I can tell you as one of the designers that left SM, that we were all completely blindsided by a email saying that SM would be closing. There was no talk, no warning, nothing. Just an email saying that everything was done. So naturally we all panicked and scurried to find new stores. Now SM is not closing and they have lost most of their designers, admin and creative team.
November 14, 2011 11:49 PM
------------------ Who is "we"... are you saying you are one of the designers? The truth is a lot different than what you state... maybe this was a whole ploy to weed out those who had no dedication to the site. If I were running a store, I would hope that if a personal issue arose, my team would work with me and help me save the store even if I made a rash decision and said things I regret.
I am not Andilynn by the way, in case anyone is trying to throw that out there... just stating what I see as a scrapper and a customer.
November 15, 2011 9:49 AM --------------------- First of all, the very start of her post says "As one of the designers who left." So, are you stupid or something? Or do you just have reading comprehension problems?
Secondly, if you are just a "scrapper and customer," then how the hell do you know whether the truth is different than what she stated? Seems to me if you are just a customer, you don't know shit. But, even giving you the benefit of the doubt, you don't know more than people Andilynn supposedly trusted, like her design team.
Trust me, if you are just a customer, you are getting Andi's pretty, glossy version of the truth. When, in fact, she is selfish and thinks only of herself and her problems. I am sick of these people who want to come in here and defend her. Those who are judging the designers who had to rush to find a new store, claiming they were not dedicated to the store and what? Did something wrong by trying to preserve their income? You did it to the non-exclusives when they all left earlier this year, and now you are trying to do it to the designers who left when they were definitely told on October 20th that the store WAS going to close.
Take your sanctimonious crap about "weeding out" people who weren't dedicated to the site and shove it up your ass. Andilynn herself could hardly be described as "dedicated" to the site. She was the fucking OWNER and yet she rarely made an appearance in the forums herself!!!!! All you head in the sand customers who are so loyal to her think the designers should be in the forums 24/7, but you don't think the owner should be equally as present? That is pure stupidity. I am so glad to be done with that place and with Andilynn and all her personal problems.
in the digi world. In some cases it's the best a shop owner is going to get until the next best shop comes along. So store owners need to work to be the best shop, not testing their designers' loyality. Do something to make them want to stay if you think there is a loyality issue. Don't say you are going to close the shop down.
I hope the person that posted the loyality statement never owns a shop.
I'm not the poster you were responding to. But I think your whole entire response is crap.
First of all, I do think you are Andilyn. If not, you are someone who is very close to her trying to support/defend her. And by the way, you are doing a terrible job at that. You make SM look worse and worse with every post you make. I think that the posts here over the last few days about how SO and TDC are terrible stores were also made by crazy SM-supporter/Andilyn as well.
The designers who left SM and moved to SO applied for a spot. They weren't invited. They applied and were accepted at new stores AFTER Andilyn said she was closing SM.
It would have been absolutely stupid for the designers at SM to stick around and ride a dying site to the grounds for several reasons. One of those reasons being that another big store had also closed that same week and that meant double the number of designers competing for good spots in stores.
People who rely on their designs as a source of income cannot be expected to wait until an obviously flaky and uninvolved store owner decides to quit playing ridiculous games that affect their future income. Andilyn told her designers that SM was closing. They believed her and started looking for a new store to sell their designs. That doesn't make them bad people. It just makes them people trying to look out for their future potential earnings. You can't expect your designers to just listen to you throw a PMS hissy fit, stomp your feet and say you are closing, but stick by your side and hope that you will come to your senses in the end. That is ludicrous and childish.
The worst part about the posts here "defending" SM is that after abruptly announcing that you were abandoning your designers, you are now turning around and talking as if they have stabbed you in the back by trying to find new homes. Trying to bring down the reputation of the designers who stuck with you for years, until the very second you abandoned them right before the biggest digi shopping day of the year AND the holidays, is really low.
November 15, 2011 10:19 AM ------ I wish I knew who wrote this so I could hug her. THANK YOU for telling it like it is.
Andrea/Shari or whoever is trying to bring down the people who left, you should be ashamed of yourselves. It is disgusting, really. The fact is, YOU disappointed all of us, Andrea. Not the other way around.
The problem is knowing who and what to believe on this blog. I know for a fact that there has been contrived information posted about stores on this blog and everyone just believes the worst possible scenaria.
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If you're coming to this blog and using it as your only source of information/news, you're an idiot. Of course some of the things posted here are less-than-accurate, because it's all anonymous and everyone does have an agenda.
That said, this blog CAN BE a very good source of information, if you know how to use it. If you are smart enough to read all of the posts and weigh all of the viewpoints against each other in your mind, you get a general idea of what's going on. You never know every last detail with 100% certainty, but you have a basic idea of what's up. And in the case of SM, it's been VERY CLEAR since the beginning that something stinks about the situation, and there's more going on than Andilynn and the other SM admins are letting on. I've NEVER seen such a big group of designers depart a store that is "staying open", ever, in all my years in this industry. NEVER. Something big happened, and it wasn't a coincidence that all of those designers uprooted themselves RIGHT BEFORE one of the biggest sales weekends in this industry... leaving behind their regular customer bases for the risky chance that they could make up those sales at a new store with an untested/new customer base. No designer in their right mind does that this time of year, and definitely not half a store's worth of designers.
With all that in mind, I'm assuming that the timeline posted above really WAS an e-mail sent out to the design team at SM, and that the designers (rightly-so) acted accordingly to protect their livelihoods and best interest. I can't blame them for that, either; I would have done the same.
The fact that people at SM are now claiming those designers aren't loyal??? Laughable. Give me a break.
^thanks for the lecture. I sure learned a lot from you about how to decipher the crap that is posted on this blog. What would we ever do without you teaching us how to not be idiots?
If you're coming to this blog and using it as your only source of information/news, you're an idiot. Of course some of the things posted here are less-than-accurate, because it's all anonymous and everyone does have an agenda.
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Some people have no connection to SM or the designers involved to get the information. This blog is their only source. That doesn't mean we are being idiots. We just don't know what to believe. Get over yourself.
^^^ Good for you if you already knew all that. I think that "lecture" was actually right to the point and a good reminder to newcomers to this blog and oldies too: it is a good source of information. Is it good information? Is it accurate information? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Whether it is anonymous or not, that is not the point. I have seen half truths, incomplete information or out-of-context statements at DST too, and the posters were not anonymous. Does it make DST more accurate? Does it make it less reliable? Everywhere is information to sort and it is up to the reader to sort through it. Unless YOU have the information FIRST HAND, you will never know if something is 100% accurante or not, here or anywhere else.
11:18 and 10:23 said pretty much the same thing. 11:18 was just rude and called 10:23 an idiot for saying there is contrived information and it's hard to know what to believe. She did not add value to the conversation.
Good for you if you already knew all that. I think that "lecture" was actually right to the point and a good reminder to newcomers to this blog and oldies too: it is a good source of information. Is it good information? Is it accurate information?
Nope, I am not 11:18. I come to this blog to GATHER information, not use it as is. And I do think that some people take everything on this blog too literally. I don't know why since just about everything online needs to be weighed in against some other sources, so I agree with the "lecturer". It should almost be a warning/reminder posted on top of the blog.
Nothing to do with people being stupid. It would just be a reminder... people forget sometimes, although, I admit, people don't always read properly either!
Well, looking at some reactions of designers who felt like quitting because there was a bad review of their part of a blog train or an entry to a contest, I would say that yes, some people do forget.
This is the first I've posted today, and I'll go ahead and say that 10:19 and 11:18 have added the MOST value to this conversation. Both seemed like rational analyses of the SM debacle. And so what if 11:18 was a little lecture-ish? Doesn't make her point any less valid. The middle paragraph about half the SM design team's decision to leave was right on the mark. Don't miss the point of what she wrote just because you're feeling stung that she called you an idiot for stating the obvious ("I don't know what to believe on this blog..." "woe is me!")
One thing that is a fact is that 11:18 does a really good job agreeing with herself.
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Right, because it's simply not conceivable that anyone else could agree with another person on this blog. You're a regular Sherlock Holmes, you are. Git.
When copying and pasting could you all please use html tags around that part? Please!
To make it italicized use < i > but without the spaces at the beginning and < /i > without the spaces at the end.
OK, but since it's such a PITA, I'll only do it once. Oh - wait - this post used up the 'once'. Guess you'll have to put up with no italics after this post, sorry.
I think someone from SM started (and is perpetuating) all this in-fighting on the blog to take the focus off their debacle. Can we move on from the petty argument, now?
Any other former SM designers care to weigh in? I personally would love to know what a previous poster meant when she said Andi has a "PMS hissy fit?" There has to be a good, juicy story there. Casual references have been made to a backroom brewhaha before. Just spill it! Tell us what happened, what was said. I can't be the only person who is morbidly curious.
How do you even know who is "herself" on this anonymous blog?
November 15, 2011 12:29 PM
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If a person starts out feeling the need to explain that they just got here, it stands to chance that the upfront defensiveness is because they have reason to be defensive. ;)
I think someone from SM started (and is perpetuating) all this in-fighting on the blog to take the focus off their debacle. Can we move on from the petty argument, now?
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Yes, I'm from SM and I set-up a stupid argument on a smack blog just because I don't want you talking about my store. You caught me.
If a person starts out feeling the need to explain that they just got here, it stands to chance that the upfront defensiveness is because they have reason to be defensive. ;)
___________
Hadn't thought of it that way, but I see your point. I'm 12:18, though, and the only reason I added that disclaimer at the beginning was to keep everyone from wasting their time assuming that I was just re-posting, or that I was the OP. Obviously my efforts were in vain. My point as just to agree w/ the points that 11:18 made about the number of designers who "coincidentally" left SM at the same time. Which we all know was not a coincidence.
Well I'm a former SM designer and I can tell you that the timeline posted earlier was an actual email we were sent and it was the first we knew there was any possibility of the site closing. There was no blow up in the back room. If anything like that happened it was private and wasn't mentioned behind the SM scenes.
Andilynn has personal problems and said she couldn't keep up with the site anymore. That was it. Done deal.
As to the question of loyalty, loyal to what?? She said she was closing!! There was nothing left to be loyal to. She decided to stay open VERY recently, like AFTER dsd. Up until then it was definitely closing and the only drama came from some designers telling their ct (against our confidentiality contracts) which got the rumors flying. Then Andi decided to deny closing on her site (bad move!) in an effort to keep dsd sales up and still have a closing sale for the 22nd planned closing.
I would have liked to stay at SM if she had only brought the troubles to us and said she needed some more help so we could have had a chance to save our home site. No effort was made to get the designers and staff more involved, no mention was made that closing was a possibility, there were no options. It was presented to us as a fait accompli and by the time I heard she'd changed her mind, I'd already made other arrangements and so had most of the other designers/ct. There was no "I'm having troubles, can my loyal dt help me keep the site open." It was "we're closing on Nov 22nd. Sorry." Doesn't give you much to work with!
And I was one of the designers affected by the decision to go exclusive. Just like now, there was no options given then, no discussion about it even. It was just a done deal from the moment it was emailed to all of us. I would have loved to stay there because SM was my primary store, even though I sold my designs in one other store. I was very loyal to SM, even though I was made to feel like I wasn't, for some reason. I was treated like I was crazy for deciding that I couldn't earn the same income in just one store, instead of two or three. If SM had given us the option to make exclusive products that could only be sold at SM, I would have stayed.
Trying to turn SM into an exclusive store really made no business sense. The decision to close sounds like it was more of the same thing. I've watched all of it unfold and it's been a train wreck. So, I decided to post & say I am sorry for all of you who had to move to new stores. I hope that the designers who have landed elsewhere quickly recover from this bump in the road and that your holiday sales are not negatively impacted. What an awful time of year to deal with all of this :(
what i always wondered about this was WHY Sugary Fancy was allowed to be non exclusive (also selling at DSB), while everyone else had to be. made no sense...and i never did get an answer on that one! not that it matters anymore.
The designers who left SM and moved to SO applied for a spot. They weren't invited. They applied and were accepted at new stores AFTER Andilyn said she was closing SM.
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That's not the case for all of the designers who left SM for SO.
Well I'm a former SM designer and I can tell you that the timeline posted earlier was an actual email we were sent and it was the first we knew there was any possibility of the site closing. There was no blow up in the back room. If anything like that happened it was private and wasn't mentioned behind the SM scenes.
Andilynn has personal problems and said she couldn't keep up with the site anymore. That was it. Done deal.
As to the question of loyalty, loyal to what?? She said she was closing!! There was nothing left to be loyal to. She decided to stay open VERY recently, like AFTER dsd. Up until then it was definitely closing and the only drama came from some designers telling their ct (against our confidentiality contracts) which got the rumors flying. Then Andi decided to deny closing on her site (bad move!) in an effort to keep dsd sales up and still have a closing sale for the 22nd planned closing.
I would have liked to stay at SM if she had only brought the troubles to us and said she needed some more help so we could have had a chance to save our home site. No effort was made to get the designers and staff more involved, no mention was made that closing was a possibility, there were no options. It was presented to us as a fait accompli and by the time I heard she'd changed her mind, I'd already made other arrangements and so had most of the other designers/ct. There was no "I'm having troubles, can my loyal dt help me keep the site open." It was "we're closing on Nov 22nd. Sorry." Doesn't give you much to work with!
November 15, 2011 2:46 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...
And I was one of the designers affected by the decision to go exclusive. Just like now, there was no options given then, no discussion about it even. It was just a done deal from the moment it was emailed to all of us. I would have loved to stay there because SM was my primary store, even though I sold my designs in one other store. I was very loyal to SM, even though I was made to feel like I wasn't, for some reason. I was treated like I was crazy for deciding that I couldn't earn the same income in just one store, instead of two or three. If SM had given us the option to make exclusive products that could only be sold at SM, I would have stayed.
Trying to turn SM into an exclusive store really made no business sense. The decision to close sounds like it was more of the same thing. I've watched all of it unfold and it's been a train wreck. So, I decided to post & say I am sorry for all of you who had to move to new stores. I hope that the designers who have landed elsewhere quickly recover from this bump in the road and that your holiday sales are not negatively impacted. What an awful time of year to deal with all of this :(
November 15, 2011 3:29 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...
^^^^^^^^^
what i always wondered about this was WHY Sugary Fancy was allowed to be non exclusive (also selling at DSB), while everyone else had to be. made no sense...and i never did get an answer on that one! not that it matters anymore.
November 15, 2011 4:37 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...
The designers who left SM and moved to SO applied for a spot. They weren't invited. They applied and were accepted at new stores AFTER Andilyn said she was closing SM.
why did 5:02 just cut and paste at least 4 comments' worth of info, and not add any new content? that post makes no sense to me. am I just missing something?
comment was probably too long after all those c & p's..and gosh dang, they didn't use the < i > < i/ > as they were told to do. for shame. blogger cuts off comments that are too long.
