I find it funny that the reason Connie & Trixie backed out of the ES sale was due to being told by their other store owners they didn't want them to own a competing store and sell there. But now that one of their other stores is going exclusive they are losing stores anyway.
And you know this, how? I think you have no clue what you're talking about, or you are one of the designers who stands to benefit if those four designers leave. I am sure some of the exclusive designers who are there now would love to see those four leave, because whether you like them or not, they produce a ton of new product every month. Some of those exclusive SAHM designers who are content to make one new kit a month can't possibly keep up with people who work at designing like it is a business. Besides that, they are going to lose more than the four you mentioned. I already know of another who just hasn't made it public, yet.
I don't think this is going to go well for SM. Just my opinion.
It is a bit unfair to anyone in the contest who was told in the rules that they could stay at their stores through the 6 month "mentor" program. February 23, 2011 12:49 PM
---------- Best they learn early on that this is how life is in digiscrapping. It's probably the best lesson they could learn in the contest.
It is a bit unfair to anyone in the contest who was told in the rules that they could stay at their stores through the 6 month "mentor" program. February 23, 2011 12:49 PM
---------- Best they learn early on that this is how life is in digiscrapping. It's probably the best lesson they could learn in the contest.
^^^ True - but it's never good to piss off potential designers/customers. Changing rules is a sure way to do that.
Well hopefully they all do know what they are getting themselves into because it was very clear in the "rule"
"If you are already selling at another store, you may continue to do so during your apprenticeship term, but you may not add any new stores during the apprenticeship term. If you are not already selling elsewhere, you will be required to be exclusive to ScrapMatters during your apprenticeship term."
So no real surprises or gossip worthy smack going on over there that I can see.
I think people are just getting worked up over nothing. This seems like something they have been planning for a while. It says in the rules no adding stores. I highly doubt they are going to all the sudden in the middle of a comp change the rules.
I think that the timing of the annoucement is horrible. And since nothing official has come from SM I think that Trixie & Connie shouldn't have posted that yet. To me it just makes them look like major pot stirrers!
Did they say the contract would change for the contest? Or is that an assumption? They did say after the 6 months, they would have to be exclusive.
^^^ No they didn't - they simply said that no new stores could be added during the 6 month term. Not that you'd have to leave any other store
Well hopefully they all do know what they are getting themselves into because it was very clear in the "rule"
"If you are already selling at another store, you may continue to do so during your apprenticeship term, but you may not add any new stores during the apprenticeship term. If you are not already selling elsewhere, you will be required to be exclusive to ScrapMatters during your apprenticeship term."
So no real surprises or gossip worthy smack going on over there that I can see.
^^^ Well if all the other designers there have to go exclusive in a month, I'd be surprised if they took on anyone who a) wasn't going to go exclusive or b) would let anyone have another store during the 6 month term
I think that the timing of the annoucement is horrible. And since nothing official has come from SM I think that Trixie & Connie shouldn't have posted that yet. To me it just makes them look like major pot stirrers! February 23, 2011 1:26 PM ------------ Trixie is a trouble maker extraordinaire anyway. I'm surprised by Connie. I don't care for either of their products, but I always respected Connie for being professional. I think they both should have waited until SM officially made the announcement.
And SM definitely needs to make an announcement with their design contest going on right now. A lot of those poor newbies are probably crapping in their diapers.
I would imagine that when the admin of SM decided to go exclusive, they knew which designers they would most likely lose. If losing them made a huge difference to their bottom line they probably would not have made that decision.Designers that sell at all those stores have a fragmented customer base,so maybe their base at SM isn't all that significant.
As I see it, those designers leaving SM are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. If they announced they were leaving with no reason given, you would smack them. If they just made no announcement at all, you would gossip and "wonder" about it after their stores closed with no explanation. But, since they chose to be up front about it and announced they were closing their stores, with their reason for doing so, they are now pot stirrers. It seems it doesn't matter how they handled it, you would find a way to make them wrong for it.
Wow, you are all making an *assumption* here. Let's wait and see what the powers that be say about the contestants instead of ass-u-ming what will happen.
And SM definitely needs to make an announcement with their design contest going on right now. A lot of those poor newbies are probably crapping in their diapers.
February 23, 2011 1:41 PM
Why? It says it in the overview that they would have to be exclusive after the apprentice term.
As I see it, those designers leaving SM are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. If they announced they were leaving with no reason given, you would smack them. If they just made no announcement at all, you would gossip and "wonder" about it after their stores closed with no explanation. But, since they chose to be up front about it and announced they were closing their stores, with their reason for doing so, they are now pot stirrers. It seems it doesn't matter how they handled it, you would find a way to make them wrong for it.
I don't think you are damned if you don't. I think you are smacked because you did not have the professional courtesy to ask the store that until recently was your design home when it would be appropriate to announce your departure.
Someone is leaving awfully quickly, seems like she got her knickers in a twist.
SM isn't even going exclusive until April. Those two could have easily just announced that it was time for them to leave blah, blah, blah. IMO they shouldn't have put it out there about SM becoming exclusive until an official annoucemnet was made. So to me, yes that is pot stirring.
I think the only wild cards are Creations by Rachael (Also at TDC) and Amy Stoffel (Also at GP). -------------------------- Amy is only a guest at GP but she did just open at SugarHill. If I was her I would go exclusive to SM and get away from SugarHill.
I don't think you are damned if you don't. I think you are smacked because you did not have the professional courtesy to ask the store that until recently was your design home when it would be appropriate to announce your departure.
Someone is leaving awfully quickly, seems like she got her knickers in a twist.
February 23, 2011 2:24 PM
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I don't think I have ever seen a store announce going exclusive to the public unless they were in the middle of a designer call. It's not some top secret thing that has to be hidden until it is revealed to the public. That's just stupid. Why hang on until April just so that people won't think one got into a huff over it? Personally I think it is wise to just move on rather than beating a dead horse.
I've never been a fan of stores being exclusive, and I'm not at all surprised Connie is leaving. She takes her business very seriously, and clearly has a plan. And any smart business isn't going to let their plan be dictated by one consignment store.
the results are up at SM....man oh man. ------------------- Yeah, interesting choices. At least four of them have me wondering WTF the SM designers were thinking when they decided to let those designers move on. Specifically 45, 66, 69 and 94.
well, wonder what digital couture will do IF she would make it, since she is selling at Mscraps AND JenYurko.com ?? since SM seems to be going exclusive, that is.
For some reason I don't buy into that everything was anonymous in the first round since a lot that made it to round 2 are already affiliated with the site in one way or another.
They all should have had their names in their TOU - that is what they were told to do in the rules. Not really secret that way, huh? I also noticed that they sent through many people who kiss ass at the site on a regular basis. Not surprised. But then, I can't say whether or not the quality is good on any of them. There were a few (like maybe three?) submissions I might have downloaded, but the color palette is so ugly, I didn't bother.
For some reason I don't buy into that everything was anonymous in the first round since a lot that made it to round 2 are already affiliated with the site in one way or another. -----------------------
It's all a conspiracy to only bring their friends onto the site masked by this huge and time consuming contest where the designers go though and read all the TOUs to see who designed which kit. Yes, that has to be it. Because they couldn't just email them and ask them to become a designer at SM. That would be so much harder to pull off than a contest.
There are a number of designers that hang out there as CT and scrappers that participated and didn't get picked.
^ LOL! Right! or they could have just had a designer call and brought all the "kiss asses" in that way. It would have saved them a lot of time! But then everyone would be bitching about the unfair call choices.
^^^^^^^^^^^^ Well, they didn't exactly clearly state what their criteria for selecting designers to move on was going to be or give any indication of how entries would be judged. So the possibility that it could be to bring on a bunch of "ass kissers" is definitely a legitimate one.
And for the record: No. I didn't take part in the contest. :)
Well, they didn't exactly clearly state what their criteria for selecting designers to move on was going to be or give any indication of how entries would be judged.
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You're right. But there's a lot of grey area that makes defining this difficult. How do you explain, "do I like it?" In a manner that is clear enough for someone to designer a kit around it?
They chose some that I didn't like. So who's wrong?
I would assume that quality would be something they looked at and would be a "no duh" when entering a design contest. But no stray pixels doesn't necessarily mean that a kit will sell if there is no talent in the design side of it.
there is one post from #85, who says she is "DreamerPaula" and has been selling for 5 years. Doesn't sound happy, if you can read 'tone' into a statement. but...looking at her entry, and her shop at Digitals..and um...well, if she hasn't figured out by now whats wrong, she never will.
ok. so #71. I count more than two CU products. The ribbon wrapped button in the flower...thats either julia fialho or redju. thats one. I recognize the handwritten paper. that's two. the stitching on her frames is questionable as to if its hers or not....I'm betting NOT. she obviously could have made the ribbon and ricrac. the lace? no way. I've seen that lace. thats 3. more stitching. um...what's wrong with this picture?
ok. so #71. I count more than two CU products. The ribbon wrapped button in the flower...thats either julia fialho or redju. thats one. I recognize the handwritten paper. that's two. the stitching on her frames is questionable as to if its hers or not....I'm betting NOT. she obviously could have made the ribbon and ricrac. the lace? no way. I've seen that lace. thats 3. more stitching. um...what's wrong with this picture?
^^^
Her credits say it's Julia Fiahlo's bow and an unnamed source for the ribbon. If she extracted the flower I would be SHOCKED if she extracted the lace. Whoever extracted the lace did an amazing job.
According to 71's TOU the only CU she used was the ribbon on the button (which is by Redju, I have that too) and the curly ribbon.
However the button that she used under the ribbon and on the flair is CU too. I have that in my stash as well, it's from Rachaels Scrap Store in her yellow retro button pack: http://rachaelsscrapstore.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=988
she's also used several CU overlays....including the worn one. I downloaded it....and holy crap, there are shadows and strays all over the damn place. the rick rack is so blurry at 100% its not even funny. Doesn't quality count?????
I didn't vote. Both of my sons have RSV, one is still in the children's hospital. I haven't been able to be online long enough to download and analyze the minis and cast a fair vote, so I withdrew from the voting.
He's doing better BTW and will hopefully be home soon.
that lace is another CU....but...its what she did to it that is weird. Its like she beveled it. and that entire piece is horrible. the rick rack is so blurred...good lord. just because she is on chelle's CT she can get away with this? something is VERY wrong here.
well, Chelle - perhaps you should look into #71, since they say she CT's for you. There is more Cu than the rules allowed, and the quality is BAD!!! Fair is fair.
Have you people all lost your minds? Do you have any idea how much time and effort goes into a contest like this? Do you honestly think any store would put together this type of event just to hand pick who they wanted to bring into their store? How does that even make any sense? I see that Chelle has told you she did not vote. I think that is good enough for me.
i don't think people were hand picked. but it IS more than obvious that at least ONE person #71 did NOT follow the rules, and should be disqualified. I don't care how much time and effort goes into a contest - if SM is going to run it, then they are obligated to make sure it is done right. If someone is found to be "cheating", as in using more CU than is allowed...then they should be disqualified. I'm sorry chelle's kids are sick, too - however - this should be looked into. I don't think that SM wants to be known for cheating, do they?
Then why not just say, "#71 broke the rules" and state why and leave off the childish part about only being picked because she's on Chelle's CT. Which makes the person tattle-taling look like even more of a toole!
Or be even more of a grown-up and email the powers that be at SM!
and that's how they chose if you put Quality at the back of the list.
Regarding CTs and kiss asses - they are at ScrapMatters for a reason - because they like the store. If they like the offerings there, chances are their design style will be a good match. Somebody whose home store &/or purchases are other stores, maybe Oscraps or Ninth and Bloom, they aren't going to fare as well. But it's not a huge conspiracy. I'm sure they were shocked by the low quality.
Have you people all lost your minds? Do you have any idea how much time and effort goes into a contest like this? Do you honestly think any store would put together this type of event just to hand pick who they wanted to bring into their store? How does that even make any sense? I see that Chelle has told you she did not vote. I think that is good enough for me. -------------------------- Actually I do know how much time goes into something like this. I may not matter to you but it certainly does to the designers that participated, followed the rules and then got cut.
I actually did e-mail the owner and heard nothing back. So I am assuming they don't care. Which really makes the site look bad and I am almost happy I didn’t make it to round 2.
I actually did e-mail the owner and heard nothing back. So I am assuming they don't care. Which really makes the site look bad and I am almost happy I didn’t make it to round 2.
February 24, 2011 6:47 PM
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oh sheesh! what about 2 hours ago? and even so, they don't have to reply to tell you what is going to happen unless you happen to be the next runner up. Give them time to make a decision on what they want to do. People make mistakes. Stop being childish and expecting perfection.
