Setting The Record Straight… The Polymer Clay Tutor Videos Will Continue To Be Complimentary Every Week (for now anyway):
There’s been some confusion about the upcoming membership site announcement discussed in last week’s September 25 post. That article was intended to ONLY be about the video newsletter back issues. It was NOT supposed to be about whether there would be a fee for the regular weekly delivery of the newsletter.
Any talk of pricing was meant to be for those of you who want to build an ongoing private library of videos to refer back as often as you like.
For now, I am not planning to take away the free weekly access that so many of you have been enjoying and benefiting from.
By the way, here’s the link to the September 25th blog post if you want to get caught up with all of the commenting that happened over there: Video Polymer Clay Tutorial Back Issues
So for those of you who were thinking of saying “farewell,” there’s no need to worry. My polymer clay tutorial videos will continue to be available free […except of course for the last couple of weeks while I have been working *very* hard to get things switched over to the new membership site platform].
The reason I am making this big switch is because it will allow me to deliver all of the video content [plus the new color recipe cards… which I think you are going to love], all in one place.
The free stuff will be there; The paid video archive library; The monthly courses; The Recipe Cards; etc., etc.
This new “platform” will also allow me to add in other exciting enhancements like member photo uploading of community discussion groups… one step at a time though :-).
Entry level memberships to this new members library will be free. And all of you will definitely be welcome!!!
Even More Good News…
I took into account everything that was shared in the September 25 blog post about how much should be charged for the video newsletter back issues.
Many of you asked that the price be set at $2 a month. I suggested $10… but have ended up coming way down to about the $3 per month level.
I sharpened my pencil as best I could to make this library idea as accessible as possible. I’m sincerely hoping that the majority of you will be able to take advantage this offer.
If you do, that will allow the “numbers” to work on my end so that prices won’t have to be raised to cover costs down the road.
As suggested, I will also look for other means to support the network as well, through sponsorships and advertising opportunities.
To keep things ultra simple, the price will be $9.95 charged every 3 months using PayPal’s auto billing, credit card system. If you have a Paypal account, great! If not, that’s not a problem. Paypal allows you to use your credit card directly with their system.
This $9.95/3month rate will give you ongoing access to not only the searchable video archives, but you will also receive 1 new polymer clay recipe card every week as well.
I wish I could give you the sign up link right now, but I’m still working (frantically) to get everything set up and functioning properly. It will be soon though. I promise! Thank you so much to everyone for your kind understanding and support.
PS: I haven’t forgotten about the bonus color recipe cards promised to everyone who shared thoughts and opinions about the pricing issue. When the members library opens, I will be sending out an email to all of you explaining how you will be able to add these recipe cards to your personal accounts.
Please tell me what you think about the above proposal in the comments section below. Does this work for you?
I feel that anyone who takes as much effort and time to develop a good product as you have, Cindy, should be compensated for it. I bought the beginners course and thought that would also allow me to see the tutorials in the library as well as the ones I get each week. Since I bought the course as soon as I found your site I didnt realize that everyone gets the tutorials each week free anyway. I don’t mind paying for your time and effort for tutorials, blogs, articles, etc. from this time forward, and have my paypal account ready to go.
However, I’m probably the only one who isn’t following and am often slow on the uptake. I still don’t understand what we are being asked to pay for if we will continue to get the tutorials for free. It makes sense to me that if we get the tutorials for free each week, why can’t we get past issues also? Do they cost to maintain on a server? I honestly am not following.
I thought last week’s discussion was about continuing to get the tutorials but at a cost along with access to all the past tutorials too. I feel like I am missing a paragraph.
I don’t understand why this seems to center around the past tutorials. It almost gives me a bad feeling. Please shed some light on the reason the past tutorials are the issue. Or explain what I have obviously missed in the discussion. Thank you. -Lani
Sorry for the confusion Lani. You hit the nail on the head when you asked if it is costing to maintain the videos on the server. These are streaming web videos… so yes it does cost me “bandwidth” every time somebody watches them.
My intent from the beginning has always been to offer a free video newsletter because it’s a great way to introduce the paid products, such as the course you purchased. Thank you for being a customer.
However, what I have been noticing is that many subscribers to the free newsletter have been bookmarking the video pages over the last couple of months, and watching the individual clips a fair number of times over multiple weeks. As well, the video links have been passed around and posted on other web sites too.
All this activity is very flattering. It really is! But the bandwidth also racks up a pretty good tab at my web hosting account.
The other thing I was having to deal with was a lot of people asking me to send them individual videos that were emailed out at a point before they joined the Guest List. This is quite a time consuming process.
