Stamps Galore's Tour of Portland Unconventional RS Convention

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A TOUR OF THE PORTLAND
UNCONVENTIONAL RUBBER STAMP CONVENTION
HELD MARCH 31 AND APRIL 1, 2001

We took pictures of shoppers, demonstrations, stamp company owners and their booths,
plus more. There were 43 vendors at the show. The reason we are presenting this tour is
so that those who are unable to attend a convention can see what goes on at one and so
those who were there can reminisce about the good time that was had by all. We do not
represent a show promoter or any specific company, other than our own, Stamps Galore.
This report is presented in the spirit of "Rubber Stampers" who we always see having lots
of fun at shows. While you are reading this introduction, the pictures are loading so
"kick back", relax and enjoy!

Amy Wright, Promoter of The Unconventional Rubber Stamp Conventions
There are nine Unconventional Rubber Stamp Conventions being held this year in a variety
of cities across the United States. She is also the announcer at all of her shows. When you hear
the prizes being announced for having the most unusual items with you at a show, you know
that Amy has put on her "Mistress of Ceremonies" hat. She is very good at announcing and
keeps customers as well as vendors entertained. It is common to hear, "Oh, no, Amy is at it again!"
Vendors donate rubber stamps, etc. which are given as door prizes throughout the show.

Amy in the Tessler's Stamp booth
Amy "wears many hats". Here, she is seen covering Christina Tessler's booth while
Christina is taking a break.

Un-ruly Husband Containment Area
Amy leaves no one out of the action as she always provides an area for the un-ruly husbands.
Notice that a television is also provided for their enjoyment (and to distract them from the
purchases their wives are making). When the husbands get "out of hand", they are herded
into this area. :)

Girl Scouts teach how to mount stamps
Members of the Columbia River Girl Scout Troop 1535 worked both Saturday and Sunday
teaching customers how to mount stamps on wood. In the picture showing the entrance to
the show, the concession booth with the red canopy and the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Stand
can be seen in the background.

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Stand
Alita Watkins and friends, Richard and Larry, are seen enjoying an old
fashioned ice cream bar. To the right of the Ice Cream Bar Stand is the
concession stand.

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Customers enjoying the convention

I Love Rubber Stamps booth
Mike and Linda Schmidt's "I Love Rubber Stamps" booth was just to the left of the door as
participants entered the show. Their booth can be seen in the background of the Girl Scout
picture above. The web site address for "I Love Rubber Stamps" is
<www.iloverubberstamps.com>.

Darcie and Dan of Darcie's Country Folk
Darcie, Dan and their crew can be seen at many conventions. Interestingly, both Darcie and
Dan draw the "Country Folk" designs. According to Dan, their drawing style is so similar that
they often forget who drew which design. They most generally have the largest booth at shows.
Darcie has consistently been offering a "Make and Take" table at shows which can be seen in
the next set of pictures. Their web site address is <www.darcie.com>.

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Darcie's "Make and Take" table where the "Basics of Wood Stamping" is being taught.
All participants at "Make and Take" tables are able to take home the project(s) that they make.
Projects were offered all day long at Darcie's booth and there was no charge to participants.
Demonstrations were offered throughout the day in the classrooms which were located behind
the red curtains that you see in these two pictures.

Jim Stephan in his Jim Stephan's Rubber Art Ink booth
Jim can be seen at stamp shows across the U.S. Saturday, he gave a
"Stamping Explosion" demonstration which was billed as "Newer,
cheaper, better!"
Jim says, "Why use 'monkey with a club' when you can be stamping with space
shuttle technology cheaper?" Jim's e-mail address is jimstamper@mail.com

Liz and Karen of Stamp Out
Liz, who is the artist for "Stamp Out" is assisted by her daughter, Karen. Liz gave
demonstrations both Saturday and Sunday. Her first demonstration was on how to
watercolor with your stamps so that your stamping will look like a work of art.
Sunday, she demonstrated how to make beautiful 3-D cards with her scenic designs.

Appaloosa Art Stamps' booth
Both Saturday and Sunday, a representative from Appaloosa Art Stamps gave
a demonstration on how to create interesting artsy stamping embellishments and
jewelry pieces using stampable glass.

