Andilynn had some major personal problems, then they went exclusive only - which was a gigantic mistake. I am thinking their customers are going to be really pissed when they find out that they are, indeed, closing and it was denied so adamantly.
I was randomly checking the members lists at some stores to see if Amy Stoffel had logged in recently, and she was at TLP last night. I'm guessing that's her guest gig, not her permanent store.
It's not that straight forward. Paypal can be very demanding when you need to reactivate an account and the answers it requires are fairly stringent. Although both might have had access to make payments to designers, only the one that opened the account may have the answer to the questions that Paypal asks. ------
All I said, which you agree with, is that Lizzy had access to the PayPal. A previous poster said that Lizzy had nothing to do with it, I replied with she may have made payments, and here we are.
Your point, while valid, had nothing to do with the conversation at hand about the payments.
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
I was randomly checking the members lists at some stores to see if Amy Stoffel had logged in recently, and she was at TLP last night. I'm guessing that's her guest gig, not her permanent store.
--------------
Wrong. That's not her guest spot. So if it is a place she's heading, then that's the permanent one.
Andilynn had some major personal problems, then they went exclusive only - which was a gigantic mistake. I am thinking their customers are going to be really pissed when they find out that they are, indeed, closing and it was denied so adamantly.
Just another bad decision that they have made.
-------------
The thing is: why in the world would SM even care whether their customers get pissed once they close? It won't matter then...... because they'll. be. closed. Duh.
Enough about Amy Stoffel. I don't even like her designs. I am curious about where the other 9th designers will end up. Rachael B posted something on facebook today about working to finish up her DSD products. Why would she be doing that if she weren't selling somewhere new again already, right? Wonder where. Anyone else know about the other designers and if they'll have a shop next week? What about Fizzy Pop?
Enough about Amy Stoffel. I don't even like her designs. ___________________________________
Oh, excuse me. I didn't realize the queen of the blog was here today. Are there any other topics you would like us to refrain from talking about? We would hate to take up your precious time forcing you to read about designers you don't like.
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
-----------------
Hi Amy. ----------------- Nice try. Guess again. If someone can come here and post what Amy is saying on FB, someone else can correct you. That doesn't mean I am Amy.
If I have learned one thing about Lizzy Reiber during her time in the digi community is that she goes where the wind takes her...she is never happy in one place for long. She started at Sweet Shoppe, made the site CT-stayed for a bit then left-went to Scrap Orchard...where incidentally she started several of the same challenges as SSD had. She then vacated that store and headed to Shabby Pickle...immersed herself in that for awhile, then it was on to MScraps-I don't think she ever sold there but she was the site ct leader. She then left there and landed at 9th and Bloom taking several MScrap designers and minions from the forums with her. I can't remember but something tells me there was a short stint at CatScrap somewhere in there, but I might have her confused with someone else. I remember her being really upset when one of the stores brought on Twenty Tiny Toes because her designs were too similar to Lizzy Pop. So she up and left that store. I wouldn't be surprised if this entire paypal situation is just her way of moving on to the next best thing...it is what she has always done. She never stays anywhere for long-no commitment, no loyalty...which is her right-as a designer/person. It also says a lot about her personality-and for that reason alone I think she kinda sucks.
short stint at CatScrap somewhere in there, but I might have her confused with someone else. I remember her being really upset when one of the stores brought on Twenty Tiny Toes because her designs were too similar to Lizzy Pop. So she up and left that store. -----
Could have been CatScrap then as that is where ThirtyTinyToes started out, before she also moved on very quickly and landed somewhere else, and then she retired, in the period of about 8 months or so.
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
-----------------
Hi Amy. ----------------- Nice try. Guess again. If someone can come here and post what Amy is saying on FB, someone else can correct you. That doesn't mean I am Amy.
______________________
Well, you sure sounded incredibly full of detailed info AND extremely defensive and bitchy to be anyone else other than Amy... why so touchy if this doesn't affect you? Hmm?
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass. -------
Actually, I think you made yourself look like an ass.
I just realized the irony of Lizzy and Holly leaving Shabby Pickle because of pay issues and now 9th & Bloom are closing because of pay issues and yet Shabby Pickle is still around!
I really dislike that Lizzy was all Holly is my BFF in the whole world and we are such besties, etc, etc and the minute it goes wrong, she throws Holly under the bus.
I think I don't care where any of the SM designers end up. If they were any good, they'd be attracting enough customers that the store wouldn't be closing. Food for thought.
Stores have closed for various reasons in the past, and not ONLY for lack of revenues. I don't know anything about what is going on at SM, I don't sell there, I don't CT there, I don't even shop there (not regularly anyways). I just know that other stores (some where I have sold among others) have closed for other reasons.
Just searched around some more and found Amy Stoffel, GeniaBeana and Erica Zane in the forums at TDC, each with very recent posts (like past 24 hours).
To my loyal customers - I am so sorry that I haven't had a chance to create anything new for you in sometime. I feel so out of touch over here. Please forgive me for that. On the flip side of that, I don't think I will be designing templates anytime soon, if ever. It was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to create for the few years I did. Thank you for supporting me!
To my loyal customers - I am so sorry that I haven't had a chance to create anything new for you in sometime. I feel so out of touch over here. Please forgive me for that. On the flip side of that, I don't think I will be designing templates anytime soon, if ever. It was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to create for the few years I did. Thank you for supporting me!
I really dislike that Lizzy was all Holly is my BFF in the whole world and we are such besties, etc, etc and the minute it goes wrong, she throws Holly under the bus.
October 31, 2011 1:42 AM
Things had been going wrong for much more than a minute, and no one is, or has, bashed Holly. Telling the truth is not throwing someone under the bus. It simply is what it is, no need to dramatize it or victimize/villainize anyone without having any insider information whatsoever.
Not a one of you have any clue what the business arrangement between Lizzy & Holly entitled. Even if Lizzy owned a small 10% of 9th & Bloom, she would still be entitled to use the title of co-owner. AAAAND completely entitled to leave a partnership where her co-owner is letting her end of the company fall apart without being at fault.
Lets look at the facts and see what we could assume:
1. Holly has been MIA for months now.
2. Lizzy has been active and available at Ninth & Bloom every day since they opened their doors.
Now, if Lizzy was putting that much of her time into a site, do you people actually think it makes since that Lizzy would let 9th fall apart? Or would it be easier (smarter) to assume that Holly, neglecting her store, customers, and team for months, quite likely could have dropped the ball on something that was her responsibility?
I know this may make some of you blue in the face but this is the common sense of it. It seems to me that so many of you are blinded to stupidity by envy and prejudice against someone you don't even know. I wonder if Lizzy thinks about you as much as you gals seem to think about her?
Now, if Lizzy was putting that much of her time into a site, do you people actually think it makes since that Lizzy would let 9th fall apart? Or would it be easier (smarter) to assume that Holly, neglecting her store, customers, and team for months, quite likely could have dropped the ball on something that was her responsibility?
I know this may make some of you blue in the face but this is the common sense of it. It seems to me that so many of you are blinded to stupidity by envy and prejudice against someone you don't even know. I wonder if Lizzy thinks about you as much as you gals seem to think about her? October 31, 2011 1:42 PM
The truth is, if Holly has been MIA for months, then HOW WERE NEW DESIGNERS BEING ADDED TO THE STORE? Unless the designer contract is between Lizzy and Holly AND the designer, no one can send out that contract besides the OWNER of 9th&Bloom. If Lizzy was made a proxy for that, then how STUPID was she to also not have access to the MONEY.
Anyone who works "so hard" with no access to what is driving the store is an idiot.
I don't care what the nitty gritty details are behind their arrangement. I don't need to know to deduce that Lizzy is stupid.
I couldn't care less if she never thought about me. I don't envy her and never have. The very notion makes me laugh. The fact is, we're here discussing the BUSINESS and you come on here making things personal.
You're either Lizzy or you have your nose far up her ass.
Not a one of you have any clue what the business arrangement between Lizzy & Holly entitled. Even if Lizzy owned a small 10% of 9th & Bloom, she would still be entitled to use the title of co-owner. AAAAND completely entitled to leave a partnership where her co-owner is letting her end of the company fall apart without being at fault.
------------
Even if she owned 1%, she should have had access to everything. That's what ownership means! And anyone who works that hard for 10% is an even bigger idiot than I would have thought.
The designers there may be fooled, but that just tells me they're just as clueless as Lizzy.
I think I don't care where any of the SM designers end up. If they were any good, they'd be attracting enough customers that the store wouldn't be closing. Food for thought.
October 31, 2011 6:30 AM ------------ This makes me laugh and I 100% agree. I will admit I'm a big fan/customer (and in one case CT member) of a couple of the multi shop designers that were forced to leave SM when they went exclusive, so I guess I'm biased. Those designers had very little notice and zero input about SM's big plans to go exclusive. I know at least one of them (the one I CT for) was made to feel like they were a drain on SM's resources. And yet, SM is dead little more than 6 months later without all those multi shop designers they forced out!! I subscribe to SM's weekly newsletter and have been watching the number of new releases each week steadily decline for months. And yes, I agree with a PP about the fact that it is a joke that they only had 7 new releases this past week. Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month). Whether you hate them or not, they obviously have happily paying customers and SM sent them all away to shop elsewhere.
So, what do you have to say for yourself now, Andilynn? Guess your plans to screw over the majority of your most active, producing designers was a big fat flop, huh? Serves you right. You obviously have about as much business sense as a monkey.
Even if she owned 1%, she should have had access to everything. That's what ownership means! And anyone who works that hard for 10% is an even bigger idiot than I would have thought.
The designers there may be fooled, but that just tells me they're just as clueless as Lizzy. October 31, 2011 2:32 PM .................................. Sooo genius. Say 5 people owned a corporation and one of them was caught embezzling. Would they all be prosecuted because they "should have has access to everything"??? They are all owners for crying out loud!!! (smirk) Implying that Lizzy is at fault simply b/c she was owner of whatever % of 9th&Bloom is just silly dear. It certainly wouldn't hold up in court, and it wont suggest that Lizzy is at any fault to anyone with half a brain. It completely irrelevant.
Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month).
If Lizzy had no access to the Paypal accounts - how did she know what the problem was with Paypal at the end ? I assume Paypal would only disclose such information to the owner of the account ?
Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month).
-False.
October 31, 2011 3:00 PM
NOT false. But clearly, you seem to disagree. Elaborate, if you are able. I don't think you can. I think you are just arguing for the fun of it.
this was posted by Tracy Monette at DST this morning:
Lizzy was an owner in name only - never in legal signed paperwork. That is why set-up problems with the store were never known and why Lizzy was not able to be the one to fix things for us all. And Holly answers no email or phone calls.
On a happy note, I'll be joining MScraps! __________________
If Lizzy had no access to the Paypal accounts - how did she know what the problem was with Paypal at the end ? I assume Paypal would only disclose such information to the owner of the account ?
-That's a good question. But I imagine there is a good answer for it.
I'd love to hear some intelligent reasons as to why some of you think that Lizzy is to blame after being told the facts by Lizzy herself and other members of 9th & Bloom. What exactly are you basing your doubt on? Other than being snide that is.
I'm a bitch, not an asshole. ---------------- No, I get to decide what I think you are. I think you are an asshole. It's my opinion, and you can't change it.
I'm a bitch, not an asshole. ---------------- No, I get to decide what I think you are. I think you are an asshole. It's my opinion, and you can't change it. ____________________ (snicker) Too true.
I'm a bitch, not an asshole. ---------------- No, I get to decide what I think you are. I think you are an asshole. It's my opinion, and you can't change it. -------- Ok, so then I get to label you a cunt. kthxbai
If Lizzy had no access to the Paypal accounts - how did she know what the problem was with Paypal at the end ? I assume Paypal would only disclose such information to the owner of the account ?
