in·cite/inˈsīt/ Verb: Encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior). Urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way: "he incited loyal subjects to rebellion".
Dear Sweet Shoppe, Thanks for hosting another high school type contest. Thank you for choosing the same one person to win 3 individual medals and 1 all around medal (Kimberly Morris). Thanks for also choosing the same, tired Sweet Shoppe kiss asses to win 98% of the other medals. Most of all, thank you for saving me money because I'll never shop in your store again. Signed, One of Many Pissed Off Scrappers
Thank your for admitting what a true idiot you and so many other scrappers are. If it weren't for pathetic wanna-bes like you, we would have been out of business long ago.
If you don't like all the ass-kissing and game playing at our shop and forums, you were free to leave and quit buying a long time ago. The fact that you stuck around and kept throwing money at us just proves that you don't dislike the clique mentality-you just want to be a big part of it. Boo fucking hoo for you that we didn't accept you into our inner circle. I'll bet if we would have you, sheeples like you would be more than willing to play the game right along with us.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
That comment (#7) is pretty hurtful to those who worked really hard to medal. Especially those winners that don't kiss ass. Agree that Kimberly won a lot. Won't say if I think she deserves or not. It was nice to see someone besides a total brown noser win overall gold and many in the medals in events I've not even heard of.
#9 - Wow. Just wow. For any community to have that mentality is just sickening. I don't even like Sweet Shoppe, but if it's filled with people like you, I'd never shop there again, either.
I'm sure that many scrappers in that contest were paying customers (not just "forum kiss asses") who wanted to win products from their favorite designers... Not to fit in with a bunch of snotty bitches. The fact they had no chance and that many prizes were given to the same people is very unsettling.
Wow #9 way to represent SSD. That makes me not want to throw my money there again. The only wannabee's I see at SSD are some of the designers who sell there and some of the ass kissers who post there. As for the contest, I agree. Kimberly was voted for all-around by one of her best friends. We all know Laura picked her for that reason. What can we do, Robin allowed it. So it must have been OK. I was thrilled to see alot of the winners I liked won because they worked so hard. I also saw some that deserved to win and didn't.
As for me #9 has probably no connection with SSD... isn't it possible?
Look at the reactions : "Wow #9 way to represent SSD. That makes me not want to throw my money there again." or "#9 - Wow. Just wow. For any community to have that mentality is just sickening. I don't even like Sweet Shoppe, but if it's filled with people like you, I'd never shop there again, either."
#9 I think that is pretty low and it's not hard to guess you are a designer and pretty sure it's easy to guess exactly who you are. Way to treat your paying customers. Bravo. Way to represent SSD too!
I think we all know that #9 is Laura. She's just annoyed because she's being called out for what she is.
It's too bad, because there were some amazing entries that went unrecognized.
Jennifer who won the overall entry is not a brown noser, I think she had some great pages. And the winners for the individual sports, with the exception of Badminton are not brown nosers, so I think in the end it all came out OK.
I am just a lowly customer, with nothing personal against that Kimberly chick, but it would have been nice to spread the prizes around a bit. It's not like her layouts were wonderful and all the other entries sucked. There was a LOT of great work submitted.
You can't really blame SSD for that, #19. they had different judges for each event so it's very plausible that they'd have repeat nominees and once they put it up to a vote, it's in the community's hands.
I am not a Kimberly fan at all, I think her pages are all the same ones of her looking all serious at the camera, but it's not her fault or SSD's fault that she won so many prizes.
What can we do, Robin allowed it. -------------------------------------------
This right here is the crux of the problem.
Robin allows this stuff and always has. She set the tone for SSD from the very beginning.
What can we do? Um, hello. Quit throwing money her way. Quit visiting her forums. Hang out someplace else. And for the love of all that's holy, quit giving her and her lame ass site all the free press.
I happen to like Kimberly's layouts. I don't go to sweet shop at all though. I see them on her facebook page. She's on a lot of different CT's, not just there.
#27- Her pages are badly shadowed and gross. She did not deserve to be in the overall. There were many portfolio's that were 100 times better. Laura didn't pick the best portolio. She picked her best friend.
Of course she did-but a lot of people must have voted for her or she wouldn't have won. Mind you I realize a lot of your beef is in the fact that she was nominated at all-but after that nomination-it was in the hands of the voting public. I didn't vote for her-I voted for Sarah in the overall contest. I also didn't vote for any of her LO's in the individual groups either because frankly-I think her LO's weren't as good as others nominated-I did what I could to ensure she wouldn't win. Not because I don't like her personally but because I thought there were better nominations.
I'm surprised she came in second in the Diving and Gymnastics, I thought there were far better pages. And I also thought her badminton with (Who was her partner?) was stupid and not even well done and everyone went nuts over it. They won a medal too.
Thank your for admitting what a true idiot you and so many other scrappers are. If it weren't for pathetic wanna-bes like you, we would have been out of business long ago.
If you don't like all the ass-kissing and game playing at our shop and forums, you were free to leave and quit buying a long time ago. The fact that you stuck around and kept throwing money at us just proves that you don't dislike the clique mentality-you just want to be a big part of it. Boo fucking hoo for you that we didn't accept you into our inner circle. I'll bet if we would have you, sheeples like you would be more than willing to play the game right along with us.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
#31 your talking about her eyebrows?? her personal looks? Bashing her layouts is one thing but to bash how someone looks is quite ignorant and what do YOUR eyebrows look like? How sweet of you to bash behind the shield of Anonymous, you must be stunning. Fool
That Steel Magnolias l.o. was baffling. It was a stupid concept, poorly done, and it is beyond puzzling that it was even nominated. I have to question if it really more than a couple of votes (and those would be by the ass-kissees)
Crap like that making it to the finals, and then medaling, is EXACTLY why everyone bitches about how SSD runs their contests.
My thoughts on the SSD games for what they are worth, which probably isn’t much lol. If you were nominated for overall portfolio then you shouldn’t have been nominated for the individual events. Also if you were nominated for overall you should have completed all 6 layouts. Site staff shouldn’t have been involved in the judging. I could see maybe Robin judging since she doesn’t have a personal CT, but is it really fair when half the people playing CT for the designers doing the judging? Of course there is going to be some favoritism and biased shown, and even if there wasn’t they should have known that accusation would come up at some point.
I still don't get why so many of you hate SSD yet seem to hang around there. Or do you just go there, have a quick look around, so you can come here and bash?
I don't give two hoots about SSD, which is why I don't go there. Yes, it is in fact that simple.
Blue Umbrella Designs was decent? Im not sure if I agree with that statement. As far as her leaving, wasn't she pregnant and due very soon? Or am I thinking of another designer?
I think they took on designers and then knew they wanted to get rid of certain designers. So used that excuse of not making enough money. Whatever. They are probably better off.
I still don't get why so many of you hate SSD yet seem to hang around there. Or do you just go there, have a quick look around, so you can come here and bash?
I don't give two hoots about SSD, which is why I don't go there. Yes, it is in fact that simple.
Aug 18, 2012 5:02:00 PM
ITA with you but the SSD bashers aren't going to listen. They'd rather whine and complain about it rather than not go there and quit giving it attention.
A lot of what #9 said was true. Rude and harsh but true. If people really disliked what goes on there, they'd go elsewhere. But the fact that they keep going back, keep entering the contests, etc. really does make it seem like they just want in the clique.
It's not like every customer is active in the forums and knows all this stuff.
I am a long time SSD customer and new to their forums for this contest. I saw the cliques and want no part of that. It does taint my image of the products I used to buy knowing some of the people who make them are bitches. I will no longer buy from them.
