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I'm not at home at the moment, and I may need to edit this list later, but here's some ideas as to themes...
Sentiments: Sorted by type...hello, thinking of you, you are..., sympathy, etc
Alphabets
Card-back stamps
Builder sentiments...these are the ones that you combine different single words or phrases to make what you want
Baby: Includes both sentiments and images
Birthday: Includes both sentiments and images
Wedding, Anniversary, Love: includes both sentiments and images
Floral: I have mine sorted by types of images, like watercolor, outline, solids, realistic, extra-large, etc, because that's how I would combine them. I have a lot of them!
Wreaths
Trees and Leaves
Garden
Animals
Birds
Butterflies and Bugs
Oceans and Boats
Southwest and Desert
Mountains
Scenics
Kids
Home and Family
Food and Drink
Quilting, sewing, americana
Sun, moon, stars
Winter seasonal
Christmas
Backgrounds, frames, shapes
Actually, I found a photo on this computer that helped me out. This is pretty accurate for my general topics.
My category list is pretty long because I have a ton of stamps. I store them in Unikeep mini-binders with no rings on laminated sheets. Each binder has an index. I lucked out and bought the white binders when they were being phased out so I only paid about .80/binder.
Stamps that are for specific holidays are stored in separate boxes (Christmas, Halloween, Fall/Thanksgiving, Spring (Valentine's day Mother's day, Father's day, St. Patrick's day), Summer (4th July, pool party) Winter (New's day, snowflakes)
My category list is long but the breakout is based on how I use the stamps so it really works for me.
Alpha (all my letter stamps)
Background - Oval & Circles
Background - Textures & Words
Background - Lines, Dots, Borders/Frames
Background - Flourish
Background - Squares
Landscape - Rocks/Mountains/Hills
Landscape - Buildings/Fences/People
Landscape - FENCE, ARCH, STEPPING STONES
Landscape - Water, Beach, Ocean
Landscape Sky
Landscape - Southwest
Garden Parts
Garden Sentiments
Inspiration 1 -alpha (this has single words like joy, wish, etc)
Inspiration 2 - MULTIPLE ON ONE STAMP
Inspiration 3 - ENCOURAGEMENT - LIFE - HOPE - MIXED MESSAGES
Inspiration 4 - Art, Creativitiy, color, stamping
Inspiration 5 - Subway
Shapes Misc - Stars, Bows, Pockets, Bells, File Folder Labels, Frames, Staples, Argyle
Inchies
Hearts 1 - small to medium heart shapes
Hearts 2 - large hearts
Faith - Religion
Family
Food 1 - RECIPES - KITCHEN
Food 2- SWEET TREATS (cookies, cakes, etc.)
Food 3 - Drinks
Food 4 - Drinks
Food 5 - Fruits & Veggies
People 1 - Bellas & Modern
People 2 - DANCERS � AFRICAN - TRIBAL - Country Girls
People 3 - Oldies Images
People 4 - Oldies Sentiments
People 5 - Women Mixed Messages
People 6 - Magnolias
People 7 - Baby / Expecting / Showers
People 8 - KIDS � PRINCESS � GIRL THINGS
Birthday 1 - CAKES - CANDLES
Birthday 2 - BALLOONS � GIFTS �
PARTY STUFF
Birthday 3 - HUMOR � KIDS - BLEATED
Birthday 4 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY WORD
Birthday 5 - SENTIMENTS - QUOTES
Sentiment - Humor 1
Sentiment - Humor 2
Sentiment - Love, Marriage, wedding
Sentiment - CELEBRATE - CONGRATS
Sentiment - thanks 1
Sentiment - thanks 2
Sentiment - Sympathy, miss you, get well
Sentiment - Thinking of you & best wishes
Sentiment - Just because
Travel
Planes Trains Automobiles
Birds 1 - Flamingos
Birds 2
Trees 1
Trees 2
Animals - MONKEYS, ELEPHANTS, LIONS, HIPPOS, GIRAFFES; SENTIMENT
Animals - Bears
Animals - Furry (cats, dogs, bunnies)
Animals - Critters 1 (FISH - SHARK � DOLPHIN, FISHBOWL, TURTLES, LIZARDS, DRAGONS, DINOSAURS)
Animals - Critters 2 (COWS, PIGS, HORSES, MICE, FOX, DEER , WOLVES, MISC.)
Leaves 1 - ACORNS - OAK - DECO
Leaves 2 - SINGLE � FERNS - BRANCH
Collage 1 - keys, locks, postage
Collage 2 - Holtz, steampunk
Collage 3 - all others
Insects 1 - Ants (Yes I have a lot of the G-Rated ant stamps)
Insects 2 - BEES � LADYBUGS - SENTIMENTS
Asian
Music - Dance
Calendar
Friends 1, Friends 2
Flowers Large
Flowers Small & Medium
Flowers - stems & bunches
Flowers - pots & baskets
Flowers botanical
Butterflies 1
Butterflies 2
Dragonflies
I don't ever feel guilty. I bought some sets used, and kept only one stamp from each - the BEST ONE. Then I packed the remaining stamps as tightly as I could into two flat-rate priority boxes and sold them on Ebay, stressing that the best stamp (I specifically described the missing stamp) was MISSING. People still bought the boxes!
To the OP; I've separated my stamps from the beginning, ever since 1997 when I had enough sets to start separating my stamps!
I've also just hacked off sentiments if they were connected to the main stamp image. Usually if I don't like them I give them away now. But early on, I think back in 1995 or something, with one of my earliest stamp sets, one sentiment caused such revulsion that I threw that one away.
Me, too! I have separated stamp sets by theme from the beginning back in the late 90s. I have cut off sentiments---not because I necessarily disliked them, but because I wanted to use the image, or the sentiment, alone, or with another stamp. I have even cut tiny flowers off a flourish, as I love flourishes, but not always with flowers! I have never sold a set or stamp and don't intend to. I use what I like, and give away what I don't. I have a stamp chest with lots of drawers, two stamps high, so store them in clam shell boxes by kind, so they are easily seen when I pull open the drawer.
I do not unmount my stamps, though. In fact, I do the opposite and mount the "clear mount" rubber stamps onto wood blocks (thanks, in part to my DH who can make me blocks and in part to my stamping buddies who are unmounting and gift me with their blocks). I like my stamps to be ready to go without messing around with mounting them each time. I am extremely careful when I mount them, trimming closely and making sure the index matches the stamp's position perfectly. I do use a stamp positioner when exact is required, but mostly I do it by hand. Handmade is expected to have a one-of-a-kind-look anyway, not like a print has been made, IMHO, so I go with my practiced hand stamping.
I am very sorry that SU has gone to making some of their stamp sets only in poly now, as I much prefer rubber!
I separated my SU! sentiments and now I'd like to sell them and I didn't keep a record of what went with what. I find many of my old SU! Sentiments are outdated or in outdated fonts and I simply don't use them anymore.
I have been entering all my stamps into a database so if a set has a Thank you or a thinking of you (etc) stamp in it, I enter it in the database. It also records a photo of the stamp set so when I want to see all of my Thank yous, I just search for it. Then I can chose the best size and font for what I'm making.
Takes about 30 seconds to look for the stamp and about 30-90 seconds to log a set in the database. With the number of stamps I own, it's been a lot of work but it's already been worth it. I've started catologuing my dies too. Embossing folders will be next.
Other than sentiments, I also record things like the theme (love, wedding, masculine, vintage), shaped included (circle, star, heart, flowers, leaves) or anything else I can dream up that I might want to search by like manufacturer. I also record how many stamps are in the set so if I'm afraid I lost a teenie one, I can check! It's fabulous and all on my iPhone! So I won't be separating sentiments every again. No need to.
I have been entering all my stamps into a database so if a set has a Thank you or a thinking of you (etc) stamp in it, I enter it in the database. It also records a photo of the stamp set so when I want to see all of my Thank yous, I just search for it. Then I can chose the best size and font for what I'm making.
Takes about 30 seconds to look for the stamp and about 30-90 seconds to log a set in the database. With the number of stamps I own, it's been a lot of work but it's already been worth it. I've started catologuing my dies too. Embossing folders will be next.
This sounds great!
What program are you using? How do you access it via your phone?
__________________ Shannon
"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." - Nin
Mine are separated. The only drawback for me is not being able to remember the set name each stamp originated with when I am asked.
When I store my stamps, I stamp an index sheet for the stamps in that envelope. Next to the image (or words) I write in pencil what set that stamp is from.
I also have index cards for all my sets and sometimes look something up there.
Hi, I use the Apple App called "Pages". Using Apple's icloud let's me see my list from either my Mac, iPad or iPhone. The cloud keeps the lists updated on all devices. The Pages App is very similar to the old "Word Perfect" program I used in Windows years ago.
I have a list set up for each type of craft item I buy, like Dies, Rubber Stamps, melt Art, Polymrr Clay, Acrylic Painting, stamp pads, markers and pens, etc...
So far it works great for me.
__________________ .
Keeli
Time passes, memories fade, feelings change, people leave, but HEARTS never forget.
Mine are separated. The only drawback for me is not being able to remember the set name each stamp originated with when I am asked.
I write the name of the set on each stamp. That way i not only know what set it came from, but I can look on SCS to see what others have done with the set to inspire me.
You all have great, inspiring ideas! Thanks for sharing them! I have worked each evening so far this week on my project ... slowly but surely it will all get done.
I think I have an aversion to unmounting stamps or separating them. Back in the dark ages, 1990's and early 2000's, SU didn't have the competition they do now. There was a high resale value for many SU sets. Ask me how I know. Lol That is no longer the case. I think people may have had that in mind when considering what to do with the sets. At least I know that is what influenced me.
You all are right about doing what you want with your stamps. I have weeded out a bunch of sets I've never used and will try to sell them. Maybe I'll get brave and separate them. But not today.
tigerlily, remember when "rare" and " retired" in relation to SU caused panic? LOL What's strange, is I just saw someone selling a retired SU set on eBay for $95 with a few people watching it, and someone here has it listed for sale for $15. People can be a little crazy, but it's not like the old days for sure.
....
Second point: I never, never, ever, EVER consider resale value when I'm determining what to do with my stamps. I bought them, I'm the one using them, and whatever happens to them when I've finished or moved on or changed styles or whatever truly does not concern me. I never factor in resale when I buy clothes or dishes or furniture or anything else that I use and enjoy, so why get all crazy on the stamp thing? When I moved last October, anything that hadn't already been distributed went to a local school, and they were beyond ecstatic! I had incomplete sets, total orphans, mixed bags - whatever - and they DIDN'T CARE!
I realize that this is an old thread but I did a search to see how others deal with the stress of breaking up stamp sets. Gregzgurl's post took away the anxiety I was feeling over breaking up sets and getting rid of the stamps I don't like and won't use. Like you, I don't think of the resale value for clothes or furniture, so why the strong aversion to reducing the value of a stamp set? This post has encouraged me to take the plunge and gain back some valuable space in my craft room!
__________________ I'm a ChemoAngel & SeniorAngel! Click HERE to learn more.
I realize that this is an old thread but I did a search to see how others deal with the stress of breaking up stamp sets. Gregzgurl's post took away the anxiety I was feeling over breaking up sets and getting rid of the stamps I don't like and won't use. Like you, I don't think of the resale value for clothes or furniture, so why the strong aversion to reducing the value of a stamp set? This post has encouraged me to take the plunge and gain back some valuable space in my craft room!
You go girl! I did it years ago and have never looked back. Why have those stamps looking back at you that you don't even want to see in the first place? With them gone, all you see are those beautiful stamps you love and can't wait to use.
