Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Amazon Associates Cancelled California Contracts (updated)

   UPDATE: 6/29 pm - Gov. Brown signed it, now contracts have been cancelled!!!

This is really gonna suck if it goes thru and will do little if anything to help the failing California economy or to balance it's budget. All it is going to do is take money from the little guy cause for starters as Amazon is not based in California so any sales that the program leads to aren't subject to California sales taxes anyway.
    I cannot say that I have been making lots of money from the program, but really if the state want to get some money to help pay their bills I can make a big suggestion (Legislatures) Cut those "fatcats" paychecks and remove the "perks" they seem to think they are entitled to cause they haven't been able to do their job in what over 10 years getting a budget in on time. Most of us "regular" people get paid on our performance. Why shouldn't they be held to the same standard. Yes, we passed the law that if they don't get the budget in on time they don't get paid (not sure why that took so long to do either). I think it should be added that when they do get paid they only can draw minimum wage too! Let's see how they like living on that.
   I posted a copy of the email from Amazon below in case anyone is interested in reading it. As you can see I am just a bit "fried". I cannot really put any blame on Amazon though. It all goes back to the politicians (bunch of gov't criminals if you ask me)!

EMAIL/LETTER:
Hello,
For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of California residents. Unfortunately, a potential new law that may be signed by Governor Brown compels us to terminate this program for California-based participants. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers - including but not limited to those referred by California-based marketing affiliates like you - even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.
We oppose this bill because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It is supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside California, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.
As a result, we will terminate contracts with all California residents that are participants in the Amazon Associates Program as of the date (if any) that the California law becomes effective. We will send a follow-up notice to you confirming the termination date if the California law is enacted. In the event that the California law does not become effective before September 30, 2011, we withdraw this notice. As of the termination date, California residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com , Endless.com , MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com . Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned on or before the termination date will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.
You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of California. If you are not currently a resident of California, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here . And if you relocate to another state in the near future please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.
To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to offer the Associates Program to California residents and will not affect their ability to purchase from Amazon.com , Endless.com , MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com .
We have enjoyed working with you and other California-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to California residents. We are also working on alternative ways to help California residents monetize their websites and we will be sure to contact you when these become available.
Regards,
The Amazon Associates Team

Friday, June 24, 2011

Meet Emily Elephant

     Meet Emily Elephant the newest addition to the A.O. family. Emily is here straight from her home on the African Serengeti. She stands a stout 7 1/2" to 8" high (that's inches - American) .

     I loved the idea of doing an elephant with big, floppy ears and decided to go with the 2 yarns (variegated and a solid), but she would be just as cute in a solid color only. I also used the variegated yarn on the top of the head and bottoms of the feet (which can be seen on my etsy site).

     I have slowly but surely started to post patterns as I am getting them completed. I have sites set up on both Etsy and Ravelry, but as still working on getting the pattern postings linked here to my blogsite as there are still many things I am learning about this as I go along.

      Hope you like Emily as much as I enjoyed making her.


Best Wishes to All.... and Happy Ami,        Shannon

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Turtle & Tortoise Pattern 1/2 Price

   For a limited time only my "new" (duo-pattern) Turtle & the Tortoise is available thru my new Etsy site for 1/2 price when you use the coupon code TANDTINTROCOUPONS  at checkout.
   Right now it is the only item listed. You can go to AmiObssnbyShannon to get the pattern that can be used to crochet both turtles (have flippers) tortoise (have legs) with minimal adjustments needed. You can even choose to make a shorter (see green turtle) or taller (see brown tortoise) shell.

   This is really my first pattern out there for sale so I would like to hear feedback from all of you as to what you think about it. Please be honest... I can take it.

    Thank you for stopping by... Best Wishes & Happy Ami,
                                                                        Shannon

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Hello Kitty Has Gone Zebra



   One of the guys I work with and his wife are expecting a little girl coming up in August. The colors for the baby are zebra stripes and hot pink. When I asked about what they might want he said "Well I was going to ask if you could do something with Hello Kitty and zebra stripes."

   Do they make black, white & pink yarn? Of course. Well then chances are that I can do something with it then.

   No really, I had just finished my turtle/tortoise project and was looking for a new idea for inspiration. So there I had it and here it is for you to see too. She's pink, she's white and now she has stripes... meet zebra striped Hello Kitty.

Best wishes to all... and Happy Ami,      Shannon