So I "liked" a fellow resin crafter's Facebook business page a while back and I've been regularly liking her posts and leaving her nice comments about her work. Then today, I commented on her photo of her creations and asked her where she got the mold (we use molds to make charms for resin). I asked very casually not truly caring about where she got it, because I already knew (hello!! ebay!) I just asked to be nice. Then she came back at me, offended by my comment and gave me a very rude comment back. Basically she got offended because she thought I was trying to get the materials together to copy her work. Plus she stated that her fan page is only for true fans and not for people like me; who shares crafts. I was completely thrown off by her reaction because it was the first time.Usually crafters don't mind sharing amongst other crafters about where they get their materials and stuff. Or am I wrong? Did I just make a complete fool of myself with my ignorance? This really made me sad because I truly had no intension to offend her...and now we will never talk to each other...
In reality people copy each other all the time...but we don't really call it "copy", we like to call it "inspiration". Because as artists, we don't want to completely duplicate other people's work, we want to add our own touches because we want to make it our "own". So i'm very confused about her fear. If she's really scared, she should make her own molds and copyright everything she uses...just sayin!
I would like a feedback of what you all think about this. Do you get offended when people ask you? Do you like to share your learned tips and tricks? Thanks guys! Comments are truly appreciated!
I would be flattered if someone liked my stuff that much and wanted to use it as inspiration. Just unlike her - I have learned the hard way that sometimes the mini world has just as much drama as real life!
ReplyDeleteYea I hate drama, and try to avoid it. But this time, it was really hard for me to be an adult and keep my mouth shut, lol!
DeleteUnless she created the mold herself, then that portion was not her work and as far as I'm concerned has no reason to be upset.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it just wasn't her day and she was upset about other things. I think it's very nice of you to take interest and make comments. She should feel flattered instead.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Drora
Hi Amy, This can be a touchy subject among artists obviously the mould she has used you said can be bought so i would guess that she is worried about the design been replicated in a better , similar and cheaper way? i have seen many types of work including jewellery that the artist has copyrighted including steam-punk but what gives an artist the right to be the only person to make rings and such out of broken watch parts!!unless they made that watch too!! like i said it gets complex and i have found that greed enters the equation quite a lot when people get defensive like this.In my eyes if she has been offended by this then just forget about the whole thing and move on.
ReplyDeleteCreating art is an extension of ones artistic instinct thats what makes it so unique and different to each and every one of us and gives us the pleasure and pain in creating it.
No matter what the reason was it's just plain wrong to snap back like that. To copy or to be inspired by someone... creative process is one big mix of everything and no one can truly, truly claim sowething is their own original creatin ( getting a bit philosophical here!)
ReplyDeleteshe's obviously not interested in genuinely being part of the craft/DIY movement. Her loss
Hi Amy! That has been an awful situation for you! I think many of us in this blogworld make same kind of questions to each others. And I have asked somebody about moldmaterials...! (because I haven`t seen any of them being sold here where I live. Now I have found one moldtype from southern Finland, but haven`t yet tried it; Melt Art:Quick Set Custom Mold Compound)
ReplyDeleteIt is always so inspiring to go to somebody`s blog to see what she/he has done. Maybe she had a very bad day?
Hugs
Kikka
I'm so sad to hear about your experience Amy. It sounds like she total overreacted!! I think that generally crafty people tend to be quite generous and sharing with things like this but I guess there are always exceptions and at least you have found loads of lovely connections in blogland.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Vicky xxx
She is not someone you need as a friend. Apparently she never took art history which is replete with copying /inspiration even by the greats. You are very talented.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for all the comments everyone! Very insightful! I love you guys!! I think I will think twice when I ask from now on!
ReplyDeleteEl mundo está loco de remate!
ReplyDeleteEsa persona debe estar pasando por una mala racha.
Yo me sentirÃa realmente halagada si me preguntaras, lo de "copiar" es un absurdo, nadie es original, todos usamos los mismos materiales (hasta que se descubran nuevos) y lo hacemos lo mejor posible.
Yo creo que no debes darle mayor importancia a ese comentario hostil.
Tu eres una artista!
Un abrazo
Gracias Rosamargarita!
DeleteAsking questions is a great way to learn and grow as a crafter/artist. I LOVE talking about my work or sharing where I got something- it's also a great way to get to know other people who share your interests. Don't let this experience stop you in the future... if that person wants to live under a rock, they shouldn't post their items online at all!!! BTW, I would've had the same reaction you did- eek!
