^^^^ If I remember rightly, they are Eastern European and English is not their first language. I've seen comparatively worse from native English speakers.
Isn't DigiDesignResort the site that people were super pissed about a few years ago when they wouldn't stop sending unsolicited newsletters, even after being contacted by lots of people more than one time? In the back of my head I remember a "scandal" involving that site. Either way I wouldn't touch it with a 20 foot pole.
Isn't DigiDesignResort the site that people were super pissed about a few years ago when they wouldn't stop sending unsolicited newsletters, even after being contacted by lots of people more than one time? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, that's the one.
Glad to see that the Digi Chick isn't above trademark infringement. It's always good to know which stores you can get away with anything in. Those Mickey Mouse templates this week, wow. Haven't people talked for years about how you can't use the Mickey head shape? How are designers still thinking that's OK to do? How are owners still letting it happen?
Mickey Mouse’s films are covered by copyright Mickey Mouse’s design/looks are covered by copyright Mickey Mouse as a cartoon salesman is covered by trademarks. Mickey Mouse’s films will enter the public domain when their copyright terms expire. As of right now, that is 2020 (barring further term extensions). It will allow people to view films, edit them, remix them and so forth, it will not however, allow people to sell any merchandise when Mickey Mouse is used as a tool to sell because unless they are officially sanctioned by the Walt Disney Company, they will be in breach of trademark law. As long as Disney maintains their trademark over the character, he will remain for their exclusive use indefinitely.
It looks like the black Mickey shapes in those templates are 3 separate circles. If Erica and Sinead think that making a Mickey shape 3 separate layers makes it "legal" or "ok" then I'm floored. That's a trademarked shape. It wouldn't be ok for a designer to use a Mickey cartoon sketch as an element and put it on 3 separate layers and sell it as one file in order to get around trademark law and this isn't ok either. Totally agree with 9, 11, 12 on this one.
Using three circles is not an infringement. Had they used the face, the body, name, etc..yes. But as it is, absolutely not. You're so fast to accuse someone of something you don't educate yourselves. You remind me of five-year-olds.
10 I really wish you knew what you were talking about, but you don't. I'm really surprised that the owner let those pass. She knows better. ---------- 10 is correct as is the owner for "letting those pass."
While they are, in fact, a trademark infringement (don't kid yourselves, girlies) they won't dilute the Disney brand so, therefore, Disney won't give a damn.
Compared to all the Disney infringement in all the Sahlin & Britt kits, the templates at TDC are a drop in the bucket. I can't believe a store like TLP still allows Sahlin to sell those products. If Disney does decide to pursue that, they'll go after the owner of the store for a ton of money, too. I wonder if all the designers at TLP are okay with the idea that their store could go under all because of one designer who doesn't give a shit?
It won't go under. They were reported and some of the product was removed - the really obvious character silhouettes on the freebie journal cards and some other journal cards as well.
15 and 16, I sure hope you're not one of the TDC designers or the owner because you are very very wrong. The 3-circle Mickey shape is most definitely trademarked and there's a reason you don't see designers using that shape in their kits. Well, most designers. Those who care about being ethical and moral. Of course Disney isn't going to come after some lowly designer in a digital shop like TDC. But that doesn't make it right. Shame on the owner for letting it go.
For those of you who think those templates aren't a trademark violation, think of it this way: if it was ok to use that Mickey head shape, then why did the designer separate it into 3 obviously separate circles instead of one full shape? Oh because she knew it was wrong to use, and was creating a loophole.
The trouble is that no loophole holds water. She's still using the likeness of a Disney character's logo, even if only implied, to sell product and profit financially. It's wrong, and she knows it. Otherwise she would have just created the shape as one layer and wouldn't have gone to the bother of trying to create a loophole.
You people seriously need to find a hobby. Layered circles are not copyright infringements. It's not morally OR legally wrong. What IS offensive, however, is how some of you are so quick to judge other people when you are considerably ignorant regarding the subject matter. You're all ready to get someone in trouble and see a shop go down. If I were some of you, I'd be much more concerned with my own behavior than someone's use of a mouse head.
Think what you want. For a start, they are a trademark violation, not a copyright violation as you so incorrectly pointed out (who is being ignorant now?). This does make a difference. Nobody here was quick to 'judge' however, people were quick to point out the error on the part of the designer.
Second, why be so dramatic? Why would the shop go down if nobody did anything wrong? The only person who would go 'down', as you so eloquently put it, would be the designer.
Third, for someone smacking our hands and telling us to be more worried about own behavior rather than someone elses, you sure are concerned about other people's behavior. Perhaps you should follow your own advice.
Actually, Disney would have a stronger case under copyright, which basically states that you can't use that likeness in anyway. Trademark associates something as being sold by a certain brand. In 2013 there was a case where another company was reproducing Betty Boop on merchandise and the was a trademark case. The judgement was that there was no infringement because it was created for aesthetic qualities and not relied on by the consumer as to what the source of the products were. There is not a customer in digiscrap who thinks that Disney produced those templates. The designer's logo is clearly on the packaging and the store is clearly labeled with the designer's name. The customers are buying the product because they are showing their allegiance to the Disney brand by scrapping their memories of a Disney vacation or in some other way identifying with Disney and are not buying the product because they are looking for a Disney made product. The designer isn't using the Mickey Head in their logo or as a way to imply that Disney sanctions that product. Copyright is much less forgiving. If Disney has a copyright on the Mickey Head (I can't imagine they don't) then you can't reproduce a likeness of it in any way shape or form.
How about the new Shabby Miss Jenn kit? Doesn't it infringe on Lego or Star Wars trademark? I know for one that Lego doesn't allow digital scrapbooking products be made with their blocks and products (a fellow designer asked them in an e-mail).
#27 - yes I do. #29 - SMJ had a summer kit and it contained scanned Jolee's stickers. There was no scandal, except on here as far as I know, as nobody else gave a damn. If that blew up elsewhere, I'd love to know.
Wow I just saw her Star Wars kit and I am astounded. That might be the worst copyright violation I've ever seen in digi, and I've seen some really bad ones. Who does she think she is?
Where are the best places to spend time next weekend for insd? Who has the best sales? SO used to be the place to be but I looked at the challenge/game and it looks awful.
Has anyone purchased any project life or other items from GG Digital Designs? I have been doing all of my own stuff (have never bought a kit), but am looking for a way to save some time scrapbooking and like the clean look of her designs. Is it good quality? Thanks!
I had a great time participating at the P&Co Birthday events a couple months ago. I'm assuming they will have similar things for NSD, but I don't actually know that.
GG digital designs has great quality. She had a bit of a following a few years ago. Her style is very clean and not very textured. I personally like it as it prints well. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
This is from last year, why bring it up now? And the Pinterest account is not exactly 'full of' copyright infringements - I had to look for the infringements. Yes, they are there but it's not as many as you are making out.
I hate to be "that person" who is always pointing fingers and being crazy but come ON 36. You've been doing all of your own scrapbooking supplies and you have never ever bought a kit and suddenly you just happened to decide that you want to try out your first ever designer and you also happened to know about this blog (really? why? how???) and so you came here to ask about that designer? Really? We're supposed to believe that you're not a designer trying to get your name out there right before NSD? Puhhhllleeeeeze.
#41- I did scroll to the bottom of the page, l even acknowledge that there are infringements. However, once again, I'll point out, as you clearly failed to notice it the first time, it's not "Full" of infringements as you claim. They are there, but not in the abundant amount you seem to think.
How do you know what she feels is abundant and what isn't? It's not like she defined abundant. Chill out with the semantics 43, Jesus. Who cares what word she chooses?
If you are going to accuse someone of having products full of copyright infringements, there should be products full of copyright infringements. It's not about semantics.
---------------------------------------- True, but almost every store seems to be starting at least their sales or some promotion early. PCO is having early deals, TLP has the pick your prize up, SO's Farmer's Market is open (and crashed), Get It Scrapped has classes on sale. Everyone is trying to get your money first! ;)
I used to love FM as they used to take kits etc that were already in the store and put them in there, great way to empty your wish list. Now it seems they create new items and sell individually. There are a couple of designers there I will definitely check out......if the Market is back up before the sale ends that is.
