Is she really opening there or just helping out? It says at the bottom of the store main page: "Design & Customization by Veronica Spriggs" but her name is not in the designer list... at least not yet.
Maybe Veronica does not design for her store and only owns it, which might be ok with the exclusivity clause at SBG. Maybe there is nothing "odd" there. I dunno.
I don't understand what's funny about it either. Maybe 9 and 14 could explain. Really, I'm interested to know why it's funny. The inclusion of coupons from other CU designers makes it appear as it's been endorsed by them.
Maybe it's funny because she's written a book in English and her English is not that good? "Mini Guide for the best Quality Designer" is its title. Not only is that title a little off in its English, its also misleading. Going by the table of contents it is all about how to do macro photography and extractions. Surely there is more to being a best quality designer than that! (I know, Shirley again!)
Since this is a smackblog I would really like to know your opinions-the negative ones of course-about online storage sites. I've searched the internet and I read good reviews for almost all the famous online storage-backup sites. But my problem is that I have tons of stuff I want to backup online and since we're all into digital scrapping I'm guessing I'm not the only one with 1TB digi files. So where do you backup your files online? Which sites should I avoid? Do they really upload 2gb a day at maximum speed (if true I'll need a year for backing up) Please help and smack away...
re: online storage sites There have been a couple episodes of http://thedigishow.com/ that have talked a little about online storage. Sorry I don't remember which episodes.
I am a designer and I try to make my textures similar per kit, but I do not do the same texture on every paper. Unfortunately for 'known' designers, I think they aren't lazy or learning. They don't care. Their product sells with minimum effort so they don't feel the need to do the little things like change up the texture a bit.
As a customer only (not a designer), I think known designers realize that most customers want similar textures on their papers. Anyone who prints their pages will want crisp, lightly textured papers. Heavy textures look strange and they don't look at all like real paper. Having multiple types of textures on a page also doesn't look like real paper - which is what many scrappers are shooting for.
I think it's only other designers who think known designers become lazy. People buy their products for a reason. Dismissing it by saying customers are essentially stupid and will buy anything is part of the problem for many not as well known designers and it would do some of you well to think about that for awhile.
#21 - Spot On!!! I'm a designer and I use the same textures quite often, due to the fact, I also scrap and print my pages. I like my scrapbooks to have consistency.
Newsflash: most of the people who post on this blog are bitter, unknown designers who think that as soon as customers discover their amazingly unique, completely CU-free designs they'll wonder how they ever lived without them. Believing that customers are just too stupid or lazy to seek out "high quality" designs is what keeps them going.
re textures: someone (actually, a few people) said to rotate the papers 90 degrees or some other angle. Problem is, then the light source is off, or the texture looks weird (if the paper has a noticeable vertical or horizontal texture, for example). That's the problem with digital: I can't just "angle" a paper and have it look right on my page, as I could on a real piece of paper.
And 20 said " I think they aren't lazy or learning. They don't care. Their product sells with minimum effort so they don't feel the need to do the little things like change up the texture a bit." But isn't lazy kind of defined as "only doing the minimum effort required"? I'm not trying to mince words. I just think it's funny you say that they're not lazy, yet you then go on to basically say...they're lazy.
Gag. listened to the Paperclipping Roundtable podcast from October 1. I like to hear the guests (for the most part) but can we dispense with the Noell is so cute/hot/sexy/ditzy/organic/happy crap? And Izzy can't get enough of her. I like them well enough but sheesh. I haven't seen her videos in a while, but last I saw she was in her tank tops/teenager crap clothes
24 - I guess it is kind of the same thing... The message that I was trying to convey was more of a they can be complacent and don't take pride in their designs. They know that they are going to sell no matter how much or little time and effort they put into it.
Those in the know- will there be another digiscrap parade in November? Colors? Theme? I assume p&co will be included since that is the host's new shop?
PCo has been in The Parade for a while now. If you read back on this blog, they were added right after the first Parade ended and that's when some of the other designers in the group (mainly SO) "pitched a fit" about it. But really they didn't throw a fit about PCo, it was just about Gennifer being added. So she left the group and the rest of the PCo designers stayed in the group and some of them participated in August.
It wasn't just SO who got all hissy, it was SSD too. And 36 is right that PCo designers weren't kicked out of the Parade just because of the fit some people threw which I was happy to see.
41 how do you search without setting up an account and signing in? I would NEVER signup for a site like that, but want to know if my work is being shared there. Is there a way around the signup?
I am 41. I signed up because I couldn't find a way around it. I keep an email account for things that I don't want coming to my regular inbox and used that. You could set up a new email just for this and close it later.
41 how do you search without setting up an account and signing in? I would NEVER signup for a site like that, but want to know if my work is being shared there. Is there a way around the signup? - If you are a halfway popular designer, I bet your designs are being shared there or somewhere anyway. There are forums/blogs out there (private ones) that regularly give out the file sharing information because they feel the tou's and prices for designs are outlandish. There's really no way to stop these people because they just shut down and do it somewhere else. I do think it would be great if every time someone did this, they caught a nasty virus!
good luck to anyone d/l files there, Virus Warnings all over the place. if they want kits that bad then they deserve to have their computers crash. - Unfortunately, apparently it doesn't happen enough because illegal file sharing is very much alive and well in the digiworld.
Anyone who prints their pages will want crisp, lightly textured papers. _ This. I don't want really crumpled up or shitty looking paper in unrealistic textures for my bound books. Those papers look awful and get trashed when I dl the kit. If the designer makes it a habit to include crappy paper in her kits, she loses a customer.
OK geniuses, how about we NOT post a direct link to a file sharing site in a place where we can't edit it and remove that link? Those of us who have kits being pirated aren't in the mood for all of the non-designers/CTMs who read this blog and want to DL our kits to know where to go.
Since Facebook wants to charge you for boosting those who see your post, I've noticed that certain designers create an 'event' instead to let everyone know they're released a new kit. Does this work?
There are forums/blogs out there (private ones) that regularly give out the file sharing information because they feel the tou's and prices for designs are outlandish.
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It's laughable to me that anyone thinks digital product prices are "outlandish." Are you kidding? Digital designers (often through their own bad marketing choices and actions) and their products are so undervalued it's ridiculous. I cringe for designers every time I see a dollar sale.
OK geniuses, how about we NOT post a direct link to a file sharing site in a place where we can't edit it and remove that link? Those of us who have kits being pirated aren't in the mood for all of the non-designers/CTMs who read this blog and want to DL our kits to know where to go. ------
So it's okay for fellow designers to download the kits? Good to know.
It's laughable to me that anyone thinks digital product prices are "outlandish." Are you kidding? Digital designers (often through their own bad marketing choices and actions) and their products are so undervalued it's ridiculous. I cringe for designers every time I see a dollar sale.
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I don't know why. I typically do $800-1000 in sales in just a few days with $1 program. How long does it take you to make that much?
55 if you're really the blog owner, can't you edit - or delete - the comments w/ the file sharing links? It's great that you agree and all, but removing the comments would be more effective. There are 2 posted now, BTW. #41 and #54.
No I just assumed that designers would know better than to download pirated kits. ---------------
Really? You know what they say about assuming. I'm a CTM, but hey, thanks for thinking that I don't know any better than to download kits, because clearly, as I'm not a designer, I must be either super stupid or a thief.
OK geniuses, how about we NOT post a direct link to a file sharing site in a place where we can't edit it and remove that link? Those of us who have kits being pirated aren't in the mood for all of the non-designers/CTMs who read this blog and want to DL our kits to know where to go. ---------------
You know what, genius? There are so many file sharing sites out there that don't require signing up and anyone can see what's on offer, that I doubt anyone would be bothered with this one which requires a sign in just to see what's on offer.
I'm ok with deleting the links and leaving the comments if that is what people want. I was just being cautious due to the backlash directed at me the last time I removed links.
I don't know why. I typically do $800-1000 in sales in just a few days with $1 program. How long does it take you to make that much? ------------------------- You also risk training customers to wait for your $1 sales, reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1. Which puts you in an endless cycle of marking things down in order to make any money in the long run.
You also risk training customers to wait for your $1 sales, reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1. Which puts you in an endless cycle of marking things down in order to make any money in the long run.
You also risk training customers to wait for your $1 sales, reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1. -- This is a crock of shit. I have bought designers' dollar designs and have become a faithful customer who pays full price thereafter because of those purchases. Since so many do it, I have to believe I'm not alone. Marking down your designs for a few days is a wonderful way to draw customers and it's nice to get a bargain now and then. This is a sales tactic used worldwide in all types of industry and from what I've observed, it's been very successful.
reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1 __
People are not stupid, even your customers. If people aren't paying full price for your designs it's because they feel they're not worth the amount you're asking. The idea that you have to "train" your customers to buy your work at full price is absurd.
Not so far. I have great sales all month -- and I bet that's because you do good work and once in a while you give the customer a break and have a killer sale!
You know what, genius? There are so many file sharing sites out there that don't require signing up and anyone can see what's on offer, that I doubt anyone would be bothered with this one which requires a sign in just to see what's on offer. __ These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places. I found a couple by accident looking for something else. It was an Asian site that was jammed full of Scrapbookgraphics kits, especially RoseyPosey's. She wanted something like five dollars for a "membership" and you could download unlimited number of kits.
