Stamping Memories News

Although I was concerned that the rumor mill would start turning as soon as I publicly announced that Stamping Memories is for sale, I also knew our time frame for needing to vacate our building is shrinking. So, I made the decision to go public in order to find the right buyer in the timeliest manner.

 

As expected, speculation is running wild and the qualms I had about announcing my decision have proven to be somewhat justified. Many people have expressed feelings of sadness, surprise and worry that the store “just won’t be the same”. Some have already formed opinions about what the new store is going to be like. While it is normal to be uncomfortable with change, it is good to remember that change can, at times, also be good.

 

Change in this case will finally give Stamping Memories the long awaited opportunity for additional growth and expansion, improved visual display of merchandise, a much larger classroom area, and the implementation of many wonderful new ideas. I have every reason to believe that this well loved store will continue to grow and flourish. I am also believing that it will continue to be as, one customer recently called it, “a wonderfully unique gem and a fabulous shopping experience”.

 

I have been approached by several interested parties and currently am in negotiations with someone who is very excited about owning this business and is taking the necessary steps to make it a reality. Her goal is to keep the same style, feel and inventory choices as we currently have only she will have the space to add many new items, expand classes, and be open evenings and Sundays!

 

The location we are hopeful of obtaining is very near to our current one with plenty of parking and, best of all, more than twice the space! I know it will be different and it will take time for everyone to adjust to the changes, but it is my belief that the changes made possible by a move of this type will make Stamping Memories even better than it has been. It is my sincere hope that you will all eagerly look forward to the grand opening of the new store and continue to support it the same way you have supported this one for the past ten years.

 

Liz

 

As shocking as it may sound, we are looking for a special someone or a partnership group to take Stamping Memories to the next level. Could that someone be you? If you have ever dreamed of owning your own business please consider the following.

As many of you know, over the last few years we have outgrown our current location and we have eagerly anticipated moving to a larger space. It looks as if the long awaited sale of our building is going to be finalized this summer which will necessitate the relocation of the business. We are excited to finally have the opportunity of seeing our plans for a bigger, better Stamping Memories put into action. However, there has been one major change. We have realized that we want to live closer to our family and that means the business will need a new owner if it is to continue operating in New Hampshire.

I have seriously considered moving the entire store to the New York town that is to become our new home, but I know that would be a huge disappointment to the many local, regional, and seasonal friends/customers who have loyally supported the store in Laconia all these years. So, for a limited time, a unique opportunity exists for the right person to step in and benefit from the fruits of our labor by carrying on a business that has become a favorite destination for so many.

We've spent over 10 years building a successful retail business which currently has a customer base of almost 1500 people. Our store is considered by many to be the best of its kind in Northern New England and we are extremely proud of that reputation. The business is very profitable and has grown each year since its beginning. We have put a very attractive price on it to try to ensure a quick sale.

We have explored several options for a new storefront in Laconia, Gilford, Belmont and Alton. Although we now feel strongly that it would be best to keep it as close to its current location as possible, there may be other areas that could also work. The choices are almost endless but we will certainly make ourselves available to help the new owners choose the right location, get the business re-established, and offer extensive training as needed.

The "ideal" candidate for our business would have a love of paper crafting and, in particular, an interest in rubber stamping and/or scrap booking. One of the integral parts of the business has always been our year round, weekly classes, so the ability or at least the willingness to teach would also be an asset. Should Stamping Memories’ new location end up being within a close proximity of our current one, at least one of our teachers has expressed a desire to stay on. She is adept at running our computerized cash register, has a good understanding of product usage and sales, and provides excellent customer service.

Further details including price and inclusions in the sale will be made available to serious interested parties only. This opportunity will only exist for a limited time so please express your interest as soon as possible if you would like to discuss the possibility of owning this unique, fun and lucrative retail business.

Please send inquiries via email to info@nhstampingmemories.com All correspondence will be handled in confidence.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Verhoeks
Owner

Stamping Memories is a full service, brick and mortar retail store carrying a wide variety of art rubber stamps and other paper crafting supplies. We maintain a huge selection of punches, books and other products used in Floral Punch Art and have specialized in teaching this popular craft for the past several years.

We are always happy to special order punches and other products for our regular as well as new customers and we ship through out the United States and Canada. Please call the store or email us at info@nhstampingmemories.com for more information.

 

*** DON’T MISS WHAT’S COMING SOON!!! ***

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FIRST ANNUAL “SHOP HOP”

YOUR “PASSPORT” TO THE AREA’S BEST PAPER CRAFTING STORES

During the month of April, we are planning to participate in a fun statewide shopping extravaganza sponsored by several of New Hampshire’s independent paper crafting stores (complete list of stores to follow soon). 