So it all came down to coming up with a “video content delivery system” that would help to address the above issues. By the way, this new system by itself costs me more than $200 per month to maintain, which is over and above the bandwidth costs and other expenses that I discussed last week.
Now, why would you pay for access to the back issues when you can just watch each one free every week before they get transferred over to the paid library?
Well the main reason is probably because of what I have already mentioned… that many of you are watching them several times over an extended period as you get some spare moments to try out the various techniques.
The recipe cards that I’m adding into the package can be viewed as the cherry on top, or the frosting so to speak. They will help to justify the $9.95/3month membership fee.
Thanks so much for bringing up your questions Lani. Hopefully these paragraphs helped to clarify things better. I really don’t want you to have any “bad feelings” towards me :(
Oh my goodness! I haven’t been able to check email for a while and couldn’t figure out what all the talk about fees was about!! Now that I’ve read that email where you asked the question, I understand! Whew!!!
Cindy, I can’t tell you how wonderful your videos have been for me. The course I purchased has launched me into creating beads that are an amazement to me and also to my friends! I love all the videos you send as well as your prompt answers to any questions or concerns. Being able to learn from your mistakes is very, very valuable and frankly, I was wondering just how you did it without charging a subscription fee. So, I think your proposal is fair and reasonable and, from reading all the other posts, will meet the needs of most of us out there. Thanks again for all your hard work and willingness to share your knowledge and experience with us.
Hi Cindy, Hope this question isn’t off topic.
I’m wondering when your other courses will be ready? I know you have your hands full but I keep waiting …. :) JoAnne
Good question JoAnne. Thanks for your interest. As soon as this membership site is launched, adding more courses is at the top of my priority list. Now if only there were more hours in the day :)
Hi!!!! Your awesome and thank you for going to the trouble of helping us prevent mistakes you learned the hardway. I’m onboard either way. :) :) :)
Hi Cindy,
I have learned so much from just watching your videos and I do appreciate all your hard work! I think the fee system is fair and please count me in. I am looking forward to continuing to learn about working with polymer clay. Your instructions are clear and easy to follow. Thanks so much!
Hi Cindy!
Thank you for all of the clarification on everything that is going on. I’m having enough problems with my computer, without having to handle that too. Heh Yuh!!!
I feel as though your offer is very reasonable, and must commend you on how good you’re handling things. What you have on your plate is a-mazzzzz-ingggg!!! For myself, “I’d avoid the rush and commit myself early”. Sorry, if this remark is offensive to someone, but it applies to myself only. Ha! Ha!
I will be definitely joining you with this new venture, and am thankful that I tripped across your website. The tutorial I purchased was unbelievable, and very insiteful to me. I’ll be back to it again on the weekend. It offered so much information, that most people don’t share — even when someone pays a fee for it. So, thank you for being so generous with your knowledge. Cindy! I found so much useful information in that purchase, and know that my mind (at this juncture) needs a reminder.
In any event, you are a shot of adrenelum (sp.), and I’m sure alot of people are learning from it all. Hope that more people will join in, and also that they will be fair to you. I felt badly to know, that (if I read it right) people were passing the information around — like it was “old home’s week!” It mainly was offensive, because it was costing you for this. Did people actually post it on other websites? It’s always okay to share, but we have to be responsible. If we are sharing our own expertise, which I do often, than that’s a different slant on this perspective.
Thanks again, for your kindness and your patience with all of us. You have been dubbed to be “A Saint in Martyrdom”. Hey! When it comes to teaching people, it does take patience. All of us are very different.
In any event, your being there for us is a plus in our direction, and we’ll have to send you “a feather for your cap”. Ha! Ha!
Ta! Ta! Cindy, you’re top banana! I’ve dealt with alot of people on the internet, and trust me — you are beyond fair!
Sincerely,
DIANA/Queen of Beads
p.s. Queen of Beads, and Novice of Clay. Ahem!
Hey Cindy!!!
Just tell me where and when to pay!! I have been far too busy these past few weeks to keep “in the loop” here but sure do want to learn all I can…I have yet to open my newest clay packages but plan on doing that next week!!! Thanks for taking the time to work on all this for us…so you let us know when to pay! I wish I had commented in time on the other posting! I can’t wait to see what your recipe cards look like! LOL
I think what you are doing is a good idea and I hope it helps to defray some of the costs that are associated with such a venture. you perform a great service to newbies and to those of us who are seasoned clayers. It is surprising how much we sometimes forget about.
Kriss
Hi Cindy!! Hi everyone!!
Excuse me, I understood little about this issue
but it seems it is about paying a certain amount…
and through this we can pay to watch videos weekly tutorials?
I know that the cost to maintain the site is high and it is the fruit of a long process.
