It's been an interesting day in Facebook-land. It all started long, long ago.....
There were these frilly nappy covers. And doilies. And lace. And 'vintage' prints of cute things. Then came along some talented women who turned these things into hot, must-have items for little girls (and the odd boy). Now let's not forget that these are products made by Mums, for kids.
So this morning two very strange and coincidental things happened. Firstly, I found a new designer on FB who is making things very similar to a designer I already follow who has been around for yonks. I noticed the similarities and was going to email her (established designer, not the newbie) but thought i'd leave it, best not meddle. Ironically, this designer had already been alerted today to the fact that someone else completely different had indeed been finding quite a lot of 'inspiration' in her work. So much so that this person decided to almost identically replicate one of her designs and sell it on a popular site. By the time I had finished my coffee I felt so sorry for this poor woman. Here, by her own talent, she had effectively spawned a series of imitators. Or 'inspirations'. Call it what you will, there were undeniable similarities too close to call coincidence.
A third horrible thing then happened when I thought I'd check out my own page on said crafty-selling website. Lo and behold there is someone selling something incredibly similar to one of my own designs. I had NEVER EVER seen one of these particular 'things' before I started making them. And to make matters worse, it wasn't listed months ago, it was listed very recently, like yesterday. Very recently after I have listed very similar listings. Lsts use an example here. Say there are heaps of people selling teddy bears. They all have different clothes on them, some are blue, some are pink, some are big, some are small. Then I start making two-headed teddy bears. I didn't invent the teddy but I did add an extra head to it. Then lets say that within a few days another person starts selling two-headed teddy bears. How do I feel? (Besids making creepy toys, lets not even go there. Probably not the best analogy but it was all I could come up with!) Not only that but this person actually re-worded my text! The bloody nerve!!! Should I feel flattered? Trust me, there aint a huge market here for 'two-headed teddy bears'!!!
So here I was feeling all sorry for my fave designer when I too was kicked in the guts. It hasn't left me all day but has given me a lot to think about.
Is there a difference between 'design' and 'inspiration'? Can a true designer ever claim inspiration without a certain level of artistic credit going to the original object?
We aren't coming up with completely unique ideas here folks. Yes, we put our own very personalised marks on things. This is what makes a designer different from an inventor. None of us invented the ruffled nappy cover, pinny or embellished baby singlet. Hell, I didn't invent bunting but I mix and match certain bits and call them certain things. Nor did anyone invent the dress but it is what that person adds to it that makes it unique. We certainly aren’t the first to up-cycle doilies or make yo-yos or appliqué singlets. Unless you own copyright over a certain image then it is free for all. But it is what you do with it that counts. Or what you don't do with it more to the point. If you are going to use a very distinctive motif then be sure it hasn't been done before. Any credibility you have as a designer will be instantly dismissed, no matter how genuinely original you think you may have been. Research people - sadly someone has probably already done what you want to do.
Today I have been left with an eerie feeling that all this 'niceness' on Facebook can sometimes be a facade for something simmering just below the surface. Or perhaps that is just because I have been hurt and bullied before and I am the cynical one. (I was going to mention bullying here but that is another blog post entirely).
At the end of the day we have to remember who we are doing this for. It might be our own small businesses but our products are for children. Babies. Little people who look up to us as role models.
Oh and if you want to take 'inspiration' from my designs or anyone elses, a final word. Don't make it so bleedingly bloody obvious!
Showing posts with label facebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label facebook. Show all posts
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
To Market, To Market...
Agh! Another week almost gone. I started writing this blog on Monday and now it is Thursday. Time flying and all that jazz...
~Practice Market @ home~
Well I did it. What an achievement for this little piggy. Last Sunday, 5th June I officially took My Little Lovebird to the public, like, real live people, not just computer people. It was at The Upper Market which is a fairly new market in a school not far from where I live on the Gold Coast.
To say I was nervous would be lying my tits off. I barely slept the night before and when I arrived I wanted to turn around and run, or hide behind my husband (who desperately wanted to get out of there. I think the crafty ladies scared him!)
But I didn't run. Or hide, well, I hid behind my table for a bit but then got brave. And had a triple-shot skim latte so talked my pants off. And I loved every last tiny minute of it!
Here is my little stall.....
