[MakinTheBestOfIt]

I just wanted to post a gentile reminder of how Mr. MBOI and I expect people to behave when posting on the forum...

Please remember that there is a living, breathing, feeling person behind the avatars.  Sometimes we say things from the safety of our computers that we would NEVER say in person.  Critiques are great; tactful criticism can help us all grow and improve our crafts!  I, for one, appreciate both positive and negative suggestions and look at it as a way to grow.  We all learn from each other and value the opinions of other artists, but remember to say what you mean respectfully.  Hurt feelings will bring this forum down, and that is not what we are after.

While I am happy overall with the decorum of the members of the HAF forum, I felt it was necessary to remind all members that it is made up of passionate people that put a piece of themselves into every work of art.  Putting yourself out there for the world to see is not easy sometimes, and we have to respect the work even if you do not care for the work.

[Dragonclaw]

Amen to that!!

[GravelRdJewelry]

Agreed!
Constructive critisism is one thing, which I myself would only offer if specifically asked, but being hurtful is entirely different. Words mean things, they have very specific definitions, and should be chosen carefully so the sentiment is clear and helpful in a way that can be appreciated and useful to the recipient.

It's very easy to forget that how something is phrased is just as or even more important as what is being expressed!

I have found everyone here to be very cheerful, helpful and positive...but "gentle reminders" from time to time can't hurt! 

[lisianblue]

I know there are times I have mentioned that an item isn't necessarily my cup of tea - but I can certainly appreciate the skill, the time and energy that goes into it - the item just may not apeal to me - I don't find "punk" stuff appealling - I'm an old lady - well not that old ( lo) - I love steampunk - most of it - I think chainmaille is just incredible - I don't especially like most of the colored ones - but it's still cool!~ so I hope people aren't taking that the wrong way!

So yeah - hopefully we can all play nicely together! 

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

I don't want people to stop giving their opinions; it would be a painfully colorless world if we all liked the same thing!  I was just reminding everyone as our little HAF family gets larger by the day that we all view the world/art/color differently and that respect is a must have here.  I have watched too many groups and boards go belly up thanks to infighting and insults and do not want to see that happen here.  As long as you are respectful in your posting then there is never a problem with giving it.

Thanks again to all of those that are helping us keep this movement alive!