working on journals
Thank you so much for being here!
Hello, new subbie here! Found your story interesting. All the best to you. I’ve never used SU nor am I a card maker, my sister & Mother are, and use SU.
My love is in recycling garbage and turning it into keepsake treasure junk journals and memory books etc. Paper makes me very happy! I share my makes on my channel too :) Not a selling channel, just love creating:)
Thx for sharing this video with us.
Thanks for subbing! I love the idea of recycling things and using them to make journals… I’m too much of a matchy Machy kind of person so I have always found mixed media and junk journaling type projects a struggle!!!
Thank you so much for your candidness. My first experiences with “Scrapbooking” was an invitation to a Stamping Up demo and a weekly scrap hour. I was all in on Stamping Up. I was a quick study and made some decent cards and pages for my scrapbooks. As I got better, I would bring stuff that I had made, and while other people were looking in amazement at the things I had made, I was quickly met with, “well not everyone is as advanced as you”. It left me with a sour taste in my mouth, for, not necessarily the product but that a demonstrator wouldn’t push their clients to be the best that they could be. I’m not one to stay one dimensional but it seemed like as long as you used Stampin Up products, you were golden. I, like you, use many vendors in my card making and scrapbooking. I want to leave my kids with the best memories long after I’m gone. That was the last time I purchased from Stampin Up.
Am terribly sorry that that was your experience with a Stampin UP! demonstrator. That really is completely unnecessary.
I’ve always said that the most important thing I want for anybody who watches my RUclips videos or who had purchased Stampin UP! product for me is that they were excited about crafting whether that was stamping with other product or not whether that was making projects that I was excited about or not… I want People to joy and crafting.
I struggle a deal with anxiety, not only from a traumatic childhood, but a traumatic illness that I went through… Crafting has brought me so much joy has changed my life and such amazing ways and that’s the only thing that I would ever want anybody to feel if they were crafting with me.
People take for granted being able to craft with other people… Being a Stampin UP! demonstrator allowed me to find friends that loved crafting and will always cherish that
@@KatinaMartinez-01 thanks so much for sharing❤️
Have enjoyed so many of your videos. Thank you for sharing your journey❤️
You are so welcome! I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed them. Thank you for being here.
Hi Katrina. I have to say, I am not surprised at all. I love your memory keeping videos and wish you the best. I will continue to watch your channel as you inspire me to get caught up on mine 😊
Thank you for watching and leaving a comment! Can't wait for you stop again with one of my memory-keeping videos!
Good for you! It is wonderful to know I am not alone.
Yes it is wonderful to know that! That is what I love most about this community. Coming Together, and even when we don't agree with another we respect each other, and are still willing to have a great relationship and we can keep having fun and crafting together.
First! I love your honesty and always have. Second, I will definitely stay for your chit chat! Third, that wreath is so cute!
Thanks Julie always thankful for your support and comments.
Hi there, I use to buy from stamping up I spent a lot on products. But I did start my crafting with memory keepers, making a scrapbook for my granddaughter’s graduation. I have only bought from stamping up very little in the past few years because I am now on fixed income. I’m wishing you a very happy new start. Tfs everything. 😊Blessings
Thank you so much for the best wish. I hope your scrapbooks are coming out great and you are enjoying the process.
This is my first time listening and watching. It's the title that made me look because I also am quitting Stampin'Up. I'm only a small time discount shopper (from Canada), but I was finding it a LOT to spend per quarter for a retired person on a tight budget and I was getting way too much product not being used and having not enough space to store it all. The MAIN reason though was when I did hear about their daughter and also the story behind the whole family I decided not to support them any more. It's certainly a sad and embarrassing situation for them to be in and I do feel bad for them. I love making cards but what do you do with them all after??
Hi Linda, Thank you for clicking the video and leaving a comment! I'm so glad you are here.
I understand it can be a lot to spend each month. I mean It would be fine if spending a lot each month left you with the most exciting items that you just couldn't put down... but to not be overly excited about it and just be finding places to put stuff it is just not fun!!!! and worth it.
I very much wish Shelli would step away from the company so the she could handle what is personally going on... that would make many people feel better but the fact the she still is here, still going to events, acting like nothing is happening is just gross!!! I get not wanting to support Stampin Up.
As for what to do with the cards after ... this was always a struggle for me... I was never good at getting them in the mail to people... and I would end up with tons... I was able to sell mine in groups.. but honestly it was always a struggle for me.