I've been on both ends of these contests as a designer and a hose. They are definitely time-consuming. Why the rush to judge the first round of entries? Given the number of them (71 according to the gallery), why did voting take less than 48 hours? (One SM designer said her ballot was due by 6PM PST last night--only 48 hours after the close of posting). I understand that those who entered would be eager to hear whether or not they made the cut but making them wait an extra day or two wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
I still don't understand how #94 made it through. Fugly, fugly, fugly and not very good quality either.
Personally, I've always liked SM. The store has a lot of great products and the forum seems pretty friendly. But this contest is making me see them in a whole new light and it ain't pretty.
I understand that those who entered would be eager to hear whether or not they made the cut but making them wait an extra day or two wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
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uh-huh. give the designers another 24 hours to put it off until the last minute and still make poor choices that we can smack. Makes sense.
Do you (not you, but collective you) really think they are going to get out their QA actions and check all of these kits while judging? Seriously? Nope, they looked at the previews and based it on the assumption that everyone followed the rules. Because nobody has time for those standards in the real world.
Bull shit! If they couldn't handle the number on entries, they should have set a limit.
Judging anything, in this case, just by the preview is ridiculous.
Yes, they should have downloaded every single entry and checked for quality. The fact that they may not have, makes me go hmm. I don't want to shop in their store. Who knows what crap I'm going to get.
Actually I do know how much time goes into something like this. I may not matter to you but it certainly does to the designers that participated, followed the rules and then got cut.
I actually did e-mail the owner and heard nothing back. So I am assuming they don't care. Which really makes the site look bad and I am almost happy I didn’t make it to round 2.
February 24, 2011 6:47 PM ------
They probably had quite a lot of emails, so they probably haven't got to yours yet. The world doesn't revolve around you, you know.
I'm sure they are happy you didn't make it either. What a whiney baby you are.
We let our current designers vote for the winners. We didn't expect them to download all 71 kits, so we had them choose their top 15 from the previews and download those--people often times by kits bases on the preview alone. Those top fifteen were then judged on a variety of factors. The judges were then supposed to pick their top ten. You got a vote for being in the top fifteen and also got points for being in the top ten. The votes were tallied up by me. I did it all by number, I didn't say, "I'm not going to count their vote because I don't like so and so, or they are on so and so's CT so they should get more points." Chelle didn't vote because her son was in the hospital.
If we wanted to just pick and choose who we wanted on our team, we would have done just that. Without a contest at all. We didn't need to have a contest to get more designers. We wanted to give more designers an opportunity to show off their best work and possibly join our team. That is why we went to all of the time and effort to have this contest.
So Andilynn, I'm curious, will #71 be disqualified for this? If not, that's pretty much bullshit. What's the point in rules if no one has to follow them?
Really??? You all didn't even download all the kits? Why bother having a contest at all? Those designers worked long and hard for you all to not even bother downloading to see if they are any good? That is crap! I didn't take part and I am very glad I didn't. Especially after hearing that all my time and effort would have gone to waste because you didn't like my preview enough to bother looking at my work.
Thank you Chelle and Andilynn for addressing this here.
Quite frankly, it's all too little, too late for those who participated. The criteria were never explained well. Instead, the same five terms (quality, creativity, realism, scrapability, & overall appeal) were repeated over and over and over without any further elaboration. During last week's kick-off chat, SM designers who took part totally avoided the question and would instead put smiley faces as "answers" to those questions. Not helpful. Clearer explanations with more specific details (like "not blurry at 100%) would have been far more helpful.
This has totally got me upset. I did take part in the contest and to hear that you may not have even bothered to download my kit? I wasted my precious time on you all and you didn't even have the decency to look at what I did, Andilynn!
We let our current designers vote for the winners. We didn't expect them to download all 71 kits, ------
Are you kidding? With the large amount of designers you have at your store, you could easily have assigned most of them a number of kits to download, so that all kits in the end would be examined. They would have had to look at less than 15 that way.
I'm calling bullshit on this whole contest. They're making up the rules as they go along so they can get people to visit their forum and store and screw over people who thought they'd get a fair shot at becoming a SM designer.
If "quality, creativity, realism, scrapability, & overall appeal" were what we were being judged on, how is it fair that you didn't even download all the kits? How can we be judged on quality if you didn't bother to check our quality? Obviously you didn't even bother to check the quality of the ones who moved on since #71 aka Merchi's quality is shittier than ever. This is bullshit and I hope ScrapMatters is happy with themselves
if everyone downloaded their top fifteen how do you know they weren't all downloaded and looked at. i can't imagine everyone would have the same top fifteen.
Oh, give me a break. There were 70 entries. Do you really think that all 70 did get downloaded? Get real. Besides, wasn't the point of the contest to get "apprenticeships?" Maybe your preview could be better. Isn't that what the mentor is for?
They probably had quite a lot of emails, so they probably haven't got to yours yet. The world doesn't revolve around you, you know.
I'm sure they are happy you didn't make it either. What a whiney baby you are.
----------------
I am sorry you think I am a whiney baby. But I don't treat designing as a hobby, this is my business. It's how I help contribute to my family. Getting into a larger store with a larger fan base and getting my name out there means more money for us.
And for your information I sent my e-mail Monday when I downloaded her sample and noticed more than just the 2 CU allowed.
I bet it gets deleted pretty quick, but bravo to whoever had the balls to post that! ===================================== Awww... I missed it already. What'd it say?
Someone created a SN that was iHateDesignStar71 the post began with: So why the hell isn't she disqualified yet?
Credit goes out to all of the "anonymous" people who originally posted this information on the *blog*
Then she copied a bunch of the comments from here about 71's over use of CU.
And if you quality checked the top kits, how did she move on with these errors? I am sure there are more but, I think 3 is enough.
She also posted screen shots with a stroke on her elements to show the stays, jaggies and blurriness.
Then she ended it with: She should be disqualified from the competition and BANNED from scrapmatters for cheating and basically pirating!!!! OR are you not going to do this because she is a kiss ass and on chelle's CT?
Please do the RIGHT thing. Let an HONEST person have a chance.
You can find the thread that was deleted at scrapmatters here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/scrap-talk-65/scrapmatters-ban-cheater-pirater-270064/
Color me not surprised. I stopped shopping at Scrap Matters after the first Design Star contest. Things were handled badly then and comments made to people in the contest were very rude.
Oh, give me a break. There were 70 entries. Do you really think that all 70 did get downloaded? Get real. Besides, wasn't the point of the contest to get "apprenticeships?" Maybe your preview could be better. Isn't that what the mentor is for?
February 24, 2011 10:36 PM' ----
You get real. It was a contest, and should have been handled like one. I don't even have a dog in this race and I'm pissed off by the way this was handled.
I'm not really understanding the attraction to Scrap Matters. Looks like the same stuff I see everywhere. Not good, not bad, just nothing unique or overly original.
whoever posted that at SM and DST just wanted a name to draw attention to the thread. and it did. the obvious concern here is that this designer, if you dare to call her that ... cheated. Andrea comes in here to try to defend SM's actions, and basically makes a fool of herself by letting on that they didn't even bother to check all the kits. If the designers that were "picking" their favorite previews had instead been assigned mini's to judge, it might have been different. but no - let them pick the ones they liked, pool them, then pick the best of the lot.
the problem with this is...no one really bothered to take a close look at anything. #71's kit , while on the surface might have looked "OK" - it is far from it. The examples shown at DST don't do justice to the overall quality. the strays and shadows on the ribbon piece are 10 x or more worse than on that frame.
Its sad, overall. The people who entered did so with the expectation of fair judging. For it to all come out here, of all places.....instead of at SM, where it should be addressed is just plain ridiculous.
Andrea (Andilynn) - if you are still reading this - - explain your actions to the contestants in the forum at SM! They deserve the answers to this.
Andrea comes in here to try to defend SM's actions, and basically makes a fool of herself by letting on that they didn't even bother to check all the kits.
What's the difference between a designers call and a designers contest? In both cases they take the ones they want. But the contest brings more traffic and new customers. The merit system is a terra incognita in digiland.
From Andilynn's message on SM, it sounds like they ran things exactly the same way this time around as they did two years ago and "it's too late to change anything now"?
My god, what a moronic statement. They're going to continue to do the wrong thing rather than slow down and try to do the right thing.
We let our current designers vote for the winners. We didn't expect them to download all 71 kits, so we had them choose their top 15 from the previews and download those--people often times by kits bases on the preview alone. Those top fifteen were then judged on a variety of factors. The judges were then supposed to pick their top ten. You got a vote for being in the top fifteen and also got points for being in the top ten. The votes were tallied up by me. I did it all by number, I didn't say, "I'm not going to count their vote because I don't like so and so, or they are on so and so's CT so they should get more points." -----------------------
Is there some reason that you couldn't tell contestants this upfront? It certainly would have reduced a lot of the problems that you seem to be having with this contest!
The only problem I am seeing is that someone got ticked off that they weren't picked, didn't like a kit that was and so decided to be a poor sport and publically throw a fit about it, going so far as to accuse a contestant and SM of cheating. According to a post in the SM forum this morning it has been looked into and the accused contestant has given proof of what CU she used and what items she scanned in and created herself. Since two years ago there was no malicious reactions to the people that moved on SM had no idea there were any flaws in their system. It is unfortunate that the "offended" loser could not have been more mature and respectful and dealt with this in a less destructive manner.
I'm the person who posted the "ok, #71" thread. I was not in the SM contest. I downloaded that kit because, no matter what #71 says and SM is obviously now backing up....she used more than 2 CU items. Fair is fair. I stand by my original statement - there is definitely more than 2 CU items being used in that mini.
I doubt very much that anyone in the previous years knew how they were picking kits. For SM to say that it worked before just makes it all the worse. Andrea says they didn't want it to be a popularity contest. well - it was anyway. the judges picked the PREVIEWS they liked best. No one cared what was inside.
They can stand by that designer all they want. I saw first hand, up close what was in that kit. I know there was more than 2 CU pieces used. I KNOW the quality was horrible. and yet - the first word stated on what they would be looking for was QUALITY. How anyone can judge quality from a preview is beyond me.
If I had been in the contest, and found this out - you bet I would be mad if I hadn't been picked and knew this was going on. Its not being whiney or bratty or highschoolish. Its a natural response to being wronged. Every contestant in that contest that didn't make the cut was treated very unfairly.
but of course, thats my opinion - I'm entitled to it. Just as my opinion of SM dropped overnight.
^exactly. As soon as they said that crap about kiss asses and being on Chelle's team, it became obvious that they were just being a big baby throwing a fit and throwing some bullying into the mix. Didn't your mama teach you that isn't the way to get what you want? You just looked like a jealous, sore loser fool.
Andrea says they didn't want it to be a popularity contest. well - it was anyway. the judges picked the PREVIEWS they liked best. No one cared what was inside.
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And this isn't based on popularity. That would be picking people because they like them. They didn't do that because they could have just done that without all this contest work.
And most kits are being purchased out of the store based on the preview without knowing for certain the quality inside. We've all been burned in this area.
This is for an apprentice position which means that the designers they are choosing still need mentoring and something to learn. Everyone has to start somewhere. If they wanted a pro designer, they would have had a call and taken the top designers.
If they were going to pick based on previews - they should've stated that upfront. Sure I buy kits - but it's a combination of designer reputation (I will ONLY buy from a designer I trust quality-wise), previews and layouts I've seen created with the product. So there goes the "everyone buys based on preview" argument. I also felt it was a bit rich/stretching the rules about 5 elements/3 papers - and one of her elements was three separate unclustered buttons. It's one thing to cluster - but three separate and distinct elements is not a cluster
If they were going to pick based on previews - they should've stated that upfront. Sure I buy kits - but it's a combination of designer reputation (I will ONLY buy from a designer I trust quality-wise), previews and layouts I've seen created with the product. So there goes the "everyone buys based on preview" argument.
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NO that doesn't throw that out the window. All of these designers had a beginning when they had to learn and build their reputation. So someone somewhere had to be purchasing site-unseen to help build that rep. I will try out a new designer based on preview and if the kit is cheap enough that it is worth the risk.
And quality does not always equal great design apeal. I can produce a stray pixel free extraction but I can't put it together in a usuable and appealing kit. That's why picking by preview can work in a contest. You either got it or you don't when it comes to this aspect. And it's the hardest to judge too.
Wow I just checked out the SM contest and I could do better with my eyes closed lol! Some of those were pretty bad, but then again I have never thought of SM as a top store.
I am "ihatedesignstar71". In no way am I jealous of her cheated kit AT ALL. This has nothing to do with me being a big baby and being upset that I didn't get through blah blah blah. If this was the case why would I only "pick on" ONE kit rather than find something wrong with them all? I "picked on" her because she ClEARLY cheated!! I really doubt proof has been provided that all of that was her work. Its probably just scrapmatters covering it up. They should really post the proof publicly so that all of the contestents can be sure. They deserve that. But I bet they won't since she cheated and they have no proof.
