Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Here we go again.

Today has been a bit of a bummer. I've came across a couple of items, from different people, that are exact rip offs of my stuff. I'm not going to lie... it's getting to me. It's especially disheartening because one of those sellers is from very nearby, and I've actually purchased from them :(

I want to show off my artsty fartsy things. I want to share my work so that others might be encouraged to make stuff too. However, when I see two vendors in one day passing off items that are replicas of what I make, it's frustrating to say the least. I don't even want to think about what I'd find if I actually searched.

You know what the funniest thing about this whole thing is? Someone mentioned paper theatres a couple of months ago and felt I should have acknowledged that when I posted the Faerie Theatre. I didn't copy anything, or swipe an original idea, paper theatres have been around for hundreds years, but she felt that her post should have been mentioned. Truthfully I had forgotten all about it, I had been influenced by a load of historical and fanciful fantasy things that I had seen in the past few months, but I had no issues acknowledging her original post. Somewhere in the mess in the middle of my brain I'm sure it had become part of the inspiration.

The thing is, it's one thing to be inspired by something that you see and to make your own version. Hell, if it's just for you, go ahead and make a carbon copy. But, it's whole other ball game when you start selling or passing off other people's ideas without changing a damned thing.

I don't make a heck of a lot of money from the things I make. Mostly I'm happy if I can make enough to buy supplies, and sometimes even that doesn't happen. When I see other people trying to make money off of the things that were born in my head, it's really upsetting.

*sigh*

Listen, if you're going to sell stuff, just play nice would ya? Use my projects as a springboard for your own creativity. I know you can do it! You are pretty damned fabulous after all.
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9 comments:

  1. Oberon's Wood8 February 2011 at 06:15

    This is so true!
    I can totally understand how you feel about this as it's a common problem with me too :o(
    I have stopped posting lots of my work on sites now as it was getting so frustrating...and the thing is, folks may think that we are copying these 'copiers'...rotten situation to be in...I really do sympathise with you!

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  2. Noelia8 February 2011 at 06:59

    Im so sorry. Its true, people do that.
    One thing is to get inspired, we all get inspired with some people Blogs but doing the SAME thing, exact one and selling it ... i dunno... its not good.

    Specially your stuff that its so unique, its not the patter of a simple bag where you can use different fabrics etc ...

    But hey, u do this with love, your imagination and creativity is UNIQUE, nobody can copy that and its easy to see the difference.

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  3. TMCPhoto8 February 2011 at 10:53

    My sympathies too, I totally agree, it's one thing to get inspired by another artist and use their ideas as a springboard. To rip off an idea and try to make money off of it is disgusting.

    I hope this doesn't deter you from sharing your work, Taking a peek at what you're up to is one of the things that keeps me wanting to keep on creating. Having someone with zero creativity of their own stop that would truly suck.

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  4. Diane Huffman8 February 2011 at 11:48

    :(

    I'm sorry to hear it, but am not that surprised really. Your stuff is awesome and amazing - I can see why someone would want to copy and sell.

    That doesn't make it right. I'm sorry your brain magic has been usurped by unscrupulous people. :::hugs:::

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  5. Nichola8 February 2011 at 12:20

    Thanks peeps. I'm just a bit down about it but it won't deter me. The whole thing sort of goes against whole spirit of sharing art, ideas, and the seeds of inspiriation.

    Diane: 'brain magic' totally cracked me up. Despite going on and on about stealing other peoples ideas I just might have to swipe that term ;)

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  6. kitschbitch8 February 2011 at 17:42

    Some people are just hacks...don't let those wenches get you down!

    You are original, and even if someone tries to copy you, they will always be a pale imitation.

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  7. AlphaBetsy8 February 2011 at 22:45

    I'm sorry this is happening to you. I can imagine that it is frustrating to have someone directly copying your work to profit from it. I find your work so beautiful and inspiring, and sincerely hope it never comes to you having to hide it.

    Blessings!!

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  8. Jen10 February 2011 at 01:04

    I can't believe anyone would mistake your awesome creations for the bad karma copies that you've seen. I know that "hair standing up on the back of your neck" feeling when you find out someone has stolen from you - but rest assured, you will always be the true,and fabulous original!

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  9. deb christensen10 February 2011 at 20:57

    i wish there was some kind of Universal Pox that would adhere to copiers, hackers & idea stealers. it's so not fair, and just plain nasty.
    i love your work, and that you share it with us.

    ReplyDelete

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