Holy smokes guys!! I am completely overwhelmed reading all of your responses!! I will be working on responding to each of you, but please bare with me as it might take me a bit to get through everyone!! Thank you for the AMAZING support and love!! My heart is full...
As of December 27, 2018 I also quit being a Stampin up demonstrator , I look back of all the stamps I have accumulated in my craft room WOW ,I spent a lot of money but I really like the products . In 2015 I had signed up and my up line said she would help me succeed Well she lied and because with a couple months I didn't hear from her , but I continued because this was my passion and it is so fun I just found out my up line quit in August 2018 , I have no customers and if I did I would give them the respect of letting them know Like you did and not just not say anything
Finally an honest assessment! You’ll be much happier stamping for “fun”. You get a discount but it’s gone after shipping and tax. Unless you are big with a large online presence you can’t make a living at it! I’ll continue to follow your videos! Looking forward to it!
Jen, glad to hear you have chosen to do what you felt you should do for you. I know this was not an easy decision but one that was needful for you. I get inspiration watching your creations as well as so many other people's creations. I am glad you did not decide to leave TH-cam altogether. Much success in your future endeavors.
Thank you SO much Rene!! It certainly was a tough decision, but am happy I made it. It makes my heart happy to hear that you get inspiration from my creations!! I'm not going anywhere!! :-)
I appreciate your honesty about everything! You really brought the light to the situation. As someone who just discovered Stampin Up, TH-cam makes it sound like joining and becoming a demonstrator has no strings, and this really helped me! I use Stampin Up products, but i thought about joining for the discount and didnt realize there was minimums and so much pressure. I truly appreciate this video! and I CANT wait to see more projects with other products! God Bless you Jen.
Of course! Maybe I was a bit too honest... lol but that is how I was feeling and why I resigned. As a hobby demo, the only minimum you need to meet is the $350 quarterly minimum. It's when you start trying to build it as a business, that the other minimums start coming into play. If I wanted to earn off my team, there were monthly minimums to meet based on # of team members, plus you had have a certain title to earn off some of the levels. I ANYHOO.... lol I finally decided I just wanted to enjoy creating and making videos and not have to worry about everything else. Here I go again... rambling! Thanks for sticking around to see more projects!! It is greatly appreciated!! :-)
As a SU demonstrator, I totally understand your decision. I watch your videos for your creativity and have continued to watch even after your departure from SU. Your friend was right - follow your heart! Wishing you happiness and joy in your new adventure!
Jen, I think you have made the right decision for you. I will continue to support your channel with my subscription and I look forward to seeing many more creations. I follow a few "non SU" channels and get inspiration from these to create my projects using SU products. I am so grateful for all that you share with us. Thank you xx
Saw your video in the sidebar. I've never been a demo but I was in a SU Hostess club (minimum purchase every month). I got to where it was a real struggle to find anything I really wanted; I ended up buying things b/c I had to make a minimum purchase. It got harder each month. It was hard to quit b/c I loved the demo and the ladies in the club. It was such a HUGE relief when I finally did. It's been 8 months now and I find myself being more creative; and I have no pressure to buy anything. The joy is back. I do miss the fellowship and the wonderful people but all in all I'm much happier now.
YAY!! Happy you found it! I find it interesting that as a customer, you were starting to see the changes as well. I think having an obligation to buy from products that you are no longer in love with makes it hard to continue. I have cancelled my SU! card class, but am thinking about starting a class up again in a couple of months using what I have on hand. I feel maybe I might get a few more to attend if they don't feel obligated to purchase SU! products at the end of class. We shall see!! Like you, I am missing the fellowship and getting together with the girls each month. SO happy to hear that you are happier in your creating!!
You are incredibly talented! It's about the craft, not the business! I will continue to follow you and wish you all the best!! I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!
Good for you to get it out and arrive at the difficult realization that the bulk of SU! Demos discover (and some don't realize at all) - this is a MLM company that will not be easy to make money in. As a hobby demo, its really you're own money you pour into just as you would for golfing, knitting... etc. And for many of use, creative freedom is paramount! So enjoy your new adventures in crafting!
Thank you so much for your open and honest assessment. I understand and agree with all of your reasoning. Why should you limit yourself just to sell? When I joined, I made it clear to my upline that I was joining just for my own personal enjoyment. No videos, no selling! Plus, I teach a few classes “voluntarily” for a worthwhile organization which gives me an opportunity to use up my supplies for a good cause. I retired well so meeting my quarterly minimums are not a problem but I can definitely see the downside of that situation for someone who joined to make money. What drives me nuts is the rate at which products retire. When Sale-a-bration comes along, everyone online is urging you to purchase these great new products and then a few months later, these products are dead, finished, history! It’s easier to wait and purchase them off eBay at a discount. Well, enjoy your crafting journey and always do what feels right to you. I’ll still be tuning in. You’ll be our new Jennifer McGuire! Lol!
You are so welcome Cass! Thank you for your understanding. I love that you were up front and honest with your upline and love that you teach classes for a good cause! I agree that the products retire way too quickly. There really is only a 2-3 month window to purchase and use the stamp sets before they announce the retirement list for the holiday and occasions catalogs. Once that list comes out, it's while supplies last and hard to demo products that are selling out quickly. Thank you SO much! I am having a blast!! I appreciate your continuing to tune in!! Oh my... I wish! Of all the crafters out there, she inspires me the most. Love her style!
Congratulations on your new adventure! Your art should not be bound by any one brand. So good for you on making that decision! Looking forward to continuing to learn from you!
Best of luck to you, Jen. I will still be watching your videos. I love your style, and I could listen to your voice explaining, how to make your creations for days. I was a hobby Demo for 2 years, and spent way too much. I made the decision to just be a customer again, and I can now, buy, a little or a lot. No longer required to meet a minimum. Enjoy your freedom, to shop where and what you please. All the very best, from Melbourne, Australia.
Bernadette Maroun Aww!! Thank you so much Bernadette!! You are so sweet!! It’s a hard reality when we figure what we are spending, either as a hobby demo or a business builder! Makes you step back a bit and reevaluate why we continue to do so. There is so much freedom in being able to buy what we want and not have to worry about meeting any minimums!! 😬
Jen I am so proud of you for following your heart and thinking about what is best for you as you move forward in you paper crafting business and career. I wish you continued success. You are so very talented. You inspire me. I cannot wait to see you new videos. Love you lots.
Thank you SO much Nina!! Thanks for listening to me vent. I hope that you follow your heart... where ever it may lead you. You are a creative soul and have so much to offer!! Love ya hon!!
Jen, I truly appreciate and enjoy your card making style. Please continue making card videos so I can glean inspiration from you. You are so talented. There are some fantastic stamp and card making supply companies out there that will appreciate you as a design team member. Go for it.
Thanks Jen!! Yes, there are!! I'm having SO much fun shopping and playing with the goodies I'm receiving! You are SO creative! Love seeing your projects!
I’m a demonstrator too and I feel the same way! I have been thinking and praying about resigning. I spend more than I make and I also want to feel good about buying any product I love without the guilt. When you are a papercrafter it’s so hard... there are so ,any wonderful products out there! I’m so happy to see that it’s not just me, I love your channel and will continue to be inspired by you!
Oh Crystal! Thank you for sharing your feelings! It is definitely not just you! It's a hard reality when you figure you are spending more than you make on products that you may not be 100% in love with anymore. I'm not sure why, but there IS a sense of guilt when you even THINK about wanting to buy elsewhere, let alone buying anything! lol Good luck with your decision. It's definitely not an easy one to make. Thanks for sticking around!
Happy for you and glad that you will continue filming and using items that are more affordable to the average crafter. There is too much competition for SU not to lower prices. GOOD FOR YOU AND BETTER FOR US!!!
Hi Jen...When I first started buying Stamping Up products about 12 years ago the catalog was amazing but in the last two or three years I haven't been "wowed" by them either. I started buying stamps from other companies and I love the variety to choose from. Good luck with your future projects and enjoy your new freedom !!! Wanda xo
Hey Wanda!! Iv'e seen some of the older catalogs and completely understand where you are coming from! Even when I was with CTMH, I would drool over the SU! catalogs and occasionally break down and buy from them. which is why I signed up with them when I left CTMH. It's good to know I'm not the only one who isn't wowed by them as of late! Oh my gosh!! SO much variety!! Makes a girl's heart happy! Thank you SO much!!
