All content on this site is free to anyone interested in it, and always will be as long as I have anything to say about it. Contributing Members are the Blue folks that have donated money to the board. You can purchase a package by clicking the subscriptions link on the top toolbar if you are so inclined. or donate any amount by using PayPal on the sidebar. Blue people get bigger inboxes and more site permissions, for example, they can upload bigger files, use html in their signatures, and have full video privileges. If you're blue, the rules aren't very strict. Mainly, we use blue folks as guinea pigs when we are testing a new feature. They put up with us and give honest feedback. Donations are not tax deductible, but you do get that warm fuzzy feeling from helping. If you are buying something from one of our sponsors, please tell them that you saw their ad here. If you want to run an ad and reach 1000s of leatherworkers, we can help you on any budget. Kate, the Directory Admin, has staff from her business to make you custom banners and eye catching branding, and she can get you the best placement for your specialty so customers can find you. If you want standard forum banner ads, let me know and I'll work with you. I would be lying if I didn't mention the new server costs 5 times what we used to pay and I am nervous about paying the bills. I tell myself, if the people like what we are doing, they will support us,and we'll be okay. If they don't choose to advertise here, or donate, LW will go away, because we can't afford it. We have a lot of options for advertising, and your ads will be seen by thousands of potential customers, many of whom have asked me how to disable their ad blocking software so that they DO see the ads here. Google is catching on to the directory, and thousands are shopping in there for finished goods and leather and supplies. Our basic listings for producers of leatherwork are free, but the enhanced advertising allows more pics and keywords and priorities in the searches. If you just want to bring your site more attention, oh my, we can help with that! Google loves us. What? You said your site looks terrible and hasn't been updated since your brother-in-law's ex-girlfriend's sister moved away? We have a cure for that, too- www.studio2dawgs.com But the most important thing is that you visit the site, share your experiences and pictures, and participate in the conversations. Yes, if you can help financially,. great, but leatherworker.net isn't going to ever cost you a penny if you don't want it to. It was meant to be a free resource to all leatherworkers, and it always will be. If you want to advertise here, let us know, and we'll help you get a campaign organized that's just right for your target customers and your business. We'll share what we've learned about what works and what doesn't. Thank you all for caring enough to keep the board alive. We couldn't do it without you. Johanna

Congratulations to all the contestants and winners! Let us know what LW can do to help with publicity, web space, or whatever you need for next year. It's great to see the enthusiasm and participation. Johanna

"My Assistant" as you remember her, didn't come with the new board. All the features are available where Crystal said. I need to take that out of the "Help" before someone gets confused. Actually, we fired the tart. She came in late every day and wanted to do crossword puzzles instead of work. Oh wait, that was me. oops. ~J