^ The problem isn't that you reported it. It was HOW you went about it. You sounded like a big whiner and not very professional at all. All you did was try to bully them into the resolution that YOU wanted. Especially when you threw in that part about her being on Chelle's team. That didn't help your case in any way! You know that wasn't why she was picked. I can list about 5 people that are very active on SM CT's and didn't get picked. (Don't ask me who, go look for yourself in the forums. I'm not putting innocent names on this board for them to end up geting smacked!!)
Royanna's at it again with her "Emergency Moving Sale".
Sorry hun but although $20 for access to over 725 products sounds phenomenal I have had the misfortune to purchase from you before and had to dump it all because my cat could produce better quality items.
If you're so sure that #71 cheated, then post the actual CU items that she used. Claiming that you're sure you have the same CU item in your stash, or that you've seen it somewhere and actually showing that you do and where it actually came from is another thing. Show the actual proof if you've got it instead of making assumptions.
To "ihatedesignstar71". If you had approached the situation in a more professional way, it might have been better for all. Creating a username at DST ONLY to blast someone under anonymity leads everyone to believe that you were doing something you felt was wrong in the first place, or you would have addressed it either privately or with your own name. It is easy to see on your profile page that you created that username only today!
You were right that she *possibly* did the wrong thing but you took the path a moron would take and sounded like a jealous idiot. _______________________________
I'll second that although I don't know if you were actually 'right' unless YOU provide proof, but you did look like a jealous moron.
I also find it strange, ihateds71, about your posting. When you posted in the threads in forums, you could provide pictures showing the "bad quality" in 71's kit easily. I thought it should have been just as easy for you to provide proof of 71's use of more than 2 CU products, considering that you said you also own the same products. Yet you chose not to.
To "ihatedesignstar71", saying that #71 "pirated" is also a dumb move. Learn the meaning of "pirate". She may not have mentioned in her TOU a CU product you "think" she used but that does not make her a pirate. Your whole post was badly worded but calling her a pirate was uncalled for.
NO that doesn't throw that out the window. All of these designers had a beginning when they had to learn and build their reputation. So someone somewhere had to be purchasing site-unseen to help build that rep. I will try out a new designer based on preview and if the kit is cheap enough that it is worth the risk. ---------
I don't do that. I'm not going to spend money just to 'try' a new designer JUST based on the preview and the low price of the kit. To build a reputation, you can start by giving away freebies, which should be a sample of your work and show its quality. Then, if I like your freebies, I will buy your kits. As simple as that. No need to throw my money away blindly.
To "ihatedesignstar71", saying that #71 "pirated" is also a dumb move. Learn the meaning of "pirate". She may not have mentioned in her TOU a CU product you "think" she used but that does not make her a pirate. Your whole post was badly worded but calling her a pirate was uncalled for.
February 25, 2011 3:56 PM -------------
ITA #71 is not a pirate, get over it Ihate71! Maybe she did not follow the rules, but she might have thought she did. Anyway, calling her a cheater and a pirate is stupid.
I don't do that. I'm not going to spend money just to 'try' a new designer JUST based on the preview and the low price of the kit. To build a reputation, you can start by giving away freebies, which should be a sample of your work and show its quality. Then, if I like your freebies, I will buy your kits. As simple as that. No need to throw my money away blindly.
February 25, 2011 4:14 PM
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But what you do isn't the model of the rest of the community. (the world doesn't center around you, remember?) I buy what I want. If it sucks, I explain why and ask for a refund. I'm rarely disappointed buying off of preview and CT layout examples. I'm not even going to attempt to hunt down a freebie because that only shows the quality for the freebie. Even well reputed designers end up with the occassional stray pixel.
And you know this, how? I think you have no clue what you're talking about, or you are one of the designers who stands to benefit if those four designers leave. I am sure some of the exclusive designers who are there now would love to see those four leave, because whether you like them or not, they produce a ton of new product every month. Some of those exclusive SAHM designers who are content to make one new kit a month can't possibly keep up with people who work at designing like it is a business. Besides that, they are going to lose more than the four you mentioned. I already know of another who just hasn't made it public, yet.
I don't think this is going to go well for SM. Just my opinion. *************************************** Spoken like a true fan of crappy, tired CU kits. How long does it really take to recolor an item? Anyone who thinks these designers added anything to SM are delusional.
Spoken like a true fan of crappy, tired CU kits. How long does it really take to recolor an item? Anyone who thinks these designers added anything to SM are delusional.
I have been a judge in a "design contest" and as an experienced designer I can narrow down the better applicants very easily JUST from the previews. I did download a few of the ones I had "crossed off" my list to make sure that my instincts were right and they were.
I also have worked at a store when there was an open designer call. Again I don't download every designer's submission.
Now when it comes to the final decisions... every designer's submission needs to be downloaded and checked carefully. I had a list of criteria that I used to rate each submission.
Being that it was the first round in the SM contest I don't see anything wrong with the way they eliminated contestants. Yeah... maybe a few of the ones eliminated might have had "better" submissions than a designer who didn't get cut, but if that designers stuff is crap she will be eliminated before the final rounds. It all works out in the end.
I do not sell at SM and do not know any of their staff on a personal level. Just stating my opinion as an experienced designer.
Are you one of the sad, little Scrap Matters designers who knows they are rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship or what? You guys should really get back to 'defending' the sad competition that has zero integrity that is causing your pitiful store to crumble around your feet! Trying to throw hard working designers who had the good sense to get the hell out under the bus isn't helping your public image.
Are you one of the sad, little Scrap Matters designers who knows they are rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship or what? You guys should really get back to 'defending' the sad competition that has zero integrity that is causing your pitiful store to crumble around your feet! Trying to throw hard working designers who had the good sense to get the hell out under the bus isn't helping your public image. **************************************** Gee, and these designers who are so brilliant didn't leave until AFTER they were told they had to go exclusive. Yeah, let me bow down to their integrity and intelligence.
I'm getting a little tired of the "to download or not to download" thing here about the SM contest. Listen up all you who say you wouldn't, shouldn't, couldn't download all those mini's.
These contestants were told, in writing in the rules thread that they would be judged....NOT by preview only....but with QUALITY being the first in line.
To the person who says she is an experienced designer - and that she can tell by looking....good for you. its totally irrevelant! These people were TOLD that quality matters. There is NO way to judge quality by a preview.
There is NO way to judge quality by a preview. --------------------------------------------------------- Are you kidding me?! Go look at the kits at Brownie Scraps, and then at a place like SSD, and say that again with a straight face. Get a life.
Gee, and these designers who are so brilliant didn't leave until AFTER they were told they had to go exclusive. Yeah, let me bow down to their integrity and intelligence.
^^^^
This makes no sense at all. Why are you suggesting they aren't good designers because they left AFTER being told they had to go exclusive?
Any designer who wants to run her OWN business and make her OWN decisions would leave if told they HAD to go exclusive.
Are you kidding me?! Go look at the kits at Brownie Scraps, and then at a place like SSD, and say that again with a straight face. Get a life.
^^^
I'm so glad someone else has said something about Brownie Scraps. I've wondered for a long time how they call sell that crap and refer to themselves as a high quality store.
This makes no sense at all. Why are you suggesting they aren't good designers because they left AFTER being told they had to go exclusive?
Any designer who wants to run her OWN business and make her OWN decisions would leave if told they HAD to go exclusive. --------------------------------------------------- That is not what I was suggesting. What I meant was these allegedly brilliant designers who KNEW that SM was "sinking ship" as that one person put it, did not come by this brilliance until told they had to go exclusive. They are mad they are losing a cash cow and can't drag down the good designers anymore. Sour grapes. And if they have good businesses, I am glad I only buy from designers who care more about quality than quantity.
Any designer who wants to run her OWN business and make her OWN decisions would leave if told they HAD to go exclusive. ---------------------- If you want to run your own business and make your own decisions wouldn't you sell exclusively in your own shop? The designers at the exclusive shops are running their OWN business. They all have a choice of where they want to sell. I can't see anyone telling a designer they HAD to go exclusive, but more along the line of we're going exclusive, if you want to continue to sell here you can go exclusive too. Or you can just leave.
Anonymous said... There is NO way to judge quality by a preview. --------------------------------------------------------- Are you kidding me?! Go look at the kits at Brownie Scraps, and then at a place like SSD, and say that again with a straight face. Get a life.
^^^^ I'm talking about PRODUCT quality , not what the damn thing LOOKS like. There is a difference. Take good old #71's mini as an example. Looked ok. Quality? there IS NONE!!! Some that just look like plain crap probably had the best overall qualtity of product. how would those judges know? They didn't bother to look.
Why would they bother to look at the crappy preview kits? If you can't produce something interesting that someone would want to download, then the rest does NOT matter. Quality only matters if it is paired with decent design! It is easier to teach a new designer about quality than it is to teach them about good design principles!
^^^^^^ Crap. Good previews do not equal good design. They are not the same thing. Take a look at Christina Renee for example. Her previews were great, her quality was awful. If you want to buy thing based solely on the packaging, good for you, but I'd rather have a look at the contents if at all possible.
You can tell an awful lot from the packaging! You may not be able to see the finer quality but there is so much more to design quality than stray pixels and jaggies.
I have no issues with how SM are judging. They are downloading the ones they think are best. They can then tell if the quality is still there once they open the kit.
You can tell a lot from how someone uses a color palette and how they create their elements. Whether they use drop shadows on their preview, and if the kit is cohesive, which so many of the current CU filled aren't.
Show me a preview and I can tell you whether the designer has experience or if they understand color theory or balance. Most kits you can tell from a preview if they are poor quality. Of course not always, but if a designer knows what they are doing, the preview should show their abilities.
we can all agree to disagree, fine - we each have our own opinions. the fact is, the contestants were lead to believe that their kit would be downloaded and then judged on the given criteria. They were lied to. and that is whats wrong here.
You can all debate on who did right and who did wrong in this whole Design Star freak show, but at the end of the day, they could have EASILY downloaded ALL of the kits by dividing them up amongst the current SM designers.
They have 26 designers (not including the Connie/Trixie North South Studios). They had 70ish entries. Even if they only had 20 of their designers active at the site (because you never see some of them in the forums) to help judge, they would each download TWO-THREE of the kits. Not 15 each.
Then all of them could be downloaded and judged - completely and fairly.
By doing things the logical way instead of the "just pick what you like" way, you could have downloaded all the entries with far less work for each of the SM designers AND provided each contestant with real feedback to help their design work.
There is no way it would have been difficult to narrow the list down to 10-20 based on all the criteria. Heck, some probably made it to round 2 only because they needed 15 and only had 8 that were worth a crap.
the contestants were lead to believe that their kit would be downloaded and then judged on the given criteria. They were lied to. and that is whats wrong here.
February 26, 2011 7:59 AM
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It didn't say that their kit would be downloaded and checked. They weren't lied to. The participating designers made that assumption. I probably would have assumed that as well, but I get why it didn't happen that way.
Is this really worth all the smack? Seriously? There are so many better stores than SM. So you didn't get past round 1, move on!
You can all debate on who did right and who did wrong in this whole Design Star freak show, but at the end of the day, they could have EASILY downloaded ALL of the kits by dividing them up amongst the current SM designers.
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Hindsight is always 20/20 even more so if you are the one passing judgement after the fact.
In addition to that, the designers aren't salaried by the store (commission based!) where the store owner can command them to participate in that way. So 85% of them wouldn't have done the job for a number of reasons. (unless SM was smart enough to build a clause into the contract. Unlikely!)
You can all debate on who did right and who did wrong in this whole Design Star freak show, but at the end of the day, they could have EASILY downloaded ALL of the kits by dividing them up amongst the current SM designers.
They have 26 designers (not including the Connie/Trixie North South Studios). They had 70ish entries. Even if they only had 20 of their designers active at the site (because you never see some of them in the forums) to help judge, they would each download TWO-THREE of the kits. Not 15 each.
Then all of them could be downloaded and judged - completely and fairly.
By doing things the logical way instead of the "just pick what you like" way, you could have downloaded all the entries with far less work for each of the SM designers AND provided each contestant with real feedback to help their design work.
There is no way it would have been difficult to narrow the list down to 10-20 based on all the criteria. Heck, some probably made it to round 2 only because they needed 15 and only had 8 that were worth a crap. ------
This! I made this point a few posts back, but you made it a whole lot better than I did.
In addition to that, the designers aren't salaried by the store (commission based!) where the store owner can command them to participate in that way. So 85% of them wouldn't have done the job for a number of reasons. -----
Yep, and this is probably why SM are going to go exclusive. Exclusivity tends to bring some sort of loyalty. The drop and run designers while bringing in money, may not be bringing in much or anything else. Sometimes, it's just not enough
Is this really worth all the smack? Seriously? There are so many better stores than SM. So you didn't get past round 1, move on!
