Here is some new space....Haven't had much time to keep up with the Digi scene this week. Quick recap...big pirate yahoo group was outted, DST closed the "Law and Order" piracy forum, a few designers switched stores, did Rose Farver announce her CT yet? DST announced....
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=135334
Seems like the same old stuff. Hopefully something entertaining will come up this week...
223 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 223 of 223Maybe because the store owner of TDS, like Amanda, always promises it won't happen again.
So true! It's really too bad that so many people equate honesty with attack. The lack of maturity and/or professionalism in this industry is shocking.
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That's not bitching. This isn't HS - just because someone has a problem with how you do act or perform doesn't equal attack. Its called feedback.
July 31, 2008 2:25 PM
Maybe because the store owner of TDS, like Amanda, always promises it won't happen again.
July 31, 2008 2:31 PM
That's the best explanation you have?? After more than one snafu with Ashley why the hell would anyone have believed ANY promise that she made?
I know there's no way in hell I would have shopped there and put one red cent in her thieving little pocket if I had known what was going on. But how could I have known with everyone covering it up and not speaking out?
The way that she took advantage of Jeanelle's generosity and ran that place into the ground is awful. And now Jeanelle and her great stuff are gone from digi while Ashley is back at DST posting it up. It's beyond wrong.
Saw the new August gold member kit over at DST. I am so glad that I didn't renew. I think I have only seen 1 kit that I have even remotely liked in over a year now.
Is it just me or does it seem like many of the recent DST gold kits have been stuff that didn't make it to the store, or just had less effort or something put into them? I really wonder because many of the featured designers have been some of my long time favorites, yet the gold kits always seem disappointing somehow.
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I am the designer that posted anonymously last evening. I apologize for bringing it to light here and coming off angry, which I admit I was. And those of you saying that bitching is not the way, well, I can't totally disagree but I hope you understand how upsetting this whole thing has been to me. I try to be totally approachable and friendly but every time I get her attention I feel rushed and then spoken to like a 2 year old. She has made me aware that my designs are not up to par with her remarks and that does hurt but instead of acting as if she is better then me maybe she could give me some constructive critisism and tell me what I can do better. That I can accept. But again, it's always the attitude of her being the better and more experienced designer instead of being helpful. I also have to say that I wish she would focus on us instead of the new shop but again she is always so busy and occupied with having a better shop then this one or that one. When she did the LDD contest I wondered if she would leave us hanging to go there. I worried I would be out of a job. She seems obsessed with certain other stores and always trying to mimic what they are doing instead of focusing on us. Again, I apologize for doing this here. My intent is not to "smack" her or the store but I really needed to tell someone. It's not like my husband or sons can understand or really offer advice in this area. I do read these blogs because I want to hear my customers and be a better designer, not turn against them and accuse them of bitching. And yes, I want to be paid on time. Is that so bad? I thought maybe she would read this, and maybe a light would go off in her head and she would see what she is doing is wrong and fix it. I do not want to change stores because I don't want my customers chasing me around. Is it too much to ask for the business to be run professionally and she be supportive? That's all I am asking. Maybe it's time to just quit and move onto doing something else because I hate the way this feels and being accused of whining. Sorry all.
Really, why would you not tell a store owner your concerns. That amazes me that a grown woman would not go straight to the owner and ask her about the issues you have all stated here. This is your business and you should take care of it. If you believe Amanda or anyother store owner is not doing their part then send them a private message. Besides hurting Amanda by slandering her name you are hurting yourself by not communicating your concerns. This is your business so to me you are an inept business owner.
I am totally baffled by the lack of concern for your own paycheck and the feelings of someone you all say is a wonderfully nice person. None of you seem to give a shit about that. Why is that. Because you are anonymous you think the things you say don't matter. But then you say you are being Gutsy. How can you be Gutsy when you are hiding behind the anonymous cloak?
Designers at PPF why didn't you privately go to Amanda about these issues. Bad decision on your part ladies. You as designers and business owners of your own should have known better than to go about slandering your store owner.
Payroll has been contracted out, Before all this crap started. But if you would have gone to her you would have know that. That is a smart business woman realizing she needs to make changes.
