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.