I don't know if the winners were the same tired people who kiss ass there, but I do know all the praise seemed concentrated to just a small handful of scrappers. There was a lot of talent in that contest and it would have been nice to see them recognized as well.
I participated not because I want so desperately to be in a clique - far from it. The very notion this is what people really want is childish. I participated for the chance to win products from some of my favorite designers at what was once one of my favorite places to buy. I'm not about to boycott the store as a whole, but there are a few designers who wont get any more of my money for sure.
I agree that all six pages should have been required to make the all around and I think that letting those who did six get a pass on one was stupid. So if they submitted one page that didn't meet all the requirements they could still win it all? Stupid.
I didn't see Traci making fun of anyone but I sure did see a lot of really stupid questions. And I'm not a fan of Traci's by any stretch of the imagination.
44-The quota is raising now. Maybe they left because they thought they couldn't reach the new quota. I've heard there are hard feelings with whatever happened.
Well, I am sure the owner was probably pretty cold about it. It was probably done with a lack of respect and compassion (knowing her). There is a nice way to do things, and a cold, heartless way to do things. Some people do not know how to be considerate.
#52 how can you be sure they were making the quota? Unless you are one of those designers and can see their paycheck, or the store owner or someone with admin access, I don't know how you can say you are "sure" of anything.
None of the people mentioned are all that well known, so it's not a surprise they might not be earning $200 a month.
If a site has a quota, and the designer doesn't meet that quota, is it customary for the site to get rid of the designer or do they just pay a bigger percentage? I'm not a designer so not sure how that works. I don't know the owner of GP, but I'd think that getting a percentage of 50.00 (for example) would be better than getting a percentage of nothing and making a bad vibe in the community to boot! Some designers that did make quota left. Just saying.
#66 - I think customer service should go beyond just your customers and should extend to anyone you do business with. Compromise and being open to other options is always better. So I agree!
I happen to agree with getting rid of designers who make less than $200/month. I don't know how it was done, so I can't speak to that aspect. But if it is in their contract, it shouldn't come as a surprise to any of the designers.
Someone making less than $200 is generating less than $40 for the store owner/month (figuring 80/20 split). From that $40, the owner has to pay Paypal, server fees, website hosting fees, advertising, etc. That doesn't really leave much of anything leftover.
Just because you're willing to make less than $200/month doesn't mean that store owner is - especially when it would take FIVE designers or more for her to make that money and from that she still needs to pay the bills.
It's not worth it for the owner IMO and I would do the same. I would be professional about it, but I wouldn't keep them around just to be nice. I'm sure GP has it in the contract what you're to make/month. If you know you're not making that, why would you be shocked to be let go?
That is what I think some of these people are trying to say is that some were making over that and left still. That is what the question is. So either some were making over $200 and left on their own, or some were making over $200 and were asked to leave and then we understand why the ones that were making under $200 left.
Someone making less than $200 is generating less than $40 for the store owner/month (figuring 80/20 split). From that $40, the owner has to pay Paypal, server fees, website hosting fees, advertising, etc. That doesn't really leave much of anything leftover. ------
Which is why some owners ask for a monthly fee in addition to the commission. If you don't make the monthly quota, the extra fee covers costs. In some cases, if you make the quota or well over, you don't have to pay the fee.
I don't know the owner of GP, but I'd think that getting a percentage of 50.00 (for example) would be better than getting a percentage of nothing and making a bad vibe in the community to boot! Some designers that did make quota left. Just saying. --------
Eh, it's a business, not a charity. 10% to 20% of $50 is nothing in the scheme of things when running a business, so may as well get rid of the designer.
I am pretty sure something else was going on. Some of the designers that left have been said to have made more than $200 a month. So I would be interested to know what really went on. Can someone just come out and tell us? I know you designers are on here.
Exactly, #78. That is what I was trying to say earlier to someone who assumed that those who left were making more than $200 per month.
GP has a quota in their contract and a handful of people were all let go at the same time? Tells me they weren't meeting the quota (or some other clause of their contract). I don't know why anyone would assume anything else, unless they are trying to create a story where there isn't one to tell.
#77 I am pretty sure something else was going on. Some of the designers that left have been said to have made more than $200 a month. So I would be interested to know what really went on. Can someone just come out and tell us? I know you designers are on here. - Nothing sinister going on. Look at all the great designers who are still there.
#76 Eh, it's a business, not a charity. 10% to 20% of $50 is nothing in the scheme of things when running a business, so may as well get rid of the designer. ______________________________________
Oh goodie, the whole pay question again. I am an "OK" designer at a small to medium store. My last few months have been about $400-550 dollars minus commission. I am sure there are many who make much more and some who make less. This is not a full time thing for me. I love doing it, I promote every once in awhile via Facebook, etc. Nothing major.
Where did Krystal Hartley post photos of herself? I read about it here but there's nothing on her blog, FB or SSD. Can someone link me or tell me please? Thanks!
See, there is the rub. I was told it wasn't very professional at all-or very nice. There are always two ways to do something. The right way and the wrong way. If a store owner wants to build a business, it doesn't go over well in the community when word gets out that it that she treated staff badly.
#92 - That is exactly what I say too! I know there are several people on here who are super critical of designer, so I know this won;t go over well with those people. But those designers that left were decent designers. They had to have been making over $20 a month. So I just thought there was more to it. Some store owners are snobby and use any excuse to get rid of a designer if they don't like them for any reason.
So, you're assuming what they make on the fact that you like their designs? That's awesome. Truth be told, the vast majority of designers make less than $200/month...
Trust me, something is not right with this situation. I am not going to go into detail or you would know who I was. I am not the one who started this, but I agree with others that have made comments. There is something more to it than just not making quota. But whatever. Just let it go. The designers are better off anyway.
#105 - I would not doubt it. There is no sense of friendship amongst the designers there. The praisers are awesome, but the designers are not very friendly with other designers. And the owner does not do much to encourage friendship amongst the designers. She only talks about how others are doing so much better. Not very supportive.
Gee #106, maybe that's why they are getting rid of some of these fantastic designers who make so much money and are so active at the site. The owner is not a Kindergarten teacher. You want her to hold their hands and make them play pat-a-cake? Geez people. It's the owner's store and she's making it what she wants it to be. The ones that are missing (Tami Miller, A+ Designs, Laurie Scraps) are mediocre designers at best. The general consensus here seems to be that GP is a low-tier store so why the big hullabaloo because the owner is cleaning house? Isn't that what many of you have been saying she should do anyway? And she has a design team leader so she's not making these decisions alone. You don't know the reasons and with the creativity here, I would think you'd come up with some better theories than just the owner is unprofessional, not nice, or cold.
So is it a prerequisite that all owners of digiscrap sites must be bitches or nitwits or are there actually some good store owners out there? I don't think there's ever been a store brought up here where someone hasn't had something negative to say about the owner or owners. Who are the nice owners?
I don't really care who the "nice" owners are. I'm more interested in professionalism.
The only store owner that comes to mind as being professional (and I'm NOT saying she's nice) is Katie Pertiet/Designer Digitals. She doesn't bother will all the drama and bullshit of the digiscrap "community"
Just thought of one more. Viki Steagal/OScraps. I have no idea about whether she's "nice" or not, but I've never seen her wallowing around in all the bullshit like so many other store owners.
Since Katie Pertiet ran off one of her best designers I'm not sure I would call her professional at all. Pretty sure she could hold her own with GP's owner.
I'm sure the designers who will be leaving GP are just more who were asked to leave. They're likely just not closing their doors immediately like a couple others. No one knows each designers specific situation except for the store owner, so the attempts at rumor generation are pointless.