I am not going to be the "Rainbow Brigade" you so lovinly refer to in your posts. Not everything at the sites are perfect and there needs to be some changes but I will go to Amanda before I discuss my memberships with any of you.
GDWI has not had a grand opening but there will be one. There is new products going in weekly. If you really want to check it out be my guest. I have no problems with standing next to these store with my head held high. Or any of the other stores I am a part of. I will tell you quite honestly though that I don't frequent this place and I am sure glad. The few of you put a bad label on all of the digital scrapbooking community wether your names are here or not. It is obvious who you are.
I am ashamed of the desingers that have come in here and bashed a person that in one hand dismantle the character she has tried to build and on the other hand say she is a nice person. You have no idea who she is.
I would say you should be discusted with yourselves but you don't give a rip about anyone but yourselves and your self appointed holier than though opinions of others don't mean crap in the real world.
This is Digital Scrapbooking my friends...Well you aren't really my friends are you. It can all be gone tomorrow with a click of the mouse.
Really did it make you feel better?
4:34 It's sad that you feel like you have to apologize. It is most definitely NOT too much to ask to get paid on time. Ditto for not feeling ignored or talked down to.
I honestly don't think customers would get all upset to follow you unless you're a REALLY chronic store hopper.
Before you give up on designing, try to find a good store or even set up a very simple blog store of your own maybe?
It would be a shame to let one ennabler (or even perhaps Amanda herself) get to you. If Amanda and her stores were all that, she'd be attracting designers, not losing them constantly.
What a hypocrite you are 4:52! Where's your real name on your post.
I am glad that someone confirmed the past rumors about PPF, GDWI and whatever other stores this "great person" has going. _________________________
How can you be Gutsy when you are hiding behind the anonymous cloak?
It can all be gone tomorrow with a click of the mouse.
^^
Thankfully, so can you.
If you feel that your design skill can use improvement, take a class. Sign up for the video training at Scrappers Guide - or better yet, take a night class in photoshop or illustrator at your local college.
And yes, the expectation that you will be paid on time and treated with respect is appropriate. I don't think you whined. Don't let the happy faces turn this on you. Don't. This isn't your issue to fix - its Amanda's. All you can do really is decide what it is you want and make a change if that will help you feel better and rewarded for the time that designing requires.
"Besides hurting Amanda by slandering her name you are hurting yourself by not communicating your concerns."
Slander is an untruthful oral (spoken) statement about a person that harms the person's reputation or standing in the community.
Key word "untruthful". Nothing said here today is in anyway slander - or malicious. Nor is it libel. Why? Because its the truth. With facts that can be supported. So nice try on the attempt to create a victim scenario - next time read up.
And girl, if anyone is hurting Amanda's rep, its Amanda.
Don't let the happy faces turn this on you. Don't. This isn't your issue to fix - its Amanda's.
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Spot on!!
I don't think you are wrong in your thoughts about pay. Where I do think you are wrong, and I'm sure the majority of people feel this way - and when I say majority, I do not mean the majority of anonymous posters on a smack blog - is that you brought this to a smack blog FIRST. You didn't bring it up in the forum. You didn't email Amanda. You didn't say, pay has been late, here here and here. What are you going to do about it?
Nobody is saying Amanda was right in being a couple of days late, but the way you handled it? Just as wrong. If you had to use a smack blog it should have been your last resort. This should not have been the first place you ran to.
accusing her of withholding pay is pretty damn untruthful when she has records to prove that she paid everyone.
It appears this is going to continue until I step up and say something. I am deeply saddened by all that has been posted here. I work every day to be an advocate for this industry. Yet, when I come to these blogs I can't help but be more disapointed. I rightly admit I have been late with payroll. There is simply no excuse for that, and I admit it. That's also why I have hired help in this department. However, the accusation that I have held funds or stolen money from anyone is simply ludacris. I have reports to back up every cent I pay out. I will be glad to go over these with anyone who asks.
Since my reputation is clearly all that damaged, you gals go ahead and have your fun. If it makes you feel better to slander me and all I do to support the industry, the retailers, my staff and family, then by all means- be my guest.
Enjoy yourselves.
Amanda Dykan
And girl, if anyone is hurting Amanda's rep, its Amanda.
