So for those of you who don’t know. I am the founder of the glass art forums at Wetcanvas. I basically brought the biggest community of people to it thus support to this site as well. At first me and Harold were installed as Guides there, we expected and were told that eventually we would be moderators. But that didn’t happen and for some reason I was told by Val “that she always went to bat for me”. Why Val would have to “go to bat for me” was beyond me. I didn’t especially like to rock the boat anywhere and tried to be kind and courteous to everyone I came in contact with. I in fact authored 5 articles and co-authored quite a few more. I also am the person that has the most referrals there. I also worked hard at adding material to the Copyright free albums. I also donated quite a bit of money (it was a web site donation of $10.00 but I often was charged double by accident, never given a refund and I didn’t mind since it was for a good thing, I paid this $10 to $20 a month for more than a year, and I didn’t have a web site there). I worked hard trying to improve things and help. I did move to another country and had a bout with depression for a while, but once I got here in Mexico and I started working again I noticed a real shift. So I decided that after I was dumped as a guide without any notice or explanation that I would refrain from taking an active part in the community. It was obvious to me that I was not wanted there. I felt like I deserved a little bit more respect and kindness, after all I am the founder of those areas and I had worked very hard helping and giving. At least give me the courtesy of telling me that I was no longer a guide. Oh, and I was told that I was going to be given the “Advisor” status since I was not as active, but it would take Scott a little while to do this, to be patient. Well that didn’t happen either.
I have since found out that Scott sold the site to another party. Now I am beginning to understand. This person is very strict. You cannot ask for donations, you cannot tell others about fund raisers. I do not see the harm in telling other interested people about a fund raiser to help others. Let alone to ask for nubs to help a good cause. Anyway, I suppose that because it has effected me that I got upset about it. But the essense of the area is now gone. It is really obvious. I see so many people writing things slamming the site. It is just NOT as friendly as it used to be. Nor does it allow for people to be as creative as it used to be….How sad. It is my opinion, I have my own right to it…
Well, then I lost the order with the large Vendor that was participating with Wetcanvas financially as well. I posted some new work I did, told about the problem there in the Glass Showcase area without mentioning the Vendors name. The next day, my thread was moved to the Glass Art Lobby and I was Moderated. I was also threatened. It wasn’t a clear open threat, but I was told my post was moderated and edited and that I should “stay within the WC member agreement when posting so you can keep all of us updated with your progress.” In other words, play by the NEW rules, which I don’t like and didn’t join the community agreeing to, because they have since changed them or be suspended! I started the Wetcanvas Glass Art Forums in order to get away from the Politics of the ISGB, and now there were more politics going on at Wetcanvas than anywhere else it seems. Sadly it is all about money and control.
So now I promote Lampwork etc or for fun & venting The Angry Mandrel, I still love Wetcanvas but I am more reserved. It has turned into something not as free as I wanted it to be. We all went there for the freedom denied to us at the ISGB (for reasons that were important to them back then). They all have their purpose, but money sadly ruins alot of things. I am pretty tired by now of keeping my mouth shut, as you can tell. 