A blog question

Pamela at Cappiccino and Art Journal raised a question about blogging a few weeks ago during T Time.   I thought I would explain why I blog and see why YOU blog.  Do you believe blogs still have a chance to survive?  BTW, this is the ONLY place you'll find me.

I began blogging because I wanted to keep a journal, but not one that I have to write in.  I really don't like writing because it's hard for me to grip a pen or pencil.  But everyone said I should document how I made something.  So of course, it was easy to take photos (even as lousy as they were before I finally got a camera I loved) and document the process.

Later, I used my blog as a vehicle to procure a place as a DT member of UHU glue.  Although I was sad about the way we six UHU gluers were treated in the end, having been given no notice the blog had been discontinued, I learned a lot about what was expected of a member of a design team.

I enjoy writing tutorials, and go by the philosophy see (or envision) it, make it, teach it.  One of the reasons I'm not on Pinterest is because when I was at my friend Kathy's one weekend, we perused Pinterest.  More than half the links showed a photo, but no explanation of how something was made or the basic materials used.  That was very disappointing.  The above tutorial is called "Alcohol and acrylics don't mix" and can be found on my tutorials page or here.

Speaking of materials, I believe in using what I have, not what others want me to buy.  I tell you what I used, then encourage you to use your own materials.  I don't like to advertise the type of ink or stamp or material or whatever I'm using, because 1) I often get it on clearance which means it's more than likely discontinued by the time I use it,

2) I find it in my neighbor's recycle pile (like this meat tray I turned into stamped hearts), and

3) I don't like mentioning specific names of products because I feel I'm giving the company free advertising.  If they want to pay me, I'll throw their name ALL OVER my blog (like I did when I was a UHU gluer).  But until then, I show the product I'm using (at least most of the time), but refuse to tout or name specific products.  Although I used a lot of products to create this Grunge background, I don't mention any specific products I used, only the type I used, such as spray mists, color glazes, pigment ink, etc.  I believe it's up to the reader to re-create my tutorials using whatever products they have, not using the same products I have.

But that was a rant, and had little to do with documenting my art techniques and processes.   It's something I do on occasion when I feel it's important.  

I also feel the number of followers I have gotten over the years has been phenomenal.  I'm always encouraged because I see the stats and know that many, many more readers are viewing my blog, even though they don't leave a comment.  Although comments are nice, I have never asked for them.

As for followers, I never, EVER try to pad my stats by requiring a person to join my blog simply because I have a give-away.  They might join one day, then when the give-away is over, they unsub because the content isn't what they were after.  All they wanted was the possibility of winning a freebie or two.  Those aren't true followers.

You, my loyal readers and followers, are a big reason why I blog.   I gave away the above items that took two photos to show during a blogoversary, and all anyone had to do was leave a comment.  Did I not mention how horrible my old camera was?  Incidentally, the winner had never left a comment before the giveaway or after winning.

I also blog for inspiration.  There's not a day goes by I don't visit a blog that inspires me.  That inspiration may take months to develop,

because sometimes an idea has to ferment or percolate before I figure out how to use it, but in the end, it was one of my blog family members who inspired me along the way.  This inspiration above came from Susi, who created an Easter wreath for her table and I used that inspiration to create this on my Christmas end table.

Are you still an active blogger, or do you see them as going the way of Picturetrail?  Do you believe blogs will survive for at least 10 more years?

From humbly beginning my blog as a vehicle for documentation to being inspired by my dear blog friends, you know why I blog.  Now please share why YOU blog and if you think blogs are here to stay.