July 31, 2008 5:19 PM
I really have to agree. I had never heard of Amanda before all this, so I went and checked out the Purple Paper Flowers site.
I really can't see how this girl has managed to get herself as much attention as she has. Her designs are not appealing to me in the least (very digital and amateur looking), and the site decor and organization leaves a lot to be desired. That part is just my opinion, but there are some other problems over there.
The about us page is not even close to the current roster of designers. The spelling and grammar errors are beyond atrocious. Very, very unprofessional even without hearing all the talk of late payday and promises left unfulfilled.
Now, I do think that she has/had some neat ideas about offering a variety of items like tablets, bags, albums, etc. It just seems like she has really dropped the ball when it comes to execution. It seems as if she could really make a serious go of things if she could find a way to be the idea guru, and leave execution to someone who's more organized or capable or focused. Two digital stores just seems excessive and redundant.
With all that said, it seems that the consensus is that she's a lovely person. That's great, but it's just not enough to be a successful business person.
The only person making Amanda look bad in any of this is Amanda herself. These are her stores-the buck stops with her does it not?
What a drama queen you are! By it's very definition, slander includes UNTRUTHFUL statements. You yourself admit to paying people late. There have been many derogatory opinions on how you run your business, but thankfully, this isn't DST, so opinions are allowed.
I'm not sure why you see yourself as any more of an advocate for the industry than others out there, but kudos to you on your robust and healthy sense of self-esteem and entitlement! As for your claim that you're doing something for retail, oh please. No one does anything for retailers unless there's something in it for them. Why should they?
I've got no problem with someone trying to make a living, but your grandiose claims that you are some kind of shining beacon in the digi world are just silly. Are there ANY shining beacons in the digi industry??
I'd be more than happy to never discuss you or your stores again. It's getting old. Anyone who chooses to associate themselves with your businesses at this point obviously does so at their own risk.
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If it makes you feel better to slander me and all I do to support the industry, the retailers, my staff and family, then by all means- be my guest.
Enjoy yourselves.
Amanda Dykan
July 31, 2008 5:28 PM
ITA. I love strawberries and have been looking for a great strawberry kit for ages. This one did absolutely nothing for me, even though I like many of her other kits.
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Is it just me or does it seem like many of the recent DST gold kits have been stuff that didn't make it to the store, or just had less effort or something put into them?
July 31, 2008 2:25 PM - you're right, the lack of maturity and professionalism in this industry is shocking. You can't even hope that if someone has a problem that they might come to you. Instead they run to a smack blog and gossip like a bunch of anonymous 16 year olds.
Hear the cackling hens?
better yet, hold up a mirror.
I can feel for those that don't get paid on time. I used to be a designer at Polka Dot Potato. We only got paid once a month and payments were ALWAYS late, usually 7-10 days. The designers didn't get paid until one of them brought it up with the owner, Ashley Smith. I never understood how a store owner could do this knowing that the designers were all anxiously awaiting payment. I gave Ashley the benefit of the doubt every month hoping payments would be on time. After a few months I was out of there.
As for Amanda, I do know that before she started any of her websites she went to CHA with Ashley Smith and they shared a hotel room. Amanda was planning on starting a website and doing essentially the same thing Ashley was doing--marketing digital products to brick-and-mortar stores. Amanda didn't tell Ashley her plans, but managed to get lots on useful info about the industry. Ashley felt very betrayed when everything came to light. It is because of this that I know Amanda to be a sneaky liar. I wouldn't get involved with her for anything!
Honestly, I'm tired of hearing about Amanda. She's just not worth the time.
If HONEST, open discussion were allowed at places like DST or MSA, no one would need to run to smack blogs to discuss the issues that aren't 100% warm and fuzzy. It's really that simple.
I think it's a lot more mature to discuss problems and sticky issues honestly than it is to put on a fake front and smilingly bully people into thinking that they can't express their honest opinions.
It is totally infantile to equate honest opinions on designs, product, and business practices to a personal attack.
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You can't even hope that if someone has a problem that they might come to you. Instead they run to a smack blog and gossip like a bunch of anonymous 16 year olds.
New topic is up. Feel free to continue there. Closing comments here.
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