The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

Big Changes for the Crafty Princess in 2014

| 16 Comments


2014 has some big changes in store for me, beginning with a BIG announcement: December 31, 2013 will be my last day as the About.com Jewelry Making Guide. I have to admit that I have very mixed emotions about this. I’m happy and sad at the same time. I started the site from nothing back in 1998 when About.com was The Mining Company. It is difficult to explain all the hats I wore during 15+ years I worked at this freelance job, but you can kind of think of it as running a mini online magazine where I was the designer, editor, proof reader, writer, photographer, link checker, HTML coder, etc, etc.

I am sure there are many people who are wondering if it was my decision or the company’s, and I have to say it was a little of both. My contract was not renewed, but I didn’t expect it to be. In fact, it was kind of a relief that it wasn’t because I have had a hard time letting go, even though I knew it was past time for me to leave. I won’t go into details because I would have to write a dissertation to explain it all, but the nutshell version is that I was not happy there anymore.  I have been planning to leave for well over a year. Every other month I would tell my husband, “This is it. Don’t plan on another check from this job. I’m done!”

I still enjoy making jewelry and plan to continue to design and write about jewelry making and other crafts on my Crafty Princess Diaries blog as well as some other outlets I’m exploring, so I’m not disappearing from the jewelry and craft web world. In fact, I’m looking forward to some new opportunities.

ETA: Also, I have a Raverly group for those who would liked to join: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/crafty-princess-diaries

Author: Tammy

Welcome to the Crafty Princess Diaries, my weblog and site where I get to blab about my passion for crafts, primarily jewelry making, and my crafting career. My name is Tammy Powley, and I decided to call my blog the Crafty Princess Diaries because of this very dorky picture I have of myself and because my husband often refers to me as “the princess and the pea,” which is just another way to say that I tend to be particular sometimes. Along with this weblog, I have a number of jewelry making books published.

16 Comments

  1. Tammy,
    How do I sign up to receive your blog postings? I looked all over and could not find a place. Thanks. JR Nuerge

  2. I WILL MISS YOU ON ABOUT .COM BUT I WILL START READING YOUR BLOG .I GOT A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS FROM YOU ON ABOUT.COM WELL WISHING YOU THE BEST

  3. Thanks for all the tutorials on about.com… I really enjoyed them…looking forward to more in the future on your blog.
    Now onto new horizons….May you achieve all that you aspire to in 2014!

  4. JR my rss feed: http://tammypowley.com/feed/

    I’m checking into getting a newsletter going, but right now I will post links on Twitter, Facebook, and in the Ravelry group when I update. http://www.ravelry.com/groups/crafty-princess-diaries

  5. You have my support. I will be glad to continue with you on your own website. Too bad for your last employer; they lost. But now we can form a deeper relationship to you through your blog.

  6. Hi Tammy
    I have been following you on About for a long time. At this point, I choose to tell you Congratulations. I recently left a job after 12 years and I totally understand your mixed emotions. (It was my decision but I suspect they felt it was time to shake it up a little.) I retired, but I could not be more happy. I suspect that you will find some new challenge and be happy to meet it. I will continue to follow along with you.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

  7. Hi Tammy,

    I have been following your jewelry blog on about.com for many, many years. I too left my job and retired, took my hobbies to the next level and I can tell you you will be happier. Congratulations. It is better to leave than stay and fester away. I love your writing, ideas and will look forward to seeing you grown and of course will follow you along on your journey as wel.

    Keep on, keeping on.

    Go follow your dream!

  8. You will be missed! I, too, would like to sign up to receive blog notices … is this doable? Blessings in the new year and in your new life!

  9. Good for you!! So happy for you. I’m on Ravelry just about every day. Made a bunch of my Christmas gifts from the patterns on there. Looking forward to joining the group. What a great way to start the New Year!

  10. To be very honest, though I know this is wrenching and complicates your life a lot, I think you’re better off artistically without About.com.

    My behind-the-scenes images of About.com is scads of creative people in suits of armor. How visual creative people can stand all the format and image restrictions there is beyond me.

    I think – and hope – you’ll find a much broader audience along with greater artitistic freedom. Best of luck, Tammy.

  11. Dear Tammy, I can’t imagine not having you as the leader of About.com Jewelrymaking. You taught me everything I know, plus you are a dear friend.
    I am so glad that you are still in our group because you are are fearless leader and my idea of a wonderful, wonderful teacher and a really sweet person. Thanks for everything that you do! xox jean

  12. you are OUR fearless leader! geesh! xox jean! all love!

  13. Thank you to everyone for your wonderful encouragement. The comments and emails I’ve received have really meant a lot to me.

  14. Pingback: Beads and Crafts – Always Good Things | charlenesevier

  15. Best of luck! Will follow your website! Couldn’t leave comments on About.com so here I am with lots of other fans to wish you well! Take care and good luck!

  16. Thanks for finding me over here, Jude. Yes, About has stopped all comments on the site it look like.

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