Lovebird started when Chloe was about 5 weeks old. Many close to me must have thought I had lost the plot somewhere between giving birth and all those night feeds. I had a newborn baby, my first. She had colic, silent reflux and didn't sleep. But I was bloody determined that I was going to make this little dream of mine work. It was just funny timing that's all.
4 months of days and nights spent huddled over the sewing machine, cursing each mistake and unpicking 3m of bunting over and over. Turning the dining area into a rainbow of colour, cotton and loose threads. Oh and did I mention completely renovating the living and dining with new floors, paint etc while having my in-laws stay for 3 weeks?
My husband has been amazing through it all, poor bloke. There were days/weeks I could see the look on his face, wishing he had his house back and not the sweatshop that it had become. Wondering why I was doing it all. He has cooked, cleaned, been the best Daddy to Minky. I couldn't have done it without his amazing support (love you babe).
I don't know if it was a reaction to the fear of post-natal depression but something very deep inside me has refused to let failure be an option this time. I was and still am, a prime candidate for it and wether it be subconsciously or not, MLL and sewing have been my saviours.
I didn't sell much at the markets but I don't care. I feel like it was the first box to tick off in my new life. Mother, tick! Wife, tick! Crafter, tick! Business owner and runnerer, tick! Markets, tick! Those who knew me in my 'old life', well lets just say she is dead and buried. And I will never look back.
This is the real me.
For the first time in my life I 'AM' something to be proud of.
J xxx
~Practice Market @ home~
Well I did it. What an achievement for this little piggy. Last Sunday, 5th June I officially took My Little Lovebird to the public, like, real live people, not just computer people. It was at The Upper Market which is a fairly new market in a school not far from where I live on the Gold Coast.
To say I was nervous would be lying my tits off. I barely slept the night before and when I arrived I wanted to turn around and run, or hide behind my husband (who desperately wanted to get out of there. I think the crafty ladies scared him!)
But I didn't run. Or hide, well, I hid behind my table for a bit but then got brave. And had a triple-shot skim latte so talked my pants off. And I loved every last tiny minute of it!
Here is my little stall.....
Lovebird started when Chloe was about 5 weeks old. Many close to me must have thought I had lost the plot somewhere between giving birth and all those night feeds. I had a newborn baby, my first. She had colic, silent reflux and didn't sleep. But I was bloody determined that I was going to make this little dream of mine work. It was just funny timing that's all.
4 months of days and nights spent huddled over the sewing machine, cursing each mistake and unpicking 3m of bunting over and over. Turning the dining area into a rainbow of colour, cotton and loose threads. Oh and did I mention completely renovating the living and dining with new floors, paint etc while having my in-laws stay for 3 weeks?
My husband has been amazing through it all, poor bloke. There were days/weeks I could see the look on his face, wishing he had his house back and not the sweatshop that it had become. Wondering why I was doing it all. He has cooked, cleaned, been the best Daddy to Minky. I couldn't have done it without his amazing support (love you babe).
I don't know if it was a reaction to the fear of post-natal depression but something very deep inside me has refused to let failure be an option this time. I was and still am, a prime candidate for it and wether it be subconsciously or not, MLL and sewing have been my saviours.
I didn't sell much at the markets but I don't care. I feel like it was the first box to tick off in my new life. Mother, tick! Wife, tick! Crafter, tick! Business owner and runnerer, tick! Markets, tick! Those who knew me in my 'old life', well lets just say she is dead and buried. And I will never look back.
This is the real me.
For the first time in my life I 'AM' something to be proud of.
J xxx
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time
I don't know how to do it all sometimes. I want to dedicate so much time to my little business but feel like I am neglecting Minky.
We have just started her on solids so the last few weeks has been a mix of hanging my boob over a bowl of rice cereal, pumpkin from one end of the Goldy to the other and sweet potato being blown through raspberry lips.
As much as I am loving it, it is a reminder that life is changing so much. Why on earth did I think it was a good idea starting a bloody business when this little thing came along? I have never sewn in my life before nor worked for myself and sold things. Or had a baby. Am I truly mad?!?!
Had a total complete breakdown yesterday. I had to go to Medicare, Spotlight, buy a new element for the oven which hasn't worked for months, get Minky's passport and go to the post office.... then realised my drivers license expired last week. F#%K!!!!!!! Have you ever tried getting a baby in and out of the car THAT many times between feeds?