Thank you for the video, l have been with Stampin Up since 2/16. I dont havw any customers, it has been so hard to keep buying to stay active. The area that l live in is not supportive. I ran on to kitchen table stamper a short time ago, it was pure inspiration. I love craft fairs, and Melisa is great. I wish you thr best and hope to find more videos as you create.
You are SO welcome Karen! SO happy you have found inspiration with Marisa! She is queen of craft fairs!! It's tough to be in an area that is not supportive. I wish you luck with your journey with SU!. Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement and look forward to creating more projects and videos!!
You have a great channel here and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!!! You are so right, there are so many other good companies out there. I was not impressed with the new catalog either this year. I am a hobby demo only, and have struggled to meet my minimums the last few months. Congrats on this decision, although I know it was hard.
Of course I will continue to watch you. You are extremely talented and I can't wait to see what you come up with now that you can craft completely from your heart. Be well!
Thank you for your honesty when I first started watching this video I was going to unsubscribe but I watched it all the way through and I am glad I did not unsubscribe, I will continue following you. I am in my 70's and I feel the same way, I do not know how much longer I will continue with Stampin Up as my craft room is getting overwhelmed with stamp sets I might only use one time then it sits. So thank you for your honesty and I look forward to your next video whatever it will be.
You are so welcome Darlene! Aww!! Thank you for watching it all the way and not unsubscribing!! I completely understand what you are saying. SO many stamp sets either get used once or go untouched and it's very sad after the amount of money we spend on them. Thanks again for sticking around!!
Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing the new cards and ideas. I'm also looking forward to seeing what other companies are out there and their products.
Thank you Karen!! YAY!! So far I've purchased from Lawn Fawn, Hello Bluebird, Mama Elephant, Sunny Studio, Avery Elle, and My Favorite Things. I also have a couple of stamps from Penny Black. I need to reel it in a bit... but would love to eventually buy from Catherine Pooler, Gina K., Unity, and Paper Trey Ink. SO many choices!! LOL
Hi Jen, Good for you. I have been quietly following this year and have enjoyed your videos and your creativity. I too have been reconsidering my journey with SU. So I am glad that you are following your heart. I will continue to follow your videos. Enjoy Jen life is short. You go girl!
Hey Lorna!! Thank you SO much for your continued support! It is so greatly appreciated! It is a tough decision on whether or not to continue with SU!. Ultimately, I had to follow my heart and hope for the best! lol Besides, SU! will always be there if I should decide to go back... but it's pretty doubtful at this point that I would return. I'm LOVING all the choices I now have to play with!
Great news Jen. I will continue to support you by watching your videos (except for the ones that have you unpacking a haul - lol). You love a lot of the stamps /images that I too adore so cant wait for new videos and lotsa inspiration. Cant wait for the start of your new era.
Thank you SO much Robyn!! I appreciate your continued support! I'll TRY not to do too many hauls! lol YAY! Happy to hear you love the stamps/images that I have chosen so far!! I'm trying SO hard to play with what I have recently purchased... BUT I keep seeing MORE that I want. UGH! The struggle is real! LOL
I totally get where your coming from regarding stampin up. It makes crafting very expensive with the requirements. I was a demo and was just buying stuff to make the targets. In the end I stepped down as the huge cost and stress wasn't worth it. Plus like you say there are other great products out there to use and play with. Wish you all the best and look forward to seeing your future uploads.
Thank you for understanding Gemma! It really does in the long run. Buying stuff to make the targets and the stress to build it as a business almost takes the joy out of creating and that's where I had to make the decision as to whether it was right for me. Crafting is supposed to be enjoyed, not stressful. YES!! I am finding SO many fun companies to shop from now! Oh goodness! lol Thanks for sticking around!!
Hi Jen good for you to follow your heart and not feel pressured to stay with SU. I am not overly thrilled with the new catalog, there really isn't anything that has the WOW factor, even the make up of the catalog doesn't feel right. The pages have a weird coat on them. I am a hobby demo and the prices keep going up on the stamp bundles. Sometimes just purchasing 2 bundles goes over $100, and you get very little for the money. I enjoy your channel and the great ideas you come up with. I have no doubt you will be successful thru your next chapter in your paper craft. The very best too you. Thank you for sharing your talent, and your time. Oh and I will continue to check in on your channel. :)
Thank you Ethel!! I feel ya on not much having the WOW factor in the new catalog. Kind of disappointing when those are the products I'm supposed to use to grow my business. Oh yeah... there is one bundle that was $70 for the stamps and dies alone, not to mention the coordinating papers and embellishments. Guess it helps meet your quarterly minimums with prices that high! lol Thank you SO very much for your support and encouragement! Makes my heart happy that you will continue to pop in to see what I'm up to!! :-)
I understand what you are saying and have wondered the same thing with this new catalog. I will continue to watch your videos and I am sure that you have made the best decision. God bless and enjoy your new life. Barb
Hi Jen! Thank you for sharing this! I have been on the fence about this for awhile...not sure which way I'll go, but listening to you makes me feel not so alone. So much out there that I LOVE and I feel so restricted with SU. I feel like I want to expand my horizons. I totally support your decision, and wish your the best of luck! I am still and always will be a fan! Big Hugs to You!
Hey Lisa!! You are so very welcome! Oh hon... you most definitely are not alone. SO many have shared feeling the same as I did. It's no fun feeling restricted and feeling stifled with the lack of products, when there is SO much more out there. I think you SHOULD expand your horizons!! It's a LOT of fun!! LOL Thank you SO much for your love and support. Follow your heart... you will figure it out!
I wouldn’t dream of unsubscribing from you! You are my favorite! I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us. I’m afraid it’s going to cost me money...I know I’m going to think I need what you are using in your videos, haha.
WOO HOO!!! You are SO sweet Marsha!! Thank you! Ummmm I don't know what you are talking about??!! LOL When life starts settling down for you, we totally need to get together for a play date!!
Jen, I will continue to support you on this journey. I admire you for following your heart!!! You have given me the courage to do the same thing. I thought it was just me. You spoke the sentiments of heart!! Thank you! See you on your next video!!!!
AWWW!! Thank you SO much Sylvia!! WOW! Happy to have given you the courage to do the same! You are definitely no alone! I found the courage from my friend Sacha from Handmade Happiness. If you haven't heard of her, you totally need to check out her channel. We have very similar taste in stamps!! She left a few weeks before me and I reached out to her to see why she left and to let her know I'd been thinking about doing the same. She told me to dig deep and see what truly was in my heart and if it was to leave SU! to pursue other companies, then I needed to follow my heart. It's amazing having this weight lifted and the freedom to create with products I am more drawn to! Thanks for sticking around!! Good luck with your decision!! Always follow your heart!
Best of luck for your future. I'll still watch if you continue to post. I use many brands, get ideas from many sources. Don't blame you for branching out. I couldn't be a demonstrator because I use too many brands.
I'm listening to your video (as I'm clearing out subscriptions) and it's like listening to MY OWN HEART and MIND. Having been with SU for 10 years, I have been unhappy with SU for the past 2 years and too only had a 'wow' moment when seeing 3 things in the new catalog. I love paper crafting but there's more out there that I want to use! I know many demos are feeling the same as you and I, and just can't move off of base. Good for you!
Aww Doris! I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling the same after being with SU! for 10 years. It's SO hard to move away from something that we've known for so long. Fortunately I was only with them for 18 months, but it was still a hard decision to make. I have noticed the same... quite a few have mentioned it on this video and messaged me privately to say the same. Follow your heart. If this is no longer bringing you joy, maybe it's time to let it go and broaden your horizons! :-)
Aww!! Thank you SO much Angie!! I will miss you too! I am ever so grateful to you for all of the time you spent with me while trying to build my business. I know I would NOT be where I am if it were not for you. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. You inspire me.
Bravo for you! Follow your heart and you will be fine. I use SU products, and like the ones I purchase, but also like quite a few other names in the crafting industry. I was not subscribed to you, but I will be. I am looking forward to seeing your videos.
Thank you Laurel!! I do love the quality of SU! and will still purchase ones that I love, just as I would from other companies. YAY!! Thank you SO much for subscribing!! It is greatly appreciated! Hope you find inspiration in the creations I post...
You’re telling the truth!! I spent a lot of money with no profit. I made it to Silver and was knocking on the door to Silver Elite I was demoted to bronze because I have customers no team. That crushed me.. I don’t spend like I used to. Good luck!! I’m here for you! You said the truth!! I was there and I’m there again!