These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places. ----
I never said it was. However, the one listed was a place that required signing in. Please do read the whole of my post, where I specially point out that there are many, many sites that don't require a sign in. You even quoted that part!
These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places.
And signing in is really not a big deal and if you are a designer you should take the time and energy to check these type of sites. Trust me there are tons of designer kits being shared and this only hurts your sales. Being proactive is being responsible. Unless you don't care if you are giving everything away.
It has been studied in the entertainment industry and proven that piracy does not hurt sales. In some cases, it increases sales. http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-03/21/music-piracy-doesnt-hurt-sales
As a designer, I don't waste my time checking those sites or even worrying about them. Any designer who does is likely a low sales designer looking for another reason why her sales are low. It's probably not due to any piracy...
Like the music business, most pirated items in digital scrapbooking are items that the pirate wouldn't have purchased anyway. No loss of sales there. It's also been proven in the entertainment industry that piracy increases artist awareness and can lead to an increase in sales. I suspect the same could also happen in digi.
Do what you want as far as piracy, but facts are facts. You're likely just wasting your time on some moral quest when you could be designing, marketing and making more money.
I agree that it's wasting time to go on a piracy hunt on the internet. First of all, you couldn't begin to scratch the surface of what's out there and, secondly, as I said before, once someone is detected and receives complaints, he or she just crops up somewhere else under a different name. It would be foolhardy to believe you could keep tabs on such a matter. I also agree that the jerks who do this are not potential customers nor are they a threat to a designer's success in any way. They're more like an annoying fly you can't shoo away.
These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places. ----
I never said it was. However, the one listed was a place that required signing in. Please do read the whole of my post, where I specially point out that there are many, many sites that don't require a sign in. You even quoted that part!
__
Good grief, I wasn't slamming or questioning anything you or anybody else said. We're discussing piracy and file sharing sites, not the wording of your post. However, since you wanna act like you're ten years old and make this a personal slam, if you're the poster who sarcastically referred to another poster as "genius," take a look in the mirror, Einstein. You have absolutely no room to talk.
I hope more of the Pixels & Co designers do The Parade in November. I love that store. -- A classic example of the dollar sales being successful is P&Co. They had a killer dollar sale not too long ago (probably longer ago than it seems) and I bought a bunch of stuff from designers new to me. I have bought from almost everyone of them since then at full price and will continue to do so. Had I not been able to sample their wares at such a low price, I'd probably still not be familiar with most of them.
signed:
Someone who wasn't "trained" to just pay a dollar and never pay more
I hope more of the Pixels & Co designers do The Parade in November. I love that store. -- A classic example of the dollar sales being successful is P&Co. They had a killer dollar sale not too long ago (probably longer ago than it seems) and I bought a bunch of stuff from designers new to me. I have bought from almost everyone of them since then at full price and will continue to do so. Had I not been able to sample their wares at such a low price, I'd probably still not be familiar with most of them.
signed:
Someone who wasn't "trained" to just pay a dollar and never pay more
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How would YOU know if it was successful or not if you are only a customer? Only the shop owner and maybe the designers would know if it were successful or not. Kudos to someone from P&Co for trying to market themselves though.
I don't stress out over or search out pirates, but if I encounter one of my kits being shared I do file the DMCA. It doesn't take long and it gets my stuff off that site. But I do believe that those who make it their mission to hunt down pirates are hurting themselves more than they are hurting the pirates.
How would YOU know if it was successful or not if you are only a customer? ---------
Because it was successful from her point of view, of course. She bought at $1 and then bought more at full price. I thought that was pretty damn obvious.
^ Ditto 82. I just read all of this and it was pretty obvious that the person who posted at #78 was arguing against the idea that dollar sales train customers to wait for sales. Nowhere in her post did she make it sound like she knew whether the designers' sale was successful during the dollar sale. She only said that she bought from new-to-her designers and then later bought from them at full price.
Sounds like #80 is jealous and trying to make that store look bad. Busted!
I agree with #78 and #82 - I bought a ton of stuff at P&Co's dollar sale, and I've bought a lot more of their items at either full price or the new release discount. Having the dollar sale has not kept me from buying at regular prices, it's just kept me interested in seeing all the great new stuff they're releasing and wanting to add it to my stash. And no, I am not a designer or CT for P&Co, just a happy customer.
Oh, and it's also Mixed Matters grab bags at SM this weekend, and you can bet I'll be checking that out. And yet I still buy full price or new release price at SM all the time.
Please. It's pretty apparent by the way P&Co is usually painted in the best possible light on this blog, and the way that they're SO pitied for all the horrible injustices that they face, that there are plenty of P&Co designers and CT in attendance. Let's not kid anyone.
#86, I didn't say there aren't a lot of P&Co designers and CTs here, I just said I'm not one of them. I know every time someone says something good about a store or designer, they're going to be accused of working for that store.
Please. It's pretty apparent by the way P&Co is usually painted in the best possible light on this blog, and the way that they're SO pitied for all the horrible injustices that they face, that there are plenty of P&Co designers and CT in attendance. Let's not kid anyone.
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I honestly don't see that store as painted in any better way than a few of the other major digi stores when I read this blog. Injustices? Like what? I hear more whining about SSD and SO always getting trashed here than I ever do about any other shops.
But more importantly, why do you care how that store is painted on this blog? Ask yourself that question.
I think there are a lot of jealous designers and/or store owners on this forum. They can't quite grasp that some people actually LIKE some of the things they find at other stores, since apparently no one likes their stuff.
Personally I've always thought that very few of the PCO designers read this blog, or else I assumed we would have heard the gossip behind their mass exodus from DHD last year because you just know there has to be some juicy gossip in that whole thing. The way that whole thing has stayed completely quiet makes me think that their designers are either not here or very close and loyal.
^ Exactly, and I think the TDD stuff came up from someone else. I'm not going to scroll back and search to find it, but someone recently made a comment about the TDD stuff being real and how they'd "read the e-mails" and it didn't sound as though they were the person who actually received those e-mails. Sounded to me as though one of the designers confided in a non-PCO person, who then posted here on the blog. To that person's credit, they didn't spill the exact details. Unfortunately for all of us, they didn't spill the exact details.
I think the person that posted about TDD was on a CT with someone who was also on the CT of a PCO designer. I remember thinking it was very "friend of a friend" and wondering how accurate it was, so I asked my friend who's a designer there. She confirmed it.
How would YOU know if it was successful or not if you are only a customer? __ I'm #78 and others already answered for me so I won't do that, however, I will say that your jealousy and venom really shines through in your posts. If you don't mind that, cool. If you think you're hiding it, you're not at all. Whoever you are get used to the fact that when quality designers have killer sales, they WILL attract new customers who are faithful and willing to pay more later. The key is quality and THAT seems to hit a raw nerve with you.
But more importantly, why do you care how that store is painted on this blog? Ask yourself that question. __ This would be a really good question for you to ponder because you definitely appear to have some jealousy going on for the store and its designers.
I think there are a lot of jealous designers and/or store owners on this forum. They can't quite grasp that some people actually LIKE some of the things they find at other stores, since apparently no one likes their stuff. __ I agree and at times I would LOVE to know who these jealous jerks are because I'd never buy a thing from them again. It's clear there are designers who praise their counterparts and others who detest it when someone else gets the slightest compliment.
I don't really care about this argument but I have to point out the obvious, which is that "no no, they don't post here!" is exactly the sort of thing PCo designers and staff would post here. It's not as though they'd say "Yep, you got us!" So all this defense of PCo wouldn't really convince any of us who believe they stir things up on here and casually plug their site here amidst complaints about other stores. And that we also accuse SSD of sending their fangirls in to defend SSD as well. So why so defensive about PCo unless it hit too close to home?
I'm the poster who commented awhile back that I was getting goDigitalScrapbooking.com newsletters, even though I had asked to be taken off their newsletter list months ago, so I finally just reported them. Since then, I have received 3 MORE newsletters from them. Unbelievable! Who owns this store anyway?
I've reported them to the FTC too. I'm not sure who runs the store. I'm actually considered contacting one of the designer to find out. I wonder if the designers there know that it's damn near impossible to get off the GDS list.
I didn't purchase much stuff there anyway, but I won't purchase a thing there anymore because of this whole email snafu.
I don't really care about this argument but I have to point out the obvious, which is that "no no, they don't post here!" is exactly the sort of thing PCo designers and staff would post here. It's not as though they'd say "Yep, you got us!" So all this defense of PCo wouldn't really convince any of us who believe they stir things up on here and casually plug their site here amidst complaints about other stores. And that we also accuse SSD of sending their fangirls in to defend SSD as well. So why so defensive about PCo unless it hit too close to home?
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WTF are you talking about? Every time SSD gets bashed on this blog, for an example, there's immediately about 10 posts telling the OP to "get a life" and "you're just jealous" and "you wish you sold here" and "Robin is amazing" etc. It's no different for any shop (although I do think SSD is the worst w/ their rabid CT and fans). It's interesting to me that you are accusing Pixels & Co. of "casually plugging their site here amidst complaints about other stores." For one thing, if it's true then they are not the only one. More importantly though - what store or designer or owner actually wants to be brought up on this blog? None I know of. Why would they do that to themselves? It makes no sense.
