Drama, it's inevitable.......

I know I said in my last blog that the next one was going to be about all of the trades I've done recently with some amazing artists I've met so far. But...I felt it was time for me to let you in on some things that have happened to me in the recent months. I said this blog was going to include all the good and bad things I go through while running this little business, and unfortunately this blog has to be about a bad situation. So I'm ready to finally clear the air and vent a little.

*I'm going to keep names out of this blog just for privacy, but if you are really concerned you can just send me an email at ichiban_joyas@yahoo.com for more info.*

I've had some recent drama and if you know me well, you KNOW how much I HATE it. I hate that kind of negativity and will do anything to rid myself of the kind of people who love to stir it up and bring others down. Well, no matter how hard I try, I find myself being the center of that drama at times and it's frustrating to say the least. So here we go:

Not too long ago, I met a jewelry maker online and we connected immediately based on our passion for jewelry making. We had a lot in common and I really enjoyed the friendship we were building. She did a lot of intricate beadwork and I was working with clay, so we were both fascinated with each other's skills. Toward the end of 2009, she got curious and wanted to see if she could do clay work. I thought it was a great idea and supported her and her creations. Around that time, Ichiban Joyas really started taking off especially through facebook, and I was starting to see my business become a reality. It was during this time that her usually supportive comments started becoming sarcastic and rude. She would start to overstep her boundaries with me and my business and I wasn't happy. I generally brushed off her comments, but I realize now where they were coming from. I also didn't appreciate the fact that she was down playing what me and other polymer clay artists were doing because she couldn't do it herself.
So about 3 months ago, I had it and ended our friendship. I deleted her from my personal facebook page, I deleted her from my fan page, blocked her on my twitter, etc and was done. I didn't want a negative person in my life disrupting what I was doing and my progress.

Immediately after I ended my friendship with this person, she went on every page that we were connected to by facebook and posted comments like "Don't buy from Ichiban Joyas. She doesn't complete her orders..." She would leave negative tweets about me on her twitter page. She actually told complete strangers who were also polymer clay artists that I was copying them or others. It was to the point of harrassment and stalking. She tried to add herself to my fan page again and I had to permanently ban her. Now all of this has been going on in the three months after I ended my friendship with her. But while she was slandering me and the name of my business all over the Internet, she has been emailing me every few weeks stating that she "misses our friendship" and "I don't know what I did wrong."

Really??? You don't know what you did wrong? You miss our friendship? What kind of friendship did we have if she could resort to such immaturity, pettiness, and two faced behavior??? In those three months, I never responded to any of her emails, nor did I give her a response in regards to all of the hateful lies she posted everywhere.
But a few days ago, I had to put my foot down. She had made a complete stranger from youtube message me to act as a third party to mediate our dispute. I could not believe that she was involving these people who had nothing to do with us!(not to mention it's been 3 months since I ended the friendship!) Now I appreciate the fact that this person was concerned and kind enough to try to help out, and I am truly grateful to know that they were willing to message me first, rather than pass judgement on me based on what she said.

In the end, I wrote an email addressed to this individual, and everyone that she had involved in our situation including the one from youtube. The email went into detail about why I ended this friendship, and what she had done to me after. I included an attachment with proof of every single comment she left on these pages including dates and times, so I had hard based facts she could not dispute and must take responsibility for.
I clearly stated that she would not hear from me again, that she could not involve others anymore, and that this was finally over. It was time for her to move on. I have received one response so far, and it was a good one. Again, I'm grateful to this person for hearing my side.

Have I heard anything from her? No. Is she still writing bad things about me? Probably, but I don't care. I think I've established myself and my business in this community to know that what she says cannot affect me. You all know I work very hard for every person that requests something from me and that kind of dedication cannot be disputed.

If you get a message from someone saying something in the line of "Don't buy from Ichiban Joyas, or she copies everyone," you most likely have run into this person. Please do not hesistate to contact me and let me know. This person is on facebook, twitter, and etsy and other sites. Like I said earlier, if you are really concerned, send me an email and we can discuss further.

I am definintely more cautious regarding the people I meet and I hope this is officially resolved. I moved on a long time ago and kept it hidden because I didn't want anyone else involved. But, I realize now that I had to stand up for myself and stand up for Ichiban Joyas.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and allow me to vent a little. I'm looking forward to my next few blogs which will include a FAQ and of course the wonderful trades! I just got done with another one and I am so excited to get my new item from a fellow polymer clay artist!

Have a good nite everyone,

Jenn :)