Of course it all didn't get done and we both ended up driving home crying. Me in the front, Minky in the back. And she didn't get her lunch because we were so late.
I returned home to a house that resembles a sweat-shop come chinese laundry. The cats were curled up asleep on the lounge where I had left them. Nice work guys.
But the ideas keep coming and I can't shut them out. How on earth does one manage all this? I have more creative energy than ever but less time.
I managed to get to the post office just before 5. When I was driving up there, a big cloud covered the sun, and gold and silver shone brightly around it. Thanks universe. Sometimes you can hear me after all.
So I still haven't got an oven element, passport for Minky and the cats are still asleep on the lounge but my darling baby ate apple for the first time today and the look on her face was divine. That makes up for it all.
xx
We have just started her on solids so the last few weeks has been a mix of hanging my boob over a bowl of rice cereal, pumpkin from one end of the Goldy to the other and sweet potato being blown through raspberry lips.
As much as I am loving it, it is a reminder that life is changing so much. Why on earth did I think it was a good idea starting a bloody business when this little thing came along? I have never sewn in my life before nor worked for myself and sold things. Or had a baby. Am I truly mad?!?!
Had a total complete breakdown yesterday. I had to go to Medicare, Spotlight, buy a new element for the oven which hasn't worked for months, get Minky's passport and go to the post office.... then realised my drivers license expired last week. F#%K!!!!!!! Have you ever tried getting a baby in and out of the car THAT many times between feeds?
Of course it all didn't get done and we both ended up driving home crying. Me in the front, Minky in the back. And she didn't get her lunch because we were so late.
I returned home to a house that resembles a sweat-shop come chinese laundry. The cats were curled up asleep on the lounge where I had left them. Nice work guys.
But the ideas keep coming and I can't shut them out. How on earth does one manage all this? I have more creative energy than ever but less time.
I managed to get to the post office just before 5. When I was driving up there, a big cloud covered the sun, and gold and silver shone brightly around it. Thanks universe. Sometimes you can hear me after all.
So I still haven't got an oven element, passport for Minky and the cats are still asleep on the lounge but my darling baby ate apple for the first time today and the look on her face was divine. That makes up for it all.
xx
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Stomp, stomp, stomp...
I am a bit interested (and slightly mad) at this new phenomenon on Facebook involving a certain page that involves 'marching' through other peoples pages to get more fans.
At the risk of offending everyone out there, I am rather proud that I have come this far on my own talent and self promotion. I don't need to pimp my business to get more 'likers' who really just want to get more numbers for themselves.
I like the pages I like on FB because I actually, genuinely like them (wow, lots of like's there). And I hope they like me for what I do too.
Promoting yourself on Mummy Tree etc is one thing, but needing a whole army of 'troops' to boost your likers? I'll stick to hard work thanks.
At the risk of offending everyone out there, I am rather proud that I have come this far on my own talent and self promotion. I don't need to pimp my business to get more 'likers' who really just want to get more numbers for themselves.
I like the pages I like on FB because I actually, genuinely like them (wow, lots of like's there). And I hope they like me for what I do too.
Promoting yourself on Mummy Tree etc is one thing, but needing a whole army of 'troops' to boost your likers? I'll stick to hard work thanks.
Monday, May 23, 2011
What I lurve
I am hopelessly in love with so many things at the moment. I have never been so inspired, so full of creative energy. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
So I made a list. As you do!
The list is mainly comprised of pages/people I have met through FB and subsequently blogs, etsy stores, madeit stores, markets... Oh my! It goes on and on and on....
I feel like I have been re-born into this crafty movement. I have turned into a circa 1950s housewife, mother, sewing fanatic and I LOVE it!!
I had a horrible dream last night about packing up my house and having to move interstate. Horrible I tell you! But in reality it's ok because A. I am not moving, and B. Everything I have grown to love is on the internets. Isn't it great??!
So here is The List, not in any particular order, of what is making me so squeekily happy at the moment. Drum roll.....
~ Frilly nappy covers. I know, I know, I am late to the bus stop on that one. But hey, ruffles on a little bum are so cute. Tell me they're not??
~ Fabric. Oh lordy, fabric. Soft and floraly, stripy and bright. You name it. I love the feel of it, the folds when it's fresh out of the envelope in the mail. I keep even the tiniest winciest offcuts. I'm scared my cat will eat one and choke.