Some of the designers have absolute crap for Farmers Market. I just looked through the list ... Kami couldn't be bothered to even put any of her old stuff in there. Way to set an example for YOUR store. Off to go see what other stores should get my money this year.
There's also some full kits in the FM that are a good deal. You just have to wade through the not-so-good deals which is really the way it's always been. Why would the other designers care if Kami puts anything in there? It's just more competition for them.
P&CO has a great HUGE free kit.
The Digiscrap Parade also has a lot of good stuff so far..only have looked at about half of it.
The Digiscrap Parade is pretty good. There are a few things that I didn't like (Vero Scrap, Alexis Design Studio) but most was good. My only complaint is that Deena Rutter makes you sign up for her newsletter in order to get her mini--thanks, but no.
I looked at the fm last night--and won't be buying anything. Not that I didn't like what I saw, but no way is Kami getting any of my money. I feel bad for the designers--but not bad enough to split with my money. If they go to a store I can support, I'll support the designers with my money. Until then, it's bye bye. Not buy buy.
Really low to screw up all of the hard work that designers put into a blog train. Do you think they give away a free kit just for the love of giving you something free? They want you to visit their sites. What an asshole. Correction: two assholes, both of you who shared codes.
I personally like the way that PCO does their blog hops. It's so much nicer to download the whole kit in one place and have it be in your orders history. I hope jerks like you that revealed the code don't ruin it for the rest of us!
I used to really like SMJ's kits, and would've bought something on a weekend like this (50% off). Now she'll never get my money. I hope she doesn't get away with kits like that!!
They must have changed the code because the first one was correct (I did the hop to get it) so bravo to P&CO for changing it when it got posted here. Change it again, then there will be no reason to post it if you change it each time.
The second one is not correct but unfortunately close, I just don't understand the type of person who posts something like that the blog hop did not take long and was filled with lots of nice tips and information.
They must have changed it again. Good for them. It's a beautiful kit. Rather than paying money, you are paying with a little of your time to go through the hop. It is more than worth the time it takes which isn't very long at all.
I think the PCO kits are consistently some of the best collabs, and I agree with 79. I love having the downloads all together. I really hope they don't change they way they do them.
Agree with 87. I often don't bother with collabs: the designers' styles don't really work together, and some designers seem to just throw in random stuff, and the whole is less than the sum of its parts. But PCO's collabs are really good. The bermuda triangle kit is gorgeous.
I just scrapped with that Bermuda Triangle kit and it is so well done. What I like most about their collabs is even though they may have a running theme they are so versatile and can be used over and over again.
SSD, on the other hand, has a truly awful "hop." You really can't even call it that because what it is mostly is entries to win stuff. Additionally, SO many of their new releases look EXACTLY the same..same colors, same theme, same elements. Boring.
I looked at the SSD new releases and I really don't get the whole "same colors" comments. I see nothing but different palettes. Same theme is pretty common everywhere, not just SSD.
Some of the SSD hop items are from their Birthday Hop…I downloaded them thinking they were new to discover they were the same items…was not really a HOP for them…it was a waste of time, imo.
I agree it's not much of a hop, but choosing my favorite product and linking it for a chance to win a GC is a hell of a lot less time and energy than what SO is doing. I don't want to scrap a challenge layout for a CHANCE to win a prize. It's one thing if I'm scrapping what I want for a chance (I'd even use the prize giver's products). I'm not wasting my time on a challenge layout for a mere chance.
#93 you're truly color blind if you don't see bunches and bunches of similar colors. There's different ones, granted, because hell, there's over a hundred new releases but there's TONS of similarities too.
There are ALWAYS going to be similarities, there are only so many colors on the color wheel, and only a few "themes" to recycle that is fitting for the reason people scrap. Nothing is new under the sun, it's just scrapping with the version you like best so why complain?
Nothing is new under the sun, it's just scrapping with the version you like best so why complain? --- Well, thanks for that. You are now elected the Forum Nanny! Congrats!
I used to love the FM at SO--I missed it for about 5 minutes today, then went on with my day, and lived without it. There ya go Cami. Have a nice day. Sorry SO designers. When you get tired of her shenanigans and move to a decent store I'll shop with you again.
It reminds me of quite a few Allison Pennington scribbles. Like this one: https://the-lilypad.com/store/At-A-Glance-Scribbles.html (which literally says bored in the preview) or this one: https://the-lilypad.com/store/I-Put-a-Spell-on-You-Doodles-and-Scribbles.html (except for the Halloween elements, it's the same).
^^^scribbles are great for matting down photos or little cluster groups. They are also used a lot on artsy pages. They can also be used effectively when they are "floating" out a little bit from a main design group in order to attract the eye to that area.
So, I guess it comes down to style preference. If you love scribbles/doodles then those packs have great value for you if you don't know how or can't reproduce them on your own. If you have never used a scribble in your life, then those packs might seem pointless.
95 -- ITA!!! I have no interest in the challenges this year at SO. I used to do them when you would do the layout and then get a prize. Like a word art / alpha, etc. The way they have it this year, with all their "changes" to win $10 and then the "chance" to win the score sheet is a huge waste. I don't want to have to track and mess around with a lame score sheet in photoshop adding flags and calculating points. Especially since there's a great chance my layout will be disqualified for some after the fact rule change. Their freebies this time around are super confusing. Has Kami totally given up leading her store??
I only glanced at the SO challenges. I definitely thought it was too complicated. I knew it had something to do with points, and I assumed that it was like a Plum Perks system - earn points and then get to spend in the store. After another look, I see it is just who ever has the most points wins the grand prize. Compared to past years where you definitely got a freebie for participating in each challenge, I can see how this system was disappointing. But I don't think participating for a chance at the prize is all that different from the other stores I looked it. I'd say that SO has a "competitive" spirit for a lot of their promotions. It's kind of their style. I think that why they have all these score card things.
Did you guys do a lot of shopping on National Scrapbook Day? There were some really nice freebies. I think the best one was from Pixels & Co - their kit is very nice.
After unzipping all my downloads from all the stores I was surprised that there was 470mb of stuff I deleted. Most of this comes from deleting the extra file versions in the templates (ie. the extra photoshop & png files because I only keep the tif), but also a lot of the extra links & advertising. Which store do you think had the best activities & games?
loved the P&co freebie, visited at least 20 sites looking to spend $ and found nothing to write home about.... I did spend at TLP & P&co but half of what I generally do at INSD. I did the digiscrap hop and found I only DL about half of what was on offer. its always the digichick contributions that I find that don't fit or just plain ugly.
Does anybody know who this is? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008260997404&sk=friends Charly Renay is one of the "friends" here. I wonder if it's one of the triplets. It's someone that is starting a new store. It's totally her MO.
109 The account has 16 friends. Why point out Charly? Way to ASSume. In my opinion, way too "clean" to be Charly. Charly's stores always look like shit.
First time I've read the blog in a week or two since before NSD and I have to say that I am deeply disappointed to see people posting direct links to products here on this blog. It's a new low. Given that most everyone who reads this blog is either a designer, a former designer, or a creative team member of some kind, everyone here should know better than to stoop so low as piracy. I've never seen people post download links to products here so that other people could download them without paying for them. A freebie is the same thing, if the payment required is signing up for a newsletter or liking someone on Facebook. Suffice it to say that I honestly can't believe that some of you have stooped so low. Just wow.
Did you guys do a lot of shopping on National Scrapbook Day? -------
It was National Scrapbook Day? I guess that answers your question. I did no shopping at all. I have far too much stuff I'm not using, why the heck add to it?
The people on this blog love to shut down stores before they open. Sad... --------
Oh please, stop being such a drama queen. If the store owners had any belief in the first place in their store, it would open, irrespective of anything said on this blog. If it doesn't open because of something said on here, they obviously don't have the guts or business accumen to stand behind their beliefs.
I've never seen people post download links to products here so that other people could download them without paying for them. -------
Yeah? You must be new, this happened in the past on a relatively frequent basis. If you don't want the code, don't damn well use it if you see it - yes, it is that simple.
Bullshit 116, I've read this blog for years and I agree with 113. It's something that never used to happen. Never. Name me one time. Link me up to the post. Show me. I remember one time someone posted something questionable and the blog "owner" deleted it and chastised everyone.
