Good answer, Spike!

Makes sense that stamp medium would be with the art supplies. I get my "cuts
like butter" stamp stuff at an art store (ArtMedia), mostly.

Speaking of linoleum. Since carving stamps for letterboxes, I have gained a
bit more confidence and am going to try my hand at making a linoleum block
carving. Then make personalized Holiday cards this winter! Woohoo!

I have to admit, I get frustrated with stores like Michael's (no offense) and
Craft Warehouse that seem to want to sell crafts-by-the-kit. Its like baking
a cake From a Box Vs. From Scratch. But I suppose that's where the money is.
And, makes inventory easier I'll bet. (Gotta be a nightmare.) Still, a kit
takes away some of the creativity by limiting product and encouraging
conformity. (More of a social commentary than targeting craft stores.)

Way off topic now,
Annette
(aka A.Rose)

In a message dated 8/16/2002 9:05:24 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
spike_678@yahoo.com writes:

<< hello all,
at this point, i am embarrased to state, but i work for michaels.
personally, i TRY to help people find things, or refer the people to
staff who might know the specific merchandise better. i am terribly
sorry for all the bad experiences, and i dont own stock. its just
sad. now that i know where to go to find the sku numbers, i will
bother my manager to carry more than the one beginner kit (piece of
rubber, scary tool handle and 2 blades for $10...)

as for FINDING the carving meduim...
it is most likely in the art department near the oil paints and such.
next row over, maybe. being made by speedball it should be grouped
near their calligraphy merchandise, and to date, the company i
believe considers it "lineoleum carving" materials, which is a
dissapearing old school art form. like silk screen printing. on the
same row should be the magic rub and stadeler erasers, which i have
had much success with. magic rub is cheaper. dollar tree carries
rubber erasers, 6 to a package, in neon colors which work
exceptionally well, it is just a hassle to find them. i have been in
3 stores and only 1 had 'em. they are slightly thinner.

and if you are in the area....
the chesapeake bay artist's association is holding their annual
outdoor art show this weekend, 10 to 6 saturday 17th and 12 to 6
sunday 18th. if you have seen the ov letterbox or plan to visit, it
would be a good time to drop by. you will know my exhibit by what i
am showing... and if you show me my stamp in your book i will give
you a signed OV one. untill i run out, that is. i was gonna try to
sell it, but decided that it was REALLY BAD ETHICS.... so i made 6
more specifically to sell but not plant. after the art show i will
get back to planting stamps. and i am from the old school, i consider
it linoleum carving when in rubber. in wood is woodcarving. feels
more artsy than "stamp", which is what both are anyway.

anyway, good luck finding medium, when i get out to pembroke i will
write down those sku numbers and post them so all yall can tell the
store managers specifically what you want them to carry. sorry for
all the grief,

spike >>