Alpha Stamps: Redesigned Web Site + New Shrines, Charms & Gilders Paste

	July 10, 2011

Redesigned Web Site + New Shrines, Charms & Gilders Paste

The big news around here is we've launched our new Web site! A long time coming but I think you'll be pleased. We haven't rearranged too much (so you should be able to find things) but there are new features, like:
- Wishlists,
- Picture overview pages, and
- A "My Account" area where you can view past orders and/or change your shipping address.

There are more details (and a larger version of the screenshot with callouts shown at right) on the New Site Features page. And, yes, the Circus Swap sale page for you Yahoo Group members has been replicated, so create your account (and ask Miz Bella if you have questions).

Tiny Circus Train by Kristin Batsel!

I love the tiny circus train cars Design Team Member Kristin Batsel created using the new items in this section, along with some things from the recent Circus Swap Newsletter. Click on the photo at left for a link to all of the components used.

Shrine Necklace Trinket
Adorable little laser-cut 1/8" masonite kit to put together two shrines. The cut-out window has about 1/4" depth. Instructions included.

Finished size approx. 1" wide x 1-1/2" tall (and the window is 5/8" wide x 7/8" tall).

The trinket has two channels in the middle to run a necklace through (necklace/chain not included). The design allows your necklace to come out the sides OR top.

Uber Tiny Alpha Stickers
Multiple copies of all letter, numbers and symbols in upper- and lower-case (in both serif and sans serif typefaces).

1,508 stickers per sheet. Each sticker approx. 4 x 4mm

2 Small Leaves with Loop
Raw brass. Made in the USA. Used on the top of that far right "chimp" train car.

Shrine El Tiny Trinket
Not used in the train cars, but a related design. Laser cut 1/8" masonite. Finished size approx 1/2" wide by 3/4" tall and 1/4" thick. Package makes two charms.

Glue together with the tiniest bit of glue.

Mini Alpha Stickers - Cream
Each package contains 529 6x6mm cardstock stickers in a serifed, typewriter-style typeface: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, punctuation and symbols are included.

New "Metal" Sticker Embellishments & Gilders Paste

Gilders Paste - Patina
This wax-based medium can be used to add non-fading color or a gilded finish to tons of materials, including brass stampings, ceramics, wood, polymer clay and resin. It can be applied as-is to clean, dry, oil-free surfaces with a cloth, cotton swab, sponge, your finger... or thin it with paint thinner to create a paste, paint, stain or wash. Smooth surfaces should be slightly roughened with fine grit sandpaper or steel wool before application.

Gilders Paste dries to the touch in 10-15 minutes and completely dries in 12 hours with no tacky residue. One tin of Gilders Paste covers over 30 square feet of surface area (so a huge number of little charms in one 1.5 ounce tin).

The samples below are just metalized plastic embellishments(!), spruced up by a tiny bit of Gilders Paste (samples created by Design Team Coordinator Miz Bella (Kim Ayers)).

Stamped Flourishes
Cast resin (plastic? not sure) with self-adhesive foam on the back. Shown in one of the photos with Gilders Paste applied. Set of 10 pieces.

Door Knockers
Again, cast resin (plastic? not sure) with self-adhesive foam on the back. Set of 4 pieces.

Metal Hearts
No, they're not really metal. But they are very cool.

A mix of metalized plastic with thin metal borders/flaming hearts. Set of 9 pieces.

Miscellaneous

ATC Secret Book Kit
The ATC Secret Book Kit includes pre-cut wood pieces (lightweight... kind of like balsa wood) to make one ATC Secret Book, sized to fit 2.5" x 3.5" ATCs. In addition to wood pieces, there's pre-cut, laser-printed artwork for the front and back covers (and spine, and faux book pages for the other 3 sides)... and complete instructions.

If you'd like to customize the vintage bird/schoolbook design, the book can also be painted, papered, stained, sanded and/or inked. The finished book slides open like a matchbox.

Use this little book as a secret shadowbox, to store your fave ATCs or treasured trinkets, as a gift, etc. Approx. 4" x 3" x 1" (finished size).

Blue/Ivory Damask Scrapbook Paper Set + Accessories
Set of two 12" x 12", single-sided papers. Plus coordinating layered paper flowers, paper tapes and a printed, die-cut tag pad.

Renaissance Faire Scrapbook Papers + Tags
Double-sided 12x12" cardstock sheets with calligraphy and Roman statuary in rich ochre and rust colors. Printed in the USA (that's a rarity with large scrapbook paper companies).

Pierced Circle Pendant
Vintage patina over brass. 35mm diameter.

Hot Air Balloon Charms
25 x 16mm. Antiqued silver plate over brass.

Tiny Curved Hinges
Raw brass (lead free and made in USA).

Don't Panic Pewter Charms

Antiqued cast pewter (lead free and made in USA).

Limited availability.

Not New to the Site, But Newly On Sale!

Tea Party Wood Flourishes
Fun, laser-cut designs (2 teacups, 2 teapots). 4 separate pieces. 1/16" thick masonite.

Iridescent Moon & Star Mixes
Multicolored, transparent, acrylic stars or crescent moons.

Floral Deco Woman Rubber Stamp
1-5/8" x 2-3/4"

Vintaj Vintage Brass Tag Set & Fringe Embellishment Set
The "Fringe" set includes a mix of 2 corners, 2 swirly bits, 1 square "attic window" (or diamond-shaped as rotated in the photo), 1 long dotted border & 1 small square drop with cut-outs. The corners and the attic window filigree are also available separately.