Hero Arts dropped Ralph Tyndall over threatened boycott?

As a mother of a Gen Z teenager, after listening to my daughter and her friends this guy doesn't faze me. lol

There has always been competitiveness covered up by fake niceness in this industry, unfortunately that's nothing new.

I like to think I stay pretty up on this industry but I had never heard of this guy. I am glad to add him to my collection of inspirational creatives. Also, I bought that brownstone set he used in the "controversial" video. It was 4.99. Score! I'm a sucker for house and architectural iconography so it was inevitable anyway, once I stumbled upon it.

I wish him well and look forward to checking out more of his stuff. If what he has alleged is true, that's such a shame. But also: Are the other (influential) creatives that thin-skinned? Do they think we all ascribe to them motives of pure creativity and boundless artistic pursuits full of nothing but altruism and the desire to share? I'd be bored shitless by that and I like that they promote stuff and show cool ways to use it. Odd.

I have never heard of him, until this post.
I agree with others, there has to be more to the story.

I should preface this by saying that Ralph has only crossed my path once or twice. I find his cards to be just "eh" and I dislike AMSR in general in a huge way and immediately turn those videos off. So I don't know anything about his personality and/or how he fits into the card making community beyond being a content creator and designer. I am perplexed at how he has such a large following (I do not TikTok) and can't help but wonder if somehow followers were purchased? I don't know if that can be done, but I'm fairly certain that it can be done on IG.

Thoughts after watching the first video: there was no information shared that anyone who watches card making content didn't already know. IMHO it was wholly unnecessary. I disliked that he made a point several times to say (I'm paraphrasing here) that he didn't want to dis those who create card making videos in a manner that is different than his, who use affiliate links and the like, but then he would continue to do so. This is a conversation he should have had with trusted friends or professionals. That it was complained about enough to have his collab with HA ended over a threatened boycott, like many of you, I think that there is a lot more to this story that likely happened behind the scenes prior to him going on about it in the video.

I didn't watch the second one discussing his release from HA because that first 12 minute video was as much as i want to invest in him right now

I like Ralph. I randomly came across him on YT. I do not watch all of his videos.

Personally, most of his cards or HA products are not for me. But maybe he is refreshing to me because he is not pushing affiliate linking (on the video) like everyone else? One of the last videos I watched he made a card with old product. On another it was a super cute Disney card. Normally I am not into ASMR, but I can definitely stand watching a few of his before I have to move on. Maybe because it is a subject I am interested in?

If the threat to boycott is true then that is a shitty thing to do, especially since the affliate-linking is absolutely true. You don't fool me makers who claim to be helpful by putting the "link down below." Especially when they link not only the shown product, but every single scissor, trimmer, adhesive, reverse tweezer, cardstock, pick up tool, etc, etc.

I enjoy his asmr shorts. That's how he first dropped onto my radar. His actual product collaborations aren't my style, so no profit gained from me there. The toxic positivity of a particular clique in this business makes me wish they would all lose their following, but it will never happen. Fuck their insincere "be kind" bullshit.

this this this this this. OMG I cannot stand the kindness whining thing. it is one big eye roll, either hugely preachy or "piling on" ingenuine, hard to say which is more annoying. and don't even get me started on the kindness-themed stamp sets.. I'm like are they serious?? I can't imagine sending a friend or even a stranger a card with a sentiment like "kill them with kindness" or "the world needs more kindness" or "kindness no matter how small is never wasted". they must just send them to each other, happy to pat each other on the back. and of course no one can tell them it is freaking weird because "that would be unkind". EYE ROLL.

re: ralph - I can think of at least two biggies for HA who I could see fussing about the fairly bland comments he made. it has the same vibe as the "don't copy my card" drama. like, get a life.

whether I like his designs or not (hit or miss), if what he said is true, then it is really lame. I could see part of the full story being that he hasn't drank the koolaid. he still has and shares his (mild) honest opinions. and for all their talk of kindness, it appears to only be extended to those who toe the party line... #sunshine #rainbows #everyoneisgreat #allproductsarecute #keepbuyingandbekind

I should add that I also don't look to check out what Hero arts is doing or selling, either, so that also adds to me not knowing this designer/artist/creator.

I didn't even realize Hero Arts still existed!

To me Hero Arts is still the company selling rubber stamps back in the late 1980s. A few years after that I had a reason to opt not to purchase their stamps any longer, and so they just fell of the radar for me. So this thread has been a surprise to me in that they are even still in business.

I like that Amy R explains how affiliate links are a kickback that help her keep the heaters running and the lights on, but don't cost any extra money to the buyer. She's very upfront about that, but she also shares older product that she loves, as long as it's still available. I love seeing different variations on a stamp set I bought back in 2017! Hardly anyone else I watch does that.

She also explains that she doesn't share retired product in part because people complain loudly in the comments if they can't buy what she's using. Making a video is a lot of work, especially if you're making less income and people are bitching at you! I think she probably chooses to work with SSS in part because they don't retire versatile products as often as some companies, so she can continue making cards with her fav florals year after year AND still make some money.