artistry feels like H O M E Check out this month’s Online Extras to see Teresa’s Halloween Kitty page. 10 www.stampinup.com
artistry Teresa Giordano senior manager <strong>for</strong>t lauderdale, florida If you’ve ever moved away from <strong>your</strong> loved ones, you may understand a portion of what Teresa Giordano, a senior manager from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, feels. She left her family and friends and moved to the United States 12 years ago, and she still misses those she left behind. But when she discovered Stampin’ <strong>Up</strong>! about 10 years ago, she fell in love—with more than just the products. “My interest in Stampin’ <strong>Up</strong>! grew when I noticed that it helped me to get out of my sadness and depression after leaving my family and friends in Venezuela and coming to a very different country,” she says. “It was very difficult <strong>for</strong> me to start all over again, but when people started to know me through the cards or projects I gave away, little by little I started making friends and I developed great friendships that have lasted.” Inspiration <strong>for</strong> projects can be found almost anywhere, Teresa tells us. “The best way to keep myself inspired to create is to stay in touch with those who are inspired by the same things as me, like crafts,” she shares. “I would say that I maintain [my <strong>creativity</strong>] because of the many talented demonstrators on Stampin’ Connection and the doses of <strong>creativity</strong> that Stampin’ <strong>Up</strong>! gives us in publications and training videos. It also comes from my customers who want unique and different projects.” And as you can see from her playful Out on a Limb projects, Teresa certainly knows how to give her customers what they want. We were definitely excited to see her creations when they arrived in our office (though we will admit that a few of us had a slight fright when we opened the Happy Halloween coffin and were surprised by the spooky Halloween sounds). “Whatever project you do, do it with love and always keep in mind that you can give a smile to the person who is going to receive it.” trick or treat house Out on a Limb Set; Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White Card Stock; Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad; Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad; Basic Black, Blush Blossom, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write® Markers; Silver Brads; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Curly Label, Scallop Edge, Scallop Trim Border, 3/16" Corner, and 1-3/8" Square Punches; Big Shot; Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Stamping Sponges; My Digital Studio ; black wire have a wicked halloween box Out on a Limb and Wicked Cool Sets; Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White Card Stock; Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pads; VersaMark Pad; Blush Blossom, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand, and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers; Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder; Basic Black 5/8" Satin and Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Crystal Effects; Bitty Bat, Scallop Trim Border, and 3/16" Corner Punches; Big Shot; Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Stamping Sponges; tin happy halloween treat coffin Out on a Limb Set; Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Very Vanilla Card Stock; Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper; Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad; Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz®; Basic Black 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon; Natural Hemp Twine; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Bitty Bat, Extra-large Oval, 1-3/4" Circle, and 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punches; Big Shot; Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Stamping Sponges; black wire happy halloween card (4-1/4" x 5-1/2") Out on a Limb and Teeny Tiny Wishes Sets; Basic Black, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla Card Stock; Basic Black Textured Card Stock; Crumb Cake Medium Envelopes; Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad; Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad; Old Olive 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon; Natural Hemp Twine; Silver Brads; Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Cutter Kit; 1-3/8" Circle and 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punches; Big Shot; Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder *Because these projects were created be<strong>for</strong>e the Last Chance Lists posted, some projects were made with products that have since retired. Teresa, who typically has events at least once a week, has found it very helpful to display projects at her events which feature the technique and products she’ll use in her demonstrations. “The display is based on the technique or product I am featuring [in the workshop]. Customers like that a lot because they can see all the things that can be done with the same technique or product,” she says. “I am very pleased when I see my customers taking pictures and asking about the details of the projects. It shows me that they liked what they saw.” This is also a great way to upsell other products that work well with what you’re demonstrating. In addition to <strong>sharing</strong> her inspiring projects at her events, Teresa keeps her customers coming back by keeping them “posted with promotions, meetings, classes, daily projects on my blog, free tutorials, sending projects by e-mail, organizing swaps [<strong>for</strong> customers], and giving away cards. I also give them all the details they need to organize their parties, from the invitations to the goody bags. Any detail helps.” It’s obvious from the work she does <strong>for</strong> her customers and the projects she creates that Teresa loves what she does. It’s not just about the craft <strong>for</strong> her; stamping has allowed Teresa to feel at home when home seems far away. september 2011 11
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