Oh my gosh!! Right?! I've been Silver for over a year, knocking on the door to Silver Elite/Gold and couldn't quite reach either as most of my downline were hobbyists. I bet it was crushing to go back down to Bronze Elite. It's a lot harder than I imagined to grow a team and keep it. I had the sales, just couldn't grow my team. Thanks hon! You are so sweet! Following my heart was the best thing I could have done... I highly encourage you to follow yours!
Good luck in your next adventure. I would never be a demonstrator because there are so many wonderful companies out there I could never limit myself to only buying from one company. I do love Stampin Up, but I love many companies. I just subscribed to your channel and look forward to seeing some of your new ideas and techniques.
Thank you Carol!! I guess I had to learn the hard way and it only took me 12 years to figure it out! LOL Thank you for subscribing!! It is greatly appreciated!!
For me it dosen't matter who you work for as long as we are able to watch you making cards and knowing that you love what you do😊 Just love your videoes and the cards that you are making! Good luck to you!
It is good that you are able to do this as long as it makes you happy, and that this company doesn't make it awful to leave. I can see the pluses of being part of this, and imagine it could be stressful to make quotas and such. I just subscribed, this is such a new world for me. I always made scrapbooks and other crafts but am a bit daunted by just jumping in alone (the amount of adhesives sold by SU made me tear up) Hopefully i can follow a few of you and still learn to make really beautiful cards that won't put me in debt! :0) It should be fun and give you joy to be creative!!
Wish you happiness & success! I am a SU Hobbyist & have gotten “hooked” in to buying. Always the next catalog, the discount, the incentives & meeting the minimums. Pretty determined that September will be my last month (bonus days $$ to use). I love SU products, but know it’s time. Actually, the color refresh has convinced me after working on having every color, stamp pad, reinker, marker, blend & cardstock and then comes the new colors - cha-Ching! Sorry, shouldn’t have made this about ME! LOL. Good luck and I’ll still be watching your videos to see what awesomeness you create!
I will continue to follow you... You have an unique style that I have enjoyed and am happy that you will share your ideas from all of the other companies which I also have stamps and dies with.
Best wishes! I will keep following you because I love your paper crafting style. I work full time so I don’t have time to grow my Stampin Up business. Good luck and keep those videos coming our way.
Aww! You are SO welcome! Maybe it would be different if I wasn't trying to build a business, I don't know. Do what makes you happy! It truly is a great company and I do love the community of demos, but seeing all the other companies out there, I'm finding there is so much more to love!
Dear Jen, thanks for sharing so many ideas and projects for Stampin Up and I´m sure you will be as resourceful and creative as you have been with any other crafting companies. I will follow your videos whatever you do. Good luck and congratulations on your decision.
You are SO welcome RitaMaria!! Hoping you will still find inspiration from my future projects! Thank you for your support and encouragement!! It is greatly appreciated!
Jenn, Thanks so much for sharing this information. I love your work and understand. If you love what you do and you’re good at it, l think you should continue. Follow your passion. Enjoying the journey is so important not to mention being able to make a reasonable return on your investments of time and money. I have seen a few others inform their followers of their decision to leave and appreciate you all. Keeps me on the right track, not becoming a demonstrator. I believe you’ll be just fine and look forward to seeing more projects. Congratulations and enjoy the journey!
You are SO welcome Allison! Thank you SO very much! Oh I do love what I do and love it even more now! lol Yup! My friend Sacha from Handmade Happiness made the decision a few weeks before I did. I reached out to her when I saw she was leaving and she's the one who really encouraged me to dig deep and realize that I needed to follow my heart. SO I did!! Thanks for sticking around!
The best of luck to you, I am an avid crafter and I have never strictly used just one company nor will I, I love stampin up but I will not be tied to just them, I make my cards the way I want with the products I want, I don't do videos because I don't want to be obligated, I follow the rules for craft fairs and other venues. So stay true to your heart and your love and passion of crafting on your terms and you will be happier, I will continue to follow you no matter who you use, always stay true to yourself.
Thank you for your honesty Dee!! Guess I had to learn the hard way that I no longer want to be tied down. But, I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for joining SU!. Definitely happier in being able to use what I want, vs what I feel I need to buy in order to sell it. Makes my heart happy to hear you will be sticking around! Thank you for your continued support and encouragement to follow my heart!!
Totally get it. I also see al of the other produkts that are so wonserfull and i am thinking about what you say, and maybe i have to follow my haert to. Feel somtimes restricted. I wil still follow your channel because of who you are. Amazing. I hope you can read my bad englisch. Grettings from the Nederlands
I’m glad your using them all. I’ve been thinking of leaving stampin up also they are getting expensive and there’s just some really cool companies out there with adorable stamps and dies. Good luck
Thanks Renee! I'm having a blast!! I didn't realize how much more expensive SU! was than other companies as I had restricted myself from looking elsewhere, even though I wanted to! lol I wish you luck in your decision as to whether or not to leave SU!. Follow your heart...
HI there. I would like to just commend you on following your heart in making this decision for yourself. We only get one shot at this life, so make it worth living in complete peace and contentment! I'm a hobby demonstrator because I refuse to be limited in what I can and can't use. My struggle is "retired" items that I love and then they disappear. I guess that's the price I pay to receive the discount. I will probably choose what you did soon. Especially if I struggle to meet minimum sales requirements. I will surely continue to follow your videos. You're awesome!
Hey Bobbie!! Thank you SO very much!! I agree whole heartedly! Life is short, so why stay with something that is not completely fulfilling our needs/wants, especially when it comes to paper crafting which is supposed to be fun! You are smart to be a hobby demo so you can purchase and use what you want. I felt that if I were to make this a business, I needed to purchase ONLY SU! products so I could sell them. Boy, I fell for it hook, line, and sinker! LOLOL Yes, the retired products or sale-a-bration items go out SO fast. I "earned" quite a few sale a bration items so I could demo them. But once I had them in my hands, I struggled to be able to come up with anything using them. Live and learn... I appreciate your continued support!! Thank you!! :-)
I’m fairly new to following you and subscribing to your channel in the last couple of weeks. I love this new journey you are taking and look forward to following you!
Good luck with this new venture! I love watching your videos. As a SU demo you have brought a lot of inspiration to me. Like you said we can always change up ideas and use what products we have!
Thank you Darla!! Makes my heart happy to hear that I've brought inspiration to you. Hope you will continue to find inspiration in my creations with products from other companies!
Oh my gosh you remind me of me! I was also with CTMH and with SU more than once and now I'm going BACK to SU because I just can't stay away ha ha! But I also used all the other companies in between. So I completely understand where you are coming from! Good luck to you- maybe don't be surprised though if at some point in time you start to feel a little pull back to SU! That's what happened to me, I'm addicted (but in a good way ha ha!) Have fun on your new journey!!
Beth Fairweather LOL That’s too funny! Guess once one is in it, it’s hard to leave! Kind of like being in the mob?! 😂. It’s been kinda nice not having to worry about meeting minimums and buying things because I want to, not because I have to. However, I have to admit that I was able to get my hands on some of the new holiday catalog products and am anxious to be able to order a few more now that it’s officially out. I do miss being part of SU!. Who knows... but for now, I’m working about 30 hours, sometimes more, at the airport which leaves little time for me to create. 😩 It’s all good. I love my job! Just need to carve out more time for me...
Beth Fairweather LOL That’s too funny! Guess once one is in it, it’s hard to leave! Kind of like being in the mob?! 😂. It’s been kinda nice not having to worry about meeting minimums and buying things because I want to, not because I have to. However, I have to admit that I was able to get my hands on some of the new holiday catalog products and am anxious to be able to order a few more now that it’s officially out. I do miss being part of SU!. Who knows... but for now, I’m working about 30 hours, sometimes more, at the airport which leaves little time for me to create. 😩 It’s all good. I love my job! Just need to carve out more time for me...
I will most definitely still follow your channel! I’m a fan of yours so it doesn’t matter what stamp sets you use on your projects, I’m sure it will be awesome! you’re super sweet!
Jen I will continue to support you as I love your work no matter which companies stamps you use. I follow your channel because of your style and gorgeous creations. I cannot wait to see your creations to come. Papercrafting is meant to be fun and therapeutic, so always follow your heart ♥ and whatever makes you happy. Hugs from Maria in Sydney Australia :-)
Thank you SO very much Maria!! Makes my heart happy to hear you love my work, no matter the products I use!! YES!! It is!! When I realized it was no longer fun, but stressful, I knew I needed to reevaluate what I was doing. Following my heart to see where it leads me...
