Thursday, November 29, 2007

Life Changes

I have given up ownership of almost all of my Yahoo groups. I am in the process of finishing up in one group (Acrylic Artists) and then leaving. I will continue to own Collage Sisthars since that is a local group that actually meets monthly.

I left Art Techniques today. I have thought about it before but had never done it. I did it today because it felt right. I had always hesitated before because I had started the group with someone else. I had seen it grow tremendously in a very short amount of time. There was no hesitation today.

I needed to simplify my life for a long time now. I have been very fatigued. I hurt my hand and that has really put a crimp in my ability to do art. I have some chronic health issues that are not getting better with age. I was going to drop all my groups except Art Techniques. That changed today.

I guess today was the day that broke the camel's back. It did for this camel. I do appreciate everyone who supports me and who have very kind things to say about me. It is the other people that piss me off and make it so not worth it to run a group. I cannot control the mail. I can't help that it is slow. I kept in contact and explained why something was late. I had pneumonia and that laid me up for a few weeks. I even had to postpone a workshop I was teaching. Why in the world would I keep a ton of large manila envelopes in my house? Don't you think that I would want to get rid of them? Like I don't have enough art and swap stuff cluttering up my house. I cannot help that the Chicagoland area has the worst mail in the country.

Some people must think that I have nothing better to do than take care of swaps. That I don't have a life or feelings. Some people would email me telling me that they did not believe in hostess gifts when I would request an extra for magazine publication or an extra charm to make a bracelet as a give-away in the Yahoo group. Jeez! Keep your inchies then. Don't join the swap if you don't like the rules. I don't care why you don't like my rules. If you don't like it, then you don't have to be in the group. Some people don't get that it costs time and money to run a Yahoo group and to hostess swaps. I have a full-time job and kids of my own. I taught and shared a lot of things through the groups that you would normally have to pay for. I cannot believe the griping that I got for something that is FREE. I don't get anything for all the hours that I put in doing techniques or from running the groups. I pay for the challenge prizes. I don't make anything off swaps. I spend money on envelopes, postage, and international mailing.

I recently got a message from one group where they are putting something together for the owner - an art project and collecting money for a gift certificate. I have gotten cards, individual gifts, pieces of art, and pieces of jewelry from some great artists. I really appreciate the individual sentiments because they took the time to think of me. That got me thinking about whether what I do in the Yahoo groups is really appreciated or not. I decided "not".

Well, it is time to think about myself and not about what technique I should do or what swap I should hostess next. It is time for me to create for myself. I need to write some articles and to submit art for some commitments. Need to work on samples for Dremel.

I can go on and on. Basically, I had enough of the crap from a small number of people who made it so not worth it for me to run a Yahoo group. I do appreciate the people who have been supportive. I guess it is not enough any more for the amount of crap I take from people who take advantage of a FREE service through Yahoo. Whenever I had enough in the past, I would waver because people would email me telling me how they loved my blog and how Art Techniques inspired them. I do appreciate that and loved reading what you would send me. I just can't do it any more.

BTW, I don't do refunds. When I tell you it is in the mail, that is where it is. I can't pull it out of my butt. I spent money to have them printed and on materials for the samples. I offered the booklets to the group from my workshop. They were a pain to put together. It was a lot of manual labor.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was part of the Art Techniques Yahoo group and I quit today. I could see how it really wasn't all that healthy of an environment. I needed a safe place to explore what it meant to make art. And the longer that I read the messages, the more I knew it wasn't for me.

The only person who I felt really embraced everyone was you. And I appreciate that. I hope things go better for you and that you'll have time to heal (both body and mind).

Cheers! I'll always be one of your fans. I look forward to reading your blog.

Christine aka Fandangogirl

Anonymous said...

Belinda

I just wanted to let you know you will be missed on the group. I'm sorry your leaving but understand why you must do what needs to be done for yourself. You and your family come first. Take care and good luck. I look foward to reading your blog and seeing whatever your creaating that way.

Please let me know what happens with the Skinny book pages you submitted to CPS. I sent the extra pages.

Arlene

Carolyn said...

I have been reading your blog and admiring your art for some time and must say, BRAVO, for realizing that you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.

Yes, you are ready for a change. Change is good and when it relieves stress it frees you to accomplish more and to feel good about yourself. I am sure your family will benefit, your students will benefit and most of all you will have a new beginning.

Carolyn S

sallyt said...