^^^^^^ Paypal will NOT talk to anyone but the account holder. Since Lizzy said she contacted paypal to find out what was going on and she found out why, she obviously had ACCESS. The designers are ONLY hearing what Lizzy is feeding them. And whoa, Lizzy is retiring. So, what does that say?
Business Paypal Accounts allow you to add authorized users and there are a host of permissions that you can enable, such as, being able to send payments, see the balance, talk to paypal about the account, etc. It's quite possible that she had limited permissions, one of them being able to talk to them about the account, but not the permissions to make the necessary changes. The person who opens the business account has full control over setting those permissions.
Business Paypal Accounts allow you to add authorized users and there are a host of permissions that you can enable, such as, being able to send payments, see the balance, talk to paypal about the account, etc. It's quite possible that she had limited permissions, one of them being able to talk to them about the account, but not the permissions to make the necessary changes. The person who opens the business account has full control over setting those permissions. October 31, 2011 3:40 PM
^^^What she said. Just give up the witch hunt gals.
Even if she owned 1%, she should have had access to everything. That's what ownership means! And anyone who works that hard for 10% is an even bigger idiot than I would have thought.
The designers there may be fooled, but that just tells me they're just as clueless as Lizzy. October 31, 2011 2:32 PM .................................. Sooo genius. Say 5 people owned a corporation and one of them was caught embezzling. Would they all be prosecuted because they "should have has access to everything"??? They are all owners for crying out loud!!! (smirk) Implying that Lizzy is at fault simply b/c she was owner of whatever % of 9th&Bloom is just silly dear. It certainly wouldn't hold up in court, and it wont suggest that Lizzy is at any fault to anyone with half a brain. It completely irrelevant. October 31, 2011 2:52 PM
-------- Actually, this happens all the time in business. Moron.
Business Paypal Accounts allow you to add authorized users and there are a host of permissions that you can enable, such as, being able to send payments, see the balance, talk to paypal about the account, etc. It's quite possible that she had limited permissions, one of them being able to talk to them about the account, but not the permissions to make the necessary changes. The person who opens the business account has full control over setting those permissions. October 31, 2011 3:40 PM
^^^What she said. Just give up the witch hunt gals.
October 31, 2011 3:44 PM ------------- This seems unlikely since it has already been stated that Holly made the payments and Lizzy said she didn't have Paypal access.
Things had been going wrong for much more than a minute, and no one is, or has, bashed Holly. Telling the truth is not throwing someone under the bus. It simply is what it is, no need to dramatize it or victimize/villainize anyone without having any insider information whatsoever. ------
I'm not sure why you are bringing up the non bashing of Holly, it's completely irrelevant. No one said that anyone was bashing Holly, however, she is being completely and solely blamed for the downfall of the store.
Lizzy had some responsibility of the day to day running of 9th & Bloom, which she admits too. However, if things were not going right for so long, and Holly has been missing for that long, why keep going? Why not do something sooner instead of at the last minute? It doesn't make sense.
I'm not seeing a whole lot of truth, but I am seeing a whole lot of blame game. So I'll stick by my original statement, Lizzy is throwing Holly under the bus.
This seems unlikely since it has already been stated that Holly made the payments and Lizzy said she didn't have Paypal access. ------
It was stated by one person, who said when she was there, so clearly sometime in the past. Who knows what the arrangement has been since then.
Again I will point out that if Holly has been MIA for months, who was paying the designers? It had to be Lizzy. Because if Holly was paying the designers, then she was not MIA. She may have been absent from the forums, but not completely absent, and therefore not MIA.
That she's smart to get out of this catty and ridiculous industry? ------
It's only ridiculous and catty if you hang around here.
--------------------------------
Apparently this is true. I've always avoided this place even though I knew it existed, but was curious what was going on with all the stores and designers closing and moving around. However, it seems like most posts that are actually informational are few and far between because most of it seems to be a bunch of bitches who get off on being rude and snotty to other people, rather than supporting each other in an industry where there are newbies and oldies alike, but everyone is just doing their best, trying to improve, and hopefully making a little (or a lot) of income doing something they love. I realize this is a smack blog, but it's kind of sad that there's more "smacking" of each other than discussions about the industry that could actually be useful. Makes me wonder what teams I am on, or what stores I am hanging out at, that are playing nice in the forums, but being bitches behind the scenes. Kind of sad really.
Makes me wonder what teams I am on, or what stores I am hanging out at, that are playing nice in the forums, but being bitches behind the scenes. Kind of sad really. -------
While it is sad, it doesn't really matter. As long as they are nice to you, that's all that matters.
I really don't care what people say behind my back or how they behave when I'm not there. It's not important.
Is Gingerscrap a good store? What about the owner?
--------------------------------
I love it there! The owner is very much involved in everything and even when she had some personal issues {moving, etc}, the other admin Shannon was there to help out with anything the designers/customers needed.
To my loyal customers - I am so sorry that I haven't had a chance to create anything new for you in sometime. I feel so out of touch over here. Please forgive me for that. On the flip side of that, I don't think I will be designing templates anytime soon, if ever. It was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to create for the few years I did. Thank you for supporting me! -------
I don't know the people involved. From what I read, one person has been doing all the work and has been left holding the bag. And now the buzzards are circling over her here. Nice. Women are such cats. Apparently none of you have been left high and dry by someone else. Lucky you.
The exact same someone who was quite willing to take the name of co-owner while the going was good, but changed it to manager when things got bad. She chose to do the things she did, no one forced her. It was her choice.
She's holding the bag because she chose to be the face of the store. She's not innocent in this matter, so don't try and make her an innocent.
Men are just as bad as women. Especially if business. Get real.
I've been left high and dry, but like Holly, owned up to it and didn't shift the blame to anyone else.
I don't know the people involved. From what I read, one person has been doing all the work and has been left holding the bag. And now the buzzards are circling over her here. Nice. Women are such cats. Apparently none of you have been left high and dry by someone else. Lucky you. ------
For someone who doesn't know anyone involved, you sure sound involved.
I don't get it. Holly said that "The error, though unintentional and easily resolved, was my responsibility and I apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused." Well if it's easily resolved, by not resolve it and keep the store open? There's more to this than we know.
It says she's been around long enough to know that if she retires now, and comes back in the new year, no one will remember this colossal screw up.
--------------
Amen. Wanna start taking bets on how long it takes her to do just this? Oh, the irony of Lizzy and Alyssa, of all people, being in the same basic position now...
I don't get it. Holly said that "The error, though unintentional and easily resolved, was my responsibility and I apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused." Well if it's easily resolved, by not resolve it and keep the store open? There's more to this than we know.
----------------
Because by the time she got off her ass and "resolved" it, her design team and her go-to person (i.e. Lizzy, who did everything so Holly wouldn't have to lift a finger) had already deserted her. So it closed. Way easier than finding new actors to play all of those roles.
^^^ From that thread, Jennifer Wilson: "Our designers are selected on variety of criteria, most important of which is member nominations."
I think she meant to say, "the most important of which is nominations from each designer's CT members."
I still maintain that the only people who should be allowed to nominate designers each year are the gold and diamond members. That would cut out all of the solicited CT nominations and make it more interesting.
I still maintain that the only people who should be allowed to nominate designers each year are the gold and diamond members. That would cut out all of the solicited CT nominations and make it more interesting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am not a gold or diamond member but I agree with you. With it being a paid membership you should have a say in what you get, not just the CTM's pimping their designers.
I think she meant to say, "the most important of which is nominations from each designer's CT members." --------- I'm on the CT of two of the DST designers and not a single one of their nominations came from their CTs. I agree that some of those designers were overwhelmingly voted up by their CTs but some were legitimately nominated.
I am not sure that it is the number of nominations that is the main factor. I can see that being nominated IS though. So maybe they take the names but not the number of nominations? Also, I have heard somewhere (maybe here) that sometimes, designers decline the offer for whatever reason.
Inspirations from Day is closing shop on Nov 7th. (Her stuff is 60% off if anybody is shopping.) Looks like SM will be closing on Nov 7th.
November 1, 2011 12:38 PM ---------------- If that is true, that is some shady shit. Make one last grab from the customers for DSD, then immediately close up?
It is really poor form that they are attempting to keep their closing a secret. So stupid.
They deleted the last comments from people who tried to ask the question. Be interesting to see how long they allow this post to stay up : http://scrapmatters.com/forums/showthread.php?p=402581#post402581
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack".
The only one who can really say anything is the owner.
November 1, 2011 12:49 PM ------------- She has spoken... I guess. For whatever this pathetic paragraph is worth:
"There are a lot of changes happening at SM right now. The SM community is wonderful in wanting to help keep their digi-home going strong. Please be patient until everything is figured out."
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack".
November 1, 2011 1:24 PM ^^^
Awww, someone doesn't like it when their bullshit gets exposed for what it really is, huh?
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack".
November 1, 2011 1:24 PM
-----------------------------------
It's not shit, SM is closing, I know it for a fact!
Awww, someone doesn't like it when their bullshit gets exposed for what it really is, huh?
Now who has their panties in a wad? ------------ lol... I have no bullshit to expose, lucky me I guess. I am only a customer of some of the shops you've mentioned on here. Just surprised to see what you gals do behind the scenes. What dorks... lol.
Inspirations from Day is closing shop on Nov 7th. (Her stuff is 60% off if anybody is shopping.) Looks like SM will be closing on Nov 7th
---------------------------------- ^^^^^ Just because one designer leaves on that day, doesn't mean it's the closing date. Maybe she just doesn't want to go down with the sinking ship or doesn't agree with leading people on..
lol... I have no bullshit to expose, lucky me I guess. I am only a customer of some of the shops you've mentioned on here. Just surprised to see what you gals do behind the scenes. What dorks... lol. -----------------------------
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
Oh, look at all the holier-than-thou little SM ants come out to defend their sinking colony.
Now THAT is funny. YOU are the ones who are pathetic. And for the record, if Andilynn were forthcoming with the public that she is entertaining offers to sell and/or considering closing the store, this would be a blip on the radar. It is only getting lots of attention here because she is being a shady bitch about it.
But then, considering my history with her, I am not surprised one bit. This is how she operates.
I don't know Andilyn, but if she is trying to find a buyer for the store, it does seem shady that she has announced the closing to her staff, but not the public. It makes it seem like she is trying to show a potential buyer that they are getting a store full of designers and staff, when in reality, most of the staff has already made plans to retire or move somewhere else.
I don't think there is any lasting disservice to the customers to not inform them of the closing because they can follow the designers to their new stores. But a person who may purchase the site has a real eye opening moment ahead of them when they find out that they've just purchased a digiscrap store with no digiscrap designers tied to it.
She should have explored ALL options before telling her staff. ----- Are you on her staff then? How else would you know what she told them? ------------ That would be none of your fucking business.
Because by the time she got off her ass and "resolved" it, her design team and her go-to person (i.e. Lizzy, who did everything so Holly wouldn't have to lift a finger) -----
Again, if that is true, that was Lizzy's choice. She sure seemed to be enjoying the kudos of being a store owner, until it went wrong.
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack". ---
Do you feel better now about coming here to read, now that you have posted your sanctimonious little rant?
Also, why assume we have so much time, maybe some of us are on here for a total of 10 minutes. Yeah, I'm so sorry that I'm not tied to my husband and children 24/7. I'm so sorry that I actually take time out to do other things.
lol... I have no bullshit to expose, lucky me I guess. I am only a customer of some of the shops you've mentioned on here. Just surprised to see what you gals do behind the scenes. What dorks... lol. ---
You have no idea who the gals here are, so I guess that makes you a dork, doesn't it?
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh! ----------
Do you feel better about yourself now, at the expense of others, by doling out this little hand slap?
I think it's pretty sad that you think we are pathetic and shitty, yet you think you are so much better by having a good laugh about it. Really, what does that say about you?
She should have explored ALL options before telling her staff. ----- Are you on her staff then? How else would you know what she told them? ------------ That would be none of your fucking business.
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. -------------
Aw, you see, that's why we post, because it's entertaining, even you admit it. Of course, now I have to wonder, why do you care so much or have so much time on your hands?