February 26, 2011 10:01 AM ------
Oh really, you are bringing out the jealousy card? It's not even about whether or not SM is a good store or not. I wasn't even in the contest, but the way they handled themselves publicly, like Andrea posting here, was stupid and disgraceful. I find that smack worthy.
Talk about going overboard on a kit... 293 elements and 44 papers? For $3.50? wtf.
February 26, 2011 11:57 AM --------
It's 50% off, the orignal price is $7.00. If you throw some texture on the papers, some glitter here and there and some color shades, she could easily it at elsewhere.
I'm a pastor's wife. We often get moved between parishes. I know that pastors are often out on call and your house is not your own, with parishioner dropping in at all hours. Raising children on a small salary is also difficult. I am proud of what my husband does, but as any pastor's wife knows, his job is also your job. I would love to support other pastor's wives. Etc.
I'd probably get blasted. I can bet that no one would think it was a 'cool thread'.
I'm a pastor's wife. We often get moved between parishes. I know that pastors are often out on call and your house is not your own, with parishioner dropping in at all hours. Raising children on a small salary is also difficult. I am proud of what my husband does, but as any pastor's wife knows, his job is also your job. I would love to support other pastor's wives. Etc.
I'd probably get blasted. I can bet that no one would think it was a 'cool thread'.
^^^
You mean pastors and pastors wives aren't cool ;) (just kidding - I am one too)
I'm a pastor's wife. We often get moved between parishes. I know that pastors are often out on call and your house is not your own, with parishioner dropping in at all hours. Raising children on a small salary is also difficult. I am proud of what my husband does, but as any pastor's wife knows, his job is also your job. I would love to support other pastor's wives. Etc.
I'd probably get blasted. I can bet that no one would think it was a 'cool thread'.
-----------------------
So rather than bitch about it start one. I highly doubt you would be blasted. The people that start threads for LDS blog trains and such don't. You might even find more Pastors wives out there. It's just a bond that is shared between people whos SO have the same profession. I don't think it would be any different than starting one for cops wives, firemans wives, pastors wives etc.
But if you go to the forum and look under their mea culpa thread it says
where the design, style and cohesiveness was what counted.
This might not look like a horrible change but the quality and color matching were stressed so much, both in the forum and the chat, that I figured all kits would be downloaded, and examined microscopically for stray pixels and jaggies. I hardly used any rounded corners for fear they could see a pixel on the corner and boot me out for that infraction. They I see (in DS61) the polka dot boots in that had so many gigantic jaggies, that I wonder if they actually downloaded ANY kits. (Except that was a really cute kit - I was just too scared to get too creative.)
I've been thinking on this DS thing. Me+thinking is a scary thing. My thoughts are that perhaps by seeing the previews the designers are assessing how creative the potential designers are..then through mentoring they will work out the qc kinks. You can kind of tell by previews how creative someone is and that is a very important part of design. I am in no way associated with DS as a contestant or staff. This is all IMHO.
I've been thinking on this DS thing. Me+thinking is a scary thing. My thoughts are that perhaps by seeing the previews the designers are assessing how creative the potential designers are..then through mentoring they will work out the qc kinks. You can kind of tell by previews how creative someone is and that is a very important part of design. I am in no way associated with DS as a contestant or staff. This is all IMHO.
February 27, 2011 8:40 AM
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and many have already posted this thought already. You're a little slow.
But the fun people on this blog don't get it. You can't teach creativity but you can teach quality control to a monkey. So downloading and checking quality on kits they don't like would be a waste of time.
It's a contest. I don't know of too many contests that involve judging that are actually "fair".
Anonymous said... I've been thinking on this DS thing. Me+thinking is a scary thing. My thoughts are that perhaps by seeing the previews the designers are assessing how creative the potential designers are..then through mentoring they will work out the qc kinks. You can kind of tell by previews how creative someone is and that is a very important part of design. I am in no way associated with DS as a contestant or staff. This is all IMHO.
February 27, 2011 8:40 AM
I can see your point. What I don't get is that: how can they tell how creative can a designer be, when the preview contains only a frame, a flower, a button and some papers with no special pattern/texture (the basics, that is). Half of the "winners" of round 1 had only those elements in their kits.
that's why no contest is ever fair when it comes to judging things such as creativity. "Creative" has a different definition for each of us. To some creativity is simplicity to others it is high art.
so how much more can you tear this contest apart. comments now are bordering on rediculous. obviously one believes that nothing is fair in this world-sob sob. get a life and move on. PLEASE
so RachelB has a thread in the DCR about her store being shut off (no I'm not gonna C&P it, its way too long). Sounds like she got into it with the owner by challenging whether she could have a closing sale or not...threatened, or mentioned showing the contract to a lawyer...store owner doesn't like it...etc etc etc.
what I can't figure out is which store she is talking about? She claims the store is shut off, but she is showing at TDC, where she is also closing...showing at SM - perhaps she is working on going exclusive with SM? Store is up at GP (under the other name she uses...etc by danyelle or whatever it is). any thoughts on which store?
I figured I would show up on here so I stopped by. I wasn't allowed to say which store on DST. The store I was referring to was GP. My store at TDC was already set to close several weeks ago simply because of lack of time for exclusive product. What the last poster said is true I'll be going to a totally new store in April.
Thank you Rachael. I figured it was GP - especially when Victoria posted with the "similar" problem. Sorry to hear you are going thru this....but good luck where ever you end up!
Sorry this is happening to you Rachael. It sounds like a crappy situation no matter how you look at it. I seriously think you should get a lawyer if you can find one that is affordable. I would LOVE to see Stacy deal with that.
I keep waiting for the digi community to wake up and realize that Stacy Carlson, the owner at GP, is a whacked out bitch who will turn on ANYONE. To those designers who work for her, watch your back and to find a different store to sell at.
I keep waiting for the digi community to wake up and realize that Stacy Carlson, the owner at GP, is a whacked out bitch who will turn on ANYONE. --------
Why do they have to wake up to her? If they don't deal with her, it's not their business. Just saying.
^^^ That is the most ridiculous comment ever made on this blog. Seriously.
Stacy is a true biz-natch. Any designer who stays at that store is a fool to think she wouldn't turn on them in a heartbeat. How many people have been burned by her over the years?
To the person who asked if the GP Designer Guest call was worth applying... there is your answer.
Can I ask (ballpark range) how much commission stores charge designers? I generally try to buy from a designer's personal website if they have one but I don't seek them out. Does it make a difference to the designer where I buy? Is there a quota for the larger stores that I am actually hurting them if I shop at their personal store. Just want to know which way helps the designer more...serious question.
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
So it's fair to prevent a designer from having a retirement sale, despite it not being part of the contract?
It's fair to expect parts of the contract to be upheld (ie: keeping up with site duties and paying site commissions) when other parts aren't (ie: being able to put your store one whatever sale you want so long as it's not less than 50%)?
It's fair to say a contract is 'void' because someone gave notice?
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not -----
Not sure why you had to be so damn condescending. Your entire statement is quite childish, so I would quit pointing fingers if I were you.
Isn't it funny that a lot of times we talk about someone on this blog, they end up here, trying to explain themselves? So, does everyone in the community read this blog?
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not -----------
Are you also the one that stands there and hold the toilet paper for her while she is doing her buisness?
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not February 27, 2011 11:09 PM
-------------------- You'll change your tune once you give your notice. Then you'll be crying like a baby.
Can I ask (ballpark range) how much commission stores charge designers? I generally try to buy from a designer's personal website if they have one but I don't seek them out. Does it make a difference to the designer where I buy? Is there a quota for the larger stores that I am actually hurting them if I shop at their personal store. Just want to know which way helps the designer more...serious question. February 27, 2011 10:29 PM ------------------- I only know of one store with a quota - SBG. I'm not sure if it's in their contracts or in Maya's pretty little head.
I don't have my own personal site, but if I did, I'd prefer people buy from there as the commission is only what you pay to Paypal (3.5% I think). Commission in most stores ranges from 25-15%. I've seen 10%, but not often and not for non-exclusive designers.
I buy from personal stores whenever possible. I figure every little bit helps the designer.
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
-----
That post reads just like Connie or Trixie. :P Ass kissers extraordinaire.
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
--------------------------------
It is Stacey not living up to the contract not the designer. I don't see how not allowing a designer to have a sale, which is their right per the contract, is being a good store owner. A good store owner would abide by the contract especially since she wants designers to do the same.
You are (ass)uming that I am at the store. February 28, 2011 8:22 AM
--------------- If you're not, how would you have any idea that "... she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not"
Give us all a break. I agree that post was likely either Trixie or Connie. Or one of their CT members who have drank too much of the kool-aid. If it wasn't, we have another Connie wannabe in the mix.
I am just an average scrapper, not a designer. I am not active on any CT's, although I have been in the past. I am not active in any "scrapbook community", I don't post on the message boards, and I don't post my layouts online anymore. I read the Digi boards for entertainment, and am constantly amazed at what people share on the internet. I freely admit to reading the scrapbook smack blogs, it is a guilty pleasure.
You can email me at: DSTHallofFame@gmail.com
1,399 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1001 – 1200 of 1399 Newer› Newest»I find it funny that the reason Connie & Trixie backed out of the ES sale was due to being told by their other store owners they didn't want them to own a competing store and sell there. But now that one of their other stores is going exclusive they are losing stores anyway.
It is a bit unfair to anyone in the contest who was told in the rules that they could stay at their stores through the 6 month "mentor" program.
All they do is drag the store down.
---------------------------
And you know this, how? I think you have no clue what you're talking about, or you are one of the designers who stands to benefit if those four designers leave. I am sure some of the exclusive designers who are there now would love to see those four leave, because whether you like them or not, they produce a ton of new product every month. Some of those exclusive SAHM designers who are content to make one new kit a month can't possibly keep up with people who work at designing like it is a business. Besides that, they are going to lose more than the four you mentioned. I already know of another who just hasn't made it public, yet.
I don't think this is going to go well for SM. Just my opinion.
It is a bit unfair to anyone in the contest who was told in the rules that they could stay at their stores through the 6 month "mentor" program.
February 23, 2011 12:49 PM
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Best they learn early on that this is how life is in digiscrapping. It's probably the best lesson they could learn in the contest.
It is a bit unfair to anyone in the contest who was told in the rules that they could stay at their stores through the 6 month "mentor" program.
February 23, 2011 12:49 PM
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Best they learn early on that this is how life is in digiscrapping. It's probably the best lesson they could learn in the contest.
^^^
True - but it's never good to piss off potential designers/customers. Changing rules is a sure way to do that.
I think it's about damn time this blog had some juicy gossip to talk about. Hoooray!
Did they say the contract would change for the contest? Or is that an assumption? They did say after the 6 months, they would have to be exclusive.
Well hopefully they all do know what they are getting themselves into because it was very clear in the "rule"
"If you are already selling at another store, you may continue to do so during your apprenticeship term, but you may not add any new stores during the apprenticeship term. If you are not already selling elsewhere, you will be required to be exclusive to ScrapMatters during your apprenticeship term."
So no real surprises or gossip worthy smack going on over there that I can see.
I think people are just getting worked up over nothing. This seems like something they have been planning for a while. It says in the rules no adding stores. I highly doubt they are going to all the sudden in the middle of a comp change the rules.
I think that the timing of the annoucement is horrible. And since nothing official has come from SM I think that Trixie & Connie shouldn't have posted that yet. To me it just makes them look like major pot stirrers!
Did they say the contract would change for the contest? Or is that an assumption? They did say after the 6 months, they would have to be exclusive.
^^^
No they didn't - they simply said that no new stores could be added during the 6 month term. Not that you'd have to leave any other store
Well hopefully they all do know what they are getting themselves into because it was very clear in the "rule"
"If you are already selling at another store, you may continue to do so during your apprenticeship term, but you may not add any new stores during the apprenticeship term. If you are not already selling elsewhere, you will be required to be exclusive to ScrapMatters during your apprenticeship term."
So no real surprises or gossip worthy smack going on over there that I can see.
^^^
Well if all the other designers there have to go exclusive in a month, I'd be surprised if they took on anyone who a) wasn't going to go exclusive or b) would let anyone have another store during the 6 month term
I think that the timing of the annoucement is horrible. And since nothing official has come from SM I think that Trixie & Connie shouldn't have posted that yet. To me it just makes them look like major pot stirrers!
February 23, 2011 1:26 PM
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Trixie is a trouble maker extraordinaire anyway. I'm surprised by Connie. I don't care for either of their products, but I always respected Connie for being professional. I think they both should have waited until SM officially made the announcement.
And SM definitely needs to make an announcement with their design contest going on right now. A lot of those poor newbies are probably crapping in their diapers.
I would imagine that when the admin of SM decided to go exclusive, they knew which designers they would most likely lose. If losing them made a huge difference to their bottom line they probably would not have made that decision.Designers that sell at all those stores have a fragmented customer base,so maybe their base at SM isn't all that significant.