I'm sick of it. Never went there and frankly don't care. She treated people poorly and did some stupid things. Unfortunately that happens every day. It's called life.
Mostly this looks like a pathetic attempt to redirect the attention off of SM. If you just brought up something else more interesting to discuss, then I'm sure the conversation would move on. I for one would be happy to discuss some new news - anyplace else closing? Who's starting a new store? Piracy? There's got to be something else going on but I don't have the time to go dig it up.......
Mostly this looks like a pathetic attempt to redirect the attention off of SM.
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Really? I mean what more is there to discuss about SM. They aren't closing. Andilyn did a poor job at handling it and lost a lot of designers who now have homes at great stores. Unless more stupidity is in the works I don't think there's much else to discuss about SM. So unless you have some new information to add, don't assume that it is someone trying to derail the topic. It's just old and dead at this point.
Mostly this looks like a pathetic attempt to redirect the attention off of SM.
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Really? I mean what more is there to discuss about SM. They aren't closing. Andilyn did a poor job at handling it and lost a lot of designers who now have homes at great stores. Unless more stupidity is in the works I don't think there's much else to discuss about SM. So unless you have some new information to add, don't assume that it is someone trying to derail the topic. It's just old and dead at this point.
November 16, 2011 10:31 AM
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And then if you bothered to read the rest of the comment, I agreed that if there was something more interesting to talk about it, by all means tell us what it is. Talk about selective reading and quoting. If anything, making comments about how tired they are of the SM discussion but not adding anything new, only continues to shine a spotlight on the situation. So yes, it's a pathetic attempt to steer the conversation in another direction. A smart attempt at steering the conversation in another direction would have including something new to talk about and no mention of SM.
Andrea is still the owner of SM. She did not sell it. She did send out the timeline email that was posted earlier with every intention of closing the store. Some of the designers had been approached previously to that by other stores and were already contemplating leaving, others made plans after receiving the email. When people on the SM teams found out about the closing many approached Andrea with offers of help and begged her not to close the store. SM has a remarkable community and for many there was a sense of mourning when they found out the store was closing. It is because of this influx of help and support that Andrea decided to try to salvage the store.It will be an uphill battle but I hope she can make it work. So now you know and can all move on to another topic if you'd like, or not. ;)
^^^^^^ you make it sound so....inspiring, uplifting...OMG get real. They offered to help Andy. and do you all honestly believe that she will put anymore effort or time into it than she has in the past 6 months? She alone is responsible for all this. The designers can't be blamed...it was all 100% Andy. and when this fails...it will be 100% Andy. and its going to fail. With what is left for Designers (I happen to know that even more are leaving)....there will be some pretty slim pickin's remaining. What goes around comes around. Andy should have stuck with the closing.
^^^ That's what is really bothering me. The person(s) here who keep trying to shift the blame for SM's almost-closure onto the designers. That's so sleazy. The designers did nothing wrong. The fault lies 100% on the owner. She mishandled the entire thing.
So is she going to stick with exclusivity? After this debacle I can'yt imagine that any designer would be willing to put all their eggs in that basket!
Band Geek announced her retirement (no big loss, sorry) this morning. Elise's Pieces is going back to the Digichick, and GeniaBeana is also staying at the Digichick. Word has it that KimB will 'probably' stay with PBP. I also heard from a ct friend that LDrag is moving to the Digichick in Dec after a guest spot at the Digichick, but I don't see her in the guest list at TDC.
A smart attempt at steering the conversation in another direction would have including something new to talk about and no mention of SM.
November 16, 2011 11:09 AM
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And how is this response showing you are smart? You aren't exactly offering anything new.
November 16, 2011 1:06 PM
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Hit a little too close to home for you? LOL I'm not the one who said I wanted a change in topic. I said if they wanted to change the topic, then do so and stop whining about wanting a new topic but offereing nothing. While I agreed that there might be something more interesting going on, I'm perfectly content to keep discussing SM.
So am I when there's something new (like where the designers are going, is great!) But if it's dead and there is nothing new to offer, why continue to rehash the stupidity over and over again? And it doesn't mean that it is some SM junkie coming in to change the topic. Trust me, if there is something juicy, nothing is going to change the discussion.
Is Stolen Moments staying at SM does anyone know? I really like her designs. (No, I'm not her, or on her CT, nor do I stand to gain anything at all by mentioning her here, I'm just curious!)
I find it to be increasingly interesting that almost all of the designers fleeing SM are going to either TDC or SO, while all of the displaced designers from the 9&B scandal ended up moving to places like Mscraps, Oscraps, and After5. Is this just reflective of the style of each of these stores, and how that style meshes with the new stores taking everyone in? Or does it have more to do with networking, and who knows who in each circle? Discuss.
I was commenter 11:53 and I want to make it perfectly clear to the person that commented right after me, I in no way blame any of SM's troubles on the designers. If what I wrote gave you that impression than I am sorry. I totally agree that this is on Andrea and her absence in running her business. I was just trying to answer some of the questions that others had been speculating about.
I find it to be increasingly interesting that almost all of the designers fleeing SM are going to either TDC or SO, while all of the displaced designers from the 9&B scandal ended up moving to places like Mscraps, Oscraps, and After5. Is this just reflective of the style of each of these stores, and how that style meshes with the new stores taking everyone in? Or does it have more to do with networking, and who knows who in each circle? Discuss.
November 16, 2011 2:16 PM
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I'm not sure why it matters if the recruitment was about style or someone they knew. I do think who you know matters in this world.
I find it to be increasingly interesting that almost all of the designers fleeing SM are going to either TDC or SO, while all of the displaced designers from the 9&B scandal ended up moving to places like Mscraps, Oscraps, and After5. Is this just reflective of the style of each of these stores, and how that style meshes with the new stores taking everyone in? Or does it have more to do with networking, and who knows who in each circle? Discuss.
I think it's style. Not that networking isn't a factor, but it seems like the designers are sticking with stores who have their style. Broadly speaking, SM and SO have scallops and cutesy kiddie stuff. Designers who didn't have scallops and cutesie stuff at SM seem to have gone to TDC. I'm more familiar with 9th, Mscraps, & Oscraps who (broadly speaking) don't have scallops and kiddie stuff; however, 9th, (some) Oscraps, and A5D all have fantasy in common.
Here's something for everyone to put in their pipe and smoke...
THIS QUOTE, FROM A "CUSTOMER": "I collected 7GB in freebies (mostly) and shopping. Most of the freebies are here on my blog!"
...FROM THIS POST AT DST: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=290580&page=2
In using freebies as one of the main vehicles for our marketing (as designers), we've created a culture/environment where many digiscrappers don't ever have to purchase a thing. And we wonder why the industry doesn't seem to be doing very well...
Freebies can be a great marketing tool, but just like everything in the digiworld, it should be a tool and not the vehicle itself. Looking at the list of freebies, I can see that some designers are new to me, so I might download to try them. But again, freebies can get some newbies to start digiscrapping. It is hard to say. Looking at figures that some designers post, it seems that some of them are not being hurt that much by the "freebie culture", or maybe THEY are not the ones giving out freebies left and right.
I would be curious to know who does give out freebies and why and does it work? - do they give freebies to be discovered? or seen everywhere? - do they give freebies to get traffic? - do they give freebies to thank their subscribers or regular customers? - do they give freebies because they are thinking of the "poor" scrapbookers who have no money?
And then, if they were to do that for 6 months and do other marketing strategies for 6 months, will it really make a difference? I wonder. Maybe designers ASSUME that lots of freebie hunters traffic = more sales. But does it?
In using freebies as one of the main vehicles for our marketing (as designers), we've created a culture/environment where many digiscrappers don't ever have to purchase a thing. And we wonder why the industry doesn't seem to be doing very well...
Those who collect only freebies probably wouldn't purchase anything any way. There are always people who want something for nothing. I think using freebies as a designer is ok if you don't give out too many. Many customers want to know what the quality of the designs are before they buy and a freebie can sometimes tell a customer a lot.
The market is stagnant because of the number of shops and the number of designers and though shops are closing and designers leave, there are already new stores opening and new designers coming on board right behind them. I don't see things changing much any time soon. Those who still can make a living selling digital kits are few and far between.
From a customer's point of view. When I very first discovered digi-scrapping (I was a paper scrapper), I came across a challenge that provided the mini-kit for free. For me, it just took that one small kit and a tutorial to get me hooked! In the beginning, I would collect freebies because I was afraid of purchasing online (it was new to me then). When I saw all the beautiful things available, I started buying things that caught my eye. I still will collect freebies from some of my favorite designers but I also purchase from them on a regular basis. I even purchase from the ladies that I CT for when there is a kit that I really want but won't be able to use for a while. Dawn Inskip's newsletter 50% coupons have made me buy more from her as well - both on sale and not on sale. So, at least in my case, freebies are a great source of advertising because it causes me to then shop with those designers who I might otherwise not have even looked at twice. (Just ask my wallet!) And I'm not a big DSD or sale weekend shopper because I don't get a lot of online time and can only shop/browse every once in a while. So if I've got shopping time and there's no sale, I'm going to buy it if I really want it. I'm sure there are others who just collect freebies and never spend a dime but I'm pretty sure that for every one of them, there's another like me who likes to do a little shopping when they can.
As a customer, I love freebies. I collect them because money is extremely tight at the moment, but when I have extra funds available I do purchase from the designers that I receive freebies from.
I'm the OP and I suppose my main point was that a customer was able to DL 7GB (7GB!) of freebies during DSD. I'm amazed that my sales were as good as they were, after reading that and after looking at the list of freebies in that thread and seeing not one... not two... but MULTIPLE full kits that were given away for free (many of which came from well-known shops and/or designers).
My take on the issue is this, the use of freebies just for the sake of giving a freebie is pointless and detrimental. Example: giving away a full kit just because it's DSD, and requiring nothing of the customer(s) in return. On the other hand, using freebies to build a potential customer base (making them sign-up for your newsletter, making them like your FB page, etc.) is not a bad idea, if done properly. I like the way TDC and Mscraps had their designers offer small portions of a freebie in a FB or blog train, which benefits all of the designers and the shop as a whole, in the end. I am not as supportive of the way Oscraps gave away a full kit on their FB page, however, because I don't think that will equate to future sales for any of the designers in the shop (it just equated to Oscraps having higher FB fan numbers at the end of the weekend).
ITA with the PP that freebies should be a marketing tool, but not the marketing vehicle itself. Used wisely and sparingly, they're necessary. But I see a trend recently in which it almost seems as though designers/shops are competing w/ freebies, trying to one-up each other to have the best freebie available... and does this equate to higher sales in the end? I doubt it.
When a designer is starting out, freebies are a great way to get people to try your work. As a designer who has been around awhile, the only time you would find a full kit freebie from me is for an extra advertising opportunity through a magazine etc. I offer freebies in my newsletter to keep people subscribed. My list is continually growing partly because I tell them all the time that there are freebies in the newsletters and I've only had less than 10 unsubscribes in the last year. It is shocking though, the amount of money I have made on items that were previously freebies. Not everyone hunts them down.
I am a customer only, not a designer. So my take on the freebie thing - I do like to check some of the hand picked freebies from some of the blogs that points you to the quality ones. I am very picky about what I download now though, I will only download if I'm sure I'll use it. When I first started digi scrapping, I would download tons of freebies but I purged almost all of it. I really like freebies now to try out new designers who I will gladly spend my money with.
I do actually buy way more kits than I download for free. I feel it's a great marketing tool for the designers and I don't mind having to "like" someone on facebook if it's a new to me designer just to try them out.
I also appreciate it when a favourite designer of yours decides to give away a complete free kit. During DSD I was really impressed with the freebies given out by Kristin CB and Kate Hadfield. I shop with those designers on a regular basis so it was nice. Definitely appreciated.
Andilynn herself could hardly be described as "dedicated" to the site.
--------------- This is so true. Shari, Denise, and the other admins were the ones running things as best they could while Andilynn wasn't around. That's dedication.
And don't say it's Shari defending Andilynn. She's gone too if you haven't noticed. She's over at SO now as well.
Hi Shari! Trying to wash off the stench of SM's recent failings? Yes, you and the other admins did your best, from what I could tell as a customer. It's a shame you all cared more than Andilynn apparently did.
Anonymous said... Andrea is still the owner of SM. She did not sell it. She did send out the timeline email that was posted earlier with every intention of closing the store. Some of the designers had been approached previously to that by other stores and were already contemplating leaving, others made plans after receiving the email. When people on the SM teams found out about the closing many approached Andrea with offers of help and begged her not to close the store. SM has a remarkable community and for many there was a sense of mourning when they found out the store was closing. It is because of this influx of help and support that Andrea decided to try to salvage the store.It will be an uphill battle but I hope she can make it work. So now you know and can all move on to another topic if you'd like, or not. ;)
November 16, 2011 11:53 AM ------------------------------------ Well if she was having a hard time with it when it was being ran by other people for her and actually up and running she sure is going to have an even harder time now that a huge bulk of the people that kept things moving are gone. I don't see this going well.
But I see a trend recently in which it almost seems as though designers/shops are competing w/ freebies, trying to one-up each other to have the best freebie available... and does this equate to higher sales in the end? I doubt it.
November 17, 2011 8:31 AM
Um, you haven't been around for long, maybe? Freebies yes whole kits have been a trend in digi since it first began and everyone was saying that freebies would kill the industry. It hasn't happened yet.
And I'm talking whole kits! Have you every heard of Shabby Princess? I don't think offering freebies killed her sales.
Just saying it isn't a new trend. And it isn't that big of deal.
Those who collect only freebies probably wouldn't purchase anything any way. There are always people who want something for nothing. I think using freebies as a designer is ok if you don't give out too many. Many customers want to know what the quality of the designs are before they buy and a freebie can sometimes tell a customer a lot. --------------------------------
^^This^^ As long as you don't offer freebies often enough that people hold out for it, then why not. I like the way Rachael's scraps and Atomic Cupcake do it. There's always a sample or two available and they rotate, but not often enough to compete with their stock.
As a customer, freebies were good at first, but then you quickly realize you get what you pay for. Yes, the good designers also put out freebies, but they are smaller, make you want more kinda of freebie (if they are smart).
I didn't download a single freebie over dsd from anyone that I didn't also buy from that weekend. If I wanted their freebie, I also wanted to take advantage of their sale to get some awesome goodies.
I won't even pretend to kiss up like the PP. I didn't buy anything over DSD weekend and only downloaded freebies. I wasn't going to buy anyway. I was broke. So thanks for the goods. I've scrapped 15 pages out of all the freebies.
I downloaded several full kits of freebies on DSD, but I also downloaded probably 4x as much that I actually paid for.
