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I just got my stylus and classy brass template today, and was playing around with them. I LOVE it!! I had no idea I would have so much fun doing this! It will definitely be easier with a light table, though.
What do you think? Does the light table really help, as thick as SU cardstock is?
Thanks!!
Erin in Okc
Seven days without stamping makes one weak!
Location: I'm in the secret sister protection program.
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When I was a demo, I wouldn't let customers buy the SU! light table and embossing tool. Not that SU! stuff wasn't good quality and worth it, but you can get an embossing tool at Michaels for $20 and then use a 40% off coupon. A nice light table at Michaels is $40, but only $24 after taking the coupon off. My customers would always be grateful for the advice and spend more on stamps and stuff because they were going to be saving money.
Someone may have a different opinion if they have used both of them from SU and from Michaels.
I really like the SU table. I already had one from Michaels, so I did not purchase the SU one. I was able to use it at another demos house and boy was it nice. It is a very heavy duty table. You can have it at an angle or flat. SU also sells a case that it will fit in. I had started with a small one from walmart, and it had a large "christmas" type bulb in it. It was worse than holding it up to the window. If you plan on dry embossing a lot, I definitely think it is worth it!
I bought the $25 Fiskars light table at WalMart, and it works fine. I think any light table doesn't work very good on dark paper.
Fiskars has (or at least used to??) a template system for dry embossing that doesn't require the light to shine through (the paper is sandwiched between two identical templates). It works okay, however, I'm not a big fan of the style of most of the templates. HTH
__________________ Linda
*** You will know her by her ink stained fingers... ***
I just had this discussion yesterday with my upline and fellow demos. I got into stamping because of the embossing - I love it. I bought a cheap light box at Jo Ann's. Now I'm a demo and I can't showcase the embossing - yet.
I wish I would have spent the money on the SU light table. Hindsight is 20/20.
And remember there are ways to earn the light table if you want it. Host a workshop with 450.00. Free mechandise up to 50.00 and then you'd get a level 1 or 2 hostess stamp set from the catalogue as well as the Art of Life set from the spring mini which has to have a value of approximately 30.00 which is a better deal than Michael's.
Wow what a great idea I think I better host a workshop. ;-) Gail
I bought a small cheap one first. Big mistake! I have the SU light table and love it. I like to be comfortable when I dry emboss. I sit on my couch with my light table on my lap and emboss away. I do not think you could do that with a clear dish and Christmas lights.
Vicki
I bought a cheap one and thought it worked just fine. Since becoming a demo, I ordered the SU one. I just got it yesterday. My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner. It is so much better. The paper almost sticks to it so it doesn't move around.
My upline has the SU light table and I love it's size. AC Moore here in NJ sells the same exact light table and with the 40% off coupon it's a steal.
I got it when it was on sale there for $19.99!
I bought a cheap one when I first discovered stamping -- then earned a free light table in SU's Great Rewards incentives a few years ago. It is very, very nice. I gave the cheap one away. I find that happens alot. The more experienced I became, I wanted quality tools, and I get rid of the 'bargains' I initially bought. My advice, buy quality, I think you save money in the long run.
The thing is you can't beat the SU light table. If you just love embossing then you will love it. I bought it and hardly ever use it now...but that is because I don't get into embossing so much. SO it is all about what you like. SUre, you can get an imitation but if you love, love embossing you will love, love SUs light table.
Do you have a Michael's near you? I waited for the 50% off coupon and got my light table for $21. I LOVE it and think it's just as good as the Stampin Up one that I used at a Stamp Camp. Just my 2 cents.
For those of you who want to save $$ to put toward more stamp sets and cardstock without having to sacrifice quality, SU! is not the only place to get this brand of light table. I bought mine last year on clearance from the campus bookstore -- it's the EXACT same one that SU! sells, and I got it for $35. It's called The Light Box by Porta-Trace. Wish I'd known that craft stores carry it, too. I'd have waited a bit longer and used a coupon.
__________________ Rachel Proud SU! demo and Sci-Fi Geek!
My Stampin' Up! blog "I'm a time traveler -- I point and laugh at archaeologists." 10th Doctor, "Silence in the Library"
SU light table? Will I regret spending that $50?
