Susan R. Opel

Did you know that Paper Crafts magazine has its very own YouTube channel? For over a year, we’ve been diligently working on coming up with video content that will teach and inspire the paper-crafting masses. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve done, and we’d love for you to visit, subscribe, and learn!

So far, we’ve made four trips to our office space in Golden, CO, which is set up with a state-of-the-art studio and a talented team of cameramen and women who make us look good. Four teachers (yours truly, Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Kimberly Crawford, Paper Crafts Senior Editor P. Kelly Smith, and Digital Managing Editor Stacy Croninger) have spent countless hours of screen time sharing tips and ideas that you’re sure to love.

clockwise from top left: Susan R. Opel, our inspiring set, P. Kelly Smith ready for action, stamping gurus Stacy Croninger and Kimberly Crawford

In March of 2012, our inaugural video series was filmed, and we called it All About Adhesives. You’ll find tons of inspiring ways to use adhesives—not only what’s the right adhesive to use in most situations, but how to make adhesives part of your design. Check out these 18 videos to maximize your adhesive power! Here’s one of my favorites in the series: Adhering the Center of a Pleated Rosette.

All About Embellishments was filmed in June of 2012. P. Kelly Smith and I filmed 30 segments this time with all sorts of ideas of how to use the goodies you’ve got in your craft room. From buttons and brads to ribbon, twine, eyelets, and chipboard, we show you a myriad of ways to have fun with your embellishments. Here’s an awesome one from P. Kelly where she teaches how to stamp on wooden buttons. What a great idea!

Come November of 2012, we were ready to tackle a big one—All About Die-Cutting. This time, Stacy Croninger and I filmed 30 segments featuring several manual machines and a bunch of different ways to use those machines to their potential. I love this one Stacy filmed about die-cutting felt. There are even some informative segments about die storage and tips and tricks for certain machines!

Last month, I accompanied Stacy and brand new Go-to Gal (and stamping extraordinaire) Kimberly Crawford to Colorado. This time I served as the stage manager, because stamping videos need to be left to the experts! These two rock star teachers filmed FIFTY segments. I was in awe of the range of things that can be done, and you will be, too. Check out the project below. After watching these two in action, this non-stamper gave one of their techniques a try. I used the back of a clear stamp to stamp the brown in, and then I flipped the stamp over and stamped the black frame. Go ME! I also figured out that the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig is something that I need to invest in.

Just a Note Card by Susan R. Opel

But here’s the deal! The stamping videos are COMING SOON, and you really won’t want to miss them. So head on over to our YouTube channel and subscribe so that you get in on the awesomeness.

In order to prepare you for all of the learning you’ll be doing once these videos hit the worldwide web, I’ve gathered some inspiring projects used in our filming, as well as some stamping products from Hero Arts, Ranger Ink, Close To My Heart, Maya Road, Waltzingmouse Stamps, Technique Tuesday, and Clearsnap. I’ll give this awesome little treasure of inky happiness to one winner. Simply leave a comment telling us what sorts of videos you’re interested in seeing.

Comments must be received by Thursday, April 25th at 5 pm MDT.

Paper crafting videos ROCK!