Even before DSD, when SO did their Halloween blog train ... I downloaded the whole train, deleted it all, and then bought 3 Halloween kits from SO because I had seen them in us on the cute little 'door' graphics on the train. I had ZERO intention to buy Halloween kits this year ... if it weren't for that train, I wouldn't have.
I am a buyer though - I download some freebies but I buy yearlong too, whether or not there are freebies. I do agree that some people are just going to take the freebies and never buy. However, bringing in traffic like me (a buyer) with freebies is probably worth also bringing in the non-buying traffic.
I hang out on a few paper craft & cutting machine sites geared and DST is the only digital site that I check. I always find it interesting that a paper scrapper will post a link to a digital freebie that they found & will be so excited to find it! Once in a while I've run into someone whose name I recognize from DST but they aren't the ones posting about scoring freebies. If they post it's usually about a favorite designer having a sale. I do wonder if the paper people actually use what they download.
So DST now thinks it's ok to give out our personal data? I think it's time to jump ship on this place. :(
Another thing to consider, is that the new privacy policy at DST leaves it open for our "Personal Data" to be given to others... including advertisers.
(3) Advertisers: We may share your Personal Data with our third party advertisers in order to contact you regarding such third party’s products and/or services. You may opt out of receiving these solicitations as provided in such solicitations or as otherwise stipulated under this Privacy Policy.
So DST now thinks it's ok to give out our personal data? I think it's time to jump ship on this place. :(
Another thing to consider, is that the new privacy policy at DST leaves it open for our "Personal Data" to be given to others... including advertisers.
(3) Advertisers: We may share your Personal Data with our third party advertisers in order to contact you regarding such third party’s products and/or services. You may opt out of receiving these solicitations as provided in such solicitations or as otherwise stipulated under this Privacy Policy.
November 18, 2011 3:46 PM
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This is pretty standard for any site you sign up for. They only say they think it is ok if you say it is ok. Just opt out like you do with your Amazon, Target, PayPal or other major site.
Whoa..so the place has gone from dead to having 2-3 new dramas at the same time? Interesting.
As for store owner being ill and late in paying designers but still actively designing herself - if I were you, I probably wouldn't make a scene but quietly start looking for a new store right away.
DST changing privacy policy - where did you see that? Does it mean they can start selling existing members'info right away or does it only affect new members? Do we have to go and manually check the "opt out" option somewhere?
Hangout places - I don't know about you but most of the time I'm on facebook to be with personal friends and family, not scrapping people. I go to a few stores' forums but not regularly. I sometimes visit DST but don't participate in topics. Oh. And I come here for fun.
DST changing privacy policy - where did you see that? Does it mean they can start selling existing members'info right away or does it only affect new members? Do we have to go and manually check the "opt out" option somewhere? (see, isn't that easier to read? lol
It's a new hot topic in the designers forum at DST, people are NOT happy. I'm not sure where they got it, someone wrote that.
That is their actual privacy policy. It is linked at the bottome of the forum. There is a link to opt out.
Personally, the only information they have on me is an obsecure username and an email address that I never check except to sign up for forums. They can sell my fake info. Go for it.
If one can read enough of the DCR to get upset, go read Sanjay's reply. It looks like people simply assumed a lot of things. The thread was about one member getting unsollicited newsletter from a new store she never subscribed to, then someone just happened to mention part of the privacy policy of DST (which is pretty standard) and then everyone posting there became paranoid.
I don't see anywhere to opt out, that's part of the problem I think. --------------- Opt out of what? If you want to not agree to the privacy policy of a site, the only "opt out" possible is to not register there. When someone registers to a site, a store or a forum, they usually agree to their terms of use and such, but I would bet that most people check the box without really reading it anyway, yet, they would turn around and complain that they don't like the policy or the rules or whatever. Hummm... (just like TOU's: read them)
Is it just me? I thought Rachels Scraps CU elements can't be used in their original form. Like, they aren't supposed to be simply repackaged into a kit. Right? At least, that is what I'm think it says in the TOU I have from her.
Why,do people think they can get away with this? This is not the first time I've seen this particular set be used, it seems to me, without making a single change to them?
Is it just me? I thought Rachels Scraps CU elements can't be used in their original form. Like, they aren't supposed to be simply repackaged into a kit. Right? At least, that is what I'm think it says in the TOU I have from her.
Did you let Rachel know. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the designers out there so some designers think they won't get caught or they don't really bother reading the TOUs. Some even think because they bought the product they own it and can use it any way they want. I always appreciate when I am notified that someone has used my stuff against my TOU. In those cases I would have never known if I hadn't been notified.
No, I didn't because I don't think Danyale is a very nice person and I don't want it getting back to her that I am the one who reported her.
Hopefully Rachel is reading here or someone who knows her will tell her. If it were someone else, I would probably email Rachel myself, but in this case, I don't want my name anywhere near it.
...if so, it seems to me that she recolored everything she used. not a big change, but withing the TOU as far as I can tell (I know Rachael considers recoloring as "altering" her graphics, and all her TOU requires is alteration).
The fact that you admitted you don't like Danyale makes it seem really likely you're just trying to stir up trouble because of that.
The fact that you admitted you don't like Danyale makes it seem really likely you're just trying to stir up trouble because of that.
November 18, 2011 10:02 PM ---------- You can think that, if you want to. But that is not true. I really didn't think they had been changed at all. And the conversation has value, since I always thought Rachel's items had to be altered, not simply recolored.
Danyale's kit is not the first one I've seen in the last couple weeks where that CU set was used. They always seem to look exactly the same as Rachel's, to me.
If they are recolored, and that is all Rachel requires, then fine. I guess she isn't violating her TOU. She's just being unoriginal and simply recoloring CU for her kits. Got it.
If they are recolored, and that is all Rachel requires, then fine. I guess she isn't violating her TOU. She's just being unoriginal and simply recoloring CU for her kits. Got it.
----------- Your first post might not have been because you do not get along with her, but this part sure as hell was.
Your first post might not have been because you do not get along with her, but this part sure as hell was.
November 19, 2011 11:49 AM
*****
Because "designers" who re-color CU for a living don't get smacked here on this blog all the time, right? I guess she shouldn't have pointed that out. *sarcasm*
No, I didn't because I don't think Danyale is a very nice person and I don't want it getting back to her that I am the one who reported her.
Hopefully Rachel is reading here or someone who knows her will tell her. If it were someone else, I would probably email Rachel myself, but in this case, I don't want my name anywhere near it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
so you are a designer or ct member at the Digichick?
You have cookies on your computer that spyware doesn't catch.
I went looking for how to opt out of DST and they linked to this site. This website will allow you to opt out. It also has all the cookies listed that are on your computer I think I had 43.
Beggars can't be choosers, my dear. Just use your credit card and be done with it. Designers set their sales for the time frame they want them to be set for. Not to suit your needs. Goodness. I've heard it all, now.
I dont know her personally, and I have not purchased her stuff but I had made a wishlist. With her sale, I would suspect she is leaving at the end of the month, so if it is the case, Dec 1st would not make sense.
I wish EyeInspire's 60% off sale at Digiscrap Warehouse would go on until Dec 1 instead of Nov 30...anybody know her personally to whisper in her ear?
November 19, 2011 2:04 PM
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This reeks of self promotion.
_______________________
If you knew her at all, you'd laugh at how ridiculous this idea is. To me it sounded like someone who doesn't get paid until the first but wants to buy things. ITA w/ whoever said just use a CC and shut up about it.
I don't shop DSW because they raise their prices before major sale events (DSD, NSD in the past) so they can make the same and still have a good sale.
This happened 2009 & 2010. Not sure if it happened this year, I don't go near there.
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that.
I have been selling at DSW for a while now, and I never increased my prices before a sale. Apparently, it was individual designer(s) who did that, and we have gotten a swift email from the owner about this unethical practice so it is NOT a storewide problem. If you like a designer, check HER prices on HER products and you can see if SHE does that.
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that. November 20, 2011 7:07 AM
You can actually just search for all products - and then individually change them - you don't need to remember the name of each one
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that. November 20, 2011 7:07 AM
You can actually just search for all products - and then individually change them - you don't need to remember the name of each one November 20, 2011 7:28 AM
Or you can just search by a specific price, select all, modify selected, type in the new price, check the box, type in new list price, check the box, and apply to all. Takes 2 mins.
Then everything is marked up, and put on sale at the same time. You can do this without marking things up, obviously (just don't alter the original list price).
This is especially easy if most of your items are one or two price points. Which, a lot of stuff is.
It's even easier with the Inventory Pricing mod, but we've already beat that topic to death.
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that. ------- I am the OP. I know not every designer did it, but the fact that it happened more than once and the designers are still at the store is reason enough not to shop there.
One of the designers I used to buy from there has significantly raised her prices anyway, and I'm not paying $8 for a set of styles I can make on my own.
Do tell, what is your beef with her? I buy almost all of her stuff so I'm just curious. lol
November 20, 2011 10:58 AM
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Why does it matter? As long as she isn't a pirate and handles MY inquiries in a decent manner, then I don't see any reason to stop buying from someone who designs kits I like. And I say MY because the BS on this blog is thick. People get pissed over stupid stuff or read too much into responses.
Do tell, what is your beef with her? I buy almost all of her stuff so I'm just curious. lol
November 20, 2011 10:58 AM
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Why does it matter? As long as she isn't a pirate and handles MY inquiries in a decent manner, then I don't see any reason to stop buying from someone who designs kits I like. And I say MY because the BS on this blog is thick. People get pissed over stupid stuff or read too much into responses.
November 20, 2011 11:51 AM
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I don't recall saying that I would stop buying from her. On the contrary, I like her stuff so more than likely I'll continue buying it. Doesn't matter to me one bit if she's nice, or if she's a royal bitch. I'm just nosy, simple as that.
I've dealt with Danyale a lot and she has always been very nice and seems to be a fun person. I always enjoyed her chats and found her to be very generous. This was even before she became a designer.
Re With Love Studio: No need to hurry. It's dying anyway. I went to look at the forum and the place is so empty. Even in the introduction part there are only CT members saying nice to meet you to each other, which is just ridiculous. You can tell from the sign-up date that they have registered there a month ago -- before the store is officially open.
With Love Studio is at least owned by Alyssa of Paper Planes come Studio Demo come
She is a nut. She posted all sorts of crazy stuff here, she was logged in when she did it so she was able to go back and delete them ... you can see other peopel interacting with her and get a sens eo fit.
At the same time, she posted something publicly on her facebook page about Michelle Batton who owned Funky Playground Designs ... that post is also gone but it was really unprofessional.
AND she went through the stores she was at, logged into the collab FTP everyone has access tom and deleted EVERY SINGLE COLLAB FILE. I know of at least two stores she did this to. SHe has since emailed and apologized and said she was really messed up at the time ... but hoenstly, how can such a person be trusted to run a store when she is so unpredictable?
She also had quite a presence on Baby Gaga ... so much so that they opened a section of the forum called 'The Drama Corner' just for her. If you search there, you can see her making threats to peoples lives, posting people's home addresses, and when someone pointed out she was putting children at risk she said 'I dont care'.
She's totally unstable, totally immature, and if you are in business with her (which is what you are doing if you sell there) you should get out now.
So what are you hoping will happen? It's a free country and she is allowed to sell if she wants to. The customer is getting the products they pay for and het personal craziness has no baring on her doing so.
Plus she hasn't hidden who she us or anything.
Just leave it be. The market will take care of itself.
Customers are the market, so customers pointing out to each other (and to designers) when they are doing business with dishonest people IS the market taking care of itself.
Of course, she is free to sell and do what she wants, but people in business with her need to know who she is and what she has done.
Nothing to be jealous of here ... including your horrible spelling.
How can her personal craziness have no bearing on people wanting to do business with her? She threatened people's CHILDREN. How many customers do you think would want to do business with her if they knew that? Maybe she should put that in per product description and see how well her stuff sells?
'By purchasing this product, you are supporting someone who openly threatens people's children and posts there addresses in public place.'
And if she is so proud of everything she has done, why keep leaving the design community, then coming back under a new design name?
I'm not buying her stuff so I'm not supporting her. But there's no law against crazy people selling stuff on the internet. And honestly, I don't really care if a designer is crazy or not as king as they aren't pirates or embezzlers or other illegalities.
I'm not buying her stuff so I'm not supporting her. But there's no law against crazy people selling stuff on the internet. And honestly, I don't really care if a designer is crazy or not as king as they aren't pirates or embezzlers or other illegalities.
---------------
Then obviously you are not aware that one of the main activities taking place at Baby Gaga is the illegal sharing of digital scrapbooking kits and other digital goods. It was pretty well documented (info available in the DCR at DST, and elsewhere). Coincidence that Alyssa was a part of both communities? Doubtful.
As for the part about her threatening children, as much as I disrespect anything about her, I doubt any "threats" made by her had anything valid behind them. From what I could tell by reading here last spring, she is someone who is grossly immature and loves to mouth off to anyone who will listen. She gets off on engaging other people into arguments. She will post just about anything to get a rise out of others. So, do I think she was actually threatening anyone? No. Do I think she's one of the world's dumbest people and one of the least honest? Yes. I wouldn't touch her store w/ a 10-foot pole, if you paid me. Um no, pass. ITA that the designers who are selling there are in for a RUDE awakening/surprise, and that this whole endeavor will blow up someday soon.
Then obviously you are not aware that one of the main activities taking place at Baby Gaga is the illegal sharing of digital scrapbooking kits and other digital goods. It was pretty well documented (info available in the DCR at DST, and elsewhere). Coincidence that Alyssa was a part of both communities? Doubtful.
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It's possible but I don't think it has ever been proven.
She hasn't even tried to hide who she is. Almost everyone who cares about this crap knows where she's at and won't buy there. The people that live in oblivion really won't know even if an announcement goes up at DST where 5people will see it. The designers that sell at her store probably already know it and for whatever reason decided to put her crap behind them.
There's not much that can be done. Even if she was a pirate, she isn't now, so that means she can still have a store. We can't even get the pirating websites shut down. What makes you think that a store that is selling legitmate goods could be any different?
Anonymous said... anyone know whats up with PBP? they said the site would be down a day or two...its been alot longer than that!
November 21, 2011 5:21 PM
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Unfortunately the transfer is taking longer than anticipated due to a number of reasons. At this stage, there is nothing that we can do but wait for it to finish.
We should be back online, with lots of new products in time for Black Friday.
Alyssa of WLS threatened me a month or so ago... called me a bunch of names too... I saved the emails just in case she ever gives me a problem again. She opened a can of worms with someone who isn't afraid to fight back the right way. She is very unprofessional.
"She hasn't even tried to hide who she is." November 21, 2011 3:36 PM
Wrong. She HAS tried to worm back before in disguise. Right after the scandal, actually. She sent applications to a few store and was turned down because they're on to her. I think that's when she realized that people will eventually find out the truth anyway so she came clean with this new shop.