Good for you ... follow your heart! I have followed mine and I'm no longer interested in supporting the company. If you know, you know! I'm getting more into journaling and memory keeping. I've always enjoyed your videos. You and Wendy were the only SU demos I continued to follow, and now you're both former demos! Keep making videos and I will keep enjoying them!
Yes, if you know you know and I totally understand respect that. While I'm not currently purchasing product from them I am going to use what I have. It is heartbreaking what is going on with Stampin Up from that aspect.
Thank you so much for commenting and watching! Yes lots of videos coming up with fun creative inspiration!
Wait....what happened??
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I too continue to use what I have. I have a lifetime of supplies!! Take care!!
i started following you back in the cricut days, i bought a lot from you. but like you i was a scrapbooker and not so much card maker. i liked the cardstock and stamps and markers. i have quite a collection of colors by getting in in colors bundles. i still have most of it still. never really used it, recently sold a lot of stamps. never even used or opened. i still have cards that you made and sent with orders etc Always got so many deals and extra goodies from you. kind of strayed away but since you been doing more scrapbooking and organizing i have bee watching you again. good luck on your new journey loving your videos
Hey there! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for purchasing from me. You can't imagine how much it helped me, and our little family. I am so thankful for your support.
I'm so sorry you have products you just didn't use! I know that feeling all too well. You can / could check out Facebook Groups for selling Stampin Up items. There are a TON of them!!!!
Thank you for coming back and watching once again!!!
Love these rosettes
They are great right. I still have this hanging up in my living room and brings me so much joy seeing it every day.
I have left myself as I have enough supplies that will never be used up.
I feel that!!! I have been enjoying getting in to my stash and crafting again! Thank you for being here.
Quick note on making rosettes...score the whole sheet and then cut the strips....saves time.
Genius!!!!
Yes, as I mentioned in several other comments totally rookie mistake. It had been so long since I had done this I totally forgot about that.
This is a GREAT video - thanks so much for sharing. I'm a customer and I wish I watched this before making my purchase yesterday. This also solidified my decision to not become a demo
Oh No! I'm sorry you didn't see the video sooner, but I'm glad it helped you make a decision. And totally don't even worry about your purchased, I'm sure it was a blessing to the demo you placed it with and you were excited with product and wanted to purchase it will be fun to get your goodies and craft!
Thank you for being here and commenting!
Congratulations on making such a huge decision. I’m excited to see your creativity bloom!
Thank you so much! I'm feeling overwhelmed in the best way, and feeing more creative and excited than I have in years.
Your chains have been cut!
@@lesliedavis2497 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I am a hobby demonstrator and am thinking of leaving SU as am finding it difficult to meet the quarterly order requirement. I have way too much unused stock but keep putting in orders in order to get the catalogues. Stupid, I know! For the past few years have struggled to find stamps that really speak to me. They seem to be the same themed stamps but just altered a bit. How do I stop being a demonstrator?? Do I just stop my quarterly order or do I have to contact my upline and advise her? Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi there! I know that can be hard, I was always thankful that from the beginning I had enough customers to help me with the quarterly requirement. I've always loved getting the discount, that was always my reason for signing up, but now that I have all the bigger items like a full set of Stamp Pads, and all the cardstock, punches or dies I'm feeling like I don't really nee that discount.
And you are right it has been hard to find anything that has excited me in years.
If you know you won't meet the quarterly you can just not meet that and then you will drop. If you meet that easily, then you have to call DS and resign. I don't know much about as I haven't done it yet. I will be doing that on the 20th of September. But DS is always amazing at helping.
Thank you Katina for your help.
sometimes we just need to move forward because our desires of wanting to do more is growing stronger... and thats a wonderful...
Yes, sometimes it’s just time to move on and do something different and I always wanna be honest and transparent in my videos and in my sharing. Thank you so much for leaving, and being here. I hope you enjoy the videos that are coming up.
Hi Katina very happy for you, Love the wreath 😊
Me too!! it was really fun to work on!!!
Love the wreath! The rosettes are beautiful. 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you! 🤗
Totally agree. I was a SU demo many years ago just to get the “discount“. But! Way too expensive and I had other ways I needed to spend my $$ than trying to keep current with their product. Will be watching as your focus shifts back to your love for memory keeping! Oh! Adore the wreath but always score your paper full size and then cut your strips! Saves so much time when making rosettes!