Will continue to watch you. I like what you do. And you don't need to be tied to one company. It's should be what makes you happy. No pressure. There is to much of that in life. Good luck hope all goes well.😀
I am also a SU demo and will be discontinuing as a demo as well. Too much out go and not enough income. Love the products but there is a big wide papercrafting world out there! I will continue to subscribe. Thanks for your video!
Jen, I completely love you for being honest and open with us crafters. I love all your projects, I haven't been following you for a short while and I apologise for that. I have had a lot of people that I have been following and got myself in a pickle trying to follow, watch and comment on each and every video tutorial and card craft myself and blog myself. My treatment has been moved to being weekly now which is also very difficult to manage and my hubby is finally retiring because things have now got too much for him to manage single handedly. I craft for my therapy, as do a lot of other crafters. I love crafting and seeing other crafters craft. I love using a variety of different resources as do other crafters; SO WHY SHOULDN"T YOU JEN? If you want to try out a different die, stamp or punch in your project then why shouldn't you? If you find a new ink colour and want to try it out in your one of your video tutorials, then why shouldn't you use it? I am sure it hasn't been an easy decision to make Jen but I am certain that in a few weeks time you will not regret it and you will be having a ball enjoying the freedom of the vast craft resources available. I will be enjoying watching you create different projects, helping me become a better card crafter myself. xx :O) xx
I so agree with you. I am in the same position and really don't want to be tied to just one company when there are so many other great things out there that I want to use. I am thinking of starting a TH-cam channel - any advice on filming videos? Wishing you all the best for your future journey.
Hi Jen, I just found you and decided to subscribe to your TH-cam!! I look forward to watching your videos and respect your honesty!! I’m sure this was a hard decision to make but you have to do what is right for you!! Good luck in all you do with the other companies!! You have a new supporter!! 😊
Hey Peggy!! YAY!! Thank you SO much for subscribing!! Awww... you are so sweet. It most definitely was a tough decision and I felt like I owed everyone an explanation as to why I was leaving. I'm absolutely LOVING this new found freedom! The only problem now is having TOO many choices! LOL
Amazing video Jen - it really did come from the heart! I have been following you on You Tube for quite some time and love your demonstrations. As a 'hobby crafter' myself I love SU, but for the very reasons you are stopping I don't want to commit myself to any sales 'deadlines' etc., so I've kept to buying products when I want/need them for my personal use. I wish you all the luck in the world with this new chapter in your life....and I will certainly be looking out for you on You Tube in the not to distant future! Best Regard, Linda, Oxford, UK.
Aww!! Thank you Linda! I think that is the best way to be a Stampin' Up! demo. When I joined, I joined under Marisa because she was going to do this as a business and I knew that is what I wanted to do as well. I knew it would take a while to build, but I didn't fully understand that it meant I wouldn't have any profit to show for all the time and money I would have to put into it to make it grow. Oh well... lessoned learned. Even though I didn't gain monetary means, I gained an awesome community and the knowledge to make videos and grow my youtube channel!! I'm SO happy you are sticking around!! :-)
Who cares if you use product x or product y? All I care about is your creations! I Never subscribed to youtubers for what Company products they use but for what they do. And I Love your work no matter what. So go on and craft! Love from Germany
WOW!! Thank you SO very much Carmen!! I guess I hadn't thought of that before... I subscribe to quite a few who create projects from different companies. Thank you for sticking around for more!!
We sure appreciate you. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for always sharing your talent. Look forward to seeing what you create in the future. Have fun :-)
Aww!! Thanks girl!! I am appreciative of your support and chatting with me while trying to figure this all out!! You helped me, more than you know, to follow my heart and take the step I needed to leave.
Jen...thank you for sharing your heart and your 'exit story' with us. I have CASE'd several of your cards....because they are beautiful. You are very creative and I know that you'll do well in your new paper-crafting adventure! ☺ I'll continue to support your channel....cuz I have TONS of contraband in my craft room...even though I'm a SU demonstrator as well. Best of luck to you! And I'll look forward to continuing to watch your crafty videos!! xo
You need to follow your heart (and pocketbook!). I’ll continue to follow you because of your talent and creativity - that is the important thing - not the company you represent
Hey Jen, double high 5! Good for you and I really get what you are saying. I too began with SU and love their products but it is extremely limited. I too will be letting my demoship go down. Too expensive and I am not too fond of this new catalog...:(, but you gotta do what you love! Can't wait to see your creations. hugs!
Hi. I've been a subscriber it seems. I'm currently an SU demonstrator - only since last July. I am finding the rate of retirement of products a bit too fast. I know successful demos sell off the retired products, but I really Like some of the ones retired. Also, before I became a SU demonstrator, I amassed quite a few non-SU papercraft stamps/dies/papers. I destashed some of those but the rest I'm not willing to part with yet, and feel like I would like to use them ALL. I've decided to give myself through 2019 and see how this goes, but if I can't turn a profit in 2019 I may be doing what you are doing as well.
Well, I accidentally (?) came across this video. I to was an avid SU fan. But over the last year or more, I have become. Disenchanted. They are behind the curve in my opinion and also very expensive compared to other vendors, ( my goodness the shipping alone is ridiculous!) so I have pretty much stopped using them. I give you a lot of credit for looking. Internally and coming to the conclusion you have. So I have now become a subscriber!! I hope I will find you inspiring to follow. ( I'm a big Jennifer McGuire fan and hope you will be my next big fan!
Yay for accidentally coming across this video!! :-) WOW! I love the way you described it as becoming disenchanted. I feel like I was put under a spell to use ONLY SU! products. Maybe almost cultish? lol I agree and have said that for a while that they have fallen behind in the latest crafting trends. That was the reason I left CTMH. They stayed with the status quo and were late in catching up with paper crafting trends, when they used to be innovators. YES! The shipping and tax is crazy! My discount basically covered for the shipping and tax on my orders. SO happy you have subscribed! Makes my heart happy!! Hope you find inspiration as well! I'm also a big fan of Jennifer McGuire!! She's my fav!
Holy smokes guys!! I am completely overwhelmed reading all of your responses!! I will be working on responding to each of you, but please bare with me as it might take me a bit to get through everyone!! Thank you for the AMAZING support and love!! My heart is full...
As of December 27, 2018 I also quit being a Stampin up demonstrator , I look back of all the stamps I have accumulated in my craft room WOW ,I spent a lot of money but I really like the products . In 2015 I had signed up and my up line said she would help me succeed Well she lied and because with a couple months I didn't hear from her , but I continued because this was my passion and it is so fun I just found out my up line quit in August 2018 , I have no customers and if I did I would give them the respect of letting them know Like you did and not just not say anything
I'm glad I found this video. I was ready to be a demonstrator and now not so much. Thanks!
Finally an honest assessment! You’ll be much happier stamping for “fun”. You get a discount but it’s gone after shipping and tax. Unless you are big with a large online presence you can’t make a living at it! I’ll continue to follow your videos! Looking forward to it!
Jen, glad to hear you have chosen to do what you felt you should do for you. I know this was not an easy decision but one that was needful for you. I get inspiration watching your creations as well as so many other people's creations. I am glad you did not decide to leave TH-cam altogether. Much success in your future endeavors.
Thank you SO much Rene!! It certainly was a tough decision, but am happy I made it. It makes my heart happy to hear that you get inspiration from my creations!! I'm not going anywhere!! :-)
I appreciate your honesty about everything! You really brought the light to the situation. As someone who just discovered Stampin Up, TH-cam makes it sound like joining and becoming a demonstrator has no strings, and this really helped me! I use Stampin Up products, but i thought about joining for the discount and didnt realize there was minimums and so much pressure. I truly appreciate this video! and I CANT wait to see more projects with other products! God Bless you Jen.
Of course! Maybe I was a bit too honest... lol but that is how I was feeling and why I resigned. As a hobby demo, the only minimum you need to meet is the $350 quarterly minimum. It's when you start trying to build it as a business, that the other minimums start coming into play. If I wanted to earn off my team, there were monthly minimums to meet based on # of team members, plus you had have a certain title to earn off some of the levels. I ANYHOO.... lol I finally decided I just wanted to enjoy creating and making videos and not have to worry about everything else. Here I go again... rambling! Thanks for sticking around to see more projects!! It is greatly appreciated!! :-)
@Sarah Hodgins You have a typo, my dear. $400 every quarter, although I know it feels like $4000! (Mom).
