Tossing around some ideas for improving stitchin fingers

[sharonb]

Hi all I want to toss around a few ideas for improving the site  and see what people think.

I hope to be able to turn Stitchin fingers into a resource rich site for fiber and textile people and I am interested in members ideas.  

These are a few ideas I have 

A copy of the the stitch dictionary combined with all the TAST and TAST 2010 stitches could be hosted in one spot. It makes sense  to have the resource on site so that people can use it here. 

Start a book review section 

A directory for fiber folks, of annotated links to various resources online such as ebooks, tutorials, blogs, book reviews and information that people find useful. I would annotate each link so unlike many directories it would be created to contain real useful information to members. Links that are purely commerce driven I will not allow. Quality not money is what would get a link listed.  I think if each link is described honestly it will be useful.

On the site I might start playing favourites and highlighting members and their work. I have mixed feelings about this (simply because I don't like playing favourites)  but I think it could be interesting as we have a huge range of really talented, high quality, interesting stuff going on and it is easy to miss if you don't pay attention to the photo feed. 

I would love to reward active members any ideas on ways of making people feel special for their valuable input? This one really has me stumped but apparently NING themselves are working on ideas too. 

On my to do list is to write a few tutorials on how to use the site, so that people who are new to the site don't get quite so lost.

I am not going mad with all options and new stuff and changing everything at once because I think all the bells and whistles in the world, and hyping the site won't make a real community. 

With that in mind I would love feed back on these ideas and love to hear any others ideas, thoughts comments, feel free to add your two cents worth its a community space after all etc  

[Sharon Riley]

 

Hi ...

I really appreciate the comments about each others work...as shared above by Barbara and Doris... everyone's work is important and beautiful... because "each" is an expression of ones own life experience/ journey ... the needle and thread are tools...like a pen and paper writing it down... it is an honor to witness these unfoldings of the layers of our stories... from the simple to the complex... just like in nature... every single thing contributes to the whole... Everyones

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Doris and Barbara for these sharings.  I  too am encouraged by everyone's work... each creation an expression of our life journey ...the threads and needles are our tools... like a writer with pen and paper... every single stitch contributes to the whole... all inextricably linked...   as shared above " no matter what stage they are in".

 

 

 

[Connie Eyberg]

I see I am over a year late on this but...

Sharon, I am so new to this even though I have been a member for some time now, I just recently became active.  This site is my favorite!  It is so easy to maneuver, make contact with others and to keep up with activities.  I love being able to see the photo feed without having to go through individual links as required on other sites.  I may not be understanding the issue of missing posted photos, but isn't it possible to see all and browse through them to see what might have been missed?  If the site stayed the way it is I wouldn't have a single complaint!  I really am impressed with the diversity and variety of talented stitchers and love that this site is so all encompassing.  I feel like I can come here and get help with any technique I might be having difficulty with or want to learn or to just be inspired. 

 

With that said :-) 

• I do like your idea of centralizing resources, tutorials, links, blogs and so forth - perhaps grouped according to category (and maybe sub-categories where appropriate) such as embroidery, knitting, beading, sre, etc. so that someone interested in one type such as crochet for example wouldn't have to read through all the listings for other types of handwork.  Maybe separate 'go to' pages for all helpful information according to category (similar to what is done with the groups).  I have no idea how difficult or time consuming that would be to do.  Example:  I want to learn crochet so I would go to a 'Crochet Help' page where I would find links for beginner to advanced technique video links, guides, tutorials, advice, inspiration/eye candy resources and maybe even a list of experienced stitchin fingers individuals who specialize in certain areas or are considered experts in certain techniques and would be willing to help.   
• Blog links seem to be somewhat of an issue and I am wondering if it would be possible to have RSS feeds from individual blogs come up on the individual's page?  Or maybe favorite blog links/feeds could be set up to appear on the individual's page (but I do hate it when I click on a blog link and I'm taken away from my current page).  I can't even venture a guess as to how this could be accomplished, but I thought I would throw it out there.
• Is there a place to post a photo of something (technique/stitch) you need help with - to sort of throw it out to anyone who might be able to help?  Is this the purpose of the forum?

 

This is the most user friendly group site I have joined.  I'm pretty new at this and totally clueless as far as what all it takes to set it up keep it up.  I do really appreciate what you do!

[Connie Eyberg]

LOL.  I just discovered you are way ahead of me.  I just found the RSS feed for my blog on my page.  Thanks Sharon.  You must think I'm crazy suggesting something already done.