**post #2 for today!! Scroll down to check out the previous one.**
So I'm between clients at the moment here at my salon - so why not type up a post? *grin*
OK warning this is a rather long post - but I would appreciate it if y'all read it and then let me know your thoughts on the whole thing.
I had originally meant to post a card and then THIS happened and rather than keep the card in this post I deleted and will post it separately. It would have been lost in all my blather LOL!
Basically the card I was going to post uses an image that you can no longer purchase. And while mentioning that I went on a whole ramble:
I get the argument that it's "not fair" to post creations online using stamps/products that are no longer available for sale. It creates a need/want situation in some people who "have to have" whatever catches their eye (and trust me I know all about this - I'm one of those types of people).
But these past several months I've really been thinking about this whole situation. This entire stamping/scrapbooking industry (and not just this one, but clothing, makeup, etc etc etc) is all based on a "get it while you can!!" philosophy. Because if you don't snap it up now you might not be able to get it later!
I was first introduced to this concept way back in the beginning when I first started stamping. All I knew at the time was Stampin' Up! And of course they retire a ton of products every year to make room for the new stuff in the new catalogue. So of course I bought a TON of sets/accessories/etc b/c they would be gone soon and I would regret it later. Annnddd most of it I never ended up using because I didn't even really care for it in the first place (does this sound familiar to any of you?).
Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with companies retiring images/accessories/whatever. Sales drop on things, room needs to be made for new product, things become outdated (some of my own sets in the AmyR Stamps line have been retired for these very reasons - it happens). It's just what happens.
What DOES bother me though is the prevailing attitude that those of us with an "online presence" posting stamped/scrapbooked creations regularly "can't" use retired/no longer available because we either constantly need to drive sales for a certain site, or b/c we get a bunch of angry comments when people see something they can't get anymore, or who knows for what reason.
I've seen a lot of blog sales because people need to get rid of all their retired product because they can no longer post with it. Again that is totally fine (I've done it a lot too - a person can only fit so much into their space!), but what if I DON'T want to get rid of something because it's retired? What if I love it and haven't seen anything similar on the market? Should I no longer be able to use it and post what I make with it just because it's retired?
What do you think?
I know for me I plan to start USING what I have - and I don't care if it's retired or not. The whole point of my blog is to INSPIRE. If you can't find the exact stamps/papers/inks/embellishments that I used, then find something similar to purchase (or shop your own stash!).
And not only that, but with today's circumstances there are a lot of people out there that can't afford to buy the newest/greatest/latest products and I get that. I've been very blessed in my situation to have worked for several different companies over the years and have earned/received a lot of free product and/or discounts on product. And then on top of it I work full time and am able to purchase stamping goodies for myself (rather than go out to eat, or buy new clothes very often, and never have to pay for salon services since I do all the work myself LOL! I balance it all out in the end *wink*).
But not everyone is able to do that. The majority of people have to make do with what they've got, and there's nothing wrong with that IMO. That's where being inspired and substituting what you have comes into play...
I've really been driven these past few years to always find the newest products to create with and share with y'all. And while I still enjoy doing that (and will continue to do that) I want to start going through what I have (which is a lot! I've been stamping for over 7 years now!) and making what *I* want to make and posting it on here.
And if I can find what I used online and link to it for you guys to make life easier I will. I always try to hyper-link as much as I can within my posts as it is. It saves you guys from having to search for things and saves me the time from having to answer questions asking "where did *** come from?".
And if it's no longer available, well I'll mention that. And if you feel inspired to create something similar and don't have the exact same whatever I used - then substitute it for what you do have or can get your hands on.
LOL I did NOT plan on going on such a long tangent about this - sorry!! It's just been in the back of my mind a LOT lately and needed to be said!
I'll be back to regular posts after this - I promise!
ETA: feel free to link to this post on YOUR blog if you agree. Please don't copy and paste! Just a link along with YOUR thoughts on the matter would be fabby! :o)
