Registered hobbyists

[Mikilt]

Hi Steve,

I'd like to resurrect an old suggestion/request regarding XMarks Registered Hobbyists. I am interested in a way to know exactly what someone crafts. If I am in the market for a new piece of kit, Xmarks members and vendors are my first (and usually only) stop.

A full index by craft (Sporrans, knitwear, sgians, etc) would be ideal, but I can see that taking a bit of programming work and/or a lot of administration for a low priority suggestion like this.

Perhaps an adequate solution would be for for each hobbyist to include a brief description of their craft in their profile?

[Tarheel]

Wonderful idea. As a tinkerer, I'd like to probe into the techniques of our craftsmen and women. What better way than the review of their products.

[Mikilt]

Another thought. It might take minimal programming, but an item titled "Registered Hobbyists" under the Community drop-down menu.

Or ...

A Registered Hobbyist community. There could be sticky posts from each hobbyist describing their product, availability, options, etc.

[Steve Ashton]

There is nothing wrong or preventing a hobbyist from putting their specialty in their profile.

There already is a dedicated hobbyist forum section.

[Mikilt]

...

There already is a dedicated hobbyist forum section.

Is it appropriate to make a "Who wants to make a sporran for me?" kind of post in the Registered Hobbyist forum?

[Mikilt]

I feel like my last post wasn't phrased well.

Let's say I am in the market for a sgain dubh. I know in the back of head that there are xmarkers who make them, but I cannot recall who. I thought it would be nice to have a place to reference something like that.

[Steve Ashton]

In the past we have always left it up to the hobbyist to decide what they make, how they wish to sell and how they wish to announce or promote their hobby.

Remember, these are not businesses with stock and websites. These are people who make stuff simply for the love of doing it. The whole idea of the Registered Hobbyist Category was to allow these folks to offer one or two excess items to our membership without running afoul of our Advertising Policy.

[Mikilt]

In the past we have always left it up to the hobbyist to decide what they make, how they wish to sell and how they wish to announce or promote their hobby.

Remember, these are not businesses with stock and websites. These are people who make stuff simply for the love of doing it. The whole idea of the Registered Hobbyist Category was to allow these folks to offer one or two excess items to our membership without running afoul of our Advertising Policy.

Got it. Thanks Steve.