Confessions of a Former Blogger (part 2)
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Become a Member(August 31, 2015) I wish all of you could peek into our bustling studio to see us as we develop, design, make, photograph and repeat. You would hear a lot of laughter and sounds of delight because our studio is a happy place to be. Happiness. Joy. Delight. These are what creativity brings to so many of us. This has become clear to me as I read all of your comments both on this site and across social media. I read messages expressing moments of visual joy or heart touching letters of life changing experiences as people reconnect with their creative spirit.
Even when I began this journey a few years ago, my direction and mission were very clear. I formed this statement to be the corner stone of my business and to guide me in my choices as opportunities (and distractions) arrived. My mission statement is simply “Inspire, Teach and Reignite Creativity” and this is what I am here to do. I am clear about that.
As I noted in my last confessions post, I have been so blessed to be able to grow my vision and bring in a team to support this mission. We are all invested in forming this beautiful creative community that includes all of you. Here is where we have been struggling these last few months. Stay with me as it loops around a bit. Here it goes:
I’ve always dreamed of owning a creative company that employs talented, lovely people who together can create something bigger than what I could flying solo. I’m now on that path and it is so right, and so beautiful, and extremely inspiring all in one scoop. In order to be a sustainable business we have taken on advertising and sponsored posts as well as licensing out our designs. This is sometimes a good thing, but too often not so much. The truth is, I don’t want to build my business as a mouth piece for brands and businesses who see me as a channel to you. That just seems wrong. A perfect example of is that last week we excused ourselves from promoting one of the largest craft brands after working with them for over a year. We found that we didn’t love their products and to tell you we did would be a blatant lie! That is not part of our mission statement.
Okay, I am taking a deep breath here. . . You all have gotten to know liagriffith.com as the freebie site. Sadly, I am not able to continue down that path and stay true to my dream. We are adding a low-cost membership program– see here for prices and more details. For the price of a couple fancy coffees, or a cocktail or even a few 6-packs of diet soda (whatever your personal preference) you can join us in growing the creative community. The membership includes all of our downloads plus a minimum of 30 new downloads a month. As always our inspiration, tutorials and videos will remain open to all, member or not. In the big picture, this new direction will enable us to increase our posts, expand crafts, create more video tutorials and, most of all, solidify our dedication to you, our creative community. I am telling you. . . we have some amazing projects on the way! Hugs! ~ Lia
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48 Comments
I’m here all the time and I finally took a moment to read this post. GOOD FOR YOU!!! I cannot imagine how difficult a decision that was to make! For $5/mo I hope the general feedback has been good!! Your quality is above anything else… there are a lot of free printable calendars but I want YOURS. its beautiful!
Thank you and have a wonderful Sunday! 🙂
Thank you so much for your amazing support Cathy!! It was certainly a tough decision, but I know that it was the right thing to do. It was the only way to keep doing what I love and continue to increase to capacity of my projects! Happy New Year 🙂
I’ve done many of your projects over the last few years and frequently pin for posts for later (hence the delay in this post — old news for you, new for me :-)).
Today I discovered the membership and just wanted to applaud you for sticking to your core beliefs for your business.
Thank you for the years of free inspiration and projects, and thank you for the reasonable membership price for the same moving forward. I wish I could craft more, but am in my prime “mom years” so often don’t have time. But for $5 a month, I’m sticking with you and can’t wait to see what’s next (and heck, maybe it’ll inspire me to actually get to my own craft room and make it happen!)
Thank you so much for your kind words Missy! Of course, I’ve gotten a lot of mixed feedback when it came to switching to the membership program, and I am so glad to hear that you approve and support it! Thank you for following and supporting me throughout this continuing journey, it means so very much to me. Happy holidays to you and your family! PS. There are a number of projects on the site that might be fun to do with your little ones 😉
MONTHLY GIVEAWAYS
Members will have the chance each month to win craft supplies and more from our friends & sponsors and from the new Lia Griffith craft line
hi, does the above include overseas members too and, is there any update on paying by Paypal? thanks
Not all competition are open world-wide because some of our sponsors sometimes enforce restrictions that we have no control over, but YES there will certainly be some open to all.
