General Questions About VSN

1. Is Vamp Stamp News still publishing?

Yes and No. The last print issue of VSN magazine was the Jun '12 issue. But VSN now publishes monthly eArticles here on the website. All sponsored eArticles are free to read. If you still need to add some VSN issues to complete your collection, most of VSN's 226 print issues are still available for sale on VSN's Online Shopping cart.

2. How do I make sure that I know when a new eArticle is available?

Each time a new eArticle is posted on VSN's main website or the Online Shopping Cart, I post an announcement two places: VSN's page on Facebook and VSN's Announcement-Only Yahoo List. The best way to stay in the loop is either to "Like" VSN's page on Facebook or join VSN's Yahoo List. Please note however that Facebook does not show every Page post to every person who has 'Liked' a business Page there. If you don't get on Facebook regularly, you might miss the monthly post; the VSN Yahoo Announcement list is a more reliable way to know when the new eArticle is posted. I also post on a few stamping related email lists but only on the "COMM" days permitted by the lists.

3. Who makes the stamp image on page 10 of the current issue?

If you are looking at a older issue, look for the stamp credit list near the end of every issue – usually on the inside back cover. In more recent issues, the stamp credits will either be found next to the image/artwork or in the art's description (on the back of each color page.) Occasionally a contributor sent artwork without stamp credits and they were listed as *Unknown. If the credit is obtained, it was printed as an update in a later issue.

4. Can I email you my credit card number or use Paypal to place an order?

No. If you want to use a credit card, please either use VSN's secure Online Shopping Cart (link found on the Order page). If you don't want to use the shopping cart, you can alternatively, print one of the print-and-mail order forms, fill it out and and mail it to VSN.

5. I’m looking for stamp company xyz. Can you provide an address?

Check VSN’s web site list to see if the company is listed. Then you can get the current contact information straight from the company.

6. Can you add my web site to your list?

Sure! If it is stamp related, I’d love to know about your site. That means sites that focus on: stamps, scrapbooking, altered books, deco books, polymer clay, ATCs, art products, craft supplies, etc. Please send the URL (web site address) and I’ll check it out for inclusion in the next update. (Note: the web site list is updated once a month.)

7. I remember an article in VSN on Shaving Cream Backgrounds but can’t remember which issue . . .

Easy! Go to the Issue Index page and use your web browser’s FIND function to do a search on that page for “Shaving”. You can do this for many subjects. It makes a quick and dirty index to all of VSN’s issues going back to 1993!

In many browsers, pressing Ctrl-F/Cmd-F opens up a search box where you can enter the word you are looking for on that page. If you are unsure of how to do this using your browser software, try checking the browser’s HELP and look for information on how to find text on a page.

Alternatively, if you don't want to go online every time you want to look something up, you might want to consider purchasing VSN's Master Table of Contents. This pdf file contains a table of contents page for each of VSN's 226 issues and is searchable.

8. I live outside the US. Does VSN ship overseas?

Yes. See the Order page. VSN's Online Shopping Cart accepts credit card orders from overseas customers.

9. Can I email you a list of issues that I want and then stick a check in an envelope to you?

Please don’t do this. The payment and the order need to come together to avoid errors in your order. Please send the list with your check. Some people use the abbreviated VSN issue list near the beginning of each issue as a check-off list. Others write or type out a list of month/year for the issues. Issue pricing is on the Order page of this web site. Please note that there are price savings for ordering larger quantities of issues.

10. Can I order online?

Yes, VSN now offers a secure Online Shopping Cart. The link to it can be found on the Order page.

11. Can I email you a picture of my artwork?

Yes. Keep in mind that if you mail the actual artwork, it is easier for me to see the details and to be sure the color is correct. (Colors often shift when they are scanned or photographed in electronic form.) But if you are unable or unwilling to part with the original art, I will accept it electronically via emailed attached file.

Please see the Get Published page BEFORE YOU EMAIL ANYTHING for more details on submitting artwork, articles or stamp rooms.

12. Where can I find products mentioned in VSN issues or eArticles?

Check your local stamp store first. If they do not have it, check the VSN's Links list.

13. Why doesn't VSN have a phone number so I can order by phone or call to chat?

VSN is an unusual publication in that it is put together by a single person. It is also a monthly publication in an industry where most stamping magazines are bi-monthly. My time only stretches so far. I can either talk on the phone for many hours each day OR I can get your issue to you on time each month. I unfortunately can't do both. I think that most readers are happy that their issue (and now their eArticle) arrives on time each month - "like clockwork" as many readers have observed.)

14. How can I find fellow stampers in my area?

If you have a local stamp store, it is a great place to meet fellow stampers.

15. I'm looking for a stamp of a pig . . . or a gypsy . . . or whatever. Can you help me track down companies that selling this?

I see so many stamp images from so many companies that I couldn't possibly inventory them all in my head. I really am not the best source for this type of search. If you are online, your best bet is to post an ISO (In Search Of) message on one or more stamp email lists. These lists pool the knowledge of many stampers and stamp sellers who may be able to direct you to a company selling the image you want.

16. Why do overseas orders cost so much more than US orders?

Most of the cost of an overseas order covers the postage to your country. I figure the price by taking the US price and adding the extra postage cost.

17. What is my Userid (User Name) and Password to get into the extra Readers' Galleries? Why do I have to use it?

The userid/password for this special extra set of galleries can be found in the most recent eArticle. The sign-in is used for all readers of the current eArticle, so do NOT try to use your real name or the information you use to sign into VSN's Online Shopping Cart. (It won't work here!) These galleries are meant to be something extra for current readers of VSN's eArticles.

18. Can you email me the userid/password to get into the Readers' Galleries?

No, I'm sorry but I will not email this information to anyone for any reason. You will however find the information inside the most recent eArticle.