Misgivings...

I'm sure this isn't going to be a popular post but I feel compelled to make it anyway. I had 4 listings remaining in my ArtFire store. I haven't canceled my verified subscription in case something made me change my mind. I don't think that will be happening anytime soon though. I went into "My ArtFire" today and tried to customize something that irks me. The feeds. I don't want the feeds in "My ArtFire" and I don't really need them so I was hoping at the least I could remove the feeds, if not the whole box.
Unfortunately this is what I saw:


This in my humble opinion is the height of unprofessional. ArtFire states that they are a venue to help you sell. They state they are in the business of helping YOUR business. So, what business do they have adding an EtsyB**** Blog as a preset feed. Yes, its pretty well known there are former (and sometimes current) Etsy sellers/buyers with a vengence on ArtFire but that should not preclude common sense.

If ArtFire is a venue, they should not be utilizing ArtFire's Preset Feeds to spread the message that people hate Etsy. If you go and look for trouble there will always be something. (One day, I'm sure there will be an ArtFireB**** blog potentially run by the same people) To add to the insult, I have no option to delete this feed because it is "preset." I don't have to view it but I also can't remove it. That my friend sucks donkey balls. (Sorry, I'm just matching the scale of professionalism I am writing about.)

I know that everyone is not in love with Etsy. I know that many people have ill feelings towards Etsy because of months and years of aggravation and disappointment. I know that Etsy IS NOT PERFECT! I guess I just can't believe that a site that is taking so much pride in working toward being "better" than Etsy would stoop to the level of promoting material that can be potentially defamatory towards its competitor. (I'm not debating what EtsyB**** says or if its right or wrong.) At this rate, ArtFire is only going to be as good the next guy because they can't seem to stop dissing Etsy long enough to focus on the real issues at hand. (Yes rapid cart is nice but what about fixing and finalizing categories, site design and search in an effort to keep the buyers, that ArtFire is willing to pay an arm and a leg in advertising to get, on the site. None of those things are worthwhile if the buyers don't also have something to benefit from.)

Now, don't get me wrong, I still believe that ArtFire has a lot of potential. I wholeheartedly believe this and that there is time to re-energize their focus away from the competition. ArtFire, if you truly want to learn from Etsy's mistakes... you don't have to drag them through the mud to do it. I'm just embarrassed. I deactivated the remaining listings in my store and I am canceling my verified subscription. I just can't be associated with that kind of behavior. If this is how they are starting out running a company, then I'm afraid to see where they end up. To me, it speaks volumes.

Quitting the Multiple Venue Gig

For now....

I have a fascination with all things new and sparkly. Truth be told, I just have a fascination with sparkly things... forget the new. So, last November I came across this site called ArtFire. Since I had been on Etsy (darn near three years at that point) I remembered always hearing people say, don't put your eggs in one basket... don't put your eggs in one basket. I thought, "oooohhh... Shiny, ooohhhh Neat... ooohhhhh... I wanna touch."

And touch I did (not in a bad way). I talked to my husband and convinced him that this was the next big handmade site. This is the first site I had heard about and thought "They've got lots of potential and aren't just your runofthemill overnight coat-tail grabbers." I dove straight in and got my $7 verified for life. My husband said... "Give it 3 months." I said, "Ok," knowing all the time that I would have an excuse to keep the renewal going.

Lo and behold on the third month, I was laid off from my job. Sucks to be me you think. Nope, more reason to keep the ArtFire store open. I would have two places to sell my wares and more time to do it in. Yay me! I didn't even have to think. Well, until I did.

I started trying to keep a spreadsheet of all my sales and expenses and this is what I found out. $7 isn't alot, but its alot to someone with no daytime job, no investment money and a small leash. I don't have $84 dollars to see where they go in a year, I didn't have $28 to begin with, I just liked to think I did.

So yea, I'm keeping my eggs in one basket at the moment. It makes the best business sense for me and for my scale of business at this time. Besides, why not... the grocery store keeps my eggs in the same styrofoam carton and it's rare that they ALL break.

I'm keeping my eyes open though......

A lot of love and a little mingling

I have always thought that my family was perfectly suited to me. Sure I gripe and grumble and yes I nag at TheBoy and TheMister to do this and do that. Really that's just part of what being a mom/wife calls for sometimes. Fortunate for me its days like today that remind me that they really know me, love me, and want the best for me.
Growing up, Valentines Day wasn't all about celebrating the "love" of your life (i.e. significant other, sex partner etc..) but just showing that you cared. When we hit high school my mom bought us little Valentine's Day to showed she cared. Also, high school is when kids are at their worst and I wasnt getting any cards or candy because I just wasn't popular enough. Sometimes being an adult is not much different unless you have a great family and a great bond. Sure some adults don't feel the need to spend money to show they love someone, and thats perfectly alright. My family just gifted me with the sweetest surprise gift yesterday.

To start is this:



On the left is a brand new enamel dyepot so that I can work on dying more than one batch of fiber at a time. More effective for the store and less time consuming. Jay said he really wanted to encourage me to keep up with the progress and level of productivity I've gotten since losing my job. YAY hubby! Oh, and there is more....


Inside the pot was a special selection of goods just for me. The "U-R GR8" heart, frog stickers and a teddy bear card from my baby boy, Dyl. I also got another (personal =P) card from hubby, a tub of jelly hearts and everything else you see in the picture above. The small scissors are to complete my scissor trifecta so now I have 8-inch Ginghers, Fiskars pinking shears and small embroidery/detail scissors. I also got a mini (1.5 inch) sticker maker with a refill adhesive cartridge.
I'm so happy with my little gifts I could squeal! I won't but I could. As I've gotten older I realize that family is very special to me and I couldn't have married a better fellow or had a better son!


On another quick note, here is what I was working on yesterday that I hope to add to the Mix and Mingle section of the store soon.

It's handspun mill ends in the same color set as Faded Forestry. I noticed in Etsy chat people would like the colors but they were not spinners. Hopefully this will add some options for those who really like the combination and are able to knit or crochet. Unfortunately since these are spun from millends, I can't guarantee that the yarn will felt or not felt. There is also some variation in color in certain areas because of the varying wool composition .

Shop News - Shipping Rate adjustments!

Just a quick note:

Effective immediately the Shipping has been updated for Froggy Fibers merchandise at both Etsy and ArtFire. The main difference is the return of First Class shipping for the US.

Also shipping times are currently being posted on a 1-2 business day turnaround due to recent changes in my availability.

Thanks!

*****

As a side note: I have created a mailing list for future Froggy Fibers Newsletters. Sign ups are in the left column of the blog.

Labels and looking professional

One of the first things I did when I found out I lost my job was make this blog three columns. That was a great since of accomplishment and something that was easy to do at the beginning. I also want to get my website renovated to become the portal to Froggy Fibers on the web. It would include links to my blog, my Etsy, my ArtFire, my Flickr etc... etc... etc. I, however, and not a web designer, graphic designer or similarly knowledgeable design type person. I am just a budding fiber artist.

What I have done recently is an effort to look more professional on my meager budget. So by using the banner from the blog, some cotton stationary, and a 9 inch paper trimmer I was able to create wrap around labels for my listed goods. Prior to this, I attached a business card and a cute little info card via hole punch and yarn. While I am not saying that using a business card isnt useful, there really are so many other things that they can be used for.


In order to avoid the commitment of Etsy vs ArtFire, I chose to commit to using my own website address. That's why its even more important that I can utilize that space appropriately as a portal to the world of Froggy Fibers. I'm sure there is more progress to come so stay tuned!

Writers block...

I wanted to write about the sales to shipping process. I have a post all ready to publish but to be honest, I don't think its good enough. So I will not publish my post but will work on something more interesting.

Speaking of, I have added three new listings to my Etsy store recently and a couple to my Artfire. I plan to add more and do more in the coming months. I have a little extra time between "looking" for a job so I hope to fill out both stores.

Please leave a comment if there is something you would like to see in the store!

Thanks for your patience during my sudden "life change."

Sincerely, Froggy

I think I can I think I can!

So I have been practicing pictures with the new camera. (It's a Fuji FinePix J12) and I have decided I am not in love with it. Not yet anyway. I always felt like I got a good clear picture no matter how or where it was shot with the Sony. A few times it was too dark or not enough extra light but that was okay. A quick trip to the GIMP made it all right. Now I will have to work at my pictures. Catch my sunny days, remember to watch what area is in focus and fiddle fiddle fiddle.
On a good note, I think I got a good picture or two the last few days, some inside and some out. Like this one:
This is an indoor picture. Its not bad (compared to other pictures that are now deleted) but its also not what I am used to in picture taking. Actually, this looks a little fuzzy on my screen because we are having font issues with the computer but in the photo editor it was a clear picture with decent lighting.

This photo is also not bad... not good but not bad:
This one was taken outdoors while shading it from the sun. I have a horrible time with the sun washing out the color from my items and I have to combat it with a solid shadow. Which you will note I didnt get in this picture. Still, its nice use of the macro and the picture came out clear on the photo editor. Sadly, they didnt look as good on the viewer. So overall, huge learning curve for me. That makes me a little sad though because I really want start stocking the Artfire shop but my available items dont have pictures taken. =(

Speaking of ArtFire.... If anyone is interested in signing up for the limited time $7 dollars per month deal click this link --> Register on ArtFire.com. Its a great little up and coming site and if you are a regular lister on Etsy $7 dollars is a steal. No other transaction fees. Plus, they are wanting to be a conscientous crafter and encouraging people to go green. That's not just a mantra, they plan to plant a tree for the first million members. So go on, browse around and sign up for this sweet deal before its to late. You know you want the extra exposure. ;D ( I wont say anything else about it this post.... See.)

New Handmade Crafting Site

Hey, I was introduced to this great little crafting site called Art Fire. Its new and in the works and looks to have a lot of potential. There were a lot of other sites that cropped up after Etsy made it "big" but this is the first one that I had a good feeling about. I have even gone the paid membership route because it was a good deal and I didn't want to miss it.
My store will be located at here.

In other more exciting news. I have gotten a new camera! I would take a picture of the new camera with the old camera but my son has somewhat co-opted it for his own picture taking purposes.

Also, I am in the process (or have completed) a trade in which I will no longer have a drum carder but in its place I will own an Ashford Country. Woo! First real (i.e.- wooden) wheel.
Currently in the way of projects: I have started a commissioned blanket knit with Heaven yarn from my LYS. Its so soft and made from nylon. This is for a baby blanket for someones 4th grandbaby! I hope it comes out well. I will upload pictures as soon as I get used to my camera. It's just a bit different taking pictures with this. I don't know all of the idiosyncrasies that come with using a camera for six years.

Now, moving forward I am going to make a strong effort to get back on track. My mom once said a cluttered house is a sign of a cluttered mind. Seriously, you don't want to know what my house looks like (even on a good day.) =D

Check out that new site, I really think it will be worth it. Yea, its in "BETA" but if they stay the course they really will have something going.