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December 17, 2018

DIY Blogger I Am Not – The Story of My Coaster Post

14 Comments/ 125/ 1

Six years ago I wrote a DIY post about making coasters using ceramic tiles, scrapbook paper, ModPodge and clear engine paint.

Six years ago.

Today I received an email with a question from yet another reader about the process.

Nothing ever dies on the internet.

I suspect the uptick in views of that post (now close to 19,000) is due to people looking for DIY gifts for Christmas but it makes me shake my head and laugh.

The post was written before I really got into taking decent photographs for my posts and the pictures are less than perfect.  I keep saying that I need to reshoot them but six years later that still has not happened.  Some of them are okay but the step by step pictures have shadows and are a little sketchy at best.  Not my best work.

What amuses me is that I have 213 comments as of today on this post and probably a third of those comments are questions that could have been answered if folks had just read the post correctly.  Sigh.

Seriously.

“Why are my mugs sticking to the coasters?  Do I need to use the clear coat engine paint? ”

“My paper peeled off the coasters when I soaked them in water.”

“I baked mine in the oven and the paper turned brown.”

“Can these be made heat-proof so that hot mugs can sit on them and not leave marks? I can’t figure out how to do that.”

Who would have thought that a simple post about making coasters with detailed instructions AND pictures would have gotten  so comments?   It just makes me laugh.

What I do know is that I am not a very good DIY blogger.

Obviously.

If I had written the post in a different manner maybe people would have actually been able to make the coasters and trivets successfully?  I don’t know.

I must admit I have been very patient and good about answering comments on this one because people were so frustrated with their mugs sticking to the coasters.  I felt that I needed to apologize or something which is silly, isn’t it?

What lesson have I learned?

I am NOT a DIY blogger.  I love to do crafts and simple projects and share those but I just am not cut out to do it at as a blogger.  I have a real respect for anyone who can pull it off successfully.

So if you are looking to make some coasters or trivets this year for gifts you may want to check out my Coasters Everywhere post here but please – read and follow my directions.  It worked for me.  I am still using those same coasters I made 6 years ago for both hot and cold beverages.  They work for me.  I don’t know why they don’t work for others.

 

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14 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. dawnkinster
    December 17, 2018 at 07:00 am

    Oh my! People are still contacting you after 6 years? I think that’s a compliment! But you’re right, many people don’t read everything in directions, much less in a blog.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 17, 2018 at 07:50 am

      Crazy , huh? I suspect it is because it is on Pinterest and pinned and shared a bunch there. If only people would read most of the questions were answered. 🙂

      Reply
  2. jena c. henry
    December 17, 2018 at 08:01 am

    Loved this post. You’re going to have start making videos!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 17, 2018 at 08:05 am

      Yea, I have done some in the past but I am just goofy. Chris wants me to do podcasts….I used to do a 5 minute spot on the local radio station in Iowa and I think I could do podcasts but who would listen….that’s the question!

      Reply
  3. treadlemusic
    December 17, 2018 at 08:13 am

    I totally “get it”! We live in a world of ‘sound bites’ and, though we’re presented with info/directions, we rarely really take it in to our heads. Scanning results in a partial grasp of what is conveyed and our mind seems to skip ahead remembering what it deems as important or relevant. In the case of these darling DIYs, the results are browned paper and sticking mugs. Happens over in my little bloggy world, too. Responding to, sometimes seemingly endless, queries from incomplete readings is a lesson in patience. And, yes,………….sigh………..lol. Hugs…………

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 17, 2018 at 08:19 am

      You get it! I thought it was just me. And yes, I bet you do get a lot of that at your blog and you patiently respond and give further direction. It is what we do. But it does kind of make me laugh. Especially when the one person immersed them in water. I mean why would you do that? Right after you made them? shaking my head

      Reply
  4. Julie
    December 17, 2018 at 10:23 am

    Oh, I can so relate. A makeup post on my old blog was about the best loved post; I reviewed the makeup, didn’t like it much, never wore it again, but the comments kept rolling in. Another post for recipes really gained a lot of comments & that’s why i started a separate blog to cover those. So, with recipe posts and DIY posts, I always wonder if people don’t take the time to google for other potential solutions or suggestions or variations…I sure do.

    Reply
    1. Shirley Matthews Dunn
      December 17, 2018 at 11:57 am

      Wow!!! When your goig your good. it

      Reply
  5. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    December 17, 2018 at 04:21 pm

    And I am still using those beautiful coasters you made and gifted to me. I love them.

    Reply
  6. priscillaking
    December 17, 2018 at 04:50 pm

    You did such a good job with the post that people actually tried to make the coasters? Congratulations.

    I’ve posted detailed step-by-step instructions for knitted pieces. People have “liked” them but, if they’ve knitted them, they’ve not told me.

    Reply
  7. Jeni 💫Eats (@JeniEats)
    December 17, 2018 at 07:02 pm

    The most disappointing thing about adulthood is dealing with adults who don’t read things they are supposed to. This post is so funny! I love the person who baked them. The coasters you gave me have held up perfectly!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 17, 2018 at 07:10 pm

      Probably because you have not baked them or soaked them in water. 😂

      Reply
  8. Mama's Empty Nest
    December 19, 2018 at 11:08 am

    Well, it is kinda crazy, but as you said nothing on the internet goes gentle into that good night. 😉 What strikes me is the — well, call it what it is — dumb comments and questions people ask you. I mean really, “my paper peeled off when I soaked them in water”??? Well, duh.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 19, 2018 at 05:01 pm

      The water immersion comment had me about over the top but I nicely answered her comment. 🙂

      Reply

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