For the Record...

 

Something happened today that brought something unpleasant to my attention. 

So, I have to say something here, just to set the record straight:

In 2007, I was playin' around with some reclaimed materials, and designed my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins. I shared a few photos on my blog that fall. 

In 2008, I posted a TUTORIAL. I received a lot of comments and requests to re-post and link to that tutorial. I started seeing a LOT of 'sweater pumpkins' appearing on blogs and at shows. I had to leave a lot of comments on blogs, pointing them to my own posts.

In 2009, I posted a link to my tutorial and ALSO let everyone know that yes, I do indeed sell my little pumpkins. I sold a pink version of them in 2008. I sold a black & white & hot pink version of them in 2009, as well as my original neutral versions at not one but two shows, plus a shop, also in 2009. 

And in 2010, I taught a class how to make them, sold them at our Autumn Petite Retreat and at Remnants of the Past.

You can see from the links shared above that I have dated and photographic proof to substantiate my design claim. Because I have 'put them out there' on the web, I have always asked that if someone else is inspired and wants to make the pumpkins and sell them and share them, of course that is just fine! I'd just really appreciate a nod to my contribution in the way of a link to my tutorial & blog. Credit where credit is due, so to speak.

Does this sound obsessive? 

For those who may not understand, here's why I feel that way: 

These are MY designs. I originated them. They ARE something new and unique and not seen before! I've been making them and selling them at shows - but I don't sell online. They have not (as yet, but it's coming) been published, credited to me.

When I am selling them at a show (especially my OWN show, or a BIG show, like Remnants) it's important that I have established that they are MINE, and am not portrayed as having copied someone ELSE. 

To hear a comment like 'Oh, I saw these on so-and-so's blog, too bad this gal couldn't come up with an original idea' REALLY peeves me. Especially when I just handed a custom-made one to Rachel Ashwell. Or to visit a blog and see someone claiming them as their own original idea makes me sad that people can't just give a nod to another person who inspired them. Go ahead and make them, sell them, share them -  

but jeeze, ladies... PLAY NICE!

Yes, I shared photos. I shared the tutorial. Right here, on my blog. 
FREE. Didn't charge anyone anything for it.

I simply asked, in my posts about my creations, that if you used the tutorial to make the pumpkins, and shared them or sold them, to please add credit and a linkback to me in each instance/post/etc. And to call them something other than 'Sweet Sweater Pumpkins' because that is MY name for them. 

So when I see posts that have comments following them saying 'this is the most unique, original, fabulous idea ever seen' and that the blog owner is a genius for thinking of it, and that blog owner does not say 'thanks for loving mine but the original idea was Deb's and you can see it here' with a link, then I have to wonder why it's so darned hard to just add that line. 

I know why, you know why, we all know why they don't: 

Because 'bloggers do it for the comments' and it's nice to be praised. 

The thing is, I genuinely love to see the unique and wonderful ways gals are taking my idea and running with it. That's the nature of arts... and I visit their blogs and say things like 'I love the lace collar!' or 'SO cute made from burlap!' or whatever. They sell them from their blogs or at shows or on etsy, and they are making a lot of money off of this idea. But if they didn't link to me, in ALL of their posts about the pumpkins, then I add my link to my comment. Because that is ALL I asked of them... and they didn't think it was important to do the one thing I asked them to do, and credit me. THAT, my dears, is what bugs me.

I know other artists & designers are getting ripped off, too.  

It really bothers me. 

We all work hard, and many of us do this for a LIVING, not a hobby. It's our sole source of income. So it affects far more than just ego, believe me... and those who are 'in business' generally don't copy others, because they know that they'll be found out eventually. It's usually the people who are just out for money or fame that do it. I'm just gonna' say that if you aren't creative enough to come up with original ideas, or to give credit to an idea that you took from someone else and made your own, get into another business! I'm coming up with new creative ideas for products & decor every day, and I will continue to stick up for myself and my own hard work, as well as that of my friends & contemporaries in the vintage industry, to protect our rights to claim and profit from our work. No one else is going to step up and do it for us...we owe it to ourselves and each other!