Why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator…
Reason 1 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator: An excuse to travel! I spent last week in Orlando, Florida at Stampin’ Up!’s On Stage Event. I know, you’re feeling sorry for me already. And OK, not the whole week was actually the event. I spent a couple of days preparing for the event by visiting with fellow demonstrators, visiting the parks of Florida (that would be theme parks…), and taking a bit of down time. (if you follow the YamStamps Instagram or Facebook Page you may have seen proof of that). I have noticed lately that my travel tends to be woven in and around Stampin’ Up! or training opportunities, so it’s a nice way to mix business and pleasure. Also, I need to work on my selfie skills….LOL. Visited Universal (the Harry Potter areas!), The Magic Kingdom (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas with fellow Canadians (front to back: Gaile, me, Mary Louise, Jasmine, Carrie, Laurie and Debbie – crowded on Main Street but easy to get onto the rides), and Disney Springs (or Downtown Disney if you’ve been there in the past) with my American friends Debbi and Rebecca .
Reason 2 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator: Sharing Creativity: One of the things that tends to occur when demonstrators get together – SWAPS. Demonstrators will create multiples of a paper crafting project and then trade with other demonstrators. It’s a great way to get ideas and inspiration (no, we don’t think our designs up on our own all the time!). Sometimes these are organized events – where a specific number and theme are mandated. Other times, “general swaps” occur – demonstrators literally walk around trading their creations. It’s a great way to meet people as well! Here’s a lovely swap that was gifted to me by Mary Louise – even though I didn’t have anything to swap with her (and I cut her off in the photo too LOL)! So I’ll share the wealth here.
She used Winter Woods Bundle (available in a red rubber clear mount stamp bundle or red rubber wood mount stamp bundle) to create this beautiful card. The paler areas on the evergreen tree are actually areas she’s added some Frost White Shimmer Paint (sorry, my photo is not really doing it justice!).
Reason 3 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator: friends – old and new! Another thing that happens at Stampin’ Up! Events? Getting together with demonstrator friends! My group of demonstrators is called the “Eh” Team, and there were five of us in total this time that were able to make the big journey south. Amazing that we were able to find each other in a sea of 7000 demonstrators! So here we are as a group (from left to right in the photo: Karen, Arlene, Pamela, Mary and myself). Karen and I also were able to attend Centre Stage, which is an event for demonstrators at a certain level of leadership in their business. We were treated to passes to Epcot (it was the Food & Wine Festival as well!), and a dessert reception.(I still haven’t figured out how to take the selfie and look at the right spot on the phone…). Last photo is a reunion of the 2017-2018 Events Council – we are from all over North America and the last time we all saw each other was a year ago so it was great to meet up again, albeit briefly. Not pictured – SO many other friends that I got to see and hug. It truly was so heartwarming to be able to see so many friends that I often only “see” online.
Reason 4 why I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator: Last (for now) but not least – new product! We get so many goodies at Stampin’ Up! events and one of the fun ways to receive something is Prize Patrol. I hit the jackpot! I won a huge sentiment set that I can’t wait to use in upcoming classes. All the prizes were from the upcoming Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogues, which will be in effect as of January 3, 2019.
We also got a look at the Craft & Carry Tote which is a demonstrator only item. Current demonstrators are able to order this bag until the end of the year only. Not a demonstrator (yet)? Not a problem! You can select this as part of your starter kit right now! Valued at $68, you can select it right now as part of your $165 worth of product for $135 – OR you could select other product in your starter kit and then purchase the bag (before January 2) once you have your demonstrator number! Your other option is to pick one up with your starter kit during Sale-a-Bration in January. There are two starter kit options – the “regular” kit for $135, and the tote kit for $175. During Sale-a-Bration you’ll also get $60 more product of your choice in your kit. Check out my FAQs about joining my team here (or if you like to type, www.yamstamps.com/join).
The next big On Stage event is happening in April in Auckland, New Zealand. While I would LOVE to be able to attend that one…I think I’m going to have to stay a bit closer to home. In Canada, the two local event locations (we get a local event when the main event happens either in the South Pacific or Europe), will be Quebec City and Vancouver. If you would like more information, please contact me, or consider attending my next Information Evening (Thursday December 6, or check the Events Page to see upcoming dates) to find out more about being a demonstrator with my group and find your own reasons why you love being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator!