1. Who makes the stamp image on page 10 of
the current issue?
There is a stamp credit list near the end of
every issue – usually on
the inside back cover. Note: The scattered images
are usually additional images from the catalog(s) reviewed in that
issue. Occasionally a contributor will send artwork without stamp
credits and they will be listed as *Unknown. When the credit is obtained,
it is printed as an update to the credit list in a later issue.
2. If I subscribe now, will I get the ____
issue?
Subscriptions are started immediately with
the current issue unless you ask that we wait until the next issue
or you have already purchased the current issue directly from VSN
or tell VSN you already have the current
issue. The month’s issue is current through the 19th of that
month and then becomes a back issue. Ex: February is the current issue
from its mail-out to February 19th. Then March becomes the current
issue. Etc. The only exception is that December usually becomes a back issue
on December 15 and January becomes the current issue that day (because
the January issue is mailed about a week early.)
3. Can you start my subscription so that it
begins four months ago?
No. Subscriptions begin with the current issue
(or the next issue if you request it). Also, subscription renewals
begin no further back than the current issue. Back issues are sold
separately.
4. Can I email you my credit card number or
use Paypal to begin my subscription?
No. VSN does not
take credit cards, so you will need to send a US check or money order
in US Funds.
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 I order a sample issue from VSN?
Yes. See the "Order Info" page.
Or, for more immediate gratification, check VSN’s
Store List page to see if a store in your area carries VSN.
7. 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.)
8. I remember an article in VSN on Shaving
Cream Backgrounds but can’t remember which issue . . .
Easy! Go to the Back Issues 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!
For example, I use Internet Explorer
6.0. Pressing Ctrl-F opens up a search box where I can enter the word
I’m 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.
9. I live outside the US. Does VSN sell overseas
subscriptions?
Yes. See the Subscriptions section of the "Order Info" page. You may
also want to check our Stores list to see if stores in your country
carry VSN. Since overseas postage is
high, purchasing through your local stores may be cheaper than a subscription
and easier too since VSN does not take
credit cards. If you do want to subscribe, you will need to use an
International Money Order in US Funds. Out-of-country checks can only
be accepted if they are payable through a US bank and are in US Funds.
10. Can I email you a list of back 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 back
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 back issues. Back issue
pricing is on the "Order Info" page of this web site. Please note
that there are price savings for ordering larger quantities of back
issues.
11. When does my subscription end?
Check the "Last Issue" field on the top of your subscription envelope's address label. The first two digits are the year and the next three are an abbreviation for the month (YEAR/MONTH). So for example, if your envelope's Last Issue field reads "05AUG", then your last issue is the August issue of 2005.
12. Can I order, subscribe or renew online?
You can find an order form and pricing information on this web site but you need to send your written order along with a check or money order by mail to place an order.
13. Where can I purchase the current issue locally?
There is a list of stores carrying VSN
in each issue and on this web site. Each list is updated once a month.
14. Can I email you a picture of my artwork or stamp room?
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 PC formatted disk or via emailed attached file. For stamp
room photos, if you took the pictures with a digital camera, then for best
quality, send the electronic files.
If you email it, it must be sent as an attached
file and not embedded into the email itself. It should be 300 dpi resolution. Artwork should be at least 60% actual physical dimensions. For all electronic files, you must identify what you are sending, your name and mailing address,
and stamp credits. Include at least a brief description of how you made your
artwork. Please also mail me a paper print of your artwork
file(s) so that I can try and watch for any color shifting. See the
Get Published page for more details on challenge artwork and stamp
room requirements.
15. Where can I find products mentioned in Happenings or Product Picks sections?
Always check your local stamp store first. If they do not have it, check the contact information at the end of Happenings or within the Product Picks descriptions.
16. How can I get my catalog or product reviewed?
Send one copy of your catalog and one mounted stamp (or unmounted if you only sell unmounted). I will contact you when your catalog gets to the top of the catalog review queue with questions and to get permission to print your images. Wait time varies by how many catalogs are in line at the time your catalog is received. Products can also be reviewed. Please send product, any directions and return postage so I can return your product to you.
17. Why doesn't VSN have a phone number so I can order by phone or call to chat?
VSN is an unusual
magazine 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 arrives on time each month - "like
clockwork" as many readers have observed.)
18. 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. (See the store list inside VSN
and on this web site.)
19. Is the new issue out?
I try to mail VSN
so that it arrives right around the beginning of each month. Subscription
issues are sent via First Class mail, but can take as long as two
weeks to arrive - longer around the holidays or if there is bad weather
delaying mail. Most issues are mailed around the 21st - 25th of the month.
If your issue doesn't arrive within two weeks of the 25th, check with
VSN to see if there is a problem with
your subscription. People often get confused about exactly which month's
issue is actually missing and mis-name the issue. If possible, check
the home page of VSN's web site to see
the current issue before reporting an issue missing.
20. 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.
21. Why do overseas subscriptions cost so much more than US subscriptions?
Most of the cost of an overseas subscription is to cover the postage to your country. I figure the price by taking the US subscription price and figuring the extra postage cost.
