Earlier today, I got a message from Etsy, *"reminding"* me that I needed to add my LUCID ID number to my seller profile.

Ehmmm... my *what* number?

![Stone-Group-20200126a.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/alchemystones/23ynS7xeGuXgmAs3Gv8zQAHsGZVW1DqzSjmES9ke6mKRmxXGLyubzcs893pziar3343iB.jpg)
*SIMILAR... but not the SAME*

Just another piece of bureaucracy folks... nothing to see here!

So I did some reading, and turns out that if I — as an artist selling on the Etsy *(or any other, for that matter)* — would happen to sell a painted rock that needed to be sent to a buyer in Germany, I am *legally* required to have a LUCID registration.

What the hell does *that* mean?

Well, it means that the German Federal government has determined that as part of minimizing *waste,* any and all who in some way contribute to the *waste problem* with — for example — packing and shipping materials, must be registered to be part of this co-op/compact that deals with waste minimization in Germany. 


![AS104-Tibetan.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/alchemystones/EpGS9eB8GPbeMSu49H1eQEFzqMj5joH8YHcJzTrTfM4rRgnpkrLUgf9dbfbm5xNSw1w.JPG)


And so, I spent the better part of *two hours* learning and then filling out forms on a German government website to come into compliance, because I didn't want to risk being fined *"up to 200,000€"* for not having registered.

I have made precisely *two sales* to Germany in the course of... well, since early 2011. 

It's bad enough to have to keep track of a growing number of US states that require the collection of *state sales taxes,* but this takes *"business IN-convenience"* to a whole new level.

Now, I'm absolutely *not* any kind of conspiracy theorist, but sometimes it really *does* feel like the government would rather not have any *small individual operators* in the marketplace, just large organizations. 


![AS104-Swedish.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/alchemystones/EprUW23Gm2ZCRkQMD2S2VQ9o5iKy6C4WUtT5YPGb4g9tybmass2Ksc6weUvNESnirHM.JPG)


Let's face it, the regulation I just complied with makes plenty of sense in the context of a large corporation sending *pallet loads* of goods not only in plastic clamshell packaging, but then packaged in shipping boxes with all manners of plastic and styrofoam filler.

For an *individual artist* who doesn't use *"branded"* packaging, *and* who uses exclusively *used boxes and packing materials,* it makes relatively little sense as anything more than just another layer of bureaucratic nonsense.

But I am definitely *in compliance,* now!

Even so, it irks me a bit that the two hours I was planning to spend on creative endeavors instead got eaten up by *"government forms."* 

But I guess that's just the way it goes!

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my work! Do leave me a comment if you feel so inspired — interaction and engagement are always welcome!

![AS-0000-Spacer.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/alchemystones/23vsNU1LPAccErViMruWQRcJnb8igXk9AXNCkM4iuZXmo1QFHeLEJpbGhK1RG3P9xPE1r)

If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out **[The Hive Rocks Project](https://peakd.com/c/hive-127783/created)** and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!

Because I *am* trying to make some semblance of income — a *part time living,* even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.

Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!

My **[Alchemy Stones Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/AlchemyStones)** appeal

**[Alchemy Stones web site](https://www.alchemystone.com/)** and blog

**[Alchemy Stones on eBay](https://www.ebay.com/str/Alchemy-Stones)**

**[Alchemy Stones on Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlchemyStones)**

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Regardless, your upvotes and comments are always appreciated!

## Thank you for supporting independent art!

***2022.06.24 AS-TXT-104/070***