In an attempt to make the Beaders Forum a more welcoming community, the moderators have created the following rules:

1.) Be positive. Because we want to leave room for constructive criticism in "Show us your work," we do not have an overarching rule against all negativity. However, that does not mean that you can post rude, antagonistic comments. They do not contribute to the forum in any way, shape, or form and they will be deleted.

2.) If you don't like a member's posts, then don't read them. Leave it alone. Live and let live.

3.) If you do feel the need to address a personal problem with a fellow forum member, contact them off the forum. The rest of the forum doesn't want to hear it. Any personal correspondence that takes place in this matter is just that -- personal. We don't want to see it.

4.) If you feel that a forum member is breaking the forum rules, report it to the moderators. Here are our e-mails, so there are no excuses about not knowing who to contact.
• editor@beadstylemag.com
• editor@beadandbutton.com
• editor@artjewelrymag.com

5.) If a conflict does come up, e-mail the moderators (see e-mails above) then leave it alone. Every post on a flame thread, no matter how well intended, contributes to the bandwagon effect and keeps the post at the top of the list. We know that you want to "put in your [2c]" but please remember the old adage "A penny saved is a penny earned." [;)]

6.) Sometimes a thread that starts out innocently enough evolves into a flame thread. If this happens, the person who started it should post a request at the beginning of the thread that people drop the subject immediately. This request should be a red flag to other members that they should not post on this thread — no apologies, no last words, just leave it alone until a moderator can lock it. The administrators are not the only ones with the power to moderate the forum; use the tools that are at your disposal to help make the forum a more positive community.

Also, just so everybody knows, I have received multiple e-mails lately from new members who feel uncomfortable posting their work. It has nothing to do with shyness or modesty — it is because forum members are so quick to believe that posts are spam. Please be patient. Instead of yelling at a person, take the time to explain the rules to them. Almost everybody on this forum has a link to their Web site, eBay store, business homepage, etc. There is a lot of gray area, and we need to be considerate to new members who may not understand the subtleties. I want new members to feel comfortable posting and participating, and I'm sure that you agree.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks for your time. Please let me know if you have any questions.