NAME CLEARED LAURIE WHITNEY, MERMAIDGLASS, MERMAIDARTGLASS, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST, SRA-W78

NOT A FRAUD: LAURIE WHITNEY, MERMAIDGLASS, MERMAIDARTGLASS, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST, SRA-W78

LAURIE WHITNEY, MERMAIDGLASS, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST, SRA-W7 (a privately formed group)

LAURIE WHITNEY from Chuluota, Florida, has been selling handmade lampwork beads, jewelry, home and garden items online at various venues such as Etsy, Ebay, and her own website for several years. She also gives classes to teach how to make handmade lampwork beads.

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-laurie-whitney-fraud-mermaidglass.html.

LAURIE WHITNEY, MERMAIDGLASS, has a valid FLORIDA State Sales Tax permit and is in full compliance with the law.

http://www.mermaidglass.etsy.com/ (since 2006)
http://www.mermaidglass.com/
http://www.starfishcottage.etsy.com/ (since 2008)
Selling on Ebay since 2000 with Ebay id: mermaidartglass

The Seminole County Tax Assessor/Appraisor The Collin County Tax Assessor is fully aware of the tax status of Ms. Whitney's property. Ms. Whitney has been found to be in compliance and current on her property tax payments, as well as all other taxes.

LAURIE WHITNEY'S MOTHER'S SHOP ON ETSY HAS BEEN THREATENED AS ULLJA KUNTZE'S NEXT LIBEL AND HARASSMENT VICTIM.

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

NAME CLEARED TRACI CRABTREE, TRACIDAWN78, BEADSBYTRACI, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST, SRA C-109

NOT A FRAUD: TRACI CRABTREE, TRACIDAWN78, BEADSBYTRACI, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST, SRA C-109

Traci Crabtree, beadsbytraci, handmade lampwork artist,SRA C-109 (Self Representing Artist, which is a privately created group).

Traci Crabtree has been selling/buying on Ebay since Nov, 2001 with Ebay id tracidawn78.
This seller has also been selling on Etsy since Nov 2008. http://www.tracidawn78.etsy.com/

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-traci-crabtree-fraud-tracidawn78.html.

Despite Ullja Kuntze's fraudulent shill purchase from this seller in an attempt to entrap her by prematurely paying for the purchase without waiting for an invoice that includes sales tax AS CLEARLY INSTRUCTED, Traci Crabtree, Beadsbytraci, does indeed have a Texas State Sales Tax permit and is in full compliance with the law.

The code enforcement agency and the Fire Marshall in Plano, TX are not concerned with her studio business set-up to manufacture lampwork beads.

The Collin County Tax Assessor is fully aware of the tax status of Ms. Crabtree's property. Ms. Crabtree has been found to be in compliance and current on her property tax payments, as well as all other taxes.

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

NAME CLEARED ANNE RICKETTS, ARICKETTS, AMRGLASSWORKS, FRAUD HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST, FRAUD SRA R-19

NOT A FRAUD: ANNE RICKETTS, ARICKETTS, AMRGLASSWORKS, FRAUD HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST, FRAUD SRA R-19

Anne Ricketts, AMRGLASSWORKS, handmade lampwork artist, SRA R-19 (Self Representing Artist, which is a privately created group).

This highly accomplished professional glass artist, Anne Ricketts, has been selling handmade lampwork beads and tutorials online at various venues such as Etsy, Ebay etc since 1999, teaching classes at Blue Moon Glassworks, Austin-TX, former President of the Friendship Quilt Guild in Brenham-TX, and is published and featured in various magazines.

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-anne-ricketts-fraud-aricketts.html.

Anne Ricketts, AMRglassworks, has had her Texas State Sales Tax permit under the business name as AMR Glassworks Jan 2003.

Her invoice complies fully with the law by stating clearly that Texas residents are to add 8.25% sales tax. We have confirmed that she is fully compliant with tax laws and current with her filings.

This seller has also been selling on Etsy since Feb 2007. http://www.aricketts.etsy.com/

The code enforcement agency and the Fire Marshall in Round Rock, TX remain unconcerned with her studio business set-up to manufacture lampwork beads.

The Williamson County Tax Appraisor and Assessor is fully aware of the tax status of Mrs. Ricketts' property. Mrs. Ricketts has been found to be in compliance and current on her property tax payments, as well as all other taxes.