I don't know Andilyn, but if she is trying to find a buyer for the store, it does seem shady that she has announced the closing to her staff, but not the public. It makes it seem like she is trying to show a potential buyer that they are getting a store full of designers and staff, when in reality, most of the staff has already made plans to retire or move somewhere else.
I don't think there is any lasting disservice to the customers to not inform them of the closing because they can follow the designers to their new stores. But a person who may purchase the site has a real eye opening moment ahead of them when they find out that they've just purchased a digiscrap store with no digiscrap designers tied to it.
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^^^^ She's not advertising to buyers because she's not looking to sell. She's closing her store for personal reasons as is her right.
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
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What a tower of virtue you are. I'm not worthy. Let me worship at your feet.
She's not advertising to buyers because she's not looking to sell. She's closing her store for personal reasons as is her right.
November 1, 2011 5:21 PM ------ I highly doubt her reasons are personal. More like, she ruined her store with her stupid idea to go exclusive.
Nonetheless, no one is saying she doesn't have a right to close it. Or to handle the closing in the stupidest way possible. But we (collectively) also have a right to call it like we see it and say that the secretive nature of the store closing is suspect and just plain stupid.
I highly doubt her reasons are personal. More like, she ruined her store with her stupid idea to go exclusive. -------------------------------- ^^^ op here: can't it be both? it's harder to deal with a sinking ship when personal problems arise than with something that is lucrative ;)
Nonetheless ... the secretive nature of the store closing is suspect and just plain stupid. -------------------------------- ^^^ agreed! She should just get it over with now that it's out... painful for everyone involved!
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
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What a tower of virtue you are. I'm not worthy. Let me worship at your feet.
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Not sure who wrote the first comment, but in response to the second comment, I would say "I rest my case!" I agree with the first one.
Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh! ------------
Pretty sad that you don't either, but you think that you do. I don't understand the mentality of checking in with something, just so you can feel superior about it. It seems to me that despite your high and mighty attitude, you are exactly the same as those you condemn.
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
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Frickin' hilarious and right on target! Maybe some of the morons that post here should think before posting stuff they know nothing about!
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mo·ron (môrn, mr-) n. 1. A stupid person; a dolt. 2. Psychology A person of mild mental retardation and generally having communication and social skills enabling some degree of academic or vocational education. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.
If that is true, that is some shady shit. Make one last grab from the customers for DSD, then immediately close up? -----------------------------
Let me get this straight.
So Holly and Lizzy are assholes for closing up shop BEFORE dsd and screwing over all the designers there.
But Andilyn is a money grabber for closing AFTER dsd.
huh. guess you just can't win around here.
November 1, 2011 7:48 PM _________________________________
The two have nothing to do with each other. First of all, as I understand it, 9th & Bloom didn't have an option to stay open for DSD because they have no vehicle for which to collect payment for orders. So that is a moot point.
SM, on the other hand, is just a majorly fucked up situation. Their own customers are over there begging for an answer. But, as someone pointed out, because Andilynn is so arrogant (or stupid or naive or any host of other adjectives), she thinks announcing the closing is going to hurt the DSD sales, so she is purposely trying not to make any announcement until after DSD.
Problem is, a lot of people have already figured it out because her designers (most of whom are likely upset to be uprooted due to Andilynn's long-standing "personal problems") couldn't or didn't want to keep it under wraps and started telling their personal CTs. And then it got spread to DST, to this blog and elsewhere. At this point, the cat is mostly out of the bag and Andilynn looks like an idiot as she tries to shove it back in.
And so, I think, in the end, she is actually doing more damage to her designers' DSD sales with all this nonsense. I might have shopped for some things for DSD, but honestly this drama just makes me not want to put another penny in her pocket. Just announce the friggin closing, invite the customers to enjoy "one last hurrah" on DSD weekend and be done with it. But, she would have to have some sort of business sense to figure this all out. I'm firmly convinced she has none.
Considering that iDSD is all about bargains, not store loyalty, it really is ridiculous for SM to think that announcing their impending closure will hurt iDSD sales.
They say they have 5 new ones..and honestly, I don't know who the 5th one is. What does surprize me is River Rose being there. oh well. at least some of them are landing someplace.
I wanted to send you a quick note on behalf of DST to apologize that our coupon page (http://www.digishoptalk.com/insider/current-coupons/) is not yet displaying each and every coupon you purchased in our DSD special. They are all there, just being displayed 6 at a time, in random order. This is not our intent. Leah and I are working with the site owners to find a workaround so that a customer can easily browse all the coupons.
Thanks for understanding!
Jennifer Editor-in-Chief, DigiShopTalk.com --------------------------
Is it just me or has the designer list at Sugar Hill Co shrunk ?
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All the Guests are gone so yes it shrank
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Two of the guests (KimB & GS) just stayed on as permanent designers there, so it really only shrunk by maybe 2 or 3 in the past few days. It's been a lot smaller ever since they went CU-only this summer.
This makes me laugh and I 100% agree. I will admit I'm a big fan/customer (and in one case CT member) of a couple of the multi shop designers that were forced to leave SM when they went exclusive, so I guess I'm biased. Those designers had very little notice and zero input about SM's big plans to go exclusive. I know at least one of them (the one I CT for) was made to feel like they were a drain on SM's resources. And yet, SM is dead little more than 6 months later without all those multi shop designers they forced out!! I subscribe to SM's weekly newsletter and have been watching the number of new releases each week steadily decline for months. And yes, I agree with a PP about the fact that it is a joke that they only had 7 new releases this past week. Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month). Whether you hate them or not, they obviously have happily paying customers and SM sent them all away to shop elsewhere.
So, what do you have to say for yourself now, Andilynn? Guess your plans to screw over the majority of your most active, producing designers was a big fat flop, huh? Serves you right. You obviously have about as much business sense as a monkey. -------------------------------------------- O.M.G. Are you SERIOUS???!???! Yeah, the likes of Connie Prince and Trixie Scraps are what killed SM. That is to die. Hi Tracy, nice to see you are up to your usual crap.
How could 2 big sales designers be what caused SM to die? Unless of course you mean that they chose to go elsewhere when SM tried to force them to lose sales by going exclusive. I don't understand what you mean - can you elaborate?
Don't even try to understand. They are so full of themselves, when SM went exclusive the top level designers like Jenn Barrette and Krista Sahlin had already left. The "multi-store" designers were Connie Prince, Trixie Scraps, Mye De Leon...what this person is alleging is those three designers carried the store. It is so ridiculous it verges on idiotic. I don't care how much they sell, it is all forgettable and looks exactly the same. So if that is the crap it takes to keep SM in business, then good riddance.
A few other designers left when SM went exclusive - Creations by Rachel comes to mind - I've always really liked her kits.
And whether or not you like Trixie Scraps and Connie Prince - they both know how to market themselves and they both sell a lot - so any decision that causes those two to leave your store is NOT a good business decision.
Whatever. That is your opinion. They are what make this business undervalued, with kits that all look exactly alike and cost like $3. They make it hard for people to get decent prices for their kits. They drive down the prices and steal business from better designers because they are cheaper. They give the entire business a bad name and someday it will be nice to see designers band together to get rid of the likes of them.
They make it hard for people to get decent prices for their kits. They drive down the prices and steal business from better designers because they are cheaper. -------
Oh, they do not. You are giving them far too much credit. I've seen it time and time again on this blog that will people will pay more for better quality and or original product. So, if a better designer has a better and unique kit at a higher price, a lot of people will buy it.
I really wasn't ware the Connie and Trixi were so in control of the digi economic market. The things you learn.
What is undervaluing the market is some designers thinking they can ask a higher price for the same old same old that other designers are asking a lower price for.
What I see time and time again on this blog is people saying they would never pay $7.99 for any kit, no matter the quality. In the paper industry, $7.99 for a kit would mean the kit was CRAP. Paper kits from the likes of sei and Basic Grey cost $20 a piece. Like someone said, it is the attitude of the customers, and the expectation of digi being cheap that undervalues the industry. That said, when a designer is willing to sell out, and create the same stuff every week for $4, they make it that much more difficult for talented designers. It's not that they steal business, rather they are setting the lower end so low the higher end can't charge what they deserve.
-------------------------------------------- O.M.G. Are you SERIOUS???!???! Yeah, the likes of Connie Prince and Trixie Scraps are what killed SM. That is to die. Hi Tracy, nice to see you are up to your usual crap.
November 3, 2011 3:39 PM ^^^ Are YOU serious? Tracy did not post that, I did. I'm not even on her CT, but I am on the CT for one of the other designers you all love to hate. And I thought SM's move to an exclusive store was idiotic. I don't know what your issue with these designers is. Are you jealous?
I'm confused where the $3 kit price you are talking about comes from. I looked at their stores. Mye's and Trixie's prices are regularly $6 for a kit. Connie's regular price is lower, but not as low as $3. Laitha charges between 7.50 and $8. How are those designers keeping others from charging a fair price for their kits?
Everything in Connie's SBB shop is 40% off, making it $3.27 on average for a kit. She has sales like this all the time, or coupons that save 40%-50% on orders. Trixie Scraps is the same. 40% off. All kits average $3.59. Mye's shop is 50% off, making her kits $2.50 or $3. When you have sales like this ALL THE TIME, or coupons to save this much, it is a roundabout way of charging $3 to $4 on average for a kit. And I realize it is DSD, but as I said, they offer coupons all the time to make their prices cheaper.
What I see time and time again on this blog is people saying they would never pay $7.99 for any kit, no matter the quality. ---
A cheapskate is always going to be a cheapskate, but there are people out there who are willing to pay that price for a quality kit.
So again I say that the designers selling cheaper kits are appealing to a particular market, it is not the same market that is willing to pay more, so they don't effect each other as much as you would like to think.
Some people will always be Walmart customers and others wont.
Are YOU serious? Tracy did not post that, I did. I'm not even on her CT, but I am on the CT for one of the other designers you all love to hate. And I thought SM's move to an exclusive store was idiotic. I don't know what your issue with these designers is. Are you jealous? -----
Not the OP, but did you really have go bring up the jealous card? It's completely ridiculous.
And I thought SM's move to an exclusive store was idiotic. ------------------------------------------------- Name ONE high end store that isn't exclusive. That's right. You can't. I am not saying SM was high end. But considering high end designers left there for exclusive stores with a better design team, maybe the hope was to become a high end shop. Clearly, it did not work. But only Andrea knows her motivation, and only Andrea knows why it did not work. So go back to world of mediocrity at SBB and GP and stick your head in the sand.
Exclusive works for some sites and not for others. That tells me it's not the exclusivity alone that is what makes them successful.
Going exclusive in "hopes" of becoming a better store is idiotic. But, we see it happen time and time again - all with the same result. Any respect I had left for SM is completely gone with how they're handling the closing. They have no convinced their customers that the site is staying open, but yet, we all know it isn't - unless Andilynn finds some last minute sucker, I mean buyer, to come on in and "save" it.
Blaming Connie and Trixie for the reason you're not selling that $8 product is idiotic. The problem is likely your product being to expensive for what it is - it may look the same as a $3 at another store. Who would pay $8 for something they can get for $3? And honestly, I can buy lots of hand-drawn kits for way less than $8 at a variety of the "top shops." And many of those designers also have big sales where you can get stuff super cheap.
And I 100% agree with the comment that the CUSTOMERS drive the market. It's like that in every marketplace. It's sadly just something of which most designers have no understanding.
But, keep blaming other people, though. See how that works for your sales.
Name ONE high end store that isn't exclusive. That's right. --------
All the high end stores that are exclusive, started out that way. They were never anything else. Going exclusive after being a consignment store is a ridiculous move and has not worked for one store that did it. Name me one, oh, that's right, you can't, because it never worked.
