July 24th, 2009 at 00:01 am
Am I the only one this concept bothers?
Does the answer “but we sent every one we could think of $250” just not seem quite right.
Aren’t you glad to know that potentially $100,000,000 of our tax dollars aka/the bailout to the banks, is going to single individual.
Someone please explain the “justice” of the following:
_________________________________
News Alert from The Wall Street Journal
—————————-
Sponsored by NASDAQ OMX
—————————-
A top Citigroup trader is pressing the financial giant to honor a 2009 pay package that could total $100 million, setting the stage for a potential showdown between Citi and the government’s new pay czar.
The trader, Andrew J. Hall, heads Citigroup’s energy-trading unit, Phibro LLC — a secretive operation that occasionally accounts for a disproportionate chunk of Citigroup income.
__________________________________
Given the government track record (can’t even run a cat house in texas without losing money) IF
this is how the Fed manages OUR money, I cannot wait to see what they will do if they get Socialized Medicine (okay I can wait, for years and decades and generations and forever would certainly be preferable) We the people of these United States will be the losers.
Healthcare reform without tort reform is going to be a death sentence and a huge tax on already struggling families and small business.
Let us all pray that Common Sense
And as long as I am being political, let’s also make sure that not only does the Government NOT get between me and my doctor, but let’s see that they also do not get to force THIER Beliefs on mine. Abortion is a choice that should be made by the woman, her doctor and in consultation with an involved potential father. NOT by some bureaucrat.
Call your congressional representatives NOW and support those who have the guts to risk say no to Socialism.
Wheat
July 18th, 2009 at 18:04 pm
It is my sincere wish (but without much hope) that the following will NOT be seen as a personal attack in any way shape or form.
This message is posted here, so you will have to guess which group(s) inspired it – there are more than one or even three or five….
However, some “announcements” over the past year have bothered me and so caused me to “think about it” quite a bit.
YES I do know how my delete key works, in fact TH says he does not know of any other actual incidence of needing a new keyboard because the DELETE KEY wore out – something I have managed to do twice. Perhaps I need to develop a gentler touch with more than just my words
It is of concern to me that many a new designer might think what they see in these groups, meant to help find their footing on the journey of becoming a professional in the Needle Arts, as how they can best “go on” in other venues.
What a ‘working professional’ needs/wants is often different than what our consumers prefer.
It is with this in mind that I don my new flame proofs and sincerely hope we can have a conversation about the Who, What, Where, When and WHY (and How) of making such announcements.
As we each prepare a product or other “new release” type of message here are some of the things I think each of us needs to consider
WHO is the audience – and what is acceptable signal to noise ratio of that group.
Not all that long ago, Tink was criticized for advertising her books in a designer group, or products that would be helpful to any working professional. When it became an issue for even one member of that other group, she stopped any mention of her e-books or other similar products that would be very helpful to those just starting out. But, it was clear that the group “did not want to hear it”
Artists ?? I personally think of groups like QuiltArt and FreeFormations as gatherings of those who have advanced their skills to take their projects to the next level – But mostly produce “one-off” (yes, I do know many also write books, teach, and otherwise are “stars” within their particular niche(s)
Designers ?? these groups might also include those who do create original designs but do not actually produce the Chart/Pattern – so what they need is different too.
Pattern/Chart Author? Those who actually produce not only the design but also the instructions, packaging, presentation and may or may not offer their products for sale at wholesale
Independent Shop Owner? Why constantly post ads seemingly geared to shops in a designer or artist groups?
I have no objection to “paying” sponsors offering the occasional sales message – after all they have paid for that privilege, although I do find it annoying when someone who has not paid for that right does it anyway, thinly if at all disguised as “asking for help”
If your product “works for both” then you should be using other designers as examples of your services – not shops.
If your product is useful to more than just one of these groups, you STILL need to create a message geared to their interests and needs, not yours.
Designers and Artists can be the worst – although not so much now, many domains we maintained the “designer” did not want anyone to know they did not do it themselves. Why I will never understand because the skills to design and develop a web site are very different.
We have provided a wide variety of professional services to many different businesses over the years and it has always been my position that if they want someone to know we did the work, then it is up to them to recommend us. Otherwise, long as their bills were paid on time, that was and is fine with me. Well I did draw the line once or twice that is a long story for another day
WHAT is the purpose of the message –
Maybe because many of the members of this group are not just beginning their journey to becoming a working professional Pattern or Chart Author – that some feel it is good to announce all their new releases of such, simply because many in the group are still more consumer than producer.
WHERE am I posting
Rarely would I post in a consumer group about some service I offer, because the purpose of that group is not to sell my services, but to help other “practitioners of the needle arts” to reach a successful conclusion ot their projects.
WHEN (how often) especially when/how often I am posting the “same” message.
Personally I think in a professional group such as EITHER DBiz or NWBiz, no more than once a month – lest you be perceived to be filling the group with your personal promotional messages.