I have far too much stuff I'm not using, why the heck add to it? __ Why did you buy stuff you weren't going to use? Further, if you know you aren't going to use it, why are you keeping it?
Yeah? You must be new, this happened in the past on a relatively frequent basis. If you don't want the code, don't damn well use it if you see it - yes, it is that simple. __ No, it isn't that simple, Dumb Ass. For every one person who sees it and doesn't use it, several will. It flat shouldn't be posted..period.
No, this did NOT happen frequently in the past. That is a lie. I just love it when people post stuff to prove a point with no regard to whether it's truthful.
Where did you hear that Rachael is leaving Sugar Hill? I am fairly certain that's not accurate at all. Is there a post somewhere? I think the first person up above - #123 - wrote the wrong name. It's just Zoe and Melissa who are leaving, from what I heard.
110-I pointed out Charly because I recognized her as a store owner from before and I didn't recognize any of the other friends. Also Charly's name was the very first name on the list of "friends" at that time.
So if it's Melissa and Zoe leaving Sugar Hill, has SSD changed its policy about letting its designers have a CU shop? Seems strange that they're both leaving at the same time yes?
I don't remember Krystal ever selling there. I do know that Sugar Plum is at SSD and doesn't seem to be leaving SHCo unless she just hasn't announced it yet.
Those kits look really old, but I still don't understand how she's allowed to sell them there. I thought SSD allowed its designers to have a personal shop, or a separate CU shop. I was under the impression the SSD designers couldn't sell at any other consignment store though.
Sugar Hill's newsletter today said that Melissa Benett and Zoe Pearn are leaving because they won't be selling CU any more. Rachael's Scraps was not mentioned at all, and had new products. I think #123 had bad info yesterday. Also, the other SSD designer at Sugar Hill (Sugarplum) wasn't mentioned, either, and she had new products in the newsletter too. Looks like SSD designers were not forced to close their CU shops after all.
146 - I heard the bringing on of two tiny turtles has caused a lot of anger because many of the designers didn't want her on the CT when she applied last time. I also heard it wasn't brought up as a vote and that Robin and a very small handful of designers just brought her on despite other designers not wanting her. If I were one of those designers who didn't want her I'd be disgusted. If normal procedure was ignored to bring on a CT of all things, what else is being ignored and changed at the whim of a couple of designers? One of the big things at SSD has always been that the design team votes and decides everything as a team. Looks like all that has gone down the wayside to bring on a mediocre scrapper who is a way below average designer.
Bottom Line: Robin owns the store and what she says goes. If the designers or babes don't like it, they can certainly go elsewhere. That's one of the big problems at SSD. There's a certain few who believe they are primadonnas and are indispensible. I've thought for a very long time that she needed to clean house regarding her ct AND designers. Get some new blood in there flowing through the place. If the designers want to go to another less successful store or open up their own shop, they can do so.
I heard from a friend of one of the Babes that at least 3 or 4 SSD designers are leaving the shop this month. Something's up. _ I'll believe this when I see it. Where are they going to go? Gotta Pixel?
If I were one of those designers who didn't want her I'd be disgusted. _____ Then you'd be more than welcome to leave and go somewhere else. As a designer, you do not own/run the store. You are an employee.
Bullshit. Designers are just as (or even more!) responsible for the success of a store than the owner is. Without talented designers, a store won't to anywhere, no matter how fantastic the owner thinks she is.
Bullshit. Designers are just as (or even more!) responsible for the success of a store than the owner is. Without talented designers, a store won't to anywhere, no matter how fantastic the owner thinks she is. -- Granted, there need to be good designers to make a go of a store, however, no one or two or even three are irreplaceable...ever. A problem arises when they start to think they are and behave accordingly. No matter how talented a designer is, if she/he is an asshole, it is best to nip it in the bud however the owner sees fit. There is not one designer anywhere that doesn't have a counterpart who is just as talented. Sometimes I think a few of them forget that. It's up to their bosses to remind them if need be.
How bad must things be at SSD if their designers are guesting at GP?? o_O _ What a ridiculous statement. Krystal doesn't produce that much and has said more than once that her income from designing is not a necessity for her. It appears she does it more as a creative outlet than anything else.
What a ridiculous statement. Krystal doesn't produce that much and has said more than once that her income from designing is not a necessity for her. It appears she does it more as a creative outlet than anything else.
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If that's the case, then she won't last at GP because the minimum requirements there are enforced or at least they were when I was there and I doubt it Stacey has changed her personality. (I just had a look at the designers there and it's jumped up so she might have lowered the requirements to get some designers).
153, I agree that every designer is replaceable, but I disagree with the term "boss" for the store owner. Most designers own and run their own business, but agree to operate by a store contract. They are "independent contractors" and are not considered employees, therefore the store owner is not a designer's boss. Too many store owners think otherwise and lose talented, quality designers as a result. The relationship works best with mutual respect.
I heard from a friend of one of the Babes that at least 3 or 4 SSD designers are leaving the shop this month. Something's up. _ I'll believe this when I see it. Where are they going to go? Gotta Pixel?
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Well, believe it. I know of 3 who are leaving too, but not sure if they are the same 3 that someone mentioned above. They will all be announcing their departures from SSD in the next week or two. I agree that something must be up at SSD. It used to be that designers didn't leave there once they got in. In the past year or so, a bunch have left.
In the past year or so, a bunch have left. -- Bull shit..exaggerate much? Name a BUNCH who have left in the past 12 mos. Mari left because she had a conflict w/her other business and Lynette left because she wanted to start her own KickAss business.
Ever hear of independent contractors? That's all designers are. _ Technically and/or legally they may not be "employees." However, they still are there because the owner of the store says they can be and, therefore, they must do what that owner says or they're history. Call the position what you like, it's still the owner who ultimately calls the shots and if the designers have a problem with that they can leave.
Well, believe it. I know of 3 who are leaving too, but not sure if they are the same 3 that someone mentioned above. They will all be announcing their departures from SSD in the next week or two. -- I say bullshit to this as well. Why are they telling people they're leaving before they make the announcement? That's really stupid of them if they're doing that because OBVIOUSLY the people whom they've told are repeating it. Better yet, if they're so upset, why are they waiting to make those announcements? This all sounds very dramatic...and fictional.
I'm a ct at another shop, and as a ctm, we usually are told a couple of weeks to a month that a designer will be leaving. It's very logical that the ct at the sweet shop would know when the designers are leaving. It's a bit unethical, though, to spread the word. It should be up to the designer to give that information out when she wants it made public.
I say bullshit to this as well. Why are they telling people they're leaving before they make the announcement? That's really stupid of them if they're doing that because OBVIOUSLY the people whom they've told are repeating it. Better yet, if they're so upset, why are they waiting to make those announcements? This all sounds very dramatic...and fictional.
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Have fun with your head in the sand. Just because nobody has cared enough yet to tell YOU what's going on, doesn't mean it isn't happening. I definitely know of 3 SSD designers who are leaving SSD in the next 1-2 weeks. It's quiet because that's the way that Robin wants it.
Bull shit..exaggerate much? Name a BUNCH who have left in the past 12 mos. Mari left because she had a conflict w/her other business and Lynette left because she wanted to start her own KickAss business.
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Lauren Grier. Dani Mogstad. Mari K. Nettio. Apparently Darcy if 166 is correct? Also at least one more will be announcing her departure this week that I know of, and she isn't retiring.
I'm not the OP and my list may go back 2 years instead of just one, but the way I see it there actually have been more SSD designers leaving than used to be the case in the past. It used to be that once you got in to SSD the money was so good that you never left. Lauren left in search of a better deal and didn't find it because she never put in the time or effort she needed to be able to compete at TLP. But her reason for leaving SSD was the same either way. The others all left because they either found a better return on their time by selling their digital items somewhere else or because they hated the pressure at SSD to release product every single week even if it made them hate designing. Almost everyone on that list is now selling digital somewhere else or getting ready to. Nettio being the exception, but she's getting ready to have a baby any day now.
Why did you buy stuff you weren't going to use? Further, if you know you aren't going to use it, why are you keeping it? ----- Who said I was buying stuff?
