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Post by MTRuth on Jul 23, 2019 16:43:04 GMT
Hello Everyone,
I hope that you will take a few moments and reply to this post so that we can get everyone's opinions about our forum. We have had the forum for eight years and have always had an ebb and flow of participation. Over the years, we have had many participants and posters but lately we have noted a significant drop in posting. We would like to continue to provide this resource but it seems that many people are not interested in a forum type setting and prefer Facebook groups.
We are considering a variety of options for the forum but we don't want to close it down as there is so much information available here. It costs money to maintain and keep it ad free. Luckily, in the past, our members have supported the forum financially to keep it ad free. We have really appreciated everyone's support. But is it worth it to keep it ad free when people don't seem to be using it much?
We would really appreciate it if you would let us know your opinion about the forum and how we could improve it.
Here are a few questions to get you started:
What do you like about the forum?
What do you not like about the forum?
Why did you join the forum?
Why do you not post or join in the conversations here?
Are you in Facebook groups and would you prefer to share your felting/fiber work in that type of setting?
What would you encourage you to post more on the forum?
Would you mind if there were ads on the forum?
Please share all of your opinions/ideas on the forum.
Thanks!
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Post by dottyhen on Jul 23, 2019 17:12:04 GMT
Oh no! Please don't close the forum down! I joined it to be able to link with other feltmakers and although I haven't posted in a while, it is only because I have been busy and have not been able to do any felting for almost a year (leading to serious withdrawal symptoms). I have always appreciated the forum for the vast knowledge of the people on here and their encouraging attitude. Although I am a member of a few Facebook groups I am less likely to post in them, they seem to be more about people showing what they have made, which is interesting but I also like being able to ask for help when I have problems (which I wouldn't feel so comfortable doing on Facebook groups). I like the fact that the forum is split into the different sections so that if you have been away from it for a while, or you are more interested in a particular subject, you can quickly see what is new since you last visited. I don't think I would mind ads if it meant that the forum could continue. My email provider has ads and although they were annoying to start off with I have learnt to mostly ignore them.
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tanya
Junior Member
Posts: 24
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Post by tanya on Jul 23, 2019 17:27:45 GMT
I’m sorry I haven’t posted much. I do look at the posts and and I enjoy the forum a lot. If I have a query about feltmaking I look on the forum and find the answer! Thanks everyone. I suppose I don’t post much because I don’t felt much (apart from needle felting) I’m not very experienced at wet felting (I would love to do more)and I don’t feel I have anything worthwhile to say. However, I do love this forum it has a friendlier, inclusive feel to it, and although I don’t post much, I did contribute a month financially and would do so again to keep the forum running. Thanks to everyone who does post though I really appreciate it.
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Post by lyn on Jul 23, 2019 17:32:01 GMT
I have noticed a drop-off in posting - such a shame. Annie wondered if it had anything to do with the rise of sites such as 'Instagram'?
I do wonder if people have so much to look at online that it's always a quick dash between interesting things leaving no time to stop and comment.
Is it just a lack of postings or have visitor numbers dropped?
I like the forum because it's a friendly place and members are willing to help each other and there's never a shortage of inspiration.
I joined the forum because there is nothing else like it for fibre enthusiasts and I can't think of anything I don't like about it.
The ads are bearable and after a while you don't notice them.
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Post by carolv on Jul 23, 2019 17:58:03 GMT
Hi everyone; I definitely agree with everything dottyhen has said. The knowledge base in this forum is incredible! Although I haven't posted, I always am "lurking" for techniques that aren't shared on Facebook groups. Ads would be ok to get used to, we are pretty much conditioned to see and ignore them. The Facebook groups have the 'here and now' ideas, but if a person wants more sharing of knowledge/techniques this forum is where I come to, even if not regularily. If this forum was converted to a facebook group I believe the knowledge base would be lost, unless you could safe it all in files or folders? But that would be a daunting task. Perhaps ads to pay for the forum, and a link to a new facebook group for this forum somehow? Thank you all for the hard work and dedication to this forum. An exceptional feat!
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Post by koffipot on Jul 23, 2019 18:09:25 GMT
Hi Ruth, I joined the Forum right at the beginning, when we all decamped from the other group and I've enjoyed the camaraderie, the learning and sharing of skills, there's nothing I dislike about it. However, some time ago, I just lost my felting mojo and began to concentrate on spinning and weaving and joined some spinning and weaving groups, some of which are on Facebook. Ads can be invasive, but they do keep the running cost down. I wouldn't object. I do pop in here from time to time to take a peek, but haven't posted anything for some time. I'm on holiday just now and have brought along my little 'Presto' loom to prevent fibre withdrawal symptoms, so perhaps I'll post a photo right now.
Best wishes
Judith
PS Just thought I'd mention that a warning has come up saying this is not a secure site. I don't remember ever seeing that before.
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Post by crealou on Jul 23, 2019 18:28:57 GMT
Hello, I know you are all working hard. I have no time at all to come on the forum. But when I did I enjoyed it so much. It would be sad to close it. Anyway thanks to all of you that kept it alive for so long.
