Changes you'd like to see in products this year...

[Alice in Md]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoptownracer1

What changes would you like them to make in products this year? I would like to see them stop having the dies connected, so you don't have to snip them apart.

Today's SCS "weekly inkling" had an explanation of how dies are manufactured that sheds some light on why dies are often connected:
Our Artist in Residence answers your questions
Q: Phyllis asks: "What is the best tool for snipping dies apart that are joined really close together?"
A: I use micro flush cutters that are made for cutting wire in jewelry making or electrical work. They are designed to cut a straight end on a wire, so they work well for cutting the connecting wires off flat against the edge of a die. The micro cutters have a finer tip that can get in between tightly joined sections. (Dies are manufactured this way to keep them together as a set. Pieces are nested together to take up the smallest possible space, as the sets are priced by area. Some companies pay an extra fee to have the pieces separated; some companies opt to leave them connected for ease of packaging and the savings it allows them to pass on to the consumers.)

[dini]

I designed these sets last year with healing and grieving and weary people in mind - maybe I will revisit that space again. I always try to think of what kinds of cards I would want to send or receive.
https://iostamps.com/products/cl1253-ivy-comfort
https://iostamps.com/products/cl1251-gentle-moths
https://iostamps.com/products/cl1257-poppies

I keep a running list of ideas for stamps and sets, and I had copied this quote from another discussion like this:
--sentiment stamps for sick or injured or recovering people that are not "ordering" them to Get Well
--There are people who need a card who just lost a parent, spouse or relative that they may not have had a good relationship with
--There are people who need a card who have a problem from which they will not recover

I totally agree with the longer times between releases. When I first started buying from IO they did 2 releases a year (aligned with the CHA trade show) and I would be absolutely giddy with anticipation.

[jeanne3579]

I addition to longer times between releases, keeping stamps around a bit longer would be something I would like to see. Give people a chance to see what the artists can do with them. It takes me a while to warm up to some stamps as I can't begin to imagine how I would use them. Then I happen to run across some great ideas, but the stamp has already been retired.