About Spellbinders Paper Arts, LLC

Spellbinders Paper Arts entered the craft and hobby market in 2003 with the introduction of the Wizard® Universal Craft Tool and a unique, patented collection of dies unlike any introduced before - or since. Spellbinders Paper Arts manufactures, markets and sells the Wizard, and more than 250 patented and patent-pending products under the following trade names: Nestabilities™ - nested dies offering cutting and embossing capability in ¼" and 1/8" increments; Edgeabilities™ - window and charm cutting dies; Shapeabilities™ - the first free-formed shape dies, offering the ability to cut or emboss in the center of cards and in any orientation; Megabilities™ - extra large dies; Poseabilities™ - offering poseable dies; Spirellabilities™ - spiral wrapping dies, and Impressabilities™ red and clear rubber stamps. In 2008, the Spellbinders family of dies expanded to include Pierceabilities™ - dies and coordinated templates for paper piercing; Borderabilities™ Petite – 5 ½" card making dies featuring one-cut edges and elegant embossing detail; Borderabilities™ Grand – 12" scrapbooking dies to create full-page borders; and Shapeabilities™ Nested Sets – incrementally sized shaped dies.

Inspiration

As a scrapbooking and craft enthusiast, Stacey Caron identified the market need for one die cutting system that could function in place of several existing tools. She wanted a comprehensive craft tool that would be universal with manufacturers’ existing products, cut, emboss, be portable, and be sturdy enough to withstand the test of time. As a result of Stacey’s entrepreneurial spirit, and her husband Jeff’s creative ingenuity, the Wizard® Universal Craft Tool™ was born, along with Spellbinders patented technology Die Templates™ for cutting, embossing and stenciling. The family-run company continues to demonstrate ingenuity, integrity and care for a wide variety of crafters.

Company Timeline – Key Events

August 2003 - Sought patent protection for Spellbinders Die Templates.

February 2004 - Debuted The Wizard® Universal Craft Tool at the Hobby Industry Association Trade Show, Dallas, Texas.

January 2005 - Moved company headquarters from Cleveland, OH, to Phoenix, AZ. Introduced the redesigned Wizard Universal Craft Tool.

February 2005 - Nominated in two categories for Craftrends’ Awards of Excellence.

May 2005 - Began monthly distribution of Spellbinders Education Newsletter.

June 2006 - Granted Patent protection for Spellbinders Die Technology for cutting, embossing and stenciling.

September 2006 - Introduced Digital Die Cut Fusion™-blending traditional die cutting and digital technology.

November 2006 - Released the largest chemically etched dies on the market: Megabilities™ at 6¼x4¼".

2006 Granted Registered Trademark status for the Wizard and Spellbinders. Began distribution in: Netherlands, the UK and Germany/EU

2007 - Began Canadian distribution.

February 2007 - Introduced Wizard Academy Retail Program. Premiered Impressabilities™, Spellbinders’ impeccable line of rubber stamps that coordinate with Spellbinders Die Templates. Sought additional patent protection. Redesigned Packaging of Spellbinders Die Templates

July 2007 - Notable launch of Nestabilities™, Spellbinders perfectly coordinated scalloped dies with incremental plain shapes: circles, ovals, squares and rectangles. Premiere of another innovative die format, Shapeabilities™, an entire line of free-formatted die templates.

February 2008 - Previewed Xcalibur Motorized Die Cutting & Embossing System. Introduced Club Spellbinders. Released 24 new dies.

July 2008 - Debuted new raspberry-colored Wizard at lower retail price. Introduced four (4) completely new die categories: Borderabilities™ Grand, 12" scrapbooking dies to create full-page borders; Borderabilities™ Petite, 5½" card making dies featuring single cut edges and elegant embossing detail; Pierceabilities™, dies and coordinated templates for paper piercing; Shapeabilities™ Nested Sets of incrementally sized shaped dies.

Jeff Caron - CEO and co-creator of the Wizard Universal Craft Tool and Spellbinders Die Templates

Before designing this system, Jeff was employed in the Aerospace industry for 18 years. Jeff tends to look at business with an “outside the box” perspective that enables him to solve complex manufacturing issues with simple solutions. His true passion, aside from his family, is designing and building innovative products.

Stacey Caron--President

Stacey has been scrapbooking and stamping for a number of years; her enthusiasm for paper crafts truly inspires others. She has instructed throughout the US and internationally for retailers, private groups, scrapbook and stamping stores, distributors and sales rep groups. Prior to establishing Spellbinders, Stacey practiced dentistry for 11 years as a Registered Dental Hygienist. She has been married to Jeff for 13 years. They have two young sons, Nathan and Justin.

Jerry Poffel - Director of Sales

Jerry came to Spellbinders in September of 2007. Previously he spent 6 years with Colorbök as Director of Sales and Marketing and later as Director of International Sales. He was instrumental in developing retailer programs and sales programs to gain broad distribution for the Colorbök lines. Jerry has worked closely with many sales representative groups, building networks to reach retailers in the US. He also worked closely with International distributors to develop brand recognition and sales growth in Europe, South Africa and Australia. Prior to Colorbök, Jerry spent many years with major gift companies in sales management roles.

Tobianne Hall - Vice President of Marketing

Tobi joined Spellbinders in August of 2008, taking responsibility for Marketing and Product Development. Tobi came to Spellbinders with over 10 years of marketing and sales experience, four of them with craft industry adhesives and lamination icon Xyron, focusing on brand and product development, new product commercialization and licensing. Prior to joining Spellbinders Tobi served as a Senior Brand Manager for Central Life Sciences in Phoenix, Arizona, and consulted on commercialization and go-to-market strategies across various industries, including personal care and recreational equipment. As a Brand Manager for Poore Brothers, Tobi worked on teams that supported Cinnabon and TGI Friday’s branded products within the Poore Brothers snack food portfolio.

Spellbinders’ Design Team 2009-2010

Hailing from all over the country, these diverse women design projects for spellbinders every month. Projects include: layouts, cards, home décor, ensembles, jewelry and more. They have been featured in nearly every major paper crafts magazine and have taught about the craft from the small local pre-school to large international audiences. They attend national trade shows to show off what the Wizard and Die Templates can do. They are real women who have families, jobs, piles of dirty clothes, and who just happen to have a passion for using Spellbinders’ products in mind-boggling ways. Get to know them by reading their bios and check out Inspiration Alley to experience their art.