Friday 15 May 2009

Why I love being a Stampin Up Demonstrator

In celebration of the New Demonstrator Offer in May, I thought that I would make a mini album using half a packet of the Petal Party Simply Scrappin Kit, which is included in the scrapbooking demonstrator Mini Starter Kit. 

Did you know that you can create more than 20 pages by simply adding some Whisper White Cardstock and ribbon? As a time poor individual, I decided on a formula with this album which also helped the album have some continuity. Basically I cut each sheet in the Simply Scrappin Kit into four, therfore creating 6 x 6 inch pages. I then cut 5 x 5 inch Whisper White mats for each page. Leftover strips of patterned DSP were then used to embellish the mats, with one corner rounded off using the corner rounder punch. I used an embossing buddy to remove the stick from the back of some of the self adhesive die cuts to then create dimensional accents with the assistance of foam dimensionals and paper clips. Finally Stampin' Up Ribbons complete the bright happy look. Having recently created albums for both my girls, I thought I would take the opportunity to scrapbook some of my Stampin' Up! photos to express why I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Enjoy!

Well somehow I accidentally deleted this photo when uploading the photos, so it is out of order. I couldn't go back and upload in sequence because it took me so long the first time - I think I can hear some of you laughing! This photo was taken at Convention this year where I was humbled to receive the 'Heart of Stampin' Up!'. This award is given to one demonstrator and is chosen by Stampin' Up! based on nominations made by other demonstrators.
  
One of the many things that I love about Stampin' Up! are the core principles that are the foundation of it's business. Integrity, Relationships, Balance, Personal Development, Positive Environment, Growth, Efficiency and Change ensure that people come before products. As you look through my little scrapbook, you will see lots of friendly people who love to create, share and help others. In this page I am pictured with Shelli Gardner, the Co Founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! at the 2008 Incentive Trip at Palm Cove.

Our Demonstrator Support team in Sydney is just awesome and are always available to answer my strange questions and give me ideas if I am stuck. Pictured above is Aaron Scott and his lovely wife Karen. Aaron is our Regional Business Development Manager based in the Sydney office.

Another thing that I love about Stampin' Up! is that demonstrators can run their business to suit their lifestyle and family committments. The quarterly minimum sales are achievable without conducting formal workshops. If you are busy, you can choose how much time you have available to run your Stampin' Up! business. Pictured are Bec and Amanda at the 2008 Convention in Brisbane. What you can't see from this photo is that they were both heavily pregnant at the time. When their bubs arrived, they were able to take time out and when they were ready started having some small classes and get togethers at their own homes.

Another great thing about being a demonstrator is that you get to meet fabulous people and introduce them to either a hobby or a job that they will love! Pictured is Gerane who is a demonstrtaor from Russell Island and Leonie, who is a demonstrator on Macleay Island.

I love being able to get together with fellow demonstrators at our monthly meetings and create new projects and catch up on their news.

Demonstrator Group Meetings give us the opportunity to create tools such as colour charts and other samples to share with our friends and customers.

Being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator means access to lots of ideas from other demonstrators in our group, events, regional training seminars and Convention. This is on top of the projects offered to us via the demonstrator web site and Impressions Monthly Demonstrator Magazine.

I just love going to the Stampin' Up! Conventions - I have been to 3 now! which by the way is all of them in Australia. From the very first Convention, I was taken aback at the professionalism and excitement of these events. Fantastic speakers, creative demonstrations, free stamp sets and the Awards Banquet are just some of the highlights.

I love that whilst Stampin' Up! have been in Australia for 3 years, they are securely established as a 20 year old business in the US. The US Home Office are extremely supportive of their Australian Demonstrators. Pictured second from the left is Pam Morgan, who has made many a trip to Australia from Utah. She has so much experience and is a great inspiration for both hobby and career demonstrators alike.

I love that our team of demonstrators, called Paper Angels, have such a team spirit and enjoy working together whether it is catching up with each other outside of formal get togethers or putting together a fund raiser event.

I love being a demonstrator for all the things I have learned and again the wonderful people I have met.

See I did say at the beginning of my journalling that it is the people that make Stampin' Up! wonderful. Mind you, the products are fantastic and we love those too - some things just speak for themselves!

I love the regional training sessions that welcome all types of demonstrators including discount, hobby and career demonstrators.

Ok I will finally mention some product. i just love the Style Watch, which you will find in the catalogue. Stampin' Up! do heaps of research to keep up with current trends in the papercraft industry, so that we have the most beautiful products to work with at the best price.

I love that Stampin' Up! products can be used for so much more than paper! See, a Stampin Around Wheel makes the most amazing fondant icing embosser. In fact pretty well all the products in the catalogue perform 'double duty' making them especially useful.

Our demonstrator group is able to run events, helping new demonstrators to get on their feet. I love that we can have fun, share our creative ideas with our customers and make a difference by engaging in charitable endeavours.

I love being able to give away prizes at our events with the generous assistance of Stampin' Up! as well as demonstrators from our group.

I love that we can then help others. The Mater Mother's Bereavement Program is one of the charitable endeavours that we are passionate about supporting and are now spreading our wings to create memory boxes at other hospitals. We have also raised funds for Cancer Research. Stampin' Up! Australia also raised over $77,000 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal recently with the help of Australian demonstrators selling 10 stamp sets, with 50% of the reatil sales being donated - totally amazing!

I love that Stampin Up provides recognition for achieving various targets if that is your goal. There are opportunities to earn free product as well as other rewards. By the same token, Stampin' Up! very much honor, welcome and genuinely value hobby demonstrators.

I loved going on the Incentive Trip to Palm Cove in 2008 which is pictured above. There is no limit to the number of demonstrators that can go and Stampin' Up! have created 5 different pathways by which you can achieve this trip. This year I will be going to Noosa. Incentive Trip for 2010 is Hamilton Island - how exciting!

I love making friends with other demonstrators around Australia and Stampin' Up! Events give us the opportunity to meet demonstrators outside our group. 

I love Stampin' Up!s new tag line 'Inspire | Create | Share'. It sums up what demonstrators do.