@@nonaofsav I know… Such a rookie mistake not scoring that paper all at once. I’m so out of practice lol
@@KatinaMartinez-01 oh gosh girl I get it! I have done that before too! Lol! Slower to make but just as productive with beautiful results. Doesn’t matter how we get there, just that we arrive ❤️
@@nonaofsav So true!!!! No use focusing on what you have been, just have to move on right! And keep going forward.
Good video...SU is a great entry level company. There are so many companies out there that go beyond the card making 101. I watched Wendy video and agree with both of you. I haven't been excited about much in the recent catalogs. I bought 1 set from the new mini catalog, 1 stamp set. I do suspect they are struggling financially if they are bringing in a lower quality paper with white in the center. The stamp sets seem to be getting smaller as well for the same price. Honestly I felt bad going outside of SU but I had to if I wanted to expand my card making experience. Thanks for the video.
I always say it is a gateway crafty drug! It totally gets you hook, make you feel safe with your crafting and you slowly start seeing what else out there and wanting to try things.
I'm sure they are struggling financially from what they have been doing the last several years, but I doubt they are struggling in any real way that will make them do anything different.
Yes I think many demos felt bad, I never did because I got into Stampin Up for different reasons, I was already a crafter, and crafting, and creating was what was important to me. I never wanted to lose that.
@KatinaMartinez-01 just this week I decided to join in a card swap for the first time. I was excited because I had just made the cutest card using Waffle Flowers fall postage die set and the SU More Than Autumn and the Latte Love stamps. Welp. After I read all the rules I knew I couldn't use any "contraband" AND it had to be current stuff! So my excitement to participate soon turned to disappointment. Now I had to focus on keeping in the narrow guidelines instead of making something I was excited with.
Thank you for been so honest.
Always !!!!!
Hi Katina, great video! best of luck on your journey forward. I loved watching you make the wreath. I am with SU at the moment and came over via CTMH. It was interesting to hear you say that you struggled finding local craft supplies because that is my struggle too! Not sure if I will stay with SU as I find them more focused on business building and really I just need a reliable place to order craft supplies. I’m curious about what your vision for scrapbooking would be? What kind of products would you like to see? I haven’t been excited about their products either. I struggle to use them since I’m a little newer to memory keeping. I don’t make cards. Anyway, long comment!! Haha! Have a great day!
Thank you for being here!!! My vision and excitement for Scrapbooking is WIDE! I don't know that I can explain it all in a comment. But basically I believe in keeping it simple, and documenting everyday moments. My biggest issue with Stampin Up is they don't see the value in it, and they don't see the point in have products to support memory keepers. They throw some product at here and there, and they say will this stamp set or that stamp set COULD work for memory keeping. But they don't create products that really support memory keepers.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 love that! Subscribed! I'm still learning and looking for more focus on the memories! I love that artistry of it all too, but my "why" is my kids :) Would love to see creative ways to add journalling!
@@lifeandwhimsycreations2964 I do have a video coming up this month that is focused on journaling. Once that video comes out make sure to watch and if you leave a comment letting me know if I covered the topic enough, or if I did I will be sure to get back to you and do another viddeo if needed.
I was a UK demo and lost inspiration with their products I also didn’t like how things were out of stock and retired quickly. Also no one in the UK is talking about the murder case it’s as if they are scared to mention it, it’s a very serious issue and also didn’t sit well with me and all these reasons were why left last year
It is so hard when things are out of stock! It really kills the joy of crafting and being excited for product to come with always knowing you may not be able to get it is not fun.
So proud of you....... You are so much better off.... you can be more creative and not tied to one brand.
Thanks so much, Nina. I appreciate so much all of your support and kindness over the years. Your friendship and kindness has met so much to me. Thank you for still being here.
I have been an SU demo for almost 11 years. I was also a scrapbooker but turned into a card maker. However, I am discouraged and ready to drop myself. I want to do memory keeping and SU refuses to support that (except by selling MORE floral paper). Like you, I have been less than thrilled with their family drama, with the horrendous new catalog layouts, and with their “online exclusive” garbage. For the last year or so, I have had almost no customers because they don’t want to shop online. Thanks for your great channel here (that I discovered by accident)
Thank you for being here and leaving a comment. I'm sorry that you are feeling discouraged. I hated feeling way, and it totally understand the struggles that Stampin Up has right now.
If Stampin Up had support memory keeping in a better way I might have felt like I could stay even to just get the discount. But honestly I placed my last order this week and picked up some adhesive, page protectors and a few 6x8 albums and NOTHING else made me excited. Why in the world would I purchase any product that I wasn't excited about. For me that sealed the deal. I don't want to just make Stampin Up money because I have to buy to meet anything.