As I see it, those designers leaving SM are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. If they announced they were leaving with no reason given, you would smack them. If they just made no announcement at all, you would gossip and "wonder" about it after their stores closed with no explanation. But, since they chose to be up front about it and announced they were closing their stores, with their reason for doing so, they are now pot stirrers. It seems it doesn't matter how they handled it, you would find a way to make them wrong for it.
Wow, you are all making an *assumption* here. Let's wait and see what the powers that be say about the contestants instead of ass-u-ming what will happen.
And SM definitely needs to make an announcement with their design contest going on right now. A lot of those poor newbies are probably crapping in their diapers.
February 23, 2011 1:41 PM
Why? It says it in the overview that they would have to be exclusive after the apprentice term.
As I see it, those designers leaving SM are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. If they announced they were leaving with no reason given, you would smack them. If they just made no announcement at all, you would gossip and "wonder" about it after their stores closed with no explanation. But, since they chose to be up front about it and announced they were closing their stores, with their reason for doing so, they are now pot stirrers. It seems it doesn't matter how they handled it, you would find a way to make them wrong for it.
I don't think you are damned if you don't. I think you are smacked because you did not have the professional courtesy to ask the store that until recently was your design home when it would be appropriate to announce your departure.
Someone is leaving awfully quickly, seems like she got her knickers in a twist.
Not sure why there are people saying Sahlin is creative and different. I just checked her out, I've seen it all before.
Someone is leaving awfully quickly, seems like she got her knickers in a twist.
February 23, 2011 2:24 PM
___
Trixie Craps is a giant crybaby anyhow. Doesn't surprise me in the least.
is this posted somewhere at SM? I don't see it...but I'll go look again.
SM isn't even going exclusive until April. Those two could have easily just announced that it was time for them to leave blah, blah, blah. IMO they shouldn't have put it out there about SM becoming exclusive until an official annoucemnet was made. So to me, yes that is pot stirring.
come on you guys...where are you reading this stuff at??? please?
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Designs-by-Connie-Prince/93596073651
http://www.facebook.com/#!/trixiescraps
thank you so much :)
I think the only wild cards are Creations by Rachael (Also at TDC) and Amy Stoffel (Also at GP).
--------------------------
Amy is only a guest at GP but she did just open at SugarHill. If I was her I would go exclusive to SM and get away from SugarHill.
I don't think you are damned if you don't. I think you are smacked because you did not have the professional courtesy to ask the store that until recently was your design home when it would be appropriate to announce your departure.
Someone is leaving awfully quickly, seems like she got her knickers in a twist.
February 23, 2011 2:24 PM
----
I don't think I have ever seen a store announce going exclusive to the public unless they were in the middle of a designer call. It's not some top secret thing that has to be hidden until it is revealed to the public. That's just stupid. Why hang on until April just so that people won't think one got into a huff over it? Personally I think it is wise to just move on rather than beating a dead horse.
I've never been a fan of stores being exclusive, and I'm not at all surprised Connie is leaving. She takes her business very seriously, and clearly has a plan. And any smart business isn't going to let their plan be dictated by one consignment store.
Anyone here have opinions on whether it's a good idea to apply to Gotta Pixel's guest designer call?
It seems it doesn't matter how they handled it, you would find a way to make them wrong for it.
February 23, 2011 1:54 PM
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So what? I'm sure they've got their big girl panties on and can handle any flak.
OMG...ugly ugly ugly
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/new-digital-products-33/borders-bunnies-elements-more-269938/
^^^^^
Which one?
OMG...ugly ugly ugly
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/new-digital-products-33/borders-bunnies-elements-more-269938/
------
Words fail me.
^^^^^
Which one?
February 23, 2011 9:29 PM
============================
Umm I would say all of them!
the results are up at SM....man oh man.
another store in the making ... wonder how's going to jump in.
http://leora-sanford.blogspot.com/
^^^^^^^^^^^
typo, sorry make that "who"
the results are up at SM....man oh man.
February 24, 2011 2:05 AM
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#7 is Digital Couture. We finally learn her name is Staci. Amazing.
#66 really? With the hungover and still stoned looking rabbit?
Can't wait to see round 2.
the results are up at SM....man oh man.
-------------------
Yeah, interesting choices. At least four of them have me wondering WTF the SM designers were thinking when they decided to let those designers move on. Specifically 45, 66, 69 and 94.
I would like to know what they were looking for too. A couple that I downloaded and thought were pretty good quality didn't make it to round 2.
well, wonder what digital couture will do IF she would make it, since she is selling at Mscraps AND JenYurko.com ?? since SM seems to be going exclusive, that is.
digital couture is only at jenyurko.com not mscraps
For some reason I don't buy into that everything was anonymous in the first round since a lot that made it to round 2 are already affiliated with the site in one way or another.
i dont think it was.....many of the tou had the designer names listed in them, at least the ones I downloaded did
They all should have had their names in their TOU - that is what they were told to do in the rules. Not really secret that way, huh? I also noticed that they sent through many people who kiss ass at the site on a regular basis. Not surprised. But then, I can't say whether or not the quality is good on any of them. There were a few (like maybe three?) submissions I might have downloaded, but the color palette is so ugly, I didn't bother.
For some reason I don't buy into that everything was anonymous in the first round since a lot that made it to round 2 are already affiliated with the site in one way or another.
-----------------------
I thought the same thing.
It's all a conspiracy to only bring their friends onto the site masked by this huge and time consuming contest where the designers go though and read all the TOUs to see who designed which kit. Yes, that has to be it. Because they couldn't just email them and ask them to become a designer at SM. That would be so much harder to pull off than a contest.
There are a number of designers that hang out there as CT and scrappers that participated and didn't get picked.
^ LOL! Right!
or they could have just had a designer call and brought all the "kiss asses" in that way. It would have saved them a lot of time! But then everyone would be bitching about the unfair call choices.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Well, they didn't exactly clearly state what their criteria for selecting designers to move on was going to be or give any indication of how entries would be judged. So the possibility that it could be to bring on a bunch of "ass kissers" is definitely a legitimate one.
And for the record: No. I didn't take part in the contest. :)
well, for the 'record' - one of those picked DID use as one of their CU items....a fabric flower that Chelle put out....LOL
Well, they didn't exactly clearly state what their criteria for selecting designers to move on was going to be or give any indication of how entries would be judged.
---
You're right. But there's a lot of grey area that makes defining this difficult. How do you explain, "do I like it?" In a manner that is clear enough for someone to designer a kit around it?
They chose some that I didn't like. So who's wrong?
I would assume that quality would be something they looked at and would be a "no duh" when entering a design contest. But no stray pixels doesn't necessarily mean that a kit will sell if there is no talent in the design side of it.
So who didn't move on that you thought would?
there is one post from #85, who says she is "DreamerPaula" and has been selling for 5 years. Doesn't sound happy, if you can read 'tone' into a statement. but...looking at her entry, and her shop at Digitals..and um...well, if she hasn't figured out by now whats wrong, she never will.
well, for the 'record' - one of those picked DID use as one of their CU items....a fabric flower that Chelle put out....LOL
^^^^^^
I've got Chelle's flowers and that isn't hers. It's not even the same style of fabric.
Or you could've checked the TOU for the 'record'
ok. so #71. I count more than two CU products. The ribbon wrapped button in the flower...thats either julia fialho or redju. thats one. I recognize the handwritten paper. that's two. the stitching on her frames is questionable as to if its hers or not....I'm betting NOT. she obviously could have made the ribbon and ricrac. the lace? no way. I've seen that lace. thats 3. more stitching. um...what's wrong with this picture?
ok. so #71. I count more than two CU products. The ribbon wrapped button in the flower...thats either julia fialho or redju. thats one. I recognize the handwritten paper. that's two. the stitching on her frames is questionable as to if its hers or not....I'm betting NOT. she obviously could have made the ribbon and ricrac. the lace? no way. I've seen that lace. thats 3. more stitching. um...what's wrong with this picture?
^^^
Her credits say it's Julia Fiahlo's bow and an unnamed source for the ribbon. If she extracted the flower I would be SHOCKED if she extracted the lace. Whoever extracted the lace did an amazing job.
According to 71's TOU the only CU she used was the ribbon on the button (which is by Redju, I have that too) and the curly ribbon.
However the button that she used under the ribbon and on the flair is CU too. I have that in my stash as well, it's from Rachaels Scrap Store in her yellow retro button pack:
http://rachaelsscrapstore.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=988
another store in the making ... wonder how's going to jump in.
http://leora-sanford.blogspot.com/
February 24, 2011 3:07 AM
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With the closing of LDD, I'm not surprised.
she's also used several CU overlays....including the worn one. I downloaded it....and holy crap, there are shadows and strays all over the damn place. the rick rack is so blurry at 100% its not even funny. Doesn't quality count?????
Surprise, Surprise 71 CT's for Chelle.
I didn't vote. Both of my sons have RSV, one is still in the children's hospital. I haven't been able to be online long enough to download and analyze the minis and cast a fair vote, so I withdrew from the voting.
He's doing better BTW and will hopefully be home soon.
that lace is another CU....but...its what she did to it that is weird. Its like she beveled it. and that entire piece is horrible. the rick rack is so blurred...good lord. just because she is on chelle's CT she can get away with this? something is VERY wrong here.
well, Chelle - perhaps you should look into #71, since they say she CT's for you. There is more Cu than the rules allowed, and the quality is BAD!!! Fair is fair.
just because she is on chelle's CT she can get away with this? something is VERY wrong here.
February 24, 2011 5:10 PM
It depends on what the voting was based on.
You really think she got picked because she's on Chelle's CT? Are you in high school? Honestly why waste time with a contest?
Chelle I am sorry to hear about your sons. I hope they are feeling better soon!
I really don't care that she is on your CT but it is pretty ovious that she used way more CU than was allowed.
Did anyone even bother checking the CU that each person listed in their TOU's?
Have you people all lost your minds? Do you have any idea how much time and effort goes into a contest like this? Do you honestly think any store would put together this type of event just to hand pick who they wanted to bring into their store? How does that even make any sense?
I see that Chelle has told you she did not vote. I think that is good enough for me.
i don't think people were hand picked. but it IS more than obvious that at least ONE person #71 did NOT follow the rules, and should be disqualified. I don't care how much time and effort goes into a contest - if SM is going to run it, then they are obligated to make sure it is done right. If someone is found to be "cheating", as in using more CU than is allowed...then they should be disqualified. I'm sorry chelle's kids are sick, too - however - this should be looked into. I don't think that SM wants to be known for cheating, do they?
Then why not just say, "#71 broke the rules" and state why and leave off the childish part about only being picked because she's on Chelle's CT. Which makes the person tattle-taling look like even more of a toole!
Or be even more of a grown-up and email the powers that be at SM!
WOW! What a concept!
They told the contestants what they were looking for in the forum:
Quality, Creativity, Realism, Scrapability, & Overall Appeal
and that's how they chose if you put Quality at the back of the list.
Regarding CTs and kiss asses - they are at ScrapMatters for a reason - because they like the store. If they like the offerings there, chances are their design style will be a good match. Somebody whose home store &/or purchases are other stores, maybe Oscraps or Ninth and Bloom, they aren't going to fare as well. But it's not a huge conspiracy. I'm sure they were shocked by the low quality.
Have you people all lost your minds? Do you have any idea how much time and effort goes into a contest like this? Do you honestly think any store would put together this type of event just to hand pick who they wanted to bring into their store? How does that even make any sense?
I see that Chelle has told you she did not vote. I think that is good enough for me.
--------------------------
Actually I do know how much time goes into something like this. I may not matter to you but it certainly does to the designers that participated, followed the rules and then got cut.
I actually did e-mail the owner and heard nothing back. So I am assuming they don't care. Which really makes the site look bad and I am almost happy I didn’t make it to round 2.
I actually did e-mail the owner and heard nothing back. So I am assuming they don't care. Which really makes the site look bad and I am almost happy I didn’t make it to round 2.
February 24, 2011 6:47 PM
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oh sheesh! what about 2 hours ago? and even so, they don't have to reply to tell you what is going to happen unless you happen to be the next runner up. Give them time to make a decision on what they want to do. People make mistakes. Stop being childish and expecting perfection.
I've been on both ends of these contests as a designer and a hose. They are definitely time-consuming. Why the rush to judge the first round of entries? Given the number of them (71 according to the gallery), why did voting take less than 48 hours? (One SM designer said her ballot was due by 6PM PST last night--only 48 hours after the close of posting). I understand that those who entered would be eager to hear whether or not they made the cut but making them wait an extra day or two wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
I still don't understand how #94 made it through. Fugly, fugly, fugly and not very good quality either.
Personally, I've always liked SM. The store has a lot of great products and the forum seems pretty friendly. But this contest is making me see them in a whole new light and it ain't pretty.