It's something that never used to happen. Never. Name me one time. Link me up to the post. Show me. -------
You seriously want me to go through all five or more of the previous smack blogs and link you up? I admit it didn't happen on THIS blog but it sure as heck happened on the old blogs.
Lauren Grier. Dani Mogstad. Mari K. Nettio. ---------------
Both Lauren and Dani left well over 24 months ago and not in the last 12 months. I don't know about the other two. Irrespective, it's still not a 'bunch'.
173, maybe you should continue reading before posting something that the OP herself actually said in her own post. She said that Lauren and Dani left over a year ago, but that the point about why they left was the same either way so she included them. How did you not get that?
Sugar Plum is leaving SSD and Darcy isn't the only one who is retiring. Whoever said there were at least 3 people leaving was right on the money. Wow. What's up there?
Oh that makes me sad about Sugarplum Paperie. I love her products. Is she retiring too? I need to know if I should clear my wishlist for her products before she disappears. :-(
I don't think it's been implied that Nicole is retiring, just that she's leaving SSD. I think she'd be a good fit at P&Co. Her kits are much smaller than the others in SSD.
I just heard that Julie Billingsley is the other person retiring from SSD and I was also told that one more designer, a 4th, will be leaving by end of May. Something big had to have happened there IMO. I've never seen 4 designers leave a shop at one time unless the whole place came unglued shortly afterward. Definitely not from SSD, what is up?
Tracie Stroud My retirement sale has started a day early! All my solo products are retiring, and they're all 60% off! Snag them before they're gone for good!
Something must have happened at SSD because all of the SSD designers at SHC are either closing at SHC or leaving SSD and therefore not leaving SHC. And then there are more on top of that leaving SSD. That is 5, possibly 6 designers at SSD making some big business changes all at the same time.
I'm #186, I never said she had retired before. What I said was that she was retiring and I wonder if she will be back in 6 months somewhere else. Meaning will she take some time off then decide she wants to come back to designing. It was not a dig at Tracie at all. I like some of her products and she appears to be very nice.
I said 5 are make big business changes (not 5 leaving SSD) - the 3 that are leaving and Zoe and Melissa closing their CU stores at SHC at the same time. The only other SSD designer at SHC is Spp and she is leaving SSD and keeping her SHC store. So to me, that seems like something went down and whatever it was, it includes them not being allowed to have a CU store anymore. Zoe and Melissa are choosing to close theirs and Spp is choosing to leave SSD instead.
May 3, 2013 We're moving on up!!! Darcy Baldwin Fontography now has it's own site! darcybaldwin.com
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Normally I wouldn't think much about this, but in light of it coinciding with numerous other designers leaving SSD at the same time I have to say that I view it as Darcy deciding it will be better to be on her own than to stay at SSD. She's not really retiring if she just put all the time and effort into building her own site and shop and that speaks volumes.
My guess is that SSD is enforcing their one store policy and is including CU in it. So Zoe and Melissa chose SSD over their CU store, and SPP makes enough money on her CU store that she wasn't willing to give it up so now she's moving. Darcy and Julie seem like two different matters but they could both just be a matter of low production - do they release product that often? This might be a crackdown on the "rules" of selling at SSD - including the weekly releases. Seems like a lot of stores get really strict with their designers and their CTs when money is tight, so maybe the store is struggling.
My guess is that SSD is enforcing their one store policy and is including CU in it. So Zoe and Melissa chose SSD over their CU store, and SPP makes enough money on her CU store that she wasn't willing to give it up so now she's moving. Darcy and Julie seem like two different matters but they could both just be a matter of low production - do they release product that often? This might be a crackdown on the "rules" of selling at SSD - including the weekly releases. Seems like a lot of stores get really strict with their designers and their CTs when money is tight, so maybe the store is struggling.
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SSD doesn't have a weekly release rule. They have to release twice a month. People assume it's a weekly rule because of the way they pump product out like water.
4015 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1401 – 1600 of 4015 Newer› Newest»Inquiring mind here. I saw that Digidesignresort is having a designer call. Nothing out of the ordinary there. But their ad states this:
"Our store is directly connected with eBay.com, which automatically transfers your products to eBay.com and 10 million potential customers"
How would that work? Anyone has heard of that type of marketing?
I don't know. Interesting though.
I've never heard of that type of marketing, in fact I was under the impression you can't sell digital goods. I was wrong, but found these pages:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/downloadable.html
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/classified.html
That website is one of the worst I've been to, and the English is sketchy:
"Did you ever wanted to make your passion your occupation?
We help you!
Check back soon and we show you how"
^^^^
If I remember rightly, they are Eastern European and English is not their first language. I've seen comparatively worse from native English speakers.
When I tried to find the Ebay page for DigiDesignResort and clicked on the URL it came up as not found, which is interesting.
Isn't DigiDesignResort the site that people were super pissed about a few years ago when they wouldn't stop sending unsolicited newsletters, even after being contacted by lots of people more than one time? In the back of my head I remember a "scandal" involving that site. Either way I wouldn't touch it with a 20 foot pole.
I remember the scandal but I can't remember the site.
Isn't DigiDesignResort the site that people were super pissed about a few years ago when they wouldn't stop sending unsolicited newsletters, even after being contacted by lots of people more than one time?
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Yes, that's the one.
Glad to see that the Digi Chick isn't above trademark infringement. It's always good to know which stores you can get away with anything in. Those Mickey Mouse templates this week, wow. Haven't people talked for years about how you can't use the Mickey head shape? How are designers still thinking that's OK to do? How are owners still letting it happen?
I know you're passionate with your criticism but you're absolutely 100 per cent wrong. There is no infringement with any of those templates.
Mickey Mouse’s films are covered by copyright
Mickey Mouse’s design/looks are covered by copyright
Mickey Mouse as a cartoon salesman is covered by trademarks.
Mickey Mouse’s films will enter the public domain when their copyright terms expire. As of right now, that is 2020 (barring further term extensions). It will allow people to view films, edit them, remix them and so forth, it will not however, allow people to sell any merchandise when Mickey Mouse is used as a tool to sell because unless they are officially sanctioned by the Walt Disney Company, they will be in breach of trademark law. As long as Disney maintains their trademark over the character, he will remain for their exclusive use indefinitely.
10 I really wish you knew what you were talking about, but you don't. I'm really surprised that the owner let those pass. She knows better.
It looks like the black Mickey shapes in those templates are 3 separate circles. If Erica and Sinead think that making a Mickey shape 3 separate layers makes it "legal" or "ok" then I'm floored. That's a trademarked shape. It wouldn't be ok for a designer to use a Mickey cartoon sketch as an element and put it on 3 separate layers and sell it as one file in order to get around trademark law and this isn't ok either. Totally agree with 9, 11, 12 on this one.
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/Magical-Vol.1.html
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/Magical-Vol.2.html
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/Magical-Vol.3.html
Using three circles is not an infringement. Had they used the face, the body, name, etc..yes. But as it is, absolutely not. You're so fast to accuse someone of something you don't educate yourselves. You remind me of five-year-olds.
10 I really wish you knew what you were talking about, but you don't. I'm really surprised that the owner let those pass. She knows better.
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10 is correct as is the owner for "letting those pass."
While they are, in fact, a trademark infringement (don't kid yourselves, girlies) they won't dilute the Disney brand so, therefore, Disney won't give a damn.
Compared to all the Disney infringement in all the Sahlin & Britt kits, the templates at TDC are a drop in the bucket. I can't believe a store like TLP still allows Sahlin to sell those products. If Disney does decide to pursue that, they'll go after the owner of the store for a ton of money, too. I wonder if all the designers at TLP are okay with the idea that their store could go under all because of one designer who doesn't give a shit?
^^^^
It won't go under. They were reported and some of the product was removed - the really obvious character silhouettes on the freebie journal cards and some other journal cards as well.
15 and 16, I sure hope you're not one of the TDC designers or the owner because you are very very wrong. The 3-circle Mickey shape is most definitely trademarked and there's a reason you don't see designers using that shape in their kits. Well, most designers. Those who care about being ethical and moral. Of course Disney isn't going to come after some lowly designer in a digital shop like TDC. But that doesn't make it right. Shame on the owner for letting it go.