Lindy Plakinger helping customers in her Lindy's Stamp Gang booth
Lindy is shown here demonstrating their new MOON GLOW pearlized
irridescent TWO-Tone powdered pigments. Lindy and her husband, "Wolf"
can be seen at many shows. Their web site address is <www.lindystampgang.com>
and their e-mail address is lindysgang@myhome.net .

Suze Weinberg in her Suze Weinberg Design Studio booth
Suze Weinberg demonstrating her unique techniques made pins and gave them to
spectators. Suze can be reached through her web site, <schmoozewithsuze.com>.

Teresa Harris of Nature's Images
Teresa Harris, owner of Nature's Images, demonstrates bubble art. Teresa's mother, Cheryl
Bentley, in the pink shirt is the artist for Nature's Images. Margaret Wiggin is standing beside
Cheryl. For more information about Teresa's company, visit her web site
at <www.naturesimages-stamps.com>.

The Rubbernecker Stamp Company booth
Customers shopping at The Rubbernecker Stamp Company booth.

Zana of Stamp Zia booth
Zana Clark, owner of "Stamp Zia", demonstrates Oriental Nouveau on a Zia sphere.
Zana's new line of 2001 stamp images created in the style of Eastern culture and
elegance may be seen on her web site at <www.stampzia.com>. Saturday afternoon,
Zana demonstrated her "Beyond Cards" artwork in one of the classrooms.

Xyron booth
"Wilde Ideas" of Palm Harbor, Florida presented the Xyron booth.

Rubberstampmadness booth
Helene Tricker, Don Nelson and Sharon Hinckley ran the RSM booth. The
Rubberstampmadness web site address is <www.rsmadness.com>.

Patti Whiffen in her Abbydoodles booth

Helene Kempf of Alota Rubber Stamps
Helene and Joe Kempf, owners of "Alota Rubber Stamps" offered a "Make and Take" table
at their booth featuring the making of an umbrella using their new Tea Bag folding stamps. Joe
and his friend, Gordon Weber look happy so we didn't herd them to "The Unruly husband
containment area". :) Gordon's wife taught the Tea Bag folding "Make and Take."

Barbara and Jennifer of Creations Unlimited

Barbara Dexter, co-owner of "Creations Unlimited" and her daughter,
Jennifer, demonstrate some of the many embossing powders offered by their company.
The e-mail address for the company is rdexter10@aol.com

Nancy and Dave Dion of Distinctive Impressions
Nancy and Dave taking a moment to pose for a picture. Their web site
can be accessed at <www.distinctive-impression.com>.

Vicki Sele of A Country Welcome
Vicki Sele is seen here demonstrating in her booth. Her "Make and Take"
table featured the making of Asian Art Pins wherein she introduced the
Stampendous Aloha Collection Stamp Sets, deep impression powder
and Stampa Rosa's Cloisonne. Information about the company can
be found at their web site, <www.acountrywelcome.com>.

Myrna in her For Me and My House booth

Radiant Pearls booth
Pam Atherton, shown with both hands raised was the excited winner of the
Radiant Pearls drawing. Cindi Wade, presents the basket of every color
of Radiant Pearls to Pam Atherton.

The Cottage Stamper booth
Melody Olson is demonstrating while owner, Carol Buettner, looks on. "The
Cottage Stamper" web site can be accessed at <www.cottagestamper.com>.

Wally in his Beeswax booth
Wally, co-owner, of "Beeswax" drives to most of the shows that the company does.
Amy, known by some as "X-ray Amy", accompanies him when she is able to do so.
Their web site can be accessed at <www.beeswaxrubberstamps.com>.

Pam Hewitt in the Stamps Galore booth
Pam Hewitt checks out customers who have made a purchase. Margaret Wiggin,
owner of Stamps Galore, is seen demonstrating acrylic blocks and static cling. The Stamps
Galore web site can be accessed at www.stampsgalore.com .

Steven and Carol Vander Meer in the Meer Image booth
Carol and Steven are shown in their booth during the show on Sunday. The picture
of Steven with the luggage on wheels and the backpack was taken as he was leaving
the convention hall after the show. His entire booth is either in the luggage on wheels
or on his back. It is incredible how compactly he has packed his booth! To my
knowledge, he is the only vendor who carries an entire booth out of the hall in one
trip. The web site for "Meer Image" can be accessed at <www.meerimage.com>.

We hope you have enjoyed this tour as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

Thank you,
Margaret Wiggin
Stamps Galore