Please allow me to start by saying that over the last three years
both my wife and I have been excited to be a part of this wonderful
group of skilled, experienced, and sharing artisans. It is so
heart-warming to see others provide feedback, advise, and instruction
so selflessly. (It parallels my day work in social services :} ).
We have also had the pleasure of meeting quite a few Orchidians in
person while sharing a meal at a Tucson Orchid dinner (2004).
I understand how annoying it can be to come across posts that are
blatantly advertising one’s product and repeatedly pushing sales for
profit. I do no believe that this group was formed for this purpose.
I am now reading the original thread, and am angered and offended:
My quarrel is with those who do not participate in discussions,
simply using Orchid to put forth their own agenda and in fact
offering nothing to the membership at large.
Unless the initiator of the above thread has been tracking the day
to day involvement of orchid members, who are they to say that
particular posters have “offered nothing to the membership at large”.
This topic caught my eye as we have recently shared on Orchid our
need to move our remaining silver and turquoise inventory and
machinery at quite a SIGNIFICANT loss. (We are exploring a new
medium: glass). We have also recently posted that we are selling
off our NEW Lortone slab saw (also at a SIGNIFICANT loss). We have
posted these topics in hopes that either:
-
We could pass on a very good opportunity to another fellow
Orchidian lapidarist. Or,
-
We would receive some feedback from others that may have had a
similar need to liquidate. We received a lot of advise on
liquidation, consignment, as well as other helpful suggestions from
members on this matter. Thank you again for all your supportive
feedback.
Am I one of these posters that you wrote about that “do not
participate in discussions, [and] simply [use] Orchid to put forth
[my] own agenda and in fact [offer] nothing to the membership at
large”? We have been active with Orchid in the forum as well as
events for the past 2 years and, hopefully have offered help to
others by sharing our personal experiences.
As the poster stated, he/she is angry and concerned about others’
agendas. Ours (mine and my wife’s) has always been to be part of a
sharing and caring community of fellow artists and jewelers.
Please be respectful of other members and consider the impact/
effect your posts may have on others’ feelings.
Joe Ellis
Desert Canyon Jewelry
http:\members.cox.net\desertcanyonjewelry.htm
(my standard signature)