Tuesday, December 11, 2012

No More Store for now....

Just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have been loyal customers throughout the past few years.
A few months back I recieved some emails from a person, who shall remain nameless, wanting me to give her all of my contact information so that she could make and give away my files in another cutter format.  She  became quite angry and couldn't understand why I was not ok with this as she wasn't going to "sell" the files but rather give them away to her cutters group and friends.  When I refused, she started telling others on a private group page that I didn't have permission and that I was lying about having said permission.  It just so happened that a good and loyal friend, sent me the posts through email to bring it to my attention since I wasn't there to defend myself and I understand she has caused alot of problems for other small business owners as well.   I contacted the woman and asked her to cease talking about me or I would bring a lawsuit against her.  She sent back a flurry of angry emails and told me that she was still going to seek permission to do this on her own and told me that she had contacted the company regarding my website.  Well to make an even longer story short, last month, I got a phone call from an attorney for Wilton, who is the parent company of EKSuccess Brands who is also the parent company of Inkadinkado stamps.  They asked me to send them the permission, which thank God, I kept.  Today I recieved another phone call letting me know that I needed to take down the website until such time that I email Wilton with the serial numbers of all of the stamps that I plan on using.  Many of you know that this business has been my only source of income for the past year since my boyfriend had been diagnosed with end stage renal failure.  This income allowed me to be able to transport him to his Dialysis sessions and not have to worry about missing work to do so.  I just hope that She is happy with herself and the outcome that she has transpired as a result of her actions.
But, all in all, I have to tell you that I still feel Blessed.  I know that everything will turn out just fine and even if I am not granted a second permission to reopen the store, I am a very resourceful person and I will survive, irregardless of the actions of this woman. You can bend me...but I won't break!!!  I am also blessed that I got to know so many of my customers on a deeper level.
Thank you all for everything, and if you are the praying type...please keep me in your prayers!
Thanks again,
Kim

52 comments:

  1. That is terrible!! I just found you & had ordered 3 files and was back for more. :( You have a wonderful attitude & I wish you the best. Hopefully your store will be able to reopen. Blessings to you this Christmas season. Will definitely be praying for you.

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  2. this is my first visit, via MTC :(
    so sad that someone as rotten as her has caused you so much trouble! and shame on Wilton, for not honoring their original permission, at the very least until they had it sorted out over the holidays... I do hope that you prevail, even if you can no longer use their stamps to do so.

    best of luck

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  3. Thank you both! I am hoping for the best, but preparing for other options just in case! :)

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  4. Best of luck to you, Kim. I also just ordered my first files recently and was back for more. I'm sure you'll be fine, but so sorry you have to go through this. :(

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  5. Thanks Sue, I appreciate it :)

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  6. Oh my goodness, I have not ordered from you but was just arriving to do so. I am so sorry that someone felt they needed to do this to you and your beloved boyfriend. I am also a renal failure sufferer so know exactly how much time and expense you put in to helping your loved one. I sure hope you will be granted permission again and can continue on with your creating.
    I wish you a wonderful holiday and a positive start to the new year.
    Kim xXx

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  7. Gee Kim ur work is amazing . I keep checking back hoping u have opened ur store back up. ( no I'm not a stalker). Its so sad what people will do out of jealousy . Will be praying for u and watching for ur site to open back up . Its sad such creativity is being stiffled . tina

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  8. Kim I am so sorry this has happened. I hope that it all works out for you soon. Karen

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  9. Thank you Kim, Tina & Karen...still waiting to hear :) Kim, you said it...it's pretty impossible to hold down a 9 to 5 job when you are caring for a renal patient.
    Wishing you all a great holiday season, will send out email and post here when and If I get to reopen. Thanks again Ladies, your support means the world to me! :)

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  10. Kim I am so sad to hear this. I love your files so much and you are always so kind. This is an absolute disgrace. My prayers will be with you and your boyfriend. Hope to see your store back up very soon. Wishing you the best for the coming year. Just know that you are respected and loved by so many.
    Hugs
    Susan

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  11. Awwww, thanks Susan! That means more to me than you could possibly ever know!

