what to do...

[#1]

given the post etsy admin put out "advising" sellers not to do a collective shop like we are working on, what do you all think is the best route to take with this?

[Former_Member]

Thanks about the avi -trying to keep up with seasons :)

This is how I understand it all (but I could be wrong) Joyforjapan was started-but they were directly told that they couldn't go. Anyone know who was head of starting it? Not sure if the direct no was too discouraging?

loveforjapan was started by letterhappy without knowing all the hoopla going on with this shop-so that shop is going, but doesn't have alot of advertising about it's existence yet.

I can help with anything-but don't want to step on toes of those who are wanting to head stuff up.

[FineFashionsbyLinda]

I read through the threads yesterday and I think Kelli of BumNaturals started the JoyForJapan shop but then was told not to. (Don't quote me).

I just want to help anywhere if needed but really I'm looking for somewhere to donate instead of dragging my feet any longer.

[cindylouwho2]

I am surprised whoever is running the Joy shop has not jumped in here recently - they perhaps should be contacted, if they haven't already heard that the shop has been approved.

[Former_Member]

oneinthehand is who originally contacted me-I just sent her a convo asking if they still were interested and knew that the official line was changed.

anyone talked to loveforjapan?

my boys are trying to attack each other-gotta go! :)

[Former_Member]

Hi - got your convo, FiveSparrows! I just convo'd Kelli (bumnaturals) to tell her to get over here, read the update . . .

I'm ready to donate items but am not going to be able to help run the shop, I'm sorry. Spread incredibly thin and barely keeping up with life at the moment. I'll keep an eye on this discussion, though, to see whether which shop is going to end up as "the" shop.

[Former_Member]

If kelli still wants to make joyforjapan go-that would be great! Two shops doing the same thing aren't a problem-more money to raise that way :)

I did convo loveforjapan too-wanted to make sure she was ready for an influx of donations before saying "go there"

will let ya'll know what I learn :)

[Former_Member]

me again :) Just got a convo back from christen at loveforjapan. She is ready to go and will take donations!

I don't want to step on toes and send people away if kelli still wants to do this shop, but I also know there are alot of people ready to go and donate because it seems like we've already been waiting so long to do something. but, like i said, nothing wrong with 2 shops if this one still goes too! :)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

hey guys! Sorry I was MIA today....big project needed to be tackled here while the weather was fantastic -- hoping to finish it up tomorrow.

Needless to say...I'm exhausted - so I'll catch up on what I missed tomorrow.

Judging by the last post (HI Colleen!) - here's hoping we hear from Kelli by then. But yes Colleen - I totally agree that 2 shops is fine.....as long as they each have enough man power to help them. It is a big undertaking.

OK...gonna start shutting everything down now. I'll stop in briefly in the morning to catch up. (Warning...I will be on minimal caffeine at that time!)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Good Morning!

Hi & welcome Linda!

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

FiveSparrows says

fuzzysushi says

Has anybody donated to the LoveForJapan shop? Or talked to them?

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I think 4getmenot was talking to them- since they are up and running already. But that's all I know :)
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Nope. I was talking with Amy (FieldTrip) who was talking to Christen (LetterHappy)
I did send a convo to Christen...but stupidly sent it to LetterHappy instead of LoveforJapan -- in hindsight....she's probably been in the Japan shop. (Duh.....)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

FiveSparrows says

Thanks about the avi -trying to keep up with seasons :)

This is how I understand it all (but I could be wrong) Joyforjapan was started-but they were directly told that they couldn't go. Anyone know who was head of starting it? Not sure if the direct no was too discouraging?
---------------
100% correct. Christen had already started LoveforJapan -- and then somehow got wind of the hoopla in the other thread & put the shop in vaca mode while everything was being "discussed"

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

FiveSparrows says

me again :) Just got a convo back from christen at loveforjapan. She is ready to go and will take donations!

I don't want to step on toes and send people away if kelli still wants to do this shop, but I also know there are alot of people ready to go and donate because it seems like we've already been waiting so long to do something. but, like i said, nothing wrong with 2 shops if this one still goes too! :)
***********
Good to see that Christen is ready for donations.

And...I agree with everything else here.

Again, my only concern would be manpower for two shops.....

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Thanks oneinhand for getting in touch with Kelli for us!! Hopefully we'll hear back from her today.

I can help with either or both shops. However, I can't take on a "lead" role. Life just isn't mine over the next 3 months. (And, I go away for a week next week -- which is my biggest concern on taking on a huge chunk of a shop. It is too early in on the set up for a "key" person to vacate for that long).

I also can help recruit folks to help out -- but need to know what type of help the shop(s) would need.

I'll be relatively scarce throughout the day, as we need to try to finish up that huge project here today. But, I'll try to get back and check in periodically throughout the day.

[FineFashionsbyLinda]

Thanks for the welcome 4GetMeNot.

I agree that two shops should work, might ease the burden if both shops are set up well.

I can help out as I have minimal other commitments so I am here and available if needed. (I just moved my computer into my work area so feel as though I can accomplish more now).

I'm also ready to donate as soon as everyone is ready.
It looks as though LoveFor is set up but I don't see alll the necessary info and would like to know it's not going to be shut down before I donate over there too.

[SarawenPerfume]

I guess this is good news for JoyForJapan shop!