All it sounds like to me is a group of designers who weren't making quota and they're all closing their GP stores at different times.
As a designer, I'm only concerned with professionalism from a store owner, too. I want them to do what they can to maximize sales and keep out of the drama. I don't want an owner to get us to hold hands together and sing kumbaya with my fellow designers. If I want a relationship with other designers, I start one. We're all adults after all.
It is possible that some of those GP designers left on their own accord. Just because it was at the same time does not mean anything. Most of them will list the reasons why they left a store somewhere, blog, facebook, etc. So just go look instead of establishing as fact that they were asked to leave.
I have no doubt that Katie is a bitch. That's not the point.
All you designers looking for someone to stroke your egos and play recess monitor and encourage you to hold hands and sing Kumbaya need to grow the hell up.
It's a business-not a sorority house. If you want that kind of silliness go to SSD or one of the other fake "communities"
I'd rather work for someone who treats it like a business and I'd rather buy from someone who treats it like a business.
Yes it's a business, but at stores, it's also a team. If designers are more encouraged to compete with each other for the praise of the owner, or be envious of one another or scornful of one another, they aren't going to be a very effective team.
Yes it's a business, but at stores, it's also a team. If designers are more encouraged to compete with each other for the praise of the owner, or be envious of one another or scornful of one another, they aren't going to be a very effective team.
-------------------------
If a store does work well together as a team they are accused of being a clique. There really is no winning.
I'm so tired of people saying this. There is a winning. Find the middle ground instead of being extreme one way or the other. Stores that are accused of being a clique are not being accused because they work well together, it's because they don't let outsiders in. There's a difference.
Maybe it's the store owners themselves that are coming here smacking the other stores to bring more sales to their own. I've had a lot of experience around many designers, and they mostly seem very supportive of each other. A lot of them have each other designers on their own CT's in fact.
If a store owner is professional and designers are acting professional, there isn't going to be negativity.
Grown women should not need a store owner holding their hands and acting as some kind of babysitter/housemother
I'd venture to guess that in every store with "negativity" problems, it's the designers and not the owner who are causing and fueling the negativity. A professional store owner would stop the negative designer(s)-by setting and enforcing some standards, or by *gasp!* removing the unprofessional designer(s) from the store
If a store owner is a crazy, negative, unprofessional type, obviously professional designers aren't going to stay around and as word of mouth spreads, the store won't be able to attract any professional designers
^^This. And the store isn't going to last long and certainly won't have a core group of designers and staff who have been there for any length of time.
store owners read this blog there is no doubt. Posting is done by designers though and occasional CT that get drug into the mix by some sort of drama. And if you're not one or the other, you were at some point. The average joe customer doesn't just stumble on this blog nor do they really care.
I was suspecting that at least one of the people who keeps saying store owners are not kindergarten teachers is actually Stacey. She is rude like that.
It's not being a kindergarten teacher to foster respect and a sense of family in your store. My store owner and admin team do it quite well - by responding to all designers with and equal level of attention and interest, setting clear expectations and applying them to everyone, and managing things with an even keel, even disagreements. They don't ask us all to hold hands and sing kumbaya, they just interact with everyone the same way.
I'm the one who first said Kindergarten teacher (#107) and I am not Stacy. Believe me or don't. I have worked with her for a number of years and can honestly say that she's never been rude to me even though I have given her occasion to be so a few times. ;) As I said in 107, it's her store. Her decisions may not always be popular or easy, but she has a right to make them. And everyone can certainly criticize her for those decisions but it doesn't mean there's some big drama or ulterior motive. It's a business - and it's hers.
Does Kristin Aagard is a good designer with good quality? I never purchased from her and her new kit is tempting, but when you look at the close ups it looks like a few of her elements have jaggies.
Stacey has no people skills. Sure, it's her store, but just a little tact would probably catapult her store a lot further. As you say, though, her choices.
152, if you're looking for "people skills" and tact and "nice" then maybe you need to up *your* professionalism a bit.
It's very easy for certain types of people to mistake professionalism for a lack of "people skills"
That's why the kindergarten comments come up. Business is not about holding hands and making everyone feel spiffy. It's about being professional and making money.
a sense of family in your store. _______________________________________ @@ Oh, FFS if this is what you're looking for, then you should open up your own store with family and family-like friends.
True professionals are not looking for family-they have already established that in their PERSONAL lives.
And some people mistake lack of people skills for professionalism. I'm not just talking about relationships with designers, but relationships with other digi professionals. If you are abrupt, unable to communicate well, and show a general disdain for others, you will not succeed as well as someone who has a good business sense AND these capabilities. However, judging by your posts, you don't have much of a sense of appealing communication either, so I can understand why you don't think Stacey's are lacking. I don't really care if either of you are interesting, pleasant, business-like, OR professional. You can be what you want to be. I'm quite happy with my store and my leader.
157, if you're so happy with your store and your leader, and you've been there for a while, why do you seem so obsessed with Stacy? It doesn't sound like you have any personal prior experience with her.
No on is obsessed with Stacy anymore than anyone is obsessed with other topics that come up on the blog.
I'm not a 'sacked' designer from GP. That is such an obvious way of trying to undermine someone's position. Yes even designers who have never been 'sacked' by Stacy know she is unprofessional.
You can be professional without being abrupt and rude. And seriously? How can you possibly suggest that people skills aren't an important part of running a profitable business???
#151 I see the jaggies on the white markers in the close-ups, but they're barely noticeable and wouldn't be seen in prints.
I wouldn't call that a low price, but nothing about those previews would make me hesitate to buy. I have many of her kits and sometimes I see the occasional less than pristine edge, but nothing that has ever made me stop buying from her.
Does Kristin Aagard is a good designer with good quality? I never purchased from her and her new kit is tempting, but when you look at the close ups it looks like a few of her elements have jaggies.
She has a free add on to her kit in the store if you want to sample her products. http://www.afterfivedesigns.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=5110&cat=19
#151 - do you know the difference between 'jaggies' and anti-aliasing? Remember that pixels are SQUARE and that sometimes a little anti-aliasing in photoshop can be unavoidable. You are more likely to get a jagged edge from using the magic wand tool to extract.
It looks as though the stuff you see on the markers is part of the background of the original image that was missed during the extraction process - I personally wouldn't make a stink over it. Regardless - I think her kits and quality are in order.
meh, she's just getting stuff up for Halloween kits. Those look like the stuff little boys are made of, candidly. I couldn't pull off the kit, but I bet a lot of others will.
I have that kit. The markers aren't extracted they are digital. The barrel of the marker isn't a straight rectangle shape. It tapers to one end. I think what you are seeing in the close up is anti-aliasing, which is pretty unavoidable with anything that isn't perfectly square. There are no jaggies in the kit that I can see.
#178, how do you know Roseytoes wasn't the one doing the screwing over? Usually when a designer has their store suddenly closed, it has more to do with the designer being a problem and not the other way around.
180-I very much doubt it. I've known her since she began designing and she hasn't caused any problems anyplace she's been. She's a very good designer and a nice person to deal with besides.
184-You have no idea if she was kicked out or if she decided to leave herself unless you are the owner at GP. I've worked with designers that were happy somewhere until something happened to upset them-whether it was a disagreement with the owner, another designer, change in policy they couldn't agree on, or even illness in their family-and by evening had moved all their things to another store, or deleted their entire inventory from the one store themselves. This has happened several times with different designers in fact. Seeing as how there has been so many people that think the owner of GP is so abrupt, maybe Ryan decided she didn't want to work with her anymore. Nice people don't really care for not nice people. 183-Yes, I agree with you.
