It hardly seems possible that I’ve been an independent Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in Canada for almost 13 years. Through papercrafting I’ve discovered a creative side I never knew I had. Now I couldn’t imagine my life without it. Since I discovered Stampin’ Up! I’ve connected with people from around the world and made lots of new friends. I’ve also saved money on my craft supplies by taking advantage of the various discounts and promotions from Stampin’ Up!

If you’ve already decided to join Stampin’ Up! simply fill in the online Independent Demonstrator Agreement and you’re on your way. However if you want to know more before making up your mind, read on…

Choose your own Starter Kit

Every new Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is different that’s why Stampin’ Up! lets YOU choose the products that you get when you decide to join. Starting July 1st things are changing a little so keep reading.

Firstly Stampin’ Up! have made the joining process much quicker. You complete the form, pay your C$135 and you’re in. It’s that simple.

Soon after joining you’ll receive your demonstrator number and a Coupon Code for C$170 (that’s $35 more then you paid to join). All you have to to is log in to your Stampin’ Up! account and then decide what you want to order. Unlike the old system your first order can be for as much as you want. Plus if you spend over the C$170 on product any extra will earn Stampin’ Rewards and you’ll also receive your demonstrator discount on the extra amount too!As a Canadian demonstrator your chosen products can be from the English Canadian or French Canadian versions of the current Catalogue, the online Kits Collection, Last Chance products or the Online Exclusives. What’s more if there’s other new products available to current demonstrators, you can choose from them too (including any yet to be released Online Exclusives)!

While you wait for your first order look out for a special Welcome box coming from Stampin’ Up! that contains some exclusive items (C$89 value) just for you.

I’d love to welcome you as part of my Crafty Canadians team, and this new offer is very tempting, but you probably want to know what you’ll be letting yourself in for…

Some Myths

Stampin’ Up! demonstrators have to sell to other people. FALSE

Actually if you only want to take advantage of the discounts and other perks then that’s fine. We often refer to these as ‘hobby demonstrators’ as opposed to ‘business demonstrators’. Both are equally welcome as part of my Crafty Canadians team.

Stampin’ Up! demonstrators have to hold classes or make videos. FALSE

I offer classes and make video tutorials because I love to teach and share my papercrafting hobby with others. This is my personal choice. Demonstrators are not required to hold classes or workshops, either in person or online.

Stampin’ Up! demonstrators have to have a Facebook page, website or blog. FALSE

Again I have these things because I enjoy sharing my projects with other papercrafters. You do not need to have any of these things to be a demonstrator.

Stampin’ Up! demonstrators have to get other people to join the company. FALSE

While some demonstrators do have large teams, many don’t. It is true that having a team does unlock some extra perks, but you’re not required to recruit others to remain a demonstrator.

If I join but decide it’s not for me, I’ll have to repay any discounts or return any free products I received. FALSE

There are absolutely no catches to the Stampin’ Up! joining offer. Any discounts you get on orders you place, or free items you may earn at any time while you’re a demonstrator are yours to keep, period. You can also leave Stampin’ Up! at any time. Think of it as the ultimate test drive for papercrafters.

Stampin’ Up! demonstrators are not allowed to buy craft products from other companies. FALSE

Actually there are no restrictions on where you can buy from. However when you can get at least 20% off any orders you place with Stampin’ Up!, and still qualify for Stampin’ Rewards and other customer benefits, you might simply prefer to take advantage of that instead. But that’s always your choice.

If I’ve answered your questions and you’ve decided now’s the time to join my Crafty Canadians team, simply fill in the online Independent Demonstrator Agreement and pay the fee.

But if you’re still not sure, read on…

So is it really worth becoming a demonstrator?

The Perks

Your First Order

As I explained earlier you’ll receive a Coupon Code for C$170 and can apply that to your first demonstrator order. Remember, unlike regular customers you’ll get to choose from the current Stampin’ Up! catalogue, including bundles that are already discounted by 10%, the online Kits Collection, the Last Chance section (where retired products are offered at up to 60% off), and more. Plus you can also take advantage of any demonstrator pre-order that’s happening (where demonstrators can get their hands on products up to 6 weeks before they’re released to customers). And of course those top secret products I mentioned.

Instant discount & Deferred Income

As a demonstrator your personal orders automatically benefit from an instant discount of at least 20%. If you happen to place orders for friends or others, you will earn at least 20% of the value of the products ordered, in cash. Depending on how that order is paid for, your earnings will either be in the form of an instant discount when the order is submitted (so you keep some of the cash the customers gave to you), or it will be paid directly into your nominated bank account within about a week (referred to as deferred income). Either way you earn in Canadian dollars, not credit notes, products or anything similar.

Stampin’ Rewards

You probably already know that customers who place an order of at least $25CAD (before shipping and taxes) qualify for 10% in Stampin’ Rewards. Stampin’ Rewards can be spent on anything in the Stampin’ Up! catalogues, online Kits Collection, Online Exclusives, or in the online Last Chance section. As a demonstrator you’ll also qualify for Stampin’ Rewards based on the catalogue prices of your order (i.e. before any discount is deducted) in exactly the same way as any other customer.

Other promotional offers

Demonstrators qualify for other promotional offers as if they were any regular customer e.g. Product of the Month, Bonus Days coupons, multi-buy offers, etc.  All benefits are calculated before any discounts are applied.

Stampin’ Up Catalogues

All demonstrators have early online access new catalogues, and are sent a free paper copy in their first order after the pre-order period begins.

Get new products weeks in advance

Demonstrators are able to order many new products weeks before customers. This applies to regular catalogue launches as well as Online Exclusive releases and other new product launches.

Demonstrator only events

As crafters we love to get together to share our passion, and Stampin’ Up! organises a number of events during the year.  These events may be virtual (online) or in person and often include sneak peeks of new products, free gifts and opportunities to craft together.

Papercrafting inspiration

Every week demonstrators receive an e-mail with company news and creative ideas. 

So with everything so positive, what’s the catch?

Minimum quarterly orders / sales

Each quarter, demonstrators are required to submit orders valued at 300csv, this equates to about $400CAD.  The quarters end on 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December.  Sales to meet this requirement are calculated based on product prices before shipping and taxes are added, and before any discounts are applied.  Therefore a Canadian demonstrator with no customers could personally order $400 of products a quarter to stay active, but they would actually only pay $320 ($400 less 20%) plus shipping and taxes.  If you join after the start of a quarter you have until the end of the next full quarter to meet your target. So join now and you’ll actually have until the end of December 2026 to do that. This means you’ll also be able to see the September to December 2026 Catalogue in July and the January to April 2027 Catalogue in November.

What if a demonstrator doesn’t meet the quarterly minimum?

At the end of the quarter any demonstrators who have not met their quarterly minimum will go into ‘pending’. They then have one further month to make up the shortfall but they continue to get all the perks during this time. If the shortfall is met they then continue as a demonstrator through the next quarter when they must once again meet the minimum sales requirement. If not, then they simply stop being a demonstrator on the first of the following month.

What happens if I stop being a demonstrator?

Whether you resign, or stop being a demonstrator because you haven’t met the quarterly minimum, you will no longer be eligible for the benefits of being a demonstrator from that date. That’s all there is to it. No penalties, no claw-backs.

NOW WHAT?

I hope I’ve answered all your questions here, but if there’s something else you’d like to ask please email me at tracy.elsom@gmail.com and let’s make a time to chat. 

If you’ve seen enough and want to join my team, simply complete the online Independent Demonstrator Agreement.

I look forward to welcoming you as my newest Crafty Canadians team member with a special welcome package.

Best regards, Tracy Elsom