Aside from all the family drama that just keeps getting worse and worse!!!!!
Looking forward to you being here!!!!
You go girl, there are sooo many other companies with many great items & when I heard about the scandal it changed my whole view about the company, still following you
Thank you so much for still being here! I honestly wish I had decided to leave 2 years ago when I just started feeling things shift for me... but I thought it could get better, I even thought that just staying a demo and getting the discount would be okay... but it has just become so clear in the last 3 months that things are getting worse and I just can't be apart of it anymore! Even more info came out today that just made me sick!!!!
Totally understand your decision. I love SU's colour palette & cardstock for cards, and I do love making cards. I would say I am equally in love with both memory keeping & cardmaking.
And I could never be a demo. You did great to stay at it so long. My frustration is that SU does seem to think they're supporting memory keeping. I started shopping with them in 2003ish and they did claim to be about memory keeping & scrapbooking. Back then when there were fewer options for scrapbookin products that was ok - but with all the options available now, it isn't.
Hi! thank you for being here, and leaving a comment.
Yes, Stampin Up Colors and Cardstock and main product is amazing and I've always loved.
They are a card making company, they are not and do not support memory-keeping in the most traditional way. Yes, they may start supporting it more, but overall they have never supported that.
They also create a culture where you are not allowed to look at other products. A former demo just told me today she was "not allowed" to join together with another demo and do a an event ... because Stampin Up doesn't want anyone to purchase from anyone else but them... they truly don't care about the indrustry of crafting and that is so sad to me. I just can't support that kind of culture nor do I want to. Many other companies do Scrapbooking and doing it well! I will support them and enjoy their product.
So sorry to have you leave SU.
Thank you so much. I am really not sorry to have left. It was a great journey, and something that I will always be thankful for, but I'm so glad to be done, and moving on. It was a huge weight lifted once I left and that was confirmation enough that it was the right decision for me.
I was a hobby SU for a year but i couldnt keep up with the buying each quarter. If i need, or want, anything i will just order from someone. I also have a full time job and selling was never my intention. I get why you made your decision. There have been other companies and product out there for years that I have. I like SU colors, but with tax and shipping, it's hard. Your wreath is beautiful. I have a question though, where did you get all of your buttons?
Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I totally get that, selling just isn't easy for me, and it is just not something I want to do. I love teaching and want to focus on that.
Funny thing about the buttons - all Stampin Up! Years ago (like 14 or 15 years ago) they had buttons that matched the color families and I purchased several sets on the clearance rack when they all retired.
Wishing you joy and peace as you pursue your crafts!
Thank you so much!
Katrina just DO YOU, and be at peace❤. Subscribing to your channel just because of your honesty. Be Bless, also I would like to try my hand at memory keeping.
Thank you so much for subscribing! and for leaving a comment! I hope you find some inspiration.
Where will you purchase your cardstock, and DSP?
Hi Wanda, I'm loving Concord and 9th cardstock and inks. I'm sure that is where I will get cardstock from going forward.
@@KatinaMartinez-01
Concord and 9th are great people and have wonderful products. ❤
@@gigiandrews5327 Yes the do! I love them. I love Kristina line of product that just came out this week. If I was still making cards I would totally purchase some of her things from C&9
@@KatinaMartinez-01
Yes, the release is amazing. All the bundles sold out in the first hour or so. C9 already has more on order. What a blessing for her and C9! Jennifer McQuire did 3 videos yesterday debuting Kristina’s release along with C9. I wish you the best! ❤️
Good luck on your new journey!
Thank you!!
I understand your reasons completely. Be you. 😊
😊 thank you!
Thank you for the transparency!
Always! I try my best to always be honest and transparent as I love this community and I love being able to do RUclips. It has not only helped me share my creativity, but it has also helped me with my anxiety many times. Thank you so much for being here and leaving a comment.
Just to let you know, I would LOVE to watch your 10 favorite things from Amazon…😃
I love AE too!
Chargeable glue gun? What??!!!
Well no chance I will be doing a video like that! hahahah but thanks for the kind words!
It is life changing!!! - amzn.to/3Xgz4Ph
I completely agree with you that Stampin Up is really lacking in the Scrapbooking side and I have never been overly impressed with their product offerings myself. I too use a variety of products from different companies in my crafting and don't feel I have to stay with one single company or product. Best wishes on your next chapter and I'm sure you will continue to make beautiful crafts! I loved your fall wreath!