I have worked with Roseytoes a few times on different projects and she has always been polite and professional. I dont know the owner of GP or what happened there, but its unfair to say someone on either side was unprofessional without any supporting information.
186-Several people here that have said they've worked with the owner of GP have said she occasional handles things unprofessionally. Nobody that has worked with Roseytoes has said that she has been unprofessional.
I've worked with the owner of GP and she was always professional and never rude.
Now it's been said. --------
#189 - read #187 again. She said that some have said the owner of GP is unprofessional, not everyone, just some. So I'm not sure what your point is, aside from showing a lack of reading comprehension.
My Memories doesn't carter to the digi scrapper, it caters to the paper scrapper wanting to try digi. Some of them don't know any better and some of them do. To each their own.
There's some pretty awful stuff in the regular dig world that I can't imagine anyone buying, but they do.
#191 that kit looks like a freebie I would have been thrilled with when I started digi, back in about 2006. Seeing as it's now 6 years later and that's not free, I can't imagine anyone buying it. Yet you know the old saying, there's a sucker born every minute.
189-I'm glad she wasn't rude to you. That makes ONE. I have designer friends that have their stores there and I'd hate to think they were stuck working with someone rude. I've had no dealings with her on a professional basis.
Well then, I'll make two. Is Stacy all sunshine and rainbows? No. But that doesn't bother me. She is a professional store owner. She is clear with her expectations and respectful to her team. She shows her appreciation for the GP praisers regularly and if you are the kind of designer who understands how to work as a professional, there is no reason you should not be able to get along with her. If you cause her drama and grief, I am sure you won't have a pleasant experience, but I think the same can be said of most professional store owners. I doubt Maya or Robin or Kami put up with much crap from their teams and I don't think any of these store owners should be expected to tolerate all the nonsense that goes on behind the scenes with some designers.
There are far less professional store owners in this business, including those who don't pay their designers on time. Shame you all can't go bash those store owners for a while because those are the ones who deserve it.
877 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 800 of 877 Newer› Newest»181 - It's wasn't a typo. "It won't incite me to buy" as in it won't move or urge me to buy it either. Glad you got a laugh though.
#1
in·cite/inˈsīt/
Verb:
Encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior).
Urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way: "he incited loyal subjects to rebellion".
1 - I think the word you were going for was entice.
#2 -
: to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on
Synonyms: provoke, instigate, inflame, stir up, encourage
Doesn't have to be violent. Reasons for a sale neither urge, encourage or move me to purchase from a designer.
Both words are equally correct. Can we move on now?
LOL!
Dear Sweet Shoppe,
Thanks for hosting another high school type contest. Thank you for choosing the same one person to win 3 individual medals and 1 all around medal (Kimberly Morris). Thanks for also choosing the same, tired Sweet Shoppe kiss asses to win 98% of the other medals. Most of all, thank you for saving me money because I'll never shop in your store again.
Signed,
One of Many Pissed Off Scrappers
I thought in general that the gold medalists were well deserved.
I agree that KimberlyMorris won a ton of medals but if she kisses the ass of the community members she will always win a lot.
Dear One of Many Pissed Off Scrappers,
Thank your for admitting what a true idiot you and so many other scrappers are. If it weren't for pathetic wanna-bes like you, we would have been out of business long ago.
If you don't like all the ass-kissing and game playing at our shop and forums, you were free to leave and quit buying a long time ago. The fact that you stuck around and kept throwing money at us just proves that you don't dislike the clique mentality-you just want to be a big part of it. Boo fucking hoo for you that we didn't accept you into our inner circle. I'll bet if we would have you, sheeples like you would be more than willing to play the game right along with us.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
See you in the shoppe! ;)
A Sweet Shoppe Devotee
That comment (#7) is pretty hurtful to those who worked really hard to medal. Especially those winners that don't kiss ass. Agree that Kimberly won a lot. Won't say if I think she deserves or not. It was nice to see someone besides a total brown noser win overall gold and many in the medals in events I've not even heard of.
#9 - Wow. Just wow. For any community to have that mentality is just sickening. I don't even like Sweet Shoppe, but if it's filled with people like you, I'd never shop there again, either.
I'm sure that many scrappers in that contest were paying customers (not just "forum kiss asses") who wanted to win products from their favorite designers... Not to fit in with a bunch of snotty bitches. The fact they had no chance and that many prizes were given to the same people is very unsettling.
LOL Jennifer not a "total brown noser"? Surely you jest.
Wow #9 way to represent SSD. That makes me not want to throw my money there again. The only wannabee's I see at SSD are some of the designers who sell there and some of the ass kissers who post there. As for the contest, I agree. Kimberly was voted for all-around by one of her best friends. We all know Laura picked her for that reason. What can we do, Robin allowed it. So it must have been OK. I was thrilled to see alot of the winners I liked won because they worked so hard. I also saw some that deserved to win and didn't.
As for me #9 has probably no connection with SSD... isn't it possible?
Look at the reactions :
"Wow #9 way to represent SSD. That makes me not want to throw my money there again."
or
"#9 - Wow. Just wow. For any community to have that mentality is just sickening. I don't even like Sweet Shoppe, but if it's filled with people like you, I'd never shop there again, either."
Ask yourself....
#14- No I think #9 does. Some scrappers there have that mentality. A Babe or 2 to be honest.
#9 I think that is pretty low and it's not hard to guess you are a designer and pretty sure it's easy to guess exactly who you are. Way to treat your paying customers.
Bravo.
Way to represent SSD too!
I think we all know that #9 is Laura. She's just annoyed because she's being called out for what she is.
It's too bad, because there were some amazing entries that went unrecognized.
Jennifer who won the overall entry is not a brown noser, I think she had some great pages. And the winners for the individual sports, with the exception of Badminton are not brown nosers, so I think in the end it all came out OK.
How many designers got sacked at GP this week?
I am just a lowly customer, with nothing personal against that Kimberly chick, but it would have been nice to spread the prizes around a bit. It's not like her layouts were wonderful and all the other entries sucked. There was a LOT of great work submitted.
You can't really blame SSD for that, #19. they had different judges for each event so it's very plausible that they'd have repeat nominees and once they put it up to a vote, it's in the community's hands.
I am not a Kimberly fan at all, I think her pages are all the same ones of her looking all serious at the camera, but it's not her fault or SSD's fault that she won so many prizes.
What can we do, Robin allowed it.
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This right here is the crux of the problem.
Robin allows this stuff and always has. She set the tone for SSD from the very beginning.
What can we do?
Um, hello. Quit throwing money her way. Quit visiting her forums. Hang out someplace else. And for the love of all that's holy, quit giving her and her lame ass site all the free press.
Are the results posted anywhere?
#9 I think that is pretty low and it's not hard to guess you are a designer and pretty sure it's easy to guess exactly who you are.
^^^
Really? Do tell, Miss Cleo!
Question about Kimberly Morris and her LOs
It looks like she uses a lot of templates. But when I check her gallery credits, she never lists what template she used. WTF????
Isn't that against TOU? And how is anyone supposed to track down the template if they like it?
Why don't you PM her somewhere and ask her. #24.
24-lots of CU templates don't require credit. It says so in the TOU
I happen to like Kimberly's layouts. I don't go to sweet shop at all though. I see them on her facebook page. She's on a lot of different CT's, not just there.
#27- Her pages are badly shadowed and gross. She did not deserve to be in the overall. There were many portfolio's that were 100 times better. Laura didn't pick the best portolio. She picked her best friend.
