12/14/10 - New Craft Supplies Shop on Craftster Announcement

[sweets4ever]

There goes my holiday bonus - thanks, Craftster.

!!

[PixieVal]

Oh my goodness... I just realized something pretty awesome about this...

"Dear swap partner, I'm going to be making you a scarf/hat/mittens, can you please go to the craftster shop and give me some yarn options that you think you would like!!"

[lil_abi]

Does anyone else think it's weird that a place allegedly here for us to share our craftiness in an environment free of commerce is now hawking wares itself?  I'm fine with Craftster-branded swag as a way to show our support for the site, but I'm more than a little weirded out by the "shop" button. 

What's more, the vast majority of crafting supplies are found at joann.com.  When you click on an item, it just takes you directly there.  Craftster isn't technically selling the supplies, or even bringing us the best crafting suppiles the Interwebs have to offer. 

Comments?  Questions?  Validation of my skepticism?

[sweets4ever]

il_abi, I merged your thread with the News announcement, so we could keep all of the discussion in one place.

We totally appreciate your feedback on the shop!  We need to hear the bad, the good and the awesome!

We aren't trying to endorse the products or hawk wares on anyone.  We are merely trying to provide a search tool to buy supplies for crafting.  We wanted to create something that had search features that we personally would love in a crafty search engine (such as price filters, store filters, free shipping searches, etc).

Yes, the vast majority of supplies are currently found at Joann.com.  This is because we launched with a very, very small group of affiliates to make sure the store was functional and fabulous first.  Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be adding many more affiliate stores to the mix.  Once we get everyone loaded into the shop, it should serve as a pretty great tool for seeing the best deals from a large mix of stores from the Interwebs.

[PixieVal]

Yes, the vast majority of supplies are currently found at Joann.com.  This is because we launched with a very, very small group of affiliates to make sure the store was functional and fabulous first.  Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be adding many more affiliate stores to the mix.  Once we get everyone loaded into the shop, it should serve as a pretty great tool for seeing the best deals from a large mix of stores from the Interwebs.

That makes a lot of sense! Thanks for explaining that.

[sweets4ever]

Yes, the vast majority of supplies are currently found at Joann.com.  This is because we launched with a very, very small group of affiliates to make sure the store was functional and fabulous first.  Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be adding many more affiliate stores to the mix.  Once we get everyone loaded into the shop, it should serve as a pretty great tool for seeing the best deals from a large mix of stores from the Interwebs.

That makes a lot of sense! Thanks for explaining that.

You're welcome!

[crafty gurll]

Does anyone else think it's weird that a place allegedly here for us to share our craftiness in an environment free of commerce is now hawking wares itself?  I'm fine with Craftster-branded swag as a way to show our support for the site, but I'm more than a little weirded out by the "shop" button. 

What's more, the vast majority of crafting supplies are found at joann.com.  When you click on an item, it just takes you directly there.  Craftster isn't technically selling the supplies, or even bringing us the best crafting suppiles the Interwebs have to offer. 

Comments?  Questions?  Validation of my skepticism?

I totally agree.  It goes against what I thought craftster believed in, the whole no selling or they would bust out the limbo sticks on you.     I scanned the items for sale and there was paper, etc., but then things like wall sconces.     I could get behind it if it was promoting small businesses, but Joann's has more than enough business.  I love craftster and will continue to come here for ideas and swapping, but will keep my shopping local as much as possible.

[PixieVal]

I agree on keeping shopping local! I love supporting my LYS(little/local yarn shops/stores) but unfortunately, a because I live in a very rural place, most of my craft shopping does happen online.
I don't mean to belittle any feelings of this addition, but it does kind of excite me personally because of the lack of hobby supply shops in my area, and because after the application adds more shops it will mean less surfing on the internet on my part!

[sweets4ever]

Does anyone else think it's weird that a place allegedly here for us to share our craftiness in an environment free of commerce is now hawking wares itself?  I'm fine with Craftster-branded swag as a way to show our support for the site, but I'm more than a little weirded out by the "shop" button. 

What's more, the vast majority of crafting supplies are found at joann.com.  When you click on an item, it just takes you directly there.  Craftster isn't technically selling the supplies, or even bringing us the best crafting suppiles the Interwebs have to offer. 

Comments?  Questions?  Validation of my skepticism?

I totally agree.  It goes against what I thought craftster believed in, the whole no selling or they would bust out the limbo sticks on you.     I scanned the items for sale and there was paper, etc., but then things like wall sconces.     I could get behind it if it was promoting small businesses, but Joann's has more than enough business.  I love craftster and will continue to come here for ideas and swapping, but will keep my shopping local as much as possible.

Aw, yes!  We support local shopping as well.  We will always run our small business ads and of course encourage others to visit & support them, too.

The Craft Supplies Shop is in its own designated area, and it's not intrusive to forum posts (which is where we bust a Limbo! ).  We often run ads for Michael's, Jo-Ann Fabrics and such, so it's not a new concept for us to also support larger online supply companies as well.

Thanks for your feedback!

[sweets4ever]

I agree on keeping shopping local! I love supporting my LYS(little/local yarn shops/stores) but unfortunately, a because I live in a very rural place, most of my craft shopping does happen online.
I don't mean to belittle any feelings of this addition, but it does kind of excite me personally because of the lack of hobby supply shops in my area, and because after the application adds more shops it will mean less surfing on the internet on my part!

Thanks for your feedback, Pixie!