~ Dresses for Minky. Am I brave enough to start making them? Refer to above point. Bunting just isn't enough to satisfy my crafty-fabric loving ways at the moment.
~ Crafty blogs. Don't have time to mention them all here but sheesh, there are some rippers. That's another bloggy entry all together.
~ Boys stuff. There just isn't enough of it and I want more!!
~ Vintage childrens book illustrations and cartoons. I am getting some serious inspiration from the past.
(from Sweet Eye Candy Creations)
~ This crazy little blonde thing. AND this dress by Here Kitty Kitty (I can't even put it in the cupboard it's so pretty)
Do I really have to say more??!
So I made a list. As you do!
The list is mainly comprised of pages/people I have met through FB and subsequently blogs, etsy stores, madeit stores, markets... Oh my! It goes on and on and on....
I feel like I have been re-born into this crafty movement. I have turned into a circa 1950s housewife, mother, sewing fanatic and I LOVE it!!
I had a horrible dream last night about packing up my house and having to move interstate. Horrible I tell you! But in reality it's ok because A. I am not moving, and B. Everything I have grown to love is on the internets. Isn't it great??!
So here is The List, not in any particular order, of what is making me so squeekily happy at the moment. Drum roll.....
~ Frilly nappy covers. I know, I know, I am late to the bus stop on that one. But hey, ruffles on a little bum are so cute. Tell me they're not??
~ Fabric. Oh lordy, fabric. Soft and floraly, stripy and bright. You name it. I love the feel of it, the folds when it's fresh out of the envelope in the mail. I keep even the tiniest winciest offcuts. I'm scared my cat will eat one and choke.
~ Dresses for Minky. Am I brave enough to start making them? Refer to above point. Bunting just isn't enough to satisfy my crafty-fabric loving ways at the moment.
~ Crafty blogs. Don't have time to mention them all here but sheesh, there are some rippers. That's another bloggy entry all together.
~ Boys stuff. There just isn't enough of it and I want more!!
~ Vintage childrens book illustrations and cartoons. I am getting some serious inspiration from the past.
~ This crazy little blonde thing. AND this dress by Here Kitty Kitty (I can't even put it in the cupboard it's so pretty)
Do I really have to say more??!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Inspiration, where art thou??
I haven't blogged as I am having one of those moments/weeks where I question my ability/inspiration etc etc. Am I good enough to sell? Why can't I come up with any new ideas? I think the FB fraternity were recently calling it 'loosing your sew-jo'. Well I thought I had lost mine.
Until.......(I've never blogged about another business before so please forgive me if I haven't given enough credit)....
Sipping my morning coffee and opening my FB page one of two amazing things happened.
Firstly, somehow, somewhere along the way I have accumulated 200 'likers'! That is 200 individual, special, lovely people who have stopped by my page, looked at my things and said lovely words about them. I honestly feel so totally and utterly undeserving, yet proud and motivated at the same time. What a cool morning this is!
Then, among the last 199 or so visitors to my page was a business that has totally re-ignited my passion. Photos so pretty I got all giddy inside. Images with such delicate, pure beauty I am almost ready to become a florist myself!! I am talking about Velvet Lily Florist who are based in Melbourne. Their Wall Photo gallery contains daily inspirational images of based around wedding photos and floral design. Even if you aren't in the market for a wedding florist (such as my happily-married-self) their exquisite collection of shots are sure to pique your interest.
My dream has always been to provide a snippet of daily inspiration to you, my readers. Wether it be a photo or other tid-bit, I have wanted to keep an online journal that gradually accumulates to be a nice little place for people to visit to be refreshed and inspired. Unfortunately having a new baby means that some days I don’t even get to shower let alone blog, but we will keep that dream in the pipeline!! Velvet Lily have nailed it though.
I have a bit of a secret that I will let you in on. I am a wedding connoisseur. Lover of all things lacy, floral, shiny and happy. The pureness of love and innocence that is reflected in a couples wedding through all those tiny details just sends me over the threshold! Those who know me personally will already be aware of my Royal wedding dress-up last Friday night in which I squeezed myself back into my wedding gown. Every time I go to a wedding I am the first in tears and the one taking photos of every flower, table arrangement, goodie bag there is in sight.