Blaming Connie and Trixie for the reason you're not selling that $8 product is idiotic. The problem is likely your product being to expensive for what it is - it may look the same as a $3 at another store. Who would pay $8 for something they can get for $3? And honestly, I can buy lots of hand-drawn kits for way less than $8 at a variety of the "top shops." And many of those designers also have big sales where you can get stuff super cheap.
And I 100% agree with the comment that the CUSTOMERS drive the market. It's like that in every marketplace. It's sadly just something of which most designers have no understanding.
But, keep blaming other people, though. See how that works for your sales. -----------
In the paper industry, $7.99 for a kit would mean the kit was CRAP. Paper kits from the likes of sei and Basic Grey cost $20 a piece. Like someone said, it is the attitude of the customers, and the expectation of digi being cheap that undervalues the industry.
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You are seriously comparing a digital kit with digital images to designer cardstock, precision die cuts, rub ons, and self adhesive printed chipboard? You are insane.
So I see a lot of dissing on designers for different things, being too cookie cutter, charging too much/too little, etc, and I've seen a bunch of names thrown around.. what I want to know, is what designers you all consider to be GOOD! What should designers be striving towards? What in this over saturated market to you consider original or cool? Who would you say (in your humble opinion) is the top designer(s) and why?
you know....the market isn't quite as 'oversaturated' as it was just a year ago. lots of shops have bit the dust...lots of designers have 'retired'....and the little nobody's seem to stay that way. there are still a ton of 'nobody' shops out there, still plugging away - - but the so-called 'top' shops have thinned out...closed...shut down...and continue to do so. It doesn't matter who anyone thinks is a 'top designer' - - it can all change tomorrow. You are searching for opinions of very opinionated people...and that in itself means nothing. Digital scrapbooking has its own niche, and will continue to be critisized by those who have nothing better to do than critisize. Designers will continue to charge whatever price they want - and people will continue to pay it. Its a hobby for the consumer, and how much the consumer puts into that hobby is up to them. Not you - not me...
I have my favourite designers and they are not all at the same store. I purchase from those that I like in terms of kit needs, quality and yes I will admit if there is a good sale I will buy more. Doesn't matter to me if they are considered top tier or middle tier. Most of the designers I prefer have been smacked on this blog. Am I trying to sound self-righteous? Not at all, just a message to those who feel the need to respond very negatively when something is said about a store/designer they like. No one has said you are wrong if you like them, we all have our opinions don't think we need the very vulgar words and comments that go along with them. Yes I am aware this is a smack blog, yes I have my big girl panties on, yes I read here and know what it's all about.
I used to really like SM but their decline started last winter/spring.
Strike one: The 2011 Design Star contest. They had no clear criteria for judging entries and had people who clearly broke the contest rules. SM's response? "Oops. You caught us but we're not going to change anything." They gave spots to those who won and then turned around and gave some who didn't win (Crossbone Cuts) spots anyway.
Strike Two: The loss of three big designers (Trixie Scraps, Connie Prince, and Chelle's Creations). All three sell a ton of stuff and market themselves well. And Chelle was just about the only designer who was active in their forum. The other designers there seem to have an "I can't be bothered to be involved in the forums" attitude which is only more obvious since Chelle left.
Third strike: Bungling their store closing announcement. It's pathetic that they can't be forthright with their customers. Why not just say, "We're closing on November 15th (or 30th or whenever) and appreciate all your support over the years." Instead, they add more fuel to the fire by pussy-footing around the issue.
Store owners would be smart to keep in mind what went wrong at SM when making decisions about their own stores.
You are searching for opinions of very opinionated people...and that in itself means nothing.
---------------------------------- ^^^ It means something to me. Each person who posts here has a personal opinion (obviously lol) and I'd like to hear some names on the positive end. I'm sure designers read this blog too and maybe they'd like to know where they're going wrong or what they're doing right. On dst you get all sweet lies and here you get all smack when things go wrong. I would love to hear a little in between and to know which designers you all like!
I have my favourite designers and they are not all at the same store. ------------------------------------ ^^^^ Do tell! Names? Don't be afraid to champion those you like!
I like Jady Day's designs. Very unique and great colors. Kim B and Viva Artistry are another two I really like. Unique kit ideas, well executed original designs. I also like Mye deLeon's designs, I like the colors she uses and the lack of themey stuff. That said, I'm not crazy about the piles of CU she uses..
I think SM lost a big customer segment when Britt and Sahlin Studio left too. I think they each left before the exclusive at SM announcement went out and now they're each exclusive (Britt at her own store and Sahlin at OScraps(?)) but I always wondered if that was in any way related?
Can someone PLEASE explain to me why someone would want to purchase scantily clad women? I honestly do not understand. I just saw this advertised on a Facebook group, and I just don't get it.
I have my favourite designers and they are not all at the same store. ------------------------------------ ^^^^ Do tell! Names? Don't be afraid to champion those you like! ___________________________________
I like Captivated Visions, Sugarplum Paperie and Cinzia. I used to really like Ziska when she designed and have a pile of her stuff. If I'm feeling like a fantasy type kit (which isn't often) I usually will hit Irene Alexeeva's shop but have recently discovered Studio Rosey Posey. Am also a ViVa fan, have a few of their kits but some just don't for me although I do like them.
wDI have several favorite designers! In no particular order:
Jady Day Studio Secret Stash Connie Prince Kristen CB Amy Stoffel Carolyn Rose Kite Captivated Visions Karen Lewis Inspired Designs Shabby Miss Jenn Shabby Princess SuzyQ Scraps Jen CK Cindy Schneider Colie's Corner Aprilisa ScrapKitchen
This is just a very small list. I've bought from every one of these designers and have been totally happy with the products. I love that I can combine the templates and word art from some of them with kits from others and make a beautiful layout!
I've bought from other so called "big name" designers and have been a little underwhelmed with the kits. If I see a preview that I like, I search that designers gallery for layouts created with the kit. If that looks good... I usually will buy it. :)
When you buy a kit priced between $4-$5, how many elements and papers do you expect to see in that kit? Do you expect there to be an alpha included? Would you buy any coordinating packs that were created with the kit, such as quick pages, wordart, stacked papers, templates?
I love it when a kit has coordinating products but would prefer to buy a combo. Save some money. :)
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
1,423 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1001 – 1200 of 1423 Newer› Newest»Andilynn had some major personal problems, then they went exclusive only - which was a gigantic mistake. I am thinking their customers are going to be really pissed when they find out that they are, indeed, closing and it was denied so adamantly.
Just another bad decision that they have made.
So who has guesses (or insider info!) as to where some of the now homeless designers will land?
I was randomly checking the members lists at some stores to see if Amy Stoffel had logged in recently, and she was at TLP last night. I'm guessing that's her guest gig, not her permanent store.
Considering they were once one of the top stores
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They were? Not snarky, just not in the know. I don't ever remember them being a top store.
It's not that straight forward. Paypal can be very demanding when you need to reactivate an account and the answers it requires are fairly stringent. Although both might have had access to make payments to designers, only the one that opened the account may have the answer to the questions that Paypal asks.
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All I said, which you agree with, is that Lizzy had access to the PayPal. A previous poster said that Lizzy had nothing to do with it, I replied with she may have made payments, and here we are.
Your point, while valid, had nothing to do with the conversation at hand about the payments.
Didn't Amy Stoffel sell at TLP briefly before she went to 9th & Bloom?
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
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Hi Amy.
I was randomly checking the members lists at some stores to see if Amy Stoffel had logged in recently, and she was at TLP last night. I'm guessing that's her guest gig, not her permanent store.
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Wrong. That's not her guest spot. So if it is a place she's heading, then that's the permanent one.
Andilynn had some major personal problems, then they went exclusive only - which was a gigantic mistake. I am thinking their customers are going to be really pissed when they find out that they are, indeed, closing and it was denied so adamantly.
Just another bad decision that they have made.
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The thing is: why in the world would SM even care whether their customers get pissed once they close? It won't matter then...... because they'll. be. closed. Duh.
Enough about Amy Stoffel. I don't even like her designs. I am curious about where the other 9th designers will end up. Rachael B posted something on facebook today about working to finish up her DSD products. Why would she be doing that if she weren't selling somewhere new again already, right? Wonder where. Anyone else know about the other designers and if they'll have a shop next week? What about Fizzy Pop?
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
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Oh no. *sad weeping* My reputation is shot. Or wait...
Who gives a flying F about Fizzy Pop? Her templates are blah now. They used to be good and unique, but lately - meh.
Enough about Amy Stoffel. I don't even like her designs.
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Oh, excuse me. I didn't realize the queen of the blog was here today. Are there any other topics you would like us to refrain from talking about? We would hate to take up your precious time forcing you to read about designers you don't like.
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
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Hi Amy.
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Nice try. Guess again. If someone can come here and post what Amy is saying on FB, someone else can correct you. That doesn't mean I am Amy.
If I have learned one thing about Lizzy Reiber during her time in the digi community is that she goes where the wind takes her...she is never happy in one place for long.
She started at Sweet Shoppe, made the site CT-stayed for a bit then left-went to Scrap Orchard...where incidentally she started several of the same challenges as SSD had. She then vacated that store and headed to Shabby Pickle...immersed herself in that for awhile, then it was on to MScraps-I don't think she ever sold there but she was the site ct leader. She then left there and landed at 9th and Bloom taking several MScrap designers and minions from the forums with her. I can't remember but something tells me there was a short stint at CatScrap somewhere in there, but I might have her confused with someone else. I remember her being really upset when one of the stores brought on Twenty Tiny Toes because her designs were too similar to Lizzy Pop. So she up and left that store.
I wouldn't be surprised if this entire paypal situation is just her way of moving on to the next best thing...it is what she has always done. She never stays anywhere for long-no commitment, no loyalty...which is her right-as a designer/person.
It also says a lot about her personality-and for that reason alone I think she kinda sucks.
short stint at CatScrap somewhere in there, but I might have her confused with someone else. I remember her being really upset when one of the stores brought on Twenty Tiny Toes because her designs were too similar to Lizzy Pop. So she up and left that store.
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Could have been CatScrap then as that is where ThirtyTinyToes started out, before she also moved on very quickly and landed somewhere else, and then she retired, in the period of about 8 months or so.
I guess all those people who said something funky was going on at 9th & Bloom because designers kept joining and leaving, were right.
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
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Hi Amy.
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Nice try. Guess again. If someone can come here and post what Amy is saying on FB, someone else can correct you. That doesn't mean I am Amy.
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Well, you sure sounded incredibly full of detailed info AND extremely defensive and bitchy to be anyone else other than Amy... why so touchy if this doesn't affect you? Hmm?
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
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Actually, I think you made yourself look like an ass.
Um, what's the big deal about where Amy is going anyway?
I think Amy keeps coming up because she made an announcement about 9th&B in her newsletter and on FB. Otherwise, I don't know.
I just realized the irony of Lizzy and Holly leaving Shabby Pickle because of pay issues and now 9th & Bloom are closing because of pay issues and yet Shabby Pickle is still around!
Lizzy is all over this, covering herself and ONLY herself, I can't believe the designers are all still speaking to her.
I really dislike that Lizzy was all Holly is my BFF in the whole world and we are such besties, etc, etc and the minute it goes wrong, she throws Holly under the bus.
rachael b has her own store with some other designer.
amy stoffel at the lilypad? laughable.
9th&b had mostly newbs who were hardly any good, so i'm not sure what the fuss is about.
i think the scrap matters designers will end up at digichick, scrap orchard and mscraps.
I think I don't care where any of the SM designers end up. If they were any good, they'd be attracting enough customers that the store wouldn't be closing. Food for thought.
There are good designers at SM. It has nothing to do with why the store may be closing.
Because the store is making so much money that it's not worth keeping open?
Scrap Orchard Halloween blog train. Thoughts?
Stores have closed for various reasons in the past, and not ONLY for lack of revenues. I don't know anything about what is going on at SM, I don't sell there, I don't CT there, I don't even shop there (not regularly anyways). I just know that other stores (some where I have sold among others) have closed for other reasons.