She tried to come back as "TiffanyDazzle" and had this (and a few more threads) at DST:
pretty sure she posted the CT call after everyone figured out who she was. Because when the store was first mentioned on the blgo, she supposedly wasn't going to be designing.
pretty sure she posted the CT call after everyone figured out who she was. Because when the store was first mentioned on the blgo, she supposedly wasn't going to be designing.
Why does it matter when? And she actually had to state who she was because she was invited to participate in a blog train that only allowed past guests.
But it still doesn't matter. The point is that everyone who cares, knows it's her and can avoid accidently buying from her.
I'll reiterate a question from earlier. What are you hoping too accomplish by postin about this at DST? There's a point where it becomes harassment.
I think it is quite obvious what the people posting at DST want to accomplish. They feel it is necessary to warn others about this designer/store owner based upon some understandably upsetting experiences.
I'm curious as to whether those posting in defense at Alyssa or friends of hers. I don't see how anyone else would care that a person who wronged many is being outed.
I'm curious as to whether those posting in defense at Alyssa or friends of hers. I don't see how anyone else would care that a person who wronged many is being outed.
November 22, 2011 8:29 AM
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I'm not really defending her. I just don't understand why being a twit means that she needs to totally be brought down. You do realize that you might be buying a service or product from an asshole locally, right? How can you know for certain? They can be all sweet to your face and end up in jail for dui or beating their wife. You just don't know exactly what you are supporting.
The scrappers that this type of stuff matters to are reading this blog. The other scrappers probaby really don't give a flying flip and prefer to not know. When I buy digital kits, I'm not paying for the personality behind them. I'm paying for the stuff on my hard drive.
I'm not a designer, just a CT member. I want to let you designers know that CTMs are getting sick of being brought on teams to scrap and then having their focus shifted to advertising and marketing on your blogs, twitter pages, etc - because YOU, the designer, don't have time to do it yourself.
I am always happy to promote my LOs made with designers products because I feel that's part of my "job." But taking on even more additional advertising, freebie making, blog posting, challenge hosting, coupon handing out and other promotions for you because you don't have time?
Maybe you should find a new job! I bet that would take care of some market over-saturation.
It's getting out of hand with some of these "Creative" teams!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Agree. I will ask my CT to post news about my kits, sales, and speed scraps. The rest of the work (coupon handling, freebie making, challenging hosting, Tweeting, Facebooking)--all falls squarely on me. I'm the one who chose to be a designer/business owner and it's unfair to expect them to do my work.
Where have you been? It has been going on for years now! That's why I buy stuff I like. I don't want to be a creative slave. It wasn't worth that much work for maybe $30 in free kits each month.
I'm not really defending her. I just don't understand why being a twit means that she needs to totally be brought down. You do realize that you might be buying a service or product from an asshole locally, right? How can you know for certain? They can be all sweet to your face and end up in jail for dui or beating their wife. You just don't know exactly what you are supporting.
The scrappers that this type of stuff matters to are reading this blog. The other scrappers probably really don't give a flying flip and prefer to not know. When I buy digital kits, I'm not paying for the personality behind them. I'm paying for the stuff on my hard drive.
November 22, 2011 8:50 AM -------------------- Often local businesses go down in flames if the business owner is caught up in bad publicity that has nothing to do with their business. Many people simply aren't comfortable supporting people by giving them their business if they feel they are immoral.
I have a tendency to think if a business person is acting immoral in their personal life, they're probably doing the same in their business too. Most people who are willing to do something seedy outside of work are just as willing to do something seedy AT work as well.
You have as much of a right to NOT care what a designer or store owner does outside of her responsibilities as a designer or store owner as other people do TO care about it. Like it or not, how you conduct yourself all around affects your business--people who don't get that shouldn't be trying to run their own businesses, or they shouldn't be surprised if it comes back to bite them in the long run.
I think it depends on how you were "brought on teams." Did you answer calls? Did the call mention promo work? Did the designer/store mention what they expect from the team? Or were you asked personally?
Not all CTMs are created equal. Some are asked to be on the team without any fixed requirements. If you have agreed to the terms when you applied or were asked, then you should do it. If not, then you have all the right to tell the designer/store that this is not what you signed up for and you don't feel comfortable doing it. Simple.
I personally think what designers and stores are asking from their CTs are ridiculous. I would never agree to such absurd amount of work. But if you agreed to it in the first place, then why complain now?
Do you honestly research each and every designer before you purchase from them? How can you possibly know what their person life is like before you purchase from them? The internet allows for more privacy in this regard than a store front might.
My point is that ignorance is bliss. How is going to hurt someone if they end up purchasing a kit from her because they didn't know that she's a pyscho? As long as they like the product they get, I don't see what the problem is!
I think it depends on how you were "brought on teams." Did you answer calls? Did the call mention promo work? Did the designer/store mention what they expect from the team? Or were you asked personally?
Not all CTMs are created equal. Some are asked to be on the team without any fixed requirements. If you have agreed to the terms when you applied or were asked, then you should do it. If not, then you have all the right to tell the designer/store that this is not what you signed up for and you don't feel comfortable doing it. Simple.
I personally think what designers and stores are asking from their CTs are ridiculous. I would never agree to such absurd amount of work. But if you agreed to it in the first place, then why complain now? November 22, 2011 11:02 AM
The OP stated they were brought on teams to make layouts then they had their focus shifted to other things.
I agree about the CT work. It's the old bait and switch. I've left many CTs because you agree to one set of requirements, and sometimes not even a month later, that designer is having some crisis and doesn't have the time to promote herself. Then she wants her entire CT to do all of her promotion for her.
I have been on CTs where the designer has asked us to do more promotion and offered to PAY us for our additional time. That is how you conduct business properly.
I've also been denied CTs because I've dropped teams after a month or two. No one asks why. The reason is almost always because the designer is a flake and changed the requirements.
Why anyone CTs for stores is beyond me. The amount of work required is insane! And they're all like, well, you have free access to the entire store. SURE! It's not like I can go in there and download whatever I want. I have to make layouts with everything I download. Which, is NOT a problem, but that's not exactly FREE access.
I did see and understand that. But how often did you see calls saying "Just scrap. Nothing else will be asked of you"? That's why I said it's all about the terms you agreed on at first.
Do you honestly research each and every designer before you purchase from them? How can you possibly know what their person life is like before you purchase from them? The internet allows for more privacy in this regard than a store front might.
My point is that ignorance is bliss. How is going to hurt someone if they end up purchasing a kit from her because they didn't know that she's a pyscho? As long as they like the product they get, I don't see what the problem is! ------- Why do you care so much how other people make their purchasing decisions? Some people choose not to eat at KFC because they reportedly treat their chickens badly. Some people choose not to shop at Walmart because they think that they treat their employees badly. Some people choose not to shop at Walmart because when they come to town they push out all the small businesses. There are a million different reasons a person takes their business elsewhere and really, that's for each person to decide. That's MY point.
Why anyone CTs for stores is beyond me. The amount of work required is insane! And they're all like, well, you have free access to the entire store. SURE! It's not like I can go in there and download whatever I want. I have to make layouts with everything I download. Which, is NOT a problem, but that's not exactly FREE access.
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Um, you CAN go in there and download whatever you want. And yes, you have to create and post a layout. But why else would you want to download something, anyway, if not to create a layout? So you DO have full access to the store, you twit.
Do you honestly research each and every designer before you purchase from them? How can you possibly know what their person life is like before you purchase from them? The internet allows for more privacy in this regard than a store front might.
My point is that ignorance is bliss. How is going to hurt someone if they end up purchasing a kit from her because they didn't know that she's a pyscho? As long as they like the product they get, I don't see what the problem is!
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I think that the original point being made was about the importance of warning people about Alyssa because she is now a store owner. I really don't think it had anything to do with whether people buy her kits, like her kits, etc. It had to do with warning people (other designers, who are now selling at her store) about her shady past, before they find their livelihood in jeopardy due to her lack of moral compass.
In other words, do I care if a designer is a bitch if I like her kit and want to scrap with it? Not really. But if I were a designer thinking of applying to a store's call, I WOULD CARE A GREAT DEAL about that person and her background, both professionally and personally. And the point being made was that DST should allow people to post the truth about this store owner, before she causes any more damage to unsuspecting people.
If you could make ONE perfect store, who would you have. I'm so sick of the snottiness at SSD and SO. I don't like TDC, I'm sick of the drama at SM, etc, etc.
Ditto this. Furthermore, knowing she has strong ties in the past to a website known for digital piracy would send me running in the other direction (sprinting, actually) if I were a designer. Do I want my designs in a shop where the owner has full access to my downloads, and has a history on the Baby Gaga site? HELL NO!
If you could make ONE perfect store, who would you have. I'm so sick of the snottiness at SSD and SO. I don't like TDC, I'm sick of the drama at SM, etc, etc.
Who would you have at the perfect store?
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Do you mean, if someone could create a "dream team" of designers from all stores? Is that your question?
My dream store would include: Kristin Cronin-Barrow Kristin Aagard Jen Wilson Jennifer Labre Kate Hadfield Jady Day Studio Flergs Kay Miller Cindy Schneider Captivated Visions Julie Billingsley and a few retired designers
question for the OP: you mentioned snottiness/drama in your original question (suggesting you want to avoid those things). are you asking for a list based on those criteria? like, what designers would I want working for me at a shop, in terms of talent and personality and reliability? or are you asking for a list based just on what designers' products I think are good? please clarify. totally different lists will result.
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
1,413 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 1413 Newer› Newest»I can tell you as one of the designers that left SM, that we were all completely blindsided by a email saying that SM would be closing. There was no talk, no warning, nothing. Just an email saying that everything was done. So naturally we all panicked and scurried to find new stores. Now SM is not closing and they have lost most of their designers, admin and creative team.
November 14, 2011 11:49 PM
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Who is "we"... are you saying you are one of the designers? The truth is a lot different than what you state... maybe this was a whole ploy to weed out those who had no dedication to the site. If I were running a store, I would hope that if a personal issue arose, my team would work with me and help me save the store even if I made a rash decision and said things I regret.
I am not Andilynn by the way, in case anyone is trying to throw that out there... just stating what I see as a scrapper and a customer.
November 15, 2011 9:49 AM
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First of all, the very start of her post says "As one of the designers who left." So, are you stupid or something? Or do you just have reading comprehension problems?
Secondly, if you are just a "scrapper and customer," then how the hell do you know whether the truth is different than what she stated? Seems to me if you are just a customer, you don't know shit. But, even giving you the benefit of the doubt, you don't know more than people Andilynn supposedly trusted, like her design team.
Trust me, if you are just a customer, you are getting Andi's pretty, glossy version of the truth. When, in fact, she is selfish and thinks only of herself and her problems. I am sick of these people who want to come in here and defend her. Those who are judging the designers who had to rush to find a new store, claiming they were not dedicated to the store and what? Did something wrong by trying to preserve their income? You did it to the non-exclusives when they all left earlier this year, and now you are trying to do it to the designers who left when they were definitely told on October 20th that the store WAS going to close.
Take your sanctimonious crap about "weeding out" people who weren't dedicated to the site and shove it up your ass. Andilynn herself could hardly be described as "dedicated" to the site. She was the fucking OWNER and yet she rarely made an appearance in the forums herself!!!!! All you head in the sand customers who are so loyal to her think the designers should be in the forums 24/7, but you don't think the owner should be equally as present? That is pure stupidity. I am so glad to be done with that place and with Andilynn and all her personal problems.
^^^^
Agreed.
loyality=I'm still here
in the digi world. In some cases it's the best a shop owner is going to get until the next best shop comes along. So store owners need to work to be the best shop, not testing their designers' loyality. Do something to make them want to stay if you think there is a loyality issue. Don't say you are going to close the shop down.
I hope the person that posted the loyality statement never owns a shop.
I'm not the poster you were responding to. But I think your whole entire response is crap.
First of all, I do think you are Andilyn. If not, you are someone who is very close to her trying to support/defend her. And by the way, you are doing a terrible job at that. You make SM look worse and worse with every post you make. I think that the posts here over the last few days about how SO and TDC are terrible stores were also made by crazy SM-supporter/Andilyn as well.
The designers who left SM and moved to SO applied for a spot. They weren't invited. They applied and were accepted at new stores AFTER Andilyn said she was closing SM.
It would have been absolutely stupid for the designers at SM to stick around and ride a dying site to the grounds for several reasons. One of those reasons being that another big store had also closed that same week and that meant double the number of designers competing for good spots in stores.
People who rely on their designs as a source of income cannot be expected to wait until an obviously flaky and uninvolved store owner decides to quit playing ridiculous games that affect their future income. Andilyn told her designers that SM was closing. They believed her and started looking for a new store to sell their designs. That doesn't make them bad people. It just makes them people trying to look out for their future potential earnings. You can't expect your designers to just listen to you throw a PMS hissy fit, stomp your feet and say you are closing, but stick by your side and hope that you will come to your senses in the end. That is ludicrous and childish.
The worst part about the posts here "defending" SM is that after abruptly announcing that you were abandoning your designers, you are now turning around and talking as if they have stabbed you in the back by trying to find new homes. Trying to bring down the reputation of the designers who stuck with you for years, until the very second you abandoned them right before the biggest digi shopping day of the year AND the holidays, is really low.
November 15, 2011 10:19 AM
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I wish I knew who wrote this so I could hug her. THANK YOU for telling it like it is.
Andrea/Shari or whoever is trying to bring down the people who left, you should be ashamed of yourselves. It is disgusting, really. The fact is, YOU disappointed all of us, Andrea. Not the other way around.
The problem is knowing who and what to believe on this blog. I know for a fact that there has been contrived information posted about stores on this blog and everyone just believes the worst possible scenaria.
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If you're coming to this blog and using it as your only source of information/news, you're an idiot. Of course some of the things posted here are less-than-accurate, because it's all anonymous and everyone does have an agenda.
That said, this blog CAN BE a very good source of information, if you know how to use it. If you are smart enough to read all of the posts and weigh all of the viewpoints against each other in your mind, you get a general idea of what's going on. You never know every last detail with 100% certainty, but you have a basic idea of what's up. And in the case of SM, it's been VERY CLEAR since the beginning that something stinks about the situation, and there's more going on than Andilynn and the other SM admins are letting on. I've NEVER seen such a big group of designers depart a store that is "staying open", ever, in all my years in this industry. NEVER. Something big happened, and it wasn't a coincidence that all of those designers uprooted themselves RIGHT BEFORE one of the biggest sales weekends in this industry... leaving behind their regular customer bases for the risky chance that they could make up those sales at a new store with an untested/new customer base. No designer in their right mind does that this time of year, and definitely not half a store's worth of designers.
