Wow, great thoughts! I agree about there being an overwhelming amount of supplies. I do like the improvement in quality of inks, but wish that every stamping company didn't feel like they needed a whole line of paper and inks and markers, etc. The reason I don't like it is because I think some are going to close and then you won't be able to replace the colors later on.
Changes: When I started stamping, I went to the local craft store, looked at wood mount stamps and supplies, picked out stuff, and then went home and used what I bought. They also had samples made up in the store to give you ideas of how to use your supplies.
Now, the craft store sells relatively few stamping supplies and I do many purchases online, and then they are usually cling mount or clear stamps. Sometimes, when I buy a stamp set I am very surprised at the size of the stamps when they come. There are now tons more ideas online.
What I wish was the same? That I did more crafting, less looking, and was less critical of my work. Although I didn't know about any at the time, I wish there was a local groups that still got together to craft. I love online groups and forums, but would like IRL ones too. And I am working on using what I have more instead of browsing for new stuff.
I am still waiting for my Tim Holtz stamp positioner, so I hope I love it as much as y'all love your MISTIs.
Oxide inks: Yes, I did say above that I think there are too many lines of inks, but I do love the oxides. They are different and add new things to do with your old stamps. You can do the Tim style of backgrounds, but I really think they are FANTASTIC for stamping, especially on colored cardstocks. I have enjoyed watercolor stamping with them to get very cool effects, sponging on cardstocks of all colors, sponging and then stamping with water, and adding something shiny to an oxide background. April recently shared a card where she used the oxide ink to paint in an image - that looked cool.
I have shared lots of Oxide projects and a couple techniques on my blog. This link should take you to all those projects from newest to oldest, if you are interested.
http://mylittlestampingblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Distress%20OxideI am jealous that Sadie got her second set of colors already! I preordered them and am still waiting. I did think that the second set is better colors than the first. Tim apparently randomly selected the first 12 and they don't all play well together.