For those of you who think those templates aren't a trademark violation, think of it this way: if it was ok to use that Mickey head shape, then why did the designer separate it into 3 obviously separate circles instead of one full shape? Oh because she knew it was wrong to use, and was creating a loophole.
The trouble is that no loophole holds water. She's still using the likeness of a Disney character's logo, even if only implied, to sell product and profit financially. It's wrong, and she knows it. Otherwise she would have just created the shape as one layer and wouldn't have gone to the bother of trying to create a loophole.
You people seriously need to find a hobby. Layered circles are not copyright infringements. It's not morally OR legally wrong. What IS offensive, however, is how some of you are so quick to judge other people when you are considerably ignorant regarding the subject matter. You're all ready to get someone in trouble and see a shop go down. If I were some of you, I'd be much more concerned with my own behavior than someone's use of a mouse head.
^^^^
Think what you want. For a start, they are a trademark violation, not a copyright violation as you so incorrectly pointed out (who is being ignorant now?). This does make a difference. Nobody here was quick to 'judge' however, people were quick to point out the error on the part of the designer.
Second, why be so dramatic? Why would the shop go down if nobody did anything wrong? The only person who would go 'down', as you so eloquently put it, would be the designer.
Third, for someone smacking our hands and telling us to be more worried about own behavior rather than someone elses, you sure are concerned about other people's behavior. Perhaps you should follow your own advice.
What 21 said, exactly.
Actually, Disney would have a stronger case under copyright, which basically states that you can't use that likeness in anyway. Trademark associates something as being sold by a certain brand. In 2013 there was a case where another company was reproducing Betty Boop on merchandise and the was a trademark case. The judgement was that there was no infringement because it was created for aesthetic qualities and not relied on by the consumer as to what the source of the products were. There is not a customer in digiscrap who thinks that Disney produced those templates. The designer's logo is clearly on the packaging and the store is clearly labeled with the designer's name. The customers are buying the product because they are showing their allegiance to the Disney brand by scrapping their memories of a Disney vacation or in some other way identifying with Disney and are not buying the product because they are looking for a Disney made product. The designer isn't using the Mickey Head in their logo or as a way to imply that Disney sanctions that product. Copyright is much less forgiving. If Disney has a copyright on the Mickey Head (I can't imagine they don't) then you can't reproduce a likeness of it in any way shape or form.
http://www.shabbymissjenndesigns.com/collections/new-releases/products/star-fighters-bundle
How about the new Shabby Miss Jenn kit? Doesn't it infringe on Lego or Star Wars trademark? I know for one that Lego doesn't allow digital scrapbooking products be made with their blocks and products (a fellow designer asked them in an e-mail).
Well, anyone who knows SMJ knows that she doesn't give a damn about copyright or trademark. Anyone remember the Jolee's sticker scandal?
^^^^^^^
yikes!!!!!
No! Do tell!
#27 - yes I do. #29 - SMJ had a summer kit and it contained scanned Jolee's stickers. There was no scandal, except on here as far as I know, as nobody else gave a damn. If that blew up elsewhere, I'd love to know.
Wow I just saw her Star Wars kit and I am astounded. That might be the worst copyright violation I've ever seen in digi, and I've seen some really bad ones. Who does she think she is?
^^^
Someone who can get away with it because she does.
What's up with Diego at custom scripts?
Where are the best places to spend time next weekend for insd? Who has the best sales? SO used to be the place to be but I looked at the challenge/game and it looks awful.
I like TLP and P&CO the best now. Best products and most inviting forums.
Has anyone purchased any project life or other items from GG Digital Designs? I have been doing all of my own stuff (have never bought a kit), but am looking for a way to save some time scrapbooking and like the clean look of her designs. Is it good quality? Thanks!
I had a great time participating at the P&Co Birthday events a couple months ago. I'm assuming they will have similar things for NSD, but I don't actually know that.
GG digital designs has great quality. She had a bit of a following a few years ago. Her style is very clean and not very textured. I personally like it as it prints well. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
#25 check out this copyright and she claims she is a lawyer
full of disney, pixar etc.
http://www.pinterest.com/marcelasiqcorj/scrapbook-kits/
then here she is trying to defend herself
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3373223#post3373223
her store is still open
http://cariocadigitalscrapbookshop.com/adm/
^^^^
This is from last year, why bring it up now? And the Pinterest account is not exactly 'full of' copyright infringements - I had to look for the infringements. Yes, they are there but it's not as many as you are making out.
^^^^^
You obviously didn't scroll to the bottom of the page.
I hate to be "that person" who is always pointing fingers and being crazy but come ON 36. You've been doing all of your own scrapbooking supplies and you have never ever bought a kit and suddenly you just happened to decide that you want to try out your first ever designer and you also happened to know about this blog (really? why? how???) and so you came here to ask about that designer? Really? We're supposed to believe that you're not a designer trying to get your name out there right before NSD? Puhhhllleeeeeze.
#41- I did scroll to the bottom of the page, l even acknowledge that there are infringements. However, once again, I'll point out, as you clearly failed to notice it the first time, it's not "Full" of infringements as you claim. They are there, but not in the abundant amount you seem to think.
How do you know what she feels is abundant and what isn't? It's not like she defined abundant. Chill out with the semantics 43, Jesus. Who cares what word she chooses?
^^^
Chill out? Fer sure!
If you are going to accuse someone of having products full of copyright infringements, there should be products full of copyright infringements. It's not about semantics.
So now this blog is like 5 really bored people fighting over nothing huh?
^ ^ ^
LOL yeah. Looks like it. Nothing interesting had been discussed here this month. I guess it's getting a little more quiet.
I think this blog has run its course and died a natural death.
Scrap Orchard is down again.
was their Farmer's Market opening today? Think it has gone in the past on opening day of FM.
Tomorrow is INSD. Anyone interested?
Farmer's Market just started. Now lets see how long it takes the site to crash.
Tomorrow is INSD. Anyone interested?
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Yep, there's some great deals to be gotten, I'm sure. There always has been.
Saturday is INSD. Not today.
Not long so it seems because the Market is down....
Saturday is INSD. Not today.
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True, but almost every store seems to be starting at least their sales or some promotion early. PCO is having early deals, TLP has the pick your prize up, SO's Farmer's Market is open (and crashed), Get It Scrapped has classes on sale. Everyone is trying to get your money first! ;)
Bitches all want my money!
I used to love FM as they used to take kits etc that were already in the store and put them in there, great way to empty your wish list. Now it seems they create new items and sell individually. There are a couple of designers there I will definitely check out......if the Market is back up before the sale ends that is.
Some of the designers have absolute crap for Farmers Market. I just looked through the list ... Kami couldn't be bothered to even put any of her old stuff in there. Way to set an example for YOUR store. Off to go see what other stores should get my money this year.
There's also some full kits in the FM that are a good deal. You just have to wade through the not-so-good deals which is really the way it's always been. Why would the other designers care if Kami puts anything in there? It's just more competition for them.
P&CO has a great HUGE free kit.
The Digiscrap Parade also has a lot of good stuff so far..only have looked at about half of it.
The Digiscrap Parade is pretty good. There are a few things that I didn't like (Vero Scrap, Alexis Design Studio) but most was good. My only complaint is that Deena Rutter makes you sign up for her newsletter in order to get her mini--thanks, but no.
There's usually a few every time that do that. Is she the only one this time? That surprises me.
Annoyed me, too.
Those are also the ones I don't like, 61 (plus a few others). They just don't work together with the other kits.
I looked at the fm last night--and won't be buying anything. Not that I didn't like what I saw, but no way is Kami getting any of my money. I feel bad for the designers--but not bad enough to split with my money. If they go to a store I can support, I'll support the designers with my money. Until then, it's bye bye. Not buy buy.
I could have written this post word for word.
Deena Rutter's part: http://pixelsandcompany.com/shop/Playful-Mini-Kit.html
Thanks!
http://pixelsandcompany.com/shop/Bermuda-Triangle.html
code is: bermudatriangle14
Code doesn't work…
The code you entered is not correct. This is the correct one: bermudatriangl317
^^ I think this is kinda sad.
