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On September 1, 2000, StampBug, Salinas' independent art-rubber stamp and scrapbook store, was born.  Since that date, through good fortune and hard work, Becky Carrillo and her staff have provided customers with quality products and excellent service.  Here’s StampBug’s story:

In 1996 a craft shop named Stamp-A-Loons, opened in downtown Salinas.  This store sold stamps and accessories items related to card making.  Gift balloon arrangements were also sold; hence, the inspiration for its name.  Becky became a regular customer because, back then, she had just started stamping and she had also joined a group of stamping enthusiasts who, to this day, continue to meet for card making sessions that they call "Stamp Camp".

Stamp-A-Loons carried a few items for the emerging scrapbooking craft.  However, in 1997 “A Scrapbook Store” solely dedicated to scrapbooking opened in North Salinas.  In late 1999, the two stores merge storefronts.  Although the stores remained independent, only regular customers know this and knew the store as "2-stores-in-1".

In August 2000, the owner of Stamp-A-Loons had to move out of the area so she asked if Becky would be interested in purchasing the store’s inventory.  Becky did and the first task was to name the new store.  Inspiration came while in a porch swing.  Becky observed a ladybug landing and on September 1 StampBug opened.

The next year, the owner of A Scrapbook Store was ready to spend more time with her children and she asked if Becky would be interested in purchasing the store’s inventory.  Although Becky was just learning about scrapbooking, it was a great opportunity because of the rapid growth of the hobby.

On August 5, 2001, StampBug became the sole store at the location.  For a while, stamping customers wondered if stamping products would be discontinued at the store.  Becky assured them that she would keep a stamping section..."stamping, after all, was her roots".  Also many paper craft manufacturers were producing products to crossover between the two hobbies.

In November 2002, Becky took risk and moved StampBug into the vacant space right next door.  This move more doubled her retail area and turned out to be very positive.  Everyday new customers still find their way to StampBug.  They are pleased to have a quality shop at which they could purchase products for their chosen hobby.

StampBug appeals to a variety of customers.  Most stampers make greeting cards but some have done their own custom invitations and place card settings for special events.  Others stamp on walls, candles, fabric, glass and other materials.  Most scrapbookers make albums for their children or vacations.  Others have scrapbooked their family pet, children's sports and other special events, their favorite professional sports team and even memorial tributes books.

StampBug offers a wide range of services.  They provide a variety of classes every month.  Many of the people who teach classes at StampBug are just regular customers with an immense talent to share.   A few have been professionals with extraordinary talent.  Customers can use the workshop space whenever classes aren’t scheduled.  The workshop space has even been rented out for private crop nights and even children’s parties.  The store also does special orders, but you must be willing to wait a while.

While Becky and the entire staff enjoy helping all customers, some have stood out more than others.  In particular there were two foreign exchange students who came in regularly to use the workshop area to create a scrapbook of their senior year.  Another one was a young gentleman who had been engaged for several years.  His girlfriend thought he would never pop the question.  With the help of his girlfriend’s sister, the StampBug staff and even other customers, he put together a scrapbook, which chronicled their years of dating, and the last page was a memory button with his recorded proposal.

If you have never visited StampBug, you are missing a unique store.  Definitely plan to drop in someday.

Written by Richard (aka Mr.B), Becky’s husband

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