The creative network is great. I use it to get to know photographers in my local area and state, and to easily view their work with some frequency. One thing we do is reciprocate back and forth with positive reviews on work that strikes us. I've also gotten to know a few people well enough to where we're making plans to meet in October.
Would it be a good idea to have a creative network for talkmicro members? I only have 15 photos on istock so far but hope to have something worth looking at soon.
Go for it! Add whomever you'd like...people you know through TalkMicro, photographers whose work you admire, locals, etc. Almost everyone in my network are people I asked to join.