I'm not sure how I feel about this..

[#1]

I woke up this morning and checked my stats, usually I'll have maybe 20ish views, but today I saw over 550. WHAT?! Apparently I'm getting a loooot of traffic today from a blog dedicated to AWFUL BODY MODIFICATIONS. ):
They posted that I have an Etsy shop "full of fail" and that all of my items are made with "god awful toxic clay."

There have been concerns over the safety of polymer clay(which you can learn all about with a quick google search), but that's with wet clay, and it's only really concerning if you eat/burn it. I bake, cure & glaze all of my pieces, they're perfectly safe.

"The Arts & Crafts Materials Institute in Boston has tested the major brands of polymer clay and states that they comply with the ASTM D-4236 standard for safety of arts and crafts materials specified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission"


So on the one hand, I'm a bit upset that someone is posting that my items are toxic and spreading misinformation..but on the other hand I've had almost 800 views already today which is INSANE for me(most I've ever had is around 150.)
I have been getting some anon messages on my blog saying that my items are beautiful and it's a shame I use polymer..I just some of those people do their own research and won't automatically hate my stuff.

[HiGirls]

Argh!! I hate seeing misinformation being spread about polymer clay! I like the idea of putting the link to the blog post in your announcements, but how about a quick comment about safety in each item listing? I know it'll take some time, but may be worth it.

[LittleBitsOFaith]

Wow! I also work with polymer and have done the research....as you do, i wish people would inform themselves. As with anything, having only a little bit of information can be hazardous....love the "make lemonade" comment=) Maybe some greater good will come of all the publicity! Wishing you the best!!

[wildwomanbeads]

Katy:

Glad to hear that you were able to turn this around to something positive, and---hey!---it got all of us to you shop too, so it can't be all bad. A 900 view day is a winner in my book. ;o)

[Former_Member]

Today is crazy. I'm at 1400 views right now, just about every time I check I have 100 more. I'm posting about the safety of polymer, wearing polymer in stretched ears, answering private messages. I've been busy!
But you all have been quite helpful, so thank you guys (: I'm sure my shop will be updated with lots of new safety information in the next few days.

[Former_Member]

fabulous! so glad it's turning out to be a better experience :)

[Former_Member]

i am so amazed that people can be so mean and think it's funny to torture someone else like that. shaking my head...
i am glad for you that you are getting more traffic and sales though, that'll help with Google, huh? your things are fun and creative and wonderful.
glad you've gotten so much support and good ideas here. thanks for sharing.

[Former_Member]

All I can say Katy is that your things are beautiful and some people just have WAY too much time on their hands and nastiness in their hearts. Don't let them get you down.

[Former_Member]

Mana, thanks for the link. I've been using polymer clay for years and know you just have to be smart, as with paints and pastels and many other great materials. I secretly wish someone would convo me with the mean blog, though. Mara, great for you to offer a feature, too.

[ashleynchl]

I would be upset about it, too. However, not everyone who saw that site this morning is going to feel the same as the loser who posted horrid things about your creations. Maybe you'll get some sales out of it. I personally think your items a beautiful. I've never seen such unique earrings before. Especially these...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94897300/cmyk-swirl-polymer-gauged-earrings

Beautiful!

[jeminitreasures]

Hang in there and don't worry about the negative things being said! Any publicity is good publicity...

[Former_Member]

Your creations are Beautiful , I am so sorry this happened to you, I would be very upset if this had happened to me, I dont think anyone will take it very seriously after they do a little research , good luck and hopefully a much better day tomorrow!