Beginning in March, each interested customer will purchase a "passport" for $5 from their local participating store. When visiting a participating store, simply present your passport for validation (must be signed by store owner or employee) and receive a special discount on your total (minimum purchase required). Passports may be validated only once at each participating store. Your own passport must be presented at time of checkout to receive validation and discount. Purchases by non passport holders may not be combined with yours to take advantage of the discount. 

Completed passports (those signed by all participating stores) must be turned in at the end of the promotion to a participating store of your choice. All completed passports received by the deadline will be entered into a drawing for one of three great prizes.

• (First Prize) $25 Gift Certificates from all of the participating stores
• (Second Prize) $15 Gift Certificates from all of the participating stores
• (Third Prize) $10 Gift Certificates from all of the participating stores
  
  

Watch for more details coming soon and get ready—it’s a shopping spree you do not want to miss!

Join us for this unique new class on Thursday, January 3 from either 10 - Noon or 7 - 9 PM.

You will make your own beautiful Family Generations Plaque (bring at least 3 pictures) using designer paper, rubons, chipboard shapes and a prepackaged group of 4 wooden hanging pieces.

This will make a wonderful gift for your parents, grandparents, or other family members. You could even customize one for yourself with photos of your children

Please register soon by calling the store at 603-528-0498. Hope to see you there.

NEW PRODUCTS THIS WEEK:

• Memory Box Penguins & Polar Bears new release for the holidays
• Memory Box 12x12 paper and white core A-2 cards in a variety of colors
• Final issue of The Rubber Stamper Magazine
• Many of the latest stamps from Inkadinkado
• New shipment of Bella Stamps
• November/December Somerset Studio Magazine
• November Stamp & Scrap Magazine

Come in soon to see all the newest products and don't forget to check out our sale area where you will find bargains on products we are phasing out or ones that have been discontinued. They are all perfectly fine--we just don't have room for them anymore. At 50% off, who can resist?

 

Card Design - Rubber Stamping with colored pencils and watercolors by Dave Brethauer

Gather your paints, pencils, papers and stamps and get ready to play! Discover how to use watercolor and colored pencils to create a clean, colorful and contemporary look in stylish greeting cards throughout the year.

This is Dave Brethauer's brand new book (his first in 6 years!) and it features over 100 card projects using designs from Hero Arts, Lockhart Stamps, Impress, Savvy Stamps, Rubber Soul, Rubbermoon and Memory Box!

Beautiful close up photos and an index of meticulous how-to instructions make this an essential book for every crafter. Learn to create washes of color with watercolor pencils, Twinkling H2O's and markers. Learn blending, shading and basic color ideas with wax based colored pencils. Create special effects by combining watercolors and colored pencils with transparencies, sponging, shrink plastic and more.

WOW! How cute are these great stamps that are currently all the rage on so many blogs?

At first, we thought there was no way we could squeeze any more new stamp lines into the store before we get more space. But, there was such a demand, that we decided to go ahead and bring them in anyway. They arrived this morning but we had a class going on so we had to wait until it was over to check them in. As soon as we could, we spread them all over the back table and, as customers walked by and saw them, 24 were sold before they were even priced--amazing!

So, if you are one of the many stampers who love these adorable unmounted stamps, come in while we still have some in stock. We have already reordered and plan to keep them coming.

You can check out some more Bella cards made by Monika at this web address. http://stampnmad.typepad.com/photos/bella_cards/index.html

And still more at Mary Anderson's weblog. http://itsallaboutthejourney.typepad.com/photos/my_bella_cards/index.html

Enjoy!

It's seems so hard to believe, but one year ago today, our precious granddaughter, Madison was born. What a joy she is and how blessed we are to be such a big part of her life!

We think you are all going to love these new products as much as we did when we first saw them.

Clear alphabet letter stamps--both upper and lower case in the same package, gorgeous clear medallions with interchangable center designs, and the most beautiful cards and envelopes you have ever seen!

What more could you ask for? These ingenious components were designed to help you make fabulous stationary--complete with monograms--if you choose. You can also make wonderful note cards and give them as gifts.

The possibilities are truly endless and one of the best benefits of this line is that everything is very reasonably priced! Come see......

This wonderful little book depicts a vintage Christmas theme in classic colors and images. If you choose, you can easily customize it to include family photos or other personal touches and turn it into a beautiful heirloom or memories book. The possibilities will be endless once you learn how to make the basic design--birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, etc.

Many of you have expressed interest in taking this class but cannot attend in the morning. So, we have decided to add a second class in the evening from 7 - 9 PM. Hope you can make it!

Several of you have asked me to post a new picture of Madison, our five and a half month old granddaughter. So, here she is enjoying life!

She is such a delight and certainly the apple of her parents' eyes, not to mention her four proud grandparents. We feel very blessed to live close enough to be a part of her life on such a regular basis. I know you who are already grandparents know what I mean! Those of you who aren't, well, just wait--it's wonderful!

Thanks for being interested in our family and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Liz