With all that in mind, I'm assuming that the timeline posted above really WAS an e-mail sent out to the design team at SM, and that the designers (rightly-so) acted accordingly to protect their livelihoods and best interest. I can't blame them for that, either; I would have done the same.
The fact that people at SM are now claiming those designers aren't loyal??? Laughable. Give me a break.
^thanks for the lecture. I sure learned a lot from you about how to decipher the crap that is posted on this blog. What would we ever do without you teaching us how to not be idiots?
If you're coming to this blog and using it as your only source of information/news, you're an idiot. Of course some of the things posted here are less-than-accurate, because it's all anonymous and everyone does have an agenda.
----
Some people have no connection to SM or the designers involved to get the information. This blog is their only source. That doesn't mean we are being idiots. We just don't know what to believe. Get over yourself.
^^^
Good for you if you already knew all that. I think that "lecture" was actually right to the point and a good reminder to newcomers to this blog and oldies too: it is a good source of information. Is it good information? Is it accurate information? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Whether it is anonymous or not, that is not the point. I have seen half truths, incomplete information or out-of-context statements at DST too, and the posters were not anonymous. Does it make DST more accurate? Does it make it less reliable? Everywhere is information to sort and it is up to the reader to sort through it. Unless YOU have the information FIRST HAND, you will never know if something is 100% accurante or not, here or anywhere else.
^^ that was for 11:28, not the previous poster as we apparently posted at the same time.
11:18 and 10:23 said pretty much the same thing. 11:18 was just rude and called 10:23 an idiot for saying there is contrived information and it's hard to know what to believe. She did not add value to the conversation.
Good for you if you already knew all that. I think that "lecture" was actually right to the point and a good reminder to newcomers to this blog and oldies too: it is a good source of information. Is it good information? Is it accurate information?
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Of course you agree. You are 11:18!
Nope, I am not 11:18. I come to this blog to GATHER information, not use it as is. And I do think that some people take everything on this blog too literally. I don't know why since just about everything online needs to be weighed in against some other sources, so I agree with the "lecturer". It should almost be a warning/reminder posted on top of the blog.
I don't think people are that stupid that the need a disclaimer at the top of the blog. But I'm sure you (Miss Lecture) would love that!
Nothing to do with people being stupid. It would just be a reminder... people forget sometimes, although, I admit, people don't always read properly either!
people forget that everything posted on a SMACK blog isn't true? are you freakin' serious?
Well, looking at some reactions of designers who felt like quitting because there was a bad review of their part of a blog train or an entry to a contest, I would say that yes, some people do forget.
A review is an opinion. That has nothing to do with fact or truth.
This is the first I've posted today, and I'll go ahead and say that 10:19 and 11:18 have added the MOST value to this conversation. Both seemed like rational analyses of the SM debacle. And so what if 11:18 was a little lecture-ish? Doesn't make her point any less valid. The middle paragraph about half the SM design team's decision to leave was right on the mark. Don't miss the point of what she wrote just because you're feeling stung that she called you an idiot for stating the obvious ("I don't know what to believe on this blog..." "woe is me!")
When copying and pasting could you all please use html tags around that part? Please!
To make it italicized use < i > but without the spaces at the beginning and < /i > without the spaces at the end.
One thing that is a fact is that 11:18 does a really good job agreeing with herself.
When copying and pasting could you all please use html tags around that part? Please!
To make it italicized use < i > but without the spaces at the beginning and < /i > without the spaces at the end.
November 15, 2011 12:23 PM
nope.
When copying and pasting could you all please use html tags around that part? Please!
To make it italicized use < i > but without the spaces at the beginning and < /i > without the spaces at the end.
No
One thing that is a fact is that 11:18 does a really good job agreeing with herself.
-------
How do you even know who is "herself" on this anonymous blog?
When copying and pasting could you all please use html tags around that part? Please!
To make it italicized use < i > but without the spaces at the beginning and < /i > without the spaces at the end.
November 15, 2011 12:23 PM
Take your OCD elsewhere!
When copying and pasting could you all please use html tags around that part? Please!
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Are you effing kidding me?!
One thing that is a fact is that 11:18 does a really good job agreeing with herself.
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Right, because it's simply not conceivable that anyone else could agree with another person on this blog. You're a regular Sherlock Holmes, you are. Git.
When copying and pasting could you all please use html tags around that part? Please!
To make it italicized use < i > but without the spaces at the beginning and < /i > without the spaces at the end.
OK, but since it's such a PITA, I'll only do it once. Oh - wait - this post used up the 'once'. Guess you'll have to put up with no italics after this post, sorry.
I think someone from SM started (and is perpetuating) all this in-fighting on the blog to take the focus off their debacle. Can we move on from the petty argument, now?
Any other former SM designers care to weigh in? I personally would love to know what a previous poster meant when she said Andi has a "PMS hissy fit?" There has to be a good, juicy story there. Casual references have been made to a backroom brewhaha before. Just spill it! Tell us what happened, what was said. I can't be the only person who is morbidly curious.
Take your OCD elsewhere!
Are you effing kidding me?!
Really? Is it that hard to do? It just makes it easier to read and understand that you are quoting something already written before.
How do you even know who is "herself" on this anonymous blog?
November 15, 2011 12:29 PM
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If a person starts out feeling the need to explain that they just got here, it stands to chance that the upfront defensiveness is because they have reason to be defensive. ;)
Really? Is it that hard to do? It just makes it easier to read and understand that you are quoting something already written before.
November 15, 2011 1:00 PM
Yes, it is that hard to do.
Right, because it's simply not conceivable that anyone else could agree with another person on this blog.
I think it was the same person because of the overall snide tone that Ms. Lecture used.
I'm 11:18 and 12:25
I'm 11:18 and 12:25
November 15, 2011 1:09 PM
I don't know. Should I believe this is true or not?
11:18 please offer your wisdom.
I think someone from SM started (and is perpetuating) all this in-fighting on the blog to take the focus off their debacle. Can we move on from the petty argument, now?
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Yes, I'm from SM and I set-up a stupid argument on a smack blog just because I don't want you talking about my store. You caught me.
I'm 11:18 and 12:25
November 15, 2011 1:09 PM
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And I am you.
^that's so freakin' awesome! My long lost clone! :)
I'm 1:42
I'm 1:42
November 15, 2011 1:42 PM
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Hands down, best post of the day. LMFAO.
I think it was the same person because of the overall snide tone that Ms. Lecture used.
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because nobody else on this blog is ever bitchy or snide. *eyeroll* you dunce.
I don't know. Should I believe this is true or not?
11:18 please offer your wisdom.
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12:25 is bashing 11:18. seriously doubt they're the same person. here's hoping your question wasn't serious.
^^^
LOL - coffee all over the place!
If a person starts out feeling the need to explain that they just got here, it stands to chance that the upfront defensiveness is because they have reason to be defensive. ;)
___________
Hadn't thought of it that way, but I see your point. I'm 12:18, though, and the only reason I added that disclaimer at the beginning was to keep everyone from wasting their time assuming that I was just re-posting, or that I was the OP. Obviously my efforts were in vain. My point as just to agree w/ the points that 11:18 made about the number of designers who "coincidentally" left SM at the same time. Which we all know was not a coincidence.
Well I'm a former SM designer and I can tell you that the timeline posted earlier was an actual email we were sent and it was the first we knew there was any possibility of the site closing.
There was no blow up in the back room. If anything like that happened it was private and wasn't mentioned behind the SM scenes.
Andilynn has personal problems and said she couldn't keep up with the site anymore. That was it. Done deal.
As to the question of loyalty, loyal to what?? She said she was closing!! There was nothing left to be loyal to. She decided to stay open VERY recently, like AFTER dsd. Up until then it was definitely closing and the only drama came from some designers telling their ct (against our confidentiality contracts) which got the rumors flying. Then Andi decided to deny closing on her site (bad move!) in an effort to keep dsd sales up and still have a closing sale for the 22nd planned closing.
I would have liked to stay at SM if she had only brought the troubles to us and said she needed some more help so we could have had a chance to save our home site. No effort was made to get the designers and staff more involved, no mention was made that closing was a possibility, there were no options. It was presented to us as a fait accompli and by the time I heard she'd changed her mind, I'd already made other arrangements and so had most of the other designers/ct.
There was no "I'm having troubles, can my loyal dt help me keep the site open." It was "we're closing on Nov 22nd. Sorry."
Doesn't give you much to work with!
And I was one of the designers affected by the decision to go exclusive. Just like now, there was no options given then, no discussion about it even. It was just a done deal from the moment it was emailed to all of us. I would have loved to stay there because SM was my primary store, even though I sold my designs in one other store. I was very loyal to SM, even though I was made to feel like I wasn't, for some reason. I was treated like I was crazy for deciding that I couldn't earn the same income in just one store, instead of two or three. If SM had given us the option to make exclusive products that could only be sold at SM, I would have stayed.
Trying to turn SM into an exclusive store really made no business sense. The decision to close sounds like it was more of the same thing. I've watched all of it unfold and it's been a train wreck. So, I decided to post & say I am sorry for all of you who had to move to new stores. I hope that the designers who have landed elsewhere quickly recover from this bump in the road and that your holiday sales are not negatively impacted. What an awful time of year to deal with all of this :(
^^^^^^^^^
what i always wondered about this was WHY Sugary Fancy was allowed to be non exclusive (also selling at DSB), while everyone else had to be. made no sense...and i never did get an answer on that one! not that it matters anymore.
The designers who left SM and moved to SO applied for a spot. They weren't invited. They applied and were accepted at new stores AFTER Andilyn said she was closing SM.
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That's not the case for all of the designers who left SM for SO.
4:37 I've wondered the same thing for a while, now.
Well I'm a former SM designer and I can tell you that the timeline posted earlier was an actual email we were sent and it was the first we knew there was any possibility of the site closing.
There was no blow up in the back room. If anything like that happened it was private and wasn't mentioned behind the SM scenes.
Andilynn has personal problems and said she couldn't keep up with the site anymore. That was it. Done deal.
As to the question of loyalty, loyal to what?? She said she was closing!! There was nothing left to be loyal to. She decided to stay open VERY recently, like AFTER dsd. Up until then it was definitely closing and the only drama came from some designers telling their ct (against our confidentiality contracts) which got the rumors flying. Then Andi decided to deny closing on her site (bad move!) in an effort to keep dsd sales up and still have a closing sale for the 22nd planned closing.
I would have liked to stay at SM if she had only brought the troubles to us and said she needed some more help so we could have had a chance to save our home site. No effort was made to get the designers and staff more involved, no mention was made that closing was a possibility, there were no options. It was presented to us as a fait accompli and by the time I heard she'd changed her mind, I'd already made other arrangements and so had most of the other designers/ct.
There was no "I'm having troubles, can my loyal dt help me keep the site open." It was "we're closing on Nov 22nd. Sorry."
Doesn't give you much to work with!
November 15, 2011 2:46 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
And I was one of the designers affected by the decision to go exclusive. Just like now, there was no options given then, no discussion about it even. It was just a done deal from the moment it was emailed to all of us. I would have loved to stay there because SM was my primary store, even though I sold my designs in one other store. I was very loyal to SM, even though I was made to feel like I wasn't, for some reason. I was treated like I was crazy for deciding that I couldn't earn the same income in just one store, instead of two or three. If SM had given us the option to make exclusive products that could only be sold at SM, I would have stayed.
Trying to turn SM into an exclusive store really made no business sense. The decision to close sounds like it was more of the same thing. I've watched all of it unfold and it's been a train wreck. So, I decided to post & say I am sorry for all of you who had to move to new stores. I hope that the designers who have landed elsewhere quickly recover from this bump in the road and that your holiday sales are not negatively impacted. What an awful time of year to deal with all of this :(
November 15, 2011 3:29 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
^^^^^^^^^
what i always wondered about this was WHY Sugary Fancy was allowed to be non exclusive (also selling at DSB), while everyone else had to be. made no sense...and i never did get an answer on that one! not that it matters anymore.
November 15, 2011 4:37 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
The designers who left SM and moved to SO applied for a spot. They weren't invited. They applied and were accepted at new stores AFTER Andilyn said she was closing SM.
You can't believe anything on this blog... duh!
why did 5:02 just cut and paste at least 4 comments' worth of info, and not add any new content? that post makes no sense to me. am I just missing something?
^^^^
comment was probably too long after all those c & p's..and gosh dang, they didn't use the < i > < i/ > as they were told to do. for shame. blogger cuts off comments that are too long.
obviously there is no REAL gossip going around Digiland. Anyone else sick of SM news or unnews as the case may be.
Nope
I'm sick of it. Never went there and frankly don't care. She treated people poorly and did some stupid things. Unfortunately that happens every day. It's called life.
WV - pties
Enough pity parties!
Mostly this looks like a pathetic attempt to redirect the attention off of SM. If you just brought up something else more interesting to discuss, then I'm sure the conversation would move on. I for one would be happy to discuss some new news - anyplace else closing? Who's starting a new store? Piracy? There's got to be something else going on but I don't have the time to go dig it up.......
Here's a new store opening up. Anyone know anything about it?
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=291585
Didn't Fruit Loop Sally retire (again) not that long ago? She's now listed as a guest at the Lilypad.
Hmm. They opened 11/13 and we've already missed the Grand Opening Sale. It ended yesterday.
I would like to know IF SM is closing? There are so many different rumors going around.
Mostly this looks like a pathetic attempt to redirect the attention off of SM.
---
Really? I mean what more is there to discuss about SM. They aren't closing. Andilyn did a poor job at handling it and lost a lot of designers who now have homes at great stores. Unless more stupidity is in the works I don't think there's much else to discuss about SM. So unless you have some new information to add, don't assume that it is someone trying to derail the topic. It's just old and dead at this point.
I would like to know IF SM is closing? There are so many different rumors going around.
November 16, 2011 10:29 AM
You should read the other 260 comments. It's all right there.
So was SM sold to a new owner, or is Andilyn keeping it?
Mostly this looks like a pathetic attempt to redirect the attention off of SM.
---
Really? I mean what more is there to discuss about SM. They aren't closing. Andilyn did a poor job at handling it and lost a lot of designers who now have homes at great stores. Unless more stupidity is in the works I don't think there's much else to discuss about SM. So unless you have some new information to add, don't assume that it is someone trying to derail the topic. It's just old and dead at this point.
November 16, 2011 10:31 AM
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And then if you bothered to read the rest of the comment, I agreed that if there was something more interesting to talk about it, by all means tell us what it is. Talk about selective reading and quoting. If anything, making comments about how tired they are of the SM discussion but not adding anything new, only continues to shine a spotlight on the situation. So yes, it's a pathetic attempt to steer the conversation in another direction. A smart attempt at steering the conversation in another direction would have including something new to talk about and no mention of SM.