Just searched around some more and found Amy Stoffel, GeniaBeana and Erica Zane in the forums at TDC, each with very recent posts (like past 24 hours).
Who owns Scrap Orchard and do they require exclusivity?
SO blog train:
abv - Did not like the grunge frames or the 'beans', did like the paper
cc - Did not keep, nothing special
cvisions - Kept all but stitches
ft - Did not keep
lbanasiak - Did not keep
LRiches - Cute, kept
mle - Was OK. Peanut butter cup had inner jagged edges which is a shame because it was cute. Did not keep
sqs - Did not keep
tstroud - Did not keep
zgl - Did not keep
I only downloaded those who had direct or box downloads. Did not bother with those who used 4shared.
Erica Zane moved a few weeks back from SM to CatScrap so doubt she'll be moving again any time soon
Scrap Orchard is owned by Ziggle Designs and yes, they require exclusivity.
Posted on Fizzy Pop's fb page:
To my loyal customers - I am so sorry that I haven't had a chance to create anything new for you in sometime. I feel so out of touch over here. Please forgive me for that. On the flip side of that, I don't think I will be designing templates anytime soon, if ever. It was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to create for the few years I did. Thank you for supporting me!
What are Holly's personal problems? Someone mentioned a death in the family?
Poor girl, she has always been so sweet, I think she deserves a little slack!
Posted on Fizzy Pop's fb page:
To my loyal customers - I am so sorry that I haven't had a chance to create anything new for you in sometime. I feel so out of touch over here. Please forgive me for that. On the flip side of that, I don't think I will be designing templates anytime soon, if ever. It was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to create for the few years I did. Thank you for supporting me!
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oh, poor, poor Dizzie. *woe is me*
What are Holly's personal problems?
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Problems that are of a - personal - nature. "personal problems".
Problems that are of a - personal - nature. "personal problems".
----------
Seriously, you're an asshole. And yes, if you answer that way, you deserve to be called an asshole (twice).
I'm a bitch, not an asshole.
I really dislike that Lizzy was all Holly is my BFF in the whole world and we are such besties, etc, etc and the minute it goes wrong, she throws Holly under the bus.
October 31, 2011 1:42 AM
Things had been going wrong for much more than a minute, and no one is, or has, bashed Holly. Telling the truth is not throwing someone under the bus. It simply is what it is, no need to dramatize it or victimize/villainize anyone without having any insider information whatsoever.
Not a one of you have any clue what the business arrangement between Lizzy & Holly entitled. Even if Lizzy owned a small 10% of 9th & Bloom, she would still be entitled to use the title of co-owner. AAAAND completely entitled to leave a partnership where her co-owner is letting her end of the company fall apart without being at fault.
Lets look at the facts and see what we could assume:
1. Holly has been MIA for months now.
2. Lizzy has been active and available at Ninth & Bloom every day since they opened their doors.
Now, if Lizzy was putting that much of her time into a site, do you people actually think it makes since that Lizzy would let 9th fall apart? Or would it be easier (smarter) to assume that Holly, neglecting her store, customers, and team for months, quite likely could have dropped the ball on something that was her responsibility?
I know this may make some of you blue in the face but this is the common sense of it. It seems to me that so many of you are blinded to stupidity by envy and prejudice against someone you don't even know. I wonder if Lizzy thinks about you as much as you gals seem to think about her?
Agreed - to which we can also add that only one person on this blog has stepped forward with her payment arrangements, and they all went though HOLLY.
Um no- falling on deaf ears here. Lizzy is just as scummy as Holly.
Lizzy and Holly both don't know what the fuck they are doing. They never have.
Now, if Lizzy was putting that much of her time into a site, do you people actually think it makes since that Lizzy would let 9th fall apart? Or would it be easier (smarter) to assume that Holly, neglecting her store, customers, and team for months, quite likely could have dropped the ball on something that was her responsibility?
I know this may make some of you blue in the face but this is the common sense of it. It seems to me that so many of you are blinded to stupidity by envy and prejudice against someone you don't even know. I wonder if Lizzy thinks about you as much as you gals seem to think about her?
October 31, 2011 1:42 PM
The truth is, if Holly has been MIA for months, then HOW WERE NEW DESIGNERS BEING ADDED TO THE STORE? Unless the designer contract is between Lizzy and Holly AND the designer, no one can send out that contract besides the OWNER of 9th&Bloom. If Lizzy was made a proxy for that, then how STUPID was she to also not have access to the MONEY.
Anyone who works "so hard" with no access to what is driving the store is an idiot.
I don't care what the nitty gritty details are behind their arrangement. I don't need to know to deduce that Lizzy is stupid.
I couldn't care less if she never thought about me. I don't envy her and never have. The very notion makes me laugh. The fact is, we're here discussing the BUSINESS and you come on here making things personal.
You're either Lizzy or you have your nose far up her ass.
Not a one of you have any clue what the business arrangement between Lizzy & Holly entitled. Even if Lizzy owned a small 10% of 9th & Bloom, she would still be entitled to use the title of co-owner. AAAAND completely entitled to leave a partnership where her co-owner is letting her end of the company fall apart without being at fault.
------------
Even if she owned 1%, she should have had access to everything. That's what ownership means! And anyone who works that hard for 10% is an even bigger idiot than I would have thought.
The designers there may be fooled, but that just tells me they're just as clueless as Lizzy.
Anyone who works "so hard" with no access to what is driving the store is an idiot.
I don't care what the nitty gritty details are behind their arrangement. I don't need to know to deduce that Lizzy is stupid.
..............................
How business focused and completely non-personal of you. (smirk)
I think I don't care where any of the SM designers end up. If they were any good, they'd be attracting enough customers that the store wouldn't be closing. Food for thought.
October 31, 2011 6:30 AM
------------
This makes me laugh and I 100% agree. I will admit I'm a big fan/customer (and in one case CT member) of a couple of the multi shop designers that were forced to leave SM when they went exclusive, so I guess I'm biased. Those designers had very little notice and zero input about SM's big plans to go exclusive. I know at least one of them (the one I CT for) was made to feel like they were a drain on SM's resources. And yet, SM is dead little more than 6 months later without all those multi shop designers they forced out!! I subscribe to SM's weekly newsletter and have been watching the number of new releases each week steadily decline for months. And yes, I agree with a PP about the fact that it is a joke that they only had 7 new releases this past week. Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month). Whether you hate them or not, they obviously have happily paying customers and SM sent them all away to shop elsewhere.
So, what do you have to say for yourself now, Andilynn? Guess your plans to screw over the majority of your most active, producing designers was a big fat flop, huh? Serves you right. You obviously have about as much business sense as a monkey.
Even if she owned 1%, she should have had access to everything. That's what ownership means! And anyone who works that hard for 10% is an even bigger idiot than I would have thought.
The designers there may be fooled, but that just tells me they're just as clueless as Lizzy.
October 31, 2011 2:32 PM
..................................
Sooo genius. Say 5 people owned a corporation and one of them was caught embezzling. Would they all be prosecuted because they "should have has access to everything"??? They are all owners for crying out loud!!! (smirk) Implying that Lizzy is at fault simply b/c she was owner of whatever % of 9th&Bloom is just silly dear. It certainly wouldn't hold up in court, and it wont suggest that Lizzy is at any fault to anyone with half a brain. It completely irrelevant.
Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month).
-False.
If Lizzy had no access to the Paypal accounts - how did she know what the problem was with Paypal at the end ? I assume Paypal would only disclose such information to the owner of the account ?
Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month).
-False.
October 31, 2011 3:00 PM
NOT false. But clearly, you seem to disagree. Elaborate, if you are able. I don't think you can. I think you are just arguing for the fun of it.
this was posted by Tracy Monette at DST this morning:
Lizzy was an owner in name only - never in legal signed paperwork. That is why set-up problems with the store were never known and why Lizzy was not able to be the one to fix things for us all. And Holly answers no email or phone calls.
On a happy note, I'll be joining MScraps!
__________________
If Lizzy had no access to the Paypal accounts - how did she know what the problem was with Paypal at the end ? I assume Paypal would only disclose such information to the owner of the account ?
-That's a good question. But I imagine there is a good answer for it.
I'd love to hear some intelligent reasons as to why some of you think that Lizzy is to blame after being told the facts by Lizzy herself and other members of 9th & Bloom. What exactly are you basing your doubt on? Other than being snide that is.
I'm a bitch, not an asshole.
----------------
No, I get to decide what I think you are. I think you are an asshole. It's my opinion, and you can't change it.
I'm a bitch, not an asshole.
----------------
No, I get to decide what I think you are. I think you are an asshole. It's my opinion, and you can't change it.
____________________
(snicker) Too true.
I'm a bitch, not an asshole.
----------------
No, I get to decide what I think you are. I think you are an asshole. It's my opinion, and you can't change it.
--------
Ok, so then I get to label you a cunt. kthxbai
If Lizzy had no access to the Paypal accounts - how did she know what the problem was with Paypal at the end ? I assume Paypal would only disclose such information to the owner of the account ?
^^^^^^ Paypal will NOT talk to anyone but the account holder. Since Lizzy said she contacted paypal to find out what was going on and she found out why, she obviously had ACCESS.
The designers are ONLY hearing what Lizzy is feeding them. And whoa, Lizzy is retiring. So, what does that say?
Business Paypal Accounts allow you to add authorized users and there are a host of permissions that you can enable, such as, being able to send payments, see the balance, talk to paypal about the account, etc. It's quite possible that she had limited permissions, one of them being able to talk to them about the account, but not the permissions to make the necessary changes. The person who opens the business account has full control over setting those permissions.
Business Paypal Accounts allow you to add authorized users and there are a host of permissions that you can enable, such as, being able to send payments, see the balance, talk to paypal about the account, etc. It's quite possible that she had limited permissions, one of them being able to talk to them about the account, but not the permissions to make the necessary changes. The person who opens the business account has full control over setting those permissions.
October 31, 2011 3:40 PM
^^^What she said. Just give up the witch hunt gals.
Ok, so then I get to label you a cunt. kthxbai
-----------
is this the World of Warcraft forum?
And whoa, Lizzy is retiring. So, what does that say?
---
That she's smart to get out of this catty and ridiculous industry?
Even if she owned 1%, she should have had access to everything. That's what ownership means! And anyone who works that hard for 10% is an even bigger idiot than I would have thought.
The designers there may be fooled, but that just tells me they're just as clueless as Lizzy.
October 31, 2011 2:32 PM
..................................
Sooo genius. Say 5 people owned a corporation and one of them was caught embezzling. Would they all be prosecuted because they "should have has access to everything"??? They are all owners for crying out loud!!! (smirk) Implying that Lizzy is at fault simply b/c she was owner of whatever % of 9th&Bloom is just silly dear. It certainly wouldn't hold up in court, and it wont suggest that Lizzy is at any fault to anyone with half a brain. It completely irrelevant.
October 31, 2011 2:52 PM
--------
Actually, this happens all the time in business. Moron.
Business Paypal Accounts allow you to add authorized users and there are a host of permissions that you can enable, such as, being able to send payments, see the balance, talk to paypal about the account, etc. It's quite possible that she had limited permissions, one of them being able to talk to them about the account, but not the permissions to make the necessary changes. The person who opens the business account has full control over setting those permissions.
October 31, 2011 3:40 PM
^^^What she said. Just give up the witch hunt gals.
October 31, 2011 3:44 PM
-------------
This seems unlikely since it has already been stated that Holly made the payments and Lizzy said she didn't have Paypal access.
Is Gingerscrap a good store? What about the owner?
What she said. Just give up the witch hunt gals.
-----
what witch hunt?
Things had been going wrong for much more than a minute, and no one is, or has, bashed Holly. Telling the truth is not throwing someone under the bus. It simply is what it is, no need to dramatize it or victimize/villainize anyone without having any insider information whatsoever.
------
I'm not sure why you are bringing up the non bashing of Holly, it's completely irrelevant. No one said that anyone was bashing Holly, however, she is being completely and solely blamed for the downfall of the store.