Please help me, because my translator is not and I’m looking to collaborate. How can I do to add to all this journey?
A big hug.
I believe it is a great idea, and 3 $ per month is a correct price. You worth it! I hope I will afford it also in the future, it is a reasonable price
I was wondering if you’d consider a pay-as-you go type subscription, maybe a set price per video?
I’m in the same boat as a lot of other people, and wouldn’t want to pay for something I already knew.
I guess that would be complicated to administer though.
I don’t think the money I’d pay for a subscription would actually translate into an equivalent amount of profit for my shop, if that makes any sense. Although I do think your videos are great, because claying is a business for me I’d have to consider it as purely a business investment.
Anna…xxx
Thank you all so for who have chimed in. Please keep those comments coming. I would really love to hear from as many of you as possible in advance of the official launch of the membership site.
FYI: Once the site launches, it is much more difficult to make changes amd adjustments based on all of your valued suggestions.
@Anna – You asked if I would consider a “pay-as-you-go” option for selective information. That is exactly what the monthly courses will be for. They will provide you with in-depth tutoring on very specific topics. And you will be able to purchase them individually.
I think the pricing you have come up with is very reasonable. I will participate for sure. Lynn
I think the $3.00 a month is well worth it because your instructions are so good and I need someone to show me. I don’t learn well from pictures in a book that don’t show half of the steps, whereas your videos show all of the steps right there in front of you. Your site is a very valuable service to me and well worth the price!
Cindy,
I am just new to the site and very impressed and enthusiastic about all the videos and information on your site. I can understand that it is costing you to keep the site up. I think your fee is reasonable in that a magazine would cost about $6.00 (a subscription around $30) and we actually can view a video plus be able to receive additional information on your site and blog our concerns and questions. So, I am in agreement with the price and looking forward to the new changes. Thanks for all you do Cindy.
I am new to your site and have not been able to watch your tutorials in full. I would love to have access to them, and feel that the 3.00 per month is a very reasonable fee.
My question is: Will I need to wait until you have the new site up and running to access your videos? I stumbled upon your site while searching and researching the internet for any information and help with polymer clay. Ive been working with it about a year, and I’m self taught. I am so anxious to get into the loop and learn from you. Thanks for all you do.
Hugs Peg :)
RE PEG’S QUESTION ABOUT THE WAIT: It’s great to hear that you are so anxious to get into the loop. You have found me just at the right time because the new members site will be opening up very soon now. Sign up information will be emailed to everyone who has subscribed to the Guest List. Hugs back, Cindy Lietz
Hi Cindy. Thanks again for taking care of us. I guess that you have a lot of people in your Guest List so if each of us answers to each of your mails you’d end up crazy. I like to be grateful but after thinking about it I realized it would be worse for you if I reply to each message.
I just wanted to let you know that I don’t mean to be ungrateful if I do not answer to your mails; be sure I’ll be waiting for them anxiously.
I’ve never done anything with polymer clay, so I’m an absolutely newbie in this technique. In fact my favorite handcraft is cross stitch and the only one I’ve practised up to now. I’ve created a blog to show my stuff (from 2008 on, not previous things). I haven’t done much this year but I still wanted to show it. You can have a look if you’re interested and you have time. It is and will be mainly cross stitch but I plan to post all my handcrafts there.
Hugs from Spain.
Hi Mis Labores from Spain. I love it that you are here!
To address your comment about sending me emails directly… yes you are right that I would go crazy if everyone did that. But posting blog comments… the more the better :)
If everyone responded here at the blog that would make me really happy! It builds a sense of community where all of you can get to know each other, instead of just getting to know me.
And the fact that you are writing from Spain encourages others from your country to join in as well.
Actually this would be a good time to mention one of the things on my to do list. The first goal after getting the membership site launched, is to be release one new paid course per month. But then what I would like to do is translate these courses into multiple languages. Spanish for example.
It would be great if all of the International subscribers here would let me know if this translation idea would be of interest.
Hi Cindy, Wow, your fee is extremely reasonable. Maybe you should offer that rate to people who sign up by a certain date and then increase it to $5.00 monthly to others who join later; which is still extremely reasonable. Looking forward to more info in the future.
Anna
Cindy, Thanks for clarifying those issues. I understand what you are needing to accomplish and am 100% behind you. “A workman is worthy of his wage”, I believe. If someone is providing a product, it should be compensated for.
I know very little about websites and hosting them. I assumed making the past video’s available would be a passive income for you without any extra cost. I assumed wrong. Sometimes it’s just a matter of asking the right question to get some understanding. I will definately subscribe when you are up and running. Your product is better than any other I have seen out there and definately worth the cost of $9.95/3mth -Lani
Hi Cindy!