Me too. It's people like that that give the smack blog a bad name. Not all of us here are jerks.
Really low to screw up all of the hard work that designers put into a blog train. Do you think they give away a free kit just for the love of giving you something free? They want you to visit their sites. What an asshole. Correction: two assholes, both of you who shared codes.
I find calling people assholes on the internet an asshole move..
71 - Are you from PCO, trying to see who reads this blog?
Another topic: SMJ new release. She's my HERO!
I really don't understand...how can SMJ do things like this?
I personally like the way that PCO does their blog hops. It's so much nicer to download the whole kit in one place and have it be in your orders history. I hope jerks like you that revealed the code don't ruin it for the rest of us!
I've only bought one thing so far. The collab grab bag by Mommyish and Anita D. It's really nice and a bunch of stuff for just $7.
nice promo 80 :), good CT job!
and yes sharing code is screwing it all for everyone!
I used to really like SMJ's kits, and would've bought something on a weekend like this (50% off). Now she'll never get my money. I hope she doesn't get away with kits like that!!
They must have changed the code because the first one was correct (I did the hop to get it) so bravo to P&CO for changing it when it got posted here. Change it again, then there will be no reason to post it if you change it each time.
The second one is not correct but unfortunately close, I just don't understand the type of person who posts something like that the blog hop did not take long and was filled with lots of nice tips and information.
They must have changed it again. Good for them. It's a beautiful kit. Rather than paying money, you are paying with a little of your time to go through the hop. It is more than worth the time it takes which isn't very long at all.
Just because someone posts the code, doesn't mean you have to use it without doing the hop. Ignore the post, do the hop, and go download your kit.
I think the PCO kits are consistently some of the best collabs, and I agree with 79. I love having the downloads all together. I really hope they don't change they way they do them.
Agree with 87. I often don't bother with collabs: the designers' styles don't really work together, and some designers seem to just throw in random stuff, and the whole is less than the sum of its parts. But PCO's collabs are really good. The bermuda triangle kit is gorgeous.
And they're huge, too. So generous! They also give them out more often. They just gave out another kit in their newsletter last month.
I just scrapped with that Bermuda Triangle kit and it is so well done. What I like most about their collabs is even though they may have a running theme they are so versatile and can be used over and over again.
SSD, on the other hand, has a truly awful "hop." You really can't even call it that because what it is mostly is entries to win stuff. Additionally, SO many of their new releases look EXACTLY the same..same colors, same theme, same elements. Boring.
-91 - exactly what I'm thinking... they are just mean imho... Do entries, okay but then don't call it a hop...
I thought about buying some stuff at SSD this weekend but I think I'll go to PCo instead!
I looked at the SSD new releases and I really don't get the whole "same colors" comments. I see nothing but different palettes. Same theme is pretty common everywhere, not just SSD.
I agree the FB "hop" is pretty stupid, though.
Some of the SSD hop items are from their Birthday Hop…I downloaded them thinking they were new to discover they were the same items…was not really a HOP for them…it was a waste of time, imo.
I agree it's not much of a hop, but choosing my favorite product and linking it for a chance to win a GC is a hell of a lot less time and energy than what SO is doing. I don't want to scrap a challenge layout for a CHANCE to win a prize. It's one thing if I'm scrapping what I want for a chance (I'd even use the prize giver's products). I'm not wasting my time on a challenge layout for a mere chance.
#93 you're truly color blind if you don't see bunches and bunches of similar colors. There's different ones, granted, because hell, there's over a hundred new releases but there's TONS of similarities too.
There are ALWAYS going to be similarities, there are only so many colors on the color wheel, and only a few "themes" to recycle that is fitting for the reason people scrap. Nothing is new under the sun, it's just scrapping with the version you like best so why complain?
Nothing is new under the sun, it's just scrapping with the version you like best so why complain?
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Well, thanks for that. You are now elected the Forum Nanny! Congrats!
I used to love the FM at SO--I missed it for about 5 minutes today, then went on with my day, and lived without it. There ya go Cami. Have a nice day. Sorry SO designers. When you get tired of her shenanigans and move to a decent store I'll shop with you again.
This is called "I had to have a certain number of items in the Farmer Market sale and had to pull something out of my ass, so here ya go!"
http://scraporchard.com/market/Scribble-Brushes-CU-Digital-Scrapbook.html
Seriously why????
#100: RE: http://scraporchard.com/market/Scribble-Brushes-CU-Digital-Scrapbook.html
It reminds me of quite a few Allison Pennington scribbles. Like this one: https://the-lilypad.com/store/At-A-Glance-Scribbles.html (which literally says bored in the preview) or this one: https://the-lilypad.com/store/I-Put-a-Spell-on-You-Doodles-and-Scribbles.html (except for the Halloween elements, it's the same).
I agree with the "why?" I don't get it.
^^^scribbles are great for matting down photos or little cluster groups. They are also used a lot on artsy pages. They can also be used effectively when they are "floating" out a little bit from a main design group in order to attract the eye to that area.
So, I guess it comes down to style preference. If you love scribbles/doodles then those packs have great value for you if you don't know how or can't reproduce them on your own. If you have never used a scribble in your life, then those packs might seem pointless.
95 -- ITA!!! I have no interest in the challenges this year at SO. I used to do them when you would do the layout and then get a prize. Like a word art / alpha, etc. The way they have it this year, with all their "changes" to win $10 and then the "chance" to win the score sheet is a huge waste. I don't want to have to track and mess around with a lame score sheet in photoshop adding flags and calculating points. Especially since there's a great chance my layout will be disqualified for some after the fact rule change. Their freebies this time around are super confusing. Has Kami totally given up leading her store??
**" chances **
I only glanced at the SO challenges. I definitely thought it was too complicated. I knew it had something to do with points, and I assumed that it was like a Plum Perks system - earn points and then get to spend in the store. After another look, I see it is just who ever has the most points wins the grand prize. Compared to past years where you definitely got a freebie for participating in each challenge, I can see how this system was disappointing. But I don't think participating for a chance at the prize is all that different from the other stores I looked it. I'd say that SO has a "competitive" spirit for a lot of their promotions. It's kind of their style. I think that why they have all these score card things.
Did you guys do a lot of shopping on National Scrapbook Day? There were some really nice freebies. I think the best one was from Pixels & Co - their kit is very nice.
After unzipping all my downloads from all the stores I was surprised that there was 470mb of stuff I deleted. Most of this comes from deleting the extra file versions in the templates (ie. the extra photoshop & png files because I only keep the tif), but also a lot of the extra links & advertising. Which store do you think had the best activities & games?
Did you guys do a lot of shopping on National Scrapbook Day?
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Lots!
loved the P&co freebie, visited at least 20 sites looking to spend $ and found nothing to write home about.... I did spend at TLP & P&co but half of what I generally do at INSD.
I did the digiscrap hop and found I only DL about half of what was on offer. its always the digichick contributions that I find that don't fit or just plain ugly.
Does anybody know who this is?
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008260997404&sk=friends
Charly Renay is one of the "friends" here. I wonder if it's one of the triplets. It's someone that is starting a new store. It's totally her MO.
109 The account has 16 friends. Why point out Charly? Way to ASSume. In my opinion, way too "clean" to be Charly. Charly's stores always look like shit.
interesting that her friends are hidden now. I'd stay far away from that one...
I can still see them, 111. The people on this blog love to shut down stores before they open. Sad...
First time I've read the blog in a week or two since before NSD and I have to say that I am deeply disappointed to see people posting direct links to products here on this blog. It's a new low. Given that most everyone who reads this blog is either a designer, a former designer, or a creative team member of some kind, everyone here should know better than to stoop so low as piracy. I've never seen people post download links to products here so that other people could download them without paying for them. A freebie is the same thing, if the payment required is signing up for a newsletter or liking someone on Facebook. Suffice it to say that I honestly can't believe that some of you have stooped so low. Just wow.
Did you guys do a lot of shopping on National Scrapbook Day?
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It was National Scrapbook Day? I guess that answers your question. I did no shopping at all. I have far too much stuff I'm not using, why the heck add to it?
The people on this blog love to shut down stores before they open. Sad...