Of course she did-but a lot of people must have voted for her or she wouldn't have won. Mind you I realize a lot of your beef is in the fact that she was nominated at all-but after that nomination-it was in the hands of the voting public. I didn't vote for her-I voted for Sarah in the overall contest. I also didn't vote for any of her LO's in the individual groups either because frankly-I think her LO's weren't as good as others nominated-I did what I could to ensure she wouldn't win. Not because I don't like her personally but because I thought there were better nominations.
#18 what did you hear about GP?
Her eyebrows are horrifying. Especially her right one.
#9
What bug is up your butt?
I'm surprised she came in second in the Diving and Gymnastics, I thought there were far better pages. And I also thought her badminton with (Who was her partner?) was stupid and not even well done and everyone went nuts over it. They won a medal too.
In diving, the mirror one should have won.
To be honest, I have never shopped at Sweet Shoppe, and after the pathetic post from #9 I wouldn't take their stuff if they gave it away.
#33- The badminton one was horrible. Just horrible. Tara was her partner. The idea was good, the layout was bad.
Dear One of Many Pissed Off Scrappers,
Thank your for admitting what a true idiot you and so many other scrappers are. If it weren't for pathetic wanna-bes like you, we would have been out of business long ago.
If you don't like all the ass-kissing and game playing at our shop and forums, you were free to leave and quit buying a long time ago. The fact that you stuck around and kept throwing money at us just proves that you don't dislike the clique mentality-you just want to be a big part of it. Boo fucking hoo for you that we didn't accept you into our inner circle. I'll bet if we would have you, sheeples like you would be more than willing to play the game right along with us.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
See you in the shoppe! ;)
A Sweet Shoppe Devotee
________________
Now this a true definition of insanity...
#9
You evidently have some serious issues, get off you high horse and get a life.
#31 your talking about her eyebrows?? her personal looks? Bashing her layouts is one thing but to bash how someone looks is quite ignorant and what do YOUR eyebrows look like? How sweet of you to bash behind the shield of Anonymous, you must be stunning. Fool
30-Several designers were let go. Not sure which ones, or how many.
eh, the eyebrow thing made me laugh. They really are, *ahem* different.
And my eyebrows are fine, tyvm.
That Steel Magnolias l.o. was baffling. It was a stupid concept, poorly done, and it is beyond puzzling that it was even nominated. I have to question if it really more than a couple of votes (and those would be by the ass-kissees)
Crap like that making it to the finals, and then medaling, is EXACTLY why everyone bitches about how SSD runs their contests.
#18 & #30 - Is something going on at GP? Are there tons of designers leaving? Who is leaving and why?
#18 & #30 - Is something going on at GP? Are there tons of designers leaving? Who is leaving and why?
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Didn't they took new designers recently ? Maybe that's why.
Or they can't meet the requierment of $200 a month.
My thoughts on the SSD games for what they are worth, which probably isn’t much lol.
If you were nominated for overall portfolio then you shouldn’t have been nominated for the individual events. Also if you were nominated for overall you should have completed all 6 layouts.
Site staff shouldn’t have been involved in the judging. I could see maybe Robin judging since she doesn’t have a personal CT, but is it really fair when half the people playing CT for the designers doing the judging? Of course there is going to be some favoritism and biased shown, and even if there wasn’t they should have known that accusation would come up at some point.
So who is leaving?
As for me #9 has probably no connection with SSD... isn't it possible?
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I agree with you.
I still don't get why so many of you hate SSD yet seem to hang around there. Or do you just go there, have a quick look around, so you can come here and bash?
I don't give two hoots about SSD, which is why I don't go there. Yes, it is in fact that simple.
get a life.
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Why do people keep saying this? You are on a smack blog! Enough said.
#46 So who is leaving?
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Tami Miller disapeared from there yesterday and announced on FB that she is now exclusive at SBB. I see Blue Umbrella designs is no longer there.
That is interesting.... They were decent designers. Wonder why they were "let go" I mean the real reason.
A+ designs just left without a word also... That's 3 designers that I am sure where making the quota. I wonder what happened.
Blue Umbrella Designs was decent? Im not sure if I agree with that statement. As far as her leaving, wasn't she pregnant and due very soon? Or am I thinking of another designer?
I think they took on designers and then knew they wanted to get rid of certain designers. So used that excuse of not making enough money. Whatever. They are probably better off.
I still don't get why so many of you hate SSD yet seem to hang around there. Or do you just go there, have a quick look around, so you can come here and bash?
I don't give two hoots about SSD, which is why I don't go there. Yes, it is in fact that simple.
Aug 18, 2012 5:02:00 PM
ITA with you but the SSD bashers aren't going to listen. They'd rather whine and complain about it rather than not go there and quit giving it attention.
A lot of what #9 said was true. Rude and harsh but true. If people really disliked what goes on there, they'd go elsewhere. But the fact that they keep going back, keep entering the contests, etc. really does make it seem like they just want in the clique.
It's not like every customer is active in the forums and knows all this stuff.
I am a long time SSD customer and new to their forums for this contest. I saw the cliques and want no part of that. It does taint my image of the products I used to buy knowing some of the people who make them are bitches. I will no longer buy from them.
I don't know if the winners were the same tired people who kiss ass there, but I do know all the praise seemed concentrated to just a small handful of scrappers. There was a lot of talent in that contest and it would have been nice to see them recognized as well.
I participated not because I want so desperately to be in a clique - far from it. The very notion this is what people really want is childish. I participated for the chance to win products from some of my favorite designers at what was once one of my favorite places to buy. I'm not about to boycott the store as a whole, but there are a few designers who wont get any more of my money for sure.
#56 which designers won't you buy from?
I agree that all six pages should have been required to make the all around and I think that letting those who did six get a pass on one was stupid. So if they submitted one page that didn't meet all the requirements they could still win it all? Stupid.
. . . aand cue the excuses
Traci Reed is one on my list. She was making fun of people for asking stupid questions in the forums. Great example for the site.
#59 Examples?
. . . aand cue the excuses
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Huh?
I didn't see Traci making fun of anyone but I sure did see a lot of really stupid questions. And I'm not a fan of Traci's by any stretch of the imagination.
44-The quota is raising now. Maybe they left because they thought they couldn't reach the new quota. I've heard there are hard feelings with whatever happened.
Well, I am sure the owner was probably pretty cold about it. It was probably done with a lack of respect and compassion (knowing her). There is a nice way to do things, and a cold, heartless way to do things. Some people do not know how to be considerate.
#52 how can you be sure they were making the quota? Unless you are one of those designers and can see their paycheck, or the store owner or someone with admin access, I don't know how you can say you are "sure" of anything.
None of the people mentioned are all that well known, so it's not a surprise they might not be earning $200 a month.
If a site has a quota, and the designer doesn't meet that quota, is it customary for the site to get rid of the designer or do they just pay a bigger percentage? I'm not a designer so not sure how that works. I don't know the owner of GP, but I'd think that getting a percentage of 50.00 (for example) would be better than getting a percentage of nothing and making a bad vibe in the community to boot! Some designers that did make quota left. Just saying.
64-I have a feeling you're right on.
#66 - I think customer service should go beyond just your customers and should extend to anyone you do business with. Compromise and being open to other options is always better. So I agree!
I happen to agree with getting rid of designers who make less than $200/month. I don't know how it was done, so I can't speak to that aspect. But if it is in their contract, it shouldn't come as a surprise to any of the designers.
Someone making less than $200 is generating less than $40 for the store owner/month (figuring 80/20 split). From that $40, the owner has to pay Paypal, server fees, website hosting fees, advertising, etc. That doesn't really leave much of anything leftover.
Just because you're willing to make less than $200/month doesn't mean that store owner is - especially when it would take FIVE designers or more for her to make that money and from that she still needs to pay the bills.
