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I am not a SU demo, but i do have some TAC stamps and attended a TAC party a few weeks ago. They have some nice stamps, and they do offer the unmounted system and the mounted on wood stamps too. I think SU has better products overall, but TAC does have some stamps that are different from SU. Go and ENJOY!!!
My sister likes their stuff.....I don't. I think she likes it more because of the unmounted system, which I'll admit is easier to store, but can you imagine how furry my sticky sides would be?????? :lol: Go & compare & report back to us!
That's OK, as long as you are stamping! I've purchased from CTMH and just asked for a TAC catalog.... and I'm a demo! :oops: (Don't tell anyone .... I just love to stamp)
I heard they still carry flocking. if you need that go for it! I've never seen a coatlog, but I've just heard that they don't really compare to SU! so just get what you love if you see it! have fun, and let us know.
Michelle
I've seen the TAC catalog, and I really don't like it as much as SU. TAC stuff, in my opinion, is MUCH more cutesy than SU's designs, overall. There's a lot of country stuff -- cartoony bunnies and whatnot. That's definitely not my taste, and that's a big reason why I love SU's stuff so much -- while there's something for everyone, SU's designs don't lean toward cute.
OMG.... I can't believe you are cheating on SU!! How dare you!!
Just Kidding....Go and have fun. I've never seen their stuff. I just recently looked online at CTMH. I don't think anything compares to SU. But it will be fun. It's stamping...what's not to love?
__________________ Angie
Mother of three wonderful children (Brayton-17 months, Brianna- 5 & Kyle-eight) and one grown man (my DH).
I am a demo and...forgive me for what I am about to say.... :shock: ...but I purchased BOTH the TAC and CTMH catalogs this year...that way I felt that I could be aware of what was out there and remain firm in my conviction for SU!
That said...There are some cute stamp sets that they offer. I also like their chalk ink...it is beautiful on paper. Go and enjoy it! It will be a fun, learning experience if nothing else!
Let us know what you think!
__________________ ~Theresa~ Addictedand lovingit!! Member #4235 Checkout myblog!
Have fun! I love to look at any brand of stamping stuff! Different companies have different ideas of what is popular. I saw a dog set in a magazine a few months ago and it was a TAC set. I've been tempted to find a TAC demo to purchase that set, but I'm afraid I'll order more than that!
I, too, am a SU! demo who has purchased from "other stamp companies"! :shock: :shock: :shock:
TAC is Ok. I bought some Irish stamps from them. My mom and DH are from Ireland and SU! just had nothing for us. Celtic knots were not what I was looking for. And I was not looking for "cutesy" stamps with leprechauns and such.
In my opinion they have a nice stamp selection. However, when it comes to paper and inks...etc... they do not.
My best friend is a CTMH demo. Now they have a BEAUTIFUL paper collection...but their stamp selection is not good.
I believe that TAC was started by a former SU! demo.
When I first got started I purchased a few sets from TAC, and since being introduced to SU, I have not touched the others! I am totally addicted to SU. Have fun at the party
Cathy Marie
Thanks for all of the advise! I'm not a 'hard core' stamper but I do enjoy playing around with stamps. I'm sure I'll have fun and I'll probably buy stuff.......I always do!
They seem to have some cute stuff. I have never bought anyother stamp set, but SU! I am thinking about purchasing a others because I like them. I think it will be hard.
I am not a demo, just addicted to stamping and having fun with my hobby. I own many different brands, Magenta, PSX, CTMH, SU, Viva Las Vegas, Hero Arts and more.
I recently purchased 4 TAC stamp sets and just love them! The quality of the rubber is every bit as good as SU. The UM stamps take up a lot less space and they work great on the acrylic blocks.
They have some adorable snowmen stamps this year that I couldn't resist. The cards that I made from them turned out great.
I am seriously looking at TAC for demo purposes as I am not pleased with the Angel policy and not being abel to sell what I create. TAC really encourages you to create and sell items and that is what I am all about! Making it and getting some of it out of my house! Hopefully for a profit to pay for more stamps!!!
