Ch- Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes

Just gonna have to be a different (wo)man

The powers that be powerful at Stampin' Up! have decided that a new Independent Demonstrator Agreement (IDA) is necessary because of the popularity of blogs and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. They don't was us demonstrators telling people where to go to get competitor's merchandise and I can see their point. I can tell you this "I got this stamp from a big box store," but I can no longer give you item numbers, manufacturers names and store names or links to other selling sites. [Gotta wonder how they will monitor every demo's electronic communications.] All demo's are being asked to sign a new IDA or resign.

I have no problem signing this new IDA, I don't think it's unreasonable but I will not be signing it. At times I have loved being a demonstrator, and other times I have loathed being a demonstrator. I love social creativity. I love teaching people how to make great paper crafts. I hate selling, even though I believe Stampin' Up! products are among the best out there. I hate hounding people for sales and bookings. I hate thinking "potential customer" instead of "potential friend" when I meet new people.

I became a demonstrator to be a "supplier" for my friends who were losing their demo to a job transfer. Since that time my best customers have stopped spending money on stamps because they are too busy with babies, too broke because they have lost jobs, or grown incredibly apathetic – ok they died. I will not be renewing my demonstratorship because I don't have the customers, the drive or the interest.

My paying job, my health and my family need to take priority now. I will still be stamping and scrapping but I hope it will not be what defines me for my friends. I hope to find a balance between all the things that are important to me and my family's survival in these difficult economic times.

I have until the end of the month to sign or resign so you have until September 30th to place any orders including orders from the Holiday Mini. My Digital Studio™; the innovative and easy-to-use software program that uses Stampin' Up!'s exclusive images to make creating cards, photo albums, scrapbooks, and other projects even simpler; will not be available until October 1st. If you are interested in purchasing this product, which sells for $79.95, please call me I am willing to re-sign, place the order THEN resign.