For the record, I don't design there or CT there or even shop there. But I read this blog, and know exactly the way things go down around this place.
I don't really care about this argument but I have to point out the obvious, which is that "no no, they don't post here!" is exactly the sort of thing PCo designers and staff would post here. It's not as though they'd say "Yep, you got us!"
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Kinda the same way you wouldn't admit that you are from one of the shops that competes with them, and that you keep trying to make the other shops in digiland look bad on this blog? Post as yourself and let us see who you are, or else I cry "hypocrite"!
Hey 99, you might want to get down here and start policing the blog! Someone just tried to enable SM! ^^^ OMG the disease is spreading. It's not just Pixels and Co. that is getting good press! HURRY!
Just to fuel the P&Co TDD fire. Are the following a coincidence? TDD post "Quickly Creating a Matte To Add A Paper Border" Gennifer Bursett FB post "PSA: Mat, something placed under something else. Matte: Not shiny. Just to clear that up"
Or words to that effect, (can't locate the exact wording of Gennifer's FB post). I just picked up on it because Steph's use of "matte" was very bizarre and then Gennifer's FB post. Definitely having a dig!
Except she's wrong. Matt, matte and mat are all correct when used in connection with a paper or cardboard background for a photo. When being a smart ass, make sure you are smart ...
Well, long as we're being the grammar police and stirring the pot, to boot... Quotes are used around the words of a speaker/writer when you are quoting them exactly. Not when you are paraphrasing something to the "effect" of what was written.
Wrong, 113. Mat and matt can be used to describe the process of making something matte, but it doesn't work for the reverse. Most people who are using it that way aren't doing it intentionally, they just got lucky that it works.
Nope, you are wrong. I looked it up and all forms are correct when referring to a backing paper or card for a photograph or picture. It's just that "matte" is not used often, but that doesn't mean it's incorrect.
*If* I believed you, which I don't, I would bring up the point that usage in recent times has accounted for atrocities such as "irregardless" being considered correct now. With enough idiots butchering the language, anything can be deemed correct online.
Most people who are using it that way aren't doing it intentionally, they just got lucky that it works. --- You know this because you can read everyone's mind and know everyone's intent (or lack of) when they use the word? When being an asshole, make sure you don't generalize. When you do, it indicates you are a liar and/or you are ignorant about the topic you're discussing.
*If* I believed you, which I don't, I would bring up the point that usage in recent times has accounted for atrocities such as "irregardless" being considered correct now. With enough idiots butchering the language, anything can be deemed correct online. __
Speaking of idiots, your comparison of "irregardless" and the use of the word matte doesn't wash. Irregardless is not a word now and never has been. Matte is a word (not even you dispute that) and what is being discussed is its definition. Caught up now?
*If* I believed you, which I don't, I would bring up the point that usage in recent times has accounted for atrocities such as "irregardless" being considered correct now. With enough idiots butchering the language, anything can be deemed correct online. --------------- It's not a matter of belief. You don't need to pick up a Bible to figure this one out, just a dictionary.
Let me spell it out for the dumb ones. Irregardless is a word now, because enough idiots used it for long enough that it is considered acceptable usage. Anyone with a brain knows it's not a real word.
Matte/matt/mat are going to go the same way if people keep using them wrong. I don't even know Gennifer except by reputation, but I agree with her.
This blog used to be mildly interesting to read, now it's become a playground for bored women with nothing better to do with their time than be unpleasant and immature. Get a life!
Just to fuel the P&Co TDD fire. Are the following a coincidence? TDD post "Quickly Creating a Matte To Add A Paper Border" Gennifer Bursett FB post "PSA: Mat, something placed under something else. Matte: Not shiny. Just to clear that up"
Or words to that effect, (can't locate the exact wording of Gennifer's FB post). I just picked up on it because Steph's use of "matte" was very bizarre and then Gennifer's FB post. Definitely having a dig!
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......and she should! Steph is just effing ridiculous. This makes me want to sell at PCO and work for Gennifer.
Where? TDD? It was hardly worth it the first time, so I don't see myself ever doing that again, so why should I care? If Gennifer offered me a spot in her store, I'd be crazy not to say yes.
Anyone know what the commission is there? Someone told me it was 30% which seems high compared to other stores that have been around a lot longer and aren't "blackballed".
Hi, I'm 112 and I apologise for my poor grammar (I am also allowed to spell apologise that way because that is how it is spelt in the UK). My intention was not at all to open a debate about the use of the words mat, matt or matte, but to highlight that there is now open snarking between Gennifer and Steph. I have located the quote and hope that I am now using the quote marks appropriately. Gennifer on FB: "PSA: Mat = something that you put on another surface. Matte = something that is not shiny. Carry on."
I wonder if it makes any difference at all to be blackballed by TDD? From a complete outsiders point of view P&Co seem to be doing fine. Also DD who are never, ever featured by TDD seem to do well. Would it really stop you from selling at a store just because Steph wouldn't feature it on her site?
TDD's endorsement or whatever one wants to call it is irrelevant to me. In fact, anyone's endorsement is irrelevant. I buy where I want when I want. That's what I get to do being a grownup and all.
While I understand Gennifer's dislike (or whatever you want to call it) for Steph, I think the backhanded barb(s) are beneath her (Gennifer). If Steph wants to be a judgmental hag, so be it. Ignoring the whole mess is the answer, not keeping it "alive" by posting on FB, etc.
DSD is coming designers are already whining about it on Facebook. One of the biggest shopping days of the year and they're bitching about having to... work? I don't get it.
DSD is coming designers are already whining about it on Facebook. One of the biggest shopping days of the year and they're bitching about having to... work? I don't get it. __ Who's bitching about it? You're being rather vague.
Why would Gennifer have even seen that blog post? If you're Gennifer, are you spending your time following TDD's blog, of all places? Doubtful. __ Maybe. However, it's NOT doubtful that well-meaning friends would tell her of the post thinking she'd like the fact that Steph made a mistake. Remember, we're dealing with women here.
148 - What do you hate about the Scrap Pin gallery? I personally thought there were some problems with the implementation of it - the search function not working properly, layouts not showing up when you scroll through your gallery, it being so separate from the forum (like you can't PM someone from their gallery and it uses a completely different login). But I didn't see any of these as reasons to "hate" the gallery. I did, though, feel like it was hastily implemented and/or tested, and that the bugs were not fixed in a timely manner. I have not used the gallery very much, so I don't know if any of the bugs I observed are still outstanding or not.
What's to hate about the scrap pin gallery ... let me count the ways ...
1 - the required use of hashtags. Hashtags are a waste of space and really ugly, but if you don't use them you don't get challenge credit. When you look at the scrap-pin gallery now you don't see layout titles you see a bunch of hashtag garbage. 2 - re-pinning. Your layout could be re-pinned and people might comment on the re-pin thinking that the person who re-pinned it created it, and you would never know about the comment 3 - browsing. It sucks. In a normal digital gallery you can choose a gallery (like a specific challenge or designer) and browse it easily. With the new one you have to find the right hashtag and click it. Hoping that people hashtag correctly. 4 - pins are not chronological, they are weighted by who likes them comments on them, repins them, etc 5 - cross-linking. With a regular digi gallery, it can be uploaded to multiple galleries at once - for example, a collab can go into the participating designers gallery at once. To do that now, it has to be re-pinned so it shows multiple times.
I'm sure there is more but that's all i can lay out right now.
I agree that a system that requires the user to enter memorized hashtags is problematic. Being able to click and scroll down a list is much easier and more reliable because you have that visual reminder to select the galleries you want to upload to.
The current challenge rules at Scrap Orchard actually indicate that you do not even have to upload to Scrap Pin to participate in the challenges, you just have to make your layout image show in the forum thread. You can host the image anywhere you want. However, you do have to provide LINKS to the products you use to get full credit for the challenge ... another example of what I think is requiring too much work for the user. Aren't new technologies supposed to make it easier, not harder, for the user?
I'm #148 - everything that #150 said about why I hate the gallery. I used to regularly do the challenges and buy products at SO and upload them whenever I used them, now I never do challenges and only rarely buy products. Ever since it came out, about 95% of the comments about it have been negative, but TPTB simply do not care. And why should I have to provide a link to an SO product that I used in a challenge? I might have bought it a few months ago and don't feel like searching for it. You're telling me that they can't recognize their own designers and products. They're allowed to do whatever they like, but they've just lost another customer who used to be a VERY good customer, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.
The ScrapPin gallery is part of the reason why I don't take part in challenges at SO. Yes, you want to stand out from the other stores but having a gallery that's difficult to use isn't the way to go. I used to buy quite a bit there but the ScrapPin gallery, loss of SuzyQ, and the addition of Bella Gypsy have caused me to go elsewhere.