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Oh please, stop being such a drama queen. If the store owners had any belief in the first place in their store, it would open, irrespective of anything said on this blog. If it doesn't open because of something said on here, they obviously don't have the guts or business accumen to stand behind their beliefs.
I've never seen people post download links to products here so that other people could download them without paying for them.
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Yeah? You must be new, this happened in the past on a relatively frequent basis. If you don't want the code, don't damn well use it if you see it - yes, it is that simple.
Bullshit 116, I've read this blog for years and I agree with 113. It's something that never used to happen. Never. Name me one time. Link me up to the post. Show me. I remember one time someone posted something questionable and the blog "owner" deleted it and chastised everyone.
WTF is 116 talking about? Frequent basis? Um . . . . . no.
Considering it's May and we are still on January's post, I'm pretty sure the blog owner doesn't care.
I think it's tacky to post the code.
I think it was tackier to post a direct link to Deena Rutter's freebie. Posting the code was tacky too. High class all around this blog. SMH
I have far too much stuff I'm not using, why the heck add to it?
__
Why did you buy stuff you weren't going to use? Further, if you know you aren't going to use it, why are you keeping it?
Yeah? You must be new, this happened in the past on a relatively frequent basis. If you don't want the code, don't damn well use it if you see it - yes, it is that simple.
__
No, it isn't that simple, Dumb Ass. For every one person who sees it and doesn't use it, several will. It flat shouldn't be posted..period.
No, this did NOT happen frequently in the past. That is a lie. I just love it when people post stuff to prove a point with no regard to whether it's truthful.
Zoe Pearn & Rachaels Scraps leaving SHC
So is Melissa Benett... What's going on at SHCO??
Melissa and Zoe have not been there long but Rachel has for quite some time. Wonder what is hapening.
What is SHCO? ... not on the list.
Sugar Hill Co.
Two Tiny Turtles is the newest Sugar Babe. How long before she's a designer at Sweet Shoppe?
where did you see Rachael is retiring?
No one said retiring.
Zoe Pearn & Rachaels Scraps leaving SHC is what was posted
SHC does not have a very long list of designers to start with (compared to other stores). Losing 3 in a short time will be a drastic reduction!
Where did you hear that Rachael is leaving Sugar Hill? I am fairly certain that's not accurate at all. Is there a post somewhere? I think the first person up above - #123 - wrote the wrong name. It's just Zoe and Melissa who are leaving, from what I heard.
110-I pointed out Charly because I recognized her as a store owner from before and I didn't recognize any of the other friends. Also Charly's name was the very first name on the list of "friends" at that time.
So if it's Melissa and Zoe leaving Sugar Hill, has SSD changed its policy about letting its designers have a CU shop? Seems strange that they're both leaving at the same time yes?
Didn't Krystal Hartley sell at SHCO? I don't see her on the designer list either.
I don't remember Krystal ever selling there. I do know that Sugar Plum is at SSD and doesn't seem to be leaving SHCo unless she just hasn't announced it yet.
Krystal used to sell there. I googled it. Not sure when she left there though.
She didn't except as a guest. She was there for a month last year. I bought one of her brush sets.
Oddly enough, Krystal is listed as a designer at Gotta Pixel?
What???? How long has she been selling at Gotta Pixel? I thought SSD was exclusive?
Those kits look really old, but I still don't understand how she's allowed to sell them there. I thought SSD allowed its designers to have a personal shop, or a separate CU shop. I was under the impression the SSD designers couldn't sell at any other consignment store though.
Gotta Pixel doesn't label it's guests. She must be guesting.
Krystal is guesting at GP this month, along with Jennifer Labre and CathyK Designs. It was announced on May 1st in their newsletter.
How bad must things be at SSD if their designers are guesting at GP?? o_O
Sugar Hill's newsletter today said that Melissa Benett and Zoe Pearn are leaving because they won't be selling CU any more. Rachael's Scraps was not mentioned at all, and had new products. I think #123 had bad info yesterday. Also, the other SSD designer at Sugar Hill (Sugarplum) wasn't mentioned, either, and she had new products in the newsletter too. Looks like SSD designers were not forced to close their CU shops after all.
I heard from a friend of one of the Babes that at least 3 or 4 SSD designers are leaving the shop this month. Something's up.
Which shop? Sugar Hill or SSD?
146 - I heard the bringing on of two tiny turtles has caused a lot of anger because many of the designers didn't want her on the CT when she applied last time. I also heard it wasn't brought up as a vote and that Robin and a very small handful of designers just brought her on despite other designers not wanting her. If I were one of those designers who didn't want her I'd be disgusted. If normal procedure was ignored to bring on a CT of all things, what else is being ignored and changed at the whim of a couple of designers? One of the big things at SSD has always been that the design team votes and decides everything as a team. Looks like all that has gone down the wayside to bring on a mediocre scrapper who is a way below average designer.
Bottom Line: Robin owns the store and what she says goes. If the designers or babes don't like it, they can certainly go elsewhere. That's one of the big problems at SSD. There's a certain few who believe they are primadonnas and are indispensible. I've thought for a very long time that she needed to clean house regarding her ct AND designers. Get some new blood in there flowing through the place. If the designers want to go to another less successful store or open up their own shop, they can do so.
I heard from a friend of one of the Babes that at least 3 or 4 SSD designers are leaving the shop this month. Something's up.
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I'll believe this when I see it. Where are they going to go? Gotta Pixel?
If I were one of those designers who didn't want her I'd be disgusted.
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Then you'd be more than welcome to leave and go somewhere else. As a designer, you do not own/run the store. You are an employee.
Bullshit. Designers are just as (or even more!) responsible for the success of a store than the owner is. Without talented designers, a store won't to anywhere, no matter how fantastic the owner thinks she is.
Bullshit. Designers are just as (or even more!) responsible for the success of a store than the owner is. Without talented designers, a store won't to anywhere, no matter how fantastic the owner thinks she is.
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Granted, there need to be good designers to make a go of a store, however, no one or two or even three are irreplaceable...ever. A problem arises when they start to think they are and behave accordingly. No matter how talented a designer is, if she/he is an asshole, it is best to nip it in the bud however the owner sees fit. There is not one designer anywhere that doesn't have a counterpart who is just as talented. Sometimes I think a few of them forget that. It's up to their bosses to remind them if need be.
How bad must things be at SSD if their designers are guesting at GP?? o_O
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What a ridiculous statement. Krystal doesn't produce that much and has said more than once that her income from designing is not a necessity for her. It appears she does it more as a creative outlet than anything else.
What a ridiculous statement. Krystal doesn't produce that much and has said more than once that her income from designing is not a necessity for her. It appears she does it more as a creative outlet than anything else.
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If that's the case, then she won't last at GP because the minimum requirements there are enforced or at least they were when I was there and I doubt it Stacey has changed her personality. (I just had a look at the designers there and it's jumped up so she might have lowered the requirements to get some designers).
Krystal is a guest at GP and therefore, there are no minimum requirements.
If that's the case, then she won't last at GP
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like she'd care
153, I agree that every designer is replaceable, but I disagree with the term "boss" for the store owner. Most designers own and run their own business, but agree to operate by a store contract. They are "independent contractors" and are not considered employees, therefore the store owner is not a designer's boss. Too many store owners think otherwise and lose talented, quality designers as a result. The relationship works best with mutual respect.
I heard from a friend of one of the Babes that at least 3 or 4 SSD designers are leaving the shop this month. Something's up.
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I'll believe this when I see it. Where are they going to go? Gotta Pixel?
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Well, believe it. I know of 3 who are leaving too, but not sure if they are the same 3 that someone mentioned above. They will all be announcing their departures from SSD in the next week or two. I agree that something must be up at SSD. It used to be that designers didn't leave there once they got in. In the past year or so, a bunch have left.
Then you'd be more than welcome to leave and go somewhere else. As a designer, you do not own/run the store. You are an employee.
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Wrong again. You obviously don't understand the meaning of the term employee. Ever hear of independent contractors? That's all designers are.
In the past year or so, a bunch have left.
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Bull shit..exaggerate much? Name a BUNCH who have left in the past 12 mos. Mari left because she had a conflict w/her other business and Lynette left because she wanted to start her own KickAss business.
Ever hear of independent contractors? That's all designers are.
