I receive unprompted email money-gifts like this on a fairly regular basis. In fact, I get tweets like this, and Facebook junk messages like this, and I am bombarded with random requests to send me money almost every single day with little notes like, “I just want to help support your lifestyle!” And, “I’ve been following you forever — please put this money to good use!”
But here’s the thing, guys.
You can’t just send me money like this.
I appreciate it, truly, and I thank you for the undying support, but it just feels wrong for me to randomly take what I’m assuming is your hard-earned cash (unless you’re some kind of magical trust fund baby who wipes his/her butt with hundred dolla-dolla’ bills, y’all).
The last time I was open to receiving random money gifts like this was when I was 20 to 21 years old, still dating G (you guys remember G, don’t you?), and still living in that tiny little room with my parents in Stockton — and that was forever ago. I was a kid. And I haven’t done that kinda crap in years. And I know the Internet makes my stories and adventures seem like forever because you can literally just go back a few archives in my blog and read all about my wild childhood, but you guys. C’mon. No. This has gotta’ stop.
Again, I appreciate the support so much, and I am so grateful and flattered that you want to see me do well in my life and in my career, but if you want to support me, there are better ways to go about it.
Want to support me? Here’s what to do!
Buy the originals of my artwork! I’m selling them on Storenvy, and if you’re in love with anything I’ve drawn by hand, you can pick it up there. :)
I also put up my Society6 Art Shop where you can go and buy high quality prints of my artwork! … Granted, I only make a couple of bucks from what they’re actually making for the reprinting, packaging up, and selling of my stuff for me, but I’d prefer this over what my fans have currently been doing. This way, you’re getting something for what you’re giving me, and you can support me by toting my artwork around out in the wild! And the folks at Society6 work really hard to make sure everything is shipped and packaged carefully, and I really trust their service (though if you think someone else does it better than them, please drop me a comment and let me know).
Plus, look at all of the cool things you can get from me!
Super sweet art prints in a variety of sizes for your wall:
Framed ones, even!
Not to mention throw pillows, iPhone cases, clocks, tote bags, and a whole host of other awesome things:
Things! SO MANY THINGS!
If you want to support me, please respect what I am asking for and support me by purchasing my art instead. Then, when someone sees the art on your wall or on your tote bag or on your pillow and asks you where it’s from, you can tell them all about me, and hopefully create a new art fan for me in the process. I would much prefer you spread my work and love what I create rather than just hurling your money at me.
Oh, and my art website is finally up. Check it out here: http://www.sherilynnmacale.com — it still has a few glitches here and there, but I’m working on ironing those out. Heh.
Thank you again for always wanting to support me.
Please go purchase the art from my art shop on Society6!
And if there are any pieces of art you love from me and want to see in my shop, please let me know and I will try to get them up as soon as possible.
Love you guys,
Cheri
2 comments
I don’t think this is a cool idea, if people want to help its because they want and can help although I understand where you coming from, but also not accepting gifts from your fans is not right!
I don’t really think it’s up to my fans to decide what I feel is right or wrong to accept. I think it’s my life, and if I feel uncomfortable with receiving money like that, then I don’t need to take it just because someone wants to throw it at me.
When did fans get so self-entitled? No one owns me.