I, too, am ready with PayPal link in hand, just let me know where, when, and how much and I’m in…
I really appreciate all your hard work and dedication to the tutorials and I for one really get alot of help from them.
Thanks again!
Hi everybody,
Thanks Cindy for moving my mail here; I hadn’t found this blog before.
As some of you have already read I’m new here and I’ve never done anything with polymer clay before. On Friday I bought a few things and I hope next week I’ll be able to start practising.
Hugs.
Dear Cindy,
I have been very sick, so I have not been in the loop much lately. Please forgive me for not posting earlier.
Cindy, I want you to know that I will be signing up when your new membership opens up. I was really struggling with the idea of having another “bill” to pay, as I am not in a good position financially right now. I thought it over good and long, and decided that because I really value how well you teach, and how much effort you put into everything that you offer to us, you SO DESERVE to make something for it. It would be totally selfish of me to think that I should reap benefits, and you should just keep giving them out for free. No, because, Cindy, you would just burn out and go away eventually if you continued to do this, and this would really be a sad thing. I just hope that at around $3.00 a month, you will also be able to make some kind of a profit for yourself, and not JUST pay your bills. I talked it over with my husband (before you announced the $3.00 a month decision), and we both agreed that we would make $10.00 and month for membership with you, work in our budget. My point is that I value your knowledge, look forward to going past the beginning teachings as I progress, and am willing to pay for your instruction as long as I am able. I know I will be more comfortable paying the $3.00 a month price, but would STILL BE WILLING to pay the $10.00 a month price if you should decide that this price would work best for you in the long run, so that you will profit. You truly do deserve to make enough to be happy doing this for all of us.
All my best and support to you, Cindy Erickson
I THINK I WAS A BIT CONFUSED TOO AT FIRST…I THOUGHT YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT PAYING A FEE FOR NEW VIDEOS AND ALL THAT WOULD COME WITH INCLUDING THE RECIPE CARDS. I THINK YOUR PRICE OF 3.00 IS EXTREMELY FAIR AND I WILL DEFINITELY WANT IN ON THIS….SO TO CLARIFY…THE 3.00 WILL COVER ALL OLD VIDEOS AND ANY NEW ONES YOU ARE PRODUCING….IT WILL ALSO COVER THE COST OF THE RECIPE CARDS THAT WE CAN DOWNLOAD…HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE FREE VIDEO YOU SEND OUT…I MIGHT BE MISSING SOMETHING HERE…IF I AM PLEASE PARDON MY IGNORANCE AND EXPLAIN IT SO A KINDERGARDNER CAN UNDERSTAND….:0)
THANKX CINDY!!!!
Hi Pamela,
The way it will work is that when someone opts-in to pay $9.95 every 3 months on an ongoing basis (ie your credit card will be charged automatically every 3 months), you will have 24/7 access to the weekly videos and recipe cards that are released from the day you join and into the future… for as long as you keep current with the billing.
For members who have committed to this $9.95/3month payment plan, I will also set up something that allows you to purchase access to videos/recipes that were released before you subscribed to the auto billing system. The rate will be the same for those previous volumes ($9.95 for access to 3 months worth of videos). So if someone wanted access to 6 months worth of videos that were released before they opted into the payment plan, it would cost $9.95 x two.
For now my plan is to continue to release the free videos every week for anyone who doesn’t want to pay anything. But these videos will only be available to view for a limited time before they get transferred into the protected library.
Does this make sense?
Hi Cindy:
As you know I recently bought your Beginner’s course and I find it is just great. All those hints and tips make a great difference for someone like me just learning how to work with polymer clay (don’t find these in books). Some of us are more visual and need to really see how to do it rather than read on how it needs to be done. I find it just amazing that I can get a video course and see it as many times as I want and stop it, go back, etc.
I am really looking forward to the membership and waiting anxiously. I started making jewelry as a hobby about 5 years ago and think that being able to create our own beads, pendants, etc. in the colors of our choice is amazing. The other thing I like about it is that creating something really opens up your mind and imagination as to what we are capable of.
Your membership fee is very reasonable and I consider that we easily spend about as much as $3.00 for a cup of coffee any given day. I totally agree with others that you should be compensated for all the effort you put into it.
Keep up your great work and please let me know when your next course will be available as I will certainly buy it.
Thank you so much.
Gail Fornell
Hi Cindy!
I have great difficulty in understanding another language other than mine, but still managed to understand the explanations of their videos for free and this motivated me to want to see all your lessons on video. For that to happen I want to join the new plans and would like to know if already there is a possibility to pay as you expose here in these posts. I am anxiously to begin. I nailbiting already. hahaha
Kisses for you.