I totally missed this particular post! I am full of admiration for your endeavors Lia – LOVE your creations and I wish you all the very best. Now to sign up 🙂
Thanks for your sweet words. It is a challenging change to make. . . I am such a giver. 😉
hello lia and team,
just wanted you to know that when i found you Lia, a few years ago, and saw the original, unique, and out-of-this-world printables you had, i couldn’t believe i fell into such luck. and then when they were FREE, i about croaked. i became hungry for Lia posts and couldn’t get enough. all the while i thought, “holy cow it’s free?!?!?” and i actually felt guilty in a way wanting to pay you for your hours and hours of hard work that was shown with EVERY piece you created, not to mention the gorgeous tutorials that went along with it.
you are one of the very gifted, very talented people in the gajillion creative people in this universe that i truly admire. it’s your genuine creativity and undying generosity that makes you, you. i’ve downloaded so much from your site i have an entire folder filled and look forward to many more.
you found your purpose in the world and you shine SO very bright.
so now it is with honor, respect and humbleness that i join your membership forever til eternity. lol seriously, you are a rare breed and you and your entire team should take a bow, for this world applauds you over and over again.
XO,
Lisa
From the entire team. We just read your comment out load at our Monday am meeting. It made us all teary eyed and gave us goosebumps, you message set us of to a great start of the week. From the bottom of our hearts THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Xoxo
Lia
I have read and re-read this post (& the Comments) a number of times, before writing my own ‘two bobs worth’.
I have watched in awe over the past few years as you have grown and expanded not only your blog, brand and business but also your knowledge and expertise. As your business has grown in strength , it is evident that your Creativity has as well. You have become an inspiration not only for crafters/Creatives but also for bloggers and small business owners.
I applaud your stance in not working with brands/businesses that you do not believe in – it is an ethic that I believes runs at the heart of blogging. Especially female bloggers . . . . our blogs are our babies and we protect them and honour them.
Congratulations on all that you and your lovely Team have accomplished so far. I am staying on board for the next journey and will continue to promote your work on my own blog and via my social media. Your ethos and Creativity fit perfectly with my own ‘brand’.
Good luck with all the exciting and new elements that are around the corner. Can’t wait to see what you have in store.
As always . .
<3
Pia
Thank you Pia. That just made me pause and think about how much I love creating this community of amazing women who are all over this planet. We are here to work together is spreading the love. xoxox
Values over dollars is always a wise move in my opinion and I’m not at all surprised to see that you took the high road. 🙂
I’m thrilled to have just signed up. I’ve always thought your designs were of high value, and I now think I will actually feel better about downloading them while sending a little love back your way. It’s a little like a public radio membership…the guilt lessens once you become a contributor. 😉
Keep up the good work!
– Adrienne in Atlanta
Awwwww. Thanks Adrienne. You just made my day. xoxox
I stood there brushing my teeth (always where my clearest thoughts arise!) I thought…I spent…what?…$40K on my college education and I 1) knew nothing about my teachers 2) had no idea how I’d use what I learned 3) had no idea if I’d enjoy it. This, THIS is a much better deal my friends! And today I learned about your ETSY shop and am beyond thrilled to see even more fun projects, especially the supergirl party invites. I’m thrilled you will be able to continue creating and sharing at such a high level.
Thanks for your thoughtful message Cathleen. You really made my day. Change is always tricky for everyone (including me). 😉
Hi again Lia–
I’m a Sr VP and Financial advisor for Morgan Stanley for the last 37 years. I’m looking forward to retirement in a few years (can you tell?? I have so many projects in the works in my studio). I certainly understand the $5/mo issue. There will be those who are upset because they are used to free. You provide a service to the community that HAS VALUE. Continue to be true to yourself and it will all work out great. Wish I were in Portland instead of Marin–I would be sitting on your doorstep offering myself up for free. You’re a great teacher and I appreciate your support!!!
Keep it up and congratulations on your success.
Hi Susan, thank you so much for your words of encouragement, it was very sweet. If you ever come to Portland make sure you stop by!!!
Hi Lia, i understand this step you will take, I’m wishing you much succes and fun with your carrier. I have had much plaiser of all the freebies and tutes you have shared.
Thank you very much for all of that.
I understand as well that it isn’t anymore for free, it’s your work!
I have made as well tutes and shared my own recipies for special effects in my art work, but i have noticed that some others go ahead with it. and does the trick i have found this out myself at the same website.LOL
Okay sometimes it made me angry and upset ot i thought well done Jet.LOL
So i understand your step very well.
Keep on track and lot’s of good idea’s as well
jet;-D
Thank you Jet! You are the best!! xox
I applaud your principles and will be signing up for membership. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!