NAME CLEARED LAKESIDELAMPWORK, AIMEE , HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST

NOT A FRAUD: LAKESIDELAMPWORK, AIMEE , HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST

LAKESIDELAMPWORK, AIMEE, handmade lampwork artist, SRA (Self Representing Artist, which is a privately created group).

This handmade lampwork artist has been selling online on various venues such as Ebay and Etsy etc since 2002.
www.lakesidelampwork.etsy.com (since Oct 2007)
Ebay id lakesidelampwork (since 2002)

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-lakesidelampwork-fraud-aimee.html.

This seller's paypal account is a business paypal account in the name of one of the family businesses. We at Artisan Fraud Truth Report have confirmed that it is a legitimate corporation and that all dealings are above-board. We have also confirmed with the Nebraska State Revenue Enforcement agency that the name in which the Paypal account is registered is irrelevant to them.

The president of this Corporation is aware of the paypal transaction that led to the libelous accusations against her family members by Ullja Kuntze on her blog http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-lakesidelampwork-fraud-aimee.html.

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

NAME CLEARED SANDRA COWAN, SLCUNIQUES, WIRE ARTIST, LAMPWORK ARTISAN

NOT A FRAUD: SANDRA COWAN, SLCUNIQUES, WIRE ARTIST, LAMPWORK ARTISAN

SANDRA COWAN, SLCUNIQUES, HANDMADE WIRE ARTIST.

Sandra Cowan has been selling online handmade lampwork beads, tutorials, online teaching classes and handmade wired jewelry at various venues such as Etsy, Ebay etc since 2005.
http://www.slcuniques.etsy.com/ since 2007
http://www.slc-uniques.com/
Ebay shop since 2005 with the ID name: slcuniques

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-sandra-cowan-fraud-slcuniques.html

Sandra Cowan has her Texas State Sales Tax permit and is current with all required taxes. It was brought to her attention that her online store, which had not previously made any sales that were subject to sales tax, was lacking a sales tax notice for Texas residents. She promptly corrected the omission and is in full compliance with the law.

UPDATE ON OUR ONLINE TRUTH INVESTIGATION

Our Online Truth Investigation blog about False Accusations of Fraud against online sellers has had an overwhelming amount of viewers.

Our group has been actively encouraged by our Law Enforcement Agencies to continue to protect innocent citizens against harassment and fraudulent reporting.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

NAME CLEARED LAURA RUIZ, LADEDACREATIONS, HANDMADE SOAP MANUFACTURER

NOT A FRAUD: LAURA RUIZ, LADEDACREATIONS, HANDMADE SOAP MANUFACTURER

LAURA RUIZ, owner of Laura's Garden Spa in Catoosa, Oklahoma, has been manufacturing handmade cosmetics such as soaps, lotions and bath products within the guidelines for Oklahoma State Health home manufacturing of cosmetics.
For details call the Health department->(405) 271-5243.

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-laura-ruiz-fraud-ladedacreations.html

LAURA RUIZ sells on various venues online besides having her Brick and Mortar Spa.
www.lalabug71.etsy.com
www.ladedacreations.artfire.com
www.laurasgardenspa.com
www.ladedacreations.com
www.ladedacreations.1000markets.com

The Rogers County Tax Assessor and Collector is fully aware of the tax status of Ms. Ruiz's property. Ms. Ruiz has been found to be in compliance and current on her property tax payments, as well as all other taxes.

NAME CLEARED Ginny Hampton Schmidt, Ginnovations, handmade lampwork artist business

NOT A FRAUD: Ginny Hampton Schmidt, Ginnovations, handmade lampwork artist business

Ginny H. Schmidt, Ginnovations, handmade lampwork artist from Lewisville-Texas. This seller has been selling handmade lampwork beads and jewelry online at various venues such as Etsy, Ebay, her own website plus teaching how to make lampwork beads at Wired Up Beads in Southlake, Texas.

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-ginny-hampton-schmidt-fraud.html.

Ginny Hampton Schmidt, Ginnovations, acquired her Texas State Sales Tax permit under a business name called Ginny Hampton Schmidt which is active since March 2008 and is in full compliance with the law.

