my creative world has fallen apart this morning...
I have a big decision to make and truthfully it is tearing me apart.
I want to say first and for most that I love Stampin' Up! and its products. The first stamp I ever used was a Stampin' Up! stamp and the only card stock I ever use comes from them as well. But I am faced with a dilema. As of this morning, September 1st, Stampin' Up! has set a new online policy that would forbid me as a demonstrator for their company from continuing to be a member of any stamp companies design team, showing, linking to, blogging, tweeting or sharing anything that contains a product that is not theirs. This means that the links to my friends blogs on the side are no longer allowed. Publishing this post on facebook is forbidden. Even posting on SplitCoastStampers may be no longer allowed. Linking to challenges that I participate in, no longer acceptable.
I need to decide if the few thousand dollars I make a year selling Stampin' Up! products is worth losing my following online. The few people who appreciate my craft, the companies that value my art enough to want me to represent them. My decision is further complicated by the fact that I will be doing a guest designer spot this fall for what is literally my dream design team. Truthfully if I was starting a permanent spot with them this decision would be much easier because I would definitely give up Stampin' Up! to represent them because I believe so strongly in what they stand for.
So my friends I ask for your prayers as I struggle with deciding what is right for me. Is my business more important then my art? Is this seeking of outside approval wrong. As a mostly stay at home mother of 5 have I come to rely to much on the rush I get from a positive response to my creations. Positive feedback that may be lacking in my life in other ways as I struggle with a mundane existence. I don't have the answers and I don't even know what I am going to decide. But I do know that I am going to go pray about it...
I want to say first and for most that I love Stampin' Up! and its products. The first stamp I ever used was a Stampin' Up! stamp and the only card stock I ever use comes from them as well. But I am faced with a dilema. As of this morning, September 1st, Stampin' Up! has set a new online policy that would forbid me as a demonstrator for their company from continuing to be a member of any stamp companies design team, showing, linking to, blogging, tweeting or sharing anything that contains a product that is not theirs. This means that the links to my friends blogs on the side are no longer allowed. Publishing this post on facebook is forbidden. Even posting on SplitCoastStampers may be no longer allowed. Linking to challenges that I participate in, no longer acceptable.
I need to decide if the few thousand dollars I make a year selling Stampin' Up! products is worth losing my following online. The few people who appreciate my craft, the companies that value my art enough to want me to represent them. My decision is further complicated by the fact that I will be doing a guest designer spot this fall for what is literally my dream design team. Truthfully if I was starting a permanent spot with them this decision would be much easier because I would definitely give up Stampin' Up! to represent them because I believe so strongly in what they stand for.
So my friends I ask for your prayers as I struggle with deciding what is right for me. Is my business more important then my art? Is this seeking of outside approval wrong. As a mostly stay at home mother of 5 have I come to rely to much on the rush I get from a positive response to my creations. Positive feedback that may be lacking in my life in other ways as I struggle with a mundane existence. I don't have the answers and I don't even know what I am going to decide. But I do know that I am going to go pray about it...
Comments
Knowing that I made that decision a few months ago, let me assure you, it isn't as bad from this side as you might think.
Hugs and prayers coming your way my friend!
Best of luck in your decision making and, remember, whatever you choose will be right for you.
Clare x
You are way too talented to let Stampin' Up do this to you and all the other talented artists out there- They need to think about the policy- they will loose a lot of very talented people with such a policy- too bad for them Deb- But you've got to do what is right for you and your family- I recently was approached by a large well known photographer in the area and was asked to go on their team- but I would have had to give up all I do- Heck no!!! You've got talent- use it girl. -Melissa
I am also glad you will be stamping with me soon!
This is an awful decision you have to make and so totally unfair. Your artwork is fantastic !!
Mandy
I am so sorry to read the decision you are faced with. I think this is a terrible thing that Stampin Up are asking of you and completely nonsensical. I have never bought from SU and I don't plan to now! I would never be able to limit myself to using just one brand and to stifle your artistic talent in that way borders on cruelty and I think it can not be worth it. I am sure you will make the decision that is right for you and hope you will still be here sharing all your wonderful and inspirational creations as I love seeing your cards.
Jane
x
They are fools to believe that this will not affect there sales, it makes them look greedy, very greedy indeed....
I can see lots of Demo's handing in the towl over this one, and I truly hope that they backtrack and fast!!
Get your contracts in place babe, email dawny she has one waiting for you, and at leats you have another year to think about your position in Stampin up...
A truly bad decision they have made!!
Am here for ya , you know that!
I'll be praying for you as you make this heart-wrenching decision. God bless!
I'm very sorry that a greedy company has put so many of their hardworking demonstrators into such an invidious position. Let's face it, not one of us who stamps uses only one stamping company because none of them have everything, and besides, if all of the blogs owned by su demonstrators stop using other products, think how similar the blogs will all look - there will be a sameness that could become boring, especially for those of us who don't use su products at all. I don't believe in censorship, and I don't envy you this decision.
All the best with your decision, Kikki.
It sounds like it is a much more difficult decision for you. You are in my thoughts as you make it. Kelly
I am a total stranger, I just happened onto your blog this morning. I am an SU demo in Canada and am quite p.o.'d (but not shocked) by this new policy. I think it's heavy-handed and greedy and anti-personal rights & freedoms and ostrich-sighted...I could go on, but what bothers me most is that the message SU constantly puts forth is: it's all about creativity. Um-hmmm.
You seem to be a person whose creativity matters a GREAT DEAL to you and your daily life. It's entirely your decision, obviously, but do you want to give SU so much power over what you do and say as a stamping individual??
Just my two nosy cents. :)
Peace be with you.