Cindy:
You said:
The way it will work is that when someone opts-in to pay $9.95 every 3 months on an ongoing basis (ie your credit card will be charged automatically every 3 months), you will have 24/7 access to the weekly videos and recipe cards that are released from the day you join and into the future… for as long as you keep current with the billing.
For members who have committed to this $9.95/3month payment plan, I will also set up something that allows you to purchase access to videos/recipes that were released before you subscribed to the auto billing system. The rate will be the same for those previous volumes ($9.95 for access to 3 months worth of videos). So if someone wanted access to 6 months worth of videos that were released before they opted into the payment plan, it would cost $9.95 x two.
My reply:
I thought I knew the deal, but your last explanation confused me. For the $9.95 rate we will only get the weekly video and the recipe cards from the time the new fee starts? And then if we want to access the previous videos we will need to purchase them?
I thought the idea was that once we paid the fee, we would still get the free weekly video, the recipe cards AND access to ALL prevoius videos.
Please clarify.
thanks
Thanks to *everyone* for continuing to leave your kind comments and questions. If I don’t address you specifically, it’s not that I didn’t read your entry. I did and really appreciate it.
Right now I’m trying to focus mostly on the comments where there’s still some confusion about how things will work in the new membership site.
So this response is primarily to address Jodi’s question directly above. Jodi, it appears that you feel the ongoing $9.95/3month membership fee should give you access to “ALL” videos and recipes right back to Volume 1 Issue 1, as well as all new releases.
That scenario would be like subscribing to your favorite print magazine and expecting all of the back issues that you hadn’t paid for, to be included with the first issue that you did pay for.
Another way to look at this would be… let’s say that you had been subscribing to my $9.95/3month membership plan for 12 months (4 consecutive payments). And then someone new came along that was allowed in with just one payment that gave them access to everything you had been paying for during the entire past year. I think you feel short changed, right?
Does that clear things up for you Jodi? Please let me know. And if I misunderstood your question, I’ll take another stab at it. Thanks.
Hi Cindy,
I’ll be more than happy to pay $3 a month. Let me know when it starts, how do I pay by paypal (I have an account) and if I’ll want to cancell my subscription, how do I do that.
Thank you in advance,
Corinne
Corinne,
To answer your question about subscription cancellations. There will be a button right in your account that will allow you to cancel your payments at any time, and thus, also cancel your access to the membership library. You are in control.
For those who do cancel, you will be welcome to come back at a later date. But please understand that the system will not have a “memory” of your previous account. So you would be starting from scratch again.
Hi Cindy.
Great sunday to you.
I need to know one thing… when I may pay for you?
(newbie always have a questions…ha! ha! )
Are you decide how much too?
Kisses kisses
And a great Sunday to you too Lilana from Brazil!! You are doing such a great job of practicing your English here at the blog. I only wish I could answer back in Portuguese :)
If all goes well, I am hoping to open the doors to the new membership site by the end of this week. I won’t be able to accept any payments until that time. The price will be $9.95 billed every 3 months.
Please consider an optional oneshot annual pricing. This automatic debiting does not appeal to me. Thanks
Thanks for your input atrz. The reason I am going with an auto debit system is because so many customers have told me they like being able to go back to watch the videos over and over again… knowing that there is no expiry date.
If I did oneshot pricing, an expiry date would have to be set, since there are bandwith costs incurred every time the streaming web videos are played. For more info about these bandwith costs, read my Oct 3, 6:36pm entry above.
Cindy: It is not so much what i am expecting, but what I understand it to mean.
Before, your past videos were available for free only to so many VIP club members, is this right? I know I tried to access a place to find the one video i was very interested in and it said that it was closed to new members (this was about 3 months ago).
SO, if you want to see the back issues, then you have to pay another 9.95 every 3 months? This is what I am confused about. If you are offering a free video every week, and those that pay the $9.95 for 3 months are not going to be able to get any back issues, then why pay if other are going to get it for free?
I guess I am just not understanding what you are doing. Thought I did, but apparently not.
Not to worry Jodi, I’ll explain it again from the beginning…
Up until now, everyone who signed up for the Guest List Video Newsletter received an email link to a new video tutorial every week. You could watch this video free, for as many times as you wanted.
But with so many people watching the videos, it has become a financial burden on me because of the operating expenses.
I love to help and would prefer not to have to stop the free videos. But in order to continue, I had to come up with a way to generate some revenue. That’s where the new membership site comes in.
The first “newsletter” membership level will be free. But instead of having access to the video for as long as you want, it will only be available to watch for a limited amount of time. Haven’t determined for how long, quite yet.