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nancy
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by nancy on Jul 23, 2019 18:38:24 GMT
I'm so sorry not to have participated much! This site/forum is a treasure trove of information. I like how personal and supportive the group is. I joined to find out how to felt and how to do it better and what experts are doing. I haven't joined in because I have gotten distracted and have not been checking what's going on in this forum. I am in a few Facebook groups for natural dyeing and botanical printing. They are also good sources of information but are overwhelming. To be posting my work I would have to focus more time on creating, which I have not been doing lately. I sure do have a closet full of wool waiting for me. Ads are hateful but if that would keep you going you would have to have them. Do what you need to do. And thank you all so much for your creating this and hosting.
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on Jul 23, 2019 19:35:24 GMT
The honest and quick reply for me is, I'm terrible at forums. I don't quite get the way one navigates, it's hard for me to find what I'm looking for (namely, replies to questions I'm interested in). Having said this, the forum is a huge asset and I think you should try to keep it open if possible. I wouldn't mind adverts at all, as long as they're ethical and not a "try this miracle pill to grow hair on the back of your knees" sort of thing.
I use FB mostly for work, and that means using their groups to seek help and talk to other fibre sellers. Despite not liking FB I'd love to see a FFS group there!
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debs
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by debs on Jul 23, 2019 20:25:03 GMT
Hello..
I believe that this is my first post in a forum...of any kind. The topic motivated me to overcome my hesitancy and dive in.
I am a new felter, and joined this forum because of the abundance of information available here. In beginning my felting venture, I searched out ways to connect with people and ideas that could teach me about felting and fibre. I have no other fibre skills, nor do I sew. I needed to start at the very beginning. I live in an area that does not have a huge fibre resource, by comparison to other countries or other areas of this country. This forum brings the rest of the world a little closer. It is also available 24 hours a day.
I do not post in the forum as I do not (yet) have the skills to share. I am unfamiliar with forums and posting, so with lack of knowledge and trepidition regarding forum use, I have not joined in conversations. With this post, I am encouraged to participate. I feel especially encouraged by the email I received regarding this topic. There is nothing that I do not like about the forum, and feel that it would be a shame to lose such a valuable resource.
I understand the financial need to bring in ads, or find alternate ways to finance the forum. I would be willing to be part of a fee system, or if the Forum leaders felt (see what I did there?) ads were the way to go, I would support it as well. In fact, ads for felting supplies and suppliers would be welcome!
I do not think that I would participate in a Facebook group. While I am on the platform, it is likely not something that would work for me.
I love it that there is a will to seek resolution, and elicit positive response to the continuation of this resource. It speaks to the dedication of the Forum leaders, and is in itself a representation of why the forum should continue. My thanks to all who have contributed to this wonderful resource.
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Post by thepaisleybaglady on Jul 23, 2019 22:11:55 GMT
Hi I don’t understand how to navigate forums. I stumble through and find things but I really like the emails and updates I get. I tend to avoid facebook as it feels very exposed and impersonal. If I post on a forum I cant find my way back. I would not mind some adverts. Thank you for this information and sharing. I’m sorry not to be able to give better feedback. Regards Janet
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Post by Frances on Jul 23, 2019 23:02:55 GMT
Hello everyone - I still read the posts periodically and really enjoy them. Everyone involved does an excellent job. I rarely felt in the Summer months but still do felt in the winter. I will admit that I have been remiss in posting the Hats and Scarves I made last winter. I might felt more if I had a local group to work/share with. The closest fiber group is an hour to an hour and a half away in heavy traffic so I made the decision not to commit to that organization. The people in this group have taught me so much and I will try to participate more. This is the most valuable resource I have found for any creative endeavor I try. I am a member of a National Organization with a website and you put them to shame with the information I garner from this site. If you need ads or a small subscription fee to pay for this site I would happily go along with your decision.
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Post by weavermum on Jul 23, 2019 23:31:17 GMT
I seem to be very busy and cannot do anything as fast as before . I much prefer good old email, no facebook or other venues. I also have not been felting lately, just spinning,dyeing and weaving. My energy is low so I am only good in the morning. I am working on it as best as I can.
I like that there is a forum. Weavermum
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Post by ewenice on Jul 24, 2019 1:03:36 GMT
One thing I really like about this forum is that I don't have to go to Facebook to access it. Trips to FB tend to end up with my down the rabbit hole for hours only to emerge with nothing done and having completely forgotten what I originally logged on to do. Having said that, I often forget the forum is here. I love to get emails that remind me that someone has posted. I also haven't been doing much felting or crafting of any kind lately. I wouldn't mind ads, but I would hate to see the forum taken down. There really is a wealth of information on here.
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Post by pamster on Jul 24, 2019 4:33:10 GMT
I joined the forum nearly two years ago when I first discovered felting and love: being able to ask questions when it doesn't turn out the same as the youtube video; the information that is available; the willingness of other felters to share their knowledge; how supportive and friendly everyone is; the inspiration I find; and the challenges each quarter. There is nothing I dislike but I wouldn't be able to post anything if it went to FB and I am happy to make a small donation to keep it ad free. Thank you all for creating this forum, long may it continue
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