Andrea is still the owner of SM. She did not sell it. She did send out the timeline email that was posted earlier with every intention of closing the store. Some of the designers had been approached previously to that by other stores and were already contemplating leaving, others made plans after receiving the email. When people on the SM teams found out about the closing many approached Andrea with offers of help and begged her not to close the store. SM has a remarkable community and for many there was a sense of mourning when they found out the store was closing. It is because of this influx of help and support that Andrea decided to try to salvage the store.It will be an uphill battle but I hope she can make it work. So now you know and can all move on to another topic if you'd like, or not. ;)
^^^^^^
you make it sound so....inspiring, uplifting...OMG get real. They offered to help Andy. and do you all honestly believe that she will put anymore effort or time into it than she has in the past 6 months? She alone is responsible for all this. The designers can't be blamed...it was all 100% Andy. and when this fails...it will be 100% Andy. and its going to fail. With what is left for Designers (I happen to know that even more are leaving)....there will be some pretty slim pickin's remaining. What goes around comes around. Andy should have stuck with the closing.
^^^
That's what is really bothering me. The person(s) here who keep trying to shift the blame for SM's almost-closure onto the designers. That's so sleazy. The designers did nothing wrong. The fault lies 100% on the owner. She mishandled the entire thing.
I happen to know that even more are leaving)....there will be some pretty slim pickin's remaining.
----Yup. Yup.
They might as well close. BTW, Andilynn's stuff is piss poor quality. I was astounded to learn she was a store owner as this whole thing unfolded.
So is she going to stick with exclusivity? After this debacle I can'yt imagine that any designer would be willing to put all their eggs in that basket!
A smart attempt at steering the conversation in another direction would have including something new to talk about and no mention of SM.
November 16, 2011 11:09 AM
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And how is this response showing you are smart? You aren't exactly offering anything new.
Are Andilynn and Andrea the same person? Store owner of Scrap Matters?
^
Yes-- Andrea and Andilynn are the same person.
Band Geek announced her retirement (no big loss, sorry) this morning. Elise's Pieces is going back to the Digichick, and GeniaBeana is also staying at the Digichick. Word has it that KimB will 'probably' stay with PBP. I also heard from a ct friend that LDrag is moving to the Digichick in Dec after a guest spot at the Digichick, but I don't see her in the guest list at TDC.
slim pickin's left at SM? I would say so.
A smart attempt at steering the conversation in another direction would have including something new to talk about and no mention of SM.
November 16, 2011 11:09 AM
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And how is this response showing you are smart? You aren't exactly offering anything new.
November 16, 2011 1:06 PM
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Hit a little too close to home for you? LOL I'm not the one who said I wanted a change in topic. I said if they wanted to change the topic, then do so and stop whining about wanting a new topic but offereing nothing. While I agreed that there might be something more interesting going on, I'm perfectly content to keep discussing SM.
So am I when there's something new (like where the designers are going, is great!) But if it's dead and there is nothing new to offer, why continue to rehash the stupidity over and over again? And it doesn't mean that it is some SM junkie coming in to change the topic. Trust me, if there is something juicy, nothing is going to change the discussion.
LDrag is starting a mid-month guest spot at TDC, which is why she's not on the store's list yet.
Is Stolen Moments staying at SM does anyone know? I really like her designs. (No, I'm not her, or on her CT, nor do I stand to gain anything at all by mentioning her here, I'm just curious!)
I find it to be increasingly interesting that almost all of the designers fleeing SM are going to either TDC or SO, while all of the displaced designers from the 9&B scandal ended up moving to places like Mscraps, Oscraps, and After5. Is this just reflective of the style of each of these stores, and how that style meshes with the new stores taking everyone in? Or does it have more to do with networking, and who knows who in each circle? Discuss.
I was commenter 11:53 and I want to make it perfectly clear to the person that commented right after me, I in no way blame any of SM's troubles on the designers. If what I wrote gave you that impression than I am sorry. I totally agree that this is on Andrea and her absence in running her business. I was just trying to answer some of the questions that others had been speculating about.
While I can't say LDrag is definitely not going to TDC, I had heard she was going somewhere else. Maybe she is doing both?
I don't know, she hasn't announced officially yet, I guess.
I find it to be increasingly interesting that almost all of the designers fleeing SM are going to either TDC or SO, while all of the displaced designers from the 9&B scandal ended up moving to places like Mscraps, Oscraps, and After5. Is this just reflective of the style of each of these stores, and how that style meshes with the new stores taking everyone in? Or does it have more to do with networking, and who knows who in each circle? Discuss.
November 16, 2011 2:16 PM
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I'm not sure why it matters if the recruitment was about style or someone they knew. I do think who you know matters in this world.
I find it to be increasingly interesting that almost all of the designers fleeing SM are going to either TDC or SO, while all of the displaced designers from the 9&B scandal ended up moving to places like Mscraps, Oscraps, and After5. Is this just reflective of the style of each of these stores, and how that style meshes with the new stores taking everyone in? Or does it have more to do with networking, and who knows who in each circle? Discuss.
I think it's style. Not that networking isn't a factor, but it seems like the designers are sticking with stores who have their style. Broadly speaking, SM and SO have scallops and cutesy kiddie stuff. Designers who didn't have scallops and cutesie stuff at SM seem to have gone to TDC. I'm more familiar with 9th, Mscraps, & Oscraps who (broadly speaking) don't have scallops and kiddie stuff; however, 9th, (some) Oscraps, and A5D all have fantasy in common.
Here's something for everyone to put in their pipe and smoke...
THIS QUOTE, FROM A "CUSTOMER":
"I collected 7GB in freebies (mostly) and shopping. Most of the freebies are here on my blog!"
...FROM THIS POST AT DST:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=290580&page=2
In using freebies as one of the main vehicles for our marketing (as designers), we've created a culture/environment where many digiscrappers don't ever have to purchase a thing. And we wonder why the industry doesn't seem to be doing very well...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Agree.
Freebies can be a great marketing tool, but just like everything in the digiworld, it should be a tool and not the vehicle itself. Looking at the list of freebies, I can see that some designers are new to me, so I might download to try them. But again, freebies can get some newbies to start digiscrapping. It is hard to say. Looking at figures that some designers post, it seems that some of them are not being hurt that much by the "freebie culture", or maybe THEY are not the ones giving out freebies left and right.
I would be curious to know who does give out freebies and why and does it work?
- do they give freebies to be discovered? or seen everywhere?
- do they give freebies to get traffic?
- do they give freebies to thank their subscribers or regular customers?
- do they give freebies because they are thinking of the "poor" scrapbookers who have no money?
And then, if they were to do that for 6 months and do other marketing strategies for 6 months, will it really make a difference? I wonder. Maybe designers ASSUME that lots of freebie hunters traffic = more sales. But does it?
In using freebies as one of the main vehicles for our marketing (as designers), we've created a culture/environment where many digiscrappers don't ever have to purchase a thing. And we wonder why the industry doesn't seem to be doing very well...
Those who collect only freebies probably wouldn't purchase anything any way. There are always people who want something for nothing. I think using freebies as a designer is ok if you don't give out too many. Many customers want to know what the quality of the designs are before they buy and a freebie can sometimes tell a customer a lot.
The market is stagnant because of the number of shops and the number of designers and though shops are closing and designers leave, there are already new stores opening and new designers coming on board right behind them. I don't see things changing much any time soon. Those who still can make a living selling digital kits are few and far between.
From a customer's point of view. When I very first discovered digi-scrapping (I was a paper scrapper), I came across a challenge that provided the mini-kit for free. For me, it just took that one small kit and a tutorial to get me hooked! In the beginning, I would collect freebies because I was afraid of purchasing online (it was new to me then). When I saw all the beautiful things available, I started buying things that caught my eye. I still will collect freebies from some of my favorite designers but I also purchase from them on a regular basis. I even purchase from the ladies that I CT for when there is a kit that I really want but won't be able to use for a while. Dawn Inskip's newsletter 50% coupons have made me buy more from her as well - both on sale and not on sale. So, at least in my case, freebies are a great source of advertising because it causes me to then shop with those designers who I might otherwise not have even looked at twice. (Just ask my wallet!) And I'm not a big DSD or sale weekend shopper because I don't get a lot of online time and can only shop/browse every once in a while. So if I've got shopping time and there's no sale, I'm going to buy it if I really want it. I'm sure there are others who just collect freebies and never spend a dime but I'm pretty sure that for every one of them, there's another like me who likes to do a little shopping when they can.
As a customer, I love freebies. I collect them because money is extremely tight at the moment, but when I have extra funds available I do purchase from the designers that I receive freebies from.
I'm the OP and I suppose my main point was that a customer was able to DL 7GB (7GB!) of freebies during DSD. I'm amazed that my sales were as good as they were, after reading that and after looking at the list of freebies in that thread and seeing not one... not two... but MULTIPLE full kits that were given away for free (many of which came from well-known shops and/or designers).
My take on the issue is this, the use of freebies just for the sake of giving a freebie is pointless and detrimental. Example: giving away a full kit just because it's DSD, and requiring nothing of the customer(s) in return. On the other hand, using freebies to build a potential customer base (making them sign-up for your newsletter, making them like your FB page, etc.) is not a bad idea, if done properly. I like the way TDC and Mscraps had their designers offer small portions of a freebie in a FB or blog train, which benefits all of the designers and the shop as a whole, in the end. I am not as supportive of the way Oscraps gave away a full kit on their FB page, however, because I don't think that will equate to future sales for any of the designers in the shop (it just equated to Oscraps having higher FB fan numbers at the end of the weekend).
ITA with the PP that freebies should be a marketing tool, but not the marketing vehicle itself. Used wisely and sparingly, they're necessary. But I see a trend recently in which it almost seems as though designers/shops are competing w/ freebies, trying to one-up each other to have the best freebie available... and does this equate to higher sales in the end? I doubt it.
When a designer is starting out, freebies are a great way to get people to try your work. As a designer who has been around awhile, the only time you would find a full kit freebie from me is for an extra advertising opportunity through a magazine etc. I offer freebies in my newsletter to keep people subscribed. My list is continually growing partly because I tell them all the time that there are freebies in the newsletters and I've only had less than 10 unsubscribes in the last year. It is shocking though, the amount of money I have made on items that were previously freebies. Not everyone hunts them down.
I am a customer only, not a designer. So my take on the freebie thing - I do like to check some of the hand picked freebies from some of the blogs that points you to the quality ones. I am very picky about what I download now though, I will only download if I'm sure I'll use it. When I first started digi scrapping, I would download tons of freebies but I purged almost all of it. I really like freebies now to try out new designers who I will gladly spend my money with.
I do actually buy way more kits than I download for free. I feel it's a great marketing tool for the designers and I don't mind having to "like" someone on facebook if it's a new to me designer just to try them out.
I also appreciate it when a favourite designer of yours decides to give away a complete free kit. During DSD I was really impressed with the freebies given out by Kristin CB and Kate Hadfield. I shop with those designers on a regular basis so it was nice. Definitely appreciated.
Andilynn herself could hardly be described as "dedicated" to the site.
---------------
This is so true. Shari, Denise, and the other admins were the ones running things as best they could while Andilynn wasn't around. That's dedication.
And don't say it's Shari defending Andilynn. She's gone too if you haven't noticed. She's over at SO now as well.
^^^
Hi Shari! Trying to wash off the stench of SM's recent failings? Yes, you and the other admins did your best, from what I could tell as a customer. It's a shame you all cared more than Andilynn apparently did.
Anonymous said...
Andrea is still the owner of SM. She did not sell it. She did send out the timeline email that was posted earlier with every intention of closing the store. Some of the designers had been approached previously to that by other stores and were already contemplating leaving, others made plans after receiving the email. When people on the SM teams found out about the closing many approached Andrea with offers of help and begged her not to close the store. SM has a remarkable community and for many there was a sense of mourning when they found out the store was closing. It is because of this influx of help and support that Andrea decided to try to salvage the store.It will be an uphill battle but I hope she can make it work. So now you know and can all move on to another topic if you'd like, or not. ;)
November 16, 2011 11:53 AM
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Well if she was having a hard time with it when it was being ran by other people for her and actually up and running she sure is going to have an even harder time now that a huge bulk of the people that kept things moving are gone. I don't see this going well.
But I see a trend recently in which it almost seems as though designers/shops are competing w/ freebies, trying to one-up each other to have the best freebie available... and does this equate to higher sales in the end? I doubt it.
November 17, 2011 8:31 AM
Um, you haven't been around for long, maybe? Freebies yes whole kits have been a trend in digi since it first began and everyone was saying that freebies would kill the industry. It hasn't happened yet.
And I'm talking whole kits! Have you every heard of Shabby Princess? I don't think offering freebies killed her sales.
Just saying it isn't a new trend. And it isn't that big of deal.
Those who collect only freebies probably wouldn't purchase anything any way. There are always people who want something for nothing. I think using freebies as a designer is ok if you don't give out too many. Many customers want to know what the quality of the designs are before they buy and a freebie can sometimes tell a customer a lot.
--------------------------------
^^This^^
As long as you don't offer freebies often enough that people hold out for it, then why not. I like the way Rachael's scraps and Atomic Cupcake do it. There's always a sample or two available and they rotate, but not often enough to compete with their stock.
As a customer, freebies were good at first, but then you quickly realize you get what you pay for. Yes, the good designers also put out freebies, but they are smaller, make you want more kinda of freebie (if they are smart).
I didn't download a single freebie over dsd from anyone that I didn't also buy from that weekend. If I wanted their freebie, I also wanted to take advantage of their sale to get some awesome goodies.
I won't even pretend to kiss up like the PP. I didn't buy anything over DSD weekend and only downloaded freebies. I wasn't going to buy anyway. I was broke. So thanks for the goods. I've scrapped 15 pages out of all the freebies.
Just saying it isn't a new trend. And it isn't that big of deal.
November 17, 2011 12:37 PM
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Exactly. Miss Mint offers freebie kits too. She doesnt seem to be lacking in sales. And it's not a new trend.
I downloaded several full kits of freebies on DSD, but I also downloaded probably 4x as much that I actually paid for.
Even before DSD, when SO did their Halloween blog train ... I downloaded the whole train, deleted it all, and then bought 3 Halloween kits from SO because I had seen them in us on the cute little 'door' graphics on the train. I had ZERO intention to buy Halloween kits this year ... if it weren't for that train, I wouldn't have.
I am a buyer though - I download some freebies but I buy yearlong too, whether or not there are freebies. I do agree that some people are just going to take the freebies and never buy. However, bringing in traffic like me (a buyer) with freebies is probably worth also bringing in the non-buying traffic.
I hang out on a few paper craft & cutting machine sites geared and DST is the only digital site that I check.
I always find it interesting that a paper scrapper will post a link to a digital freebie that they found & will be so excited to find it!
