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BS: Mudcat Crafters
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Homeless Date: 11 Jan 02 - 04:41 PM Ok, I've got a bare bones site together and running. As of right now, it is only a listing of crafters and what their medium is. Any contact, sales, etc., needs to be worked out between the two of you. If you want to be included in this, just PM me, or e-mail the address on the site. Anyone who is already on it, if you want to send me .jpgs, I put up pictures of your stuff. Or if you don't have a scanner, send me regular pictures and I'll scan them and put 'em up. And so, without further ado, the Mudcat Market. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: JeZeBeL Date: 12 Jan 02 - 11:24 AM I also make candles. Decorative ones, aromatherapy ones, working candles, handpainted ones, just getting back into it to start at a few festivals this year. maybe i can offer my services? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: wysiwyg Date: 12 Jan 02 - 11:35 AM Homeless, the MUDCAT MARKETlooks great! Good job!~Susan
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Aug 03 - 05:06 PM I'm reviving this thread to ask about buying wholesale jewelry-making materials. My daughter and I are interested in learning more about making jewelry with stone beads (along the lines of turquoise, quartz, carnelian, jade) and findings. Caroline has been making chain mail necklaces with jump rings and small garnet chips--she first saw some of these down at Scarborough Fair. It takes a lot of jump rings and patience to make those. The most promising sellers of the beads we want to use sell only to established businesses, no individuals. The kicker is that until we try this out we won't know if we want to keep this up. I'm willing to go apply for the tax ID number, but (at least in Texas) they mentioned the need for reports (sales and taxes collected, I presume) and a possible bond (she wasn't allowed to give details on the phone, but there are various types). I have the web address for the State office that handles some of this so will read fruther about the bond issue and legalities. But here's the question I need answered: of those of you who are beaders in the US, do you buy wholesale, do you buy materials from U.S. sources, and do they generally all require the same sorts of forms in order to sell wholesale? Thanks! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Ely Date: 08 Aug 03 - 06:30 PM I sew and paint things in my (limited) spare time--I'd love to be able to give up at least part of my grim day job and do this more, but I don't see that happening. A friend of mine and I are contemplating developing some basic needlework kits to sell online. Still, I usually have things started. Maybe I just need more incentive to finish them . . . |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: katlaughing Date: 08 Aug 03 - 07:35 PM SRS, I've designed and made jewelery using stone beads and other "natural" parts (StonePeople Designs©) for over ten years and never had a wholesaler's license. I don't do it as much anymore, but when I did I bought a lot of stuff from Fire Mountain Gems. There's also Rio Grande. I also have a bunch of bookmarks of places online which have pretty good prices and do not have any minimum requirements or need for resale number. I wouldn't bother with it, if I were you, unless you get really serious and start doing a bunch of shows or a lot of selling to the general public. My youngest daughter got into it with me, at one point, and we had a lot of fun sitting at the table seeing what we could create. Have fun! If you want any of those bookmarks, please let me know and I will post them. Also, if you need to find rockshops, certain kinds of stone beads, specialty ones etc. I had one client who bought over 30 custom designed necklace and earrings sets all of which had stone rabbit beads of some sort. She was nuts about rabbits, SO I know where to find stone critters of all kinds!**bg** kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Sam L Date: 08 Aug 03 - 08:38 PM Only thing I would mention, Rio Grande has catalogs for materials and also for tools, which they will send to anybody. And I'd carefully but skeptically peruse the tools, because there can be some unexpected time-savers. If you find useful tools, you may not want to buy them but check around for them among local crafters, who tend to be a network of nice folk. Also-- equivalent tools from other sources. For some reason if people think you're crafting or even just arting around with a tool, it costs more than the same tool for other purposes. I wouldn't go to any lengths for wholesalers. You might not stay in the same mode long enough to make it worthwhile. You may want to change things, follow new ideas, you don't want to feel stuck with many big commitments in materials, just enough to get the ball rolling. Happy crafting! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Guy Wolff Date: 08 Aug 03 - 09:31 PM Anything I can do to help i will. I make 50,000 pounds of pots a year. I would love some to go to Mudcatters. <><>><>>< I can dropship. HA . Great idea. It makes me feel happy to think of it , almost , should I say gay at heart. All the best , Guy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:13 AM We have in particular been looking at a few types of stones, comparing the quality and variety of beads, to get the measure of the various shops. We've looked at tourquoise, hechi beads, carnelian, rutilated quartz, aventurine, a nice spread of moderately priced but distinctive beads. By comparing, some places stand out as having a consistent stock, good findings and tools, others it's catch as catch can. Some have only a few types, or just small beads, etc. Yes, Kat, I'd love to see what some of your bookmarks are. The site that requires a tax id number is earthstone, but if you take a look at their rutilated quartz hardly anyone can hold a candle to their selection. Very nice hechi and tourquoise also. (Fire Mountain has a lot of types, but only two small rutilated quartz beads available, but I made sure to bookmark them.) Looks like a case of shopping around, the tourquoise one place, the onyx another. There's a place called with an interesting smattering of stuff, called Monsterslayer (this place is in New Mexico, and Monster Slayer was one of the stricken twins in Navajo mythology). I suspect the forms may be a formality only. I don't want a public record of a "business" that may never get off the ground, just to enable us to buy the beads we're interested in. So thanks for the good suggestions. I agree with Fred about the tools--what I've seen in some of the online catalogs can probably be found as less expensive tools for other businesses. A visit to the local hardware and fabric store is called for! Kat, do you have a preferred thread or wire for stringing stone beads? Do you knot between them if you use thread? Maggie |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Neighmond Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:18 AM I have been known to build custom clocks (not kits) from time to time. Perhaps some will find their way here. Chaz |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Donuel Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:39 AM http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/bushiter.jpg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Donuel Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:41 AM OOPPS here are the crafts http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: katlaughing Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:59 AM SRS, I'll take a look at those sites tomorrow and psot some more links. Of ta bed in a moment, but did wnat to let you know I use only the C thru B series of stringing wire/thread. I started out using Tiger Tail but if it doesn't hang or lie flat at all times or get any kind of kink in it, it is permanent and has to be restrung. The C thru B stuff is strong but won't kink, you can even roll it up, plus you don't need a needle to string with it. BTW, I agree on the tools, too. I bought all of my locally except my crimper and jump-ring closer (can't remember the tech name for them:-). Seeyatomorrowkat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Aug 03 - 10:58 PM Kat, That beading thread you link to looks good. I don't see one that is "B series," just the grades of fine, extra fine, medium, and heavy. When you view that page, do you see the "B" designation or link? (My firewall sometimes doesn't let javascript through, so I may not be seeing the entire screen on my browser). Of those weights, what would you use for 8 to 10 mm beads? (She bought some that size in New York City when we were there earlier this summer. We were at an interesting but expensive shop called Bead World). SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Jeri Date: 10 Aug 03 - 11:14 AM Stilly, I order from South Pacific Wholesale. They sell to anybody with money, but there's a minimum $50, or there's a surcharge. I'm not sure what they need for tax info, but they may just look at what state they're shipping to. Anyway, there's a toll-free number, and the guy who runs the joint is great to talk with. The website's a hoot, as are the occasional fliers I get from them. I still use tiger tail - probably because I bought a fairly large spool of it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Aug 03 - 12:20 PM Thanks, Jeri. It looks like this place and Rio Grande are still print catalog driven. It also looks like there are many options when it comes to stringing beads. This place is certainly candid about their products. Here's their blurb on some stringing materials:
Nobody loves the price. That settled, we sell loads of it. Softflex is a flexible, kink-resistant wire that can be knotted and tied. Please specify the diameter and the length of your spools. It's a diameter, not a gauge, so it gets heavier as the number goes up. And all we have is clear, which really isn't clear. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Jeri Date: 10 Aug 03 - 12:49 PM News alert: Jeri absorbs clue. I have the Softflex, which is probably why I don't have any problems with tiger tail. It's also labelled 'clear' and it's not. It's sort of pewterish colored. They sell on the internet, but it seems you still have to call to give them a credit card number because they don't trust the security of their setup. They also ARE brutally but humorously honest. "Carnelian. A goldfishy carnelian." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Carly Date: 10 Aug 03 - 05:51 PM Don,I think this is a great idea. I am a spinner, weaver, sometime basketmaker and beader, and although recently I have not produced for sales, I am always interested in other people's work. Speaking of which, I am pleased to share living space with both Bill's and Rita's work; see it if you can, buy it if you are able! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: katlaughing Date: 10 Aug 03 - 06:38 PM LOL @ Jeri getting a klew!**bg** BTW, Jeri, I haven't forgotten about the beads, just finally going through some more! SRS, I use the .19 gauge which is the "fine" of the C thru series. I'd call for Fire Mtn's catalogue, if I were you, there's a lot more there than at their website. They sell a lot of schlocky stuff, too, but their beads are really nice. The other thing I like about them is 1) their service and 2) they are very upfront about whether the beads are "enhanced" or natural. There are a lot places which are not as forthcoming, esp. when it comes to lapis lazuli, hematite, etc. I used to have a bunch of different catalogues, but they went by the wayside when I quit beading so much. Also, my favourite rock shop which had gorgeous beads closed down.:-( That's another good place to look for beads, rock shops. I have some rutilated quartz 8mm and 6mm beads which are very high quality which I'd ordered from some rock shop years ago. Here are some of my bookmarks. I've only ordered from the first one, but the others don't look too bad. I'll see what else I can scare up: BeadaBeada good quality stuff; The Beadsite; Bead Merchant. Something I haven't tried, yet, but friends have, that you might be interested in is Precious Metal Clay. Pretty intriguing stuff. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Dec 03 - 02:33 PM What kinds of projects and crafts are people working on this time of year? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Clinton Hammond Date: 03 Dec 03 - 04:29 PM Looks like GUEST Date: 01 Nov 01 - 07:38 PM Was right when he/she/it said.... "yet another mudcat idea that won't come to fruition... a shame" Looks like an awful lot of people list here, but like not many at all checked out their wares... Just another fine example of Mudcapathy.... You know... like when a member here announced that they've put out a CD... and no one (or very few) respond at all... Mudcapathy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST,MMario Date: 03 Dec 03 - 04:35 PM I thought there was a site? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie Date: 03 Dec 03 - 04:46 PM I have been making tons of stretch bracelets. They are great for using up mismatched beads. I get most of my stuff from Fire Mountain and Rio Grande. They seem to have the best prices of anyone, and you don't have to have a tax number to do business. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Clinton Hammond Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:04 PM A site? So where is it? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Bill D Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:09 PM well, the holiday craft season is 'almost' over...*whew*...We (Ferrara & I) just had an excellent 3 day show last weekend, with one small one to go this coming weekend... here are a few pictures I uploaded to show some woodturners recent work (most of which were sold last week!).... They are kinda big files, but some stuff I am happy with. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Clinton Hammond Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:15 PM I said it before, and I don't like saying this to men, but ya got some georgeous wood there BillD! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:41 PM The season is over if you're doing crafts for sale this time of year. I'm looking around at what people are doing so I can point my kids in interesting directions for their three weeks of christmas break. We will be doing some sewing, like the lap robe we sent MMario (last year's Secret Santa). My kids liked it so well they each wanted their own. We bought the fabric, but it has taken until cold weather set in again for them to remember that they now need to sew them. I gave my 15-year-old a mint-condition Series 15 Singer sewing machine for her birthday and she's happy to have excuses to use it. I love to sew, but have had a print deadline hanging over my head for weeks now. My weekends are eaten up with research. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie Date: 03 Dec 03 - 05:59 PM Clinton, at one time there was a site under the Quick Links. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Bill D Date: 03 Dec 03 - 06:34 PM thanks, Clinton..I wish I'd have found how nice wood can be when I was 20, instead of when I was 50! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Liz the Squeak Date: 03 Dec 03 - 07:59 PM Basically, if anyone else has had a life like mine in the last 24 months, then they'll hardly have had time to fart, let alone create anything or attend Mudcat gatherings. I hadn't touched a needle for 18 months until 3 weeks ago, when an enforced extended break from work meant I was unable to do anything that involved lifting anything heavier than a skein of silk or moving faster than the average snail. Still, there's always next year. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Bill D Date: 03 Dec 03 - 08:07 PM yep, Liz..I had an extended 'dead' period in the spring and part of the summer...party broken lathe, partly 'artists block'...just couldn't face it...But, yep...there IS next year. Fortunately, sheer panic and the help of a friend got me moving this fall in time to make just enough. Keep at it! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: mouldy Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:58 AM Last 3 fairs this weekend - one school and 2 village halls. Just got to sit and paint the stuff now. Lack of storage space usually sees me working up to the last minute to keep stock levels up. Andrea (aka Mouldy Old Dough) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Dec 03 - 10:14 AM I hope folks will post more photos or links so we can see what you make. BillD, those burls are spectacular. I have one I picked up on a beach many years ago that has travelled with me from place to place and usually sits artfully around the house. I should polish it--it's in it's "raw" state, about the size of a half-volleyball. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Bill D Date: 04 Dec 03 - 02:08 PM SRS...unless you know what wood it is, driftwood may be best left like nature gave it to you....but there CAN be some totally amazing grain revealed with some judicious sanding and polishing...(pick a spot underneath and cut/sand/polish a tiny area to decide) (Texas has some great woods...not all of which are well known) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Dec 03 - 02:52 PM This is a piece from the Puget Sound area. I probably picked it up along a river or in a clear cut unit on the west side of the Cascades back when I was working for the Forest Service. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Bill D Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:20 PM ahh..sure! I forgot where you are from!..well, good woods everywhere! One piece I sold last weekend was a Madroné bowl made from stuff I carried home from Puget Sound area in my suitcase! (two heavy suitcases made the lady at SeaTac raise her eyebrows) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Homeless Date: 04 Dec 03 - 08:22 PM Yeah, there is a site, accessable thru the quick links. Unfortunately, the When it's back up, it will be here. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST Date: 04 Dec 03 - 10:44 PM Silly me. And I thought the forum was divided up into music/ BS threads to please Gargoyle. So what the hell is he doing in the BS s ection? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Dec 03 - 10:44 PM The Socorro link at the bottom doesn't go anywhere now, but the rest of them are pretty interesting. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Tracey Dragonsfriend Date: 29 Jan 04 - 01:49 PM I do Pyrography (burning designs onto wood and leather) as a hobby, and will make/decorate items to order, with pretty much whatever design your heart desires. I've worked on leather bracelets, bookmarks, keyfobs, purses, glasses-cases, etc, and on all sorts of wooden things - spoons, spatulas, artist's palettes, turned eggs, boxes, plaques, pictures, keyfobs, and so on. I haven't been here on Mudcat for ages, but I recently personalised a squeezy-purse for a musician friend (as a place to store picks), which made me think of Mudcat again, and wonder if what I do would be of interest to anyone here. You can find my website, with lots of pictures of what I make, here : Scorch's Pyrography (hope this is OK as a link - never made a blue clicky before!), and you can contact me via the link on the site. Cheers Tracey |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Bill D Date: 29 Jan 04 - 11:41 PM my wife, Ferrara, (Rita) mentioned above, also does pyrography..just showed her some of your designs, which she said nice things about...she may look in tomorrow and say more.. we are 'just' beginning to work up a website something eXtree.com. We hope to have more soon... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Liz the Squeak Date: 30 Jan 04 - 04:29 AM Well I make, to order, hand painted waistcoats (US - vests), ties, mediaeval gowns and the occasional wedding dress. In between orders I'm making cross stitched cards for Christmas but other occasions can be done if required. I'll also be introducing painted picture frames (clip frames painted with glass paints) hopefully, this year. I'm already working on the 2004 Christmas batch. I reckon if I can make at least one a week until the end of November, I should have enough to put up a stall at my daughters' school Christmas fair. Another extended leave from work and I should be able to put some tree decorations too! I've sort of made a committment to the British Heart Foundation for the profits for any stuff sold "outside" but if any 'Catters want something, I will put the percentage aside for the Mudcat instead. unfortunately I don't have any pictures available yet, but will get some soon. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST,Tracey Dragonsfriend (no cookie here) Date: 30 Jan 04 - 08:26 AM Thank you, Bill! Most kind... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Tracey Dragonsfriend Date: 31 Jan 04 - 03:35 PM Did the Mudcat Market ever take off? It sounds like a great idea... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST,Tracey Dragonsfriend (no cookie here) Date: 08 Apr 04 - 07:04 AM Update - I have a new website address : Scorch's Pyrography . I seem to be doing a lot of traditional wedding spoons, and plaques for newborn babies lately. I still think the Mudcat Market is a great idea, bit it seems as though it didn't take off... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST,Tracey Dragonsfriend (no cookie here) Date: 08 Apr 04 - 07:07 AM Oops! That link should have been : Real link to Scorch's Pyrography |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: InOBU Date: 08 Apr 04 - 09:05 AM I build HUGE sailing models... problem is it takes years and years to build them, so I can't really afford to sell them... it would be nice if we had a made by mudcat page, similer to the photo's page, so folks can see what others make as well... and of course those who wish to sell some craft for the benifit of the cat can do so through that site as well... speaking of the photo page, I have to update the photo... being that I am clean shaven for the first time since I was 14... Genie, me wife, had never seen me without a stash... cheers Larry |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Homeless Date: 08 Apr 04 - 09:29 AM Tracey - Can you please define "take off"? The Mudcat Market has been in existance for over two years - since January of 2002. It can be found by going up to the "Quick Links" box at the top of this page and choosing "Mudcat Market" and then clicking the "Go" button. If that's too much trouble, just click here, Mudcat Market. From the market... "If you are a craftsperson who frequents the Mudcat and would like to be listed here and/or have your work shown, send Homeless a Personal Message on the Mudcat Forum." The market has not blossomed with dozens of people listed, but that is due to lack of interest on the part of crafters. When I started that page I contacted over 20 people about being listed. More than half declined, some of the remaining never gave me information to list. Since the interceding two years, I have had three people contact me to be added. If you (or anyone) would like to be added to the Market, just PM me with the information your want listed - your area of expertise, a valid email address, a paragraph about what you do, and either a URL to a web site or send me pictures I can create a simple site for you which will be linked to from the main page. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: Tracey Dragonsfriend Date: 08 Apr 04 - 11:10 AM Oh, right... Wonderful! I was looking in an earlier post, and either followed the wrong link, or misunderstood the information, as I couldn't find anything about it at all. Hence the question about whether it did take off. But it's great that it did... I love the idea of being able to buy things from within the Mudcat community. I have to dash right now, but I will take a look at the Market from your link a bit later on, and get back to you with all the info you need. Thanks for the information - much appreciated. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters From: GUEST Date: 09 Apr 04 - 02:24 PM Ah, now I see... I was looking in the "Links" you get to from the blue text button, not the "Quick Links" combobox. Data on my work coming up to you personally, and may I encourage all the other talented people out there to JOIN IN! |