Lizzy had some responsibility of the day to day running of 9th & Bloom, which she admits too. However, if things were not going right for so long, and Holly has been missing for that long, why keep going? Why not do something sooner instead of at the last minute? It doesn't make sense.
I'm not seeing a whole lot of truth, but I am seeing a whole lot of blame game. So I'll stick by my original statement, Lizzy is throwing Holly under the bus.
That she's smart to get out of this catty and ridiculous industry?
------
It's only ridiculous and catty if you hang around here.
This seems unlikely since it has already been stated that Holly made the payments and Lizzy said she didn't have Paypal access.
------
It was stated by one person, who said when she was there, so clearly sometime in the past. Who knows what the arrangement has been since then.
Again I will point out that if Holly has been MIA for months, who was paying the designers? It had to be Lizzy. Because if Holly was paying the designers, then she was not MIA. She may have been absent from the forums, but not completely absent, and therefore not MIA.
That she's smart to get out of this catty and ridiculous industry?
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It's only ridiculous and catty if you hang around here.
--------------------------------
Apparently this is true. I've always avoided this place even though I knew it existed, but was curious what was going on with all the stores and designers closing and moving around. However, it seems like most posts that are actually informational are few and far between because most of it seems to be a bunch of bitches who get off on being rude and snotty to other people, rather than supporting each other in an industry where there are newbies and oldies alike, but everyone is just doing their best, trying to improve, and hopefully making a little (or a lot) of income doing something they love. I realize this is a smack blog, but it's kind of sad that there's more "smacking" of each other than discussions about the industry that could actually be useful. Makes me wonder what teams I am on, or what stores I am hanging out at, that are playing nice in the forums, but being bitches behind the scenes. Kind of sad really.
Makes me wonder what teams I am on, or what stores I am hanging out at, that are playing nice in the forums, but being bitches behind the scenes. Kind of sad really.
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While it is sad, it doesn't really matter. As long as they are nice to you, that's all that matters.
I really don't care what people say behind my back or how they behave when I'm not there. It's not important.
Wouldn't it be interesting if suddenly all the "anonymous" postings had names attached?
Wouldn't it be interesting if suddenly all the "anonymous" postings had names attached?
__________________
No one would talk then probably. The ones who did talk smack would probably lose customers.
I meant on all the previous stuff that was said...
Oh well still. People would lose customers.
http://www.ninthandbloom.com/forum/showthread.php?p=102418#post102418
Is Gingerscrap a good store? What about the owner?
--------------------------------
I love it there! The owner is very much involved in everything and even when she had some personal issues {moving, etc}, the other admin Shannon was there to help out with anything the designers/customers needed.
Sales are pretty good there, too! :)
wow
No one would talk then probably. The ones who did talk smack would probably lose customers.
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As I'm not a designer, I can't lose customers. Not saying that I have talked smack but I'm not saying that I haven't either.
Anonymous said...
http://www.ninthandbloom.com/forum/showthread.php?p=102418#post102418
October 31, 2011 6:52 PM
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Well there you have it, all Holly's fault.
I still don't understand why it had to close and the subsequent drama. It doesn't make sense.
There's a lot more going on. Designers don't just come and go like they did at 9th & Bloom.
Anonymous said...
http://www.ninthandbloom.com/forum/showthread.php?p=102418#post102418
October 31, 2011 6:52 PM
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Well there you have it, all Holly's fault.
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Or not, but she's at least owning up to her mistakes, unlike others we could name.
And whoa, Lizzy is retiring. So, what does that say?
---
That she's smart to get out of this catty and ridiculous industry?
---------
It says she's been around long enough to know that if she retires now, and comes back in the new year, no one will remember this colossal screw up.
Posted on Fizzy Pop's fb page:
To my loyal customers - I am so sorry that I haven't had a chance to create anything new for you in sometime. I feel so out of touch over here. Please forgive me for that. On the flip side of that, I don't think I will be designing templates anytime soon, if ever. It was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to create for the few years I did. Thank you for supporting me!
-------
What an applause junkie she is.
I don't know the people involved. From what I read, one person has been doing all the work and has been left holding the bag. And now the buzzards are circling over her here. Nice. Women are such cats. Apparently none of you have been left high and dry by someone else. Lucky you.
^^^^^
The exact same someone who was quite willing to take the name of co-owner while the going was good, but changed it to manager when things got bad. She chose to do the things she did, no one forced her. It was her choice.
She's holding the bag because she chose to be the face of the store. She's not innocent in this matter, so don't try and make her an innocent.
Men are just as bad as women. Especially if business. Get real.
I've been left high and dry, but like Holly, owned up to it and didn't shift the blame to anyone else.
If as a woman I'm a cat and also a buzzard, what does that make me? A buzzcat?
I don't know the people involved. From what I read, one person has been doing all the work and has been left holding the bag. And now the buzzards are circling over her here. Nice. Women are such cats. Apparently none of you have been left high and dry by someone else. Lucky you.
------
For someone who doesn't know anyone involved, you sure sound involved.
so at SBB we have Meredith Cardall guesting with Secret Stash and Find your Bliss? (never heard of that one) permanent.
I don't get it. Holly said that "The error, though unintentional and easily resolved, was my responsibility and I apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused." Well if it's easily resolved, by not resolve it and keep the store open? There's more to this than we know.
It says she's been around long enough to know that if she retires now, and comes back in the new year, no one will remember this colossal screw up.
--------------
Amen. Wanna start taking bets on how long it takes her to do just this? Oh, the irony of Lizzy and Alyssa, of all people, being in the same basic position now...
I don't get it. Holly said that "The error, though unintentional and easily resolved, was my responsibility and I apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused." Well if it's easily resolved, by not resolve it and keep the store open? There's more to this than we know.
----------------
Because by the time she got off her ass and "resolved" it, her design team and her go-to person (i.e. Lizzy, who did everything so Holly wouldn't have to lift a finger) had already deserted her. So it closed. Way easier than finding new actors to play all of those roles.
Any thoughts on the DST featured designers?
^^^ I just came here to ask/say the same thing. My thoughts are: Mye de Leon, really???????
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=290133
^^^
From that thread, Jennifer Wilson: "Our designers are selected on variety of criteria, most important of which is member nominations."
I think she meant to say, "the most important of which is nominations from each designer's CT members."
I still maintain that the only people who should be allowed to nominate designers each year are the gold and diamond members. That would cut out all of the solicited CT nominations and make it more interesting.
I still maintain that the only people who should be allowed to nominate designers each year are the gold and diamond members. That would cut out all of the solicited CT nominations and make it more interesting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am not a gold or diamond member but I agree with you. With it being a paid membership you should have a say in what you get, not just the CTM's pimping their designers.
I think she meant to say, "the most important of which is nominations from each designer's CT members."
---------
I'm on the CT of two of the DST designers and not a single one of their nominations came from their CTs. I agree that some of those designers were overwhelmingly voted up by their CTs but some were legitimately nominated.
I am not sure that it is the number of nominations that is the main factor. I can see that being nominated IS though. So maybe they take the names but not the number of nominations? Also, I have heard somewhere (maybe here) that sometimes, designers decline the offer for whatever reason.
Inspirations from Day is closing shop on Nov 7th. (Her stuff is 60% off if anybody is shopping.) Looks like SM will be closing on Nov 7th.
Inspirations from Day is closing shop on Nov 7th. (Her stuff is 60% off if anybody is shopping.) Looks like SM will be closing on Nov 7th.
November 1, 2011 12:38 PM
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If that is true, that is some shady shit. Make one last grab from the customers for DSD, then immediately close up?
It is really poor form that they are attempting to keep their closing a secret. So stupid.
They are not closing on November 7th.
They deleted the last comments from people who tried to ask the question. Be interesting to see how long they allow this post to stay up : http://scrapmatters.com/forums/showthread.php?p=402581#post402581
The only one who can really say anything is the owner.
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack".
LMAO. If you're talking about Andilynn's "response" meaning we do not know what we're talking about, OK.
I guess the fact that I'm on a few of the designer's CT and designers have been informed that they are closing means nothing.
The only one who can really say anything is the owner.
November 1, 2011 12:49 PM
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She has spoken... I guess. For whatever this pathetic paragraph is worth:
"There are a lot of changes happening at SM right now. The SM community is wonderful in wanting to help keep their digi-home going strong. Please be patient until everything is figured out."
Posted twice now, on two separate threads.
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack".
November 1, 2011 1:24 PM
^^^
Awww, someone doesn't like it when their bullshit gets exposed for what it really is, huh?
Now who has their panties in a wad?
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack".
November 1, 2011 1:24 PM
-----------------------------------
It's not shit, SM is closing, I know it for a fact!
Actually it's not a fact - yet. She's still considering offers which would keep it open.
It's not shit, SM is closing, I know it for a fact!
==============
So prove it then... show us the proof that SM is closing. How could you possibly know that if no announcements have been made. lol.
Awww, someone doesn't like it when their bullshit gets exposed for what it really is, huh?
Now who has their panties in a wad?
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lol... I have no bullshit to expose, lucky me I guess. I am only a customer of some of the shops you've mentioned on here. Just surprised to see what you gals do behind the scenes. What dorks... lol.
Inspirations from Day is closing shop on Nov 7th. (Her stuff is 60% off if anybody is shopping.) Looks like SM will be closing on Nov 7th
----------------------------------
^^^^^
Just because one designer leaves on that day, doesn't mean it's the closing date. Maybe she just doesn't want to go down with the sinking ship or doesn't agree with leading people on..
^^^^^
Did you ever think that maybe she just wants to enjoy the holidays with her family?
She should have explored ALL options before telling her staff.
I'm hoping all the designers who were planning on leaving, actually DO leave. That's just crap what she's done to them.
Oh, and LMAO - "dorks"
lol... I have no bullshit to expose, lucky me I guess. I am only a customer of some of the shops you've mentioned on here. Just surprised to see what you gals do behind the scenes. What dorks... lol.
-----------------------------
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
^^^^
So glad I am not the only one... same here, we are on the exact same page, it's a great laugh.
She should have explored ALL options before telling her staff.
-----
Are you on her staff then? How else would you know what she told them?
Oh, look at all the holier-than-thou little SM ants come out to defend their sinking colony.
Now THAT is funny. YOU are the ones who are pathetic. And for the record, if Andilynn were forthcoming with the public that she is entertaining offers to sell and/or considering closing the store, this would be a blip on the radar. It is only getting lots of attention here because she is being a shady bitch about it.
But then, considering my history with her, I am not surprised one bit. This is how she operates.
^^^^
Probably how she operates with bitches like you, ha ha, who could blame her
I don't know Andilyn, but if she is trying to find a buyer for the store, it does seem shady that she has announced the closing to her staff, but not the public. It makes it seem like she is trying to show a potential buyer that they are getting a store full of designers and staff, when in reality, most of the staff has already made plans to retire or move somewhere else.
I don't think there is any lasting disservice to the customers to not inform them of the closing because they can follow the designers to their new stores. But a person who may purchase the site has a real eye opening moment ahead of them when they find out that they've just purchased a digiscrap store with no digiscrap designers tied to it.
Probably how she operates with bitches like you, ha ha, who could blame her
November 1, 2011 3:18 PM
^^^
Takes one to know one, sweetie.
She should have explored ALL options before telling her staff.
-----
Are you on her staff then? How else would you know what she told them?
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That would be none of your fucking business.
Because by the time she got off her ass and "resolved" it, her design team and her go-to person (i.e. Lizzy, who did everything so Holly wouldn't have to lift a finger)
-----
Again, if that is true, that was Lizzy's choice. She sure seemed to be enjoying the kudos of being a store owner, until it went wrong.
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands. The truth is, none of you have any of your facts straight. That's why its called a smack blog, b/c it's total "smack".
---
Do you feel better now about coming here to read, now that you have posted your sanctimonious little rant?
