Sunday, September 24, 2006

The Present and The Future - Please Read!
Okay, so I know that I may get long winded (at least I can admit it!) so I have bolded the text in the post that is most important if you would like to skip to it!
A lot of you, if not most of you, have watched the evolution of our site over the past 8 months. Actually, as I type this I realize that evolution is kind of an ironic word to choose. There really has been a lack of evolution. Where I wanted to be at this point is so far from where I actually am. Many things, some that have been out of my control, have stifled my progression into what I wanted this to be. However, it is said that experience is the best teacher. I wonder if you can hear me shout "Amen"!?!? I wholeheartedly believe that my experiences have prepared me for the future and given me a clearer idea of what I want to do with this site and how I want to do it. So on to the future. . .
I am so excited about the vision in my head and what the site will become. And it will be soon (as in before the end of the year)! My goal has never been to just throw together some paper and stickers, shove it in a bag, and add a price tag. It has been far more than that. I wanted to create projects and kits and classes that stimulate the creative mind. I wanted to build a community (i.e. the "site") that promotes and fosters this spirit. A place to come for inspiration and to share inspiration. It has always been part of the "big picture" and it is finally going to come to fruition. I plan to share sneak peaks and updates as we go along. We are going to totally revolutionize the way we do memberships. It will be painless, easy and accurate and we will be overcoming some of the challenges we have had with safari and other browsers (yeah for Mac users)! I am very excited about what we are going to offer. . . but, in the interim, it means some temporary changes to the way we currently do business so read on!
Beginning on October 1st, the kits will all be sold as one time purchases through the cart at the site. We will not be able to honor current memberships nor begin new ones and will not be doing any automated billing. So, just to put it in simple terms, whether you are in the middle of a membership, just re-upped last month, etc., you will have to go to the website on October the 1st or later and actually purchase the kit(s) for that month. I understand that many of you enjoy your membership because you don't want to have to worry about buying the kit online - and chance it being sold out. While I understand that in the beginning the Papercrafting Kits were selling out in the middle of the night, this has not happened in months. In fact, I can guarantee you that we will not sell out overnight, if even during the entire month. There will be Papercrafting Kits for anyone who wants one. The Project Kits have been a little more unpredictable, but we have upped our quantities of these for the coming months as well. Other than the inconvenience of actually having to go to the site and make a purchase, the kits will come to you after the 10th just as you have enjoyed each month. We are hoping to only have to do it this way for one month, but we will obviously keep everyone posted on that.
You will most likely still see your membership information in "My Account" come the 1st, but you should also see a red note there at that time that tells you that that information is void and you must purchase a kit(s) through the secure check out.
We will be sending out this same information in a newsletter tomorrow as well (as many members are not blog readers). I will also post a reminder (and send a reminder e-mail) just before the first in order to hopefully reach everyone.
I appreciate so much the support I have received since I started this. I have many mailed letters and printed e-mails posted in my office and on my fridge that remind why I do this and who I do it for. I promise you- if it was just for the money I would have given it up a long time ago. It is not my motivation. It has really become much more than that. . .
I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. We have spent much time with the kids this weekend- school festivals, parks and the "Jumpy Place"! They even experienced their first Hibachi grill dinner last night and loved the "Volcano". Wish I took my camera. Seems I have been forgetting that a lot lately (sigh). . .
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21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Jenni, Glad to be part of the "evoulution". Keep it up, I would be devastated without my monthly fix of goodness!!

Mel

Jana said...

I totally understand that this whole process is a learning one and changes have to be made along the way to make it exactly as you want it to be. Do what you have to do and know that we'll still be here cheering you on!!

Anonymous said...

Jenni, is there any way that you could give us a preview like you did with the first kit? That way we can make a decision before the first.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
AnilĂș Magloire said...

Well...sigh OK. I loved it like it was but I'll hang in there just for you. I love those kits too much. I really hope you get the site to where you want it soon. We, your die hard fans will be there though it all.
Now to get over the devastating blow, how about a little peek?? Pretty please?

Anonymous said...

