How much of a no-no is it to copy someone else's craft work?

[Zrt]

I've seen something technical & crafty I'd like to have a go at making. I've also started an Insta to share my craftwork, I do many different things. I'm not starting a business and I don't sell my stuff. But I would like to see if I have the skill to create this new item & record it with my other work. I'd put 'inspired by the work of ...' and credit the person who does sell this stuff. Would this be a terrible no-no? I think if it was me on the other end, I might be a bit miffed. 😬All the materials used would be my own and so would differ from the original designer but the shape/item would be obvious. So hit me with it, is it really bad to want to try it & show my efforts?

Copyright?

I'm not sure how that works? I don't believe they have a copyright at the moment but I wouldn't be doing it for sale, only my personal use.

Why don't you contact the original maker and ask their permission?

Think of someone making a patchwork cushion in particular colours with a particular patch shape. But then I make a similar one in my own fabrics.

Why not just do it and NOT put it on Insta?

I’ve never understood the need to “share” everything, can’t you enjoy doing it without it going online?

I think it's fine if you are copying the general style or technique, isn't that how we got impressionism, cubism etc? People copying each others ideas?

I've never been on Insta and I want to build up an open gallery of all the different things I've made. Nothing wrong with that.

Judging by the posts and videos I see on about people having their work copied they aren’t too thrilled.
By all means see if you can do it but, if you aren’t intending to use their idea to sell, then there really isn’t the need to public post a picture of it. They get very annoyed and start publicly slating people and then their followers all jump on and start abusing the person who copied. You would need to have a thick skin!

Obviously the worst thing would be very close copies & selling them but I haven't got time or inclination for that. I'm only interested in personal use.

Just do it. Surely it's a good advert for her and you can always include a lot of praise about her site. I should think your friends and fellow crafters would love to see what you have done.

I think where it becomes tricky is when you put images of it online. Even if you credit the originator.

If it's not something they are e.g selling the pattern for, where you would expect to see versions of it online then you are just, in effect, ripping off their design and I'd say it's a big no no.

Why would you need to put images of it up? If it's 'just for personal use' then you can just satisfy your own curiosity offline, surely?

Sure , nothing wrong with creating a gallery of your work but maybe don’t put things you’ve copied on there.

I think as long as you credit them. That way others who see yours and want to make it would then be directed to her page. I'd write something like 'I saw blahblahs beautiful blankets and was inspired to make my own, this is my version. You can check out her page to buy the original pattern'. I think it would be nice to ask her first though.

I don't understand why you don't just make it and then not post an image?

The other person doesn't sell patterns, only the finished items.

Or just make the gallery private. Or just keep the photos on your phone.

I do want to give this careful consideration, hence asking here. I can't be the first person who's fancied having a go at making something they've seen.

Patchwork? Everyone does patchwork it isn't unique

If it genuinely is something like a patchwork cushion then unless it's an incredibly specific design, there's only so many styles of patchwork under the sun so it might not be too bad if you change colour/shape etc.

Disclaimer: I craft a lot and have unashamedly lifted some ideas wholesale from people online. But I have only ever used those ideas to recreate something for my own use, or as a gift for a friend. And certainly never put pictures of them online!.

I'll admit that I've copied someone else's work. Made my own piece of clothing in the same style but I wouldn't take pictures and post it online to show everyone I've copied their design even if crediting the original artist.

Ask the Artists permission please. We all steal and copy bits of inspiration from each other that's fair but to basically copy an entire work and then post it on social media is a bit far. A lot of Artists won't mind at all and if you feel wrong about asking then you shouldn't be considering as you obviously feel its wrong.

Does the original maker have a pattern for the thing? If so you could use that and credit them.

I think if it was me on the other end, I might be a bit miffed

Well this is the key, isn't it? It depends how you are defining 'personal use' and in my opnion that isn't limited to not selling/ profiting from it.

Basically, if you wouldn't want someone to rip off your work, don't rip off theirs. Ideas and creation take time and energy and we should give that the value it deserves.

It's fine to make something you've seen to improve your own technical skill, or to understand how it's made so it can then inform your work.

It's absolutely not fine to make it and pass it off as your own design on instagram.

If by 'personal use' you mean you want to make a cushion and use it on your sofa at home, that's fine.

If 'personal use' means you would photograph that cushion and post it on instagram as your own work, that's not fine, because it's not your original work and you are getting credit/ followers for something you didn't really make.

This! if it is truly for your own enjoyment and progression then insta has no part to play