It's not worth it for the owner IMO and I would do the same. I would be professional about it, but I wouldn't keep them around just to be nice. I'm sure GP has it in the contract what you're to make/month. If you know you're not making that, why would you be shocked to be let go?
That is what I think some of these people are trying to say is that some were making over that and left still. That is what the question is. So either some were making over $200 and left on their own, or some were making over $200 and were asked to leave and then we understand why the ones that were making under $200 left.
Maybe the ones making > $200/month were sick of carrying the ones who weren't. It takes a team to make a store succeed.
Eh, as long as the designers knew they had a quota to meet, it's all good.
I'm not seeing the need for all the butthurt and whinging.
Another designer is coming to SO.
bfd
Someone making less than $200 is generating less than $40 for the store owner/month (figuring 80/20 split). From that $40, the owner has to pay Paypal, server fees, website hosting fees, advertising, etc. That doesn't really leave much of anything leftover.
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Which is why some owners ask for a monthly fee in addition to the commission. If you don't make the monthly quota, the extra fee covers costs. In some cases, if you make the quota or well over, you don't have to pay the fee.
I don't know the owner of GP, but I'd think that getting a percentage of 50.00 (for example) would be better than getting a percentage of nothing and making a bad vibe in the community to boot! Some designers that did make quota left. Just saying.
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Eh, it's a business, not a charity. 10% to 20% of $50 is nothing in the scheme of things when running a business, so may as well get rid of the designer.
I am pretty sure something else was going on. Some of the designers that left have been said to have made more than $200 a month. So I would be interested to know what really went on. Can someone just come out and tell us? I know you designers are on here.
I can't think of anyone who isn't at GP any longer who I would guess made more than $200. Who is it exactly you think made over $200 and is gone?
Exactly, #78. That is what I was trying to say earlier to someone who assumed that those who left were making more than $200 per month.
GP has a quota in their contract and a handful of people were all let go at the same time? Tells me they weren't meeting the quota (or some other clause of their contract). I don't know why anyone would assume anything else, unless they are trying to create a story where there isn't one to tell.
#77
I am pretty sure something else was going on. Some of the designers that left have been said to have made more than $200 a month. So I would be interested to know what really went on. Can someone just come out and tell us? I know you designers are on here.
-
Nothing sinister going on. Look at all the great designers who are still there.
A stupid question here, but is $200 a month a rather average amount for a designer?
#76 Eh, it's a business, not a charity. 10% to 20% of $50 is nothing in the scheme of things when running a business, so may as well get rid of the designer.
______________________________________
She meant 50% not $50.
She meant 50% not $50.
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No, she didn't. She said getting a percentage of 50.00 - the 50.00 in this case being $50. No one takes 50%
A stupid question here, but is $200 a month a rather average amount for a designer?
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That would depend entirely on the designer, wouldn't it?
Yes $200 a month is average! If I was earning anything under $2000 a month, I would stop designing now! This is a business not a hobby.
Average means common. I'm guessing that's not what you are meaning.
Oh goodie, the whole pay question again. I am an "OK" designer at a small to medium store. My last few months have been about $400-550 dollars minus commission. I am sure there are many who make much more and some who make less. This is not a full time thing for me. I love doing it, I promote every once in awhile via Facebook, etc. Nothing major.
#87
Everyone has different expectations. The main thing is that you love doing this, and any amount you earn from it is a bonus.
Where did Krystal Hartley post photos of herself? I read about it here but there's nothing on her blog, FB or SSD. Can someone link me or tell me please? Thanks!
#89- It was just the usual headshots of herself with the same facial expression. You're not missing much.
78-I'm under the impression (nothing solid) that the exodus isn't over yet. There are things going on behind the scenes.
69 said "I would be professional about it,"
See, there is the rub. I was told it wasn't very professional at all-or very nice. There are always two ways to do something. The right way and the wrong way. If a store owner wants to build a business, it doesn't go over well in the community when word gets out that it that she treated staff badly.
#92 - That is exactly what I say too! I know there are several people on here who are super critical of designer, so I know this won;t go over well with those people. But those designers that left were decent designers. They had to have been making over $20 a month. So I just thought there was more to it. Some store owners are snobby and use any excuse to get rid of a designer if they don't like them for any reason.
Sorry $200 a month, not $20... haha. Oops
So, you're assuming what they make on the fact that you like their designs? That's awesome. Truth be told, the vast majority of designers make less than $200/month...
Can anyone actually confirm whats happening at GP?
No. It's just a bunch of people trying to create drama based on no facts whatsoever apparently.
Some store owners are snobby and use any excuse to get rid of a designer if they don't like them for any reason.
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It's their store, they can do what they want. If they don't like someone, why should they keep them on? How does that make then snobby?
No. It's just a bunch of people trying to create drama based on no facts whatsoever apparently.
Aug 20, 2012 6:42:00 P
This.
If there was anything to tell, they'd tell it.
Why would they tell it? It's best to say nothing and let the gossip die. If they said something, it would only fuel the gossip machine.
Trust me, something is not right with this situation. I am not going to go into detail or you would know who I was. I am not the one who started this, but I agree with others that have made comments. There is something more to it than just not making quota. But whatever. Just let it go. The designers are better off anyway.
I am not going to go into detail or you would know who I was.
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I doubt it.
^^^^^^^^^
Ha ha ha.... you're funny, aren't you. At least you think you are.
who is SO's nito? I thought one was starting in September... is this another one? Where are people jumping ship from?
93-There are more that are leaving soon.
#105 - I would not doubt it. There is no sense of friendship amongst the designers there. The praisers are awesome, but the designers are not very friendly with other designers. And the owner does not do much to encourage friendship amongst the designers. She only talks about how others are doing so much better. Not very supportive.
Gee #106, maybe that's why they are getting rid of some of these fantastic designers who make so much money and are so active at the site. The owner is not a Kindergarten teacher. You want her to hold their hands and make them play pat-a-cake? Geez people. It's the owner's store and she's making it what she wants it to be. The ones that are missing (Tami Miller, A+ Designs, Laurie Scraps) are mediocre designers at best. The general consensus here seems to be that GP is a low-tier store so why the big hullabaloo because the owner is cleaning house? Isn't that what many of you have been saying she should do anyway? And she has a design team leader so she's not making these decisions alone. You don't know the reasons and with the creativity here, I would think you'd come up with some better theories than just the owner is unprofessional, not nice, or cold.
So is it a prerequisite that all owners of digiscrap sites must be bitches or nitwits or are there actually some good store owners out there? I don't think there's ever been a store brought up here where someone hasn't had something negative to say about the owner or owners. Who are the nice owners?
I don't really care who the "nice" owners are. I'm more interested in professionalism.
The only store owner that comes to mind as being professional (and I'm NOT saying she's nice) is Katie Pertiet/Designer Digitals. She doesn't bother will all the drama and bullshit of the digiscrap "community"
Just thought of one more. Viki Steagal/OScraps. I have no idea about whether she's "nice" or not, but I've never seen her wallowing around in all the bullshit like so many other store owners.
I'm just curious, people have smacked GP as being a low tier store. What stores are considered high tier?
I think what people consider to be "high tier" stores is so subjective that it's pointless to try to categorize them this way.
Ha ha ha.... you're funny, aren't you. At least you think you are.
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Funnier than you, that's for sure.
I don't think there's ever been a store brought up here where someone hasn't had something negative to say about the owner or owners.
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There has been actually. Pay attention.
However, this is a smack blog so naturally, most of the owners that come up are going to be ones that deserve, or someone thinks deserves, a smack.