We have been informed about her Texas Sales Tax permit info from the Audit Office in Dallas-TX.

Ginny Hampton Schmidt has been selling/buying on Ebay since Dec 1999 with Ebay id virginiaintexas.
This seller has also been selling on Etsy since June 2006. http://www.ginnovations.etsy.com/
She also sells her handmade lampwork beads and jewelry on her website, http://www.ginnovations.com/

The code enforcement agency and the Fire Marshall in Lewisville, TX remains unconcerned about her studio business set-up to manufacture lampwork beads.

The Denton County Tax Assessor is fully aware of the tax status of Ms. Schmidt's property. Ms. Schmidt has been found to be in compliance and current on her property tax payments.

The FDA's official stance on handmade soaps

http://flowerchild79creativehaven.blogspot.com

Thanks to Flowerchild79 for this link!

NAME CLEARED Betsymn, Greyhaven Studio, Elizabeth Wait, handmade lampwork artist SRA W-55

NOT A FRAUD: Betsymn, Greyhaven Studio, Elizabeth Wait, handmade lampwork artist SRA W-55

Artist Betsymn, Greyhaven Studio, Elizabeth Wait, handmade lampwork artist, member of Self Representing Artists (which is a privately created group) SRA W55.

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-betsymngreyhaven-studio-elizabeth.html

This seller has been selling handmade lampwork beads and other items online at various venues such as Etsy, Artfire, and Ebay. It has been confirmed that Elizabeth Wait aka Betsymn has renewed her State Sales Tax permit for 2009 and remains in full compliance with the law.

She has been selling/buying on Ebay since 1998 with Ebay id name betsymn.

http://www.betsymn.etsy.com/ since Nov, 2006
http://www.betsybeads.artfire.com/ since 2009

A note to all you hardworking honest artisans out there

We here at Artisan Fraud Truth Report just want to let you know that we understand it is heartbreaking to have your hard-earned good business name tainted with false accusations of fraud, and that waiting for it to be cleared can be frustrating. We assure you that we are working hard to uncover the truth and vindicate those who are unfairly accused, and while we cannot clear everyone's name in a single day, we will not stop until we have painstakingly researched and cleared the names of ALL the unfairly accused.

A few of the things we've confirmed in our investigations:

A business Paypal account is not required to conduct business in any state.

Home businesses are legal in all 50 states and do not change your real estate tax rate... although the square footage you use for your business may be tax-deductible.

Non-business hobbyists who sell their crafts occasionally are exempt from sales tax rules in most states.

Most states do not require a business or sellers license if you earn under a certain dollar amount at your hobby. This dollar amount varies from state to state.

Most states will only issue a single business license to a given residential address, and that license is valid for all the permanent businesses residing at that address.

And of course, as we all know, many people have eBay accounts for many years before beginning to sell their work, so the age of an eBay account is the least reliable method for estimating the age of a business.

NAME CLEARED Ashton Jewels Lampwork by Lydia Muell, handmade lampwork Artisan SRA M 131

NOT A FRAUD: Ashton Jewels Lampwork by Lydia Muell, handmade lampwork Artisan SRA M 131

Ashton jewels Lampwork by Lydia Muell, handmade lampwork Artisan, member of Self Representing Artists SRA-M131, has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-ashtonjewels-lydia-muell-handmade.html. This seller's State Sales Tax permit has been found to be legal and in order.

Lydia Muell has been selling online at:
Selling/buying on Ebay under ASHTONJEWELS since the year 2000
Her website: http://www.lampworktreasures.com/
Selling on Etsy: http://www.ashtonjewels.etsy.com/ since 2006

It has been confirmed that the type of Paypal account this seller has is irrelevant and not addressed by any government agencies.

Her studio premises where she manufactures beads and sells of, has been inspected by the Davidson County City Code enforcement inspector. The local Fire Marshall is not concerned about this business.

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

NAME CLEARED Double Dipped Sweets Bakery

NOT A FRAUD: Doubledippedsweets Bakery

Doubledippedsweets owner Krista Loertscher, skilled in her kitchen manufacturing, baking, and selling ,WITH a proper health department license and permit, at
http://www.doubledippedsweets.etsy.com/
http://www.doubledippedsweets.artfire.com/
http://www.doubledippedsweets.com/

has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/fraud-doubledippedsweets-fraud-bakery.html. Contrary to the claims published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, Krista was not shut down by the Utah State Health Department on July 21st, 2009, but rather has temporarily closed her selling venues for the summer as she does each year.

