RubberStampChat Virtual Convention

It's time for the semi-annual RubberStampChat Virtual Convention. Most of the Vendor members have sales & specials running this weekend and ending on Monday. MadRat Rubber's specials are ...

Save 20% off all in stock rubber stamps till midnight Monday November 1st. Save an extra 10% off select stamps scattered throughout the store.

(Discounts refunded via Paypal after transaction are completed.)
Plus
Orders with a subtotal of $25 (after any discounts are deducted)will get a free Tim Holtz Mini Mask while supplies last.

I'm also having a Pre-Sale Sale on the Sizzix Vagabond Die Cut Machine. You may or may not know about it depending on your feelings for all things Tim Holtz. For those of you who do know, you can skip ahead.

Tim Holtz is the "Grunge" rubber stamp guru and has several lines of products that he designs & represents and that carry his name. I've started adding his products to my website because, I gotta admit, some of them are kinda cool, well made & surprisingly affordable. I've been trying to highlight some of them on this blog, albeit, slowly.

But right now I'm going to talk about the new "Vagabond Die Cut Machine" that's due to be released mid to late November. I don't currently have a die cut/embossing machine but have been thinking it might not be a bad idea to have one, since I am in the business and all that. My hesitation in getting one was, "what exactly I would do with it?" I felt they were kinda limited because one could only use specific dies & what if I didn't like any that were out there?

And then I watched Tim's demo of it and the wheels started turning.

It's supposed to be the most powerful die cut machine out there, according to Tim. And it will cut &/or emboss materials up to 1/8" thick, like cork board, felt, fabric, acetate, thin metals, etc. I got to thinking of some interesting things one might be able to use it for. I won't get into my ideas now but it's what decided me to get one for myself. The other deciding factor is that it closes up for easy storage and transport. It's also kinda visually appealing as it looks like a small vintage suitcase, although that's certainly not a reason to buy it. I did do a little research into other Sizzix machines out there and they do make a motorized version called the "Big Shot Express" with a regular retail price of $169.99 (on sale right now for $127.49). What I don't like about the Big Shot is it doesn't close up, it just sits there all exposed - in my messy studio, it'd get dirty fast, not to mention it makes storage &/or transport a little awkward. And if Tim's to be believed, the Vagabond is more powerful than a locomotive, um, I mean the Big Shot. So, them's the reasons I decided to get one for myself.

Now, I'm a very small business & just can't afford to keep the machine in stock but right now I have 3 Deals on offer

#1 - Just the Vagabond Machine

Regular retail will be $249.00 - my price $212.50 + shipping

#2 - Vagabond Mini Starter Kit

Includes the Machine, the "Scallops" - On the Edge dies and cutting pads, Texture Fades embossing folders set (Damask & Regal Flourishes) & the "Caged Bird Die"

Regular price $301.00 - my price $255.85 + shipping

#3 - Vagabond Maxi Starter Kit

Includes the Machine, 2 - On the Edge dies (Scallops & Snow flurries) with cutting pads, 2 Texture Fades folder sets (Collage & Notebook set & Damask & Regal Flourishes set), the "Caged Bird" Bigz Die and 2 Movers & Shapers Dies (Styled Labels & Carved Ornaments)

Regular price $368.00 - my price $312.80 + shipping.

See the details with photos here

As far as I know, I'm the only one offering the starter kits which I think is a good idea if you're new to die cut/embossing machines, like me. If you already have a die cut/embossing machine than your dies may be compatible with this machine. The larger kit has dies that would work well for Christmas since it probably wont be shipped out until late November/early December.

I won't be ordering the Vagabond for a week or 2 so you've got plenty of time to think about it.