A Muse Stamps recently announced they are launching a new consultant based program called A Muse Studio. The ten-year -old stamping company, based in Washington state, had previously announced to retailers late last year that they were ending their wholesale program.
In discussions with Scrapbook Update, A Muse Stamps founder Linda Hartwich cited a desire to connect with new crafters for the decision. “When you think of how somebody starts stamping, it’s not because they walk into a store and say ‘oh I want to try a new hobby.’ Most new stampers are introduced to the hobby by their friends… normally in a house party setting.”
The company sells cling mount red rubber stamps and custom dies, and also features their own ink, embossing powders, and paper lines with coordinating ribbon and embellishments. They also retail other products by other manufacturers, such as Copic markers, the Sizzix Big Shot, Nestibilities dies, and the Crop-a-dile.
Following a traditional multi-level marketing plan, the company is currently in what they call “phase one” of their consultant launch. Phase two is due to be launched in April 2011. This phase will allow people to join specifically under another consultant via consultant websites, and will be featured in an upcoming Paper Crafts Magazine ad.
The A Muse consultant program launch may be on the leading edge of what seems to be a trend in the paper crafting industry. Unity Stamp Co. features their version of an independent consultant program called Ippity. Also, paper crafting superstore Archivers has made known plans to launch their own consultant-based program to promote scrapbooking and local scrapbook stores.
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About Betsy Burnett
Hmm, that’s interesting. Thanks for the info.
Just for starters. . .whenever I have to register to even look at products. . .I’m normally (unless there have been fantastic reviews) done with a site. (Kind of like when music starts playing on a site
Wow…what a big change. I always liked their stamps, but thought they were a little high. Glad to see they kept some of their original look.
One question…Is this somehow affiliated with Stampin’ Up? The catalog looks so similar, and some of the stamp designs are similar too.
As far as I know there is no connection with Stampin Up! (and both companies have a “non compete clause” meaning you can’t sell for another papercrafting company while a consultant with them.)
Very interesting, I wonder if they’ll come to Australia?
Kind of sad for us international customers. I always liked A Muse stamps and own a few, but I won’t hunt them on Ebay, just because the company decided not to sell to retailers anymore.