More than that, I think I have a slight obsession with whimsical photography. The way a single image can change my entire day is so powerful. The two I have included here have really touched me in two entirely different ways.
This picture by Three Nails Photography confirms my belief I should have been born in a Jane Austen novel. My life would have been that of picking wild roses, sitting in front of a fireplace doing cross-stich waiting for Mr Darcy to come and sweep me off my feet.
This next one by inspires me in a totally different way. The same way reading Country Style does. Instantly I am whisked off to a fresh country laneway, bright sunshine in my eyes, crisp air filling me up with all things good, wholesome and yummy. Tell me you wouldn't want to be here! (Adrianne Smith Floral & Jennifer Dery photo)
My head is now floating in the clouds surrounded by fluffy David Austen roses, lavender, sweet peas and poppies!
These are the tip of the iceberg! I can't wait for my daily image from these girls to come floating into my FB news feed. Thank you for my first dose. Sew-jo has liftoff!!!
♥
Until.......(I've never blogged about another business before so please forgive me if I haven't given enough credit)....
Sipping my morning coffee and opening my FB page one of two amazing things happened.
Firstly, somehow, somewhere along the way I have accumulated 200 'likers'! That is 200 individual, special, lovely people who have stopped by my page, looked at my things and said lovely words about them. I honestly feel so totally and utterly undeserving, yet proud and motivated at the same time. What a cool morning this is!
Then, among the last 199 or so visitors to my page was a business that has totally re-ignited my passion. Photos so pretty I got all giddy inside. Images with such delicate, pure beauty I am almost ready to become a florist myself!! I am talking about Velvet Lily Florist who are based in Melbourne. Their Wall Photo gallery contains daily inspirational images of based around wedding photos and floral design. Even if you aren't in the market for a wedding florist (such as my happily-married-self) their exquisite collection of shots are sure to pique your interest.
My dream has always been to provide a snippet of daily inspiration to you, my readers. Wether it be a photo or other tid-bit, I have wanted to keep an online journal that gradually accumulates to be a nice little place for people to visit to be refreshed and inspired. Unfortunately having a new baby means that some days I don’t even get to shower let alone blog, but we will keep that dream in the pipeline!! Velvet Lily have nailed it though.
I have a bit of a secret that I will let you in on. I am a wedding connoisseur. Lover of all things lacy, floral, shiny and happy. The pureness of love and innocence that is reflected in a couples wedding through all those tiny details just sends me over the threshold! Those who know me personally will already be aware of my Royal wedding dress-up last Friday night in which I squeezed myself back into my wedding gown. Every time I go to a wedding I am the first in tears and the one taking photos of every flower, table arrangement, goodie bag there is in sight.
More than that, I think I have a slight obsession with whimsical photography. The way a single image can change my entire day is so powerful. The two I have included here have really touched me in two entirely different ways.
This picture by Three Nails Photography confirms my belief I should have been born in a Jane Austen novel. My life would have been that of picking wild roses, sitting in front of a fireplace doing cross-stich waiting for Mr Darcy to come and sweep me off my feet.
This next one by inspires me in a totally different way. The same way reading Country Style does. Instantly I am whisked off to a fresh country laneway, bright sunshine in my eyes, crisp air filling me up with all things good, wholesome and yummy. Tell me you wouldn't want to be here! (Adrianne Smith Floral & Jennifer Dery photo)
My head is now floating in the clouds surrounded by fluffy David Austen roses, lavender, sweet peas and poppies!
These are the tip of the iceberg! I can't wait for my daily image from these girls to come floating into my FB news feed. Thank you for my first dose. Sew-jo has liftoff!!!
♥
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Handmade Originality Pledge
Something that has been playing on my mind for ages is copyright of handmade products on Facebook.
I've mentioned before about the amazing online community of WAHM's that has sprung up (particularly in QLD for some reason). I spend hours looking at gorgeous things for babies and kids and often think 'oh I could make that'. And there is that line. Do you go and make something because it is easier and cheaper? Do you do it because it gives you more satisfaction than buying it in the first place? Or do you buy it from the person selling it?