ReplyDeleteI think she went a bit nutty! Really how rude. If someone makes anything like something I have made I am extremely flattered. Each crafter puts her own spin on things which makes it different. Don't fuss about it, but I sure wouldn't respond to her again.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
I've actually answered a lot of questions about how I make stuff and every time I get an email back saying that this is the first time they had a person share techniques. Just block her and move on. This is not the kind of person you want around anyways. And don't take it personally. You're a sweetheart.
ReplyDeletehugs
Caroline
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for coming out of nowhere since I never comment before in your blog. But i read this post and got interested, 'cause I've seen much of those situations happen.
I would be happy if someone comment that much in my stuff and ask more about it. I wouldn't be worried with the copy thing 'cause you're right, this days we copy each other's and that's true, but each thing has a different touch although it's the same thing. We all can make a donut phone strap or a cupcake charm or whatever, but it will have something different.
While a person buy's a mold of a heart thousands of other people are buying the same mold too, and that will result in a similar craft and so what? we are copying on purpose? No, it's just how stuff is. If she didnt told u where she bought it, sooner or later you'd find an equal one.
So yes, I agree with you, it was a huge drama and a very sad response to such a person who showed to be a dear admirer
Once again sorry for invading like this!
Be good :)
Don't apologize, I appreciate you commenting on my post. I guess all crafters and artist need to be more careful in these kind of situations. People are going to be asking questions all the time and If you don't want to share your secrets, don't. Just decline respectfully in a mature manner.
DeleteI'm quite amazed of how many people commented this post! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about it to much Amy.. she sounds like a negative person. I get a few bloggers like that every now and then and I just block them from coming back. I am a big crocheter and I share a lot of my things. I don't mind others using my patterns and making them their own. That is what I do... I never copy others patterns or crafts to the "T" it's just to get ideas and inspiration from. I know you have a lot of great followers on here that have given you great advise so I would really wouldn't worry about it and keep on crafting.. I love you work!!
ReplyDeleteShari :)
:-) Thanks Shari! I have great followers like you!
DeleteI share tips and advice as well from time to time on my blog Amy. I am flattered when someone asks me how I make stuff. And I learn a lot from others too. I make it a special note in my blog when I buy a particular item somewhere, and I link the name of the supplier in my post so others can purchase the same thing if they are looking for it. Same goes for techniques I try out that I've learned from other artists - like cupcakes, and making fruit and veggie canes. I mention where I found the tutorial (free, or available for a download for a nominal fee) so other artists can go there and learn, or better yet - purchase the tutorial too so the original creator of the technique not only gets the credit, but earns a few $$ too. :) The way I understand it, it's like networking via blogging, and providing the links and information so that I can hopefully shuttle some more people and more business their way. I don't sell my items, with me, mini-making is a hobby that I love, especially the challenge of improving my techniques and making my minis even better. I'm grateful for the artists who sell their molds on Etsy, or are willing to share with us how they make them. It's not that I want to copy someone's work, rather, I look to other artists for inspiration and the motivation to create something special and unique for myself. And I especially love to admire others' work, and think - "how in the world did they DO that?" It makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog btw! :D
Cheers!
Jackie
Thanks jackie for your input. Now I understand sharing is for people who truly love the art of crafting. People who want to improve their skills, striving to find inspirations. I think the girl I had a conflict with was truly creating art for the money.
DeleteHi Amy! It was an awful experience, but let it go! She is NOT worth it!!!
ReplyDeleteI also get questions on my blog, but I have another problem: sometimes I love to tell how I did some things, but I can not translate it into proper English (the technical terms) :( To write a comment costs me a lot of time to get an good translation into the English language (with Google translator and he does not work well :()!! My reading and understanding are good, but writing!!! So I TRY to answer correctly, when I like to do that, but not every time: it is my hobby, I have to go to job/work and so I can not always be online!
Have a great sunday. Warm hugs, Ilona
Interesting post. Things like this happen in every craft, including painting and cake decorating. Usually, the ones who get so offended by someone asking how they did something have borrowed it from someone else and they don't want more "competition" or for someone else to do something "better" with it.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, I'd not worry about it. There are hundreds of mold makers on etsy and places like that, and they've sold multiple duplicates of a mold to multiple people. It's what YOU do with the mold that matters.
Don't waste your time worrying about negative people. Unsubscribe from them and spend that much more time talking to people who appreciate your interest.
:)
Use Box of Custom Soap Boxes for your business sales
ReplyDelete