Belinda, I'm shocked and saddened by this news. You probably didn't even know I was in the group because I don't have time to post but I always counted on that group to inspire me and as far as I am concerned you ARE that group. You are the energy and stimulus for it. We will miss all the input you have. I thought sharing techniques was your calling -- it certainly is your talent! Thanks for all you've done. It has NOT gone unnoticed. Hope I can always find you somewhere on the net because it comforts me to know there is someone at my fingertips that probably has the answer to any technique problem I have! All my best to you in whatever new directions you go. Love, Sallyt
sallyt1@suddenlink.net
sallyt.typepad.com

Lynn Majidimehr said...

Oh Belinda, I really understand! I've had to go no mail on almost all the groups that I subscribed to, because I didn't have time to even read them. I'm so sorry that a few people are making your life so miserable after you provided so many instructions for techniques, ran swaps, etc. I hope that in getting away from the groups you'll have time to make more art without pressure from others to come up with techniques, swaps to entertain them. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create and post to your blog.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for every thing , you are a wonderful person,and even though we have never met in person, I would be honored to call you FRIEND. And teacher. Thank s again for all you've done . Looking forward to seeing more fun ideas from you on this blog. Big hugs Rose Guerin
aka rosebudinnh

Peggy said...

YOU GO GIRLFRIEND!

Hey Belinda, tell us how you really feel...LOLOL.

Well, I'm glad you said it and I hope it's a big load off your shoulders. Rest up and come back soon, even more creative and rebellious than ever.
Best,
Peg

Dobell Family-Reaching Out said...

Well said Belinda and I wish you all the best in your future projects and though I have only just benefited from your wonderful FREE tutorials I can see that others have been benefiting from association with you for along time. I now fully appreciate the work involved at the other end of the swaps and groups..you deserve a break. I look forward to learning more from you in what ever form you choose to present it via DVD or books and just know we are going to see your work published for years to come. May you never lose your enjoyment of art and may you rediscover what you love the most in your doing your art. I have been busy creating and planning my book pages for the swap I will be doing with you and have ordered my threads too. I really want to at least have them posted the 3rd week of December even by air it is taking at least 3 weeks to arrive here from the USA. I hope my enthusiasm and newness is a breath of fresh air to you and not a pain in the arse LOL Recoup Regroup and face forward to a new and exciting 2008. A new road and journey to enjoy and one where you wont be carrying such a big load. I wish you well and hope that in some form even a tiny spec of your talent should rub off on to me I would be delighted. best and highest regards Michelle

Grasshoppa's Art Adventures said...

Belinda,

I wanted to say thank you for everything you did for the group. I may not have posted much but I read and apprecuated everything that you shared. Ir un groups so can completely understand where you are coming from. I wish you all the best in your futire endeavors and will continue to check your blog as I cam..
jeff

Anonymous said...

Belinda, I have loved having your wonderful art. I will continue to monitor your blog. Thank you for all you have done.

M. Thompson said...

Belinda,
You are going to be missed... well, actually you already are...
I'm sorry to see you go under the circumstances that you did leave.
Having spoken to you briefly in the past about "chronic" illness... trust me, I understand fully how the straw that broke the camels back finally made you say... "TIME FOR ME NOW"....
Enjoy it.... and I look forward to reading your blog.
Get healthy! I know I'm trying...
Mary Lou

M. Thompson said...

Belinda,
You are going to be missed... well, actually you already are...
I'm sorry to see you go under the circumstances that you did leave.
Having spoken to you briefly in the past about "chronic" illness... trust me, I understand fully how the straw that broke the camels back finally made you say... "TIME FOR ME NOW"....
Enjoy it.... and I look forward to reading your blog.
Get healthy! I know I'm trying...
Mary Lou

Anonymous said...

Hi Belinda
I have followed you from group to group through several years now. It is entirely due to you that I started to make art again after many years away from it.
I have had a really bad year this year with problems with my own health and and aging father who needed the rest of my energy, so I really understand your need for some space for yourself. I have given up reading groups this year and just dropped in to art techniques every now and again, something must have made me look just now when you posted your resignation.
I am sad to see you go but will keep reading your blog. I just know that one day soon I'll be buying a copy of your first book.
Here's to success with all your varied interests and family too.
Good Luck and Good Health
Gillian -Leafygal (in Australia)

Judy Shea said...

Belinda...the most important thing in your health and your family.. if those are good, then you can move on and be free with no worries... Health, emotionally and physically an bring you down and now it's time for YOU. Thanks for all your hard work and creativity. I'll be watching your blog.
Happy Holidays,
Judy