I first encountered this when I was looking for a mobile for my daughters room. There was one that I had seen in a shop that was handmade, but it was a few hundred dollars, and there was no way that I would pay that for what it was. I scoured madeit, etsy and the like for something similar but couldn't find anything I liked. There were loads of mobiles, but nothing fitted the look I wanted. So in the end I bought some fabric and made one myself, taking inspiration from both the expensive one I saw in the shop, and also others online. It took a few weeks in between feeding/washing/sleeping with a 4 week old baby but in the end I had personalised it and made it myself and was really proud.
Loads of friends said I should make more and sell them but my conscious has told me not to. It wasn't my idea 100% and I felt that it wouldn't be fair to capitalise on it.
However the creative bug had found me and had to keep sewing. I had seen bunting popping up all over the place and thought it would be easy enough to make. So off to Spotlight I headed. I spent ages trying to perfect the right shape, length, colours etc. to make mine just perfect for Minky's room and when I finished it I was proud as punch. I didn't use a pattern or copy a picture, I just let my basic sewing skills guide me through and in the end came up with my own idea.
Now I am in the process of playing with lots of different embellishments on my bunting and am so proud of all the little bits I have put together. I am really hesitant however to put it on Facebook. What if someone copies me? Sure, I didn't invent bunting but I have put together some cool combinations of things that are all my own idea.
I have also invented a new product that involves singlets. I am not going to say more now, but I have already spoken to friends in marketing about potential copyright, but again, there isn't much I can do, and it will undoubtedly be copied. So do I make this product or not? Who do I go to if it gets stolen?
Go to any markets these days and there are so many bibs, frilly nappy covers, baby singlets with bits on them, softies etc. It is so hard to come up with an original idea.
I have made a few baby singlets and love playing with lacey bits and frills but I don't think I will seriously make them to sell as my major product because there is so much out there that is samesy already. I have a stack of doilies I stumbled upon on ebay ready to put on my frilly singlets, but after a recent trip to my local market saw that there is already sooooo many out there. It isn't worth my time to try and break into that market. I thought I was being original by threading ribbon through the neckline of bonds singlets but within a week I found someone else doing the same thing. I also thought using a particular fabric was also original but saw 3 others the same within a week too. Damn Spotlight is too popular!(Having said that, they are so fun to make that I will use up what I already have but no more after that!!)
It is hard to be creative in a modern, small world. But there is similarity due to popular styles and there is blatantly stealing an idea.
So when I found this today, I had to share it. The Contemporary Handmade Alliance has started a pledge for all crafters to keep it real. I have signed it and am promising to only exhibit my own, original ideas. I hope others follow by example too. It is such a great market that has been created and it should be respected for what it is.
I am proud of my designs. They usually come to me surfing the net looking at fabric websites, but more often than not it is when I am feeding Minky at 2am, in the dark, alone with my thoughts.
True, honest creativity comes from within. ♥
I've mentioned before about the amazing online community of WAHM's that has sprung up (particularly in QLD for some reason). I spend hours looking at gorgeous things for babies and kids and often think 'oh I could make that'. And there is that line. Do you go and make something because it is easier and cheaper? Do you do it because it gives you more satisfaction than buying it in the first place? Or do you buy it from the person selling it?
I first encountered this when I was looking for a mobile for my daughters room. There was one that I had seen in a shop that was handmade, but it was a few hundred dollars, and there was no way that I would pay that for what it was. I scoured madeit, etsy and the like for something similar but couldn't find anything I liked. There were loads of mobiles, but nothing fitted the look I wanted. So in the end I bought some fabric and made one myself, taking inspiration from both the expensive one I saw in the shop, and also others online. It took a few weeks in between feeding/washing/sleeping with a 4 week old baby but in the end I had personalised it and made it myself and was really proud.
Loads of friends said I should make more and sell them but my conscious has told me not to. It wasn't my idea 100% and I felt that it wouldn't be fair to capitalise on it.
However the creative bug had found me and had to keep sewing. I had seen bunting popping up all over the place and thought it would be easy enough to make. So off to Spotlight I headed. I spent ages trying to perfect the right shape, length, colours etc. to make mine just perfect for Minky's room and when I finished it I was proud as punch. I didn't use a pattern or copy a picture, I just let my basic sewing skills guide me through and in the end came up with my own idea.
Now I am in the process of playing with lots of different embellishments on my bunting and am so proud of all the little bits I have put together. I am really hesitant however to put it on Facebook. What if someone copies me? Sure, I didn't invent bunting but I have put together some cool combinations of things that are all my own idea.