Thank you for being here an leaving a comment!
I just subscribed to your channel. I read many of the comments and feel all was covered.
I am have done memory keeping, i am big into cards at the moment. I watch a lot of channels and will quote two of them Natasha Forte "The world is your osyster" and Tim Holtz "You do you"
The whole industry is built on variety. And you said it in your own words "Be happy and follow your heart"
Welcome aboard! Thank you for subscribing and leaving a comment. And thank you for reading through the comments. There has been so many and I am blown away by everyones kindness and love they have shown me.
Thanks for the video! You need to follow your heart and do what you love or crafting becomes a burden. BTW, what brand is your glue gun? It seems to stay hot a long time. I've been looking for a good cordless one.
Hi - Thanks for being here and leaving a comment!
Here is the link to the glue gun - amzn.to/3MCIu2p it is on amazon.
@@KatinaMartinez-01 Thanks!
Totally agree with your thoughts about the products. I love the continuity of colours from SU but haven’t been able to find the enthusiasm to,purchase any products for the last 3 years . I think the way they are losing demos for whatever the reasons the owners are going to struggle more and more . I don’t know nor need to know the ins and the outs of what is going on but it’s obvious that a lot of people demos or just hobby demos are no longer happy with the products . I wish you well for your future crafting journey .
Ohhh wow 3 years now... I know it has been decline for sometime. I feel like it has gotten harder for over the last year and half, but honestly the last maybe 5 years it has been great. I think around the time covid happened the product just stopped singing to me.
I do believe the company is struggling in certain aspects, but then I also see that with the Close To My Heart stuff that has happened in the last 6 months that has been a boast. They will do what they want to do which is totally fine. I just know that it is not helping me, or inspiring me and I maybe should have done this a year ago when it all started weighting heavy on me. I just very much wanted to make it all work.
I also really wasn't sure how much support I would really have outside of Stampin Up. Stampin Up demos are pretty loud that the only success you have is that when you are with Stampin Up. It can be scary.
I totally agree with you. I am also ready to resign as a demonstrator for the same reasons. I am not happy with the way all of this legal stuff has been handled and want no part of it. Since this I feel SU’s product and quality have gone down hill. The company no longer appreciates the small demonstrators who don’t make as much money as the million dollar demonstrators
Yes, it is hard. Stampin Up is a business so they do care about that LESS than 1% that is making a lot of money. Stampin Up has just changed so much over the most recent years and it is sad. I'm happy to be able to move on and not have to worry about it any longer.
i also left stampin up but mostly for financial reasons. as a hobby demo i was the only one buying the quota of product! after many years and owning a lot of product, i just couldn't justify it anymore. plus i was discovering other stamp companies with really fun and cute things. and i couldn't afford both! lol
i really like the SU core products. paper, ink, etc. i like that the color is consistent across the product and i will continue to buy those.
thanks for sharing your story. i agree with one of the other comments about sending you koodo's for being honest and sharing your story.
it's really nice/refreshing to hear truth. lol
good luck with all you do in the future!
Thank you for being here! It is hard as a hobby demo to keep up with the quota. I was lucky enough that I never struggled with that. right away I was able to cover that but I keeping up with the other things such as a rolling sales is a nightmare!
Thanks for such kind words! I appreciate them so much.
Good for you, scrappy sista! Very eloquently expressed! xo Vicky
Thank you so much. These videos make me so nervous, I never feel like I say things correctly.
Katina, good luck in the future! I watch Wendy Cranford too!
Yea! So glad you watch Wendy as well. She does beautiful cards!
Can't wait to see what you create moving forward!❤
Me too!! Thanks!!!! I'm looking forward to getting back to a more creative time!
Replay. I have backed off with ordering as well. I am a discount shopper and I don't find too many items that I want to order. I was selling on ebay the stuff I bought to keep my level but didn't use.
I know lots of demos that sell on Ebay...you can make some good money doing that... but it is like a full time job as well! Thanks for being here!
All the best for your new 🆕 journey. Most importantly you enjoy what you do and you do you. ❤
Thank you so much!
@@KatinaMartinez-01 ❤️
I just quit stampin up for the same reasons. I was with them for 3 years. I didn’t like being limited to only stampin up products, I didn’t like that so much of what is out there is just recycled from previous years.
Yes... I agree ... it is hard when things are expensive and it feels like the designs are the same! Thank you for being here.
