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It's my Blog-iversary!

21/5/2018

12 Comments

 
Yes, today is the 5th anniversary of my blog.  To celebrate, I've got pictures of my recent visit to Stampin' Up!'s manufacturing facility in Kanab, UT.  Also, there's some blog candy at the end of this post.
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This rock sign is almost identical to the one found at the Home Office in Riverton, UT.  Unlike the time I visited there, I was alone at the Kanab facility (my family declined to accompany me) so I don't have a picture of me with the rock.  
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The front of the facility is quite inviting...very mountain-lodge feeling.  There is a 30th anniversary flag flying, as well as decals on the doors.  I'd love to get my hands on those flower decals!
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The reception area has a lot of samples made from Stampin' Up! products...though they are all several years old, LOL!
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Unfortunately, I can't show you any pictures of the manufacturing sections of the facility...I wasn't allowed to take pictures there.  I did see the rubber "burning" process, where the rubber sheets are matched with the molds and heated in an oven/press to make 4 sets of stamps. The large sheets of rubber are then cut into rectangles, and then each set is die-cut.  The off-cuts of rubber are collected and shredded.  Look below to see how those shreds are used!  

I also saw the process for making the photopolymer stamps.  The stamp molds are a very large plastic sheet (maybe 5' x 3.5' to make 6-8 sets at a time?) laid on a table.  An arm sweeps over it to fill it with photopolymer "goo" (really - the technical term my guide used), then a mask is laid over it, and then a lid is closed and light is shined onto the goo.  Think a tanning bed for stamps!  Then they get washed in a separate machine, and more light curing before being cut.  

The day I was visiting there were 2 women working in the ink department filling ink bottles.  I had always envisioned a long, mechanized assembly line with hundreds of bottles of ink running through at a time.  In reality, there is a nice bit of automated machinery for filling a precise amount of ink, and for putting labels on, but bottles are hand-placed into the machines 2 at a time, and the nozzles and caps are put on by hand.  As it happened, ink pads weren't being worked on while I was there.

I did get to see some cardstock being cut on a huge, machine-powered (but human-aligned) paper cutter...all of us would love to have that machine for class prep!  I also saw the automated paper counting/stacking line that makes our paper packs in operation.  

As I love both Stampin' Up! and industrial tours of all kinds this was right up my alley!  I really enjoyed getting to meet several of the people who make our products, and to see the processes.  If you're ever passing through southern Utah I encourage you to stop in and see if you can get a tour!  

Blog-iversary Blog Candy!

Comment on today's post no later than Wednesday, May 23 and be entered in a drawing for a mystery box of retired goodies!  Stamps, ribbon, embellishments, Designer Series Paper...who knows what assortment of stamping yumminess will show up?
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Retired Rubber Rummage Sale

Saturday, June 2
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale

Stamps, dies, ribbon, embellishments, cardstock, Designer Series Paper, ink pads/refills/markers and more!  Shop early for best selection.  Cash and credit card/debit cards only.

12 Comments
Kari Hofer
21/5/2018 11:06:28 am

How fun to see the manufacturing process for some of the products! Sounds like they gave a wonderful tour.

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Melissa
21/5/2018 03:15:00 pm

Looks like a blast!

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Miyako Ichikawa
21/5/2018 04:35:26 pm

That's so interesting that 2 people were filling in the ink! I'm with you - thought that part would be highly automated. Sounds like you had a great time!

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Marilyn Behrens
21/5/2018 07:34:59 pm

Sounds like a great tour.

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Mary Preston
21/5/2018 10:59:38 pm

You have inspired me to plan a visit to celebrate my birthday. Would love to see the operation in action.

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Rosanne Zarmer
22/5/2018 01:28:40 am

Wow - I'm always amazed (and surprised!) how the things we use are made. We often take it for granted but it's worthwhile to learn about these things! Sounds like a great trip!

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Phyllis Aumend
22/5/2018 06:28:02 am

Congratulations on 5 years! Sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for explaining the process, I enjoy learning how things are made too.

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Jan Cox
22/5/2018 09:19:16 am

Congratulations! I am so glad that I found your posting on Craig's List that lead me to your home where I met you & Ellen.

That sounds like a very interesting & delightful tour.

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Deborah Gordon
23/5/2018 12:46:45 am

I like the charming look of the building and the cozy waiting area. A little hard to envision all the automation after that.The Stampin' UP!
plaque is perfect for their area. Glad that you had a good time and took such nice pictures.

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Kionna Comer link
24/5/2018 02:09:41 pm

How cool!!😍

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JUMMA MUBARAK link
10/6/2018 05:46:17 am

very informational article

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Jumma Mubarak Quotes link
13/6/2018 05:38:15 pm

very nice article

Reply



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All content - including text, designs, photographs, and concepts - is © Nancy Hoetker. My original artwork (all original unless otherwise stated) is for your enjoyment and personal inspiration and may not be copied for publication or contest submission. All supplies are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy your visit. The content on this blog is the sole responsibility of Nancy Hoetker as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. The content is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!

email: nhoetker@mac.com
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