Let me add more reasons not to like the SO gallery. When you want to upload multiple layouts, it takes much longer. You cant make a nice elegant hyperlink now to the kids in the store, you have to put the whole url iin there. If I have a double layout and want to upload both halves, it's difficult to ensure they'll load next to each other. If I want to modify a layout, I have to delete the old one and put in the new one (you used to be able to reload a photo). And I'm not too fond of their new rules that challenges have to be 100% SO. Not even the template can be from outside their store.
and the SO FB hop vs. Digiscrap Parade FB hop saga continues. Both at the same time - Kami feels her girls shouldn't be involved in the DSP..and yet all those damned SO designers are STILL in the dsp group. what's wrong with this picture?
i wroted that i hate the gallery at so 2 :) but dit not post anonymous lol i normally don't post here that shows lol i even don't read here much but then i saw the post about the gallery :) i am so frusted about that gallery for so long now i thought i would list that
Anonymous said... 153 I'm #148 - everything that #150 said about why I hate the gallery. I used to regularly do the challenges and buy products at SO and upload them whenever I used them, now I never do challenges and only rarely buy products. Ever since it came out, about 95% of the comments about it have been negative, but TPTB simply do not care. And why should I have to provide a link to an SO product that I used in a challenge? I might have bought it a few months ago and don't feel like searching for it. You're telling me that they can't recognize their own designers and products. They're allowed to do whatever they like, but they've just lost another customer who used to be a VERY good customer, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. ___________________________________________________________ Ditto, no more challenges, etc. I have spent very little at SO since they implemented the new gallery and never look there for inspiration. Plus I still haven't figured out if I can access my layouts that were in the old gallery.
Plus I still haven't figured out if I can access my layouts that were in the old gallery. ------------- You could for a while - there was a link that would take you to the old gallery. They said it wouldn't last forever and to save/move your layouts if you wanted. The link was still there - I tried going there (the old gallery) a couple weeks ago and couldn't, so I think they finally deleted it.
On Studio Flergs Facebook page: So it's almost DSD time again! And I have 3 sneak peeks to show you. I'll be back later to show you my first peek for this weekend!
That was a short retirement.....wonder where she will be at?
So much for them "not having any space on their staff" for new designers. Filthy liars. -------- I'm pretty sure it's not about space. They've always been that way. When they want someone, they ask - and if it's a yes, then they join. Yes they have rare designer calls, but besides those - I think it's pretty much an invite-only place. They ask you - not the other way around. Like it or hate it - but they've been doing it that way for as long as I can remember.
So much for them "not having any space on their staff" for new designers. Filthy liars. -- What do you want them to say? You suck? What they're saying is they have no place on their staff for you or whoever they said it to. That's not a lie. For whatever reasons, they don't want whoever they turn down. That's their right. Grow up.
They ask you - not the other way around. -- This practice is certainly not limited to SSD. I would venture to guess that most stores approach most of their designers. How many designer calls have you observed from the major stores in the past five years? Yet, they stay fully staffed. Hmmmmm.
Interesting! I thought DSP only had exclusive designers. Emily Abramson is at both DSP and Etsy, with the same products too. Hmmmm https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/PolkaDotPixels
Some contracts allow the designer to have a personal store. Many don't consider personal stores conflicts of interest.
And I salute SBG, SSD, TLP and others that don't regularly have open calls and most of their designers have been invited. Although I think SBG doesn't have the same caliber of designer that it used to. SSD has never been my favorite place but they have solid designers. I truly believe some of the designers at TLP are only there because of friendships and blah blah blah. For the most part though, those stores have the designers that they have, and 'everyone' wants to sell there because of their exclusive designer call practices.
For the most part though, those stores have the designers that they have, and 'everyone' wants to sell there because of their exclusive designer call practices. -- ^^This. Exactly.^^
Oh, and I just went to SO gallery because of all the fuss on here (I don't frequent there), and I must say I hate that gallery two. Whoever their webdesigner is might want to take a lesson or two. All the layouts are chopped off on the right edge in the main gallery view. Other than that I actually like the rest of it. Thumbs up to SO for being setting themselves aside. It's much like pinterest or scrapstacks. I like, but get a new web designer. The new navigation bar with the striped rollover is just bad design sense in so many ways.
I noticed someone else posted about this but don't think anyone responded. I'm curious too. Is TDD only accepting credit cards now, no more paypal? And did the $5 option go away? I emailed CS but no reply yet :/
If you were paying with paypal and continued your subscription or month to month, you could keep using PayPal. Otherwise, you have to use their new payment gateway. That is what I understand.
DSD seems pretty subdued this year. None of the designers I ct for have anything ready, either. I'm sure they'll all throw everything at us Thursday night expecting layouts by Friday.
I didn't notice a difference between this year's and last year's level of excitement. There are several blog trains already and I'm sure there'll be great sales, challenges, etc. Not sure what's so subdued about it?
If customers at SO don't use the gallery, which I'm sure many don't, they'll certainly get pissed off about the new cart. Just like I have. Every time I go back, my old items are in the cart again even though I keep clearing it. I can't even see what's in my cart unless I click a button at the bottom of the screen.
WTH?
This is horrible and right before DSD? No thanks. I don't need anything in the store badly enough to deal with horrible cart design and implementation. Doesn't anyone there test this stuff?
I lied. I guess RLS scrapped doesn't have a forum but but they posted last years sales round up on the 31st so I'm assuming they will do so this year as well.
187 - Step away from Fox News every once in awhile. -- I'm not #187 but you're showing your ignorance here. Fox News has absolutely nothing to do with the public outrage regarding the Affordable Care Act web site. The fact that you state it does shows you have absolutely no idea what's going on. Step away from the digismack blog, get a newspaper and read something in it besides the funnies, Idiot.
People who interject stupid political "jokes" into a non-political conversation are as bad as women who can't think of anything else to talk about besides their boring, ordinary kids.
In the past I have enjoyed Ginger Scraps facebook hops but this one is blech. The colors are really bad.
Also if anyone from Ginger Scraps admin reads - it would be really nice if you gave your hops a name so I could make a folder with a kit name, not 'Ginger Scraps 2013 DSD Blog Hop'
^ I was about to come here to post that! I wanted to like it and kept going to find just one portion I'd download... I ended up getting the template from m&m designs, but that's it.
200, I was just coming to ask and see who had opened it after d/l... I just downloaded it, but haven't opened yet. Wondering what the general consensus is...
988 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 988 Newer› Newest»Is she really opening there or just helping out? It says at the bottom of the store main page: "Design & Customization by Veronica Spriggs" but her name is not in the designer list... at least not yet.
She is listed as the owner.
Not doubting you but curious; where do you see her listed as the owner?
http://digiscrapboutique.com/portfolio/veronicaspriggs/
Manu's listed as a designer. Isn't she still at SBG, too???
She's had this store for a very long time, but reading the linked page makes it sound like she's leaving SBG.
Yes, Manu is still at SBG. And she's at theStudio too. I thought SBG was exclusive?
http://scrapseeds.com/shop/Mini-Guide-for-the-best-Quality-Designer.html
Just LOL
Different Manu. Manuela Zimmerman is at SBG and Manu Scraps is at Digiscrap Boutique. SBG is exclusive.
Maybe Veronica does not design for her store and only owns it, which might be ok with the exclusivity clause at SBG. Maybe there is nothing "odd" there. I dunno.
Ahh got it, 10. Thanks for clearing that up, I was confused there for a minute.
#9, why is that funny?
13, I'm not 9 - but everything about it is funny. Everything.
I don't understand what's funny about it either. Maybe 9 and 14 could explain. Really, I'm interested to know why it's funny. The inclusion of coupons from other CU designers makes it appear as it's been endorsed by them.
Maybe it's funny because she's written a book in English and her English is not that good? "Mini Guide for the best Quality Designer" is its title. Not only is that title a little off in its English, its also misleading. Going by the table of contents it is all about how to do macro photography and extractions. Surely there is more to being a best quality designer than that! (I know, Shirley again!)
Since this is a smackblog I would really like to know your opinions-the negative ones of course-about online storage sites. I've searched the internet and I read good reviews for almost all the famous online storage-backup sites. But my problem is that I have tons of stuff I want to backup online and since we're all into digital scrapping I'm guessing I'm not the only one with 1TB digi files. So where do you backup your files online? Which sites should I avoid? Do they really upload 2gb a day at maximum speed (if true I'll need a year for backing up) Please help and smack away...
re: online storage sites
There have been a couple episodes of http://thedigishow.com/ that have talked a little about online storage. Sorry I don't remember which episodes.
I use Backblaze and it has saved my fanny more than once.
I am a designer and I try to make my textures similar per kit, but I do not do the same texture on every paper. Unfortunately for 'known' designers, I think they aren't lazy or learning. They don't care. Their product sells with minimum effort so they don't feel the need to do the little things like change up the texture a bit.
As a customer only (not a designer), I think known designers realize that most customers want similar textures on their papers. Anyone who prints their pages will want crisp, lightly textured papers. Heavy textures look strange and they don't look at all like real paper. Having multiple types of textures on a page also doesn't look like real paper - which is what many scrappers are shooting for.
I think it's only other designers who think known designers become lazy. People buy their products for a reason. Dismissing it by saying customers are essentially stupid and will buy anything is part of the problem for many not as well known designers and it would do some of you well to think about that for awhile.
#21 - Spot On!!! I'm a designer and I use the same textures quite often, due to the fact, I also scrap and print my pages. I like my scrapbooks to have consistency.
Newsflash: most of the people who post on this blog are bitter, unknown designers who think that as soon as customers discover their amazingly unique, completely CU-free designs they'll wonder how they ever lived without them. Believing that customers are just too stupid or lazy to seek out "high quality" designs is what keeps them going.
re textures: someone (actually, a few people) said to rotate the papers 90 degrees or some other angle. Problem is, then the light source is off, or the texture looks weird (if the paper has a noticeable vertical or horizontal texture, for example). That's the problem with digital: I can't just "angle" a paper and have it look right on my page, as I could on a real piece of paper.