Katina, I applaud you with the utmost level of respect for being 100% genuine & speaking from the heart on matters that are important to you and touchy with others. It takes a lot of courage and d strength to do what you just did and as a current SU demonstrator myself, I understood you and where you are coming from. I also was never a card maker until I joined SU nearly 15 years ago. I was ALWAYS a scrapbooker/memory keeper. You need to do what you are passionate about. I don’t talk much, more so I just watch videos but I felt pulled to speak on this today. I will continue to follow your journey and say hello from time to time. We have a mutual friend in common, Megan Elizabeth. :) She loves me 😂 just ask her haha. Anyways, thank you for your honesty and please don’t allow the few or possibly many people out there get ya down when they start griping. You do you! ❤
Ohhh Thank you so much! Thank you for being here and leaving a comment. I always try my best to be honest and sharing my heart here. OHHH Megan yes she is my bestie! Love her so much!!!!!
@@KatinaMartinez-01 you are so very welcome girlie. It’s hard to really be vocal and honest with things at times because so many people out there have opinions and they think that their way is the “right” way etc and so many people think they are entitled to this or that etc, just seems like you will always upset someone even if your intentions are pure and honest. That’s why I said for you to just do you! It was brave to come on and open up about what was on your heart. And I can appreciate that. 😊❤️
And yes Megan is a sweetheart. :)
As a former CTMH consultant, I am not thrilled with what they are coming out with for scrapbooking! I loved CTMH products for scrapbooking and am saddened by them closing. I too love scrapbooking over card making. I don’t really feel Stampinup is really geared towards scrapbooking they never have been. I’ve always felt it’s just not their jam I too love their products for card making. Best of luck Katina.
I'm so sorry your not thrilled with what product is coming out. I totally understand. I really loved CTMH and honestly I have felt regret that I didn't get involved with CTMH first.
Please don’t misunderstand me I love Stampinup products just not for scrapbooking. Although I’ve seen some former CTMH makers do some pretty nice pages. I’ve enjoyed following you and will continue to do so.
@@Deborah-crafty-buzzing I do totally understand… There’s a lot of product From Stampin Up that I really do enjoy the core products. Stamp pads and card stock are always so amazing to work with.
Im a hobby demo and am sad to see more of you leaving SU, but im not sure how long i can continue. Not being able to get product for months seems to be more of the norm and its not pandemic time's whichh was expected. If they create their own product, why?
I do have the same feelings about the "new" product's- not interesting since seems like ive seen it before and likely already have it.
Not happy with the SU family news either...
Im very interested in this wreath....something i sure can do, since i watched carefully as you assembled. Always enjoyed you and Wendy's projects. Best of luck to you.
Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I understand wholeheartedly how difficult it can be to be in Stampin UP! particularly if you’re a smaller demonstrator, you have a smaller customer base.
There’s so much that I could say about the product being out of stock and it not being trendy and it being outdated. But honestly, it’s probably not worth wasting my breath over because I know Stampin UP! isn’t interested and evolving in that way.
And that’s totally OK… I finally accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to change anybody’s mind about scrapbooking and Stampin UP! so instead I’m just doing scrapbooking and crafting again the way I want.
I totally understand that it’s their family and they can choose to deal with family issues however they want it just as incredibly sad !!
Stampin up cardstock is great but everything they sell is way to expensive for me. Just can’t afford it. I just subscribed to your channel. Love the wreath!
Thank you for subscribing! I understand that! That is why I always wanted the discounted and doing it full time I like I did for years allowed me to get so much of product for free!
Love the wreath ! So cute !
Thank you!
Congratulations! Like others, I have been uninspired by what is being released. I left a few years ago, but rejoined a few months ago in hope to get inspired to craft more. I have learned that there are so many other better companies out there. I have always felt like SU doesn’t see what going on in the industry in a timely manner. Half of the product can be purchased elsewhere. Like the die cutting machine is just the Spellbinder machine with SU name on it. I’m giving it until the January catalog to see if there is anything I like before I’m done for good.
Hi Candice - Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I've wished for years that Stampin Up would doing a die cutting machine with someone like CTMH did with Cricut. Good luck with the catalog that comes out in January - I've heard there will be more memory keeping in that one! Figures crossed it gets better!
So glad the family dynamics has been brought up! Have been seeing less quality, fewer stamp sets I want to buy, the terrible change in the catalogues, online only products, etc. and feel like money is tight due to the daughter’s trial. I found very little I was interested in the fall catalogue. Am considering dropping my hobby demo status also! The treatment of the grandchildren not being able to see their half siblings is despicable.