*host, not hose.
Great error on my part.
I understand that those who entered would be eager to hear whether or not they made the cut but making them wait an extra day or two wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
---
uh-huh. give the designers another 24 hours to put it off until the last minute and still make poor choices that we can smack. Makes sense.
Do you (not you, but collective you) really think they are going to get out their QA actions and check all of these kits while judging? Seriously? Nope, they looked at the previews and based it on the assumption that everyone followed the rules. Because nobody has time for those standards in the real world.
^^^^^
Bull shit! If they couldn't handle the number on entries, they should have set a limit.
Judging anything, in this case, just by the preview is ridiculous.
Yes, they should have downloaded every single entry and checked for quality. The fact that they may not have, makes me go hmm. I don't want to shop in their store. Who knows what crap I'm going to get.
Actually I do know how much time goes into something like this. I may not matter to you but it certainly does to the designers that participated, followed the rules and then got cut.
I actually did e-mail the owner and heard nothing back. So I am assuming they don't care. Which really makes the site look bad and I am almost happy I didn’t make it to round 2.
February 24, 2011 6:47 PM
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They probably had quite a lot of emails, so they probably haven't got to yours yet. The world doesn't revolve around you, you know.
I'm sure they are happy you didn't make it either. What a whiney baby you are.
We let our current designers vote for the winners. We didn't expect them to download all 71 kits, so we had them choose their top 15 from the previews and download those--people often times by kits bases on the preview alone. Those top fifteen were then judged on a variety of factors. The judges were then supposed to pick their top ten. You got a vote for being in the top fifteen and also got points for being in the top ten. The votes were tallied up by me. I did it all by number, I didn't say, "I'm not going to count their vote because I don't like so and so, or they are on so and so's CT so they should get more points." Chelle didn't vote because her son was in the hospital.
If we wanted to just pick and choose who we wanted on our team, we would have done just that. Without a contest at all. We didn't need to have a contest to get more designers. We wanted to give more designers an opportunity to show off their best work and possibly join our team. That is why we went to all of the time and effort to have this contest.
^^^^
No, you didn't need a contest to pick your designers. However, having a contest would bring a lot of traffic to your site
So Andilynn, I'm curious, will #71 be disqualified for this? If not, that's pretty much bullshit. What's the point in rules if no one has to follow them?
Really??? You all didn't even download all the kits? Why bother having a contest at all? Those designers worked long and hard for you all to not even bother downloading to see if they are any good? That is crap! I didn't take part and I am very glad I didn't. Especially after hearing that all my time and effort would have gone to waste because you didn't like my preview enough to bother looking at my work.
Thank you Chelle and Andilynn for addressing this here.
Quite frankly, it's all too little, too late for those who participated. The criteria were never explained well. Instead, the same five terms (quality, creativity, realism, scrapability, & overall appeal) were repeated over and over and over without any further elaboration. During last week's kick-off chat, SM designers who took part totally avoided the question and would instead put smiley faces as "answers" to those questions. Not helpful. Clearer explanations with more specific details (like "not blurry at 100%) would have been far more helpful.
This has totally got me upset. I did take part in the contest and to hear that you may not have even bothered to download my kit? I wasted my precious time on you all and you didn't even have the decency to look at what I did, Andilynn!
We let our current designers vote for the winners. We didn't expect them to download all 71 kits,
------
Are you kidding? With the large amount of designers you have at your store, you could easily have assigned most of them a number of kits to download, so that all kits in the end would be examined. They would have had to look at less than 15 that way.
I'm calling bullshit on this whole contest. They're making up the rules as they go along so they can get people to visit their forum and store and screw over people who thought they'd get a fair shot at becoming a SM designer.
Now this is totally smack worthy!
Another store bites the dust!
If "quality, creativity, realism, scrapability, & overall appeal" were what we were being judged on, how is it fair that you didn't even download all the kits? How can we be judged on quality if you didn't bother to check our quality? Obviously you didn't even bother to check the quality of the ones who moved on since #71 aka Merchi's quality is shittier than ever. This is bullshit and I hope ScrapMatters is happy with themselves
if everyone downloaded their top fifteen how do you know they weren't all downloaded and looked at. i can't imagine everyone would have the same top fifteen.
Oh, give me a break. There were 70 entries. Do you really think that all 70 did get downloaded? Get real. Besides, wasn't the point of the contest to get "apprenticeships?" Maybe your preview could be better. Isn't that what the mentor is for?
They probably had quite a lot of emails, so they probably haven't got to yours yet. The world doesn't revolve around you, you know.
I'm sure they are happy you didn't make it either. What a whiney baby you are.
----------------
I am sorry you think I am a whiney baby. But I don't treat designing as a hobby, this is my business. It's how I help contribute to my family. Getting into a larger store with a larger fan base and getting my name out there means more money for us.
And for your information I sent my e-mail Monday when I downloaded her sample and noticed more than just the 2 CU allowed.
Bwahahaha
http://scrapmatters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19158
I bet it gets deleted pretty quick, but bravo to whoever had the balls to post that!
It's already gone, lol!
Bwahahaha
http://scrapmatters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19158
I bet it gets deleted pretty quick, but bravo to whoever had the balls to post that!
=====================================
Awww... I missed it already. What'd it say?
They copy and pasted some of the stuff from here with screen shots.
It was about #71.
Someone created a SN that was iHateDesignStar71 the post began with:
So why the hell isn't she disqualified yet?
Credit goes out to all of the "anonymous" people who originally posted this information on the *blog*
Then she copied a bunch of the comments from here about 71's over use of CU.
And if you quality checked the top kits, how did she move on with these errors? I am sure there are more but, I think 3 is enough.
She also posted screen shots with a stroke on her elements to show the stays, jaggies and blurriness.
Then she ended it with:
She should be disqualified from the competition and BANNED from scrapmatters for cheating and basically pirating!!!! OR are you not going to do this because she is a kiss ass and on chelle's CT?
Please do the RIGHT thing. Let an HONEST person have a chance.
You can find the thread that was deleted at scrapmatters here:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/scrap-talk-65/scrapmatters-ban-cheater-pirater-270064/
Color me not surprised. I stopped shopping at Scrap Matters after the first Design Star contest. Things were handled badly then and comments made to people in the contest were very rude.
Oh, give me a break. There were 70 entries. Do you really think that all 70 did get downloaded? Get real. Besides, wasn't the point of the contest to get "apprenticeships?" Maybe your preview could be better. Isn't that what the mentor is for?
February 24, 2011 10:36 PM'
----
You get real. It was a contest, and should have been handled like one. I don't even have a dog in this race and I'm pissed off by the way this was handled.
I'm not really understanding the attraction to Scrap Matters. Looks like the same stuff I see everywhere. Not good, not bad, just nothing unique or overly original.
Oh geez! Seriously, someone created a username called iHateDesignStar71?
Why all the hatred? Sure, it's not fair, but do you really HATE her?
^^^
ALL the hatred? I see one person with that name. How does that make it all?
The rest of the comments are about her use of CU, I don't see any hate in that.
whoever posted that at SM and DST just wanted a name to draw attention to the thread. and it did. the obvious concern here is that this designer, if you dare to call her that ... cheated. Andrea comes in here to try to defend SM's actions, and basically makes a fool of herself by letting on that they didn't even bother to check all the kits. If the designers that were "picking" their favorite previews had instead been assigned mini's to judge, it might have been different. but no - let them pick the ones they liked, pool them, then pick the best of the lot.
the problem with this is...no one really bothered to take a close look at anything. #71's kit , while on the surface might have looked "OK" - it is far from it. The examples shown at DST don't do justice to the overall quality. the strays and shadows on the ribbon piece are 10 x or more worse than on that frame.
Its sad, overall. The people who entered did so with the expectation of fair judging. For it to all come out here, of all places.....instead of at SM, where it should be addressed is just plain ridiculous.
Andrea (Andilynn) - if you are still reading this - - explain your actions to the contestants in the forum at SM! They deserve the answers to this.
Andrea comes in here to try to defend SM's actions, and basically makes a fool of herself by letting on that they didn't even bother to check all the kits.
--------------
No kidding!
What's the difference between a designers call and a designers contest? In both cases they take the ones they want. But the contest brings more traffic and new customers. The merit system is a terra incognita in digiland.
Aw, that is so sad! Obviously the judging criteria was
Preview, creativity, originality, potential scrapability, number of views.
I don't see why they couldn't have just said that.
But I bet that's how it is for all the contests, so I would just put it in my memory bank and move on.
From Andilynn's message on SM, it sounds like they ran things exactly the same way this time around as they did two years ago and "it's too late to change anything now"?
My god, what a moronic statement. They're going to continue to do the wrong thing rather than slow down and try to do the right thing.
Yep, that makes TOTAL sense.
We let our current designers vote for the winners. We didn't expect them to download all 71 kits, so we had them choose their top 15 from the previews and download those--people often times by kits bases on the preview alone. Those top fifteen were then judged on a variety of factors. The judges were then supposed to pick their top ten. You got a vote for being in the top fifteen and also got points for being in the top ten. The votes were tallied up by me. I did it all by number, I didn't say, "I'm not going to count their vote because I don't like so and so, or they are on so and so's CT so they should get more points."
-----------------------
Is there some reason that you couldn't tell contestants this upfront? It certainly would have reduced a lot of the problems that you seem to be having with this contest!
The only problem I am seeing is that someone got ticked off that they weren't picked, didn't like a kit that was and so decided to be a poor sport and publically throw a fit about it, going so far as to accuse a contestant and SM of cheating. According to a post in the SM forum this morning it has been looked into and the accused contestant has given proof of what CU she used and what items she scanned in and created herself.
Since two years ago there was no malicious reactions to the people that moved on SM had no idea there were any flaws in their system. It is unfortunate that the "offended" loser could not have been more mature and respectful and dealt with this in a less destructive manner.
I'm the person who posted the "ok, #71" thread. I was not in the SM contest. I downloaded that kit because, no matter what #71 says and SM is obviously now backing up....she used more than 2 CU items. Fair is fair. I stand by my original statement - there is definitely more than 2 CU items being used in that mini.
I doubt very much that anyone in the previous years knew how they were picking kits. For SM to say that it worked before just makes it all the worse. Andrea says they didn't want it to be a popularity contest. well - it was anyway. the judges picked the PREVIEWS they liked best. No one cared what was inside.
They can stand by that designer all they want. I saw first hand, up close what was in that kit. I know there was more than 2 CU pieces used. I KNOW the quality was horrible. and yet - the first word stated on what they would be looking for was QUALITY. How anyone can judge quality from a preview is beyond me.
If I had been in the contest, and found this out - you bet I would be mad if I hadn't been picked and knew this was going on. Its not being whiney or bratty or highschoolish. Its a natural response to being wronged. Every contestant in that contest that didn't make the cut was treated very unfairly.
but of course, thats my opinion - I'm entitled to it. Just as my opinion of SM dropped overnight.
^exactly. As soon as they said that crap about kiss asses and being on Chelle's team, it became obvious that they were just being a big baby throwing a fit and throwing some bullying into the mix. Didn't your mama teach you that isn't the way to get what you want? You just looked like a jealous, sore loser fool.
Andrea says they didn't want it to be a popularity contest. well - it was anyway. the judges picked the PREVIEWS they liked best. No one cared what was inside.
----
And this isn't based on popularity. That would be picking people because they like them. They didn't do that because they could have just done that without all this contest work.
And most kits are being purchased out of the store based on the preview without knowing for certain the quality inside. We've all been burned in this area.
This is for an apprentice position which means that the designers they are choosing still need mentoring and something to learn. Everyone has to start somewhere. If they wanted a pro designer, they would have had a call and taken the top designers.
If they were going to pick based on previews - they should've stated that upfront. Sure I buy kits - but it's a combination of designer reputation (I will ONLY buy from a designer I trust quality-wise), previews and layouts I've seen created with the product. So there goes the "everyone buys based on preview" argument. I also felt it was a bit rich/stretching the rules about 5 elements/3 papers - and one of her elements was three separate unclustered buttons. It's one thing to cluster - but three separate and distinct elements is not a cluster
If they were going to pick based on previews - they should've stated that upfront. Sure I buy kits - but it's a combination of designer reputation (I will ONLY buy from a designer I trust quality-wise), previews and layouts I've seen created with the product. So there goes the "everyone buys based on preview" argument.
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NO that doesn't throw that out the window. All of these designers had a beginning when they had to learn and build their reputation. So someone somewhere had to be purchasing site-unseen to help build that rep. I will try out a new designer based on preview and if the kit is cheap enough that it is worth the risk.
And quality does not always equal great design apeal. I can produce a stray pixel free extraction but I can't put it together in a usuable and appealing kit. That's why picking by preview can work in a contest. You either got it or you don't when it comes to this aspect. And it's the hardest to judge too.