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  12. Kim,
    I am so sorry that someone has tried to stop your means of income. I hope you have contacted the stamp company and hopefully they can all work together and settle this. It looks like that Wilton would have contacted the stamp company to take care of this.
    I bought some of your Christmas files last year and enjoyed the challenge of working with them.
    I hope this will be settled soon so you can open your site again!

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  13. So sorry for all the trouble your going through. Hopefully it will all work out for you. Hopefully Karma will bite this other person like a hungry zombie! My mother always told me "you can't build happiness on someone else's sorrow". Prayers for you and yours.

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  14. Thanks Rhoda and Nanna, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers! :)

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  15. I am so sorry this person is causing your so many problems. Praying you are able to get back in business soon.

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  16. oh it breaks my heart to hear of your troubles. Prayerfully the stamp company will come through for you. How selfish of a person for starting trouble when unable to create it themselves. Will watch for updates. God Bless and Merry Christmas. Also prayers for you boyfriend.

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  17. UGH! This is horrible. I am so sorry to hear about your latest troubles. I will be praying for you and your business.

    Ed

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  18. I am so sorry this has happened to you. I just got my Cameo a few months ago and purchased some files from you and intended on getting more. Please don't let this woman beat you down. Let us know when you reopen.

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  19. Kim I am so sorry to hear all these things!! I have used a few of your files this year - they are lovely!! If this woman is causing so much trouble why not name and shame her and save others from going through what you are going through! I do hope you will be back

    Chris

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  20. I am so sorry to hear this!!! I was planning on getting 3 files today!! Please keep us updated! Why are people so mean spirited? I just don't understand!! I will be praying for yall and I hope this gets resolved as quickly as possible!

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  21. Oh no, Kim!!!! I feel terrible you are going through this! What a terrible thing to have happen at anytime of the year, but especially this time of year!!! I hope you are able to get the permission thing resolved and I also hope Karma comes to visit the lady who started this whole mess! Good luck!!!

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  22. So sorry to hear thst...some people are just horrible. I love your stuff. I intended to get more but will patiently wait till you again can do more..Keep us all posted!

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  23. Thank you everyone for your support! I so appreciate your kind words.
    Chris, I didn't name her because I don't ever want to be the cause of another persons hurt or misfortune and to be honest, no good would come from giving her name, hence the reason she shall remain nameless...I know, she definitely knows...but even more important, GOD knows! That is good enough for me! :)
    Thanks again, love you all! Merry Christmas!

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  24. I am so sorry to hear this, Kim. I enjoyed all the files that I bought from you, and have an ongoing list for future purchases. Just a shame that such people exist, and can't be simply happy for the other person. Hoping that something positive comes out of this, and stay strong. *hugs*

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  25. Kim I am so shocked at the behaviour of that person. God will take care of you and your loved ones. I hope all works out well in 2013 for you all.
    Best wishes,
    Angela

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  26. Thanks Kate and Angela! Things will be fine one way or another. I have faith! :)

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  27. Oh Kim, I am so sorry to hear what has happened to you. I am shocked that someone would do this to you. If she's treated you (and other business owners) this way, she's probably treating those closer to her terribly too! I cannot imagine living like this~so sad!

    Someone told me about your incredible site, and I was just coming to buy images from you, since I got a Cameo as an early Christmas present!! I had to wait until payday, but now I wish I had come here last week when I could have bought your designs.

    I will pray for you and also for your boyfriend.

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  28. So sorry. She is a sad person living a sad life. I hope it gets worked out soon. I love the files you have.

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  29. sounds like what happened to Penny Duncan! she ended up not giving away her files because someone caused her such grief. you are in my prayers, Kim. love your files. nameless is also in my prayers! hang in there.

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  30. Thanks Doxie, Anonymous and Norma :) And Norma, thank you for also praying for "nameless".
    Doxie, check back often, I will let everyone know the outcome :)

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  31. How awful Kim the images were lovely and obviously you had put in a lot of hard work and for this to be put at risk by some petty minded individual is awful. Best Wishes for 2013. x

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    1. Thanks for the wishes, same to you as well! :) I appreciate it.