Personally, if you have new product announcements more often than quarterly, then you should have a newsletter built from the names of people who WANT to receive it rather than using a group that is not your personal “news” list.
>>> I do not mind “QRS Stitching is pleased to announce our new products for JULY releases can be viewed at: http://itsalljuststring.com/new-products/
<<< WHY are you posting? The answer to that “should” be different for each and every place you post a message. Rarely would I post in a consumer group about some service I offer, because the purpose of that group is not to sell my services, but to help other “practitioners of the needle arts” to reach a successful conclusion to their projects. Believe me, if you analyze the amount of time spent in these groups as compared with the volume of sales generated, well, we all will see those “help” messages are a lot more a labor of love to promote the craft, than an investment in future sales
So, if I want to write about a new product, then I am going to have to put in the effort to make that product part of a how-to, response public or private. And, I really think it needs to be about a NEW product, not just a derivitive of one we already offer.
So, certain recent somewhat interesting accusations (exactly how does someones inability to find evidence of a business relationship constitute its existence) I have “stopped” posting in retailer groups about products we sell Wholesale to the Trade and limit my product recommendations to those we sell in our Retail business interests. Products and ideas that are directly contributing to our RETAIL business(es) bottom line – if another benefits, well I do rather like the theory of abundance most days.
The necessity remains, NO MATTER WHERE, I may be, it really may be necessary to”tailor” the message for each group (as this one will be before posting “to the groups”) Another reason why this rant is here and not in any particular group – so no poor hapless list owner has to deal with the potentially emotional and irrational responses.
Thanks for listening and I would welcome hearing what each of you has to say about how and when you want to be reading promotional messages.
JSTTA – Just Some Things To Think About
Wheat
June 18th, 2009 at 00:01 am
First a note to the person(s) authoring recent highly irate drive by emails, expressing their opinion that there was no possibility this would come up again…. because the US Government was too busy instituting Socialistic take overs of private corporations…
Truth is, I kept hoping you were right – but here we go again.
And if you care,
Then best you get ready to defend them… Again
I know many of us have been working on effecting the final form of the CPSIA legislation, but it looks like we will soon be back on the front lines of “Orphan Works Opposition”
This writer has been on target before, so fasten your seatbelts.
http://copyrightaction.com/forum/orphan-storm-warning
Please remember – the best way to reach your congressional representatives & senators
is to call AND write to their district offices. Mail to the Capitol is often delayed because of security concerns.
The “ranking” of response is:
Telegram (costs money)
Letter (costs nominal funds, but time)
Telephone calls (make them frequently and be sure to say you are a voter in their district. if you work from home like me, put the number on speed dial, and call every day.
Ask, if they got your letter, Ask if the Congress Critter has read it.
Email is almost useless. Unless you have a real email for the proper staff person, it may not even be read. Of course, filling up their email box has been known to get their attention
To learn more about the Orphan Works Opposition, please visit
http://www.owoh.org
Wheat
June 17th, 2009 at 00:01 am
EMAIL:
USING THE NEW TECHNOLOGY
“I think this is a great time for the craft industry. It’s a matter of the ‘suits’ fine-tuning their messages…
… you have to CONNECT with your followers. Folks should be hiring viral marketing craft experts to do these jobs for them; the return on the investment would be significant.”
From the 2009 June 15 edition of the Creative Leisure News and written by Margot Potter used with their permission
To say this hit a nerve will soon be obvious ( and yes, this is a day for understatement)
It might also help if “the suits” AT LEAST hired some one to make sure their emails are easily read. A.C. Moore comes to mind – all greyed out graphics and no text other than a copyright statement.
Now Michael’s does have some newsletter issues, but AT LEAST the link is there to view on line. AND they make it easy to print their coupons – besides their stores are usually cleaner even if the aisles are too close together.
Someone needs to tell the graphics department that Internet Exploder continues to steadily lose market share to FireFox, Opera, and even a growing trend towards Google Chrome browser.
Why is this important?
If I CANNOT READ OR SEE CONTENT,
what’s the point of cluttering my mailbox.
The FIRST line of every e-mail promotion SHOULD be a link to the “if you are having difficulty seeing this add, click here or cut and paste this link…”
Some stores, like JoAnne’s, puts out a readable newsletter each week. However if they are interested in that part of the population willing to spend a bit more for a better quality product, well let’s just say JoAnn’s increasingly seldom has what I want to buy. Still read their ads – even if the links never work – but I can print coupons for use at either JoAnn’s or Michael’s .
Please also make sure the text does not show up in
inch high or larger letters
Just another way of saying PLEASE DO NOT USE WORD to create your news letters and convert them to HTML or other silly microsoft product (Interweave, Kalmback, and others) these get immediately deleted –
NOTHING will make me leave a website faster that “BEST VIEWED WITH….” Who are you to tell me what Browser I should use. Especially if you are telling me to use one that is so insecure as Exploder. Emails just get deleted unless I need the coupon to use at Michael’s and almost never do I visit those sites.
