My Open Sky
Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 8:46PM
Ever since I started Cottage Industrialist (well, really before I started it), I have dreamt of opening a shop—in a cottage, of course—that would corral all of the craft and kitchen products that I use and love, and that would be a source of community to get to know others who share my interests.
But real life always makes itself apparent, and my dreams have been shelved in favor of more pressing issues like paying the mortgage, putting dinner on the table, and giving most of my energy to my real job as a public defender.
Until now.
I first learned about OpenSky a few months ago when Amy Powers launched her shop—a shop featuring craft products she uses and loves, some of which I'd never even heard of. A few weeks later, Michael Ruhlman followed with a shop full of the cooking tools he uses every day. And I got curious.
Now, hundreds of emails, hours of soul searching, and several months later, I am joining the OpenSky team as a shopkeeper.
Soul searching? Really? Well, yeah. As my blog has gained in popularity, I've tried to offset the costs (in dollars and time) of keeping the site going in various ways—from ads to Amazon affiliate links. But I hate the way ads look, and I have been frustrated by having so little control over the content that gets pushed onto my little corner of the internet that I've worked so hard to create. At the same time, it would undercut everything I've tried to do here if I suddenly turned my blog into little more than a paid infomercial.
But this is so much cooler. The OpenSkyProject is the brainchild of John Caplan, a founder of About.com and a true Internet innovator. The idea is simple: shopkeepers share their knowledge and passions to connect people with products that they'll love. It gives me the opportunity to launch the neighborhood shop of my dreams without worrying about rent or inventory. Which, in turn, leaves me to continue to focus on what I care about: writing, creating, and cooking for my family and for Cottage Industrialist.
As a regular reader, what can you expect to change? Aside from this post? Nothing, really. The only difference is that instead of ads in the side bar, you'll see links to products I love and recommend. Products that I use in my projects and my recipes will be linked to my OpenSky shop, so it will be updated frequently. And. This is important: by signing on to OpenSky, I have agreed that I will never accept payment to endorse a product; instead when shoppers buy products from my shop, I will receive a small percentage of each sale. And anything purchased from my shop will be accompanied by a 1 year guarantee. This strikes a balance of responsibility and reward that I feel comfortable with.
So. Without further ado, I hope you'll join me in my OpenSky! Even if you're not in the market for a slotted spatula or a needle felting tool today, I think you'll find the same goofy (neurotic?) sense of humor in the bits I've written for the shop. I mean, really. You've read this far. It's not like you have anything better to do. Go on. Check it out.
Reader Comments (4)
This is such a wonderful website. OpenSky is an idea whose time has definitely come. I am starting to set up my own business but as with you the bills must be dealt with first. Thank you for forging a path.
Shelley
Hey, I've never seen Open Sky before---another fun thing on the Internet..... I need more hours in the day to get to everything!
So excited to see you on OpenSky! I'm off to see what you have in your shop...
Wow, I've never even heard of Open Sky, but what a very very cool concept. It seems like a perfect middle-ground for you — congrats!!! And ooh, you have some nice products in there. High fives to you!