And 20 said " I think they aren't lazy or learning. They don't care. Their product sells with minimum effort so they don't feel the need to do the little things like change up the texture a bit." But isn't lazy kind of defined as "only doing the minimum effort required"? I'm not trying to mince words. I just think it's funny you say that they're not lazy, yet you then go on to basically say...they're lazy.
Actually I think many of those 'big name' designers read here and get nasty when they get called out for their bullshit.
25 - Whatever helps you sleep at night.
oh wow #26 - have you found the cure for insomnia??? !!!!
Gag. listened to the Paperclipping Roundtable podcast from October 1. I like to hear the guests (for the most part) but can we dispense with the Noell is so cute/hot/sexy/ditzy/organic/happy crap? And Izzy can't get enough of her. I like them well enough but sheesh. I haven't seen her videos in a while, but last I saw she was in her tank tops/teenager crap clothes
24 - I guess it is kind of the same thing... The message that I was trying to convey was more of a they can be complacent and don't take pride in their designs. They know that they are going to sell no matter how much or little time and effort they put into it.
Those in the know- will there be another digiscrap parade in November? Colors? Theme? I assume p&co will be included since that is the host's new shop?
25 - Whatever helps you sleep at night.
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No, whatever helps you sleep at night.
It works like pinterest, the layout is similar. The good thing is you can make all boards public not just three like pinterest
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Are you high? All of my boards on Pinterest are public and there's way more than three of them.
30 - Yes, there will.
Pixels was already in the last DSP.
I thought that was the whole to-do last time was that SSD pitched a fit and the PCo designers were removed from the FB group?
PCo has been in The Parade for a while now. If you read back on this blog, they were added right after the first Parade ended and that's when some of the other designers in the group (mainly SO) "pitched a fit" about it. But really they didn't throw a fit about PCo, it was just about Gennifer being added. So she left the group and the rest of the PCo designers stayed in the group and some of them participated in August.
Funny that only no-name jealous designers read hear apparently, but big name SO designers pitched a fit because Gennifer used to own this blog ...
*here
LOL 37!
It wasn't just SO who got all hissy, it was SSD too. And 36 is right that PCo designers weren't kicked out of the Parade just because of the fit some people threw which I was happy to see.
I hope more of the Pixels & Co designers do The Parade in November. I love that store.
41 how do you search without setting up an account and signing in? I would NEVER signup for a site like that, but want to know if my work is being shared there. Is there a way around the signup?
I am 41. I signed up because I couldn't find a way around it. I keep an email account for things that I don't want coming to my regular inbox and used that. You could set up a new email just for this and close it later.
good luck to anyone d/l files there, Virus Warnings all over the place. if they want kits that bad then they deserve to have their computers crash.
41 how do you search without setting up an account and signing in? I would NEVER signup for a site like that, but want to know if my work is being shared there. Is there a way around the signup?
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If you are a halfway popular designer, I bet your designs are being shared there or somewhere anyway. There are forums/blogs out there (private ones) that regularly give out the file sharing information because they feel the tou's and prices for designs are outlandish. There's really no way to stop these people because they just shut down and do it somewhere else. I do think it would be great if every time someone did this, they caught a nasty virus!
good luck to anyone d/l files there, Virus Warnings all over the place. if they want kits that bad then they deserve to have their computers crash.
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Unfortunately, apparently it doesn't happen enough because illegal file sharing is very much alive and well in the digiworld.
Anyone who prints their pages will want crisp, lightly textured papers.
_
This. I don't want really crumpled up or shitty looking paper in unrealistic textures for my bound books. Those papers look awful and get trashed when I dl the kit. If the designer makes it a habit to include crappy paper in her kits, she loses a customer.
OK geniuses, how about we NOT post a direct link to a file sharing site in a place where we can't edit it and remove that link? Those of us who have kits being pirated aren't in the mood for all of the non-designers/CTMs who read this blog and want to DL our kits to know where to go.
Since Facebook wants to charge you for boosting those who see your post, I've noticed that certain designers create an 'event' instead to let everyone know they're released a new kit. Does this work?
There are forums/blogs out there (private ones) that regularly give out the file sharing information because they feel the tou's and prices for designs are outlandish.
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It's laughable to me that anyone thinks digital product prices are "outlandish." Are you kidding? Digital designers (often through their own bad marketing choices and actions) and their products are so undervalued it's ridiculous. I cringe for designers every time I see a dollar sale.
OK geniuses, how about we NOT post a direct link to a file sharing site in a place where we can't edit it and remove that link? Those of us who have kits being pirated aren't in the mood for all of the non-designers/CTMs who read this blog and want to DL our kits to know where to go.
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So it's okay for fellow designers to download the kits? Good to know.
It's laughable to me that anyone thinks digital product prices are "outlandish." Are you kidding? Digital designers (often through their own bad marketing choices and actions) and their products are so undervalued it's ridiculous. I cringe for designers every time I see a dollar sale.
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I don't know why. I typically do $800-1000 in sales in just a few days with $1 program. How long does it take you to make that much?
I agree with # 49 - I'm not comfortable at all with links to pirating sites being posted on here.
Please think before you post things people.
So it's okay for fellow designers to download the kits? Good to know.
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No I just assumed that designers would know better than to download pirated kits. Well except for Lena and Tabatha that is. They like to share files.
55 if you're really the blog owner, can't you edit - or delete - the comments w/ the file sharing links? It's great that you agree and all, but removing the comments would be more effective. There are 2 posted now, BTW. #41 and #54.
No I just assumed that designers would know better than to download pirated kits.
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Really? You know what they say about assuming. I'm a CTM, but hey, thanks for thinking that I don't know any better than to download kits, because clearly, as I'm not a designer, I must be either super stupid or a thief.
OK geniuses, how about we NOT post a direct link to a file sharing site in a place where we can't edit it and remove that link? Those of us who have kits being pirated aren't in the mood for all of the non-designers/CTMs who read this blog and want to DL our kits to know where to go.
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You know what, genius? There are so many file sharing sites out there that don't require signing up and anyone can see what's on offer, that I doubt anyone would be bothered with this one which requires a sign in just to see what's on offer.
I'm ok with deleting the links and leaving the comments if that is what people want. I was just being cautious due to the backlash directed at me the last time I removed links.
I couldn't edit the posts to remove the links so the only option left was to remove them. Apologies to the posters of those comments.
#50 Facebook events are annoying. I un-like or un-frend whoever sends out events for sales or new products.
Thanks admin for removing the links. I'm not a designer--just a lowly CTM that feel bad for the designers I ct for.
I don't know why. I typically do $800-1000 in sales in just a few days with $1 program. How long does it take you to make that much?
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You also risk training customers to wait for your $1 sales, reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1. Which puts you in an endless cycle of marking things down in order to make any money in the long run.
Bravo.
You also risk training customers to wait for your $1 sales, reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1. Which puts you in an endless cycle of marking things down in order to make any money in the long run.
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Not so far. I have great sales all month
You also risk training customers to wait for your $1 sales, reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1.
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This is a crock of shit. I have bought designers' dollar designs and have become a faithful customer who pays full price thereafter because of those purchases. Since so many do it, I have to believe I'm not alone. Marking down your designs for a few days is a wonderful way to draw customers and it's nice to get a bargain now and then. This is a sales tactic used worldwide in all types of industry and from what I've observed, it's been very successful.
reducing your potential to charge full price for your products and leading them to believe that they aren't worth any more than $1
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People are not stupid, even your customers. If people aren't paying full price for your designs it's because they feel they're not worth the amount you're asking. The idea that you have to "train" your customers to buy your work at full price is absurd.
Not so far. I have great sales all month
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and I bet that's because you do good work and once in a while you give the customer a break and have a killer sale!
You know what, genius? There are so many file sharing sites out there that don't require signing up and anyone can see what's on offer, that I doubt anyone would be bothered with this one which requires a sign in just to see what's on offer.
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These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places. I found a couple by accident looking for something else. It was an Asian site that was jammed full of Scrapbookgraphics kits, especially RoseyPosey's. She wanted something like five dollars for a "membership" and you could download unlimited number of kits.
64: You're crazy. That's like saying people only shop on Black Friday.
Unfortunately, on a lot of Asian sites, piracy prevails. I saw a lot of kits for sale for 2 or 3 Chinese Yuan. That's about a nickel.
These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places.
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I never said it was. However, the one listed was a place that required signing in. Please do read the whole of my post, where I specially point out that there are many, many sites that don't require a sign in. You even quoted that part!
These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places.
And signing in is really not a big deal and if you are a designer you should take the time and energy to check these type of sites. Trust me there are tons of designer kits being shared and this only hurts your sales. Being proactive is being responsible. Unless you don't care if you are giving everything away.
It has been studied in the entertainment industry and proven that piracy does not hurt sales. In some cases, it increases sales. http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-03/21/music-piracy-doesnt-hurt-sales
As a designer, I don't waste my time checking those sites or even worrying about them. Any designer who does is likely a low sales designer looking for another reason why her sales are low. It's probably not due to any piracy...