I have also invented a new product that involves singlets. I am not going to say more now, but I have already spoken to friends in marketing about potential copyright, but again, there isn't much I can do, and it will undoubtedly be copied. So do I make this product or not? Who do I go to if it gets stolen?
Go to any markets these days and there are so many bibs, frilly nappy covers, baby singlets with bits on them, softies etc. It is so hard to come up with an original idea.
I have made a few baby singlets and love playing with lacey bits and frills but I don't think I will seriously make them to sell as my major product because there is so much out there that is samesy already. I have a stack of doilies I stumbled upon on ebay ready to put on my frilly singlets, but after a recent trip to my local market saw that there is already sooooo many out there. It isn't worth my time to try and break into that market. I thought I was being original by threading ribbon through the neckline of bonds singlets but within a week I found someone else doing the same thing. I also thought using a particular fabric was also original but saw 3 others the same within a week too. Damn Spotlight is too popular!(Having said that, they are so fun to make that I will use up what I already have but no more after that!!)
It is hard to be creative in a modern, small world. But there is similarity due to popular styles and there is blatantly stealing an idea.
So when I found this today, I had to share it. The Contemporary Handmade Alliance has started a pledge for all crafters to keep it real. I have signed it and am promising to only exhibit my own, original ideas. I hope others follow by example too. It is such a great market that has been created and it should be respected for what it is.
I am proud of my designs. They usually come to me surfing the net looking at fabric websites, but more often than not it is when I am feeding Minky at 2am, in the dark, alone with my thoughts.
True, honest creativity comes from within. ♥
Saturday, April 2, 2011
MLL on the move and taking flight!
What an amazing few weeks it has been! Where to start?
I launched my page on Facebook a few weeks ago and was so overwhelmed by the number of people and businesses who liked my page and became followers of My Little Lovebird. The feedback was so positive! Until...... damn Facebook went and screwed with my settings and didn't allow me to do shout-outs to anyone. What does this mean? Well basically I could tag people in my wall posts and status updates but that 'tag/mention' didn't show up on their wall or their news feed. Thus making me look like a big fat snob who didn't return shout-outs from anyone. This is such an integral part of being a small business on FB and the main way I believe, to get new followers. I got myself an IT guru - the lovely Penny Butler who couldn't find the glitch despite all her experience in the field. What a rotten way to end my first week!
All in all, the only solution was to start a brand new page for MLL. I was gutted! All my hard work networking, gaining 'likers' and spreading my page was all being unravelled. Anyways, I started the new page last night and to my absolute joy, the online crafting WAHM community has totally backed me and I am already up to 26 likers again - almost halfway in 15 hours!
I want to thank everyone who has helped me out so far. Honestly, it is such a moral boost to be surrounded by such wonderful women in business.
Oh and on a different note - here is a piccy of my little Minky girl wearing a new creation by me. I am thinking of leaving singlets till next summer though. What do you reckon?? Please excuse the loose threads etc. We are still learning!
♥♥♥
I launched my page on Facebook a few weeks ago and was so overwhelmed by the number of people and businesses who liked my page and became followers of My Little Lovebird. The feedback was so positive! Until...... damn Facebook went and screwed with my settings and didn't allow me to do shout-outs to anyone. What does this mean? Well basically I could tag people in my wall posts and status updates but that 'tag/mention' didn't show up on their wall or their news feed. Thus making me look like a big fat snob who didn't return shout-outs from anyone. This is such an integral part of being a small business on FB and the main way I believe, to get new followers. I got myself an IT guru - the lovely Penny Butler who couldn't find the glitch despite all her experience in the field. What a rotten way to end my first week!
All in all, the only solution was to start a brand new page for MLL. I was gutted! All my hard work networking, gaining 'likers' and spreading my page was all being unravelled. Anyways, I started the new page last night and to my absolute joy, the online crafting WAHM community has totally backed me and I am already up to 26 likers again - almost halfway in 15 hours!
I want to thank everyone who has helped me out so far. Honestly, it is such a moral boost to be surrounded by such wonderful women in business.
Oh and on a different note - here is a piccy of my little Minky girl wearing a new creation by me. I am thinking of leaving singlets till next summer though. What do you reckon?? Please excuse the loose threads etc. We are still learning!
♥♥♥
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