Once in a while I've run into someone whose name I recognize from DST but they aren't the ones posting about scoring freebies. If they post it's usually about a favorite designer having a sale.
I do wonder if the paper people actually use what they download.
Wow this place is dead.
Wow this place is dead.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Not as dead as SM. Only one new release this week.
Wow this place is dead.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Not as dead as SM. Only one new release this week.
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Wow. Just wow. No, they're not closing??? Well, they will be soon, that's for sure. Maybe not by choice... Wow.
Not as dead as SM. Only one new release this week.
November 18, 2011 1:03 PM
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Pathetic.
Do you think paying designers late most months is serious? What about if the owner is ill? Note she still posts in the forums and makes new releases!
So DST now thinks it's ok to give out our personal data? I think it's time to jump ship on this place. :(
Another thing to consider, is that the new privacy policy at DST leaves it open for our "Personal Data" to be given to others... including advertisers.
(3) Advertisers: We may share your Personal Data with our third party advertisers in order to contact you regarding such third party’s products and/or services. You may opt out of receiving these solicitations as provided in such solicitations or as otherwise stipulated under this Privacy Policy.
Where does everyone hang out now? Store forums? Facebook? Myscrapbookart? Ripal's?
So DST now thinks it's ok to give out our personal data? I think it's time to jump ship on this place. :(
Another thing to consider, is that the new privacy policy at DST leaves it open for our "Personal Data" to be given to others... including advertisers.
(3) Advertisers: We may share your Personal Data with our third party advertisers in order to contact you regarding such third party’s products and/or services. You may opt out of receiving these solicitations as provided in such solicitations or as otherwise stipulated under this Privacy Policy.
November 18, 2011 3:46 PM
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This is pretty standard for any site you sign up for. They only say they think it is ok if you say it is ok. Just opt out like you do with your Amazon, Target, PayPal or other major site.
Whoa..so the place has gone from dead to having 2-3 new dramas at the same time? Interesting.
As for store owner being ill and late in paying designers but still actively designing herself - if I were you, I probably wouldn't make a scene but quietly start looking for a new store right away.
DST changing privacy policy - where did you see that? Does it mean they can start selling existing members'info right away or does it only affect new members? Do we have to go and manually check the "opt out" option somewhere?
Hangout places - I don't know about you but most of the time I'm on facebook to be with personal friends and family, not scrapping people. I go to a few stores' forums but not regularly. I sometimes visit DST but don't participate in topics. Oh. And I come here for fun.
DST changing privacy policy - where did you see that? Does it mean they can start selling existing members'info right away or does it only affect new members? Do we have to go and manually check the "opt out" option somewhere? (see, isn't that easier to read? lol
It's a new hot topic in the designers forum at DST, people are NOT happy. I'm not sure where they got it, someone wrote that.
http://www.crowdgather.com/privacy.cgs
That is their actual privacy policy. It is linked at the bottome of the forum. There is a link to opt out.
Personally, the only information they have on me is an obsecure username and an email address that I never check except to sign up for forums. They can sell my fake info. Go for it.
If one can read enough of the DCR to get upset, go read Sanjay's reply. It looks like people simply assumed a lot of things. The thread was about one member getting unsollicited newsletter from a new store she never subscribed to, then someone just happened to mention part of the privacy policy of DST (which is pretty standard) and then everyone posting there became paranoid.
I don't see anywhere to opt out, that's part of the problem I think.
Plus, just a few days ago they were hyper-linking our posts. You couldn't see them if you were logged in, who knows how long that was going on.
Someone called them on it and they removed them.
I think I'd rather invest my time and energies into a site owner that actually likes digi scrapping, just not sure where that is yet.
I really need a site to be attractive and professional looking, it makes me want to hang out there.
I don't see anywhere to opt out, that's part of the problem I think.
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Opt out of what? If you want to not agree to the privacy policy of a site, the only "opt out" possible is to not register there. When someone registers to a site, a store or a forum, they usually agree to their terms of use and such, but I would bet that most people check the box without really reading it anyway, yet, they would turn around and complain that they don't like the policy or the rules or whatever. Hummm... (just like TOU's: read them)
Hey smart ass this is a new policy which means that nobody agree to this shit. If you read a little bit more you would have read that right away.
Is it just me? I thought Rachels Scraps CU elements can't be used in their original form. Like, they aren't supposed to be simply repackaged into a kit. Right? At least, that is what I'm think it says in the TOU I have from her.
Why,do people think they can get away with this? This is not the first time I've seen this particular set be used, it seems to me, without making a single change to them?
http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/showthread.php?35617-NEW-Recipe-Box-visit-the-70-s-with-Etc%21
Is it just me? I thought Rachels Scraps CU elements can't be used in their original form. Like, they aren't supposed to be simply repackaged into a kit. Right? At least, that is what I'm think it says in the TOU I have from her.
Did you let Rachel know. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the designers out there so some designers think they won't get caught or they don't really bother reading the TOUs. Some even think because they bought the product they own it and can use it any way they want. I always appreciate when I am notified that someone has used my stuff against my TOU. In those cases I would have never known if I hadn't been notified.
No, I didn't because I don't think Danyale is a very nice person and I don't want it getting back to her that I am the one who reported her.
Hopefully Rachel is reading here or someone who knows her will tell her. If it were someone else, I would probably email Rachel myself, but in this case, I don't want my name anywhere near it.
click the link posted above and read to the "opt out" link. This isn't rocket science people.
are you talking about this set?
http://rachaelsscrapstore.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=92&products_id=1161
...if so, it seems to me that she recolored everything she used. not a big change, but withing the TOU as far as I can tell (I know Rachael considers recoloring as "altering" her graphics, and all her TOU requires is alteration).
The fact that you admitted you don't like Danyale makes it seem really likely you're just trying to stir up trouble because of that.
Whatever happened to the original owner of DST once she sold DST?
Is she still involved in digi scrapping?
The fact that you admitted you don't like Danyale makes it seem really likely you're just trying to stir up trouble because of that.
November 18, 2011 10:02 PM
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You can think that, if you want to. But that is not true. I really didn't think they had been changed at all. And the conversation has value, since I always thought Rachel's items had to be altered, not simply recolored.
Danyale's kit is not the first one I've seen in the last couple weeks where that CU set was used. They always seem to look exactly the same as Rachel's, to me.
If they are recolored, and that is all Rachel requires, then fine. I guess she isn't violating her TOU. She's just being unoriginal and simply recoloring CU for her kits. Got it.
If they are recolored, and that is all Rachel requires, then fine. I guess she isn't violating her TOU. She's just being unoriginal and simply recoloring CU for her kits. Got it.
-----------
Your first post might not have been because you do not get along with her, but this part sure as hell was.
Your first post might not have been because you do not get along with her, but this part sure as hell was.
November 19, 2011 11:49 AM
*****
Because "designers" who re-color CU for a living don't get smacked here on this blog all the time, right? I guess she shouldn't have pointed that out. *sarcasm*
No, I didn't because I don't think Danyale is a very nice person and I don't want it getting back to her that I am the one who reported her.
Hopefully Rachel is reading here or someone who knows her will tell her. If it were someone else, I would probably email Rachel myself, but in this case, I don't want my name anywhere near it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
so you are a designer or ct member at the Digichick?
You have cookies on your computer that spyware doesn't catch.
I went looking for how to opt out of DST and they linked to this site.
This website will allow you to opt out. It also has all the cookies listed that are on your computer I think I had 43.
http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp
I wish EyeInspire's 60% off sale at Digiscrap Warehouse would go on until Dec 1 instead of Nov 30...anybody know her personally to whisper in her ear?
WTF ^^^
Beggars can't be choosers, my dear. Just use your credit card and be done with it. Designers set their sales for the time frame they want them to be set for. Not to suit your needs. Goodness. I've heard it all, now.
I wish EyeInspire's 60% off sale at Digiscrap Warehouse would go on until Dec 1 instead of Nov 30...anybody know her personally to whisper in her ear?
November 19, 2011 2:04 PM
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This reeks of self promotion.
I dont know her personally, and I have not purchased her stuff but I had made a wishlist. With her sale, I would suspect she is leaving at the end of the month, so if it is the case, Dec 1st would not make sense.
I wish EyeInspire's 60% off sale at Digiscrap Warehouse would go on until Dec 1 instead of Nov 30...anybody know her personally to whisper in her ear?
November 19, 2011 2:04 PM
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This reeks of self promotion.
_______________________
If you knew her at all, you'd laugh at how ridiculous this idea is. To me it sounded like someone who doesn't get paid until the first but wants to buy things. ITA w/ whoever said just use a CC and shut up about it.
My bad. Don't pick on EyeInspire...I just wanted her to keep her sale live until the new freebie bundle arrives at Digiscrap Warehouse on Dec 1.
My bad. Don't pick on EyeInspire...I just wanted her to keep her sale live until the new freebie bundle arrives at Digiscrap Warehouse on Dec 1.
************************
I've never gotten that bundle when it wasn't full of completely unusable junk, so go ahead and shop.
I've never gotten that bundle when it wasn't full of completely unusable junk, so go ahead and shop.
Ditto! The main reason I don't shop there anymore.
I don't shop DSW because they raise their prices before major sale events (DSD, NSD in the past) so they can make the same and still have a good sale.
This happened 2009 & 2010. Not sure if it happened this year, I don't go near there.
I don't shop DSW because they raise their prices before major sale events (DSD, NSD in the past) so they can make the same and still have a good sale.
This happened 2009 & 2010. Not sure if it happened this year, I don't go near there.
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that.
I have been selling at DSW for a while now, and I never increased my prices before a sale. Apparently, it was individual designer(s) who did that, and we have gotten a swift email from the owner about this unethical practice so it is NOT a storewide problem. If you like a designer, check HER prices on HER products and you can see if SHE does that.
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that.
November 20, 2011 7:07 AM
You can actually just search for all products - and then individually change them - you don't need to remember the name of each one
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that.
November 20, 2011 7:07 AM
You can actually just search for all products - and then individually change them - you don't need to remember the name of each one
November 20, 2011 7:28 AM
Or you can just search by a specific price, select all, modify selected, type in the new price, check the box, type in new list price, check the box, and apply to all. Takes 2 mins.
Then everything is marked up, and put on sale at the same time. You can do this without marking things up, obviously (just don't alter the original list price).
This is especially easy if most of your items are one or two price points. Which, a lot of stuff is.
It's even easier with the Inventory Pricing mod, but we've already beat that topic to death.
Hum... it looks like someone might have experience in this????
You're kidding right?? Do you know how much trouble it is to raise prices in XCart just for a sale? A designer has to go and literally find every product in her store by typing in the product name and changing the base price by hand. If you think they all do this you are in some kind of dream land. I sell there and it isn't worth my time to do that. It would take me hours. Don't shop there if you actually think that but I can tell you not EVERY designer does that.
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I am the OP. I know not every designer did it, but the fact that it happened more than once and the designers are still at the store is reason enough not to shop there.
One of the designers I used to buy from there has significantly raised her prices anyway, and I'm not paying $8 for a set of styles I can make on my own.
No, I didn't because I don't think Danyale is a very nice person and I don't want it getting back to her that I am the one who reported her.
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Do tell, what is your beef with her? I buy almost all of her stuff so I'm just curious. lol
I'd like to know which designers raised their prices before the sales, so that I know not to shop with them. That's a despicable practice.
Hum... it looks like someone might have experience in this????
November 20, 2011 9:39 AM
No. I just know WTH I'm doing. I don't raise my prices, but I do put things on sale. Moron.
Do tell, what is your beef with her? I buy almost all of her stuff so I'm just curious. lol
November 20, 2011 10:58 AM
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Why does it matter? As long as she isn't a pirate and handles MY inquiries in a decent manner, then I don't see any reason to stop buying from someone who designs kits I like. And I say MY because the BS on this blog is thick. People get pissed over stupid stuff or read too much into responses.
Do tell, what is your beef with her? I buy almost all of her stuff so I'm just curious. lol
November 20, 2011 10:58 AM
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Why does it matter? As long as she isn't a pirate and handles MY inquiries in a decent manner, then I don't see any reason to stop buying from someone who designs kits I like. And I say MY because the BS on this blog is thick. People get pissed over stupid stuff or read too much into responses.
November 20, 2011 11:51 AM
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I don't recall saying that I would stop buying from her. On the contrary, I like her stuff so more than likely I'll continue buying it. Doesn't matter to me one bit if she's nice, or if she's a royal bitch. I'm just nosy, simple as that.
A store owner being late each month with payment is just ridiculous there is no excuse for it especially at this time of the year.
I've dealt with Danyale a lot and she has always been very nice and seems to be a fun person. I always enjoyed her chats and found her to be very generous. This was even before she became a designer.
I was really hoping With Love Studio would go away but it hasn't. How can we fight it if every thread warning people at DST gets deleted?
I was really hoping With Love Studio would go away but it hasn't. How can we fight it if every thread warning people at DST gets deleted?
November 21, 2011 9:32 AM
Um, I have no idea what you are talking about. Maybe you can post it here.
Re With Love Studio: No need to hurry. It's dying anyway. I went to look at the forum and the place is so empty. Even in the introduction part there are only CT members saying nice to meet you to each other, which is just ridiculous. You can tell from the sign-up date that they have registered there a month ago -- before the store is officially open.
With Love Studio is at least owned by Alyssa of Paper Planes come Studio Demo come
She is a nut. She posted all sorts of crazy stuff here, she was logged in when she did it so she was able to go back and delete them ... you can see other peopel interacting with her and get a sens eo fit.
At the same time, she posted something publicly on her facebook page about Michelle Batton who owned Funky Playground Designs ... that post is also gone but it was really unprofessional.
AND she went through the stores she was at, logged into the collab FTP everyone has access tom and deleted EVERY SINGLE COLLAB FILE. I know of at least two stores she did this to. SHe has since emailed and apologized and said she was really messed up at the time ... but hoenstly, how can such a person be trusted to run a store when she is so unpredictable?
She also had quite a presence on Baby Gaga ... so much so that they opened a section of the forum called 'The Drama Corner' just for her. If you search there, you can see her making threats to peoples lives, posting people's home addresses, and when someone pointed out she was putting children at risk she said 'I dont care'.
She's totally unstable, totally immature, and if you are in business with her (which is what you are doing if you sell there) you should get out now.
Sorry that should start with
'With Love Studio is at least owned by Alyssa of Paper Planes come Studio Demo come Profile Couture'
Sounds like some people are just jealous!
Jaleous of who? The post above seems to be pretty factual from what I have seen.
'With Love Studio is at least owned by Alyssa of Paper Planes come Studio Demo come Profile Couture'
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Also known as Alyangel at DST.
So what are you hoping will happen? It's a free country and she is allowed to sell if she wants to. The customer is getting the products they pay for and het personal craziness has no baring on her doing so.
