fabricologist

fabricologist

Monday, March 5, 2018

A Few Thoughts About Blogs

Where have all the bloggers Gone? I was reading an old blog post this weekend, on someone else's blog, asking this same question. The post was two years old. I have often wondered this exact thing. I know that there are many bloggers still out there, blogging away. But so many of the most creative and inspiring ones have little to no content any more.  And why is that?

Well, lots of reasons I think. Now I for one know that change is hard. And it comes at a price. When I first started reading blogs, I got so excited. I was so inspired to try some of the quilty things I was seeing. I wanted to be a part of this community so badly. I am technically challenged and I decided to create a blog any way. Blogger made that easy for me.

I read so many blogs, and I bookmarked each one that spoke to me. I must've had about 30 blogs that I checked regularly. This was before Bloglovin' came about.

I started my own blog, and tried to emulate the ones I loved the most. I learned to take pictures and how to post them. I tried to grow my readership as best I could. I had no interest in monetizing my blog, but I tried giveaways and joining blog hops to increase readership. I really wanted to be a part of this community.

I joined Flickr and learned how to use it. I was not as prolific as some, but I did post pictures there, and looked for an on line bee to join. I found a small one, and did that for about a year. Then, I came up with an idea and hosted my own bee for 3 years. It was a lot of work, and I enjoyed it, but after three years I quit. I was diagnosed with cancer shortly after that, so I guess it worked out for the best.
By that time, many bloggers had quit posting regularly anyway. Some made their careers in fabric design and writing books. Others just faded away. It seems that many of the makers moved on in some way. I almost quit blogging too. It was hard to return after cancer. But I decided to stick with it for awhile.

People don't comment much any more. Not like they used to. There are fewer blog hops than there used to be, and most of them are just used to promote a book or fabric line. I still try to blog what I am making fairly regularly. That is what I came to blogging for. I went back and looked at many of my projects and I love seeing how far I've come.

I would love to see a resurgence in crafty blogging. That is where I get so much of my inspiration. Instagram is fine for some. I finally joined, but I don't truly know how to use it.  And it moves at a pace where I feel like I miss a lot. I don't kid myself. Blogging is work. Pictures are imperative and all this takes time. But I would rather see one blog every week or two, than to flash through 30-40 pictures on Instagram. I like reading about the projects and the makers and the backstory. These people are my tribe. I feel like they are friends I just don't see often enough.

Do I think that anyone cares what I think? Maybe, but maybe not. And that's okay. Part of blogging is being able to express yourself on your own platform. If you care to comment, I would love to know how you feel about this topic.

I will be back soon with some more lovely finishes for you. Happy Monday.


9 comments:

Createology said...

Hello Charlottte. I feel like you re reading my thoughts exactly. I agree with your review of blogging and fewer posts and I am guilty of not posting as often or with interesting projects. I am not a quilter but I do love everything fabric, needlearts, beading, paper and so on. I do not care for IG even though I tried. Life does get busy and time is precious. I am truly grateful you are a cancer survivor and I hope my little cards helped you smile through it all. THANK YOU for continuing to blog! Creative Bliss...sherry of createology <3

Melody A. said...

I love your blog and many others!!! I probably don't comment as often as I should and I apologize for that. I don't have any expectations of bloggers being able to post every day or even every week, it is a lot of work from everything I have read. So when they do I am happy about it. I don't like blogs that have heavy advertising and popups. I find it too distracting. I do understand many bloggers are using their platforms to make all or part of their living. Instagram is confusing and does move too fast for me. I have an account but make little use of it. So THANK YOU for your lovely posts and pictures of the beautiful quilts you make and what is going on in your life. Take care and Happy Sewing from Iowa

barbara woods said...

glad you are blogging. I love to get inspired and the only way for that is to see it in stages.

Karen S said...

It is interesting to see how quickly things like blogging change. I still find it a wonderful way to connect with a lot of different people with many varied interests. I prefer it because it gives a chance for conversations as well as inspiration. Hope to see lots keep going for many years to come.

Denise in PA said...

Hi Charlotte, I do agree with you, although I am one of those bloggers that drifted away from my blog (I always say that "Instagram Ate My Blog"), and am also remiss by not commenting as I should on the blogs I do read. I know you and I go way back in the blogging universe. For me, the time issue as you mentioned was taking its toll. Blogging was a very time-consuming thing to do and taking the photos and then uploading them started to become a problem. I got an iPad and tried to use an app to make it easier, but never got it to work. Then, I got my smart phone and snapping a photo in Instagram was just so much easier. But, I do miss my blog and often think about resurrecting it - even if just to document what I'm making. But, when I go back and review my posts from time to time, I realize how much I love having that "scrapbook" of memories of my quilts, my family and my life in general. My return to blogging in some form is definitely percolating. In fact, my husband was just talking to me about wanting to create a blog. Maybe blogging will have a resurgence? I hope so, I miss the things the you mention and am grateful some of you are still plugging away at it! Hugs.

Josie McRazie said...

I'm still here lurking in the shadows !! I'm working for a pattern designer (Stephanie Soebbing Quilt Addicts Anonymous) ! But I'm no longer doing day care so I miss my nap time quilting and blogging! !

Outback Crafter - Debra said...

All of those reasons and more.

I struggle to find the time to blog my creativity. Just like I manage to never get my photos in an album.

Keep blogging if you enjoy it.

NorahS said...

I still read blogs. I really enjoy yours even though I rarely, if ever comment. There are several blogs I read that still post regularly. I like Instagram, too. I think blogs provide a good record of a person's projects.

Emily Brian said...

Thanks for sharing your insight!

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