Homer Hill Billy Homegrown

I have had a few firsts this summer. Not as exciting as a first crush or kiss. But many have made my heart pound a little quicker. A couple have been kind of intimidating. To start, I have a purse that I make that I am crazy about. I would like the world to be crazy about it as well. Well at least 10 people a week. On June 18th I made the big plunge and opened a shop through Etsy. Probably wondering how this ties into "my first".....we have had computers in our home for 10-12 years. I have been using the internet for the same length of time. But I have never participated in a forum. Not sure why. For some reason they were a bit taboo and honestly, made me a little nervous. I know there are millions of different forum topics and when looking for specific knowledge I have read numerous ones. And I also understand that a forum is not a chat room. Don't know what my paranoia was. The Estains (as they refer to themselves) continually mention to help sells you have to get your self out there....promo promo promo. Again, according to the Estains a great way to promo is to participate in forums. So, week or so ago, I had a first. I participated in a forum through Etsy. (Tough swallow noise). There I sat, heart thumping like I was sent to the principal's office. Webster himself laying on my lap so I wouldn't look like Homer Hill Billy Homegrown from Hodgenville. I typed my response, proof read it a zillion times, palms damp and body quivering I hit the post button. I immediately clicked on page 5 so I could see my "first" in real life. Okay, everything looks fine. Wait, yah, ok...know one has commented on what an idiot I am. I think I can do this. Well, Because I have never participated in a forum, I obviously have never gotten the ball rolling by creating my own post. Hmmmmm, this would be a great way to promo promo promo. I keep reading this thing called a "thread". Sellers of Etsy would continue to use "thread" in their posts. I clicked on their shops and soon realized they were not selling twine. But, what is it? I did research through Etsy "frequently asked questions" and could not find thread mentioned anywhere. This would be my moment to shine...to get noticed....to promo promo promo.So there Webster and I sat again. Heart pounding even stronger then before. Mouth dry, I double checked, triple checked "What is a thread"? Yes, everything looked fine...hit post. I very nervously waited for a reply. My first response was "...this is a thread". I kind of looked around thinking a string of some sort might be hanging in front of my face. But really, how did that answer my question. Many times through hand motions and facial expressions, I can grasp what someone is really trying to say. Unfortunately the closest face to me was my teenage son, fast asleep upstairs. Luckily for me there were several more understanding Estains out there who explained briefly what a thread actually was.

This I think was the underlining reason I had never participated in forums before. I had too much pride and did not want to look like HHBHFH (Homer Hill Billy Homegrown from Hodgenville--feel free to use it). I have lots of lingo and abbreviations to learn. Reading through the forums, I have noticed that I am not the only HHBHFH. There have been many others. I am so thankful they ask those newbie questions...because I have wondered it myself. Many times I thank them for asking.

I would like to invite you to browse my shop http://www.liltinpurse.etsy.com/