I have discussed (on Ustream) a few changes that I am making to my kit ordering process, my Ning site and to my Facebook. I am posting the info here to make it official.
First up though, I want to show you some photo’s of the mini album for the Little Miss Tea Party version. Kits for this version are still available. During the Ustream class I will make both versions of the Tea Pots and mini albums and will make the tray/box for the asian versions.
The pattern will be up in the next day or so. I will also post some photos of the asian versions in a few days…
Now on to the changes….
For a couple of years, I have had MANY requests to start a kit club in order to eliminate the “competition” for the kits for the projects I design and create. My personal experiences with kit clubs hasn’t been a positive one and I want to avoid those same pitfalls. (I had wanted to be able to CHOOSE the kits I wanted and not be committed to those I didn’t want). When I started offering kits, I specifically avoided the whole Kit Club concept for that very reason. Thus, with my current system, when a when a kit is popular, I have added more kits or another version of the kits…after the fact (or after the first ones sell out). This reactive method of providing kits can be stressful and is a lot more work to pull off than the original kits were to put together.
I want to give everyone an opportunity to purchase a kit that wants one, so I have come up with what I hope will be a good solution. Starting with the CHA Wheelbarrow project, I will be taking RESERVATIONS for kits in advance of those that I put up on the website. Essentially, you will be pre-ordering your kit. This will ensure that you will receive the kit (or kits) that you want and you won’t have to stalk the website at the designated times that I put the kits up. While I will generally have the primary elements of the kits already in hand when I put the kits up for Reservations, this method will allow me to order more product for additional kits BEFORE the kits are available to everyone else. Please note, you do NOT have to make kit reservations to get a kit. I will still have a limited number of kits go up on a first come, first serve basis just as I do now. These will be called “At The Door” kits. In most cases, the sample of the project will be shown prior to the Reservations being taken.
Here is the proposed timelines and particulars for the two kit purchase options;
- At The Door Kits: These kits are just like my current system. The kits will go up approximately 10 days prior to the scheduled Ustream class. These kits will be available on a first come, first served basis (just as it is now). Payments is due upon purchase. The quantities will be limited and when they are gone, they are gone.
- Reservation Kits: Reservations for these kits will begin 1 to 2 weeks prior to when the At the Door kits become available. Reservations will end at 6pm PST the day before the At the Door kits are available. Payment will be due at the time of the Reservation. In addition to your Reserved kit, you will receive one or more exclusive bonus items and your kit will ship prior to the At The Door Kits. As with all of my kits, the electronically delivered written pattern/tutorial is included in the kit purchase. These kits are available on my website just like my current kits.
I will begin taking Reservations for the TWO versions of the Wheelbarrow project starting tomorrow at 1pm PST. Reservations will end at 6pm PST on March 4. The At the Door Kits will be available on March 5th. I am trying to always put At The Door kits and Reservations up on Tuesdays. I am also planning to be on schedule to have the pattern go up on the Thursday after the At The Door kits are available.
Next up, the Ning site. While the Ning site has been a fun place for everyone to post photos of their projects, in the past couple of months, we have become the target of spammers trying to get into the site. Joy and I moderate the applications to the site. We have been rejecting upwards of 30 a day of what is obviously spammers. I have made the decision to go ahead and take the Ning site down before March 1st. I am working to add a forum to my blog or other options to replace the Ning site and allow everyone a place to upload their FTPT inspired projects. I won’t have the alternate avialble by March 1, but I will try to have something new available soon.
Many of you may have gotten a Facebook invitation last night, but if you didn’t, I have a new Facebook page for Laura Denison Designs. Starting on March 1, I will only be posting scrapping and paper crafting info on that page. My personal Facebook will become exactly that again, my personal page for friends and close friends. The advantage of this page is that you can get the info you need without the process of “friend” approval. The address for the new page is: http://www.facebook.com/LauraDenisonDesigns. The button here on the blog has been revised to reflect this page address.
Thank you for hanging in there through this looooong post!