Like the music business, most pirated items in digital scrapbooking are items that the pirate wouldn't have purchased anyway. No loss of sales there. It's also been proven in the entertainment industry that piracy increases artist awareness and can lead to an increase in sales. I suspect the same could also happen in digi.
Do what you want as far as piracy, but facts are facts. You're likely just wasting your time on some moral quest when you could be designing, marketing and making more money.
I agree that it's wasting time to go on a piracy hunt on the internet. First of all, you couldn't begin to scratch the surface of what's out there and, secondly, as I said before, once someone is detected and receives complaints, he or she just crops up somewhere else under a different name. It would be foolhardy to believe you could keep tabs on such a matter. I also agree that the jerks who do this are not potential customers nor are they a threat to a designer's success in any way. They're more like an annoying fly you can't shoo away.
These are not covert operations where you need some super powers to detect and subsequently "get into" these places.
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I never said it was. However, the one listed was a place that required signing in. Please do read the whole of my post, where I specially point out that there are many, many sites that don't require a sign in. You even quoted that part!
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Good grief, I wasn't slamming or questioning anything you or anybody else said. We're discussing piracy and file sharing sites, not the wording of your post. However, since you wanna act like you're ten years old and make this a personal slam, if you're the poster who sarcastically referred to another poster as "genius," take a look in the mirror, Einstein. You have absolutely no room to talk.
You're likely just wasting your time on some moral quest when you could be designing, marketing and making more money.
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^^Agree!^^
I hope more of the Pixels & Co designers do The Parade in November. I love that store.
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A classic example of the dollar sales being successful is P&Co. They had a killer dollar sale not too long ago (probably longer ago than it seems) and I bought a bunch of stuff from designers new to me. I have bought from almost everyone of them since then at full price and will continue to do so. Had I not been able to sample their wares at such a low price, I'd probably still not be familiar with most of them.
signed:
Someone who wasn't "trained" to just pay a dollar and never pay more
However, since you wanna act like you're ten years old and make this a personal slam, if
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When you directly quote someone, how can it not be taken as personal? Think about it.
I hope more of the Pixels & Co designers do The Parade in November. I love that store.
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A classic example of the dollar sales being successful is P&Co. They had a killer dollar sale not too long ago (probably longer ago than it seems) and I bought a bunch of stuff from designers new to me. I have bought from almost everyone of them since then at full price and will continue to do so. Had I not been able to sample their wares at such a low price, I'd probably still not be familiar with most of them.
signed:
Someone who wasn't "trained" to just pay a dollar and never pay more
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How would YOU know if it was successful or not if you are only a customer? Only the shop owner and maybe the designers would know if it were successful or not. Kudos to someone from P&Co for trying to market themselves though.
I don't stress out over or search out pirates, but if I encounter one of my kits being shared I do file the DMCA. It doesn't take long and it gets my stuff off that site. But I do believe that those who make it their mission to hunt down pirates are hurting themselves more than they are hurting the pirates.
How would YOU know if it was successful or not if you are only a customer?
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Because it was successful from her point of view, of course. She bought at $1 and then bought more at full price. I thought that was pretty damn obvious.
^ Ditto 82. I just read all of this and it was pretty obvious that the person who posted at #78 was arguing against the idea that dollar sales train customers to wait for sales. Nowhere in her post did she make it sound like she knew whether the designers' sale was successful during the dollar sale. She only said that she bought from new-to-her designers and then later bought from them at full price.
Sounds like #80 is jealous and trying to make that store look bad. Busted!
I agree with #78 and #82 - I bought a ton of stuff at P&Co's dollar sale, and I've bought a lot more of their items at either full price or the new release discount. Having the dollar sale has not kept me from buying at regular prices, it's just kept me interested in seeing all the great new stuff they're releasing and wanting to add it to my stash. And no, I am not a designer or CT for P&Co, just a happy customer.
Oh, and it's also Mixed Matters grab bags at SM this weekend, and you can bet I'll be checking that out. And yet I still buy full price or new release price at SM all the time.
"I'm not a designer or CT for P&Co"
Please. It's pretty apparent by the way P&Co is usually painted in the best possible light on this blog, and the way that they're SO pitied for all the horrible injustices that they face, that there are plenty of P&Co designers and CT in attendance. Let's not kid anyone.
#86, I didn't say there aren't a lot of P&Co designers and CTs here, I just said I'm not one of them. I know every time someone says something good about a store or designer, they're going to be accused of working for that store.
Please. It's pretty apparent by the way P&Co is usually painted in the best possible light on this blog, and the way that they're SO pitied for all the horrible injustices that they face, that there are plenty of P&Co designers and CT in attendance. Let's not kid anyone.
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I honestly don't see that store as painted in any better way than a few of the other major digi stores when I read this blog. Injustices? Like what? I hear more whining about SSD and SO always getting trashed here than I ever do about any other shops.
But more importantly, why do you care how that store is painted on this blog? Ask yourself that question.
I think there are a lot of jealous designers and/or store owners on this forum. They can't quite grasp that some people actually LIKE some of the things they find at other stores, since apparently no one likes their stuff.
Personally I've always thought that very few of the PCO designers read this blog, or else I assumed we would have heard the gossip behind their mass exodus from DHD last year because you just know there has to be some juicy gossip in that whole thing. The way that whole thing has stayed completely quiet makes me think that their designers are either not here or very close and loyal.
^^ I agree.
Their issues with the Parade and TDD came up here very quickly, though.
The parade didn't until TDD. I was surprised I never read about it until then, because I knew about the parade when it happened.
^ Exactly, and I think the TDD stuff came up from someone else. I'm not going to scroll back and search to find it, but someone recently made a comment about the TDD stuff being real and how they'd "read the e-mails" and it didn't sound as though they were the person who actually received those e-mails. Sounded to me as though one of the designers confided in a non-PCO person, who then posted here on the blog. To that person's credit, they didn't spill the exact details. Unfortunately for all of us, they didn't spill the exact details.
I think the person that posted about TDD was on a CT with someone who was also on the CT of a PCO designer. I remember thinking it was very "friend of a friend" and wondering how accurate it was, so I asked my friend who's a designer there. She confirmed it.
How would YOU know if it was successful or not if you are only a customer?
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I'm #78 and others already answered for me so I won't do that, however, I will say that your jealousy and venom really shines through in your posts. If you don't mind that, cool. If you think you're hiding it, you're not at all. Whoever you are get used to the fact that when quality designers have killer sales, they WILL attract new customers who are faithful and willing to pay more later. The key is quality and THAT seems to hit a raw nerve with you.
But more importantly, why do you care how that store is painted on this blog? Ask yourself that question.
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This would be a really good question for you to ponder because you definitely appear to have some jealousy going on for the store and its designers.
I think there are a lot of jealous designers and/or store owners on this forum. They can't quite grasp that some people actually LIKE some of the things they find at other stores, since apparently no one likes their stuff.
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I agree and at times I would LOVE to know who these jealous jerks are because I'd never buy a thing from them again. It's clear there are designers who praise their counterparts and others who detest it when someone else gets the slightest compliment.
I don't really care about this argument but I have to point out the obvious, which is that "no no, they don't post here!" is exactly the sort of thing PCo designers and staff would post here. It's not as though they'd say "Yep, you got us!" So all this defense of PCo wouldn't really convince any of us who believe they stir things up on here and casually plug their site here amidst complaints about other stores. And that we also accuse SSD of sending their fangirls in to defend SSD as well. So why so defensive about PCo unless it hit too close to home?
I'm the poster who commented awhile back that I was getting goDigitalScrapbooking.com newsletters, even though I had asked to be taken off their newsletter list months ago, so I finally just reported them. Since then, I have received 3 MORE newsletters from them. Unbelievable! Who owns this store anyway?
I've reported them to the FTC too. I'm not sure who runs the store. I'm actually considered contacting one of the designer to find out. I wonder if the designers there know that it's damn near impossible to get off the GDS list.
I didn't purchase much stuff there anyway, but I won't purchase a thing there anymore because of this whole email snafu.
It took me all of five seconds to find the owner of goDigital - Andrea Gold.
I don't really care about this argument but I have to point out the obvious, which is that "no no, they don't post here!" is exactly the sort of thing PCo designers and staff would post here. It's not as though they'd say "Yep, you got us!" So all this defense of PCo wouldn't really convince any of us who believe they stir things up on here and casually plug their site here amidst complaints about other stores. And that we also accuse SSD of sending their fangirls in to defend SSD as well. So why so defensive about PCo unless it hit too close to home?
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WTF are you talking about? Every time SSD gets bashed on this blog, for an example, there's immediately about 10 posts telling the OP to "get a life" and "you're just jealous" and "you wish you sold here" and "Robin is amazing" etc. It's no different for any shop (although I do think SSD is the worst w/ their rabid CT and fans). It's interesting to me that you are accusing Pixels & Co. of "casually plugging their site here amidst complaints about other stores." For one thing, if it's true then they are not the only one. More importantly though - what store or designer or owner actually wants to be brought up on this blog? None I know of. Why would they do that to themselves? It makes no sense.
For the record, I don't design there or CT there or even shop there. But I read this blog, and know exactly the way things go down around this place.
I don't really care about this argument but I have to point out the obvious, which is that "no no, they don't post here!" is exactly the sort of thing PCo designers and staff would post here. It's not as though they'd say "Yep, you got us!"
