my apologies

[wildman]

I know this will get moved but here goes. I have had good dealings with every person I have traded with on this sight. That full riding gear post I knew nothing about,untill yesterday (thanks) I also have never disrespected anyone on this sight. I have no trouble with criticism at all thats how we learn,but we have to respect each other.I tried to enter into the bow trade with a positive attitude and have fun. I thought that was the spirit of the whole thing. We are not all master craftsmen ,but we are all trying and learning. I sent a bow that broke In good faith I sent a bow I had used for a year or so and taken game with and a check to ship the other back(about 3wks now). I will be tickled to get them back will even send more money to get the second bow back.
I would have been happy with the first stick someone hacked on and tied a string to because it was something different someone else had created,That is the spirit of this swap is it not? Sorry my work does not live up to somes standards, and thanks for the support of the rest. I will not let one bad deal mess the whole sight up for me.

Thanks ,but I gotta go to the mail box and garden got some tomatoe stics coming in the mail if they dont make it I will just pull a few from around my cages. Who doesn't like deer steak and stewed tomatoes anyway
Thanks Keith Syers A.K.A wildman

[Parnell]

Hello Keith,
I'm reluctant to post anything, but, if you've upheld your end of the deal and made these further offers it sounds like you've done your due diligence.  The trade is supposed to be about fun and appreciation of other's efforts. 

Parnell

[bigcountry]

I felt bad for ya myself.  this is the reason I did not participate.  I wouldn't mind getting something thats not up to par (in my mind), but it would break my heart to have someone publically try to humiliate me with my best efforts. 

And I have a feeling thats what might happen if I did participate.

There is some skill beyond my wildest imagination on this forum. 

[Rick Wallace]

This is also exactly why I didn't participate,I have 10 bows I made,all shoot well for ME,probably be considerd junk by some. I notice more and more on several of these sights there are a select few,NOT EVERYONE, that expect absolute perfection,think theres is the best, and look down there nose at less expereinced . Its very rude for any one to complain about something like this, I would have kept it and said nothing,maybe privately,  dint sweat it!  Remember we learn by our mistakes.

[Cameroo]

I think the expression "don't look at gift horse in the mouth" applies here, or if you don't have anything good to say, don't say it.  I looked at this swap not as a chance to get an awesome bow for nothing, but as a chance to try my best to make a gift that another like-minded person would appreciate.  I realized going into it that with all of the different skill levels of our members, I could receive a wall hanger, or something that would totally blow my mind (which it did Darcy!). Anyone who was not ok with this fact probably should have not got involved in the swap.

I didn't see anything wrong with your bow, it looked like a shooter to me.  Ya the string might have been a bit heavy.  So make a new string and get over it.  

Don't let it get to you Keith.  There is no need to apologize in my opinion.

[John K]

Hi Keith, All that was asked in this bow trade is that you do the best you can. If thats what you did no need to apologize.

Lifes to short to worry about a silly bow 

[Pat B]

Kieth, there is no need to appologize to anyone. You did your part and took a step beyond.  That is all anyone can ask.
  One reason I like these trades is because it allows someone that is new at wood bow building a chance to make the best bow they can. The encouyragment from others really helps a person dig deep and go beyond where they have been so far. I said at the beginning(and have repeated it over and over again) this trade is not about the bow that you might recieve but about you making the best bow you can for your recipient. In the beginning I had to ask one person to drop out because it seemed to me all he cared about was getting a bow from someone else. Since then this young guy has bloomed on the site and is actively trying to improve his ability so he can join in next year. That is the spirit of what the bow trade should be and will continue to be.
  I hope anyone that wants to join in next years Bow Trade will jump in and have fun with the rest of us. It is the spirit of giving that drives this trade and as long as I have anything to do with it it will remain that way.

[Pat B]

...also, lets not forget Rich's (halfeye) idea of this bringing us all together to make new friends and to share our friendships with each other. That is also in the spirit of the PA Bow Trade!   

[half eye]

Keith,
     This whole thing started cause I said as how I liked all the good bows ya new bowyers made.....and of course it got out of hand. I jumped at the chance to get in, still dont know who got my name.........whoever it is the bow will be greatly appreciated. I honestly believe that ya'll young builders is way ahead of where I was at back in the 60's before computers, books and the like. Been killin deer with my polished turds for damned near 50 years and you fellas are doin damned fine work........be proud to own a bow from any of ya.....
rich

[Pat B]

AMEN, Rich!!!

[PEARL DRUMS]

Alright fine............Im in next year! I love the thought of building thee best rig you can for another person. I never joined any swaps because I was worried my goods werent good enough. If you do your best.......then it must be good enough. For what its worth Keith, the tiller was DEAD NUTZ man. You tell me where you get tomatoe stakes that bend that good and Im buying the lot.

[toomanyknots]

I just didn't join cause I didn't have any staves. Definitely will join next time. Wildman, so are you saying that your trade partner was not happy with your second bow you sent to replace the one that broke?

[wildman]

Toomanynots,yes that is basicly what happened, I am glad we can all take this incident and use it to learn from as well as take a positive that turned way negative and get it headed back on the right track. I will more than likely do the bow trade again(fair warning) and for better or worse we need to stick together and help one another,because I don't know if you guys know this ,but a bunch of grown men who make stick bows and play with rocks are considered strange in some places. I hope that my post has got the SPIRIT of the trade back where  99% can enjoy it again.


Thanks Guys
Keith

[ken75]

amen to all , wildman ill take one of your bows anytime . or a polished terd

[wildkatt]

I was a little apprehensive about getting involved in this trade im a very new Boyer and i was afraid that the recipient wouldn't like it but i did the best i could to make the best bow i could. I was stressed until he got it luckily he liked it. I hope  So i hope everyone that hesitated this year joins in next year it so far has been a great experience. I dont know who got my name but i will be happy with what i get.



Katt