I really don't want this to come of as complaining. So I am prefacing it with a disclaimer: I love my friends and family, and the random strangers I speak to. I just figured that if anybody could understand where I am coming from, it is fellow creators! And I need to vent!

Every time a person finds out I make and sell products, it can be a relative or complete stranger, they immediately say "oh, you should sell your stuff here and here and here!" I think it's cool that they feel my products are good enough to sell in the places they mention BUT I've already told them that I sell my products online (and I'm working at about my capacity, so expansion is not in the plans at the moment). I've most likely even handed them a card that has my website on it.

I normally just smile, say that's an interesting idea I hadn't thought of, and try to steer them back to my website.  Because, let's face it, it's not very realistic to try to get my products into whole foods, the red envelope, or onto Oprah's favorite things.

Does anyone else come across this? And how do you handle it?

Like I said before, please don't think I'm complaining, it's just something I have noticed and for some reason it gets under my skin!

Heehee thanks everyone. Yeah flakers do suck, but what can ya do? I guess her reason was she was dumped. And I understand to a point how bad that can be, but I always craft harder when I am depressed. lol I guess that's why crafting is my therapy!

Therapy it is!  I guess people react differently to every situation, but I still don't feel it's a valid excuse.  My poor partner had a lot more happen to her, and she pulled through like a champ.  craziness.

I could not even imagine being flaked on.  That really bites - and your send was so absolutely amazing!  You really want someone to give you feedback, since you put so much time into it.

UGH!

I am so mad for you.  I can't even imagine how angry you are.

[ORGANIZER NOTE: Sadly , we are in need of a swap angel for SkooKum. Please PM me if you are interested. Here are a few details about SkooKum....Lives in the USAFave crafts: Very open to anything. Likes kitschy trinket like stuff, but just no jewelry.Allergies: Heavily scented things, cinnamon scented/flavoured anything, cheap metalsFAVORITE...Character: Sirius OR fred and george House: Slytherin!Magical Creature: Pygmy PuffsBook: Prisoner of Azkaban Movie: Tie between Deathly hallows 1 and sorcerer stoneActor: Gary Oldman Quote: "Muggle women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these," said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers."I'm not putting them on," said old Archie in indignation. "I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks."]

I'm game!  I would love to have some more HP fun.  And I'm going to be spending quite a lot of time watching the latest DVD, so I'll have tons of time on my hands!

ORGANIZER NOTE: Sadly , we are in need of a swap angel for SkooKum.  Please PM me if you are interested.  Here are a few details about SkooKum....

Lives in the USA
Fave crafts: Very open to anything. Likes kitschy trinket like stuff, but just no jewelry.
Allergies: Heavily scented things, cinnamon scented/flavoured anything, cheap metals

FAVORITE...
Character: Sirius OR fred and george
House: Slytherin!
Magical Creature: Pygmy Puffs
Book: Prisoner of Azkaban
Movie: Tie between Deathly hallows 1 and sorcerer stone
Actor: Gary Oldman
Quote: "Muggle women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these," said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers.
"I'm not putting them on," said old Archie in indignation. "I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks."

Our swap was blogged about!

http://geekcrafts.com/harry-potter-trunk-of-spells/

And I agree with the author that the HP swaps seem to have the most amazing things made!  This swap has been amazing!

I'm so glad it made the trip!  I was worried the "candles" would get knocked out of the back, or one of the glass jars would shatter and have goo all over the place

It's funny we both went for the necklace idea.  Great minds think alike!

Honestly, I'm surprised it made the trip too! But you did a really good job wrapping it all up. Thank you again. I have to find a special place to display it. Sorry I couldn't get better pics. My camera takes better pictures outside and because of the rain I sorta rushed it. Also, let me just say I love the note you included. When I have more time and I'm at a computer, I will type it up here so everyone can see.

I did a shoot before it left!   

Back of trunk:


And the Full package:


And the letter:

That Snape trunk is so awesome, I'm really in love with the tiny candles in it.

They were soooooo fun to make - I've become obsessed with them!  I used this tutorial: 
http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-make-miniature-dollhouse-candles
I just didn't add the ring around the bottom.  i thought they looked fine without them.

I'm so glad it made the trip!  I was worried the "candles" would get knocked out of the back, or one of the glass jars would shatter and have goo all over the place

It's funny we both went for the necklace idea.  Great minds think alike!

I received a wonderful package today from Doxie24_7.  It is WONDERFUL!

When the package was opened, I saw glitter on the tissue paper, and I knew it was on!  Doxie said it was a grown-up Harry Potter item in her note, and that, my friends it is.

First, the box was beautiful:



I adore the choice of words.  Very fitting!

And inside was my "grown-up" potions necklace.  I'm a huge fan of things that don't absolutely scream HP, rather pay homage to the world.  Doxie nailed this one on the head!



The potion bottle is the perfect size, there is a gazing ball, a star, a key... it hits so many parts of the world of HP.


Again, THANK YOU!  I LOVE THIS NECKLACE!!!! And the box too!

I am soooooo glad you like it! I really had so much fun making it, I seem to have gotten the miniature bug.  Your wists were GREAT inspiration!

My husband has realized my reactions are never typical, and he's just learned to roll with it with sighs and eye-rolls at times. Sounds like you've gotten yourself a keeper in that one!

I got my package from Technogoddess last night. It's amazing. I literally started to cry when I opened the package up. I think the BF thought I was permently broken at that point LOL.

BF: "What's wrong?! Why you crying?!"
Me(with ugly crying face): "My paaackaaage!!!"
BF: "Don't you like it?"
Me(even uglier crying face): "it so pretty!"
BF: "umm...ok..I'm happy for you?"

After all the crying I went to my room and watched the Half Blood Prince and held my little box for dear life like a 4 year old. It's just after all I have gone threw this month, it just ment so much to me to get something so special. So, Thank you! I have an AMAZING partner and I will forever be thankful.

I will try and post pictures either tomorrow or Tuesday. I can't wait to show it off. As for my package it should be on it's way soon. I already told my partner that I will be sending her another package because her package to me was so awesome lol.