I know… I do think it is terrible. It is weighed so heavy on my heart for the last year and I just don’t know what the right answer is to do, but I do know that it’s harder to support the company right now.
Thank you for your honesty with the RUclips community and sharing the plans for your new journey. I have the opposite story where 25 years ago I became hooked on purchasing a plethora of Creative Memory items, but I was never really into scrapbooking. Needless to say, I have a closet filled with empty albums but I know I can use their paper products and other really useful tools. I became interested in card making 4+ years ago and have purchased a lot of SU products. I thought about becoming a demonstrator but like you, I don't like it being restricted to only their products.
As you mentioned, there are a ton of companies who create fantastic stamps and other products, especially related to memory keeping. One company I recently purchased some items from is Heidi Swapp (I have zero affiliation with the company or products). I only mention is site because she has alot of products to create memory pages that look like calendars. I have purchased some of her items to create cards and they are high quality. I wish you the very best and it is a gorgeous fall wreath.
Creative memories is how I got started… That’s how I even knew. There was something as memory keeping. I honestly fell in love when I first saw the product… And I purchased creative memories for many years. I do love Heidi swap as well. she is amazing in the memory keeping community.
Oh my I watched you years ago and I don’t know what happened but I some how lost you in my feed. I’m so sorry you are going through this but it seems you are making great decisions for you and that’s what you’re supposed to do. I do agree with you on stamping up. A lot of their products are repeats from years past so I don’t buy very much other than their inks and re inkers. My frustration has been as you have talked about product, not being in stock and having to wait forever for it to come back in. For an example, I was purchasing the new colors and I’m still waiting for one of the colors to come in. And they just did that Halloween house and it was sold out so fast and they’re not gonna get them back in until November that does not make sense to me. I pray you find exactly what you’re looking for and I will keep you in my feed so I can see what you do in the future. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
Hello & Welcome back! It is so nice to see you here again.
I know it has been frustrating with back orders. The hardest thing is that Stampin Up is not addressing that issue. Their solution is simple to say customers join and become a demo so you can pre-order. To me that is not a answer. Thank you for being here and sharing.
This wreath is absolutely adorable! It's amazing what we can do with paper, isn't it.
Respectfully, the situation in the news isn't a Stampin' Up! situation. It is a Gardner family situation. it has nothing to do with the business. And, everyone in the family isn't to blame for one (or two) person's actions. And we can't expect Shelli and Sterling not to support their daughter no matter what she did. Most of us would, even if we didn't necessarily condone it. Again, family issues though, not SU issues. But I do understand your feelings about it.
That said, I am a demo but I'm also a memory maker and I am not really impressed with the approach to scrapbooking at this point either. I will say I am hopeful and want to give them time to get their bearings. They really had to throw things together quickly in order to try to fill at least some of the CTMH void this quickly. Right now, they are obviously going to fumble for a bit. I do like the idea of getting two-tone cardstock and the flip flaps. I really hope we'll be able to order each color individually. I'd super love to see them get a collab with a cutting machine company like CTMH had with Cricut. That would be awesome. But I'm not holding my breath.
I totally agree with your stance on the products. I don't think it is a good policy for them to limit demos to marketing SU product only. We are allowed to use whatever we want, they can't tell us what to use. But we can't make any kind of compensation from other companies including small commissions for affiliate links. And you are right, other demos are not kind about it when you do use non-SU products. They aren't the only company in the business and I think everyone would benefit more if they all supported and lifted each other up.
Hi! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment.
If you know then you ... and you clearly know and are in a place of defending the crazy, awful situations.. It seems to me that you are more than likely a demonstrator and you don't want the negative news to affect your business and I can respect that.
However, I will respond to several of your statements because they are misinformed and incorrect.
First - it is a Stampin Up Issue / Problem. Shelli and still a part of the company, receiving money from the company for her role in the company... Shelli is paying for many aspects of the case at hand it just came out in the last court season that Shelli gifted the exact amount money that was used in a crime. I know more about this case than most because I have followed from the beginning. FROM BEFORE IT WAS IN EVEN IN THE NEWS. None of this would be an issue if Shelli had stepped down from her position at Stampin Up. Until she does that every Demonstrator and customer supports Shelli and the money she using in this case.
Which I'm not saying is right or wrong ... I understand being in a space of not at all being okay with what is going on but Stampin Up being my job and not being able to walk away.
HOWEVER ... I would never, and have never defended the company to just keep getting people to purchase the product from me.