Wow I just checked out the SM contest and I could do better with my eyes closed lol! Some of those were pretty bad, but then again I have never thought of SM as a top store.
I am "ihatedesignstar71". In no way am I jealous of her cheated kit AT ALL. This has nothing to do with me being a big baby and being upset that I didn't get through blah blah blah. If this was the case why would I only "pick on" ONE kit rather than find something wrong with them all? I "picked on" her because she ClEARLY cheated!! I really doubt proof has been provided that all of that was her work. Its probably just scrapmatters covering it up. They should really post the proof publicly so that all of the contestents can be sure. They deserve that. But I bet they won't since she cheated and they have no proof.
^ The problem isn't that you reported it. It was HOW you went about it. You sounded like a big whiner and not very professional at all. All you did was try to bully them into the resolution that YOU wanted. Especially when you threw in that part about her being on Chelle's team. That didn't help your case in any way! You know that wasn't why she was picked. I can list about 5 people that are very active on SM CT's and didn't get picked. (Don't ask me who, go look for yourself in the forums. I'm not putting innocent names on this board for them to end up geting smacked!!)
IhateDS#71 sounded like Joanne in that thread in DST. You all are apart of a clique anyway. boohooohooo...
You were right that she *possibly* did the wrong thing but you took the path a moron would take and sounded like a jealous idiot.
Just to flog a horse so dead that it's skeletal.
Royanna's at it again with her "Emergency Moving Sale".
Sorry hun but although $20 for access to over 725 products sounds phenomenal I have had the misfortune to purchase from you before and had to dump it all because my cat could produce better quality items.
Your cat and my cat should do a collab!!! We'd make millions!
LOL!!!
If you're so sure that #71 cheated, then post the actual CU items that she used. Claiming that you're sure you have the same CU item in your stash, or that you've seen it somewhere and actually showing that you do and where it actually came from is another thing. Show the actual proof if you've got it instead of making assumptions.
To "ihatedesignstar71". If you had approached the situation in a more professional way, it might have been better for all. Creating a username at DST ONLY to blast someone under anonymity leads everyone to believe that you were doing something you felt was wrong in the first place, or you would have addressed it either privately or with your own name. It is easy to see on your profile page that you created that username only today!
You were right that she *possibly* did the wrong thing but you took the path a moron would take and sounded like a jealous idiot.
_______________________________
I'll second that although I don't know if you were actually 'right' unless YOU provide proof, but you did look like a jealous moron.
That was not a good move - not at all.
I also find it strange, ihateds71, about your posting. When you posted in the threads in forums, you could provide pictures showing the "bad quality" in 71's kit easily. I thought it should have been just as easy for you to provide proof of 71's use of more than 2 CU products, considering that you said you also own the same products. Yet you chose not to.
To "ihatedesignstar71", saying that #71 "pirated" is also a dumb move. Learn the meaning of "pirate". She may not have mentioned in her TOU a CU product you "think" she used but that does not make her a pirate. Your whole post was badly worded but calling her a pirate was uncalled for.
NO that doesn't throw that out the window. All of these designers had a beginning when they had to learn and build their reputation. So someone somewhere had to be purchasing site-unseen to help build that rep. I will try out a new designer based on preview and if the kit is cheap enough that it is worth the risk.
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I don't do that. I'm not going to spend money just to 'try' a new designer JUST based on the preview and the low price of the kit. To build a reputation, you can start by giving away freebies, which should be a sample of your work and show its quality. Then, if I like your freebies, I will buy your kits. As simple as that. No need to throw my money away blindly.
To "ihatedesignstar71", saying that #71 "pirated" is also a dumb move. Learn the meaning of "pirate". She may not have mentioned in her TOU a CU product you "think" she used but that does not make her a pirate. Your whole post was badly worded but calling her a pirate was uncalled for.
February 25, 2011 3:56 PM
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ITA
#71 is not a pirate, get over it Ihate71! Maybe she did not follow the rules, but she might have thought she did. Anyway, calling her a cheater and a pirate is stupid.
I don't do that. I'm not going to spend money just to 'try' a new designer JUST based on the preview and the low price of the kit. To build a reputation, you can start by giving away freebies, which should be a sample of your work and show its quality. Then, if I like your freebies, I will buy your kits. As simple as that. No need to throw my money away blindly.
February 25, 2011 4:14 PM
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But what you do isn't the model of the rest of the community. (the world doesn't center around you, remember?) I buy what I want. If it sucks, I explain why and ask for a refund. I'm rarely disappointed buying off of preview and CT layout examples. I'm not even going to attempt to hunt down a freebie because that only shows the quality for the freebie. Even well reputed designers end up with the occassional stray pixel.
And you know this, how? I think you have no clue what you're talking about, or you are one of the designers who stands to benefit if those four designers leave. I am sure some of the exclusive designers who are there now would love to see those four leave, because whether you like them or not, they produce a ton of new product every month. Some of those exclusive SAHM designers who are content to make one new kit a month can't possibly keep up with people who work at designing like it is a business. Besides that, they are going to lose more than the four you mentioned. I already know of another who just hasn't made it public, yet.
I don't think this is going to go well for SM. Just my opinion.
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Spoken like a true fan of crappy, tired CU kits. How long does it really take to recolor an item? Anyone who thinks these designers added anything to SM are delusional.
Spoken like a true fan of crappy, tired CU kits. How long does it really take to recolor an item? Anyone who thinks these designers added anything to SM are delusional.
February 25, 2011 6:00 PM
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LOL!
Connie and Trixie are the recolored CU queens.
I have been a judge in a "design contest" and as an experienced designer I can narrow down the better applicants very easily JUST from the previews. I did download a few of the ones I had "crossed off" my list to make sure that my instincts were right and they were.
I also have worked at a store when there was an open designer call. Again I don't download every designer's submission.
Now when it comes to the final decisions... every designer's submission needs to be downloaded and checked carefully. I had a list of criteria that I used to rate each submission.
Being that it was the first round in the SM contest I don't see anything wrong with the way they eliminated contestants. Yeah... maybe a few of the ones eliminated might have had "better" submissions than a designer who didn't get cut, but if that designers stuff is crap she will be eliminated before the final rounds. It all works out in the end.
I do not sell at SM and do not know any of their staff on a personal level. Just stating my opinion as an experienced designer.
Are you one of the sad, little Scrap Matters designers who knows they are rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship or what? You guys should really get back to 'defending' the sad competition that has zero integrity that is causing your pitiful store to crumble around your feet! Trying to throw hard working designers who had the good sense to get the hell out under the bus isn't helping your public image.
Are you one of the sad, little Scrap Matters designers who knows they are rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship or what? You guys should really get back to 'defending' the sad competition that has zero integrity that is causing your pitiful store to crumble around your feet! Trying to throw hard working designers who had the good sense to get the hell out under the bus isn't helping your public image.
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Gee, and these designers who are so brilliant didn't leave until AFTER they were told they had to go exclusive. Yeah, let me bow down to their integrity and intelligence.
I'm getting a little tired of the "to download or not to download" thing here about the SM contest. Listen up all you who say you wouldn't, shouldn't, couldn't download all those mini's.
These contestants were told, in writing in the rules thread that they would be judged....NOT by preview only....but with QUALITY being the first in line.
To the person who says she is an experienced designer - and that she can tell by looking....good for you. its totally irrevelant! These people were TOLD that quality matters. There is NO way to judge quality by a preview.
There is NO way to judge quality by a preview.
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Are you kidding me?! Go look at the kits at Brownie Scraps, and then at a place like SSD, and say that again with a straight face. Get a life.
Gee, and these designers who are so brilliant didn't leave until AFTER they were told they had to go exclusive. Yeah, let me bow down to their integrity and intelligence.
^^^^
This makes no sense at all. Why are you suggesting they aren't good designers because they left AFTER being told they had to go exclusive?
Any designer who wants to run her OWN business and make her OWN decisions would leave if told they HAD to go exclusive.
Are you kidding me?! Go look at the kits at Brownie Scraps, and then at a place like SSD, and say that again with a straight face. Get a life.
^^^
I'm so glad someone else has said something about Brownie Scraps. I've wondered for a long time how they call sell that crap and refer to themselves as a high quality store.
This makes no sense at all. Why are you suggesting they aren't good designers because they left AFTER being told they had to go exclusive?
Any designer who wants to run her OWN business and make her OWN decisions would leave if told they HAD to go exclusive.
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That is not what I was suggesting. What I meant was these allegedly brilliant designers who KNEW that SM was "sinking ship" as that one person put it, did not come by this brilliance until told they had to go exclusive. They are mad they are losing a cash cow and can't drag down the good designers anymore. Sour grapes. And if they have good businesses, I am glad I only buy from designers who care more about quality than quantity.
Any designer who wants to run her OWN business and make her OWN decisions would leave if told they HAD to go exclusive.
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If you want to run your own business and make your own decisions wouldn't you sell exclusively in your own shop? The designers at the exclusive shops are running their OWN business. They all have a choice of where they want to sell. I can't see anyone telling a designer they HAD to go exclusive, but more along the line of we're going exclusive, if you want to continue to sell here you can go exclusive too. Or you can just leave.
Anonymous said...
There is NO way to judge quality by a preview.
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Are you kidding me?! Go look at the kits at Brownie Scraps, and then at a place like SSD, and say that again with a straight face. Get a life.
^^^^
I'm talking about PRODUCT quality , not what the damn thing LOOKS like. There is a difference. Take good old #71's mini as an example. Looked ok. Quality? there IS NONE!!! Some that just look like plain crap probably had the best overall qualtity of product. how would those judges know? They didn't bother to look.
Why would they bother to look at the crappy preview kits? If you can't produce something interesting that someone would want to download, then the rest does NOT matter. Quality only matters if it is paired with decent design! It is easier to teach a new designer about quality than it is to teach them about good design principles!
Quality only matters if it is paired with decent design!
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Amen to that!
^^^^^^
Crap. Good previews do not equal good design. They are not the same thing. Take a look at Christina Renee for example. Her previews were great, her quality was awful. If you want to buy thing based solely on the packaging, good for you, but I'd rather have a look at the contents if at all possible.
You can tell an awful lot from the packaging! You may not be able to see the finer quality but there is so much more to design quality than stray pixels and jaggies.
I have no issues with how SM are judging. They are downloading the ones they think are best. They can then tell if the quality is still there once they open the kit.
You can tell a lot from how someone uses a color palette and how they create their elements. Whether they use drop shadows on their preview, and if the kit is cohesive, which so many of the current CU filled aren't.
Show me a preview and I can tell you whether the designer has experience or if they understand color theory or balance. Most kits you can tell from a preview if they are poor quality. Of course not always, but if a designer knows what they are doing, the preview should show their abilities.
we can all agree to disagree, fine - we each have our own opinions. the fact is, the contestants were lead to believe that their kit would be downloaded and then judged on the given criteria. They were lied to. and that is whats wrong here.
You can all debate on who did right and who did wrong in this whole Design Star freak show, but at the end of the day, they could have EASILY downloaded ALL of the kits by dividing them up amongst the current SM designers.
They have 26 designers (not including the Connie/Trixie North South Studios). They had 70ish entries. Even if they only had 20 of their designers active at the site (because you never see some of them in the forums) to help judge, they would each download TWO-THREE of the kits. Not 15 each.
Then all of them could be downloaded and judged - completely and fairly.
By doing things the logical way instead of the "just pick what you like" way, you could have downloaded all the entries with far less work for each of the SM designers AND provided each contestant with real feedback to help their design work.
There is no way it would have been difficult to narrow the list down to 10-20 based on all the criteria. Heck, some probably made it to round 2 only because they needed 15 and only had 8 that were worth a crap.
the contestants were lead to believe that their kit would be downloaded and then judged on the given criteria. They were lied to. and that is whats wrong here.
February 26, 2011 7:59 AM
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It didn't say that their kit would be downloaded and checked. They weren't lied to. The participating designers made that assumption. I probably would have assumed that as well, but I get why it didn't happen that way.
Is this really worth all the smack? Seriously? There are so many better stores than SM. So you didn't get past round 1, move on!
You can all debate on who did right and who did wrong in this whole Design Star freak show, but at the end of the day, they could have EASILY downloaded ALL of the kits by dividing them up amongst the current SM designers.
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Hindsight is always 20/20 even more so if you are the one passing judgement after the fact.
In addition to that, the designers aren't salaried by the store (commission based!) where the store owner can command them to participate in that way. So 85% of them wouldn't have done the job for a number of reasons. (unless SM was smart enough to build a clause into the contract. Unlikely!)
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/new-digital-products-33/hearts-flowers-mega-kit-270211/
Talk about going overboard on a kit... 293 elements and 44 papers? For $3.50? wtf.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's still too much for the kit. For starters, no texture on the papers.