I think I'm going to start working up the courage to split up my sets. I've thought about it over the last few years, but couldn't bring myself to do it. It was bad enough when it was just my hundreds of SU sets to consider breaking up. Now I've got hundreds of Unity sets as well. I'll take baby steps, and start with the SU sets, since I want to unmount them. The task of unmounting them will be so much easier if I'm only doing the stamps I actually like or think I might use. Thanks for bumping this thread up, mrsclark2001!
A thought that may help with the Unity sets: I've only recently discovered Unity, and several of the "sets" that I purchased were actually bits and pieces of larger sets, like the SMAK or KOM sets. "Hello Love", for example, has a sentiment,the Hello Love heart and the girl from the 12/14 KOM "Warmth of Winter". Unity breaks up their own sets, so why not? Stampin'Up! does bits and pieces for their "Best Of..." series, so they do it to a point, as well. You're just making your OWN sets: a set of florals, a set of Thank Yous, a set of bunnies, a set of borders, a set of frames...
Another example: I have three Close to My Heart sets that all have flowers in a very similar style. One is a rose, one is some tulip-y sort of shapes, and one is more pansy/daisy-ish. They mix well together, so why not store them that way? Works for me...
Sue, I think you have hit the nail on the head there- the best storage solution is the one that works for you as an individual, which may not necessarily be the way the set was sold. I admit, I have no real hesitation about splitting up any stamps I bought as a set, but equally, it's not often I do that either. Sets I do buy tend to be a set theme- scenics, for instance.
I have gradually gone through my stamps and set aside all those irritating little 'filler' stamps, that generally I have no real use for, and sentiments or quotes that I know I will never, ever use. Typical example- one stamp sheet I bought did have a lovely lady in a glorious dress, which would double as a bridal figure, but it's sentiment- I could have danced all night- really made me wonder what they were on! lol. Maybe it was the rubber fumes .
I saw some cards one time that had a whole collection of tiny images stamped in different colors all over...so you have an overall pattern. It looked really nice, and really fun. Made me get to thinking...hmm, I should collect all those little bitty images (flowers, hearts, etc) and put them all together for that purpose. I sure don't use many of them the way they are!
I did pull out all the tiny little bits of stuff that seem to float to the bottom of my stamp box after I split the sets. They were put on some sheets for storage.
There was a recent challenge to pull all those out and create a design/pattern on a card. With the Misty and one of the templates off the web, it's easy to load the little stamps into a pie slice and then rotate the card and restamp it over and over to create a pattern. I would have never thought about using those things if that challenge had not come along. It was such a great idea on how to use the 'trash' of my stamp sets.
Mine have been separated for a few years and I like it like that. I'm getting ready to do a little more rearranging of the sets and break down a little bit more. I want to get all my tiny stamps together, still by category but not mixed in with the bigger ones so they don't keep getting lost in the shuffle. I learned a neat technique this past Christmas for shape stamping with tiny stamps and I want to be able to do more cards like that in different themes!
I've been working on unmounting my stamps and organizing them by category for 6 weekends in a row. I had no idea this task would be so daunting. I am putting them on the EZ Mount storage panels and keeping them in binders. If the stamp is not sticky enough, I've been using Alene's Tack It Over and Over on the backs.
First I stamp on the mounting sheet with Stazon then mount the stamps on the back. If I make a mistake, or the image doesn't stamp properly, I remove it with nail polish remover. I'm finding that laying out the stamps on the mounting sheets before actually stamping them is a much better system. First, I can get more stamps on a page and also, it's more efficient to stamp them all on a flat surface.
I am tossing all of the teeny tiny stamps (such as dot clusters or little flowers) that I can hand draw.
So far, my categories include:
Christmas
Trees, Leaves & Flowers (which I think I'm going to have to break down further)
People
Backgrounds, Borders and Shapes
Birthday
Other Sentiments (Christmas and Birthday sentiments stay with the category)
Miscellaneous
Yes, my stamps are now stained with Stazon. I don't care. I can actually see them now, especially the clear stamps. I bought these stamps for my own pleasure and not with a view to sell them in the future.
