Nancie's Desk

VSN's Unique Nitch

VSN has been around since 1993, with a solid group of readers and an excellent reputation for gathering a wide variety of cutting edge and in-depth stamp related techniques, news, and information.

VSN has a staff of one - me! I write, I edit, I layout each new eArticle. I open every letter, keep up with the email. I hear the praise and I hear the complaints. The buck really does stop here because there isn't anyplace else to stop it!

Stamp AreaThe articles and artwork are a combined effort between readers (you!) and myself. There are no professional writers. I have office space in one room of my home where I work to put VSN together. Early print issues were printed on the offset presses at the Sir Speedy print shop half a mile from our home. In later years, Stockson Printing, north of Baltimore, did our printing for us.They would drop it off each print issue, stacking the boxes in the middle of our kitchen floor. In the past, when I put samples in each issue, our dining room would often be full of the current issue waiting for samples. Our home storage downstairs was (and still is) full of back issues. Our living room served as a staging area for the monthly mail-out. Sometimes the dining room table served as a drying rack for projects when I researching techniques and products. I sometimes worked at the picnic table in the back yard when I have a messy project.

In June of 2012, VSN published our last print issue and turned to online stamping eArticles. Online eArticles dive into stamping topics in depth, with how-to's, explanations, tips, step photos, completed sample art and links to more information and inspiration around the web. A new eArticle is posted on the 20th of each month. Because most of the eArticles are sponsored by a wonderful group of excellent stamp businesses, most eArticles are free to read.

VSN continues to be a small niche publication. I believe VSN has the best readers around. I don't think we need to appeal to everyone - just you! My goals for VSN have nothing to do with circulation or money. They have to do with creating a handcrafted publication each month that is interesting to read. They have to do with providing useful ideas and techniques that you can really use. They have to do with encouraging you to explore and experiment and have faith in your own creative abilities.

I am content with my little niche in the stamp world. I think it is an important niche. You don't have to have a huge circulation to have an impact on the stamping community and the flow of ideas. Just like you don't have to be a professional artist to come up with something new. There is no shame in being a little guy. I'm no David to someone else's Goliath. I am just doing my own thing and am glad that you are here to share it!

~ Nancie, Editor (and everything else!) of VSN