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Technically and/or legally they may not be "employees." However, they still are there because the owner of the store says they can be and, therefore, they must do what that owner says or they're history. Call the position what you like, it's still the owner who ultimately calls the shots and if the designers have a problem with that they can leave.
Well, believe it. I know of 3 who are leaving too, but not sure if they are the same 3 that someone mentioned above. They will all be announcing their departures from SSD in the next week or two.
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I say bullshit to this as well. Why are they telling people they're leaving before they make the announcement? That's really stupid of them if they're doing that because OBVIOUSLY the people whom they've told are repeating it. Better yet, if they're so upset, why are they waiting to make those announcements? This all sounds very dramatic...and fictional.
I'm a ct at another shop, and as a ctm, we usually are told a couple of weeks to a month that a designer will be leaving. It's very logical that the ct at the sweet shop would know when the designers are leaving. It's a bit unethical, though, to spread the word. It should be up to the designer to give that information out when she wants it made public.
I say bullshit to this as well. Why are they telling people they're leaving before they make the announcement? That's really stupid of them if they're doing that because OBVIOUSLY the people whom they've told are repeating it. Better yet, if they're so upset, why are they waiting to make those announcements? This all sounds very dramatic...and fictional.
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Have fun with your head in the sand. Just because nobody has cared enough yet to tell YOU what's going on, doesn't mean it isn't happening. I definitely know of 3 SSD designers who are leaving SSD in the next 1-2 weeks. It's quiet because that's the way that Robin wants it.
Who? I only know about Darcy's retirement.
Bull shit..exaggerate much? Name a BUNCH who have left in the past 12 mos. Mari left because she had a conflict w/her other business and Lynette left because she wanted to start her own KickAss business.
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Lauren Grier. Dani Mogstad. Mari K. Nettio. Apparently Darcy if 166 is correct? Also at least one more will be announcing her departure this week that I know of, and she isn't retiring.
I'm not the OP and my list may go back 2 years instead of just one, but the way I see it there actually have been more SSD designers leaving than used to be the case in the past. It used to be that once you got in to SSD the money was so good that you never left. Lauren left in search of a better deal and didn't find it because she never put in the time or effort she needed to be able to compete at TLP. But her reason for leaving SSD was the same either way. The others all left because they either found a better return on their time by selling their digital items somewhere else or because they hated the pressure at SSD to release product every single week even if it made them hate designing. Almost everyone on that list is now selling digital somewhere else or getting ready to. Nettio being the exception, but she's getting ready to have a baby any day now.
don't forget about erin. She left (dissappeared) too
Yeah, Darcy retiring is going to be a big disappointment. Who cares?
No, this did NOT happen frequently in the past. That is a lie.
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Yes, it did. Just because you weren't there doesn't make it a lie but I expect little else from someone who feels the need to call everyone dumb ass.
Why did you buy stuff you weren't going to use? Further, if you know you aren't going to use it, why are you keeping it?
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Who said I was buying stuff?
It's something that never used to happen. Never. Name me one time. Link me up to the post. Show me.
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You seriously want me to go through all five or more of the previous smack blogs and link you up? I admit it didn't happen on THIS blog but it sure as heck happened on the old blogs.
Lauren Grier. Dani Mogstad. Mari K. Nettio.
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Both Lauren and Dani left well over 24 months ago and not in the last 12 months. I don't know about the other two. Irrespective, it's still not a 'bunch'.
You seriously want me to go through all five or more of the previous smack blogs and link you up?
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no, I just want you go...period.
173, maybe you should continue reading before posting something that the OP herself actually said in her own post. She said that Lauren and Dani left over a year ago, but that the point about why they left was the same either way so she included them. How did you not get that?
You seriously want me to go through all five or more of the previous smack blogs and link you up?
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Yes, I do. I'll wait.
Sugar Plum is leaving SSD and Darcy isn't the only one who is retiring. Whoever said there were at least 3 people leaving was right on the money. Wow. What's up there?
Where is Sugar Plum going?
^^^My money is on P&Co. Maybe TLP, but she hasn't been guesting there.
Oh that makes me sad about Sugarplum Paperie. I love her products. Is she retiring too? I need to know if I should clear my wishlist for her products before she disappears. :-(
Who is retiring other than Nicole and Darcy, or am I misunderstanding 177?
I don't think it's been implied that Nicole is retiring, just that she's leaving SSD. I think she'd be a good fit at P&Co. Her kits are much smaller than the others in SSD.
Nicole (Sugarplum Paperie) is not retiring. Darcy Baldwin is. Nicole is moving to another store, but she hasn't mentioned which.
May 3, 2013
We're moving on up!!!
Darcy Baldwin Fontography now has it's own site!
darcybaldwin.com
I'm sure spp will end up at PCO. Isn't Nicole super tight with Laura/WWC and kelleigh?
Tracie Stroud is retiring over at SO, wonder if she will stay in retirement or come back in 6 months somewhere else.
Traci has never retired before and she's been at SO for a long time. I doubt she's planning to come back somewhere else.
I just heard that Julie Billingsley is the other person retiring from SSD and I was also told that one more designer, a 4th, will be leaving by end of May. Something big had to have happened there IMO. I've never seen 4 designers leave a shop at one time unless the whole place came unglued shortly afterward. Definitely not from SSD, what is up?
Tracie Stroud My retirement sale has started a day early! All my solo products are retiring, and they're all 60% off! Snag them before they're gone for good!
^^^^^^this really sux^^^^^^
Tracie hasn't ever retired before #186
If SSD is losing some designers, who is going to replace them?
Something must have happened at SSD because all of the SSD designers at SHC are either closing at SHC or leaving SSD and therefore not leaving SHC. And then there are more on top of that leaving SSD. That is 5, possibly 6 designers at SSD making some big business changes all at the same time.
I'm #186, I never said she had retired before. What I said was that she was retiring and I wonder if she will be back in 6 months somewhere else. Meaning will she take some time off then decide she wants to come back to designing.
It was not a dig at Tracie at all. I like some of her products and she appears to be very nice.
Darcie, Julie, Spp---who are the other two leaving to make it five?
Five? What is happening to SSD?
I said 5 are make big business changes (not 5 leaving SSD) - the 3 that are leaving and Zoe and Melissa closing their CU stores at SHC at the same time. The only other SSD designer at SHC is Spp and she is leaving SSD and keeping her SHC store. So to me, that seems like something went down and whatever it was, it includes them not being allowed to have a CU store anymore. Zoe and Melissa are choosing to close theirs and Spp is choosing to leave SSD instead.
May 3, 2013
We're moving on up!!!
Darcy Baldwin Fontography now has it's own site!
darcybaldwin.com
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Normally I wouldn't think much about this, but in light of it coinciding with numerous other designers leaving SSD at the same time I have to say that I view it as Darcy deciding it will be better to be on her own than to stay at SSD. She's not really retiring if she just put all the time and effort into building her own site and shop and that speaks volumes.
And, sugary fancy is back. That was short!
The date on Darcy opening her new shop isn't recent recent. It's from last year.
Darcy just has a website with a blog. If you click on Shop, you go to SSD. Maybe the OP misread the year.
My guess is that SSD is enforcing their one store policy and is including CU in it. So Zoe and Melissa chose SSD over their CU store, and SPP makes enough money on her CU store that she wasn't willing to give it up so now she's moving. Darcy and Julie seem like two different matters but they could both just be a matter of low production - do they release product that often? This might be a crackdown on the "rules" of selling at SSD - including the weekly releases. Seems like a lot of stores get really strict with their designers and their CTs when money is tight, so maybe the store is struggling.
My guess is that SSD is enforcing their one store policy and is including CU in it. So Zoe and Melissa chose SSD over their CU store, and SPP makes enough money on her CU store that she wasn't willing to give it up so now she's moving. Darcy and Julie seem like two different matters but they could both just be a matter of low production - do they release product that often? This might be a crackdown on the "rules" of selling at SSD - including the weekly releases. Seems like a lot of stores get really strict with their designers and their CTs when money is tight, so maybe the store is struggling.
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SSD doesn't have a weekly release rule. They have to release twice a month. People assume it's a weekly rule because of the way they pump product out like water.
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