Think!
Not the high tier store discussion again! Who really cares? It's so high school to categorize them like that.
#114 This whole blog is so high school. Clearly somebody cares if they asked the question.
Has anyone purchased from Christine Smith? She has a "Buy My Store" for $5.99.
Since Katie Pertiet ran off one of her best designers I'm not sure I would call her professional at all. Pretty sure she could hold her own with GP's owner.
Since Katie Pertiet ran off one of her best designers I'm not sure I would call her professional at all.
----------------------------------
Do tell
I'm sure the designers who will be leaving GP are just more who were asked to leave. They're likely just not closing their doors immediately like a couple others. No one knows each designers specific situation except for the store owner, so the attempts at rumor generation are pointless.
All it sounds like to me is a group of designers who weren't making quota and they're all closing their GP stores at different times.
As a designer, I'm only concerned with professionalism from a store owner, too. I want them to do what they can to maximize sales and keep out of the drama. I don't want an owner to get us to hold hands together and sing kumbaya with my fellow designers. If I want a relationship with other designers, I start one. We're all adults after all.
Do tell
Aug 21, 2012 6:34:00 PM
the crickets chirping should tell you that it was just another sophomoric attempt to create drama where there is none.
Vicki Stigall is actually very nice. She just keeps a low profile for the most part.
the crickets chirping should tell you that it was just another sophomoric attempt to create drama where there is none.
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Oh please, it was Anna Aspnes. Doesn't take a genius to work that out.
And a whole two hours is crickets chirping?
Katie creates her own dramas, no need for anyone to invent any.
Has anyone purchased from Christine Smith? She has a "Buy My Store" for $5.99.
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I have not purchased from her in a long time, since she left TDC in fact, but her quality then was always excellent.
Vicki Stigall is actually very nice. She just keeps a low profile for the most part.
Which is probably why Anna Aspnes left Katie Pertiet's store for Vicki's.
Which is probably why Anna Aspnes left Katie Pertiet's store for Vicki's.
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I doubt it. Vicki has been around a long time, so why didn't Anna leave earlier then if that's the case?
It is possible that some of those GP designers left on their own accord. Just because it was at the same time does not mean anything. Most of them will list the reasons why they left a store somewhere, blog, facebook, etc. So just go look instead of establishing as fact that they were asked to leave.
I have no doubt that Katie is a bitch. That's not the point.
All you designers looking for someone to stroke your egos and play recess monitor and encourage you to hold hands and sing Kumbaya need to grow the hell up.
It's a business-not a sorority house. If you want that kind of silliness go to SSD or one of the other fake "communities"
I'd rather work for someone who treats it like a business and I'd rather buy from someone who treats it like a business.
Wait, how did the owner of DD run off Anna Aspnes?
How do you know Anna isn't the one who decided to leave?
It's a business-not a sorority house.
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No, it's not, however, a business where no one gets along is not going to last. Negative atmospheres effect productivity.
Yes it's a business, but at stores, it's also a team. If designers are more encouraged to compete with each other for the praise of the owner, or be envious of one another or scornful of one another, they aren't going to be a very effective team.
Yes it's a business, but at stores, it's also a team. If designers are more encouraged to compete with each other for the praise of the owner, or be envious of one another or scornful of one another, they aren't going to be a very effective team.
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If a store does work well together as a team they are accused of being a clique. There really is no winning.
There really is no winning.
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I'm so tired of people saying this. There is a winning. Find the middle ground instead of being extreme one way or the other. Stores that are accused of being a clique are not being accused because they work well together, it's because they don't let outsiders in. There's a difference.
Maybe it's the store owners themselves that are coming here smacking the other stores to bring more sales to their own. I've had a lot of experience around many designers, and they mostly seem very supportive of each other. A lot of them have each other designers on their own CT's in fact.
If a store owner is professional and designers are acting professional, there isn't going to be negativity.
Grown women should not need a store owner holding their hands and acting as some kind of babysitter/housemother
I'd venture to guess that in every store with "negativity" problems, it's the designers and not the owner who are causing and fueling the negativity. A professional store owner would stop the negative designer(s)-by setting and enforcing some standards, or by *gasp!* removing the unprofessional designer(s) from the store
If a store owner is a crazy, negative, unprofessional type, obviously professional designers aren't going to stay around and as word of mouth spreads, the store won't be able to attract any professional designers
^^This. And the store isn't going to last long and certainly won't have a core group of designers and staff who have been there for any length of time.
I wouldn't be a store owner for anything - you need to wear too many hats and I was never good at herding cats. Or HTML.
Anyone else hear that SBB is shutting down?
137-yes, but maybe not.
137-
What I (138) meant is don't count them out yet.
I heard that she was considering closing, but someone stepped up to help run the shop so it will remain open for now.
140-That is what I heard too.
Never a good sign when someone steps up to help run a shop. It always seems to go downhill faster then.
^that is what happened at Polkadotplum.
Who cares about SBB these days? It used to be the place but hasn't been for about four or five years now.
Maybe it's the store owners themselves that are coming here smacking the other stores to bring more sales to their own.
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I doubt it very much. I've been around a lot of store owners and none of them would have the time nor the inclination.
It's designers doing the smacking. Always has been. You might get the occasional store owner-the owner of this blog is a store owner, after all.
store owners read this blog there is no doubt. Posting is done by designers though and occasional CT that get drug into the mix by some sort of drama. And if you're not one or the other, you were at some point. The average joe customer doesn't just stumble on this blog nor do they really care.
I was suspecting that at least one of the people who keeps saying store owners are not kindergarten teachers is actually Stacey. She is rude like that.
It's not being a kindergarten teacher to foster respect and a sense of family in your store. My store owner and admin team do it quite well - by responding to all designers with and equal level of attention and interest, setting clear expectations and applying them to everyone, and managing things with an even keel, even disagreements. They don't ask us all to hold hands and sing kumbaya, they just interact with everyone the same way.
Stacey rude, you have to be joking! Sounds like you are a disgruntled designer that may have been sacked!
I'm the one who first said Kindergarten teacher (#107) and I am not Stacy. Believe me or don't. I have worked with her for a number of years and can honestly say that she's never been rude to me even though I have given her occasion to be so a few times. ;) As I said in 107, it's her store. Her decisions may not always be popular or easy, but she has a right to make them. And everyone can certainly criticize her for those decisions but it doesn't mean there's some big drama or ulterior motive. It's a business - and it's hers.
Does Kristin Aagard is a good designer with good quality? I never purchased from her and her new kit is tempting, but when you look at the close ups it looks like a few of her elements have jaggies.
http://www.afterfivedesigns.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=5112&cat=0&page=1
Stacey has no people skills. Sure, it's her store, but just a little tact would probably catapult her store a lot further. As you say, though, her choices.
How many designers are moving to SO? Seems like a lot lately... and the questions thread is annoying...
152, if you're looking for "people skills" and tact and "nice" then maybe you need to up *your* professionalism a bit.
It's very easy for certain types of people to mistake professionalism for a lack of "people skills"
That's why the kindergarten comments come up. Business is not about holding hands and making everyone feel spiffy. It's about being professional and making money.
a sense of family in your store.
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@@ Oh, FFS if this is what you're looking for, then you should open up your own store with family and family-like friends.
True professionals are not looking for family-they have already established that in their PERSONAL lives.
I'd love to know which designer got the sack and is trying this lame-ass bashing campaign.
It speaks volumes about them, and I would love to avoid this type of hyperbole and drama-mongering.
