well, it was good while it lasted.

I signed on to be a SU! demonstrator a little over a year ago I signed up to be mostly a hobbyist - mainly only doing it to get stamps and accessories I love at a discount. In this past year I've only sold about $100 worth of SU! product and the rest of my $300 quarterly minimums come from me.

Today, SU! released a change to their Independent Demonstrator Agreement, stating that demonstrators cannot promote other competing companies via electronic means (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Demonstrators can make a mention of these things, but cannot clearly state: "Check out this new stamp from so & so company!" or "Look at this new TGF stamp!" (*gasp*)

Honestly it doesn't affect me as bad as it does other demonstrators who are actively involved on manufacturer design teams who HAVE to promote other companies.

What I don't like is the fact I can't even link friends who link to other companies.

And encroaching on my freedom to Facebook or Twitter?! That's just crazy.

So I've decided to let my SU demonstratorship lapse at the end of the month. I enjoy my freedom to mention other companies. I craft for myself and enjoy sharing my love for crafting with the world around me. I've never liked anyone telling what I CAN'T do.

I've been blogging long before blogging became cool in the scrapbooking/stamping world. Way back since 1999! (although you'll never know that from my old blogs... I shut down my original blogs a long time ago.) I blog because I enjoy my right to freedom of speech.

Don't get me wrong. There are a TON of SU! only blogs out there - I'm a fan of many of them! And this new change doesn't affect them since they use SU! only. It's all a part of business. I get it. But for someone like me who works FULL time as a nurse, it's not worth censoring myself with my craft if I'm not in it for the money. KWIM?

And we all know how much I'm loving my Copics, Greeting Farm Stamps etc.!

Anyway, rant over. Here's the card of the day:

Cute right? :)

This little Ian stamp from TGF makes me super happy when I see him. Looks all sweet with the little flower to give to his friend Anya. :)

So to cheer up my sad mood over the SU! news, I decided to share this card with you. :) Hope you like it!

supplies:
CS: Crushed Curry, Bravo Burgundy (SU!), Pure Luxury White CS (Gina K.)
DSP: Sunny Glen (The Greeting Farm)
stamp: Hello Ian (The Greeting Farm)
ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
sentiment: Chit Chat rub ons (SU!)
accessories: large circle, scallop circle Nestabilites (Spellbinders), flowers (Prima), brads, Modern Label punch (SU!)

ETA: I totally forgot that I made this card for TGF's Farm Fresh Friday sketch! That's what getting a year older does to you I guess (my bday is Friday! :)

Comments

[Melissa]

That's a shame for you...but I'm glad you'll be continuing to share your TGF and every other company designs with us. I only discovered your blog last week but it's one of my favourites already. tbh I think SU! are doing themselves a disservice. I was keen to become a demo when they arrived in my country but their OTT stringent rules and ridiculous over pricing e.g. $70 for a punch which I can buy the same brand at my LSS for $24 - has frustrated me no end.

And as a business model it makes no sense, particularly in these grim economic times. No one company can be all things to all people and while I see some of the reasons behind their decisions it is an incredibly narrow minded approach. I was actually introduced to SU! through reading the blog of someone who was on a design team for another company.

And to my cynical eyes it also makes them appear a tad insecure - as if their products won't stack up agains the competition. Sorry for the rant!

[corinne]

why are they so strict anyway? boo on them? how about hero arts? -- i saw some cute stamps i wanted to buy, ha ha!! xoxo

[Ashley]

I was wondering what you were going to do. I agree with your decision, it what I would do if I was still a demo. I don't need anyone telling me who to link to or what DTs I can't be on. Honestly, I think that you'll be picked up by a DT really soon, you're very talented. No need to limit yourself to one company.

[SIMPLY DASHY PHOTOGRAPHY]

sorry to hear bout the SU! news....you do great work, regardless of which stamps you use! keep it up...we all love seeing your very adorable cards. =)