For those who want unlimited access to the videos to watch over and over again, I have put together a paid membership level which will cost $9.95 every 3 months on an ongoing basis. As an additional incentive to join the paid membership level, I have added weekly recipe cards which can be downloaded to your own computer and printed out.
For as long as you continue to pay the $9.95 every 3 months, you will get to ‘keep’ all the video newsletter issues that were sent to you from the point that you started paying. They will be available to you in your own personal archive library account.
If you quit paying, then you will no longer have access to your personal library, and your account will be erased. This only applies to the newsletter videos… and not to any courses you may have paid for.
Finally, any newsletter video issues that were released before the date that you started paying the $9.95 membership fee, will also be available for a fee. Up until now there was no easy way to get to see older videos if you missed them. Now you can.
The VIP club you mentioned is being phased out. It did not have the flexibility to do the things I described above.
Hopefully this clears things up for you Jodi.
That does explain it better. So, what is the price going to be to see the prevoius videos?
I have one video in mind which I want to see, and the one that I was looking for when I found your site. It is the one to make clay beads with rose petals. I am a newbie so would probably not access lots of old videos, but move on from where the fee starts, although i am sure there are many that will want to go way back.
thanks for what you do and for the time to explain this to me.
Jodi
Glad to hear that makes more sense now Jodi.
The pricing for the previous videos will be exactly the same as the pricing for future videos >> $9.95 for 3 months worth of videos (12 videos or 3 Volumes). This price will only be available to members who are subscribed to the $9.95 auto billing system.
Since I ended up bringing the subscription price down to such an affordable level, it won’t be feasible to sell individual videos.
Cindy, I was a little confused there at the begining of this blog. You said it would be $3.00 a month but you will bill us $9.95 for 3 months. Are you goaing to let us buy in at one month at a time at $3.00?
Also I am really sorry to hear that there are/were some people putting your videos on their sites. That is like stealing. I have mentioned you a few times on my blog but I have always put your http so they can go and sign up for them selves. I don’t understand why some people have to be like that.
But like in everything else it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone else, and I do understand why you had to change the way you were doing things.
I don’t know if I will be signing up at this time but it is only because I am still having trouble watching videos, not just yours. I think there is a problem with my computer that I haven’t been able to find. But when I do I will sign up. In the mean time I will keep reading your blog. I think you are great.
I wish you luck in this. It looks like you have a good following so far.
Hi CraftyLinda,
The reason I made that $3 per month reference was because of the original comments about a possible $2 per month price that happened in the Sept 25 post. I just wanted to “translate” the $9.95 per 3 month price into a monthly figure for comparison.
So to answer your question, no there will not be a one month payment option. It just costs too much in bank commissions and administrative fees to process small payments like that.
In regards to the video theft issue… you’d be amazed at what goes on. Re-posting them on other sites without permission is bad enough. But when you find your stuff getting repackaged and sold by unsavory characters… well that’s where it gets down right infuriating. That has not happened to me with the bead videos (knock on wood), but I do know people that have experienced this.
By the way, the links you posted on your blog are very much appreciated :)
And if there is anything at all I can do to help you figure out your computer video problem, just let me know. I’ll do what I can to help. You definitely are missing out on a whole ‘nother multimedia world.
Cindy, can you give us a ONE-TIME-PRICE to those of us who like to get total access to all previous video newsletters? I would prefer to pay a one time price for the previous ones and then get billed for future ones 3 months at at time.
Also, I’m sure this is posted in numerous places, but where can I get a list of all the previous video newsletters so I can see if I need the information supplied in them? Thanks -Lani
For you Lani, I would love to do this. You have been a wonderful customer and I appreciate that you are an active and vocal member of the community.
Would this option appeal to anyone else?
In regards to the list of “previous video newsletters” click on the link by name. Please note that the Volume and Issue numbers will change a bit in the new membership site, but the video content will be the same in each of the 17 videos.
I too wondered if there could be a “set price” for all the previous videos….so yes Lani’s idea would be an interesting option…
OK Keri. I’ve added your name to “the list” too. I’ll put together a Charter Member Package or something like that. Anyone else?
Hi Cindy!
I’m waiting for.
A good week for all.
Cindy, Please add me to your list as well. I would very much like to do it the way Lani suggested as well, if I can afford it, and if you will allow it. Please let me know what that cost would be.
Thanks much, Cindy Erickson
That one set price also sounds good to me.
Hi Cindy,
Just getting to my email and attempted to comment on the 9/25 post but apparently comments are closed. Anyway, I think that charging a fee is fair but I really don’t know what it takes to make all these fantastic videos and tutorials available to us, but my guess is enormous time and energy as well as a good amount of financial outlay. I definitely want to be included if possible. Please put me on the list. I will be away from the computer until at least the middle of December so will not reply until then.