And some people mistake lack of people skills for professionalism. I'm not just talking about relationships with designers, but relationships with other digi professionals. If you are abrupt, unable to communicate well, and show a general disdain for others, you will not succeed as well as someone who has a good business sense AND these capabilities. However, judging by your posts, you don't have much of a sense of appealing communication either, so I can understand why you don't think Stacey's are lacking. I don't really care if either of you are interesting, pleasant, business-like, OR professional. You can be what you want to be. I'm quite happy with my store and my leader.
the stench of sour grapes is strong today
157, if you're so happy with your store and your leader, and you've been there for a while, why do you seem so obsessed with Stacy? It doesn't sound like you have any personal prior experience with her.
No on is obsessed with Stacy anymore than anyone is obsessed with other topics that come up on the blog.
I'm not a 'sacked' designer from GP. That is such an obvious way of trying to undermine someone's position. Yes even designers who have never been 'sacked' by Stacy know she is unprofessional.
You can be professional without being abrupt and rude. And seriously? How can you possibly suggest that people skills aren't an important part of running a profitable business???
#151 - I didn't notice any jaggies in the close-ups and I'm not familiar with her work personally, but for that low of a price just buy it.
I only have one of Kristin's kits, but I didn't notice any jaggies on it.
#151
I didn't see any jaggies in Kristin's kit, what items are you saying have jaggies?
I have a couple of Kristin's kits and have no complaints about her quality at all.
#151 I see the jaggies on the white markers in the close-ups, but they're barely noticeable and wouldn't be seen in prints.
I wouldn't call that a low price, but nothing about those previews would make me hesitate to buy. I have many of her kits and sometimes I see the occasional less than pristine edge, but nothing that has ever made me stop buying from her.
Does Kristin Aagard is a good designer with good quality? I never purchased from her and her new kit is tempting, but when you look at the close ups it looks like a few of her elements have jaggies.
http://www.afterfivedesigns.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=5112&cat=0&page=1
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She has a free add on to her kit in the store if you want to sample her products.
http://www.afterfivedesigns.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=5110&cat=19
I've always been happy with her products.
Sometimes designers need to learn to filter themselves. WTF would use these on a page, anyway?
http://www.sugarhillco.com/shop/-Dis-Members-Only-Vol.-2/
personally I think it's hilarious, wouldn't use those, but if you want original stuff...
#151 - do you know the difference between 'jaggies' and anti-aliasing? Remember that pixels are SQUARE and that sometimes a little anti-aliasing in photoshop can be unavoidable. You are more likely to get a jagged edge from using the magic wand tool to extract.
It looks as though the stuff you see on the markers is part of the background of the original image that was missed during the extraction process - I personally wouldn't make a stink over it. Regardless - I think her kits and quality are in order.
I think they are pretty funny. I dont see them showing up in any of my kits, but to each their own.
Gross.
meh, she's just getting stuff up for Halloween kits. Those look like the stuff little boys are made of, candidly. I couldn't pull off the kit, but I bet a lot of others will.
I have that kit. The markers aren't extracted they are digital. The barrel of the marker isn't a straight rectangle shape. It tapers to one end. I think what you are seeing in the close up is anti-aliasing, which is pretty unavoidable with anything that isn't perfectly square. There are no jaggies in the kit that I can see.
I see a name missing at Gotta Pixel. That was fast for a rumor.
Huh? Do you mean another name missing from GP or just commenting on the original comment?
#175 Rosetoes is advertising a calendar on FB today and when you go to the link for GP it says there are no available products under this designer.
I thought she was a pretty good designer.... that is interesting.
It had to have been sudden if she is advertising for a store she does not have anymore. Hope she didn't get screwed over.
she must of pissed someone off
#178, how do you know Roseytoes wasn't the one doing the screwing over? Usually when a designer has their store suddenly closed, it has more to do with the designer being a problem and not the other way around.
180-I very much doubt it. I've known her since she began designing and she hasn't caused any problems anyplace she's been. She's a very good designer and a nice person to deal with besides.
Sometimes designers need to learn to filter themselves. WTF would use these on a page, anyway?
http://www.sugarhillco.com/shop/-Dis-Members-Only-Vol.-2/
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Halloween page
Jornaling about your love or someone else's love of horror movies
silly surgery get well card
How's that? And I wasn't even trying.
I know Roseytoes from a store i was selling, and she's nice !
She (Roseytoes) may be nice, but she obviously did something unprofessional to get kicked out quickly!
184-You have no idea if she was kicked out or if she decided to leave herself unless you are the owner at GP. I've worked with designers that were happy somewhere until something happened to upset them-whether it was a disagreement with the owner, another designer, change in policy they couldn't agree on, or even illness in their family-and by evening had moved all their things to another store, or deleted their entire inventory from the one store themselves. This has happened several times with different designers in fact. Seeing as how there has been so many people that think the owner of GP is so abrupt, maybe Ryan decided she didn't want to work with her anymore. Nice people don't really care for not nice people.
183-Yes, I agree with you.
I have worked with Roseytoes a few times on different projects and she has always been polite and professional. I dont know the owner of GP or what happened there, but its unfair to say someone on either side was unprofessional without any supporting information.
186-Several people here that have said they've worked with the owner of GP have said she occasional handles things unprofessionally. Nobody that has worked with Roseytoes has said that she has been unprofessional.
187 - Read the earlier post like 180
I've worked with the owner of GP and she was always professional and never rude.
Now it's been said.
I've worked with the owner of GP and she was always professional and never rude.
Now it's been said.
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#189 - read #187 again. She said that some have said the owner of GP is unprofessional, not everyone, just some. So I'm not sure what your point is, aside from showing a lack of reading comprehension.
Just wondering, but would anyone buy this?
http://www.mymemories.com/store/display_product_page?id=TBAB-CP-1208-20066
Just wondering, but would anyone buy this?
http://www.mymemories.com/store/display_product_page?id=TBAB-CP-1208-20066
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Seeing as she is at the top of the list of featured designers, I'm going to say yes.
#191/192 - That speaks volumes about what has happened at MMS - quantity over quality, both in product & the team.
My eyes! My eyes!
Damn, 192. You could at least give a warning to have some eyebleach ready.
Too bright just doesn't cover it.
oops, I meant eyewash.
I think my retinas are burned.
I heard to be on the top at MMS is about quantity and not just sales! I can't imagine anyone ever buying any of her aweful stuff!
My Memories doesn't carter to the digi scrapper, it caters to the paper scrapper wanting to try digi. Some of them don't know any better and some of them do. To each their own.
There's some pretty awful stuff in the regular dig world that I can't imagine anyone buying, but they do.
#191 that kit looks like a freebie I would have been thrilled with when I started digi, back in about 2006. Seeing as it's now 6 years later and that's not free, I can't imagine anyone buying it. Yet you know the old saying, there's a sucker born every minute.
189-I'm glad she wasn't rude to you. That makes ONE. I have designer friends that have their stores there and I'd hate to think they were stuck working with someone rude. I've had no dealings with her on a professional basis.
Well then, I'll make two. Is Stacy all sunshine and rainbows? No. But that doesn't bother me. She is a professional store owner. She is clear with her expectations and respectful to her team. She shows her appreciation for the GP praisers regularly and if you are the kind of designer who understands how to work as a professional, there is no reason you should not be able to get along with her. If you cause her drama and grief, I am sure you won't have a pleasant experience, but I think the same can be said of most professional store owners. I doubt Maya or Robin or Kami put up with much crap from their teams and I don't think any of these store owners should be expected to tolerate all the nonsense that goes on behind the scenes with some designers.
There are far less professional store owners in this business, including those who don't pay their designers on time. Shame you all can't go bash those store owners for a while because those are the ones who deserve it.
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