I'm at home most of the day and would be very happy to help with the shop, but like 4Get I don't think I can take on any kind of lead role. I'm all set and just waiting for the go-ahead and info from our leaders! :)

[Former_Member]

I'm at the same point-am willing to help, but can't take on the whole leading thing. My stress level is too high already from dealing with some health issues with my son. So...I don't know...we wait some more? :)

Once you said something Linda I did notice that too about Loveforjapan - so I don't know :(

[FineFashionsbyLinda]

So it looks as though we are just waiting for a chief.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

hey gang!

Still no word from Kelli, huh? I hope everything is ok! I'm getting worried about her now.....

I did hear back from Christen (loveforjapan) -- as I predicted...she was buried in THAT shop - not her own ;)

As Colleen said - she's ready to take donations & would love folks to start promoting the shop.

I've asked her what other help she needed & also asked her about the charity approval. I know she knows the "deal" with that having run the Help the Gulf Coast Shop (and she had quite a time finding a charity that WOULD take the $$! In the end - she found two.) So, I'm sure it's just a matter of waiting on that. But, I'll let you know when I hear back from her.

I told here there are many people wiling to help if she needed. AND, I told here that we're also waiting to hear back from Kelli to see what's up with JoyforJapan.....and that I think this cause can handle 2 shops raising $$ for relief efforts. Additionally, should there be 2 - the can cross-promote one another if they need/want to.

That's my update for now. I'll keep everyone posted as I hear stuff. (And of course will check in too!)

Looks like I'm going to need another day....maybe 2 for this home project. Hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow......

[Former_Member]

Great! Well, I'm going to go ahead and donate a few items to LoveForJapan. And, if JoyForJapan gets up and running, I will do the same.

Thanks! I'm excited that we get to move forward finally! Whether in just one shop or in both, either way is better than what we had to start...

[Former_Member]

I heard from Kelli. Things have come up, she won't be able to run the JoyForJapan shop, but will turn it over to someone if they want it.
She also noted the LoveForJapan shop and understands if people just go with that one.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the news oneinthehand!

[Former_Member]

wish I had the time, because it would be nice to get joyforjapan going- if it were even 6 months from now I'd seriously consider taking charge.

oh well-at least we made a good arguement for why these kinds of shops work! :)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Hi gang! Sorry!!! Today was one of those days....that I have NO clue where it went!

Thanks for the update oneinthehand!

((((HUGS)))) to Kelli!!! Hoping that it is nothing serious (in a terrible way) that has come up in her life. And kudos to her for her beginning efforts here!!!

That said -- let's NOT get discouraged on the JoyforJapan shop. I've noticed it's very, very quiet around Etsy this weekend.....all "teams" I'm on have been very "light". Perhaps the *right* member just hasn't checked in here yet.

And, all was not lost in our arguing. LoveforJapan is now able to soar because of the argument we put forth --- as are other collective shops down the road that may be needed for similar causes.

Should JoyforJapan be *meant* to open as well -- it will be. And, it will have support - which is very important!!

I too Colleen would be willing to take it on, but I'd need at least a month - better would be 2. I have 2 major events back to back each weekend in April....and my huge Crew fundraiser (that I haven't even begun working on yet) - on Mother's Day weekend.

I have a bunch of "manipulative" time I can give....sporadic minutes - and even good size chunks. Just....not the type of time that's needed to get something like this off the ground.....and running before "escaping" from time to time.

:) But.....someone out there has it :)

In the meantime -- we can still use *here* to move forward with all efforts -- LoveforJapan; JoyforJapan -- it's for Japan.........and about Japan........ and that's why we're *here*.

I don't think I've heard back from Christen -- have a bunch of convos I haven't gotten to yet -- but at quick glance I didn't see anything from her.

Will keep y'all posted though :)

[Former_Member]

HI EVERYBODY!

this is christen from letterhappy.etsy.com and i'm just checking in to let everybody know that i'm openly accepting donations for loveforjapan.etsy.com! {dee, i hope it's okay that i'm basically responding to your convo here for everyone to see!} ;)

i know there were some concerns about sticking to the rules, so i'm just going to let everybody know what i've done so far:

i've contacted the red cross and submitted an application to be able to donate.. their website says it could take up to 10 days to hear back, so.. pending approval, that's where 100% of the money will be going.

also, i know it's been mentioned that i ran the helpthegulfcoast shop, but i don't want to take credit for that! that was kate of flapperdoodle.etsy.com. i did write a storque article promoting that shop {as well as donating items and making tees for my own shop} but i was not the head of it.. kate did such a fabulous job, and i may get in touch with her to see if there were any additional hoops she needed to jump through that i haven't thought of yet.

as far as the collective rules {listing all members' roles in the profile, etc.}, i've got a running list of everyone who has donated items in the profile section, as well as my name / shop address and amy's {fieldtrip} info since she is helping me out with the sales notifications.

i'll also be putting full directions on how to donate in the profile and shop announcement, since the way i'm doing it now {with having to explain the process to each person} is a bit of a time suck, haha!

if anybody has any more questions or concerns, i'm happy to try to answer them! you can post it here or convo me directly!

one final thing.. since the creators of joyforjapan aren't going to be able to go through with that shop, should we create a loveforjapan team? i'll be happy to do that, i just wanted to make sure everybody knew we were shifting over there before i did it.

thanks, y'all!
christen :)

[Former_Member]

and maybe wondering if we should talk to someone at etsy.. i know they've already publicized the joyforjapan tag, but if this is going to be the main collective shop, should we get it changed to loveforjapan?

that might screw some people up bigtime though, especially if they've already gone through and tagged entire shops worth of items..