This online business has been found to have all their taxes and necessary licenses in order.
For info and verification of this info call the Utah Health Department at (801) 538-7159

NAME CLEARED CCtexan3

NOT A FRAUD: CCtexan3

Artisan CCtexan3, a Houston Texas Resident whose name we decline to publish due to her request for privacy, sells online at
http://www.cctexan3.artfire.com/
http://www.cctexan3.etsy.com/

has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/cctexan3-cindy-cloutier-online-fraud.html. Call the State Comptrollers office at 1-800-252-5555 for details.

CCtexan3 has been inspected by the Houston State Sales Tax Enforcement agency and confirmed to have an active State Tax permit since 2007.

NAME CLEARED Vanilla Bean Baker, Arlington VA

NOT A FRAUD: Vanilla Bean Baker, Arlington VA

Baker and handmade soap manufacturer, Holly McConnell, owner of Vanilla Bean Baker (http://www.vanillabeanbaker.com/) and Goatmountainarts has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/vanilla-bean-baker-arlington-va.html.
Arlington, VA health department and Department of Agriculture investigated the allegations of fraudulent activity and found them to be baseless. Contact for information about this case: (703) 228-5580.

Holly McConnell is selling as well under the nickname GOATMOUNTAINARTS at the following sites:
http://www.goatmountainarts.artfire.com/
http://www.goatmountainarts.etsy.com/

It has been confirmed that a State Agricultural Manufacturers license is not required for the sale of handmade soaps.

The State Comptroller's and Revenue Office of VA has no interest in investigating this seller, as her taxes are current and properly filed.

Who we are and why we are here

The simple purpose of this blog is solely to reveal that the person behind http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/ is disgruntled artist Ullja Kuntze. Her other blog is here: http://ullja.wordpress.com.

We have documented proof that Ullja Kuntze is the author of http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/. She has been making purchases from the businesses she targets, apparently in order to obtain the owners names and addresses before she fraudulently reports them to local tax and licensing agencies, and she pays for those purchases using her Paypal account under her business name "Beads4U". The address on file for this account matches Ullja Kuntze's address in Texas. We, the authors of this blog, have not yet been targeted by Ullja Kuntze's blog, but a great number of highly respected and talented artisans within the handmade arts community have been; primarily those she considers to be in direct competition with her, and those who have questioned the business practices that have caused her online shop to be closed in the past, and her Etsy and Artfire profiles banned. It is our concern that these artisans will be adversely affected by Ullja Kuntze's false claims.

Ullja Kuntze has, on http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/, anonymously defamed a number of excellent and reputable artisans with false and unfounded claims that they are perpetrating fraud and tax evasion. We at Artisan Fraud Truth Report wish only to see the names of these honest businesspeople vindicated. Currently, when you Google their names, Ullja Kuntze's blog http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/ comes up, associating their names with fraud. This appears to be a clear and deliberate attempt to damage the livelihood and reputations of these artisans through Google search manipulation. It is our hope that this blog will, through using many of the same techniques, also appear on these Google searches and help mitigate the harm Ullja Kuntze is inflicting on these fine businesspeople.

Here is more information about Ullja Kuntze's current and past run-ins with the artisan community:
http://consumerist.com/5323799/etsy-...got-her-banned
http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-jewelrymkg&tid=41659
http://etsynews.com/698/allegations-of-fraud-on-etsy/


As well, a number of artists have blogged about her - needless to say, most of these people have now been libeled with false accusations of illegal activity on her blog:
http://www.skyisland.com/blog/2008/june/international_criminal_my_own_backyard
http://subeeds.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/lampwork-fraud-on-etsy-and-ebay/
http://themermaidtale.blogspot.com/2008/06/merlot-and-email.html
http://fourtailslampwork.blogspot.com/2008/07/is-etsy-worth-it.html
http://dancingwinddesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/ullja-frauds-fraud-blog.html

There is also this humorous parody blog, to lighten the grim mood this has put many artisans in:
http://handmadeartisanfraudtruestory.blogspot.com/


If you have a blog about this situation you would like linked, please let us know.