I sincerely hope ALL of the “CHA/Chain” stores need to “get” that Cheap may well be costing them dear…
Those suits seem to think their only customers are unwilling to buy any thing but the cheapest of cheap.
Lately it seems that when the cashier says “did you find everything you need” Our answer is almost invariably “No, but that is not your fault”
It may take a coupon or two to bring’em into the store. Once there, it is that next group, who may buy less but are willing to pay for better quality that will make them money. IF you stock in in your store.
So, Margo, it would be nice if the “suits” realized that lip service to the WWW and the Internet would certainly have a better ROI if ONLY they would THINK – perhaps even take a look at the demographics of who is buying their stuff.
Better yet would be to NOT ignore the “style” of the internet in favor of continuing to use what “worked” in print media or even junk mail. Mr Suit might not be “comfortable” but the people who shop in your store will be.
Please note I am NOT Anti-Chain – I keep WANTING to buy things but if the local stores Chain or Indie, who employ my neighbors and thus are worth supporting continue to eliminate better products
Many Indie’s could use some help as well, but few can afford the services of “professional marketing” so we will cut’em some slack.
Want My Money?
Give me a Newsletter I can read, and quality products and often as not, coupon or not, many like me will buy something and more than one item.
At least then I won’t have to keep opening wholesale accounts and offer these products through my own e-commerce site because I REFUSE to wait 10-14 days for the Chain fulfillers to be me the product.
Wheat
P.S, My thanks to Mike Harnett of Creative Leisure News and Margot Potter for their permission to quote.
P.S.Jr. I am working on taking my own advice – July will be work on a newsletter for our E-tail store
P.S.III – Note to Philadelphia Lawyers and thier friends, NO ONE PAID me to write this – in fact it will probably end up costing me money.
June 15th, 2009 at 06:27 am
Burying Ends – The basic technique
– draft 15-Jun-2009
It seems that no matter what the craft, if it uses string, sooner or later, every one asks for/needs suggestions on how to bury ends.
It is also important to consider “suitable to the project” – one would not want to make HUGE holes, even on the backing of a large quilt.
No matter what I am teaching, I always tell students that they should leave LONG tails – this will vary depending on the technique
For Quilting/Sewing or most other needle work, at least 4in/10cm and my personal practice is about a foot. This will allow you to use something like Clover’s Self-Threading Needles
For knit and crochet, enough yarn to form at least 3 or more complete stitches, but usually about 12in/30cm – If you have MANY color changes, this could add up, so you will want to consider learning Russian Join or some other “bury as you go technique”
Again, This may seem wasteful but…
Unless you are using real precious metals, it is just not worth the frustration! Yarns, thread, or most stringing materials are relatively inexpensive. Certainly much less expensive than the mind altering migraine meds that such frustration leads to
You can always use the thrums for something else later so feel free to save them.
Okay, so now you know that “for future reference, but what to do with that project with a gadzillion ends NOW?
There are many ways to thread a needle, or more effectively to needle a thread – and many types of needle threaders. ItsAllJustString.com
Although I sell many different threaders, for burying thread ends, particularly possible short ends.
Rather you may find this low tech ‘technique’ suggestion. While I am sure I was not the first to invent it – it was something I started doing in relation to bead stringing so will claim rights to parallel development*.
You will need
Needle almost any size will do – (Bead Note: it MUST be able to go thru your beads while threaded with hand sewing thread that has been knotted to create a loop _NEEDS MORE EXPLAINATION
Length of Thread
Generally I use Nymo or Bobbin thread or Perle Cotton – it will depend on the technique and the “holes” that exist in the fabric.
Needle – type will vary depending on your project, but for buying say quilt ends
Optional:
Flexible sheet foam
Tweezer or Forcepts that are capable of easily gripping the yarn or thread used in the project.
1. Using a strong but fine thread, thread a needle with a length of thread at least 3-4 times the length of your needle (i.e. if you needle is 2in/5cm long, use a piece of thread measuring 6in/15cm to 8in/20cm in length) it is just easier to work with. Generally I use bobbin thread or for nymo, but whatever you choose it should be strong.
2. Tie a secure knot about 1/2 inch LONGER than the length of your needle. I actually keep a bit of flexible sheet foam in my “tool kits” so that I will have something reasonable firm to “tie the know against” – but still flexible for easy removal of the loop you are creating.
3. Slide the loop off – trim ends but not too close –
don’t want the knot to come out
4. Using the tweezer or even a ‘thread crochet hook’ pull the thread end into/thru the loop.
If it is very short, you may want to “hold it with the tweezer”
*Sincerely hoping this explanation will avoid a lot of unnecessary – it was ‘refined” a bit for stringing beads onto carrier YARNandTHREAD
