Maybe we could have two "lists", one for fabric, supplies and services and another for finished goods, so that we could support our members from start to finish? This just seems such a nice idea to start... and I'd hate to see anybody left out!

And speaking of nice... I would like to thank everyone who put in a good word for Favorite Fabrics. Thank you also, everyone who signed up for our newsletter. I don't know *when* I've ever had so many requests to sign up! It's so very encouraging... thank you all again!

:thumbup: Checked out your site today, loved what I saw, placed my first order.

I work at a great quilt shop in Carthage, Missouri. It is called Block By Block and it's web site is blockbyblock.net. We have customers from all over US. It is a great site.

I thought that was what the classifieds were for? Maybe I'm wrong. Atleast that's what I've seen there. Don't know.

I'm thinking that *mostly* what's posted in the classifieds is unique, one-of-a-kind items or supplies that aren't always available. As opposed to members who have a permanent selling presence, be it a website or an eBay or Etsy store or what-have-you.

And here is where I get a bit befuddled as to how to make a list of members-who-sell, and keep it here on the Quilting Board. You could have an ongoing thread, made "sticky" (is that the right term?), where it appears at the top of a section, and it's in boldface. I'm sure that would be pretty easily done.

But it wouldn't be so easy to use, in that you'd have to scroll through multiple replies to find, say, the member-store that you're looking for.

It would be easier to use, if it was all just one page or file, with all listings in it (maybe roughly categorized, or alphabetized). But that would require someone to maintain it, every time there was an addition or deletion to be made.

Maybe someone has an idea how this could be done?

Been in contact with Admin and I just don't know how this could actually be done, some ideas have been put out there. Would not be an easy thing to do. I had a thought, but my concern is the miss use of this. For indivduals that all of us have been in contact with everyday its a wonderful thing. For others that would come on just to do this to just promote themselves is another and we've all seen where there have been incidents of not fair play.

I don't want something that is good go bad. So here's just a thought that might work out in the meantime. If we're headed somewhere, let's just ask like done in the past, if there is someone on the board in such and such state or city please let me know I'd like to stop in. If there's a service that is needed let's ask say I'm looking for say sewing machine repair in such and such state anyone here that can help.

I'm very disappointed, but considering we have over 15,000+ members and this actually could drive the moderators nuts (which I didn't think of originally - until trying to figure out something) unless there is something foolproof put in place, it could end up being a nightmare and just cause hard feelings.

I'm sorry I did have good intentions, just didn't think the whole process through though. :-D Maybe at a later time when something definitive can be come up with that wouldn't cause headaches for other individuals. Trying to think this through.

Again, soooo sorry! :cry:

I like this idea. I'm listed in the links and resources but a separate category for members only sites would be great!

Thanks to all of you who have purchased from my website. I have those darling bow tucks tote patterns in stock but they are going fast! Someone sent a message today with her payment "Do not ship if shipping is not free". Well, shipping IS free so I'm shipping! We'll be seeing more of those bow tucks soon!

Good Idea!! :wink:

Don't apologize-you have a great idea there. Actually, I like it better and that way we can patronize those that are on pretty regularly and not just once or so to promote themselves. When we get a website for whatever, then WE can make a special folder in our favorites and start a list there instead of relying on the board to do it. Great idea and great job! thanks!!

great idea!

How about if we just try to get a feel for how many board members actually DO have permanent storefronts or websites? So that we could get a feel for how much work would actually be involved with managing such a list.

Should we start another thread, just asking members to reply, if they do? We could keep this thread going, for the purpose of trying to figure out how we could determine who qualifies for a listing. Maybe starting with whatever criteria was set up to allow you to make a "for sale" post in the classified section.

What do you think?

Great idea! Just make sure that it is a list type only, and not a chat thread otherwise it is hard to sift thru all the comments to find what you are looking for.

[quote=garysgalGreat idea! Just make sure that it is a list type only, and not a chat thread otherwise it is hard to sift thru all the comments to find what you are looking for.[/quote]

How do you make a list-type thread? I didn't know there were different kinds of forum threads - other than the "sticky" ones that stay at the top.

[quote=Favorite Fabrics]sorry, I meant to make it a thread, but only for the quilt shops etc. It would remain on the list "topic log" or "my watched topics" I think. I think you just start a thread called (for example) list your quilt shop... and let people respond with the name of their shop or service. As far as I can tell, the topics stay there until they are deleted, but I could be wrong. and stipulate that this is only for this purpose, and not for anyone to post a reply unless it is for directions or clarification purposes. Maybe someone else has some suggestions?

