AD: Ebay and Justbeads auctions

Don't agonize! If anyone hasn't stuck their feet in their mouth, I
suppose we'd dress them in robes and call them a prophet. I knew what
you meant, I think we all knew you meant no offense. Besides, the
newsgroup is quick to forget and quicker to forgive. Remember, most of
us have ADD. Is that a butterfly..?!

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay

Christina Peterson wrote:
I've been agonizing over sticking both feet in my month in this post. I'm
quick to admit eBay is too much work for me. Sometimes I think I should
filter what I say through you. Actually, I should probably just not open my
mouth so wide, so often!

Tina


"Kalera Stratton" wrote in message
...

I think that ideally, that is how it works best. OTOH, I do know a few
artists who make a living exclusively on eBay... I think it's more work
for them, and a less certain outcome, for eBay is a fickle mistress!
However, they're happy, and seem to be doing well. The overhead of eBay
is on par with the overhead for a functional website, but with a website
you usually pay in a scary lump sum, while with eBay it's pay-as-you-go.

Ebay is about the best advertising dollar you can spend, if you have a
website.

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay


Christina Peterson wrote:

I'd like to address two points. Selling from your own site. And making

a

living selling PC (or any other) beads.

In some ways, I think auction sites are for the lazy; especially the

lazy

customer. I like that I can go to eBay or JustBeads and see a selection

of

beads at a variety of prices. But I also know that if I love someone's
beads and want first chance, I have to go to their website and pay full
price. Like for Kalera beads. I also know that many people making a

living

at beads, sell almost exclusively off their sites plus galleries. How

often

does Kim Miles sell beads on eBay? She gives customers a 5 hour window

to

buy beads on her site once a week. And Karen Lewis sells her beads on

her

site and also you can find her beads in stores (probably purchased at

shows

by the store owners).

I think that for people making a good living making beads, auctions are

a

hook to take you to their site to sell their best work at a fair and
predetermined price.

Just "thinking out loud".

Tina

You know, reading this might sting, but after they got over the sting it
might prove to be a lesson that would benefit them greatly in time. Some
of the most embarrassing humiliations of my life were also the greatest
learning experiences, and stimulated the most growth.

My paternal family's primary culture of origin uses parable, teasing and
gossip as a way of teaching lessons. If someone is behaving badly or
self-destructively, first you (or preferably a grandma or grandpa) tell
a little story, in their hearing, about someone who was behaving badly
in the same way. This is why we listen closely when our parents are
telling our kids a story... it might be meant for us. If that doesn't
work, if it's someone you ae close to, you tease them about their bad
behavior, making little jokes at their expense. If that doesn't work,
you take it to the aunties, who make sure the offending party *overhears
them gossiping* about them. Humiliation works wonders to teach a
much-needed lesson, you know? My sister is a master at this, and she's
also loud. Ouch.

These things aren't considered acceptable in the dominant-culture
society. It seems that it's thought better to let the someone suffer
from their own flawed behavior than to hurt their feelings by letting
them see what everyone thinks of them. I fail to see how that helps
anyone. The alternative is for someone to take the person aside and tell
them privately about the behavior that you think could use improving.
It's excruciating for both parties and often does the person no good,
because it's easily dismissed as "just your opinion".

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay


Tinkster wrote:
Just the social worker in me coming out, but don't y'all think that if
so many RCBers figured out who was being discussed here, that the
person in question would know, too? Or, at the very least, that
someone has contacted him/her?

I just hate seeing people discussed like this when they're not around
to defend themselves. Usenet words last forever. And, as my mother
always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, say it in
private."


Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm

Tina wrote:

I've been agonizing over sticking both feet in my month in this post. I'm
quick to admit eBay is too much work for me. Sometimes I think I should
filter what I say through you. Actually, I should probably just not open
my
mouth so wide, so often!

That's not necessary at all, Tina.

You said some very useful and thought-provoking things, which brought out
comments from other people. I do know what you meant about eBay, and in
some ways you're right. I think of them as cheap advertising. Without eBay
I doubt I would ever have considered encouraging Mike to start lampwork to
sell. In the UK and with his health problems, we'd never have been able to
involve ourselves in shows or travelling or any of the other things that
would have helped make him able to sell online.

It's funny that eBay has become the default setting for us though. There's
almost nothing you can't find on eBay.

