tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post114523317603234985..comments2024-02-13T12:39:52.814-09:00Comments on Cold Feet Quilter: Copycats & Moral DilemmasDeb Hardmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538758042536664177noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post-1145457610123516362006-04-19T06:40:00.000-08:002006-04-19T06:40:00.000-08:00What a great husband you have!What a great husband you have!allie allerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158390991360498378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post-1145370792972457892006-04-18T06:33:00.000-08:002006-04-18T06:33:00.000-08:00Have you seen the pages and pages of purse pattern...Have you seen the pages and pages of purse patterns in the main pattern catalogs? How about the booklets at the hobby shops? It seems like every shape and form of purse has been explored. "Original" is a hard word to define and prove. "Technique" is a close second.<BR/><BR/>If you are so committed to your purse, why don't you go to the next level with your design? You can leave the simple (first level) design behind (& to those who want to copy it) and begin marketing a more sophisticated, involved design, which takes longer to produce (because of the "special" design techniques) and costs more money to buy.<BR/><BR/>One of the reasons your copycat was so successful making 5,000 copies of your purse is that it was easy to do. Would she follow you onto a much harder version (or even a modified version)? My guess is that she has a big inventory of her/your simple design and can't at this time. She has to sell what she has before spending more money on anything different.<BR/><BR/>You can present the Museum and others with a new, more sophisticated design and leave her in the dust. You know women, "They always want the new and different". You be the new and different. Let your copycat scurry to catch up (or not) and spend your energy staying ahead of the curve instead of lamenting over her.<BR/><BR/>I lived in the same geographic area of Caryl BF when she introduced her Tucks series to the art galleries in Chic in the 90s. Plenty of people were copying her (on a simple level) but she grew more sophisticated with her designs using the Tucks (which is a very basic sewing technique which is not original to sewing but she brought it out for the world to see in quilts)and moved on to bigger and better quilts. <BR/><BR/>The same can be done by you with your purses.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14959081275116311853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post-1145317735757423032006-04-17T15:48:00.000-08:002006-04-17T15:48:00.000-08:00I agree with everything that Aunt Mel said above.A...I agree with everything that Aunt Mel said above.<BR/>Although WSF makes a good point too...<BR/><BR/><BR/>Love you!<BR/>xomMichelle Auerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00782155348130571381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post-1145317201489884912006-04-17T15:40:00.000-08:002006-04-17T15:40:00.000-08:00Your Husband said: I can still remember you co...Your Husband said:<BR/> I can still remember you coming home after teaching one of your classes, all excited about the looks on your student's faces as they created something they had never done or dreamed of before...all because you imparted some of your knowledge and skill. There are always those in the crowd who cannot come up with their own ideas and through thievery or ignorance take someone else's ideas and plans and run with it. When I was an artist years ago, others were copying my technique and charicatures and getting them published, but I always felt that mine were better and continued working at my craft. So, the question is now facing you...Do you let one person change your love of teaching and determine which way you are heading, or do you continue on knowing that you are the better person and artist? Who is directing how this business is going to be run? You or someone with no ethical responsibilities. It's up to you and I'm behind you either way...Remember, this is supposed to be fun! Warren.Deb Hardmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538758042536664177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post-1145303677679430662006-04-17T11:54:00.000-08:002006-04-17T11:54:00.000-08:00I would agree with Allison. Do what is the best t...I would agree with Allison. Do what is the best thing for you as an artist now. If it's teaching ok, but if not, do your own work. You only go around once, to be totally trite!Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669924514599648160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post-1145301658588502432006-04-17T11:20:00.000-08:002006-04-17T11:20:00.000-08:00Wouldn't people be able to copy your work if they ...Wouldn't people be able to copy your work if they just saw it at a gallery, as well as if they took a class from you? It's what those people do with their knowledge of your designs that causes trouble or not.<BR/>If you love teaching, I would keep at it...but if you actually don't, maybe this episode was what you needed to realize that and give yourself permission to stop....allie allerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158390991360498378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22911157.post-1145271016799274902006-04-17T02:50:00.000-08:002006-04-17T02:50:00.000-08:00Ok Bee, I personally don't think that teaching is...Ok Bee, I personally don't think that teaching is worth all the stress and heartache this is putting you through. You don't need the money, and you certainly don't need the teaching to fill your time!<BR/>You will find copycat products out there even if you don't teach it but at least you won't be helping them!<BR/>I vote for you to get busy in the Studio and get YOUR work out there for the public to view!! <BR/> Love, EmMelodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03742790968115462919noreply@blogger.com