After several months of limited creative mojo I have decided that I need to do something to make the situation change. So I have set myself the challenge of doing some sort of creation every day for the month of March. I know lots of folk who are doing challenges like '365 days of Creativity', but I figured that was setting myself up for huge failure. LOL
I have tried similar challenges before and they always seem to go for so long that it becomes an overwhelming task, which results in a lack of results. To my mind, 31 days is a lot easier to achieve.
My intention is to blog every day, but I am all too aware of the reality that that may not happen. I will endeavour to do so though, as well as recording my creations in photographic form. I am not expecting to necessarily finish a creation a day, this is more about just doing something creative every day, nurturing the artist within.
I am only to happy to have fellow creative types join me for this little challenge. If you do join me be sure to post a link to your blog so I can follow along with you, and I will also promote you to my other readers.
So, stay tuned. And may the Muse be kind to all.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A Crossroad, of sorts.
In 2009 I joined a new and exciting online selling platform. ArtFire was in its infancy, all shiny and new with bugs hiding in every corner. Those of us that joined in the first year of ArtFire (which began in 2008) were clearly told there would be issues, and strife, and that actually selling anything would be a bonus. The Charter Artisans spent a lot of time promoting ArtFire, driving traffic and bringing in new sellers, as well as assisting ArtFire staff with 'bug catching'.
Many of us built up quite a rapport with ArtFire John (aka John Jacobs) and Tony Ford (the marketing face of AF). We felt we were listened to, and that our opinions, thoughts, experiences and feelings actually made a difference, that we were part of a growing community. Ideas were brought up, thrashed out, disposed or implemented and rarely was anyone made to feel unwelcome, stupid or annoying.
As an 'International' I felt welcomed, included and valued.
Then something changed.
Instead of a differing opinion being sort, listened to and considered, it was rejected as 'troublemaking', 'whining' or 'bitching'. International sellers felt themselves being pushed further into the shadows, and being told 'you are a minority, deal with it'. When you had an issue you were told it wasn't a bug of the site, but user error. If your buyers couldn't check out it was an issue with the buyer, not ArtFire and too bad.
Decisions made by ArtFire admin no longer went via the community, but instead were made behind closed door then paraded in the forums as 'just an idea', when in reality they had already decided and begun implementing them.
Decisions and changes were made, which is to be expected, but not changes that moved ArtFire further and further away from its original mission. They made a big noise when they started that they would not be like other online selling venues, that they would always listen and value the sellers. Their stated goal was to help handmade sellers reach their audience and sell to it. The goal now seems to be to make ArtFire a big name on the backs of those sellers, and to make money doing so.
I understand it is a business, really I do. And I will forever be grateful for the education I have received, and the amazing artisans I have had the pleasure to get to know and count amongst my friends. But I am a business too, and my business ethos no longer runs parallel to that of the new ArtFire.
I have been loyal to ArtFire since the day I joined, often defending it to those who would cut it down, promoting its sellers across my network, regularly buying there as well. I have given a lot to ArtFire, and in some ways it feels like a member of the family. But as with some relatives there comes a time when you need to step back from them.
There is no one thing that has lead me to this decision, but many small things that have built up over time and culminated with many of my dearest friends being told by Tony to 'deal with it or leave'. These weren't new sellers, these are people who have invested a lot of time and money in ArtFire since the beginning. They were demeaned, hounded and ridiculed by ArtFire members and called a 'whining mob' and 'troublemakers'. The same people who helped ArtFire in its infancy, who worked their arses off for the site were suddenly considered nothing but a nuisance.
So, we come to my crossroad. Do I throw away all that I have invested? Or do I hang in there and hope things improve? Well, actually I will do both. I have 4 stores on ArtFire, and two have already been downgraded to 'buyer' accounts which will become effective in the new year (Haffina's Hoard and Haffina's Minis.) BeadsByHaffina will close at the end of January. HaffinaCreations will remain, but will be smaller.. all the current stock will be gone. And then I will see.
I love the people I have met because of ArtFire, and the things I have learnt, especially from Tony, Kyle, Vanessa, John and other staff members. But I am not sure I can ever truly forgive the discarding of long term valued members and their opinions.
Many of us built up quite a rapport with ArtFire John (aka John Jacobs) and Tony Ford (the marketing face of AF). We felt we were listened to, and that our opinions, thoughts, experiences and feelings actually made a difference, that we were part of a growing community. Ideas were brought up, thrashed out, disposed or implemented and rarely was anyone made to feel unwelcome, stupid or annoying.
As an 'International' I felt welcomed, included and valued.
Then something changed.
Instead of a differing opinion being sort, listened to and considered, it was rejected as 'troublemaking', 'whining' or 'bitching'. International sellers felt themselves being pushed further into the shadows, and being told 'you are a minority, deal with it'. When you had an issue you were told it wasn't a bug of the site, but user error. If your buyers couldn't check out it was an issue with the buyer, not ArtFire and too bad.
Decisions made by ArtFire admin no longer went via the community, but instead were made behind closed door then paraded in the forums as 'just an idea', when in reality they had already decided and begun implementing them.