Laura
Great decision. You know you have many people to support what ever you have to do to make things easier for you and your family. Maybe you can get all those boxes out of your living room. Lanna
I also think this is a very good decission on your part. Should make life a lot easier for you and for all who want kits. Way to go Laura. I am going to be sorry to see the ing site close down but totally understand why and will look for it on your site. Thank you for all you do for us addicted paper craft doodles that have joined your world.
It all sounds good to me! Thank you Laura for thinking of us as always!
Whatever works best for you, Laura….I adapt!
the mini is adorable! Can’t wait to see it in action.
I enjoy the ning site only for the pictures others post of their projects, but if it’s being a hassle for you and Joy, good riddance. Life need not be so complicated. This stuff is supposed to be fun 😉 Bring on the changes!
I think that you have come up with the best way to do this. It is to bad that there are those in this world that live to cause grief for others. We will enjoy our crafting, thank you for caring and not throwing in the towel! Appreciate all you do:)
I agree with you about the Kit Club concept. I am limited for time so like being able to choose which kits I buy. I enjoy watching your videos even when I know I am not going to make the project. You always have good tips and tricks to share. THANKS !!
Laura, I agree with you on all accounts! I always felt that both you and us as your students could benefit from a preorder type system. It seemed to me that it limited both us and you. The students in not always getting the kit they wanted and you with stress, extra time away from your personal life having to order stuff for the extra kits and also the fact that having the possibility of more people ordering more kits and participating in the project!
I also agree with you about your personal Facebook page also being your business page. I know it was awkward for me last week leaving a note to you regarding FTPT on your personal page. While I would love to be in contact with you and be able to say things to the rest of the people associated with FLPT I do think you need personal time and info with your family and are entitled to it! So I think you having two separate pages is AWESOME!!!!! Great ideas and glad they are going into effect!
It sounds like you’ve come up with some sound decisions about how to simplify and to streamline. Your followers will support anything you decide because we ultimately benefit. I can’t speak for everyone, but I love your UStream programs and would be very sad if I couldn’t access them. I have not yet purchased a kit, but if my budget changes I would love to order one in the future. In the meantime you can count me with your faithfull fans.
thanks Laura, sounds like you have made some good decisions, and I am happy you are there so, what ever works for you is fine with me. Really appreciate all that I am learning from your videos and thank you so much, for the wonderful projects you bring and the sense of community your regular shows give to us.
Hi Laura, I just want to say good luck with all the changes. I have difficulty watching Ustream these days live but I watch the recordings and I’m enjoying your work. Trying to get my head round the rolling suitcase at the moment. I don’t buy kits but I’m sure the people who do will appreciate this new system. I hope all the streamlining makes life alot easier for you. x
Love the idea on how you will do your kits. The first one I bought from you I “stalked” your web site! Lol this will be so much better since I work 3rd and have trouble many times making it up to get one. Love the mini fir the tea servie can not wait til class have a good day! Thanks for all you do!
Laura, thank you so much for always wanting to improve things. I really appreciate how much you think about your doodles and what would make the experience better for us. Sounds like this will help you as well. You rock! Thanks for everything!
I bet the number of kit buyers goes up, prepare to be swamped with reservations. Loving the teaopt thing and I did like the mini as I didn’t know the girly paper was so so cool and modern. DEBB (teapot soory over excited typing)
Expecting my first KIT ever !!!!!!!
Yes I “cracked” over teapot plus funky modern girl paper. Debb
You did it again! This is beautiful. When I showed Lau’Ren she was like “momma when does this one start!” If you never have another fan (yea, like that’s gonna happen) you sure do have one in my daughter. The paper collection is awesome! I’m drooling lol. Can’t wait to get started on it.
Le’Quita H.
I will miss the Ning site – I didn’t particpate a whole lot, but it was always nice to drop in every week or two and see what new things everyone was working on. But I totally understand your reasons for now wanting to deal with all the spam and generally yucky-ness that goes with that sort of thing these days.
I have not been a “kit” orderer yet – mostly because by the time a project comes up that I really like, and I get to the web site the kits are already sold out – lol! So I do like this new way of doing things. Good luck with it and as always – thank you so much for sharing your wonderful creativity with all of us.
Thanks Laura for always trying to make things run more smoothly for everyone, even when it requires more initial work on your part. It is greatly appreciated. Artsychik Jeanne