Rose's Stuff is a rubber stamp/scrapbooking shop in the town of Didsbury, Alberta...70 km. north of Calgary. The shop is jointly owned and operated by Rose Goertzen and Ila Bonnell.

How did you decide to get started in in this business?
Rose: I needed something to do that was within my realm of creativity. A friend of mine suggested that a rubber stamping business might be the answer. Also, it would be a business that didn't already exist in the area.

When did you start?
Rose: The business really started on a wing and a prayer. I worked out of my home in Carstairs for the first 3 years, teaching card classes once a month at the Didsbury Public Library. I advertised by taking tables at craft shows in the area. The annual Didsbury trade shows also provided another means of advertising.

When did the business move into its present location?
Rose: I opened the shop in Didsbury in February 2002. This store was formerly the location of my parents' Deli. For the first year of business, I worked here on my own. We are now into our 5th year of business at this location.

How did you decide to join Rose?
Ila: A friend of mine had signed up for a card-making class with Rose and I went along with her. This was a totally new craft for me and I really enjoyed it. I don't draw so I like the fact that I can create beautiful things with stamps. When Rose moved, she hired me one day a week to give her a day off. As the business grew, I worked more days and eventually we became business partners.

Tell us about your creative background.
Rose: I've had 20 years of art instruction in various media. At first in black and white, then oils and pastels. Watercolour was and still is my favourite. Coincidentally, the rubber stamp company, Art Impressions, has a line of stamps that uses a watercolour technique that is really lovely to work with. I also love working with pressed flowers, creating pictures and landscapes. Quilting, sewing, and English smocking are also hobbies of mine.

Ila: Over the years I've enjoyed many different crafts. Some of them were tole painting, sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting.

How do you use your artistic skills in cardmaking?
The rubber stamping industry is constantly changing. New products are continually being added. We are always looking for new ideas and ways to present these to our customers. Creating new cards for future classes can be quite challenging. Even previous projects can be revisited and updated or changed.

What do you want people to know about Rose's Stuff?
Rose & Ila: In addition to stamping and scrapbooking, we can also supply all you wedding and party needs. We can order your invitations, thank you notes, balloons, streamers, and much more. We also do mail orders.
If you and a few friends would like to come in together for a class, we can create one for you. Just give us a call and we will set a date! Our goal is to give instruction and to share ideas in a fun-filled atmosphere!