Alrighy girls I used to be hard core SU!! only. I wouldn't even buy from micheal's. Then I found TAC. I signed up that day. Yes I still have my SU stamps( all have been remounted on EZ mount ) But I also have over 300 TAC stamp sets. I have them ALL on my desk in a 500 case CD holder. My drawers are now stuffed with accesories instead of stamps. Yes I still buy SU! and CTMH( Okay I'm an addict) If SU has something we don't I send my customers to my SU rep if CTMH has something we don't same thing. I think all the stamp companies have things to offer. We are after all artists right. I don't get the our company is better than theirs mentallity. I love ALL stamps and I think that is what my customers like is that I'm honest and tell them that SU !'s and CTHM's papers match their pads. Ours don't oh well We all have awesome things to offer. Okay I'll get of my soap box now !!!!! Happy stamping ladies.
In Him,
Shawna TAC demo # 565
Didn't mean to sound like I was against SU! Just been buying this year and have 55 sets already!!! Obviously like them but want a company that will let me sell my creations more freely! My dad has a sawmill and gift shop! But that is a stationary site! boohoo!! I am also in a little trouble with DH for the amount of room I take up! Soooo smaller storage is a big plus! LOL
I have a catty from both CTMH and TAC. I plan on ordering a couple of sets from TAC. They are still rubber just with acrylic if you buy the unmounteds. The inks and papers are not impressive. You can get any of the brands at the local Michaels or Hobby Lobby. The sets are pretty nice tho. Depends on your style is all. I am a dem and love SU up over anything else I have tried but who knows...change may come for me.
Go have fun and be open to new experiences.
__________________ Melissa Wadkins (Mel)
Peace begins with a smile.
Member #3785
I love to stamp. I am not a SU demo or even overly enthusiastic about some of their choices. I use stamps from tons of different artists. Buy what you like and enjoy!!! Each stamp company has a slightly different feel to it and I go for my mood and what I feel like on that particular day. I have both mounted and unmounted stamps - there are definitely some companies that provide better service, deeper etching and better rubber.
I recently encountered this company while attending the Rubber Stamp and Scrapbooking Expo in Madison after Regionals...I have to say, I was very impressed with their mounting system and the ease of storing the rubber part of the stamp in a CD case. Really cool! I think I've heard some demos on here say that they like their easy mount system. It's all personal preference - I say use what you love and as long as you are creative, who cares! I browsed their catalog and some of the sets were cute...I did like the fact that their prices are cheaper since they are UM. I agree though, SU has awesome papers, inks and accessories. I love a LOT of their sets and don't think I would love everything with TAC. I'm glad I chatted with the ladies at the booth, as they explained the EZ Mount system - I had mistakenly thought they were all sticky and I thought, "who in the heck is going to remount their stamps every time you use them!' DUH! I say go forth, have FUN and be creative!
__________________
*Shari*
�Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.� ― W.B. Yeats
�I think you learn more if you're laughing at the same time.� ― Mary Ann Shaffer
I still don't understand the unmounted system. I looked at the link to TAC but I guess I don't get it. There are all sorts of people and thand goodness that there are all sorts of stamp companies for us to choose from. I am totally loyal to SU because they fit my style. I have one customer in particular that loves everything and has more stamps from other companies than SU. I think if I had the attitude that SU was superior to everyone, I would lose her as a customer. I'm not worried about what other stamp sets or accessories my customers use. As long as they are stamping and enjoying themselves it's all good. Of course...I prefer for them to get it all from me.....but that's not reality, is it. If I had the chance to go to a TAC or CTMH party I would go just to check it out. And finally figure out what the UM thing is all about.
Hope you had fun at the party!
__________________ Angie
Mother of three wonderful children (Brayton-17 months, Brianna- 5 & Kyle-eight) and one grown man (my DH).
I recently bought a few sets of TAC stamps. I also bought some Walnut Ink Crystals. I love the EZ Mount storage system. I am in the process of converting all of my SU stamps. (Anyone want some wood mounts and storage cases? lol)
Initially, I contacted a TAC demo because I am interested in making cards to sell in a shop. I really like some of their stamps, but mostly I don't think the designs come up to the SU level. However, some of the stuff is so close to SU that I'm sure there must be some copyright lawsuits going on!
Their background stamps are slightly larger than SU's... which is nice. And their burlap BG is stunning.
I'd say, give it a go. I don't think any of us will forego SU... but it's nice to be able to supplement.
__________________ RT - In-house Bunny Chaser "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap."- Dolly Parton
A true stamper can not limit their selection. Go with what you like and stamp the heck out of it. Have fun, spread your wings, life does not revolve around SU (opps! did I say that) :lol:
A true stamper can not limit their selection. Go with what you like and stamp the heck out of it. Have fun, spread your wings, life does not revolve around SU (opps! did I say that) :lol:
I agree with Sue! SU, as much as I love them, cannot copyright your creativity!