Also, why assume we have so much time, maybe some of us are on here for a total of 10 minutes. Yeah, I'm so sorry that I'm not tied to my husband and children 24/7. I'm so sorry that I actually take time out to do other things.
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it.
------
No, the people who come here, read the so called shit and pass it on are the ones fueling rumors.
lol... I have no bullshit to expose, lucky me I guess. I am only a customer of some of the shops you've mentioned on here. Just surprised to see what you gals do behind the scenes. What dorks... lol.
---
You have no idea who the gals here are, so I guess that makes you a dork, doesn't it?
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
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Do you feel better about yourself now, at the expense of others, by doling out this little hand slap?
I think it's pretty sad that you think we are pathetic and shitty, yet you think you are so much better by having a good laugh about it. Really, what does that say about you?
So glad I am not the only one... same here, we are on the exact same page, it's a great laugh.
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The fact that you think it's a great laugh, makes you just as pathetic and shitty. Don't kid yourself.
She should have explored ALL options before telling her staff.
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Are you on her staff then? How else would you know what she told them?
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That would be none of your fucking business.
November 1, 2011 4:19 PM
Guess that's a yes...
Probably how she operates with bitches like you, ha ha, who could blame her
November 1, 2011 3:18 PM
Takes one to know one, sweetie.
^^^
lol, I am not the one with the problem, sweetie...
You guys just fuel false rumors by posting your shit and being nasty about it. Its an entertaining read but some have to wonder why the hell you care so much or have so much time on your hands.
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Aw, you see, that's why we post, because it's entertaining, even you admit it. Of course, now I have to wonder, why do you care so much or have so much time on your hands?
Considering customers have access to this blog too,
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what does this mean? do you think that only designers post here? what a laugh.
I don't know Andilyn, but if she is trying to find a buyer for the store, it does seem shady that she has announced the closing to her staff, but not the public. It makes it seem like she is trying to show a potential buyer that they are getting a store full of designers and staff, when in reality, most of the staff has already made plans to retire or move somewhere else.
I don't think there is any lasting disservice to the customers to not inform them of the closing because they can follow the designers to their new stores. But a person who may purchase the site has a real eye opening moment ahead of them when they find out that they've just purchased a digiscrap store with no digiscrap designers tied to it.
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^^^^
She's not advertising to buyers because she's not looking to sell. She's closing her store for personal reasons as is her right.
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
__________________________
What a tower of virtue you are. I'm not worthy. Let me worship at your feet.
She's not advertising to buyers because she's not looking to sell. She's closing her store for personal reasons as is her right.
November 1, 2011 5:21 PM
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I highly doubt her reasons are personal. More like, she ruined her store with her stupid idea to go exclusive.
Nonetheless, no one is saying she doesn't have a right to close it. Or to handle the closing in the stupidest way possible. But we (collectively) also have a right to call it like we see it and say that the secretive nature of the store closing is suspect and just plain stupid.
I highly doubt her reasons are personal. More like, she ruined her store with her stupid idea to go exclusive.
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^^^
op here: can't it be both? it's harder to deal with a sinking ship when personal problems arise than with something that is lucrative ;)
Nonetheless ... the secretive nature of the store closing is suspect and just plain stupid.
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^^^
agreed! She should just get it over with now that it's out... painful for everyone involved!
And "dorks" is putting it way too nicely. Pathetic and shitty is more like it. Considering customers have access to this blog too, seems like too many of you are willing to shed a really childish light on an otherwise enjoyable hobby just to make yourselves feel better at others expense. Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
__________________________
What a tower of virtue you are. I'm not worthy. Let me worship at your feet.
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Not sure who wrote the first comment, but in response to the second comment, I would say "I rest my case!" I agree with the first one.
^^^^
If you didn't make the original statement, then you can't rest your case because it wasn't your case.
Neither of you make any sense.
Pretty sad that you all have nothing better to do. On the other hand, it's a good thing I only check in here every few months just to remind myself why I don't bother checking in. Off to have a good laugh!
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Pretty sad that you don't either, but you think that you do. I don't understand the mentality of checking in with something, just so you can feel superior about it. It seems to me that despite your high and mighty attitude, you are exactly the same as those you condemn.
If that is true, that is some shady shit. Make one last grab from the customers for DSD, then immediately close up?
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Let me get this straight.
So Holly and Lizzy are assholes for closing up shop BEFORE dsd and screwing over all the designers there.
But Andilyn is a money grabber for closing AFTER dsd.
huh. guess you just can't win around here.
Let me get this straight.
So Holly and Lizzy are assholes for closing up shop BEFORE dsd and screwing over all the designers there.
But Andilyn is a money grabber for closing AFTER dsd.
huh. guess you just can't win around here.
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No, Holly and Lizzy are just plain stupid - each for different reasons.
Andilyn is just arrogant and clueless. She thinks announcing is going to have a negative impact on DSD.
huh. guess you just can't win around here.
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why do some people keeping say this? it's completely meaningless.
So Holly and Lizzy are assholes for closing up shop BEFORE dsd and screwing over all the designers there.
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no one here said that Lizzy and Holly were assholes. where the hell did you get that from?
why do some people keeping say this? it's completely meaningless.
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do you speak English as a second language?
^^^^
no, I don't. but I wasn't aware anything on this blog was a competition, there is no win. it's that simple.
besides, it's an idiotic, overused, trite expression.
You are an idiot. She has a new perm home AND is having a guest spot at a DIFFERENT store. On top of that, she didn't say the name of either store so how you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to announce it is beyond me. Your level of stupidity is amazing.
Congrats, you just made yourself look like an ass.
_________________________________
Frickin' hilarious and right on target! Maybe some of the morons that post here should think before posting stuff they know nothing about!
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mo·ron (môrn, mr-)
n.
1. A stupid person; a dolt.
2. Psychology A person of mild mental retardation and generally having communication and social skills enabling some degree of academic or vocational education. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.
Frickin' hilarious and right on target! Maybe some of the morons that post here should think before posting stuff they know nothing about!
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I'm sorry, being a moron and all, I'm too stupid to think before I post. What's your excuse?
If that is true, that is some shady shit. Make one last grab from the customers for DSD, then immediately close up?
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Let me get this straight.
So Holly and Lizzy are assholes for closing up shop BEFORE dsd and screwing over all the designers there.
But Andilyn is a money grabber for closing AFTER dsd.
huh. guess you just can't win around here.
November 1, 2011 7:48 PM
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The two have nothing to do with each other. First of all, as I understand it, 9th & Bloom didn't have an option to stay open for DSD because they have no vehicle for which to collect payment for orders. So that is a moot point.
SM, on the other hand, is just a majorly fucked up situation. Their own customers are over there begging for an answer. But, as someone pointed out, because Andilynn is so arrogant (or stupid or naive or any host of other adjectives), she thinks announcing the closing is going to hurt the DSD sales, so she is purposely trying not to make any announcement until after DSD.
Problem is, a lot of people have already figured it out because her designers (most of whom are likely upset to be uprooted due to Andilynn's long-standing "personal problems") couldn't or didn't want to keep it under wraps and started telling their personal CTs. And then it got spread to DST, to this blog and elsewhere. At this point, the cat is mostly out of the bag and Andilynn looks like an idiot as she tries to shove it back in.
And so, I think, in the end, she is actually doing more damage to her designers' DSD sales with all this nonsense. I might have shopped for some things for DSD, but honestly this drama just makes me not want to put another penny in her pocket. Just announce the friggin closing, invite the customers to enjoy "one last hurrah" on DSD weekend and be done with it. But, she would have to have some sort of business sense to figure this all out. I'm firmly convinced she has none.
Considering that iDSD is all about bargains, not store loyalty, it really is ridiculous for SM to think that announcing their impending closure will hurt iDSD sales.
How did people's Halloween kits sell? I had hardly any sales and I thought I had a cute kit!
I sold a tad more than I thought I would. Mine was very last minute though.
My autumn kit has sold much better than the Halloween one did.
I would think announcing it would BOOST their DSD sales?
How did people's Halloween kits sell? I had hardly any sales and I thought I had a cute kit!
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I think Halloween kinda snuck up on people this year.
My halloween kit this year sold really well. I was happy with sales. Also sold quite a few of my kit from last year.
New designers at After5:
Boutique Cute Doll from SBG
and from 9th & Bloom:
By Becca
Creations by Rachel B
River-Rose
They say they have 5 new ones..and honestly, I don't know who the 5th one is. What does surprize me is River Rose being there. oh well. at least some of them are landing someplace.
^^^^
Maybe the 5th one is Re Kneipp aka The Hidden Heart, who joined mid October.
no...its whats her name...Queen of Hearts. Ugh.
I like QoH's templates.
Does anyone know if SBG will have a DSD sale?
I'm sure they will. Of course Flergs had an early sale so who knows?
I think at SBG all the designers do their own sales instead of storewide stuff.
I think QOH (i.e. snaggletooth) is a great scrapper, but her templates are nothing special. Kind of a copycat of Sara Gleason's style if you ask me.
You asked:
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/2011/11/idsd-sales/
I think QOH (i.e. snaggletooth) is a great scrapper, but her templates are nothing special. Kind of a copycat of Sara Gleason's style if you ask me.
****
We didn't.
Is it just me or has the designer list at Sugar Hill Co shrunk ?
Is it just me or has the designer list at Sugar Hill Co shrunk ?
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All the Guests are gone so yes it shrank
DST Ad Customers,
I wanted to send you a quick note on behalf of DST to apologize that our coupon page (http://www.digishoptalk.com/insider/current-coupons/) is not yet displaying each and every coupon you purchased in our DSD special. They are all there, just being displayed 6 at a time, in random order. This is not our intent. Leah and I are working with the site owners to find a workaround so that a customer can easily browse all the coupons.
Thanks for understanding!
Jennifer
Editor-in-Chief, DigiShopTalk.com
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^^^
Why am I not surprised about this?
Is it just me or has the designer list at Sugar Hill Co shrunk ?
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All the Guests are gone so yes it shrank
____________________
Two of the guests (KimB & GS) just stayed on as permanent designers there, so it really only shrunk by maybe 2 or 3 in the past few days. It's been a lot smaller ever since they went CU-only this summer.
This makes me laugh and I 100% agree. I will admit I'm a big fan/customer (and in one case CT member) of a couple of the multi shop designers that were forced to leave SM when they went exclusive, so I guess I'm biased. Those designers had very little notice and zero input about SM's big plans to go exclusive. I know at least one of them (the one I CT for) was made to feel like they were a drain on SM's resources. And yet, SM is dead little more than 6 months later without all those multi shop designers they forced out!! I subscribe to SM's weekly newsletter and have been watching the number of new releases each week steadily decline for months. And yes, I agree with a PP about the fact that it is a joke that they only had 7 new releases this past week. Clearly, there are a few here who love to hate on those same multi-shop designers, but they are all still in business (and so are the stores who are happy to collect commission from them every month). Whether you hate them or not, they obviously have happily paying customers and SM sent them all away to shop elsewhere.
So, what do you have to say for yourself now, Andilynn? Guess your plans to screw over the majority of your most active, producing designers was a big fat flop, huh? Serves you right. You obviously have about as much business sense as a monkey.
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O.M.G. Are you SERIOUS???!???! Yeah, the likes of Connie Prince and Trixie Scraps are what killed SM. That is to die. Hi Tracy, nice to see you are up to your usual crap.
How could 2 big sales designers be what caused SM to die? Unless of course you mean that they chose to go elsewhere when SM tried to force them to lose sales by going exclusive. I don't understand what you mean - can you elaborate?
Don't even try to understand. They are so full of themselves, when SM went exclusive the top level designers like Jenn Barrette and Krista Sahlin had already left. The "multi-store" designers were Connie Prince, Trixie Scraps, Mye De Leon...what this person is alleging is those three designers carried the store. It is so ridiculous it verges on idiotic. I don't care how much they sell, it is all forgettable and looks exactly the same. So if that is the crap it takes to keep SM in business, then good riddance.
