Right now Joey, a lot of  the Premium skins are from Master skinners uploading updates,  since WB was updated to fix an issue with dark Explorer background color. I  try to put out a free skin on every third or fourth upload, and I know LightStar does as well, as a matter of fact, I'm working on a Windows XP retro skin that will be free, it should be ready in a couple of weeks, if not sooner. I personally (can't speak for other Master skinners) am on a fixed income, and selling my skins, gives me some extra money, that comes in handy at times, that is why I sell my skins. The sad thing is, there's not enough people interested in skinning; so that there would be more choices between free, and paid, in my opinion, for what it's worth.

Don*, I think You* know, I have total respect for You*, and for the Art. What I think is bugging Me is, It feels like I am being triple charged every time I do by a *Master Skin*. (Yes, I am aware of the discount I get...)  

I'm just running out of Cash, and my Plastic is FILLED!   

joey: Read that quote as it's 100% correct. 

I'm a Master and upload free skins because I can. I'm not rich by any means but would rather see many people download then just the few that can afford it. Saying that I haven't uploaded for a few months. WHY? Even for a good free skin there just isn't many downloads anymore. However aside from the download count, there are so very few comments. Between the amount of people that download and the amount that say thank you it makes skinners lose interest. 

I will upload soon as that is what I have done for many years. I'm on here several times a day looking and checking things so I haven't left. You have been hare awhile. Bet you use to enjoy seeing who got promoted to what. To be honest not many people now do enough to deserve being promoted in my opinion. Saying that there is one that has a low ranking that make nice WB skins. That person can't even get promoted. I see no reason for this not happening and nothing says there has to be a full list. If only one person deserves to be promoted the it should be posted and done. Because of the lack of talented people forget the yearly promotion thing. Promote whenever a person deserves it.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Thank You, Dave*. I Truly DO Appreciate your Comment and Your Artistic Talent. Thank You*!

Just so you know too, roughly 43% of the sales of Master Skins goes to Stardock to support the site, and in my case I give a lot of what I make away to the poor. There are still free skins still being made too, but yes, not as many.  I try to do one every 3rd to 4th submission when I can, and I know other skinners do also.

Well I'll post it on this one too, pardon my redundancy.

Just in case you missed it, Vampothica recently very kindly made her premium skins free.

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds/search/vampothika

Some time ago Z71 also released all his skins for free as well.

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/all/search/z71

Thank You*, "LightStar", 
That 43% I did NOT know about but does irk the Hell out of me, as I said above, as a subscriber to both; Wincustomize and Objectdock. 
It just adds to the frustration I'm already feeling.. 

I Do Appreciate your comments, and Thank You!  

-Joey*

Thank You, Dave* and Chas*! Nice just to hear from You*....

I'm not trying to stir up some kind of "trouble". I'm honestly just frustrated, and BROKE! 

-Joey*

No worries Joey. Being low on funds can get to anyone. You just need to regroup and do the best you can. Check your PM. 

Sometimes I go puttering about in the old skins.  Most of the Win7 skins work pretty well on Win10, even the Vista skins if you're a little forgiving. (I wouldn't pay for one unless I were prepared to do a little SkinStudio tweaking, but that's not really what we're talking about here.)

Once you hit the "right arrow" in the gallery and the 2nd page comes up, you can just replace the ending "2" with a  bigger number, say "50", in the address bar and jump back like a little time machine.  After a little perusing there are usually a few out there that look "new" to me.

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds/page/2

Thanks Dave R*...... That, I Have done. 

It's actually something I use quite a bit when looking for specific Icons, or Icon Sets....  

Thank You* For Your Input, 
-Joey*

welcome to capitalism and the holly american way of life where nothing is free and everything is tied to business and money instead of well done pleasure and basic sharing way  of life !

-Or do you suggest I start cleaning toilets, and create FREE skins in my spare-time so you can enjoy "well done pleasure and basic sharing way  of life" ??

They do it in France too Charlene.