__________________ RT - In-house Bunny Chaser "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap."- Dolly Parton
Stampin Up will always be my first love. It's where I started, and most of my stuff is from them. The paper, inks, esp. the markers are just FANTASTIC!
I am not a demo, so I have no guilt finding what I love wherever I find it! I love many many of their stamp sets. But I also love Hero Arts, Penny Black, Savvy Stamps, A Muse and others! CTMH has beautiful paper... May arts has georgeous ribbon...Two Peas in a Bucket has some fabulous free fonts....
I don't know of ANY SINGLE one company that can meet EVERY need or desire, and SU! is no exception.
The one nice thing about TAC is that you have the option of UMs, in conjunction with acrylic mounts for those short on storage, OR, you can choose WMs verions of their images. Personally, I am simply TOO LAZY for UMs and I have a small collection that sits largely unused, gathering dust.
There are many who have converted their SU! stamps to the acrylic system and are very pleased with that. They sell their wood mounts and plastic cases to those that want 'em.
I think as long as you LOVE it, will use it, it's worth investing in. I haven't seen a TAC catalog in a few years, so I have no clue as to their papers, inks, accessories, embellishments, etc. But, I was under the impression that they do not carry an "exclusive" line of such products in their catalog? Still, they may have some "cool" stuff!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I've been with TAC since last March. I started out stamping with SU and like their products. It was the Angel Policy that made me look elsewhere.
I am only a hobbiest with TAC and LOVE the discount that I get on my supplies. I still buy SU products from a friend who is a demo and attend her stamp camps. I think it is hard to beat SU paper and like that it coordinates with the inkpads. I really like the TAC unmounted system and have converted many of my SU sets. It is much easier to see where you are stamping through the acrylic. I have stamps from many companies and think that each company offers something to stampers. I've never seen a CTMH catalog, but would love to see what they offer.
I had a lot of fun! The craziest thing for me though was I was the only one who had ever stamped before!!! :shock: Nobody else had ever done anything!!! I loved, loved, loved the acrylic unmounted system! As far as the stamp designs........most of them were too cutesy for my style. I did end up ordering several sets. I guess I'm a true cheater now!
There are sevral places you can go to see un-mounted. www.sundayint.com. www.theangelcompany.net They show how it works.
In Him,
Shawna
P.S. I cheated on The Angel Company , I just ordered the new SU red hat wheel and stamp set. I'll of course un-mount the stamp set but thats okay.
I would be interested in hearing about the unmounted system also.
This past weekend I was at a Craft Fair as a Stampin' Up demo and the TAC demo came out to "check out the competition". We visited and swapped Idea Books and catalogs. I thought there were many sets that were similar to SU and other's that were different. I agree most were on the "cutesy" side. I did see a few that I was interested in though. Was tempted to place an order with her and hope she would do the same with me. The wood mounted stamps from them are more expensive so I would be curious to understand how the unmounted ones work.
Do they have the picture of the stamp on the back so you see it the right way or do you have to figure out the stamps without the picture? (YOu know....when they are wood mounted there is the clear plastic sheet with the picture you put on the opposite side of the wood block?) Hope that clarifies what I am asking!
I saw a CTMH catalog a month ago and agree their designer paper collection is great!
I still love SU but there are other companies out there that satisfy some other needs!
__________________ Tracy Kessel
Not enough time to stamp with 4 girls and teach Kindergarten
Amanda 19, Alyssa 18, Aubrey 12, Ashlynn 8
You don't have the image on the back like with the wood but after awhile it becomes second nature to get it the right way. I can even read backwards now. A lot of ladies stamp the images on a sheet of paper and slip them in the cd case so the know right what evrything is. Hope this helps.
In Him,
Shawna
Buy some of their great accessories. They have brads and eyelets in all sorts of colors - they cost about $2 a bag. They also have Walnut Ink - that is fun to play with.
What I do with my TAC stamps is photo copy the page in the catalog (if you have one) cut is out ... I tape it on the front of a CD holder and then put all the stamps in the CD holder. They store very nice and compact!
I have tried unmounted systems like Close To My Heart. The problem is that you feel as if you have to mount your stamp every time you use it. I thought it was going to be great, but in the end, I much prefer the mounted stamps. I hope SU NEVER goes unmounted.
I'm cheating on SU!