I'm not judging in that way. I'm making decisions for myself.
Yes, I see that you are a maker that has come over and I can understand what you came from, and what you are walking into is different and I can understand not being impresses.
I didn't say this in my video but will here - It is not about how quickly Stampin Up threw something together, I wouldn't expect things to be perfect.
The problem is the people they have designing product. The product they design is OUTDATED, and not on point for what is currently trendy, and liked. It is also very DATED! Stampin Up customer primary demon / customer base is older. Stampin Up is not interested in doing anything that is trendy.
They are also repeat things often.
They also do not understand the Memory-Keeping industry or community. So what they put out and design time and and time again is crappy and awful.
I 100 percent know you are allowed to other product you just can't make money doing so. I've been doing this for 12 years and have had to answer the question many times.
The bigger problem with Stampin Up is they don't want to play nice with anyone else in the crafty industry. That is sad!!!!!! It is sad that is the way they see it.
As for not making money with other products everyone has to do what is best for them. I was never in this space, with our without Stampin Up to ONLY make money.
I will never EVER again use a product "just because I can make money on it" and I will never choose to NOT use a product simply because I can't make money on it. THAT THOUGHT IS KILLING THE CRAFTY INDUSTRY and the crafting community.
No one is interested in really crafty, only crafty if you click on my link and buy product so that I can get paid. It is a very sad place we have come to in this space.
Last but not least - Stampin Up is NOT interested in grow, and evolving. Stampin Up has always put their hand in the sand and stayed stuck. For years we have wanted a cutting machine, they did focus groups and then never did anything.
They only now are supporting Scrapbooking because CTMH closed.. they never would have done it other wise.
They just not interested in that kind of thing. They will put out the product and designs they do catalog after catalog.
And people will keep getting burnt out!!! Both trying to sell it and trying to purchase it.
@@KatinaMartinez-01I agree with you 100% about the murder crime. I’m going to have to conscientiously get out soon. My conscience is bothering me to support these millionaires who are lying for their daughter and have paid for her crimes! They have enough money to pay for a dirty defense attorney who is costing a lot! . I know all the dirty details of the Gardners not letting Jared’s widow and half siblings see Jared’s kids! They’ve paid a load of money for years! Etc, etc…..
I was also spoiled from being a CTMH maker! Our commission was better, we could order bulk supplies to make our classes cheaper. They specialized in patterns, and all kinds of things and their prices were a lot better than SU! ( for the most part.) Our online address was free until the last couple or three years. But, the cost was only about $30 a year (Canadian)! Monthly specials, stamp of the month. Equal amount of scrapbooking and card making! I miss them! I could go on and on! Hostess rewards were a breeze to hook up! No long codes, etc..I better stop. I should say something positive about them. I do love their embellishments and they have fancy die cuts but soon you’re getting very repetitive. Some of their specialty paper is so beautiful! They do have beautiful products- but, pricey for this Canadian! I did want to grab CTMH products that SU bought. But, I have noticed that their new scrapbooking line to mimic CTMH is not the same amazing style😢 Anyways, I need to soon cut the ties and enjoy my huge stash from my years in CTMH and four months of SU. I was encouraged to actually hear someone address the “elephant in the room”- I haven’t wanted to believe that this is and was supported by the SU company. But, it honestly is! Is it right for me to support this? I know the truth, no matter how ugly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sandy
@@KatinaMartinez-01 I am a demonstrator but I do not run it as a business. I am soley a hobby demo. I have no customers. None. I don't run classes. I am purely a discount demo. I have never been a maker either. I don't know where you got that from. I do understand your point of view. And I still respect it, even though you've basically called my morals into question. If we knew the personal life of the owners for every business we patronize and based our buying decisions on that, we probably would not have much to choose from. I buy what I like to use. And I use many companies products, not just SU.
Saying that using Shelli's pay from Stampin' Up! makes this a SU issue is just weird to me. Because that would be like saying if I work for a company and I then use my earnings in the commission of a crime, that it is then the company's responsibility. Or, if I use my earned money to help my son/daughter defend themselves against a crime, then the company I work for is responsible.
As far as scrapbooking goes, time will tell how SU goes about it. I'm interested to see. I believe the only reason they weren't interested before is because CTMH had such a great hold on it and they didn't think they had a chance of gaining much by delving into it. Now that has changed. But, again, who knows. Time will tell.
I do wish you luck in your future endeavors. You are a talented and enthusiastic crafter with many valuable insights and experiences to share.