Many thanks.
Hi Cindy,
I just took a minute to look at your web site – I’ll be glad to pay the monthly fee. I’ve been a computer programmer for 32 years, and I know how much work it is to make a website.
I am going to get a dremel tool to polish the polymer clay candle holders I’m making, so I checked out your article on that – I love the comment that you should wear clothes!
Betsy
I want to be a charter member.
I am definitely on board at that price. Let me know how soon this will be ready… Love your Videos and you are the FIRST person to show me how to do a leaf quickly and correctly. THANKS GIRLFRIEND !!!!!
I would also like to be a charter member and am interested in a one-time fee for past videos. Thanks so much!
Hi Cindy:
I appreciate all of your good work and love the videos. I would not be opposed to pay for 6 months at a time, and in fact would prefer it. Do you think that you could offer some options for people; say payment for 3 months or payment for 6 months?
Thanks!
Hi Cindy – I’m ready to sign up too – and will select from whatever choices are available. You’ve narrowed it down based on all the good feedback, and you’ve been more than fair with all you are offering us. Winter is on the way already here in Alaska, and I look forward to spending my winter craft time learning from you! Thanks for all your hard work!
Please add my name to the list for charter members!
I am very new to polymer clay and so far haven’t done too
much with. I think $3.00 mo is very reasonable. I would
like to purchase your videos but right now is not a thing
I can really do. However, the $9.95 for 3 months I believe can be very doable for me. I have found that
by far your training is about the best as far as video
quality, the training is very easy to understand, the
pictures sharp and the audio is excellent.
Please add me to your list as well. Thank you!
Hi Cindy,
I have read through all the comments and think that it all makes perfect sense. It sounds reasonable. I will be watching exchange rates, as ours (Australia) are a bit down against yours at the moment, so it makes it more expensive for me.
I do beleive however that if I intend to get into polymer clay beads a bit more then it will be worth every penny.
Not having time tonight to read thoroughly, I apologize. But would it be an option to let folks download the videos instead of stream them to cut down on the bandwidth? Or perhaps there is a sharing content concern.
Would I be considered a charter member? Have been getting your newsletter since the first one. Let me know what the charge for this would be.
****Cindy****
By George I think you’ve got it….:0)
This sounds yummy good to me and I can’t wait to get THE ‘link’ in my inbox so I can sign up!!!!
You have worked feverishly to accommodate all of us and perhaps there will be a way besides paying you that we will be able to accommodate you..
YOU are THE BEST!!!!
Thank YOU CINDY
Just wanted to pop in here quick and address the question about whether the videos will be downloadable or not. I won’t be allowing this because of potential piracy issues. You’d be amazed how quickly bootlegged stuff ends up being sold on other people’s sites and on eBay.
I hope it isn’t too late to sign up for charter membership. I have really enjoyed your videos (I keep saving them in my email so I can go over and over them.) I don’t have, nor want, a paypal account so will need word on how to recompense you for all the time you spend on this. Thanks for all the help you’ve given to all of us “newbies”.
Ok Cindy…
Count me in… I’m brand new at clay craft, but have been working all summer with little time to play with it. In about three weeks I’ll be free to play to my hearts content, so I’m ready to sign on! Also, I’d like to be able to purchase your back issues in one fell swoop!
Best of luck. I look forward to seeing your memebership sign-up page pop up on my computer screen! :o)
Best of luck,
Louise
Hi Cindy, for $3.00 a month I will try it for 3 months, I can always cancel if I’m not happy, why not? Sign me up.
Your friend,
Sandi
YOUR VIDEOS ARE SO HELPFUL. I THINK IT’S ONLY FAIR TO PAY YOU FAIRLY FOR THE WONDERFUL PRODUCT YOU OFFER. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PAY USING PAYPAL. ELLE
I would love to become a member…..
I think this sounds like a great idea. The cost is minimal to us but will hopefully be enough to accomplish what you need. Thanks for watching out for us!
Cindy…when you work hard and research and try and experiment and find better ways of doing things, then it is NOT a far stretch to imagine that someone will pay you for that research and hard work. It’s a nice thing to get something for nothing, but it’s also a nice thing to be paid for your work…ya know? I’m tired of others trying to leech out of me my methods of doing things…I will share up to a point, but after that, I need to get paid for the lessons I provide. Nothing you’ve done is in any way wrong…more power to you…
Hi Cindy
I just stumbled onto your site, and I am trying to catch up. I am a newbie too, and I think the club sounds VERY HELPFUL AND FAIR since there is no clay group in my area and to meet I must drive about 1 1/2 hrs. I also would love to buy access to all videos if I can afford the price (since I don’t sell pieces, and the money comes out of my budget). By keeping the price affordable it ensures long term participation and more members.
