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Weekly Challenge and Chat Thread 2008, part 2

997 replies

Gingermonkey · 21/02/2008 08:53

Ooops - we've filled the thread, best start a new one, eh?!

OP posts:
Tillyboo · 22/03/2008 20:59

In light of LucyKates recent copy problems I thought I'd share something with you all.

A very lovely fellow Mumsnetter contacted me to say that she'd come across This lovely blog and to just make me aware that my work was similar.
Here is one of my cottages as a comparison.

It appears that my cosy cottages are indeed similar to the houses in question. My heart sank as I've worked so hard on some new items.
My cottages came from inspiration of Rapunzel's tower as it's one of my dd's favourite fairtales.

Although I use lots of embellishments and embroidery I would be mortified to be thought the same as LK's Owl thief

I'm a bit worried about this and think that maybe I should tweak the shape a little.
But, at the same time, looking at the lovely little zipper pouches she has made, the hill and tree is almost the same as my 'Tree on a Hill' decoration.

Anyone got any thoughts on this ?

vInTaGeVioLeT · 22/03/2008 21:41

mmm. . . . it's difficult isn't it - they do look very similar but they're not exactly the same - i've looked at syko's blog and shop before and her stuff is fab as is yours.

i guess it's all down to trends as i quite often think i'm being origanal in my work but then see a similar design in a mag - they were a lot of bird designs around last year and i guess what we see in advertising/magazines/clothing etc must influence our work.

perhaps it's just a case of great minds think alike.

Dior · 22/03/2008 23:05

Message withdrawn

dizzyday07 · 22/03/2008 23:19

TB - Maybe you need to write the inspiration into your listings and maybe call them "towers" instead of "houses" and of course yours are bigger and more embelished.

I do agree with the others that you do see a lot of the same sort of thing - I always wonder how fashion designers seem to have the same themes in their collections

Dior · 23/03/2008 10:38

Message withdrawn

Nbg · 23/03/2008 10:50

Tilly, I agree with VV alot of it is down to trends.
Tbh I was looking at Prairie Mouses blog the other day and she has some too and I have seen them on another blog which I can't remember the name of.

Oh no it was Flossie Teacakes I think.

I wouldnt worry.
Some crafters have a similar style and favour similar style fabrics and embellishments but they are all different.

In LK's case it was blatently copied to the exact detail.

Dior thank you. I have a payment going into my paypal which is waiting to clear which should be this week. If you dont mind I'll pay you when it clears as I have no funds in my paypal until then and if I do it now it will be another 7-9 days for it to clear into your account iyswim.
I'll email you my address but dont post it until I have paid you.

Whizzz, looking forward to seeing your crochet creation.

I made the little cat thing last night.
I'm going to blog it later and I wouldnt mind some opinions on it.

Tillyboo · 23/03/2008 10:55

Thanks all .. I've been tossing and turning about this all night and have decided not to worry too much about it. I'm going to add to my collection and make some longer tower like decs too and also make some sheds as I just LOVE sheds ...
Everyone has to have a shed in the garden, it's the LAW

I'm away in Cornwall from Tuesday so I won't be making anything this week - I'll be visiting Cowslip fabric and craft shop though to stock up.

I'll be taking my scribble book too.

Have a lovely week all, I'll try and check in when I can, just to see what everyone is up to.

dizzyday07 · 23/03/2008 11:12

All this talk of houses have got me thinking and I have an idea for something to make will just have to do some research now

lucykate · 23/03/2008 12:25

tilly, i know syko's work well, and did think your houses were similar, not the same, but similar, and as nbg said, prairie mouse has also made houses like that. just develop your design further, personalise it to you.

as far as my own situation is,

well, can, worms, everywhere, just about sums it all up.

i've amended my blog post as the matter is over, but i hope that this can stay and serve as a lesson to others. i have had quite a few emails and 'threats' from the other party and their family, it has been a huge learning curve for me.

if/when you come across anyone who you suspect is copying your work, walk away, don't even lower yourself to waste time dealing with it, just simply move on and design something new and better.

end of.

Nbg · 23/03/2008 14:40

Oh god LK
I hope it hasnt got nasty.

The thing is if Coats had of seen "her" work before anyone else, what would have happened if they had taken it further? Surely that would have been worse.

Its a really shitty (scuse language) situation isnt it.
And very unfair for you.

Tilly get some sheds made and have a nice time in Cornwall.

