Chit chat

[Lucie]

I'm awaiting the arrival of baby number 5 and still suffering from a particularly nasty case of hyperemesis gravidarum, so I've been quiet (sick and sleepy) for quite a while now
Still working and stopping by the forum and various facebook groups almost daily, but only contributing if I think I'll be any use.

I guess for a lot of people facebook is more visual and perhaps easier if you're having to update business pages anyway? But I still prefer the forum as as a knowledgebase.
It seems to be one of the few places left where professionals will share their knowledge with those still learning.


As Aquarius has already said above - It's difficult to find long standing professionals or trades people who want to share their knowledge, which is such a shame and perhaps why certain parts of the jewellery trade have succumbed to new technology.
Finding a good hand engraver, for instance, is like searching for hens teeth. Many I've worked with over the last few years have now retired and the skills have disappeared with them

[joella]

Wow Lucie, Kudos to you. Baby number 5 and hyperemesis must be such a nightmare - I was hospitalized with it with baby no 2, so I know how horrendous you must be feeling (apart from the whole 4 other children to care for bit)! Hope you're feeling better really soon.

I think the strengths of this forum come from the fact that it isn't just a case of pressing a 'like' button - which isn't really that helpful. Here people give constructive criticism along with their valuable help and advice which is so freely given. Also, Stacey - if you do decide to post your work I think you would find that people are really supportive and positive. It's not one of those nasty internet places where people delight in being mean and tearing each other down at all - its a safe place to put yourself out there, and get really useful feedback - honest.

The fact people at all levels are posting their work helps to make this such a vibrant and interesting place to be. I don't have experience of any other forums, but I've gradually learnt how things are done on this forum, and pretty well feel at home with it now. I have tended to disappear frequently, but that's due to life interrupting!

Also, unlike things like facebook, where its all about pressing a like button - I think this forum is more personal, giving a certain level of familiarity that you would never get from however many 'likes'. It feels like a great network of people, and for me - it helps me to feel connected in some way.

[ShinyLauren]

I think I am guilty of reading the forum most days during my lunch break at work, but then not really having the time to interact as much as I would like to.

Also, I'm generally not much use for answering questions, as I'm still learning most of the time, so I don't feel like I can contribute an awful lot at times.

I find this forum invaluable though, and would hate to see it wither and die, so I'll try to post more stupid questions for you all!

I'm not really on facebook much (my own business page is woefully neglected!) so I don't see all the stuff that's posted on the Cooksons page. I'll have a look at it later...

[Lucie]

[QUOTE=joella;88663]Wow Lucie, Kudos to you. Baby number 5 and hyperemesis must be such a nightmare - I was hospitalized with it with baby no 2, so I know how horrendous you must be feeling (apart from the whole 4 other children to care for bit)! Hope you're feeling better really soon.

Thank you sweetie. 34 weeks of throwing up is not much fun I'm just about keeping up with orders and my oldest kids (10 and 8) are an amazing help.

I completely agree that the forum helps me feel connected too, even if I do just pop by to read the feeds. It's sometimes the only adult contact I have for weeks at a time lol.
I'll have to try and think of some more questions for everyone! Would hate to see it disappear.