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  32. Kim, this is my first visit here, but let me just say that should anything like this happen to me, I only hope that I could handle it with the grace you're showing. So hard to forgive this woman, but that's what God wants us to do. And by doing so, YOU are the one gaining...because you're growing in your faith. My prayers that God will take care of your boyfriend as only He can...remember that He loves your boyfriend more than anybody on earth can possibly love him. :) God bless!

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  33. Thank you Ted, I appreciate you kind words. If there is one thing I have learned in this lifetime, it's that hatred, anger and holding on to negative feelings will get you no where very quickly...so I just give it to God and trust that He knows what is best for me! :)

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  34. Wishing you a speedy return & for "she who remains nameless the same misfortune she wants to create for others"
    your work is beautiful & maybe you could do a private email business until things are sorted for you...

    People im sure would quietly spread the word for you.
    Wishing you a very Happy Christmas & a Peaceful 2013 xx

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  35. So Sorry Kim loved your site. Hope it will be back soon xx

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  36. Thanks Mandy and Sam. I will hopefully be back up and running soon.

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  37. Hi Kim
    So very sorry that you have had to do this 1 am100% on your side .
    I don't understand Why this person has to be so nasty.
    I do hope you do get it all sorted out.
    Have a lovely Christtmas and 2013 is a fantastic year for you
    Maria xxx

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  38. Thanks Maria, I appreciate it! Wishing you and your's a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year as well! :) Hugs, Kim

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  39. Kim. I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I will keep you and your boyfriend in my prayers! Wishing you the best for Christmas and the coming New Year! God bless you!

    Ivette

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  40. Hate to hear about this! Is this person from Kentucky? If so, she was selling files herself for a while and has no clue about the legal ramifications of selling other people's work!

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  41. Thanks Ivette :) and Linda, I really don't know where she is from, but all I can say si 'wow!'

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  42. I just recently found your site and have enjoyed the files that I have purchased so much. Thank you for your lovely work and great customer service.I am sorry you are going through this and will keep you and your boyfriend in my prayers.

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  43. Thanks Any, your prayers are much appreciated :)

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  44. Cindi Hayes DickersonJanuary 3, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Kim, wow... I cant believe this! I am praying that the company will grant you the needed permissions to reopen your store. I pray for you and your boyfriend as well. Illness takes a toll on the caregiver too. Peace, prayers and hugs my friend.

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  45. Thanks Cindi! That means alot to me! And yes, some days are just as hard for me as they are for him, in that it hurts me to watch him going through so much and knowing that there is nothing I can do to make him feel better. My only recourse is to just let things take their course, and ultimately knowing that someday I will have to say goodbye. But there are others out there who have it worse off than I do, so I just thank God each and every day for the things that I He allows me to have in my life.

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  46. Kim, I'm so sorry to hear about this person that has made such a bad impact on your life. Whether you believe in Karma or that the Lord will have vengeance on this woman I know in some way she will have to answer for what she has done.
    I also believe that Everything happens for a reason and while you may not be able to see it now, something better will come your way. I pray in the meantime that God touches you in a special way.
    I have the utmost respect for you and appreciate all you do and the help you have given me in the past. Take care my friend and God Bless.

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  47. Thank you Joni, I just reopened the store this morning with my own designs and am still waiting to hear back from Wilton regarding the extended permission to be able to use their images. I really appreciate your kind words and as always, if there is ever any way I can help you in the future, don't hesitate to ask! :)
    God Bless you as well Joni!

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  48. Kim, one of the members on the Silhouette Plus forum posted your blog link. Out of curiosity I clicked on it. As I read what was happening to you because of a selfish, awful person, I almost cried. I'll keep you and your efforts to create and earn a living in my prayers. Your dear boyfriend will be in my prayers too. Wishing you many blessings and sending hugs, Debbie

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  49. thank you so much Debbie! Prayers are always appreciated as are your kind words. Thank you again :) I appreciate it.

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  50. This note is really late but I haven't been doing too much crafting lately. I visited your site a couple of times but was unaware of your problems. I do hope things work out for you and as others have said you are such a gracious lady. I love all your files and good for you in carrying on.

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  51. awww, thanks Marg, I appreciate it! :)

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