I just want to understand– If we cannot download the videos, can we at least save them to watch at a convenient time. I have small kids, and often times go weeks or months before I can even look at email, much less take time to watch a video. Will it still be there for me to catch up on?
THANKS for everything you do!!
Hi Karen,
Glad you stumbled upon the site… just in the nick of time too if you want to take advantage of the Charter Member Offer. It ends today (Oct 31).
To answer your question about long term access to the newsletter videos… the answer is YES! As long as you keep current with your $9.95 every 90 days subscription payment, then your personal library will be there for you when you need it.
Please hurry though because as of Nov 1 the price structure for certain levels of access is going up considerably. Here’s the step by step process that needs to be completed today if you want the charter member package:
Step 1: Subscribe to the Guest List (use link by my name above) AND click on the verification link in the email you receive after filling out the form.
Step 2: You will then be automatically forwarded to a page with the three free videos that were promised. On this video page is a link to the Members Library Signup page. Click on it and sign up for the $9.95 option. There is a free option too, but if you go that route, you won’t be able to take advantage of the charter member offer in Step 3. This payment of $9.95 is billed to your credit card every 90 days and gives you access to the videos and regular recipe cards in Volume-005 as well as all new release going forward… much like a print magazine subscription.
Step 3: Once you have become a PAID member and you are logged into your personal library account, then the link (below) to order the charter member package will work for you. The charter member package gives you access to 4 months of back issue videos and weekly recipes for a $9.95 one-time payment (much like you would purchase back issues of a print magazine). As of Nov 1 it will cost $9.95 x 4 months to purchase the equivalent… 4 times as much. Here is the link to order the charter member package [Remember, you must be logged in as a PAID member for this link to work. And also remember that the $9.95 charter member offer will disappear from this page as of tomorrow, Nov 1].
Once you complete all of the above steps, then all of the links in your personal library will work for you. If you want to read feedback from members who have already taken advantage of the charter member offer, you can do that here: Polymer Clay Tutor Library Grand Opening
Hopefully you read this in time Karen (and anyone else). The charter member package is really incredible value that will never be offered again. Sorry if this sounds salesy but it really is true. And I need to make sure that come November, I won’t have a problem with anyone saying, “but you didn’t tell us.”
Hello Cindy,
I really enjoy your site so much. I found it by a happy chance of luck!!
You have inspired me to pick my clay again as I follow your recipes and projects with your very explanatory videos. I have learned so much!
Is there a chance in the near future of showing us how to do the rose canes I see everywhere? The ones with a gradient of color in and around each petal section?
I have tried to make these on my own, and it still eludes me.
Thanks again for the hard work you put in to pass on your talent.
Yes Debi, I do plan on doing many rose cane videos in the future, including the ones you are talking about. I am working on ways to streamline my day to day duties so that I can free up the time to make more videos. Stay tuned for that!
I am so glad that you are enjoying your clay again and that you are learning a lot from the videos! Thank you so much for your comments!
Hi Cindy,
I’m a member now and really like your site.
The only thing I would change is I’d like to be
able to download the video’s to my laptop (like the color cards) and use when I am away from home and don’t have internet connection.
I’d be willing to pay a bit more for individually video’s so I could just download the ones I really need.
I also like that your starting to do wirework. I’m not good at it but you need it to finish a lot of pieces.
Also still waiting patiently for the video on how to do the trumpet flower Cane! Every one really liked that cane :)
Take care,
It’s great to have you as a member Joanne. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about wanting to be able to download the videos to your laptop. Here’s a bit of an explanation about that…
I’m using a “streaming” video file format that makes it possible for most everyone around the world to watch on most any kind of computer. To make the videos downloadable, I would need to create a second type of video file format that works on iPods and such. It’s on my list of things to do… if only there were more hours in the day to get everything done as quick as I would like :)
And about the cane I used to make the trumpet flower, there will be something similar to that coming in the new year. So much to do, so little time. In the mean time keep on practicing those wire working techniques.
@Debi – if you did not already know, the rose cane tutorials we talked about back in Mar’09 are now posted in the library, the Vol-013 back issue package. The link by my name will take you to the reference.
@ Cindy – I too would like to be able to download the video to my lap top and be able to open it without the internet connection. Is that possible?
Hi Cherie – Doug is working on setting up options for having download options. However, so that you know, there will be added costs for being able to offer this feature. He is looking into the idea of setting up a separate “download” store.
So how would this work Cindy? Would you just add a fee to the membership for those who want the option to download the video? If it’s affordable for me i would be interested.
Hi Cherie – We have not worked out all the details yet.