Who am I?

I ask this question in the vain hope of starting some sort of debate.
In the world of craft how easy is it to draw a line between the crafters and the suppliers, Especially those people in the front line of craft.
On Holiday I will visit craft shops everywhere and always find some thing I want to buy, because I when not at work I craft...among other things. At shows I always seem to buy, and judging by the people who come to our stand so do other exhibitors. Many Crafters also sell a few cards or spilt supplies with friends.

Since I finished working a shop I have spent more time looking at and joining in on the forums. They are now my main contact with the crafters out there. I enjoy being able to pass on the help and advice we gave freely in the shop to people on line. In doing so am I advertising? well probably just a bit, but it is not noticeable in how much money we take. I probably spend far too much of my time surfing the forums and posting replies, which would give a better return concentrating on the huge list of jobs I have, but I like the contact, to know what people are thinking about which are the best shows to attend and what the food is like when we get there.

At shows I have a number of friends who have helped get through the day, helped unload the van and set up, done a bit of demoing whilst I go the loo or have a drink. Not for money just to support a friend and be involved in a hobby we all love. Are they to be considered part of a shop??

should I only post cards I have made with other peoples stamps?
When you have made a card with a new stamp or new technique to do you want to show others what you have done? I certainly do, and when I have had the idea for the stamp, drawn it, electronically "cleaned" that image, finally got Andy to make it the right size to emboss and not loose definition, do I want to shout and show people, do I feel some sense of pride? you bet I do!
So should I be embarassed to say this what I do on a forum, or just asking forum friends to look what I made?
On this blog I tell you about what we products we have coming out, can you imagine how much work goes in get new stamps or other products to the market, how long it takes from idea to saying here it is because we are selling it is it wrong to shout about what we have achieved? I was talking to someone who sells products on one of the TV channels last month and they said it took 12 months to get a recent product ready to take to TV so it not just me.
This week I have had to spend my evenings designing (making) boxes and other packaging.
So am I a Crafter?? or just a shop? am I shop at all? is the blog a shop?

Your comments PLEASE!!

Craft Shows this weekend

We are going to be at Artstamps Wales this Saturday at Wrexham. we have also decided at late notice to support the Show in Hull at KC stadium. If you need details of the hull show they are here

The show is open from 10am till 4pm
Free parking ,disabled friendly
And refreshments available£4 adults £3 conn
Many stands from all over the country
Make and takes plus Workshops
And a free prize draw for a goodie bag worth over £50

Hope to see and speak to as many people there as possible

Lynnda

My Holiday

A few of you will know I was planning to get away with the family and some friends over the Bank Holiday, I had a couple of days out the week before and I got home on the Tuesday afternoon all peaceful and relaxed ready to start packing in ernest to be greeted by Martin saying the holiday was cancelled and could I get hold our friends who were already camping in teh Lake District to let them know.
A quick chat with Martin and we realised that we should invite our friend sto come to our house instead. We duely rang Elaine and her family and told them the news and made the offer and gave them time to think about it.
So there I was Wednesday morning instead of having two days to sort out and pack teh caravan, I had two days to sort out the house and clear a space in the graden for their caravan. Now I keep telling people how bad the house is at the moment and they all smile but I am not sure they realise how much it has been at the bottom of my list
So here I was no excuses it had to be done and it had to be done now! everyone pitched in and we got there or at least we got done what we needed to do.
We had a great few days together and I got a good start to catching up with the house. But now I have to get back down to some work!
Ben is back to school tomorrow and I have promised myself a day in the office sat in my chair crossing jobs off. Then we have to get packed to go to Wrexham on Saturday to the Artstamps show
If you are going to be there please say hello