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Kinda the same way you wouldn't admit that you are from one of the shops that competes with them, and that you keep trying to make the other shops in digiland look bad on this blog? Post as yourself and let us see who you are, or else I cry "hypocrite"!
Manic Monday at ScrapMatters
Hey 99, you might want to get down here and start policing the blog! Someone just tried to enable SM! ^^^ OMG the disease is spreading. It's not just Pixels and Co. that is getting good press! HURRY!
Does anyone work at digidesignresort? I see that they have a call. Any info?
#106 - Well, it MUST be the owner of SM then, because who else could possibly like kits at half off?
LOL 108 exactly (I'm 106, and was being sarcastic)
Six bags and none worth buying. Sad.
Does SM have a quality control/review process?
Just to fuel the P&Co TDD fire. Are the following a coincidence?
TDD post "Quickly Creating a Matte To Add A Paper Border"
Gennifer Bursett FB post "PSA: Mat, something placed under something else. Matte: Not shiny. Just to clear that up"
Or words to that effect, (can't locate the exact wording of Gennifer's FB post). I just picked up on it because Steph's use of "matte" was very bizarre and then Gennifer's FB post. Definitely having a dig!
Except she's wrong. Matt, matte and mat are all correct when used in connection with a paper or cardboard background for a photo. When being a smart ass, make sure you are smart ...
Well, long as we're being the grammar police and stirring the pot, to boot... Quotes are used around the words of a speaker/writer when you are quoting them exactly. Not when you are paraphrasing something to the "effect" of what was written.
See how I did that, there? *smh*
Wrong, 113. Mat and matt can be used to describe the process of making something matte, but it doesn't work for the reverse. Most people who are using it that way aren't doing it intentionally, they just got lucky that it works.
When being a smart ass, make sure YOU are smart.
^^^^
Nope, you are wrong. I looked it up and all forms are correct when referring to a backing paper or card for a photograph or picture. It's just that "matte" is not used often, but that doesn't mean it's incorrect.
Try again.
*If* I believed you, which I don't, I would bring up the point that usage in recent times has accounted for atrocities such as "irregardless" being considered correct now. With enough idiots butchering the language, anything can be deemed correct online.
Most people who are using it that way aren't doing it intentionally, they just got lucky that it works.
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You know this because you can read everyone's mind and know everyone's intent (or lack of) when they use the word? When being an asshole, make sure you don't generalize. When you do, it indicates you are a liar and/or you are ignorant about the topic you're discussing.
*If* I believed you, which I don't, I would bring up the point that usage in recent times has accounted for atrocities such as "irregardless" being considered correct now. With enough idiots butchering the language, anything can be deemed correct online.
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Speaking of idiots, your comparison of "irregardless" and the use of the word matte doesn't wash. Irregardless is not a word now and never has been. Matte is a word (not even you dispute that) and what is being discussed is its definition. Caught up now?
*If* I believed you, which I don't, I would bring up the point that usage in recent times has accounted for atrocities such as "irregardless" being considered correct now. With enough idiots butchering the language, anything can be deemed correct online.
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It's not a matter of belief. You don't need to pick up a Bible to figure this one out, just a dictionary.
Let me spell it out for the dumb ones. Irregardless is a word now, because enough idiots used it for long enough that it is considered acceptable usage. Anyone with a brain knows it's not a real word.
Matte/matt/mat are going to go the same way if people keep using them wrong. I don't even know Gennifer except by reputation, but I agree with her.
Ok, "not Gennifer". Whatever you say.
Ok, Steph. Whatever you say. SMH.
This blog used to be mildly interesting to read, now it's become a playground for bored women with nothing better to do with their time than be unpleasant and immature. Get a life!
When was it ever NOT unpleasant and immature? It's always been so.
Oh 124 you're soooooo mature and refined! Better put your white gloves back on before you touch anything around here.
Just to fuel the P&Co TDD fire. Are the following a coincidence?
TDD post "Quickly Creating a Matte To Add A Paper Border"
Gennifer Bursett FB post "PSA: Mat, something placed under something else. Matte: Not shiny. Just to clear that up"
Or words to that effect, (can't locate the exact wording of Gennifer's FB post). I just picked up on it because Steph's use of "matte" was very bizarre and then Gennifer's FB post. Definitely having a dig!
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......and she should! Steph is just effing ridiculous. This makes me want to sell at PCO and work for Gennifer.
LOL 126
What #127 said, especially the part about working at PCO.
Why would you want to sell there if you know you're blackballed by other sites?
Where? TDD? It was hardly worth it the first time, so I don't see myself ever doing that again, so why should I care? If Gennifer offered me a spot in her store, I'd be crazy not to say yes.
Anyone know what the commission is there? Someone told me it was 30% which seems high compared to other stores that have been around a lot longer and aren't "blackballed".
Hi, I'm 112 and I apologise for my poor grammar (I am also allowed to spell apologise that way because that is how it is spelt in the UK). My intention was not at all to open a debate about the use of the words mat, matt or matte, but to highlight that there is now open snarking between Gennifer and Steph. I have located the quote and hope that I am now using the quote marks appropriately. Gennifer on FB: "PSA: Mat = something that you put on another surface. Matte = something that is not shiny. Carry on."
I wonder if it makes any difference at all to be blackballed by TDD? From a complete outsiders point of view P&Co seem to be doing fine. Also DD who are never, ever featured by TDD seem to do well. Would it really stop you from selling at a store just because Steph wouldn't feature it on her site?
TDD's endorsement or whatever one wants to call it is irrelevant to me. In fact, anyone's endorsement is irrelevant. I buy where I want when I want. That's what I get to do being a grownup and all.
While I understand Gennifer's dislike (or whatever you want to call it) for Steph, I think the backhanded barb(s) are beneath her (Gennifer). If Steph wants to be a judgmental hag, so be it. Ignoring the whole mess is the answer, not keeping it "alive" by posting on FB, etc.
Would it really stop you from selling at a store just because Steph wouldn't feature it on her site?
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Absolutely not.
DSD is coming designers are already whining about it on Facebook. One of the biggest shopping days of the year and they're bitching about having to... work? I don't get it.
How do we even know that what Gennifer posted is in response to Steph? Where did Steph post about it?
DSD is coming designers are already whining about it on Facebook. One of the biggest shopping days of the year and they're bitching about having to... work? I don't get it.
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Who's bitching about it? You're being rather vague.
How do we even know that what Gennifer posted is in response to Steph? Where did Steph post about it?
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Uh..because, we're not stupid.
I'm serious. Where did Steph post this? I didn't see it, and I'm a member of TDF and follow her on FB.
http://thedailydigi.com/quickly-creating-a-matt-to-add-a-paper-border/
It looks like it was posted on Oct. 20th
I think some people look for drama where there is none. *eyeroll*
Why would Gennifer have even seen that blog post? If you're Gennifer, are you spending your time following TDD's blog, of all places? Doubtful.
Why would Gennifer have even seen that blog post? If you're Gennifer, are you spending your time following TDD's blog, of all places? Doubtful.
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Maybe. However, it's NOT doubtful that well-meaning friends would tell her of the post thinking she'd like the fact that Steph made a mistake. Remember, we're dealing with women here.
I think some people look for drama where there is none. *eyeroll*
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I think people who use facial expressions in their written postings are idiots.
Something I don't get is when you see a preview of a kit and there is some random photo displayed in the frame. It is just weird to me.
Sorry Scrap Orchard. Your new logo is nice, but your new store setup sucks. BIG TIME.
#147 - Not to mention their stupid new challenge system and the absolutely hateful scrap pin gallery.
148 - What do you hate about the Scrap Pin gallery? I personally thought there were some problems with the implementation of it - the search function not working properly, layouts not showing up when you scroll through your gallery, it being so separate from the forum (like you can't PM someone from their gallery and it uses a completely different login). But I didn't see any of these as reasons to "hate" the gallery. I did, though, feel like it was hastily implemented and/or tested, and that the bugs were not fixed in a timely manner. I have not used the gallery very much, so I don't know if any of the bugs I observed are still outstanding or not.
What's to hate about the scrap pin gallery ... let me count the ways ...
1 - the required use of hashtags. Hashtags are a waste of space and really ugly, but if you don't use them you don't get challenge credit. When you look at the scrap-pin gallery now you don't see layout titles you see a bunch of hashtag garbage.
2 - re-pinning. Your layout could be re-pinned and people might comment on the re-pin thinking that the person who re-pinned it created it, and you would never know about the comment
3 - browsing. It sucks. In a normal digital gallery you can choose a gallery (like a specific challenge or designer) and browse it easily. With the new one you have to find the right hashtag and click it. Hoping that people hashtag correctly.
4 - pins are not chronological, they are weighted by who likes them comments on them, repins them, etc
5 - cross-linking. With a regular digi gallery, it can be uploaded to multiple galleries at once - for example, a collab can go into the participating designers gallery at once. To do that now, it has to be re-pinned so it shows multiple times.
I'm sure there is more but that's all i can lay out right now.
I agree that a system that requires the user to enter memorized hashtags is problematic. Being able to click and scroll down a list is much easier and more reliable because you have that visual reminder to select the galleries you want to upload to.