As a SU demonstrator, I totally understand your decision. I watch your videos for your creativity and have continued to watch even after your departure from SU. Your friend was right - follow your heart! Wishing you happiness and joy in your new adventure!
Jen, I think you have made the right decision for you. I will continue to support your channel with my subscription and I look forward to seeing many more creations. I follow a few "non SU" channels and get inspiration from these to create my projects using SU products. I am so grateful for all that you share with us. Thank you xx
Saw your video in the sidebar. I've never been a demo but I was in a SU Hostess club (minimum purchase every month). I got to where it was a real struggle to find anything I really wanted; I ended up buying things b/c I had to make a minimum purchase. It got harder each month. It was hard to quit b/c I loved the demo and the ladies in the club. It was such a HUGE relief when I finally did. It's been 8 months now and I find myself being more creative; and I have no pressure to buy anything. The joy is back. I do miss the fellowship and the wonderful people but all in all I'm much happier now.
YAY!! Happy you found it! I find it interesting that as a customer, you were starting to see the changes as well. I think having an obligation to buy from products that you are no longer in love with makes it hard to continue. I have cancelled my SU! card class, but am thinking about starting a class up again in a couple of months using what I have on hand. I feel maybe I might get a few more to attend if they don't feel obligated to purchase SU! products at the end of class. We shall see!! Like you, I am missing the fellowship and getting together with the girls each month. SO happy to hear that you are happier in your creating!!
You’re great!! I left too. I came back.. thinking on it again!! I will be here for you!!
New to your channel! The worst person to let down is yourself...so own it and enjoy your new journey! Anxious to see your new videos.
You are incredibly talented! It's about the craft, not the business! I will continue to follow you and wish you all the best!! I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!
Good for you to get it out and arrive at the difficult realization that the bulk of SU! Demos discover (and some don't realize at all) - this is a MLM company that will not be easy to make money in. As a hobby demo, its really you're own money you pour into just as you would for golfing, knitting... etc. And for many of use, creative freedom is paramount! So enjoy your new adventures in crafting!
Thank you so much for your open and honest assessment. I understand and agree with all of your reasoning. Why should you limit yourself just to sell? When I joined, I made it clear to my upline that I was joining just for my own personal enjoyment. No videos, no selling! Plus, I teach a few classes “voluntarily” for a worthwhile organization which gives me an opportunity to use up my supplies for a good cause. I retired well so meeting my quarterly minimums are not a problem but I can definitely see the downside of that situation for someone who joined to make money. What drives me nuts is the rate at which products retire. When Sale-a-bration comes along, everyone online is urging you to purchase these great new products and then a few months later, these products are dead, finished, history! It’s easier to wait and purchase them off eBay at a discount. Well, enjoy your crafting journey and always do what feels right to you. I’ll still be tuning in. You’ll be our new Jennifer McGuire! Lol!
You are so welcome Cass! Thank you for your understanding. I love that you were up front and honest with your upline and love that you teach classes for a good cause! I agree that the products retire way too quickly. There really is only a 2-3 month window to purchase and use the stamp sets before they announce the retirement list for the holiday and occasions catalogs. Once that list comes out, it's while supplies last and hard to demo products that are selling out quickly. Thank you SO much! I am having a blast!! I appreciate your continuing to tune in!! Oh my... I wish! Of all the crafters out there, she inspires me the most. Love her style!
look forward to seeing more of your crafts in the future and best wishes. I enjoy all of your creations and ideas.
Congratulations on your new adventure! Your art should not be bound by any one brand. So good for you on making that decision! Looking forward to continuing to learn from you!
Best of luck to you, Jen.
I will still be watching your videos. I love your style, and I could listen to your voice explaining, how to make your creations for days.
I was a hobby Demo for 2 years, and spent way too much. I made the decision to just be a customer again, and I can now, buy, a little or a lot. No longer required to meet a minimum.
Enjoy your freedom, to shop where and what you please. All the very best, from Melbourne, Australia.
Bernadette Maroun Aww!! Thank you so much Bernadette!! You are so sweet!! It’s a hard reality when we figure what we are spending, either as a hobby demo or a business builder! Makes you step back a bit and reevaluate why we continue to do so. There is so much freedom in being able to buy what we want and not have to worry about meeting any minimums!! 😬
Jen I am so proud of you for following your heart and thinking about what is best for you as you move forward in you paper crafting business and career. I wish you continued success. You are so very talented. You inspire me. I cannot wait to see you new videos. Love you lots.
Thank you SO much Nina!! Thanks for listening to me vent. I hope that you follow your heart... where ever it may lead you. You are a creative soul and have so much to offer!! Love ya hon!!
Happy you are following your heart. Can’t wait to see your future projects using a variety of companies. Variety is the spice of life!
Jen, I truly appreciate and enjoy your card making style. Please continue making card videos so I can glean inspiration from you. You are so talented. There are some fantastic stamp and card making supply companies out there that will appreciate you as a design team member. Go for it.
I agree there are some amazing sets from other companies out there that I absolutely love. I'm a hobbyist demonstrator with SU but I truly understand.
Thanks Jen!! Yes, there are!! I'm having SO much fun shopping and playing with the goodies I'm receiving! You are SO creative! Love seeing your projects!
I’m a demonstrator too and I feel the same way! I have been thinking and praying about resigning. I spend more than I make and I also want to feel good about buying any product I love without the guilt. When you are a papercrafter it’s so hard... there are so ,any wonderful products out there! I’m so happy to see that it’s not just me, I love your channel and will continue to be inspired by you!
Oh Crystal! Thank you for sharing your feelings! It is definitely not just you! It's a hard reality when you figure you are spending more than you make on products that you may not be 100% in love with anymore. I'm not sure why, but there IS a sense of guilt when you even THINK about wanting to buy elsewhere, let alone buying anything! lol Good luck with your decision. It's definitely not an easy one to make. Thanks for sticking around!
Happy for you and glad that you will continue filming and using items that are more affordable to the average crafter. There is too much competition for SU not to lower prices. GOOD FOR YOU AND BETTER FOR US!!!
Thank you SO much Nina!! I agree... SU!'s prices are quite hefty and products are limited. WOO HOO!! Yay for branching out!
Hi Jen...When I first started buying Stamping Up products about 12 years ago the catalog was amazing but in the last two or three years I haven't been "wowed" by them either. I started buying stamps from other companies and I love the variety to choose from. Good luck with your future projects and enjoy your new freedom !!! Wanda xo
Hey Wanda!! Iv'e seen some of the older catalogs and completely understand where you are coming from! Even when I was with CTMH, I would drool over the SU! catalogs and occasionally break down and buy from them. which is why I signed up with them when I left CTMH. It's good to know I'm not the only one who isn't wowed by them as of late! Oh my gosh!! SO much variety!! Makes a girl's heart happy! Thank you SO much!!
Thank you for the video, l have been with Stampin Up since 2/16. I dont havw any customers, it has been so hard to keep buying to stay active. The area that l live in is not supportive. I ran on to kitchen table stamper a short time ago, it was pure inspiration. I love craft fairs, and Melisa is great. I wish you thr best and hope to find more videos as you create.
You are SO welcome Karen! SO happy you have found inspiration with Marisa! She is queen of craft fairs!! It's tough to be in an area that is not supportive. I wish you luck with your journey with SU!. Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement and look forward to creating more projects and videos!!
You have a great channel here and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!!! You are so right, there are so many other good companies out there. I was not impressed with the new catalog either this year. I am a hobby demo only, and have struggled to meet my minimums the last few months. Congrats on this decision, although I know it was hard.
We will miss you at SU! It was lovely meeting you in April at OnStage. Do what's good for you!!!
You are NOT loosing me as a subscriber! I’m a hobby demo and I love to share what I create as well. I can’t wait to see what you have for us.
Of course I will continue to watch you. You are extremely talented and I can't wait to see what you come up with now that you can craft completely from your heart. Be well!
I understand completely. I am feeling the same way. There is a lot of beautiful stamps out there.
