Stamp Storage System

My current stamp storage system situation is in need of some upgrading. I have too many stamps made and not enough drawers to hold them all. I'd really like to improve my efficiency through better organization in some way. I just have no idea how!

Crazy Llama

For all the book lovers out there . . .

Now in my etsy shop. :-)

Lions and Tigers and . . . Bison?

Oh, My! ;-)

Bunnies & Bows

Just posted two more stamps in the shop today!

New Stamp Preview! Shop Update!

Shop Update...Finally! :)

Yes. I know it's been a while, ages in fact, since I last updated my etsy shop. But it's finally here! I have a few new designs to add to the shop and will be posting them throughout the week. I just posted my first new stamp. It's a Koala.

You can find it here. :)

Shana Logic

I was so excited when Shana of ShanaLogic.com contacted me about carrying some of my rubber stamps in her online store. She sells like only the cutest stuff...ever! ;)

A Little More Than A Coincidence?

I've received more than a few requests from customers who want me to send stamps out as a gift to a friend or relative. Unfortunately for them, all I have are the plain plastic baggies that I send my regular orders in. So boring! :P I was thinking it would be nice if I could find a way to spruce up gift packages for my customers so I turned to the supply section of etsy to do a little browsing. I did a search for "cute gift bags" and was surprised to come across this:

The dark owl and doppel "gäng"

I love to see customers selling beautiful and creative items using my stamps. My policy regarding the use of these stamps is simply that any item to be sold must be hand stamped (no mechanical reproductions). That's it! I don't even ask to be credited, although it is always nice when someone feels kind enough to do so. :)

So anyway, you may be wondering why I was so caught off guard when I came across this cute little zippy bag with what looked like the "dark owl" design stamped all over it? Well, that dark owl was not hand-stamped by an indie/crafty customer, but instead it has been mechanically copied and mass produced by some Korean company called Rollercoaster. (Btw, I have no problem with the etsy shop I spotted this in. The vendor simply sells cute stationery supplies from Korea.)

Crazy huh?

From Rollercoaster's catalog . . .

The page from my sketchbook where I was trying to figure out my final owl design. Even though I love Bubo, I'm so glad I didn't choose to give the owl a clockwork eye! Ugh! What was I thinking?

I've decided to shorten this post because I feel really bad for ranting on and on earlier! I've even decided that I'm semi-flattered that a big company actually liked my design enough to copy me. :) I'm just a little bummed that someone might come to the conclusion that I was the copycat in this situation, and not the other way around. I found a video on TED related to this whole issue. It's about copycats in creative industries and the lessons we can learn. Okay then. Sorry about all that. Done ranting now. Cheers! :)

In Keeping With the Baby Theme. . .

Customer Sari just shared with me some pics of these cute onesies she made using the light owl and tabby cat stamps. You can find these and other altered/upcycled clothing for sale in her etsy shop!

Show & Tell

Just wanted to share some pictures customers have sent me of the creative ways they've been using their stamps. You guys are the best!

Steph made a colorful "twinchie" collage and a card too! She even has a great tutorial for the rainbow twinchie collage on her blog.

A fine silver pendant of the arctic fox.

by Westbyron. Check out her etsy shop!

Jessica loves her shibas!

Stamps on the ground...

Stamps on the ground, stamps on the ground, workin' really hard on my stamps on the ground!

Paper*Cakes Finds

My unicorn stamp was featured on Paper*Cakes Finds today along with a bunch of other cute unicorn themed items. Yay! :o)

Hapa Hale shout out!

Oooh, my spooky stamps got a mention in Hapa Hale! I love Hapa Hale! Leigh's design conscious website is devoted to showcasing "everything modern and fresh" from Hawaii's local artists, designers and businesses. She lives on the mainland now but she keeps up with the latest local trends better than most of us still living in the islands! Cheers Leigh!

So Many Prizes It's SCARY!

This adorable couple, Leo and Mary, manage their very own store filled with super cute paper goods and scrapbooking products and they also run a popular magazine based blog called SVGcuts that educates Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot users on various topics. This month they're having a raffle for a bunch of Halloween themed grab bags filled with awesome Etsy finds. Watch the video for a breakdown of the insane amount of prizes they're giving away! I admit I'm a little jealous of whoever gets to take home all that loot. P.S. Keep an eye out for a mention of my black cat rubber stamp! Heehee. ;o)
http://svgcuts.com/

Introducing the Grab Bag Surprise!

I just added a Mystery Box/Grab Bag style listing to the shop due to special request. For those who would like to buy a few stamps (but not enough for wholesale) here's your chance to get a bit of a price break. You get 10 randomly chosen stamps for $35 (worth $50). This is $15 less than if you purchased them individually! I think that's a pretty nice deal. :o) And don't worry, these are exactly the same quality as all the stamps I sell in my shop. No reject stamps here. The only catch is that I will not take special requests, they will just be randomly chosen from the stock I already have made. That way I don't have to spend extra time cutting out and assembling ones I don't have around at the moment. In the end that makes things easier for me and that's why it will be cheaper for you. Yay!

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

A former customer contacted me to let me know that my raven stamp was featured on September 8th's Halloween themed Etsy Finds. Thanks so much! Halloween is my favorite holiday after all. :o)

Craft Addict

The wonderful Mendy from Craft Addict was nice enough to feature me on her blog. I was so honored to be chosen because she tends to find the most incredible things on etsy, plus she hosts a giveaway every single week!

http://rainbowswirlz.blogspot.com/2009/06/nikoart-giveaway-june-4th-10th.html

She also has her own etsy shop where she sells tons of screenprinted items. Her giraffe tote bag is the cutest. See her shop here ---->

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=9941

New Stamp Preview! Shop Update!

Good News, Everyone!

I will be having a little shop update very soon with brand new stamp designs. Plus, I just made my 1,000th etsy sale today (w00t!!!!) so to celebrate, i'm also having my very first giveaway! The winner will receive the very first nikoart sterling silver sleeping bunny pendant ever produced (but hopefully more will be hopping into the shop soon after). Starting Monday 5/25/09, every person who makes a purchase from my etsy shop will be entered in a random drawing to win! The contest will run for one month and end on Monday 6/22/09. I will announce the winner on Tuesday 6/23/09. Good luck everyone and hope you have a fun weekend!