It`s o.k. ! Someone famous always says that, hmmm, forgot the name *lol*. But seriously Jenni, for me the inspiration in the gallery and that I can get a kit somehow is the only thing that matters, so don`t worry, there is a reason for everything.

Anonymous said...

Jenni, I will stick with you through this transition, I love getting your kits each month!! How about a sneak peek!! :)

Anonymous said...

I will continue to buy and support
I love your kits and thank you for all of your hard work!
hope you have a smooth transition and hang in there girlie!

Anonymous said...

You are an inspiration in perservance and vision. Thanks for the fabulous kits you put together! I can't wait to see all that is to come!

Anonymous said...

Hang in there Jenni!!! Your kits are wonderful and they are worth all the "evoulution" Keep your chin up, this will pass!! You're doing a great job!!!
Jessica S.

Anonymous said...

I appreciate everything you are doing at your end and I hope you will continue to do what you do. I LOVE the kits you put together. I check your blog everyday and on the last week of the month I check it several times a day just waiting for a sneak peek!! Hang in there! Thanks again.

Angel's Imaginations said...

There are bound to be "growing pains" in any business venture. It's normal.
I searched the web, and chose your kits over all the others available--so a little glitch, or two, won't drive me away. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenni!!

I guess I'll have to write myself a note to make sure I go to your website on the 1st!! I wouldn't want to miss your awesome kits!! I'm especially enjoying the project kits, which by the way, I received the March Project kit just the other day and am loving it! Thank you so much for offering these. Keep up the great work. We all love the inspiration you give us each month!

Have a Blessed week!

Caron

Annalisa said...

You will get where you want to go Jenni, but these new adventures take time. I think everyone understands and is here to cheer you on!

Jann Gray said...

Thanks so much for the update. Know that I think you are doing a terrific job...I have always known it was more to you than throwing some paper and stickers in a bag, slappin a price on it -- (although with the way you pick stuff that would have been good too! *smile*). I think this is a great transition...and look forward to the new process...and all the wonderful new goodies. I am certain I will get the same thrill of opening my little tin box...which at the end of a work day is a wonderful surprise...so hang in there --- and we will too! Love ya girl!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenni, I just received your first Kit yesterday and what to say - I LOVE IT!!!! It's one of the best and most eclectic kits I've seen so far ... I already created my first LO with the September-Kit ... it's on my blog!!! Anyway ... thanks and keep up the gr8 work ... I'm looking forward to the next kits!!! Hugs from Germany ... Andrea

Anonymous said...

Jenni-
I have been with you from the beginning and I will stay with you into the future. Getting a dose of mojo every month is worth being a part of the evoulution. You are AWESOME!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenni!
I am SO excited to see what you have in store!! I have been a loyal subscriber from the start and will continue to be in the future. I am so grateful that you share your talent and inspiration with us! Have a great day.

joanne (spagirl) said...

hey jenni!! i'm just psyched that i've been in since the beginning ... i love being a part of something when it's new and still being a part of it as it evolves ... your kits are amazing and your style is inspiring!! thanks for all the info and updates! now that's great customer service, too!! take care!!

Anonymous said...

I also would appreciate an advance preview of the kits.

Also, any thoughts on a "subscribers' gallery"? I would love to see what other people do with the papercrafting kits -- and I would love to share what I do with the kits (I must've made 30 cards out of the August kit!)

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you've had such a hard time with all this. It has been interesting to watch from the sideines and I keep hoping that it will get sorted out. I think the above poster that called it "growing pains" is correct. I'm going to be honest with you too. As a customer, it's been frustrating for me. I'm sure you have been stressed about this from a business standpoint as well.

One of the main reasons I hung in there was because I liked only having to reup every 3 months. Also, because the kits are of great quality.

This may change my mind though. I'm going to have to think about it for a bit. I may need to see things stabilize here for a while. There have been many changes in a short amount of time. Other sites don't seem to have this drama. Maybe it's time for a new IT person? I don't know.

You are very talented and I have enjoyed what I have purchased. Jury is out for a few days on this latest problem/solution.