The current challenge rules at Scrap Orchard actually indicate that you do not even have to upload to Scrap Pin to participate in the challenges, you just have to make your layout image show in the forum thread. You can host the image anywhere you want. However, you do have to provide LINKS to the products you use to get full credit for the challenge ... another example of what I think is requiring too much work for the user. Aren't new technologies supposed to make it easier, not harder, for the user?
151 I just copy the image url from the product page- and the, since Im already on that page, copy the link from my browser.
I'm #148 - everything that #150 said about why I hate the gallery. I used to regularly do the challenges and buy products at SO and upload them whenever I used them, now I never do challenges and only rarely buy products. Ever since it came out, about 95% of the comments about it have been negative, but TPTB simply do not care. And why should I have to provide a link to an SO product that I used in a challenge? I might have bought it a few months ago and don't feel like searching for it. You're telling me that they can't recognize their own designers and products. They're allowed to do whatever they like, but they've just lost another customer who used to be a VERY good customer, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.
The ScrapPin gallery is part of the reason why I don't take part in challenges at SO. Yes, you want to stand out from the other stores but having a gallery that's difficult to use isn't the way to go. I used to buy quite a bit there but the ScrapPin gallery, loss of SuzyQ, and the addition of Bella Gypsy have caused me to go elsewhere.
Let me add more reasons not to like the SO gallery. When you want to upload multiple layouts, it takes much longer. You cant make a nice elegant hyperlink now to the kids in the store, you have to put the whole url iin there. If I have a double layout and want to upload both halves, it's difficult to ensure they'll load next to each other. If I want to modify a layout, I have to delete the old one and put in the new one (you used to be able to reload a photo). And I'm not too fond of their new rules that challenges have to be 100% SO. Not even the template can be from outside their store.
and the SO FB hop vs. Digiscrap Parade FB hop saga continues. Both at the same time - Kami feels her girls shouldn't be involved in the DSP..and yet all those damned SO designers are STILL in the dsp group. what's wrong with this picture?
^ who are you and how do you know that "Kami feels her girls shouldn't be involved" ?
Does SO do their FB hop every month? Or have they only been doing it during the same months as the Parade?
Anyone see what Mel wrote before she deleted it?
i wroted that i hate the gallery at so 2 :) but dit not post anonymous lol i normally don't post here that shows lol i even don't read here much but then i saw the post about the gallery :) i am so frusted about that gallery for so long now i thought i would list that
So, does anyone know for sure where Flergs will be setting up Shop?
Can anyone recommend a site for advertisement? Like if you've seen a significant increase in sales after advertising there.
Anonymous said... 153
I'm #148 - everything that #150 said about why I hate the gallery. I used to regularly do the challenges and buy products at SO and upload them whenever I used them, now I never do challenges and only rarely buy products. Ever since it came out, about 95% of the comments about it have been negative, but TPTB simply do not care. And why should I have to provide a link to an SO product that I used in a challenge? I might have bought it a few months ago and don't feel like searching for it. You're telling me that they can't recognize their own designers and products. They're allowed to do whatever they like, but they've just lost another customer who used to be a VERY good customer, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.
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Ditto, no more challenges, etc. I have spent very little at SO since they implemented the new gallery and never look there for inspiration. Plus I still haven't figured out if I can access my layouts that were in the old gallery.
Plus I still haven't figured out if I can access my layouts that were in the old gallery.
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You could for a while - there was a link that would take you to the old gallery. They said it wouldn't last forever and to save/move your layouts if you wanted. The link was still there - I tried going there (the old gallery) a couple weeks ago and couldn't, so I think they finally deleted it.
On Studio Flergs Facebook page:
So it's almost DSD time again! And I have 3 sneak peeks to show you. I'll be back later to show you my first peek for this weekend!
That was a short retirement.....wonder where she will be at?
Flergs is going to SSD, I bet. They have a big "surprise" they say and I have a hunch that's it.
So much for them "not having any space on their staff" for new designers. Filthy liars.
So much for them "not having any space on their staff" for new designers. Filthy liars.
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I'm pretty sure it's not about space. They've always been that way. When they want someone, they ask - and if it's a yes, then they join. Yes they have rare designer calls, but besides those - I think it's pretty much an invite-only place. They ask you - not the other way around. Like it or hate it - but they've been doing it that way for as long as I can remember.
So much for them "not having any space on their staff" for new designers. Filthy liars.
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What do you want them to say? You suck? What they're saying is they have no place on their staff for you or whoever they said it to. That's not a lie. For whatever reasons, they don't want whoever they turn down. That's their right. Grow up.
They ask you - not the other way around.
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This practice is certainly not limited to SSD. I would venture to guess that most stores approach most of their designers. How many designer calls have you observed from the major stores in the past five years? Yet, they stay fully staffed. Hmmmmm.
Interesting! I thought DSP only had exclusive designers. Emily Abramson is at both DSP and Etsy, with the same products too. Hmmmm https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/PolkaDotPixels
I believe Flergs said she is opening her own store.
Some contracts allow the designer to have a personal store. Many don't consider personal stores conflicts of interest.
And I salute SBG, SSD, TLP and others that don't regularly have open calls and most of their designers have been invited. Although I think SBG doesn't have the same caliber of designer that it used to. SSD has never been my favorite place but they have solid designers. I truly believe some of the designers at TLP are only there because of friendships and blah blah blah. For the most part though, those stores have the designers that they have, and 'everyone' wants to sell there because of their exclusive designer call practices.
For the most part though, those stores have the designers that they have, and 'everyone' wants to sell there because of their exclusive designer call practices.
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^^This. Exactly.^^
I believe Flergs said she is opening her own store.
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If this is the case, she'll be back in a store within a year, I imagine.
Oh, and I just went to SO gallery because of all the fuss on here (I don't frequent there), and I must say I hate that gallery two. Whoever their webdesigner is might want to take a lesson or two. All the layouts are chopped off on the right edge in the main gallery view. Other than that I actually like the rest of it. Thumbs up to SO for being setting themselves aside. It's much like pinterest or scrapstacks. I like, but get a new web designer. The new navigation bar with the striped rollover is just bad design sense in so many ways.
I noticed someone else posted about this but don't think anyone responded. I'm curious too. Is TDD only accepting credit cards now, no more paypal? And did the $5 option go away? I emailed CS but no reply yet :/
If you were paying with paypal and continued your subscription or month to month, you could keep using PayPal. Otherwise, you have to use their new payment gateway. That is what I understand.
So who's ready for DSD? Any news or gossip about it?
I've noticed a distinct lack of DSD excitement/plans/exciting plans this year.
DSD seems pretty subdued this year. None of the designers I ct for have anything ready, either. I'm sure they'll all throw everything at us Thursday night expecting layouts by Friday.
Where's the best place to find information about sales, etc. all in one place? DST is dead these days- MSA or DSA or ??????
I didn't notice a difference between this year's and last year's level of excitement. There are several blog trains already and I'm sure there'll be great sales, challenges, etc. Not sure what's so subdued about it?
Guess what day it is!!
Aw come on!!
Guess!!!
If customers at SO don't use the gallery, which I'm sure many don't, they'll certainly get pissed off about the new cart. Just like I have. Every time I go back, my old items are in the cart again even though I keep clearing it. I can't even see what's in my cart unless I click a button at the bottom of the screen.
WTH?
This is horrible and right before DSD? No thanks. I don't need anything in the store badly enough to deal with horrible cart design and implementation. Doesn't anyone there test this stuff?
186-Maybe they hired the same company as the USA did to design their Obamacare website. But no, it probably works better than that one.
187 - Step away from Fox News every once in awhile.
DSA, DST, and RLS all have forums dedicated to iDSD. Look like it's mostly individual designer sales that have been announced so far.
I lied. I guess RLS scrapped doesn't have a forum but but they posted last years sales round up on the 31st so I'm assuming they will do so this year as well.
Free mega by P&Co is up! You need to do the blog hop to collect the code.
DSF has a DSD forum too but there's only one post there
187 - Step away from Fox News every once in awhile.
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I'm not #187 but you're showing your ignorance here. Fox News has absolutely nothing to do with the public outrage regarding the Affordable Care Act web site. The fact that you state it does shows you have absolutely no idea what's going on. Step away from the digismack blog, get a newspaper and read something in it besides the funnies, Idiot.
Free mega by P&Co is up! You need to do the blog hop to collect the code.
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This kit is spectacular. Ginger Scraps fb hop shows promise too. So far I am impressed!
Already got Piccadilly, off to check out GS hop, thanks!
193-We don't watch Fox news thank you.
People who interject stupid political "jokes" into a non-political conversation are as bad as women who can't think of anything else to talk about besides their boring, ordinary kids.
Oh wait...
In the past I have enjoyed Ginger Scraps facebook hops but this one is blech. The colors are really bad.
Also if anyone from Ginger Scraps admin reads - it would be really nice if you gave your hops a name so I could make a folder with a kit name, not 'Ginger Scraps 2013 DSD Blog Hop'
^ I was about to come here to post that! I wanted to like it and kept going to find just one portion I'd download... I ended up getting the template from m&m designs, but that's it.
Just d/l P&Co Piccadilly , coloured me impressed. I even stuck around and brought a few things.
200, I was just coming to ask and see who had opened it after d/l... I just downloaded it, but haven't opened yet. Wondering what the general consensus is...
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