-Su

Karen hon,

If it were you, this would never have been brought up for public
discussion. I'd have written you a private note, and if you weren't
receptve to it, I'd drop the issue entirely. Same for anyone who
posts here on the group.

Aww Kathy, I just couldn't resist a little tongue in cheek. And sometimes a
little paranoia is a good thing. It seems like whenever I get in a creative
rut ("will she EVER do another bead without frit again???" G) I'll run
into a thread like this and start trying to drag myself in a different
direction.

Although, this frit-thing may be incurable.

And honestly, I wouldn't mind a polite but public critique, either.
WetCanvas is doing a "structured critique" (entirely voluntary) and I think
it's a great thing. No attaboys allowed, just genuine helpful criticism. I
figure if you never hear anything but praise, you don't grow.

KarenK

Totally and completely not you, Karen. These are both people who aren't
posting here at the moment. They might be reading, but if they are they're
getting good advice without personal exposure, so it's all good.

--
Kandice Seeber
Air & Earth Designs
http://www.lampwork.net

It's not that we're trying to be obtuse, but rather that we're
protecting the privacy of people who may change their ways someday,
and a bad reputation would be very difficult to overcome.

Understood. It's just a little crazy-making. As long as it's not me, I
don't much care. LOL

KarenK

Well, if they are reading and have figured out who we're talking about, then
they have the opportunity to see some of the really good advice.

--
Kandice Seeber
Air & Earth Designs
http://www.lampwork.net

Just the social worker in me coming out, but don't y'all think that if
so many RCBers figured out who was being discussed here, that the
person in question would know, too? Or, at the very least, that
someone has contacted him/her?

I just hate seeing people discussed like this when they're not around
to defend themselves. Usenet words last forever. And, as my mother
always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, say it in
private."


Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm

Oh, in this case I thought we were talking about your beadseller with
the attitude, Kathy.

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay


Kathy N-V wrote:

Actually, the whole "parable and story telling thing" was used in
this case. Even further, when the person complained about the low
prices, RCB members politely stated ways that the artisan could
improve her work (and thus command higher prices.)

If it had been any more obvious, you'd have had people saying "You
selfish pork face! Now I'll never be satisfied." (and then the
person would have to get you a nice gift)

But sometimes you can't talk to a person who refuses to listen. Even
if you whacked them upside the head with a clue by four, the message
just doesn't always get through.

Kathy N-V

Tinkster wrote:
Just the social worker in me coming out, but don't y'all think that if
so many RCBers figured out who was being discussed here, that the
person in question would know, too? Or, at the very least, that
someone has contacted him/her?

I just hate seeing people discussed like this when they're not around
to defend themselves. Usenet words last forever. And, as my mother
always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, say it in
private."

Okay, I don't get it. Are you bothered because the person won't see it, or
because the person *will* see it? Or do you want it both ways?
~~
Sooz
The things that will destroy us a politics without principle; pleasure
without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business
without morality; science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice. - M.
Ghandi

These things aren't considered acceptable in the dominant-culture
society. It seems that it's thought better to let the someone suffer
from their own flawed behavior than to hurt their feelings by letting
them see what everyone thinks of them. I fail to see how that helps
anyone. The alternative is for someone to take the person aside and tell
them privately about the behavior that you think could use improving.
It's excruciating for both parties and often does the person no good,
because it's easily dismissed as "just your opinion".

I agree. Some behaviors that are seen as "kind" aren't.
~~
Sooz
The things that will destroy us a politics without principle; pleasure
without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business
without morality; science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice. - M.
Ghandi

I'm not certain what you mean by "Or do you want it both ways". I
simply don't think it's nice. I think it would be hurtful if the
person sees this. Some of the talk has been fair, but some has been
downright mean, in my opinion. I don't understand why these things
need to be said, especially in a public forum.

On 24 Nov 2004 18:07:18 GMT, uppies (Dr. Sooz)
wrote:

Tinkster wrote:
Just the social worker in me coming out, but don't y'all think that if
so many RCBers figured out who was being discussed here, that the
person in question would know, too? Or, at the very least, that
someone has contacted him/her?

I just hate seeing people discussed like this when they're not around
to defend themselves. Usenet words last forever. And, as my mother
always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, say it in
private."

Okay, I don't get it. Are you bothered because the person won't see it, or
because the person *will* see it? Or do you want it both ways?
~~
Sooz
The things that will destroy us a politics without principle; pleasure
without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business
without morality; science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice. - M.
Ghandi


Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm