STAMPIN' UP! AND CHANGES TO MY BLOG

 Good morning, everyone!

I know it's been awhile. I had to take some time to decide which direction I needed to go. Namely, was I staying with Stampin' Up! or would I be leaving my demo status behind to 'broaden my creativity'.

By the time I got direction, Bob and I came down with a horrendous stomach flu that lasted 7 days... as in a good 3-4 or truly being sick then another 3 days to gain strength to do anything again. Bob even took a couple extra days before going back to work.. something he NEVER does. He went bck to work on Thursday, and me being a day behind him, was Friday before I felt up to leaving the house. 

If you've not heard, Stampin' Up! is really enforcing the 'compliance' issue.... meaning we can't use affiliate links, be on other design teams, or promote other companies in any way. Our focus has to be solely on Stampin' Up! Now, I can see where they are coming from but I also don't think that should apply to Hobby Dems... those of us who just join for the product discount... not to build a business. 

I spend a lot of time and money with Spectrum Art Creations. I've done haul videos and shown what I make with some of the things I've purchased. I always link back to their website. Sadly, I can't do that any longer. Oh... I'm still buying! LOL I just can't link to their store or YouTube channel.

I was also on the Design Team for Dear Julie Julie. I love a lot of her digitals and was finally getting back on track with featuring items I made with them each week. I've had to drop my design team status.

Don't get me wrong!  If you want to do Stampin' Up! as a business... then this is a great company and I'll help anyone I can build their business. But if you just want the discount, as long as you have a contract with Stampin' Up! you can't promote other companies/ products. 

I've also heard the questions - how does 'so and so' get away with it. I can't answer that question and it's none of my bees wax. I can only answer about ME.

Okay... so "why did you make the choice to stay with Stampin' Up!"?  might be the question I'm hearing?

First and foremost, I do love Stampin' Up! product. Do I intend to make it a career? No... more like a side hustle and for the 25% discount on the products I love.  I also have 1 team member in my downline. Rhonda DOES want to make this a business. If I drop, she will no longer have someone in her corner to help train her. Mind you, I've learned a lot from her, too. Neither of us were trained by the upline I signed under. 

So, I'm giving this a year. I'm training Rhonda while training myself and giving Stampin' Up! a fair shake. Really walk the business. 

I've set up my demonstrator website - or DBWS - with Stampin' Up! This will allow me to direct-link products and promotions directly to my account so that potential customers won't have to search for me.  You'll find my website HERE

I have a calendar set up so you'll know when I'm posting here and/ or to YouTube. You'll also find my group on FB. I'm trying to get better about posting to FB though I still don't like the platform. 

I was supposed to have a card on YouTube today but I'm fighting with iMovie about uploading videos. I hope to have that fixed in the next day or two.

In the meantime, Stampin' Up! has an awesome special going on!  20% off select product bundles as well as the Mini Stamp n Cut embossing machine! I have a couple of the sets and just ordered a couple more as well as the Stamp n Cut. Y'all know I love my Tim Holtz sidekick but the mini Stamp n Cut is just a bit wider ... closer to a 2.5" plate I believe.  I'll be doing a video - hopefully tomorrow, showing the flyer. In the mean time, if you'd like a copy emailed to you, just leave me a comment with your email address down below. 

That's where I'm at for now.  I'll be back tomorrow to fill you in on the 'direction' my business will be taking. I'm not just about cards! Wait til you see...  in the mean time...

Creative Blessings

~Kelly