That's a great idea!! I'm not savvy when it comes to some of this computer stuff so not a great help with that end. I just get ideas! There's still a problem with individuals that could possibly come on board just for the purpose of advertising though. Stipulations would have to be made as to who could post in that area. Say for example, length of time on board, # of posts and who would then oversee this?

I don't want to put more on Admin. or the moderators as they already have a lot to do. Maybe some techie person has the knowledge as to how something like this could be done. Maybe a filter that would check the date of membership and # of posts, if this is possible or something along those lines, it could be sort of be self-monitoring then. Is this is even possible? I'm going back many years and trying to remember my flowcharting days from school! :lol: :lol: See I told you!

I think if it was self-monitoring then maybe Admin. would agree to this. We'll have to check though.

I've started another thread that I hope will give us an idea of how many of us are merchants.

If you've been following this thread, because you are a seller (of supplies, services, or finished goods), please "stand up and be counted" here:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-51120-1.htm

Hopefully this informal "census" will give us an idea of the amount of work involved in creating a list of members who sell (so that we can support our own community).

Now why didn't I think of that. :roll: This is great helping one another. :thumbup:

I agree, we are more then friends here, it like a family to me and I would hate if it this alter the family atmosphere. :cry:

I really like the idea of what you are trying to accomplish here. I am a longarm quilter and have had my website for several years. I work mainly out of my home, but in todays world that seems to be the best solution for many people. It helps cut down on overhead. I am a fairly new member but have posted alot because I find this board so useful and amazing. The only problem I have encountered is to know when it is time to get off the computer and quilt. I would love to be a part of your merchant/suppliers/services list.

I sincerely hope I won't get in trouble or have offended anyone by doing this but... I thought and thought and thought about this, and I really think that having a list is a good thing for us.

So I've built something for us to *try*, to see how it works. Those people who have commented on this thread (or the other related one) about having business presences, I've created a tiny blog that lists them:

http://quiltingboard.blogspot.com/

I thought that maybe a blog format would work, because it allows for comments (someone had mentioned that a "feedback" feature would be nice). Since I'm wary of unmoderated comments... you can comment but the comments won't show until they've been reviewed. At the moment I'm the reviewer, but I would happily share this task with any moderators or Admin.

At this point, not very many people chimed in that they were interested in being listed, so as maintenance tasks go, this is looking pretty small to me!

Please take a look, and let me know what you think. As I said, it's a first try, and I won't be offended by anything you might say. And again, I hope I haven't stepped on any toes by doing this. It just seems to me that there's quite a bit of interest in supporting each others' endeavors, and we shouldn't let the chance pass by.

Last week I was looking for Balerina fabric and you sent me a pic. I went to your web site and ordered over $80 worth of absolutely beautiful fabric. I will shop there often. There is themes you can't find easily right there somewhere and while your looking for it you find other must haves. Thanks!

Wow! I like what you have done. It is simple to navagate and has all the basics. I did notice that QKO has no link so if there are more like that, how do we go to their website?
thanks again-it looks great.

The original idea was great, the concerns expressed warranted, your solution seems workable :thumbup:

I just checked out the blog and I think it is greated. Thanks for listing me. I do have to admit that since I have become a member of this board my website has been getting alot more activity. Thank you everyone for checking me out.
:thumbup: :thumbup:

Whether you're just getting started, or have been around a while, when it comes to website traffic, every little bit helps!

(Glad to have been useful today...)

Favorite - You did a wonderful thing!!! Now Admin and the moderators aren't going to be bothered and we have something to go to. Kudos to you for figuring out something!!! I'm not a techie so to do something like this is waaaaay beyond me! :thumbup:

I did the exact same thing. Great minds think alike!!!

Please welcome Jetnica (The Purple Turtle http://purpleturtlequilts.blogspot.com/ to the list of members selling finished products.

The entire list, so far, is here:
http://quiltingboard.blogspot.com/

OK, I'm so excited. The dancer fabric that I purchased from Faborite Fabrics, got to my house in 4 days (along with the most beautiul Christmas fabric I EVER saw). Here is the picture of the purse I made for a friend for her 16 year old granddaughter. I will be ordering regularly from Favorite Fabrics. Oh, I also must mention that I was a little concerned because the fabric was cut kind of crooked but then I saw where there was a very generous amount to more than make up for the not so straight cut edge!

I'm sure your GD is just going to love it!!!!! The ballerinas are beautiful and not babyish.