Gemma Booker Child Style Magazine donated handmade crafts to fake magazine, Internet

July 11th of 2011, I was contacted by Gemma via Etsy.com (I own an etsy shop, where I handcraft goods).  In her email (Which I saved), she talked about supporting etsy designers and wanted to feature one of my products in her Halloween feature.  I was flattered!

(Thought) I did my homework and checked her out pretty good.  Her email looked very authentic, and all links worked.  I wasn't familiar with Child Style magazine, but figured my kids arer older, things looked legit, there were pictures all over the internet, plus thousands of facebook fans.

I decided to donate a few things to the magazine, to perhaps drive more traffic to my shop. I made a really cute tote, a bow tie and hair bow.

My first clue something wasn't right was when she asked on August 7th, for my BIO and company description.  I had already sent it to her.  Sent it again and emailed to confirm.  She never wrote back.

It is now Halloween.  I checked the links. None work, I emailed, no response.  I reported her on etsy as well, it seems she has opened an etsy shop.

This is not fair.  I'm embarrassed, because I told many of my friends and customers about it and ashamed I did not catch on quicker.  Sad that I wasted my time and money, on a thief.  Worried of the personal/home address information she has on me and my business. MAD that there is pretty much nothing I can do about it, pissed I'll never have my things returned.

So I find myself here in tears at 3 am, writing a ripoff report.