Decisions and changes were made, which is to be expected, but not changes that moved ArtFire further and further away from its original mission. They made a big noise when they started that they would not be like other online selling venues, that they would always listen and value the sellers. Their stated goal was to help handmade sellers reach their audience and sell to it. The goal now seems to be to make ArtFire a big name on the backs of those sellers, and to make money doing so.
I understand it is a business, really I do. And I will forever be grateful for the education I have received, and the amazing artisans I have had the pleasure to get to know and count amongst my friends. But I am a business too, and my business ethos no longer runs parallel to that of the new ArtFire.
I have been loyal to ArtFire since the day I joined, often defending it to those who would cut it down, promoting its sellers across my network, regularly buying there as well. I have given a lot to ArtFire, and in some ways it feels like a member of the family. But as with some relatives there comes a time when you need to step back from them.
There is no one thing that has lead me to this decision, but many small things that have built up over time and culminated with many of my dearest friends being told by Tony to 'deal with it or leave'. These weren't new sellers, these are people who have invested a lot of time and money in ArtFire since the beginning. They were demeaned, hounded and ridiculed by ArtFire members and called a 'whining mob' and 'troublemakers'. The same people who helped ArtFire in its infancy, who worked their arses off for the site were suddenly considered nothing but a nuisance.
So, we come to my crossroad. Do I throw away all that I have invested? Or do I hang in there and hope things improve? Well, actually I will do both. I have 4 stores on ArtFire, and two have already been downgraded to 'buyer' accounts which will become effective in the new year (Haffina's Hoard and Haffina's Minis.) BeadsByHaffina will close at the end of January. HaffinaCreations will remain, but will be smaller.. all the current stock will be gone. And then I will see.
I love the people I have met because of ArtFire, and the things I have learnt, especially from Tony, Kyle, Vanessa, John and other staff members. But I am not sure I can ever truly forgive the discarding of long term valued members and their opinions.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Are we getting it wrong?
Many years ago, when I was a fair bit younger, both in age and outlook, I started writing these pages on different topics. My intent was to make it into a book at some point. Looking back on many of them I get a good laugh at how much I've changed in some areas, and how little in others.
One of these 'articles' drew my attention whilst shuffling through papers the other day, and I thought I would share it, and the thoughts it evoked.
Who'd want to be an adult if they really knew what it entailed. Working, budgeting, debt, worry. I mean, if you take a pessimistic look at adulthood there's not much going for it. Divorce, difficult children, major illness, death.
But as with all things there is a bright side, no matter how small it might appear to be. Marriage, babies, fulfillment, retirement, death.
Now some may wonder how death made both lists. Well, whilst some hate the idea of dying, for some it comes as a blessed relief.
But really, being an adult isn't as great as kids and teens think. And let's face it, for most people it is the longest phase of our lives. For instance, the average life span is what, 85 years?. And if legally you become an adult at 18, you're an adult for around 67 years. Now that is nearly 6 times as long as childhood (12 years) and by our previous aging, you're only a teen for 5 years (13 - 18).
Not my greatest literary effort, but it does raise a good point.
We are children for such a sort phase of our lives, and you can't ever go back. So why are we pushing kids so hard to 'grow up'? Why are we putting so much pressure on them so early in their lives? There is plenty of time for them to be adults when they are adults. Why not just let them enjoy those few precious years without stress and pressure, without expectations? Maybe the world would be a better place if we didn't try to make our kids into adults before they really are.
One of these 'articles' drew my attention whilst shuffling through papers the other day, and I thought I would share it, and the thoughts it evoked.
Who'd want to be an adult if they really knew what it entailed. Working, budgeting, debt, worry. I mean, if you take a pessimistic look at adulthood there's not much going for it. Divorce, difficult children, major illness, death.
But as with all things there is a bright side, no matter how small it might appear to be. Marriage, babies, fulfillment, retirement, death.
Now some may wonder how death made both lists. Well, whilst some hate the idea of dying, for some it comes as a blessed relief.
But really, being an adult isn't as great as kids and teens think. And let's face it, for most people it is the longest phase of our lives. For instance, the average life span is what, 85 years?. And if legally you become an adult at 18, you're an adult for around 67 years. Now that is nearly 6 times as long as childhood (12 years) and by our previous aging, you're only a teen for 5 years (13 - 18).
Not my greatest literary effort, but it does raise a good point.
We are children for such a sort phase of our lives, and you can't ever go back. So why are we pushing kids so hard to 'grow up'? Why are we putting so much pressure on them so early in their lives? There is plenty of time for them to be adults when they are adults. Why not just let them enjoy those few precious years without stress and pressure, without expectations? Maybe the world would be a better place if we didn't try to make our kids into adults before they really are.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Chocolate and Orange .. yum
In recent times I returned to Etsy, but instead of my usual jewellery items, I have opened up a miniatures store instead. So Haffina's Minis is now on Etsy as well as ArtFire. To celebrate my return to Etsy I decided to do up a little Treasury with one of my favourite themes.. Chocolate and Orange! Need a tissue to wipe away the drool!
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