Stamp Shop Closing This Wednesday Morning

UPDATE:  THE STAMP SHOP IS NOW CLOSED :)

It's almost summer time, which means many things.  But, here's the one thing you need to know today.

The Stamp Shop is closing this Wednesday morning.  And..... I don't have plans to reopen it for a while.  I've got some other fish to fry.  Not bigger fish, just other.

If you'd like to order any Upcycled Education original stamps, do so here.  I now offer a special 6-stamp package for $57!  It means you save $10 and get six lovely stamps.

Who doesn't like a savings?  A great stamp? And how cute is the "Today I learned."

My favorite,

Jen

Appreciate Those Amazing Teachers, OK?

It is almost national Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6th-10th, 2013.  I'm certain there is an educator you'd like to say thanks to, yes?  Here are my favorite picks for gratitude presents.....

• DIY Teacher Gift Packs - Like the one pictured above.
• Word Cloud Gifts - These look so great framed or made into a card.  For the clouds, you can use adjectives to describe the teacher or include all the students' names within the word cloud.
• Printable Art Work - Even though it doesn't look like Feed Your Soul is keeping up with their free downloads, there is still plenty to choose from on their site and it is all for free!  I love their artwork framed.
• Mod Podge Reflection Tools - I think I would just about cry if anyone were to Mod Podge me a gratitude gift.
• Easy peasy, Free Printables from Amy at Mod Podge Rocks - These printables would also be great framed for a teacher.  Check back each Wednesday for a new printable from Amy.
• Origami Owl Locket - My cousins - a mother/daughter team - rep these amazing lockets.  They wouldn't arrive on time (I don't think) as Teacher Appreciation Week is nearing.  But, I would be happy with a card saying IOU - your gift is on the way!  And really, could these lockets be any cooler or cuter?  
• Rubber Stamps - Speaking of gifts that may not arrive on time, any of the teacher rubber stamps would be a fun gift for a teacher to say thanks.  It takes about 10 days to receive your order, so you may need to give an IOU first.
• DIY Artwork - I continue to be in love with these letter stories.  In fact, I just made one for my mom to give as a wedding shower gift.  I think any (amazing) teacher would dig.

I know we, teachers, uber-appreciate it when parents, families, and students say thanks.

xoxo,

Jen

PS - Do you have any other clever gift ideas?  If yes, please share a link or idea in the comment section below.  

Today I Learned in Action

When I first designed the rubber stamp line for educators, I thought the feedback stamps would be my favorite -  Glows & Grows, Pluses & Deltas and the Feedback for You arrow stamp.  Now, that I've played with all the stamps for a couple of weeks, my favorite stamps are actually the ones that encourage student reflection.  I need to design more of those.

Right now, Today I Learned is my favorite stamp and for the students who shared their input with me, their favorite, too.

I like that stamp because it isn't overwhelming in size and it is so direct:  What did you learn today?  I also think that particular stamp has a plethora of uses - within students' notes, as a prompt for an exit ticket (maybe stamped on an index card or Post-it note that students can hand in to you), as a "check for understanding" or informal assessment of learning, as a conversation starter for students....

....I'm certain your creative mind will dream up another 5-10 uses.

If you haven't purchased Today I learned and want to, click here to access the online stamp shop.  A big thank you to my college students pictured above, S and H.  Thank you for letting me barge in on your Today I Learned conversation.

Smiling,

Jen

Rubber Stamps in Action

Seeing is believing.  I am loving how easy the stamps are to use, meld into my grading & feedback giving and also, a simple way to let my students know how much I appreciate them.

You can purchase any or all of the rubber stamps at Upcycled Education's new online stamp shop.  I think they are marvelous - wink, wink.

More stamps in action.....

Visit here to shop.

My absolute best,
Jen

PS - Curious about how this stamp shop came to be?  Read here for the full story.

And I Opened a Stamp Shop

Look above. Do you see anything new?

Yep, I opened an online stamp shop.

Right now, you might be semi-confused or not with the whole stamp shop grand opening.  It depends if you've been in my presence lately how confused you might be feeling.  My students, who see me weekly, are not confused at all. I've been talking about stamps and asking them questions about stamps for a month now.

Here's the skinny on how the online stamp shop came to be.....

#1:  I love stamps. 

I literally collected rubber stamps in my 20s.  I used to go to stamp shows (like conferences) when I lived in Denver in the 1990s.  My creative friend, Colleen, used to go with me.  We would buy a gaggle of stamps and then spend an entire day making greeting cards.  In fact, this year was the first time I can remember that I bought a pre-made greeting card.   My mother was shocked.  I still have the majority of my stamp collection as evidenced by this photo below.  I don't take care of the stamps nearly as well as I used to.

#2:  Most teacher stamps aren't my style.

We all have our own style.  Most teacher or classroom stamps don't resonate with me.  Plus, most teacher stamps fit in the "Good Job" category.  You know how I feel about good jobs.  Good bye is how I feel.  Upcycled Education's stamps are here to change that.  The stamps I offer all encourage reflection and thoughtful feedback.   No good-jobs-empty-feedback here.

#3:  I like to shake up the snow globe.

Almost every year at my annual review, my department chair says something to the effect, You always are looking for ways to improve.  It is true.  I love the feel of growth, the challenge of doing something new and since I've been involved in teaching for almost 20+ years, it is time to shake up the snow globe again.  These stamps are helping me improve giving feedback to my students and increase the amount of student reflection within my lessons.  Total wins.

#4:  I dream 85% of the time and do 5% of the time.  The other 10%, I'm sleeping.

I am a huge dreamer and believe it or not, a rarely doer.  For 2013, that is changing.  My inspiration comes from one of my favorite blogs, Enjoy It.  I can't put my finger on the exact blog post, but one post Elise mentioned how she finds it more stressful to think about an idea over a long period of time than actually do or execute an idea.  That 100% spoke to me.  Take the cycling team, as an example.  I literally thought about launching a cycling team for two years before actually doing anything about it.    Two years!  Why did I wait?  Because I never thought it was the right time.  I didn't think I had the right skills to lure sponsors, blah, blah, blah.  For the exorbitant amount of time I dreamt about the cycling team, I could have launched ten teams by now.  Plus, look at this incredible jersey and our 17 sponsors.  Pinch me.

#5:  I'm going full circle

Since I love stamps.  I love teaching.  I am inspired by the stamp line at Enjoy It, which aren't teaching related, but absolutely lovely AND I'm a doer for 2013, I proudly introduce to you Upcycled Education's new stamp shop.  Cue curtains opening.  Ta-da!

Come look around.  Please tell all your friends about the stamps.  Buy one or more stamps for your favorite teachers - especially since Teacher Appreciation Week is in early May.  Or, purchase a stamp to use at home with your kiddos after a museum outing.  You can see the stamps in action here.

So thrilled,

Jen

STAMP SHOP NOW OPEN!

PS - I can't thank you enough for all your support of Upcycled Education.  This Dear Abby quote really speaks to this whole process.  This is not work at all, but pure joy.