I used to have the wood-mounted stamps displayed on plate shelves from Ikea. Now I store my miscellaneous embellishments in jars on those shelves so I can see them without having to dig through my "Misc Do Dads" box.
If anyone who has been keeping their sets together thinks of taking this on, it can be a massive project, and not for the faint of heart. I have stamps and binders spread all over the floor, dining room table and kitchen counters. It will be nice to get back to actually MAKING art again! But, this should all be worth it when I look for a heart and find my choice of about 25 of them on a single mounting sheet under "Shapes."
__________________ Debbie "Make it work, people." - Tim Gunn My Gallery
Last edited by Buried Treasures; 02-16-2016 at 07:43 AM..
I've been working on unmounting my stamps and organizing them by category for 6 weekends in a row. I had no idea this task would be so daunting. I am putting them on the EZ Mount storage panels and keeping them in binders. If the stamp is not sticky enough, I've been using Alene's Tack It Over and Over on the backs.
First I stamp on the mounting sheet with Stazon then mount the stamps on the back. If I make a mistake, or the image doesn't stamp properly, I remove it with nail polish remover. I'm finding that laying out the stamps on the mounting sheets before actually stamping them is a much better system. First, I can get more stamps on a page and also, it's more efficient to stamp them all on a flat surface.
I am tossing all of the teeny tiny stamps (such as dot clusters or little flowers) that I can hand draw.
So far, my categories include:
Christmas
Trees, Leaves & Flowers (which I think I'm going to have to break down further)
People
Backgrounds, Borders and Shapes
Birthday
Other Sentiments (Christmas and Birthday sentiments stay with the category)
Miscellaneous
Yes, my stamps are now stained with Stazon. I don't care. I can actually see them now, especially the clear stamps. I bought these stamps for my own pleasure and not with a view to sell them in the future.
I used to have the wood-mounted stamps displayed on plate shelves from Ikea. Now I store my miscellaneous embellishments in jars on those shelves so I can see them without having to dig through my "Misc Do Dads" box.
If anyone who has been keeping their sets together thinks of taking this on, it can be a massive project, and not for the faint of heart. I have stamps and binders spread all over the floor, dining room table and kitchen counters. It will be nice to get back to actually MAKING art again! But, this should all be worth it when I look for a heart and find my choice of about 25 of them on a single mounting sheet under "Shapes."
You go girl! I have always sorted mine by category, and yes, it is wonderful to go to your section for snowflakes and find every stamp you have that is a snowflake. It also helps you see if you have a similar stamp to one you are considering buying or if you really "need" to fill in a hole. I am not unmounting mine, but I have heard what a daunting job that is. Simply putting them in categories may be a easier way to start, and then you can unmount one category at a time. Just a thought.
If anyone who has been keeping their sets together thinks of taking this on, it can be a massive project, and not for the faint of heart. I have stamps and binders spread all over the floor, dining room table and kitchen counters. It will be nice to get back to actually MAKING art again! But, this should all be worth it when I look for a heart and find my choice of about 25 of them on a single mounting sheet under "Shapes."
It was a big project for me also.
I just love having all the sentiments pulled off the sets and in one binder.
And I do love going to my flower category to find that I have a ton of stuff in there and absolutely do not need to buy another stamp/die in this category till hades changes temps.
I just added critters as a category with new stamps of leopards, elephants, horses, goats, etc. Then added a category called COOKING where I dropped kitchen stamps, recipe BG stamps, and dies for appliances and such into that category. I like to give cards that are recipes - my neice still uses old cards because of the recipes. I love to see these splattered with marinara sauce and green bits (that I hope are parsley? :shock
I have not been this organized and used my stamps/dies so much until I broke up the sets, collected the sentiments, and created categories that made sense to me. It's also easier to go to the category to make sure I'm not buying the same stamp again...;)
Thanks for Category List
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