I could go on but I'd rather see what others have to say. :)
That kit, as bad as it is, is better than over half of the Design Star kits.
You can all debate on who did right and who did wrong in this whole Design Star freak show, but at the end of the day, they could have EASILY downloaded ALL of the kits by dividing them up amongst the current SM designers.
They have 26 designers (not including the Connie/Trixie North South Studios). They had 70ish entries. Even if they only had 20 of their designers active at the site (because you never see some of them in the forums) to help judge, they would each download TWO-THREE of the kits. Not 15 each.
Then all of them could be downloaded and judged - completely and fairly.
By doing things the logical way instead of the "just pick what you like" way, you could have downloaded all the entries with far less work for each of the SM designers AND provided each contestant with real feedback to help their design work.
There is no way it would have been difficult to narrow the list down to 10-20 based on all the criteria. Heck, some probably made it to round 2 only because they needed 15 and only had 8 that were worth a crap.
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This! I made this point a few posts back, but you made it a whole lot better than I did.
In addition to that, the designers aren't salaried by the store (commission based!) where the store owner can command them to participate in that way. So 85% of them wouldn't have done the job for a number of reasons.
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Yep, and this is probably why SM are going to go exclusive. Exclusivity tends to bring some sort of loyalty. The drop and run designers while bringing in money, may not be bringing in much or anything else. Sometimes, it's just not enough
Is this really worth all the smack? Seriously? There are so many better stores than SM. So you didn't get past round 1, move on!
February 26, 2011 10:01 AM
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Oh really, you are bringing out the jealousy card? It's not even about whether or not SM is a good store or not. I wasn't even in the contest, but the way they handled themselves publicly, like Andrea posting here, was stupid and disgraceful. I find that smack worthy.
Talk about going overboard on a kit... 293 elements and 44 papers? For $3.50? wtf.
February 26, 2011 11:57 AM
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It's 50% off, the orignal price is $7.00. If you throw some texture on the papers, some glitter here and there and some color shades, she could easily it at elsewhere.
omething about this treahd rubs me the wrong way:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/scrap-talk-65/designers-military-spouses-270145/
Can you imagine if I made a thread that said,
I'm a pastor's wife. We often get moved between parishes. I know that pastors are often out on call and your house is not your own, with parishioner dropping in at all hours. Raising children on a small salary is also difficult. I am proud of what my husband does, but as any pastor's wife knows, his job is also your job. I would love to support other pastor's wives. Etc.
I'd probably get blasted. I can bet that no one would think it was a 'cool thread'.
Tell me about Royanna. She says she's going to be homeless but is posting from an iPhone, what's the scoop?
I am not a military wife. I avoided that thread because I didn't want to feel less important because of it.
where are you reading the Royanna posts?
I'm a pastor's wife. We often get moved between parishes. I know that pastors are often out on call and your house is not your own, with parishioner dropping in at all hours. Raising children on a small salary is also difficult. I am proud of what my husband does, but as any pastor's wife knows, his job is also your job. I would love to support other pastor's wives. Etc.
I'd probably get blasted. I can bet that no one would think it was a 'cool thread'.
^^^
You mean pastors and pastors wives aren't cool ;) (just kidding - I am one too)
Tell me about Royanna. She says she's going to be homeless but is posting from an iPhone, what's the scoop?
February 26, 2011 6:40 PM
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Check out the blog archives. She comes up at least every other month. It's always the same thing.
omething about this treahd rubs me the wrong way:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/scrap-talk-65/designers-military-spouses-270145/
Can you imagine if I made a thread that said,
I'm a pastor's wife. We often get moved between parishes. I know that pastors are often out on call and your house is not your own, with parishioner dropping in at all hours. Raising children on a small salary is also difficult. I am proud of what my husband does, but as any pastor's wife knows, his job is also your job. I would love to support other pastor's wives. Etc.
I'd probably get blasted. I can bet that no one would think it was a 'cool thread'.
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So rather than bitch about it start one. I highly doubt you would be blasted. The people that start threads for LDS blog trains and such don't. You might even find more Pastors wives out there. It's just a bond that is shared between people whos SO have the same profession. I don't think it would be any different than starting one for cops wives, firemans wives, pastors wives etc.
No thanks. It rubbed me the wrong me, I didn't see it as bitching.
OMG! They have no idea what the criteria were.
First they said
"quality, creativity, realism, scrapability, & overall appeal"
But if you go to the forum and look under their mea culpa thread it says
where the design, style and cohesiveness was what counted.
This might not look like a horrible change but the quality and color matching were stressed so much, both in the forum and the chat, that I figured all kits would be downloaded, and examined microscopically for stray pixels and jaggies. I hardly used any rounded corners for fear they could see a pixel on the corner and boot me out for that infraction. They I see (in DS61) the polka dot boots in that had so many gigantic jaggies, that I wonder if they actually downloaded ANY kits. (Except that was a really cute kit - I was just too scared to get too creative.)
I've been thinking on this DS thing. Me+thinking is a scary thing. My thoughts are that perhaps by seeing the previews the designers are assessing how creative the potential designers are..then through mentoring they will work out the qc kinks. You can kind of tell by previews how creative someone is and that is a very important part of design. I am in no way associated with DS as a contestant or staff. This is all IMHO.
I've been thinking on this DS thing. Me+thinking is a scary thing. My thoughts are that perhaps by seeing the previews the designers are assessing how creative the potential designers are..then through mentoring they will work out the qc kinks. You can kind of tell by previews how creative someone is and that is a very important part of design. I am in no way associated with DS as a contestant or staff. This is all IMHO.
February 27, 2011 8:40 AM
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and many have already posted this thought already. You're a little slow.
But the fun people on this blog don't get it. You can't teach creativity but you can teach quality control to a monkey. So downloading and checking quality on kits they don't like would be a waste of time.
It's a contest. I don't know of too many contests that involve judging that are actually "fair".
Anonymous said...
I've been thinking on this DS thing. Me+thinking is a scary thing. My thoughts are that perhaps by seeing the previews the designers are assessing how creative the potential designers are..then through mentoring they will work out the qc kinks. You can kind of tell by previews how creative someone is and that is a very important part of design. I am in no way associated with DS as a contestant or staff. This is all IMHO.
February 27, 2011 8:40 AM
I can see your point. What I don't get is that: how can they tell how creative can a designer be, when the preview contains only a frame, a flower, a button and some papers with no special pattern/texture (the basics, that is). Half of the "winners" of round 1 had only those elements in their kits.
that's why no contest is ever fair when it comes to judging things such as creativity. "Creative" has a different definition for each of us. To some creativity is simplicity to others it is high art.
It's a contest. I don't know of too many contests that involve judging that are actually "fair".
February 27, 2011 9:24 AM
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Agreed. It's a competition, isn't all supposed to be about fun? Or, so I've been told.
so how much more can you tear this contest apart. comments now are bordering on rediculous. obviously one believes that nothing is fair in this world-sob sob. get a life and move on. PLEASE
1. It's spelled ridiculous.
2. Saying get a life is juvenile at best.
3. Who are you to say if the contest has been smacked enough or not.
4. Far more minor things than this contest have been smacked to heck and back. If you don't like it, don't come.
so RachelB has a thread in the DCR about her store being shut off (no I'm not gonna C&P it, its way too long). Sounds like she got into it with the owner by challenging whether she could have a closing sale or not...threatened, or mentioned showing the contract to a lawyer...store owner doesn't like it...etc etc etc.
what I can't figure out is which store she is talking about? She claims the store is shut off, but she is showing at TDC, where she is also closing...showing at SM - perhaps she is working on going exclusive with SM? Store is up at GP (under the other name she uses...etc by danyelle or whatever it is). any thoughts on which store?
It's Gotta Pixel. Etc by Danyale is Danyale Lewis not Racheal.
^^what she said.
I also know rachael isn't going exclusive to SM. Heard she's going to a new store entirely
I figured I would show up on here so I stopped by. I wasn't allowed to say which store on DST. The store I was referring to was GP. My store at TDC was already set to close several weeks ago simply because of lack of time for exclusive product. What the last poster said is true I'll be going to a totally new store in April.
Sorry. I didn't realize that my husband was signed in. So posted again so everyone knew it was me.
Thank you Rachael. I figured it was GP - especially when Victoria posted with the "similar" problem. Sorry to hear you are going thru this....but good luck where ever you end up!
Sorry this is happening to you Rachael. It sounds like a crappy situation no matter how you look at it. I seriously think you should get a lawyer if you can find one that is affordable. I would LOVE to see Stacy deal with that.
I keep waiting for the digi community to wake up and realize that Stacy Carlson, the owner at GP, is a whacked out bitch who will turn on ANYONE. To those designers who work for her, watch your back and to find a different store to sell at.
I keep waiting for the digi community to wake up and realize that Stacy Carlson, the owner at GP, is a whacked out bitch who will turn on ANYONE.
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Why do they have to wake up to her? If they don't deal with her, it's not their business. Just saying.
^^^
That is the most ridiculous comment ever made on this blog. Seriously.
Stacy is a true biz-natch. Any designer who stays at that store is a fool to think she wouldn't turn on them in a heartbeat. How many people have been burned by her over the years?
To the person who asked if the GP Designer Guest call was worth applying... there is your answer.
Can I ask (ballpark range) how much commission stores charge designers? I generally try to buy from a designer's personal website if they have one but I don't seek them out. Does it make a difference to the designer where I buy? Is there a quota for the larger stores that I am actually hurting them if I shop at their personal store. Just want to know which way helps the designer more...serious question.
Stacy strikes again. Why are so many designers staying there?
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
^^^
So it's fair to prevent a designer from having a retirement sale, despite it not being part of the contract?
It's fair to expect parts of the contract to be upheld (ie: keeping up with site duties and paying site commissions) when other parts aren't (ie: being able to put your store one whatever sale you want so long as it's not less than 50%)?
It's fair to say a contract is 'void' because someone gave notice?
That is the most ridiculous comment ever made on this blog. Seriously.
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No, it isn't. If you don't deal with her, you don't get burned. I've been around for a long time and I've never been burned by her. Never dealt with.
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
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Not sure why you had to be so damn condescending. Your entire statement is quite childish, so I would quit pointing fingers if I were you.
That is the most ridiculous comment ever made on this blog. Seriously.
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new here are you?
Stacy strikes again. Why are so many designers staying there?
February 27, 2011 10:31 PM
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I would venture to guess that they get along with her.
Don't be shy, Rach!!!
Isn't it funny that a lot of times we talk about someone on this blog, they end up here, trying to explain themselves? So, does everyone in the community read this blog?
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
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Are you also the one that stands there and hold the toilet paper for her while she is doing her buisness?
Are you also the one that stands there and hold the toilet paper for her while she is doing her buisness?
No actually I am not. I am the one the that can spell business, and it appears you know about cleaning up someones business. Your head is stuck yours.
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
February 27, 2011 11:09 PM
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You'll change your tune once you give your notice. Then you'll be crying like a baby.
Can I ask (ballpark range) how much commission stores charge designers? I generally try to buy from a designer's personal website if they have one but I don't seek them out. Does it make a difference to the designer where I buy? Is there a quota for the larger stores that I am actually hurting them if I shop at their personal store. Just want to know which way helps the designer more...serious question.
February 27, 2011 10:29 PM
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I only know of one store with a quota - SBG. I'm not sure if it's in their contracts or in Maya's pretty little head.
I don't have my own personal site, but if I did, I'd prefer people buy from there as the commission is only what you pay to Paypal (3.5% I think). Commission in most stores ranges from 25-15%. I've seen 10%, but not often and not for non-exclusive designers.
I buy from personal stores whenever possible. I figure every little bit helps the designer.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
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That post reads just like Connie or Trixie. :P Ass kissers extraordinaire.
That post reads just like Connie or Trixie. :P Ass kissers extraordinaire.
Wrong Again
You'll change your tune once you give your notice. Then you'll be crying like a baby.
You are (ass)uming that I am at the store.
Not sure why you children all have you panties in a twist over Stacy. I think she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not
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It is Stacey not living up to the contract not the designer. I don't see how not allowing a designer to have a sale, which is their right per the contract, is being a good store owner. A good store owner would abide by the contract especially since she wants designers to do the same.
Most stores have quotas actually.
Really ? mine doesn't, and neither did any of the others that I have been at.
You are (ass)uming that I am at the store.
February 28, 2011 8:22 AM
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If you're not, how would you have any idea that "... she is a great owner. She does what is right the entire store and not a few designers. Everything is thought out and is always fair. Not sure if you all have heard stories from designers that left there or what. But I would say here that if they were upset with Stacy it was because they were not dong that was expected or that they were living up to the contract and thought they were special and found out they were not"
Give us all a break. I agree that post was likely either Trixie or Connie. Or one of their CT members who have drank too much of the kool-aid. If it wasn't, we have another Connie wannabe in the mix.
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