Plus she hasn't hidden who she us or anything.
Just leave it be. The market will take care of itself.
Customers are the market, so customers pointing out to each other (and to designers) when they are doing business with dishonest people IS the market taking care of itself.
Of course, she is free to sell and do what she wants, but people in business with her need to know who she is and what she has done.
Nothing to be jealous of here ... including your horrible spelling.
How can her personal craziness have no bearing on people wanting to do business with her? She threatened people's CHILDREN. How many customers do you think would want to do business with her if they knew that? Maybe she should put that in per product description and see how well her stuff sells?
'By purchasing this product, you are supporting someone who openly threatens people's children and posts there addresses in public place.'
And if she is so proud of everything she has done, why keep leaving the design community, then coming back under a new design name?
I never said you were jealous. That was someone else made that stupid comment. My typos are from posting from a phone
If you are concerned you should contact the designers in her store. We can't do much about the customers but do you real think she sells that much?
I'm not buying her stuff so I'm not supporting her. But there's no law against crazy people selling stuff on the internet. And honestly, I don't really care if a designer is crazy or not as king as they aren't pirates or embezzlers or other illegalities.
I never saw her threaten anyone's children. Unless, it was done in private and I didn't see it.
She DID go and delete collab stuff at her shop without permission. It was store collabs not personal ones. WHO does that.
Long. Not king. I need to get off my lazy bum and turn on my computer.
LOL at king. You must be on a iphone.
I'm not buying her stuff so I'm not supporting her. But there's no law against crazy people selling stuff on the internet. And honestly, I don't really care if a designer is crazy or not as king as they aren't pirates or embezzlers or other illegalities.
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Then obviously you are not aware that one of the main activities taking place at Baby Gaga is the illegal sharing of digital scrapbooking kits and other digital goods. It was pretty well documented (info available in the DCR at DST, and elsewhere). Coincidence that Alyssa was a part of both communities? Doubtful.
As for the part about her threatening children, as much as I disrespect anything about her, I doubt any "threats" made by her had anything valid behind them. From what I could tell by reading here last spring, she is someone who is grossly immature and loves to mouth off to anyone who will listen. She gets off on engaging other people into arguments. She will post just about anything to get a rise out of others. So, do I think she was actually threatening anyone? No. Do I think she's one of the world's dumbest people and one of the least honest? Yes. I wouldn't touch her store w/ a 10-foot pole, if you paid me. Um no, pass. ITA that the designers who are selling there are in for a RUDE awakening/surprise, and that this whole endeavor will blow up someday soon.
Then obviously you are not aware that one of the main activities taking place at Baby Gaga is the illegal sharing of digital scrapbooking kits and other digital goods. It was pretty well documented (info available in the DCR at DST, and elsewhere). Coincidence that Alyssa was a part of both communities? Doubtful.
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It's possible but I don't think it has ever been proven.
She hasn't even tried to hide who she is. Almost everyone who cares about this crap knows where she's at and won't buy there. The people that live in oblivion really won't know even if an announcement goes up at DST where 5people will see it. The designers that sell at her store probably already know it and for whatever reason decided to put her crap behind them.
There's not much that can be done. Even if she was a pirate, she isn't now, so that means she can still have a store. We can't even get the pirating websites shut down. What makes you think that a store that is selling legitmate goods could be any different?
anyone know whats up with PBP? they said the site would be down a day or two...its been alot longer than that!
Anonymous said...
anyone know whats up with PBP? they said the site would be down a day or two...its been alot longer than that!
November 21, 2011 5:21 PM
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Unfortunately the transfer is taking longer than anticipated due to a number of reasons. At this stage, there is nothing that we can do but wait for it to finish.
We should be back online, with lots of new products in time for Black Friday.
Alyssa of WLS threatened me a month or so ago... called me a bunch of names too... I saved the emails just in case she ever gives me a problem again. She opened a can of worms with someone who isn't afraid to fight back the right way. She is very unprofessional.
"She hasn't even tried to hide who she is."
November 21, 2011 3:36 PM
Wrong. She HAS tried to worm back before in disguise. Right after the scandal, actually. She sent applications to a few store and was turned down because they're on to her. I think that's when she realized that people will eventually find out the truth anyway so she came clean with this new shop.
She tried to come back as "TiffanyDazzle" and had this (and a few more threads) at DST:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=278706
She even had a blog in TiffanyDazzle's name with a blog header that later became this kit:
http://profile-couture.me/?p=40
Now the blog is gone and TiffanyDazzle at the forum has no signature where the link to the blog used to be. Coincidence?
And what about WLS's initial designer call ad that said the owner will not be designing:
http://withlovestudio.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/designercall.jpg
So much for not trying to hide.
But her CT call stated that she was formally StudioDemo. http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=290976&highlight=profile+couture
And she uses one of her profile pics. For someone who has a lot to hide, she sure is out there about her (as true as it gets) identity.
pretty sure she posted the CT call after everyone figured out who she was. Because when the store was first mentioned on the blgo, she supposedly wasn't going to be designing.
pretty sure she posted the CT call after everyone figured out who she was. Because when the store was first mentioned on the blgo, she supposedly wasn't going to be designing.
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^^^^^
BINGO!
Why does it matter when? And she actually had to state who she was because she was invited to participate in a blog train that only allowed past guests.
But it still doesn't matter. The point is that everyone who cares, knows it's her and can avoid accidently buying from her.
I'll reiterate a question from earlier. What are you hoping too accomplish by postin about this at DST? There's a point where it becomes harassment.
I think it is quite obvious what the people posting at DST want to accomplish. They feel it is necessary to warn others about this designer/store owner based upon some understandably upsetting experiences.
I'm curious as to whether those posting in defense at Alyssa or friends of hers. I don't see how anyone else would care that a person who wronged many is being outed.
Not at.
are*
I'm curious as to whether those posting in defense at Alyssa or friends of hers. I don't see how anyone else would care that a person who wronged many is being outed.
November 22, 2011 8:29 AM
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I'm not really defending her. I just don't understand why being a twit means that she needs to totally be brought down. You do realize that you might be buying a service or product from an asshole locally, right? How can you know for certain? They can be all sweet to your face and end up in jail for dui or beating their wife. You just don't know exactly what you are supporting.
The scrappers that this type of stuff matters to are reading this blog. The other scrappers probaby really don't give a flying flip and prefer to not know. When I buy digital kits, I'm not paying for the personality behind them. I'm paying for the stuff on my hard drive.
I am one who appreciated the warnings. Saved me some hell. TY
I am one who appreciated the warnings. Saved me some hell. TY
November 22, 2011 8:59 AM
That's why you read this blog, right? You aren't going to go to DST to find it, are you?
I'm not a designer, just a CT member. I want to let you designers know that CTMs are getting sick of being brought on teams to scrap and then having their focus shifted to advertising and marketing on your blogs, twitter pages, etc - because YOU, the designer, don't have time to do it yourself.
I am always happy to promote my LOs made with designers products because I feel that's part of my "job." But taking on even more additional advertising, freebie making, blog posting, challenge hosting, coupon handing out and other promotions for you because you don't have time?
Maybe you should find a new job! I bet that would take care of some market over-saturation.
It's getting out of hand with some of these "Creative" teams!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Agree. I will ask my CT to post news about my kits, sales, and speed scraps. The rest of the work (coupon handling, freebie making, challenging hosting, Tweeting, Facebooking)--all falls squarely on me. I'm the one who chose to be a designer/business owner and it's unfair to expect them to do my work.
Where have you been? It has been going on for years now! That's why I buy stuff I like. I don't want to be a creative slave. It wasn't worth that much work for maybe $30 in free kits each month.
I'm not really defending her. I just don't understand why being a twit means that she needs to totally be brought down. You do realize that you might be buying a service or product from an asshole locally, right? How can you know for certain? They can be all sweet to your face and end up in jail for dui or beating their wife. You just don't know exactly what you are supporting.
The scrappers that this type of stuff matters to are reading this blog. The other scrappers probably really don't give a flying flip and prefer to not know. When I buy digital kits, I'm not paying for the personality behind them. I'm paying for the stuff on my hard drive.
November 22, 2011 8:50 AM
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Often local businesses go down in flames if the business owner is caught up in bad publicity that has nothing to do with their business. Many people simply aren't comfortable supporting people by giving them their business if they feel they are immoral.
I have a tendency to think if a business person is acting immoral in their personal life, they're probably doing the same in their business too. Most people who are willing to do something seedy outside of work are just as willing to do something seedy AT work as well.
You have as much of a right to NOT care what a designer or store owner does outside of her responsibilities as a designer or store owner as other people do TO care about it. Like it or not, how you conduct yourself all around affects your business--people who don't get that shouldn't be trying to run their own businesses, or they shouldn't be surprised if it comes back to bite them in the long run.
About CT work:
I think it depends on how you were "brought on teams." Did you answer calls? Did the call mention promo work? Did the designer/store mention what they expect from the team? Or were you asked personally?
Not all CTMs are created equal. Some are asked to be on the team without any fixed requirements. If you have agreed to the terms when you applied or were asked, then you should do it. If not, then you have all the right to tell the designer/store that this is not what you signed up for and you don't feel comfortable doing it. Simple.
I personally think what designers and stores are asking from their CTs are ridiculous. I would never agree to such absurd amount of work. But if you agreed to it in the first place, then why complain now?
Do you honestly research each and every designer before you purchase from them? How can you possibly know what their person life is like before you purchase from them? The internet allows for more privacy in this regard than a store front might.
My point is that ignorance is bliss. How is going to hurt someone if they end up purchasing a kit from her because they didn't know that she's a pyscho? As long as they like the product they get, I don't see what the problem is!
About CT work:
I think it depends on how you were "brought on teams." Did you answer calls? Did the call mention promo work? Did the designer/store mention what they expect from the team? Or were you asked personally?
Not all CTMs are created equal. Some are asked to be on the team without any fixed requirements. If you have agreed to the terms when you applied or were asked, then you should do it. If not, then you have all the right to tell the designer/store that this is not what you signed up for and you don't feel comfortable doing it. Simple.
I personally think what designers and stores are asking from their CTs are ridiculous. I would never agree to such absurd amount of work. But if you agreed to it in the first place, then why complain now?
November 22, 2011 11:02 AM
The OP stated they were brought on teams to make layouts then they had their focus shifted to other things.
Reading comprehension. Try it sometime.
I agree about the CT work. It's the old bait and switch. I've left many CTs because you agree to one set of requirements, and sometimes not even a month later, that designer is having some crisis and doesn't have the time to promote herself. Then she wants her entire CT to do all of her promotion for her.
I have been on CTs where the designer has asked us to do more promotion and offered to PAY us for our additional time. That is how you conduct business properly.
I've also been denied CTs because I've dropped teams after a month or two. No one asks why. The reason is almost always because the designer is a flake and changed the requirements.
Why anyone CTs for stores is beyond me. The amount of work required is insane! And they're all like, well, you have free access to the entire store. SURE! It's not like I can go in there and download whatever I want. I have to make layouts with everything I download. Which, is NOT a problem, but that's not exactly FREE access.
People need to get a clue.
I did see and understand that. But how often did you see calls saying "Just scrap. Nothing else will be asked of you"? That's why I said it's all about the terms you agreed on at first.
Do you honestly research each and every designer before you purchase from them? How can you possibly know what their person life is like before you purchase from them? The internet allows for more privacy in this regard than a store front might.
My point is that ignorance is bliss. How is going to hurt someone if they end up purchasing a kit from her because they didn't know that she's a pyscho? As long as they like the product they get, I don't see what the problem is!
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Why do you care so much how other people make their purchasing decisions? Some people choose not to eat at KFC because they reportedly treat their chickens badly. Some people choose not to shop at Walmart because they think that they treat their employees badly. Some people choose not to shop at Walmart because when they come to town they push out all the small businesses. There are a million different reasons a person takes their business elsewhere and really, that's for each person to decide. That's MY point.
Why anyone CTs for stores is beyond me. The amount of work required is insane! And they're all like, well, you have free access to the entire store. SURE! It's not like I can go in there and download whatever I want. I have to make layouts with everything I download. Which, is NOT a problem, but that's not exactly FREE access.
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Um, you CAN go in there and download whatever you want. And yes, you have to create and post a layout. But why else would you want to download something, anyway, if not to create a layout? So you DO have full access to the store, you twit.
Do you honestly research each and every designer before you purchase from them? How can you possibly know what their person life is like before you purchase from them? The internet allows for more privacy in this regard than a store front might.
My point is that ignorance is bliss. How is going to hurt someone if they end up purchasing a kit from her because they didn't know that she's a pyscho? As long as they like the product they get, I don't see what the problem is!
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I think that the original point being made was about the importance of warning people about Alyssa because she is now a store owner. I really don't think it had anything to do with whether people buy her kits, like her kits, etc. It had to do with warning people (other designers, who are now selling at her store) about her shady past, before they find their livelihood in jeopardy due to her lack of moral compass.
In other words, do I care if a designer is a bitch if I like her kit and want to scrap with it? Not really. But if I were a designer thinking of applying to a store's call, I WOULD CARE A GREAT DEAL about that person and her background, both professionally and personally. And the point being made was that DST should allow people to post the truth about this store owner, before she causes any more damage to unsuspecting people.
If you could make ONE perfect store, who would you have. I'm so sick of the snottiness at SSD and SO. I don't like TDC, I'm sick of the drama at SM, etc, etc.
Who would you have at the perfect store?
^^^
Ditto this. Furthermore, knowing she has strong ties in the past to a website known for digital piracy would send me running in the other direction (sprinting, actually) if I were a designer. Do I want my designs in a shop where the owner has full access to my downloads, and has a history on the Baby Gaga site? HELL NO!
whoops, my post (11:34) was in response to the first 11:33 post. someone else snuck in there.
If you could make ONE perfect store, who would you have. I'm so sick of the snottiness at SSD and SO. I don't like TDC, I'm sick of the drama at SM, etc, etc.
Who would you have at the perfect store?
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Do you mean, if someone could create a "dream team" of designers from all stores? Is that your question?
I can't wait to see who people pick to be in a "dream store". I have no clue who I would pick. I have to agree that SSD and SO are really snotty.
My dream store would include:
Kristin Cronin-Barrow
Kristin Aagard
Jen Wilson
Jennifer Labre
Kate Hadfield
Jady Day Studio
Flergs
Kay Miller
Cindy Schneider
Captivated Visions
Julie Billingsley
and a few retired designers
question for the OP: you mentioned snottiness/drama in your original question (suggesting you want to avoid those things). are you asking for a list based on those criteria? like, what designers would I want working for me at a shop, in terms of talent and personality and reliability? or are you asking for a list based just on what designers' products I think are good? please clarify. totally different lists will result.
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