I'm so glad your not leaving you tube love all your videos, can't wait to see you next videos, always follow your heart thank you so much 😊 x
Thank you for your honesty when I first started watching this video I was going to unsubscribe but I watched it all the way through and I am glad I did not unsubscribe, I will continue following you. I am in my 70's and I feel the same way, I do not know how much longer I will continue with Stampin Up as my craft room is getting overwhelmed with stamp sets I might only use one time then it sits. So thank you for your honesty and I look forward to your next video whatever it will be.
You are so welcome Darlene! Aww!! Thank you for watching it all the way and not unsubscribing!! I completely understand what you are saying. SO many stamp sets either get used once or go untouched and it's very sad after the amount of money we spend on them. Thanks again for sticking around!!
I totally get it girl. Will look forward to seeing what you create! XO HUGS~
Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing the new cards and ideas. I'm also looking forward to seeing what other companies are out there and their products.
Thank you Karen!! YAY!! So far I've purchased from Lawn Fawn, Hello Bluebird, Mama Elephant, Sunny Studio, Avery Elle, and My Favorite Things. I also have a couple of stamps from Penny Black. I need to reel it in a bit... but would love to eventually buy from Catherine Pooler, Gina K., Unity, and Paper Trey Ink. SO many choices!! LOL
Hi Jen, Good for you. I have been quietly following this year and have enjoyed your videos and your creativity. I too have been reconsidering my journey with SU. So I am glad that you are following your heart. I will continue to follow your videos. Enjoy Jen life is short. You go girl!
Hey Lorna!! Thank you SO much for your continued support! It is so greatly appreciated! It is a tough decision on whether or not to continue with SU!. Ultimately, I had to follow my heart and hope for the best! lol Besides, SU! will always be there if I should decide to go back... but it's pretty doubtful at this point that I would return. I'm LOVING all the choices I now have to play with!
Great news Jen. I will continue to support you by watching your videos (except for the ones that have you unpacking a haul - lol). You love a lot of the stamps /images that I too adore so cant wait for new videos and lotsa inspiration. Cant wait for the start of your new era.
Thank you SO much Robyn!! I appreciate your continued support! I'll TRY not to do too many hauls! lol YAY! Happy to hear you love the stamps/images that I have chosen so far!! I'm trying SO hard to play with what I have recently purchased... BUT I keep seeing MORE that I want. UGH! The struggle is real! LOL
New subbie. This is so exciting for you!!! Excited to see all of your creations!! TFS😀
YAY!! Thank you SO much for subscribing and for your support!! :-)
I look forward to seeing your projects using stamps from other stamp companies! Copics are fun!
I totally get where your coming from regarding stampin up. It makes crafting very expensive with the requirements. I was a demo and was just buying stuff to make the targets. In the end I stepped down as the huge cost and stress wasn't worth it. Plus like you say there are other great products out there to use and play with. Wish you all the best and look forward to seeing your future uploads.
Thank you for understanding Gemma! It really does in the long run. Buying stuff to make the targets and the stress to build it as a business almost takes the joy out of creating and that's where I had to make the decision as to whether it was right for me. Crafting is supposed to be enjoyed, not stressful. YES!! I am finding SO many fun companies to shop from now! Oh goodness! lol Thanks for sticking around!!
Good for you, follow your heart! I will look forward to seeing your new videos and projects.
You are one to watch and always learn from. I'll be here, don't leave me! all the best 2 U!
Hi Jen good for you to follow your heart and not feel pressured to stay with SU. I am not overly thrilled with the new catalog, there really isn't anything that has the WOW factor, even the make up of the catalog doesn't feel right. The pages have a weird coat on them. I am a hobby demo and the prices keep going up on the stamp bundles. Sometimes just purchasing 2 bundles goes over $100, and you get very little for the money. I enjoy your channel and the great ideas you come up with. I have no doubt you will be successful thru your next chapter in your paper craft. The very best too you. Thank you for sharing your talent, and your time. Oh and I will continue to check in on your channel. :)
Thank you Ethel!! I feel ya on not much having the WOW factor in the new catalog. Kind of disappointing when those are the products I'm supposed to use to grow my business. Oh yeah... there is one bundle that was $70 for the stamps and dies alone, not to mention the coordinating papers and embellishments. Guess it helps meet your quarterly minimums with prices that high! lol Thank you SO very much for your support and encouragement! Makes my heart happy that you will continue to pop in to see what I'm up to!! :-)
I understand what you are saying and have wondered the same thing with this new catalog. I will continue to watch your videos and I am sure that you have made the best decision. God bless and enjoy your new life. Barb
Thank you SO much for your understanding Barb! Yay! I'm so happy you will continue watching!
All I know is stampin up so it will be nice to continue to watch you , looking forward to seeing what else it out there . Thanks
Hi Jen! Thank you for sharing this! I have been on the fence about this for awhile...not sure which way I'll go, but listening to you makes me feel not so alone. So much out there that I LOVE and I feel so restricted with SU. I feel like I want to expand my horizons. I totally support your decision, and wish your the best of luck! I am still and always will be a fan! Big Hugs to You!
Hey Lisa!! You are so very welcome! Oh hon... you most definitely are not alone. SO many have shared feeling the same as I did. It's no fun feeling restricted and feeling stifled with the lack of products, when there is SO much more out there. I think you SHOULD expand your horizons!! It's a LOT of fun!! LOL Thank you SO much for your love and support. Follow your heart... you will figure it out!
I will continue to follow you Jen! Love your videos and creativity. I admire your strength to follow your heart. Good for you! :-)
I wouldn’t dream of unsubscribing from you! You are my favorite! I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us. I’m afraid it’s going to cost me money...I know I’m going to think I need what you are using in your videos, haha.
WOO HOO!!! You are SO sweet Marsha!! Thank you! Ummmm I don't know what you are talking about??!! LOL When life starts settling down for you, we totally need to get together for a play date!!
It'll be fun to see what you choose to share once you let that creativity out without the restrictions you were talking about.
Jen, I will continue to support you on this journey. I admire you for following your heart!!! You have given me the courage to do the same thing. I thought it was just me. You spoke the sentiments of heart!! Thank you! See you on your next video!!!!
AWWW!! Thank you SO much Sylvia!! WOW! Happy to have given you the courage to do the same! You are definitely no alone! I found the courage from my friend Sacha from Handmade Happiness. If you haven't heard of her, you totally need to check out her channel. We have very similar taste in stamps!! She left a few weeks before me and I reached out to her to see why she left and to let her know I'd been thinking about doing the same. She told me to dig deep and see what truly was in my heart and if it was to leave SU! to pursue other companies, then I needed to follow my heart. It's amazing having this weight lifted and the freedom to create with products I am more drawn to! Thanks for sticking around!! Good luck with your decision!! Always follow your heart!
Best of luck for your future. I'll still watch if you continue to post. I use many brands, get ideas from many sources. Don't blame you for branching out. I couldn't be a demonstrator because I use too many brands.
I'm listening to your video (as I'm clearing out subscriptions) and it's like listening to MY OWN HEART and MIND. Having been with SU for 10 years, I have been unhappy with SU for the past 2 years and too only had a 'wow' moment when seeing 3 things in the new catalog. I love paper crafting but there's more out there that I want to use! I know many demos are feeling the same as you and I, and just can't move off of base. Good for you!
Aww Doris! I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling the same after being with SU! for 10 years. It's SO hard to move away from something that we've known for so long. Fortunately I was only with them for 18 months, but it was still a hard decision to make. I have noticed the same... quite a few have mentioned it on this video and messaged me privately to say the same. Follow your heart. If this is no longer bringing you joy, maybe it's time to let it go and broaden your horizons! :-)
Jen I have really enjoyed getting to know you and I will miss you! Good luck on being a free agent!
Aww!! Thank you SO much Angie!! I will miss you too! I am ever so grateful to you for all of the time you spent with me while trying to build my business. I know I would NOT be where I am if it were not for you. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. You inspire me.
Bravo for you! Follow your heart and you will be fine. I use SU products, and like the ones I purchase, but also like quite a few other names in the crafting industry. I was not subscribed to you, but I will be. I am looking forward to seeing your videos.
Thank you Laurel!! I do love the quality of SU! and will still purchase ones that I love, just as I would from other companies. YAY!! Thank you SO much for subscribing!! It is greatly appreciated! Hope you find inspiration in the creations I post...
Best wishes, I'm sticking around for as long as you are around.
Woo hoo!! Thank you Sharon!!
You’re telling the truth!! I spent a lot of money with no profit. I made it to Silver and was knocking on the door to Silver Elite I was demoted to bronze because I have customers no team. That crushed me.. I don’t spend like I used to. Good luck!! I’m here for you! You said the truth!! I was there and I’m there again!