I've put the picture of Whizzz's vintage swap pressie on my blog so dont look Whizzz!
I've also stuck the picture on of my new little thing.
What I want to know is are they any good what so ever?
Its only little so i thought of making a few and selling them at the fair cheaply.
Here

lucykate · 23/03/2008 15:06

not nasty as such, quite amusing!, her mum tried to leave a comment on my blog (i have enabled comment moderation though, i may have been hot headed about all this, but i ain't daft) accusing me of all sorts and threatening legal action , she also gave me a list of other designs which she said i had ripped off, all of which look nothing like my owl other than there are, well, an owl!

it was all a load of cobblers and empty threats, plus her daughter has suddenly remembered that she has in fact, herself, been craft blogging for years, and her owls first appeared there at least a couple of years ago. funny how she 'forgot' all about her blog until now, and strange that given the amount of research i do when designing that i've never come across her before, and even stranger that she can't remember her own blog address [double ]

so, here's a challenge, if anyone can find her blog, you win an easter egg

lucykate · 23/03/2008 15:15

oh and something else, i did a search within the etsy forums on the word 'copied', it was quite an eye opener as to how it is thought of on there, and i found it to be sadly in favor of the copier rather than the original artist. it seems to be frowned upon to even bring it up, threads get closed down on the subject, sellers who try and put their case forward saying they have been copied were jumped on. it comes across as being an unmentionable subject and something you just have to live with.

her owls may well be listed again but tbh i'm not bothered if they do. there really isn't any comparison, design aside, hers are very badly made, mine aren't

Nbg · 23/03/2008 15:16

Oh fgs.
Well I hope thats the last you hear of it.

I can't understand some people.
Its one thing copying something or using a tutorial for yourself but to completly rip it off is another.
I wouldnt get the same enjoyment out of crafing by copying someone elses design.

meridian · 23/03/2008 16:20

hello just wanted to say a quick Happy Easter to everyone... sorry only have five minutes as DH grumbling about me being one here at all when there are things to do.. aside from the lunch i made that he didn't eat...the pile of cupcakes i made to keep ds busy... the easter presents and eggs i hid last night while he went to bed.. the breakfast i made... anyway i'm grumblesome myself.. and freezing...

how you all having a good easter sunday... I just relized we fly to the states in two weeks and I havent sorted anything out yet ... eek... oh and i keep forgetting to sort out a give away on my blog...

right i'm off... will catch up on everything tommorow..

Tillyboo · 23/03/2008 17:46

While we are all on the sensitive subject ...

I found these little fellas .... look a little familiar ?

I know they have stuffed ears but the faces remind me of my bunnies a little bit.

I'm not going to start accusing anyone at all but it shows just how similar some designs can be in all innocence.

LK - your story is very interesting but very frustrating, annoying and upsetting for you but your work is in a totally different class !
Onwards and upwards as they say

dizzyday07 · 23/03/2008 18:08

TB - that was why I was so worried when I was making my bunny for the bunny swap - initially it looked like yours but I hope in the end you think it looks different enough - but I can't see me making any to sell!!

lucykate · 23/03/2008 18:31

i read somewhere yesterday that in the design field, a 10% difference is enough to get by any copyright law, which kind of makes anything you might pay out to cover your own work, a waste of time.

'at the hands of kitty eden' blog, has had a pretty awful weekend by the sounds of it too, her latest blog post is pretty harrowing. i won't link to it as she intends to delete it later.

Tillyboo · 23/03/2008 18:32

Silly Bunny Dizzy .. I wouldn't have minded anyway. Have you got a pic of your finished Bunny ? I looked on your swap partners blog but she hasn't blogged it yet.

It looks intriguing ...
x

Dior · 23/03/2008 19:04

Message withdrawn

dizzyday07 · 23/03/2008 19:09

TB - bunny here

LK - oh my!! Just read Eden's blog - sounds like knickers have got well and truly twisted - and I don't mean hers but other peoples!!

dizzyday07 · 23/03/2008 19:19

I've just realised that my little bags look like Edens!! (the ones that are pictured in her blog banner not the ones she's currently selling)

Mine are fleece lined with fabric though and I hadn't even seen her blog when I designed mine

they are here

Gingermonkey · 23/03/2008 19:24

bloody hell, LK - what is the woman on? Thank God she's not local - I wouldn't be surprised if she came at you with a pitchfork!!! Onwards, and upwards, like you say. Put it down to a horrible, horrible experience. Wouldn't you hide your head in shame if you were accused of ripping someone off? I know I would. I'd be horrified, even if it was a genuine miraculous coincidence (which in the case of the owls is as likely as me growing an extra, and very handy, arm overnight)

TB I do see the similarity between your houses and sykos, but I have seen quite a few of the similar type of thing about so I wouldn't be too concerned. And I would probably tweak them a little, just in case.
(they are lovely, btw )

OP posts:
Nbg · 23/03/2008 20:09

Your welcome Dior. It is a lovely bracelet.
I honesly dont mind, please keep the necklace until I've paid if you want.
As I said it should eb this week when the payment clears

It sounds like a fair few people are having "copying" problems.

Whizzz · 23/03/2008 20:14

Hello All - Happy Easter!
I'm still doing my crochet. I have one length & have now started on another. The problem is I haven't got the right thread so at the mo I am using embroidery thread - it looks nice but I haven't got enough of it.
NBG I will try not to peek & will try & drum up some vintage-y thoughts for your swap. I think I will have to Google for inspiration!

This weekend I've made a black line jasper bracelet, necklace & earrings for a friend to give as a gift but not got round to blogging yet.

Nbg · 23/03/2008 20:22

Make sure you don't go peaking now Whizzz

I used Google images for some inspiration.