[Chainmaille By MBOI]

I didn't want to ask but I'm gonna, I've put a lot of effort into this movement and have been advertising to support it but it costs money. Yes I know I'm getting paid from the advertising that I have running on the top of the forum and and on the left side of the blog but not much. So I figured I'd post this thread so that if anyone one wants to support this Handmade movement they can.

I run an advertising campaign on project wonderful for the forum, I just started one this morning for the team, and will start one for the blog as soon as the badge is made. I also pay for all the hosting for our VPS which is (virtual private server), the hosting is expensive and I fear that as this grows I will have to upgrade which will be double what I pay now. We also now have a tech person (Haffina's Friend Jade) who is currently working pro bono. She helped upgrade the forum, she is going to help move the forum to the new domain http://handmadeartistsforum.com, she also is planning on creating a custom theme for us. She has offered these services for free but I would like to give her a donation eventually for her efforts.
So that's the list of current expenses as far as my advertising budget goes for the forum,blog,and team I will increase it as donations come in. The more donations the more I can advertise for your creations!

I put a donate button on the bottom of the forum and on the right side bar of the blog, it goes to a secure paypal account for Makin The Best of It (MBOI) which is our business name. I could of just put the donate to an email address but I felt the secure account was more prudent.

What to donate? It's up to you, any will help even a dollar, I have truly enjoyed putting the work into this movement and will continue to fully support it. I don't want a financial strain to slow the momentum down that's why I put this up.

So it's up to you guys what you want to do, please don't feel any pressure to donate, I want only cheerful donations not begrudging ones, so give if you choose or not no big deal. As stated earlier in this thread your donations will go to ads, hosting, and maintenance of this forum.

If you do donate please post in this thread that you did so that I can properly thank you. Heck the rest of the forum may thank you as you and others are what has made this place Great in my opinion. The more financial support we get the better it will be for all of us.

So I hope that you guys have enjoyed the forum thus far and I look forward to creating and supporting this community for years to come.

In loving service
Respectfully,
Andrew

[smsimo]

Andrew,
I just donated to the cause.  And VERY cheerfully I might add.  I had originally gotten into the "General Discussion" link because I wanted to post the following.

I am so impressed with the way Handmade Artists Forum members support and encourage each other!  Over and over I see people going the extra step to explain something they've done, and encourage the use of their ideas!  I often see artists trying something new, just because the person doing the original work is so willing to present it in a way that is easy to understand, or photographed in a way that it's easy to determine how it was done, and then willing for others to "copy" it.  I can say, that up to this point there seems to be an equal balance of those posting and those learning and I cannot see evidence that the forum is being abused.  What a wonderful environment to be a part of!!!

Well worth supporting financially!  I for one truly appreciate having access to and being allowed to participate!
Sheran

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

Thank you so much for your donation that was very generous, also your description of the forum is very eloquent. It is my hope that everyone gets the experience that you're having with this movement.

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

I want to acknowledge a donation from Laurie O. If you want to remain anonymous that's fine I just want to say thanks a whole bunch any help is huge as the expenses continue to keep coming 

[lisianblue]

Guess I ought to check out the general discussion area more often!  Hadn't seen this until now! 

Andrew,
I just donated to the cause.  And VERY cheerfully I might add.  I had originally gotten into the "General Discussion" link because I wanted to post the following.

I am so impressed with the way Handmade Artists Forum members support and encourage each other!  Over and over I see people going the extra step to explain something they've done, and encourage the use of their ideas!  I often see artists trying something new, just because the person doing the original work is so willing to present it in a way that is easy to understand, or photographed in a way that it's easy to determine how it was done, and then willing for others to "copy" it.  I can say, that up to this point there seems to be an equal balance of those posting and those learning and I cannot see evidence that the forum is being abused.  What a wonderful environment to be a part of!!!

Well worth supporting financially!  I for one truly appreciate having access to and being allowed to participate!
Sheran

DITTO

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

Lisianblue thanks so much for the donation it was unexpected as you work very hard as an editor for the blog, I appreciate it. Once again thanks so much!

[lisianblue]

You are welcome Andrew!  yeah but you guys work pretty hard at promoting everyone - It wasn't that much - but I figure every little bit helps - and I'l benefit from it too!  win-win!

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

Sorry if you wanted to remain anonymous but I would like to thank Bonnie from Maille Etc. for her kind donation! Thanks so much,your donation is greatly appreciated it helps so much.

Andrew

[Adriana Ximenes]

Thanks for the invitation to be part of this select group of artists spectacular.
I am learning how to use this system ...

Sincerely,
Adriana Ximenes.

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

I'd like to thank memoriesinmosaics for their very kind donation to the forum. Thank you so much that was very kind.
Andrew

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

I'd like to take a moment and thank Sabine for a very kind donation to the forum it is greatly appreciated. Thanks again

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

I would like to thank Gingerkitty for her kind donation.

Since we have gotten a few donations it is my pleasure to announce that the Forum has made a small donation to our tech team, who is currently working on a secret project for the forum. oooooh secrettttttttt

[smsimo]

I love secrets!!!  I mean I love to know what the secret is!!!!

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

ssssssssssshhhhh be very quiet the secret is???

Sorry can't tell yet hopefully soon

[CalcedoniaDesign]

wooooooooooooooooooooooo a secret.. this is so cool...