Oh my gosh!! Right?! I've been Silver for over a year, knocking on the door to Silver Elite/Gold and couldn't quite reach either as most of my downline were hobbyists. I bet it was crushing to go back down to Bronze Elite. It's a lot harder than I imagined to grow a team and keep it. I had the sales, just couldn't grow my team. Thanks hon! You are so sweet! Following my heart was the best thing I could have done... I highly encourage you to follow yours!
Good luck in your next adventure. I would never be a demonstrator because there are so many wonderful companies out there I could never limit myself to only buying from one company. I do love Stampin Up, but I love many companies. I just subscribed to your channel and look forward to seeing some of your new ideas and techniques.
Thank you Carol!! I guess I had to learn the hard way and it only took me 12 years to figure it out! LOL Thank you for subscribing!! It is greatly appreciated!!
For me it dosen't matter who you work for as long as we are able to watch you making cards and knowing that you love what you do😊 Just love your videoes and the cards that you are making! Good luck to you!
Love the video so full of emotion and i will still love to see more of your video's Good luck for the future,xx
Janet Muir Aww! Thank you Janet!!! It was definitely an emotional decision to make, but happy I did! Thanks for sticking with me!! 💜
It is good that you are able to do this as long as it makes you happy, and that this company doesn't make it awful to leave. I can see the pluses of being part of this, and imagine it could be stressful to make quotas and such. I just subscribed, this is such a new world for me. I always made scrapbooks and other crafts but am a bit daunted by just jumping in alone (the amount of adhesives sold by SU made me tear up) Hopefully i can follow a few of you and still learn to make really beautiful cards that won't put me in debt! :0) It should be fun and give you joy to be creative!!
Wish you happiness & success! I am a SU Hobbyist & have gotten “hooked” in to buying. Always the next catalog, the discount, the incentives & meeting the minimums. Pretty determined that September will be my last month (bonus days $$ to use). I love SU products, but know it’s time. Actually, the color refresh has convinced me after working on having every color, stamp pad, reinker, marker, blend & cardstock and then comes the new colors - cha-Ching! Sorry, shouldn’t have made this about ME! LOL. Good luck and I’ll still be watching your videos to see what awesomeness you create!
Enjoy the freedom, I’ll be still hanging around to see what you create
Jen, I wish you all of the best! I look forward to watching all of the new projects you create. 😊
Thank you Deborah!! YAY! I appreciate you hanging around for more! :-)
I will continue to follow you... You have an unique style that I have enjoyed and am happy that you will share your ideas from all of the other companies which I also have stamps and dies with.
Good luck in your new adventure...and I will continue to follow you!!
Best wishes! I will keep following you because I love your paper crafting style. I work full time so I don’t have time to grow my Stampin Up business. Good luck and keep those videos coming our way.
I was playing with the idea of becoming a demonstrator for SU, thank you for your open honesty.
Aww! You are SO welcome! Maybe it would be different if I wasn't trying to build a business, I don't know. Do what makes you happy! It truly is a great company and I do love the community of demos, but seeing all the other companies out there, I'm finding there is so much more to love!
Dear Jen, thanks for sharing so many ideas and projects for Stampin Up and I´m sure you will be as resourceful and creative as you have been with any other crafting companies. I will follow your videos whatever you do. Good luck and congratulations on your decision.
You are SO welcome RitaMaria!! Hoping you will still find inspiration from my future projects! Thank you for your support and encouragement!! It is greatly appreciated!
All the best with your next journey. Love all your cards and can’t wait to see what your new creations are. ❤️🇦🇺
Aww!! Thank you SO much Jeanette!! Makes my heart happy that you love my cards!!
Jenn,
Thanks so much for sharing this information. I love your work and understand. If you love what you do and you’re good at it, l think you should continue. Follow your passion. Enjoying the journey is so important not to mention being able to make a reasonable return on your investments of time and money. I have seen a few others inform their followers of their decision to leave and appreciate you all. Keeps me on the right track, not becoming a demonstrator.
I believe you’ll be just fine and look forward to seeing more projects. Congratulations and enjoy the journey!
You are SO welcome Allison! Thank you SO very much! Oh I do love what I do and love it even more now! lol Yup! My friend Sacha from Handmade Happiness made the decision a few weeks before I did. I reached out to her when I saw she was leaving and she's the one who really encouraged me to dig deep and realize that I needed to follow my heart. SO I did!! Thanks for sticking around!
The best of luck to you, I am an avid crafter and I have never strictly used just one company nor will I, I love stampin up but I will not be tied to just them, I make my cards the way I want with the products I want, I don't do videos because I don't want to be obligated, I follow the rules for craft fairs and other venues. So stay true to your heart and your love and passion of crafting on your terms and you will be happier, I will continue to follow you no matter who you use, always stay true to yourself.
Thank you for your honesty Dee!! Guess I had to learn the hard way that I no longer want to be tied down. But, I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for joining SU!. Definitely happier in being able to use what I want, vs what I feel I need to buy in order to sell it. Makes my heart happy to hear you will be sticking around! Thank you for your continued support and encouragement to follow my heart!!
Totally get it. I also see al of the other produkts that are so wonserfull and i am thinking about what you say, and maybe i have to follow my haert to. Feel somtimes restricted.
I wil still follow your channel because of who you are. Amazing.
I hope you can read my bad englisch.
Grettings from the Nederlands
I’m glad your using them all. I’ve been thinking of leaving stampin up also they are getting expensive and there’s just some really cool companies out there with adorable stamps and dies. Good luck
Thanks Renee! I'm having a blast!! I didn't realize how much more expensive SU! was than other companies as I had restricted myself from looking elsewhere, even though I wanted to! lol I wish you luck in your decision as to whether or not to leave SU!. Follow your heart...
Best of luck to you. I will definitely keep watching to see your new and exciting projects
Thank you SO much Pamela!! YAY!! Excited you are not going anywhere!!
Best wishes with your new adventure, looking forward to new videos!
I've enjoyed your Stamping up projects and totally understand your decision...but of luck and look forward to seeing your fun new cards!
Thank you SO much Kim! Makes me happy to hear that you have enjoyed my projects!! Thanks for sticking with me on this new adventure!
HI there. I would like to just commend you on following your heart in making this decision for yourself. We only get one shot at this life, so make it worth living in complete peace and contentment! I'm a hobby demonstrator because I refuse to be limited in what I can and can't use. My struggle is "retired" items that I love and then they disappear. I guess that's the price I pay to receive the discount. I will probably choose what you did soon. Especially if I struggle to meet minimum sales requirements. I will surely continue to follow your videos. You're awesome!
Hey Bobbie!! Thank you SO very much!! I agree whole heartedly! Life is short, so why stay with something that is not completely fulfilling our needs/wants, especially when it comes to paper crafting which is supposed to be fun! You are smart to be a hobby demo so you can purchase and use what you want. I felt that if I were to make this a business, I needed to purchase ONLY SU! products so I could sell them. Boy, I fell for it hook, line, and sinker! LOLOL Yes, the retired products or sale-a-bration items go out SO fast. I "earned" quite a few sale a bration items so I could demo them. But once I had them in my hands, I struggled to be able to come up with anything using them. Live and learn... I appreciate your continued support!! Thank you!! :-)
I’m fairly new to following you and subscribing to your channel in the last couple of weeks. I love this new journey you are taking and look forward to following you!
Good luck with this new venture! I love watching your videos. As a SU demo you have brought a lot of inspiration to me. Like you said we can always change up ideas and use what products we have!
Thank you Darla!! Makes my heart happy to hear that I've brought inspiration to you. Hope you will continue to find inspiration in my creations with products from other companies!
Im sure I will!!
Oh my gosh you remind me of me! I was also with CTMH and with SU more than once and now I'm going BACK to SU because I just can't stay away ha ha! But I also used all the other companies in between. So I completely understand where you are coming from! Good luck to you- maybe don't be surprised though if at some point in time you start to feel a little pull back to SU! That's what happened to me, I'm addicted (but in a good way ha ha!) Have fun on your new journey!!