A few other designers left when SM went exclusive - Creations by Rachel comes to mind - I've always really liked her kits.
And whether or not you like Trixie Scraps and Connie Prince - they both know how to market themselves and they both sell a lot - so any decision that causes those two to leave your store is NOT a good business decision.
Whatever. That is your opinion. They are what make this business undervalued, with kits that all look exactly alike and cost like $3. They make it hard for people to get decent prices for their kits. They drive down the prices and steal business from better designers because they are cheaper. They give the entire business a bad name and someday it will be nice to see designers band together to get rid of the likes of them.
WOW bitter much? they steal from other designers because their prices are lower? What the heck?
Newsflash - its not Trixie ad Connie who make decisions about what the industry will support - it's the buyers.
How exactly would other designers 'band together' to get rid of people like Connie and Trixie?
They make it hard for people to get decent prices for their kits. They drive down the prices and steal business from better designers because they are cheaper.
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Oh, they do not. You are giving them far too much credit. I've seen it time and time again on this blog that will people will pay more for better quality and or original product. So, if a better designer has a better and unique kit at a higher price, a lot of people will buy it.
I really wasn't ware the Connie and Trixi were so in control of the digi economic market. The things you learn.
What is undervaluing the market is some designers thinking they can ask a higher price for the same old same old that other designers are asking a lower price for.
What I see time and time again on this blog is people saying they would never pay $7.99 for any kit, no matter the quality. In the paper industry, $7.99 for a kit would mean the kit was CRAP. Paper kits from the likes of sei and Basic Grey cost $20 a piece. Like someone said, it is the attitude of the customers, and the expectation of digi being cheap that undervalues the industry. That said, when a designer is willing to sell out, and create the same stuff every week for $4, they make it that much more difficult for talented designers. It's not that they steal business, rather they are setting the lower end so low the higher end can't charge what they deserve.
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O.M.G. Are you SERIOUS???!???! Yeah, the likes of Connie Prince and Trixie Scraps are what killed SM. That is to die. Hi Tracy, nice to see you are up to your usual crap.
November 3, 2011 3:39 PM
^^^
Are YOU serious? Tracy did not post that, I did. I'm not even on her CT, but I am on the CT for one of the other designers you all love to hate. And I thought SM's move to an exclusive store was idiotic. I don't know what your issue with these designers is. Are you jealous?
I'm confused where the $3 kit price you are talking about comes from. I looked at their stores. Mye's and Trixie's prices are regularly $6 for a kit. Connie's regular price is lower, but not as low as $3. Laitha charges between 7.50 and $8. How are those designers keeping others from charging a fair price for their kits?
Everything in Connie's SBB shop is 40% off, making it $3.27 on average for a kit. She has sales like this all the time, or coupons that save 40%-50% on orders. Trixie Scraps is the same. 40% off. All kits average $3.59. Mye's shop is 50% off, making her kits $2.50 or $3. When you have sales like this ALL THE TIME, or coupons to save this much, it is a roundabout way of charging $3 to $4 on average for a kit. And I realize it is DSD, but as I said, they offer coupons all the time to make their prices cheaper.
What I see time and time again on this blog is people saying they would never pay $7.99 for any kit, no matter the quality.
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A cheapskate is always going to be a cheapskate, but there are people out there who are willing to pay that price for a quality kit.
So again I say that the designers selling cheaper kits are appealing to a particular market, it is not the same market that is willing to pay more, so they don't effect each other as much as you would like to think.
Some people will always be Walmart customers and others wont.
Are YOU serious? Tracy did not post that, I did. I'm not even on her CT, but I am on the CT for one of the other designers you all love to hate. And I thought SM's move to an exclusive store was idiotic. I don't know what your issue with these designers is. Are you jealous?
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Not the OP, but did you really have go bring up the jealous card? It's completely ridiculous.
And I thought SM's move to an exclusive store was idiotic.
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Name ONE high end store that isn't exclusive. That's right. You can't. I am not saying SM was high end. But considering high end designers left there for exclusive stores with a better design team, maybe the hope was to become a high end shop. Clearly, it did not work. But only Andrea knows her motivation, and only Andrea knows why it did not work. So go back to world of mediocrity at SBB and GP and stick your head in the sand.
Exclusive works for some sites and not for others. That tells me it's not the exclusivity alone that is what makes them successful.
Going exclusive in "hopes" of becoming a better store is idiotic. But, we see it happen time and time again - all with the same result. Any respect I had left for SM is completely gone with how they're handling the closing. They have no convinced their customers that the site is staying open, but yet, we all know it isn't - unless Andilynn finds some last minute sucker, I mean buyer, to come on in and "save" it.
Blaming Connie and Trixie for the reason you're not selling that $8 product is idiotic. The problem is likely your product being to expensive for what it is - it may look the same as a $3 at another store. Who would pay $8 for something they can get for $3? And honestly, I can buy lots of hand-drawn kits for way less than $8 at a variety of the "top shops." And many of those designers also have big sales where you can get stuff super cheap.
And I 100% agree with the comment that the CUSTOMERS drive the market. It's like that in every marketplace. It's sadly just something of which most designers have no understanding.
But, keep blaming other people, though. See how that works for your sales.
Pardon all my typos. I'm tired.
Name ONE high end store that isn't exclusive. That's right.
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All the high end stores that are exclusive, started out that way. They were never anything else. Going exclusive after being a consignment store is a ridiculous move and has not worked for one store that did it. Name me one, oh, that's right, you can't, because it never worked.
Blaming Connie and Trixie for the reason you're not selling that $8 product is idiotic. The problem is likely your product being to expensive for what it is - it may look the same as a $3 at another store. Who would pay $8 for something they can get for $3? And honestly, I can buy lots of hand-drawn kits for way less than $8 at a variety of the "top shops." And many of those designers also have big sales where you can get stuff super cheap.
And I 100% agree with the comment that the CUSTOMERS drive the market. It's like that in every marketplace. It's sadly just something of which most designers have no understanding.
But, keep blaming other people, though. See how that works for your sales.
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Amen!
In the paper industry, $7.99 for a kit would mean the kit was CRAP. Paper kits from the likes of sei and Basic Grey cost $20 a piece. Like someone said, it is the attitude of the customers, and the expectation of digi being cheap that undervalues the industry.
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You are seriously comparing a digital kit with digital images to designer cardstock, precision die cuts, rub ons, and self adhesive printed chipboard? You are insane.
So I see a lot of dissing on designers for different things, being too cookie cutter, charging too much/too little, etc, and I've seen a bunch of names thrown around.. what I want to know, is what designers you all consider to be GOOD! What should designers be striving towards? What in this over saturated market to you consider original or cool? Who would you say (in your humble opinion) is the top designer(s) and why?
you know....the market isn't quite as 'oversaturated' as it was just a year ago. lots of shops have bit the dust...lots of designers have 'retired'....and the little nobody's seem to stay that way. there are still a ton of 'nobody' shops out there, still plugging away - - but the so-called 'top' shops have thinned out...closed...shut down...and continue to do so. It doesn't matter who anyone thinks is a 'top designer' - - it can all change tomorrow. You are searching for opinions of very opinionated people...and that in itself means nothing. Digital scrapbooking has its own niche, and will continue to be critisized by those who have nothing better to do than critisize. Designers will continue to charge whatever price they want - and people will continue to pay it. Its a hobby for the consumer, and how much the consumer puts into that hobby is up to them. Not you - not me...
I have my favourite designers and they are not all at the same store. I purchase from those that I like in terms of kit needs, quality and yes I will admit if there is a good sale I will buy more. Doesn't matter to me if they are considered top tier or middle tier. Most of the designers I prefer have been smacked on this blog. Am I trying to sound self-righteous? Not at all, just a message to those who feel the need to respond very negatively when something is said about a store/designer they like. No one has said you are wrong if you like them, we all have our opinions don't think we need the very vulgar words and comments that go along with them. Yes I am aware this is a smack blog, yes I have my big girl panties on, yes I read here and know what it's all about.
I used to really like SM but their decline started last winter/spring.
Strike one: The 2011 Design Star contest. They had no clear criteria for judging entries and had people who clearly broke the contest rules. SM's response? "Oops. You caught us but we're not going to change anything." They gave spots to those who won and then turned around and gave some who didn't win (Crossbone Cuts) spots anyway.
Strike Two: The loss of three big designers (Trixie Scraps, Connie Prince, and Chelle's Creations). All three sell a ton of stuff and market themselves well. And Chelle was just about the only designer who was active in their forum. The other designers there seem to have an "I can't be bothered to be involved in the forums" attitude which is only more obvious since Chelle left.
Third strike: Bungling their store closing announcement. It's pathetic that they can't be forthright with their customers. Why not just say, "We're closing on November 15th (or 30th or whenever) and appreciate all your support over the years." Instead, they add more fuel to the fire by pussy-footing around the issue.
Store owners would be smart to keep in mind what went wrong at SM when making decisions about their own stores.
You are searching for opinions of very opinionated people...and that in itself means nothing.
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^^^
It means something to me. Each person who posts here has a personal opinion (obviously lol) and I'd like to hear some names on the positive end. I'm sure designers read this blog too and maybe they'd like to know where they're going wrong or what they're doing right. On dst you get all sweet lies and here you get all smack when things go wrong. I would love to hear a little in between and to know which designers you all like!
I have my favourite designers and they are not all at the same store.
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^^^^
Do tell! Names? Don't be afraid to champion those you like!
I like Jady Day's designs. Very unique and great colors.
Kim B and Viva Artistry are another two I really like. Unique kit ideas, well executed original designs.
I also like Mye deLeon's designs, I like the colors she uses and the lack of themey stuff. That said, I'm not crazy about the piles of CU she uses..
Now you!
I think SM lost a big customer segment when Britt and Sahlin Studio left too. I think they each left before the exclusive at SM announcement went out and now they're each exclusive (Britt at her own store and Sahlin at OScraps(?)) but I always wondered if that was in any way related?
I also like Mye deLeon's designs, I like the colors she uses and the lack of themey stuff. That said, I'm not crazy about the piles of CU she uses..
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speaking of piles of CU did you see that sugar hill is on sale 75% today only
Can someone PLEASE explain to me why someone would want to purchase scantily clad women? I honestly do not understand. I just saw this advertised on a Facebook group, and I just don't get it.
http://www.scrapsandthecity.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_17&products_id=3683
I have my favourite designers and they are not all at the same store.
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^^^^
Do tell! Names? Don't be afraid to champion those you like!
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I like Captivated Visions, Sugarplum Paperie and Cinzia. I used to really like Ziska when she designed and have a pile of her stuff. If I'm feeling like a fantasy type kit (which isn't often) I usually will hit Irene Alexeeva's shop but have recently discovered Studio Rosey Posey. Am also a ViVa fan, have a few of their kits but some just don't for me although I do like them.
wDI have several favorite designers! In no particular order:
Jady Day Studio
Secret Stash
Connie Prince
Kristen CB
Amy Stoffel
Carolyn Rose Kite
Captivated Visions
Karen Lewis
Inspired Designs
Shabby Miss Jenn
Shabby Princess
SuzyQ Scraps
Jen CK
Cindy Schneider
Colie's Corner
Aprilisa
ScrapKitchen
This is just a very small list. I've bought from every one of these designers and have been totally happy with the products. I love that I can combine the templates and word art from some of them with kits from others and make a beautiful layout!
I've bought from other so called "big name" designers and have been a little underwhelmed with the kits. If I see a preview that I like, I search that designers gallery for layouts created with the kit. If that looks good... I usually will buy it. :)
When you buy a kit priced between $4-$5, how many elements and papers do you expect to see in that kit? Do you expect there to be an alpha included? Would you buy any coordinating packs that were created with the kit, such as quick pages, wordart, stacked papers, templates?
I love it when a kit has coordinating products but would prefer to buy a combo. Save some money. :)
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