Thanks Jo!! xox
Who would it memership work for people who live in Europe?
It should work the same.
Lia and team,
I am from South Africa and have been following Lia from the previous website.
I love your paper roses and succulent wreaths, etc. I do not have a Cricut machine (not available in RSA or it is very expensive), so I try the simpler designs by hand.
I have given all my friends at least one paper rose for their birthdays and it is a big hit. I myself have a bouquet of paper roses on my dining room table.
Thank you for all the inspiration.
Still looking forward to all the freebies.
Good luck with your new endeavours.
Liza
Thank you so much:-) We are excited to be able to continue do what we love!!!
Good for you! Better to charge for a quality product than produce something free but compromised. Thanks for paving the way for artists and creatives to make a living!
Thanks Becca. I so appreciate your words. 😉
Congrats on everything you have achieved, Lia! I have been a silent lurker for quite some time now – and I wanted to let you know I am actually going to be using many of your crepe flower tutorials and Spring bloom wedding invitations for my wedding in 2017 (yes, I have planned everything so far in advance thanks to your site!). I can’t wait to show you photos when I have everything together!
Thank you so much for everything you have done (and continue to do) for the crafting community. xoxo
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! Warms my heart to hear that you have found lots of inspiration on our site. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! We cannot wait to see pictures from it!
You are definitely an inspiration. Your emails are the ones that I still read and never get tired of( while others I have had to unsubscribe). Congrats on building a lovely blog and team.
Thanks so much Norie! xoxox
Dear Lia (and team),
I found your blog for a few days and didn’t have the time to download all your wonderful designs. I wish I could be doing some of your creations in the next time, but I have a big problem:
I have no credit card for signing up. Is there another possibility to pay the membership? Maybe paying with Paypal?
Greetings from Germany,
Bianca
I think you can use a bank card that has a visa or mastercard emblem. We are looking into adding paypal or other similar options as well. Stay tuned.
You ladies all look beautiful!!
I ALWAYS look for forward to your projects and email!!
Keep up the good work!!
Your comment made my day, thank you:-)
Congratulations on the job! I ‘m from Brazil and I love the beautiful and elegant shape of the posts . It’s great to know that there is a team committed to work so useful to thousands of people. Thanks!!!
Thank you Martha!
Will we still be able to download “free” past files?
I’m so uncreative it’s funny and hope to get a Cricut machine soon and would like to use your free files from the past….will they still be free?
I can understand the change Best wishes!
The monthly membership includes all the past downloads and there will still be a growing selection of freebies as well. So, yes, some are still in the freebie category but not all.
I have wondered for a long time how you can do everything free. I would be more then happy to pay $5 a month to have access to your beautiful designs and craft ideas. I have been working on your succulent wreath for several months now and it is so pretty. In the spring, I made your pink blossoms and put them on a branch from pruning. I have used your designs with my Cricut Explore. I am excited to see what you have coming out next. I never realized you had such a large staff. I love seeing pictures of them.
Make sure and share photos of your creations! We love to see what people make. xox
I do understand that since you are eliminating some of your sponsors you have to charge for your downloads. I have enjoyed your web site for a long time, including your downloads. However, since I live on a very limited income, that does not allow the luxury of buying a 6 pack of soda, etc., I will no longer be able to enjoy your lovely creations that have brought me so much joy. For those things you have shared so far I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will truly miss your beautiful creations when making cost effective gifts for my family. My heart is sad. I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors. Please know you have brought me a lot of joy and I will always be grateful.
Just know that the membership is only for the downloads. We will still offer monthly freebies, tutorials and video tutorials for all. Stay with us. 😉
Ok kids, where do I sign up? I am understanding of your membership position. I don’t think $5 a month is too much to pay for all the inspiration you/and team inspire for me, (not even considering so many others). I could tell what was coming before I got to that sentence that laid it out about the membership, quite understandable to anybody whom has worked
I could grumble about it but since I’ve gotten so hung up and dependent on your blog and creations am not about to do without knowing and being exposed to new creations as they come along. I’m just glad to be in position to have membership now an hopefully for some time to come. Good luck on your new endeavors in future. I missed part I so will go back to read it.
Happy week all of you
You are such a dear. Your comment made me smile. Hugs to you. xox
Can I pay for 6 months (preferably) or 12 months in advance?
Yes, we have a 12 month option. 🙂
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