Beth Fairweather LOL That’s too funny! Guess once one is in it, it’s hard to leave! Kind of like being in the mob?! 😂. It’s been kinda nice not having to worry about meeting minimums and buying things because I want to, not because I have to. However, I have to admit that I was able to get my hands on some of the new holiday catalog products and am anxious to be able to order a few more now that it’s officially out. I do miss being part of SU!. Who knows... but for now, I’m working about 30 hours, sometimes more, at the airport which leaves little time for me to create. 😩 It’s all good. I love my job! Just need to carve out more time for me...
Beth Fairweather LOL That’s too funny! Guess once one is in it, it’s hard to leave! Kind of like being in the mob?! 😂. It’s been kinda nice not having to worry about meeting minimums and buying things because I want to, not because I have to. However, I have to admit that I was able to get my hands on some of the new holiday catalog products and am anxious to be able to order a few more now that it’s officially out. I do miss being part of SU!. Who knows... but for now, I’m working about 30 hours, sometimes more, at the airport which leaves little time for me to create. 😩 It’s all good. I love my job! Just need to carve out more time for me...
Best of luck in your new adventures! I’m excited to see where this takes you! Have a blessed day.
Aww!! Thank you Denise!! It's a bit scary, yet exciting all at the same time! I appreciate your love and support!
I will most definitely still follow your channel! I’m a fan of yours so it doesn’t matter what stamp sets you use on your projects, I’m sure it will be awesome! you’re super sweet!
YAY!!! Thank you SO much Connie!!! Happy we were able to connect at OnStage!! Thanks for sticking around!
Good luck Jen x
Jen I will continue to support you as I love your work no matter which companies stamps you use. I follow your channel because of your style and gorgeous creations. I cannot wait to see your creations to come. Papercrafting is meant to be fun and therapeutic, so always follow your heart ♥ and whatever makes you happy. Hugs from Maria in Sydney Australia :-)
Thank you SO very much Maria!! Makes my heart happy to hear you love my work, no matter the products I use!! YES!! It is!! When I realized it was no longer fun, but stressful, I knew I needed to reevaluate what I was doing. Following my heart to see where it leads me...
You made the right decision and being happy with what you do is the most important thing in life xxx
Will continue to watch you. I like what you do. And you don't need to be tied to one company. It's should be what makes you happy. No pressure. There is to much of that in life. Good luck hope all goes well.😀
Yay!! Thank you Margaret! You are SO right... why have added pressure doing something that is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable.
I am also a SU demo and will be discontinuing as a demo as well. Too much out go and not enough income. Love the products but there is a big wide papercrafting world out there! I will continue to subscribe. Thanks for your video!
Jen, I completely love you for being honest and open with us crafters. I love all your projects, I haven't been following you for a short while and I apologise for that. I have had a lot of people that I have been following and got myself in a pickle trying to follow, watch and comment on each and every video tutorial and card craft myself and blog myself. My treatment has been moved to being weekly now which is also very difficult to manage and my hubby is finally retiring because things have now got too much for him to manage single handedly. I craft for my therapy, as do a lot of other crafters. I love crafting and seeing other crafters craft. I love using a variety of different resources as do other crafters; SO WHY SHOULDN"T YOU JEN? If you want to try out a different die, stamp or punch in your project then why shouldn't you? If you find a new ink colour and want to try it out in your one of your video tutorials, then why shouldn't you use it? I am sure it hasn't been an easy decision to make Jen but I am certain that in a few weeks time you will not regret it and you will be having a ball enjoying the freedom of the vast craft resources available. I will be enjoying watching you create different projects, helping me become a better card crafter myself. xx :O) xx
I'm staying subscribed as I love watching you create! Sending love and luck from the UK xx
YAY!! Thank you SO much for sticking around and for sending love and luck!! :-)
I so agree with you. I am in the same position and really don't want to be tied to just one company when there are so many other great things out there that I want to use. I am thinking of starting a TH-cam channel - any advice on filming videos? Wishing you all the best for your future journey.
Hi Jen, I just found you and decided to subscribe to your TH-cam!! I look forward to watching your videos and respect your honesty!! I’m sure this was a hard decision to make but you have to do what is right for you!! Good luck in all you do with the other companies!! You have a new supporter!! 😊
Hey Peggy!! YAY!! Thank you SO much for subscribing!! Awww... you are so sweet. It most definitely was a tough decision and I felt like I owed everyone an explanation as to why I was leaving. I'm absolutely LOVING this new found freedom! The only problem now is having TOO many choices! LOL
Well done Jen, enjoy the freedome
Did you go back to SU exclusively recently??
Amazing video Jen - it really did come from the heart! I have been following you on You Tube for quite some time and love your demonstrations. As a 'hobby crafter' myself I love SU, but for the very reasons you are stopping I don't want to commit myself to any sales 'deadlines' etc., so I've kept to buying products when I want/need them for my personal use. I wish you all the luck in the world with this new chapter in your life....and I will certainly be looking out for you on You Tube in the not to distant future!
Best Regard, Linda, Oxford, UK.
Aww!! Thank you Linda! I think that is the best way to be a Stampin' Up! demo. When I joined, I joined under Marisa because she was going to do this as a business and I knew that is what I wanted to do as well. I knew it would take a while to build, but I didn't fully understand that it meant I wouldn't have any profit to show for all the time and money I would have to put into it to make it grow. Oh well... lessoned learned. Even though I didn't gain monetary means, I gained an awesome community and the knowledge to make videos and grow my youtube channel!! I'm SO happy you are sticking around!! :-)
Who cares if you use product x or product y? All I care about is your creations! I Never subscribed to youtubers for what Company products they use but for what they do. And I Love your work no matter what. So go on and craft! Love from Germany
WOW!! Thank you SO very much Carmen!! I guess I hadn't thought of that before... I subscribe to quite a few who create projects from different companies. Thank you for sticking around for more!!
We sure appreciate you. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for always sharing your talent. Look forward to seeing what you create in the future. Have fun :-)
You know you've ALWAYS got my support, Jen.
Aww!! Thanks girl!! I am appreciative of your support and chatting with me while trying to figure this all out!! You helped me, more than you know, to follow my heart and take the step I needed to leave.
Jen...thank you for sharing your heart and your 'exit story' with us. I have CASE'd several of your cards....because they are beautiful. You are very creative and I know that you'll do well in your new paper-crafting adventure! ☺ I'll continue to support your channel....cuz I have TONS of contraband in my craft room...even though I'm a SU demonstrator as well. Best of luck to you! And I'll look forward to continuing to watch your crafty videos!! xo
Sharon Nesvog ❤️
You need to follow your heart (and pocketbook!). I’ll continue to follow you because of your talent and creativity - that is the important thing - not the company you represent
Hey Jen, double high 5! Good for you and I really get what you are saying. I too began with SU and love their products but it is extremely limited. I too will be letting my demoship go down. Too expensive and I am not too fond of this new catalog...:(, but you gotta do what you love! Can't wait to see your creations. hugs!
Hi. I've been a subscriber it seems. I'm currently an SU demonstrator - only since last July. I am finding the rate of retirement of products a bit too fast. I know successful demos sell off the retired products, but I really Like some of the ones retired. Also, before I became a SU demonstrator, I amassed quite a few non-SU papercraft stamps/dies/papers. I destashed some of those but the rest I'm not willing to part with yet, and feel like I would like to use them ALL. I've decided to give myself through 2019 and see how this goes, but if I can't turn a profit in 2019 I may be doing what you are doing as well.
Well, I accidentally (?) came across this video. I to was an avid SU fan. But over the last year or more, I have become. Disenchanted. They are behind the curve in my opinion and also very expensive compared to other vendors, ( my goodness the shipping alone is ridiculous!) so I have pretty much stopped using them.
I give you a lot of credit for looking. Internally and coming to the conclusion you have.
So I have now become a subscriber!! I hope I will find you inspiring to follow. ( I'm a big Jennifer McGuire fan and hope you will be my next big fan!
Yay for accidentally coming across this video!! :-) WOW! I love the way you described it as becoming disenchanted. I feel like I was put under a spell to use ONLY SU! products. Maybe almost cultish? lol I agree and have said that for a while that they have fallen behind in the latest crafting trends. That was the reason I left CTMH. They stayed with the status quo and were late in catching up with paper crafting trends, when they used to be innovators. YES! The shipping and tax is crazy! My discount basically covered for the shipping and tax on my orders. SO happy you have subscribed! Makes my heart happy!! Hope you find inspiration as well! I'm also a big fan of Jennifer McGuire!! She's my fav!
Good luck I will still watch you you have to do what makes you happy
What am I going to do now??? You are one of my favorites!!