Crying about copycats, a different view

[ShopGreyweather]

I have seen a lot of posts in teams with people furious about people they assume are copying their work. I would like to approach it from the other side. I make a lot of different things that I haven't listed in my etsy shop, my mother calls me a jack of all crafty trades. It would really bother me if someone assumed I stole their idea merely because I have become known as a jewelry seller on etsy. Also, I make a lot of different styles of jewelry, with new products and techniques I have learned. Evolving style and new (or new to you) ideas does not a copycat make. While I have never been accused of this, I wonder if any of you have felt the same fear of accusation when launching a new product or style in your shop? Do you let it stop you or does it make you change your approach?

[kidsstore]

Lately I have seen a few items very similar to the way I make some of mine and just had a seller ask to buy a pattern for one of my items. I did not take offense, and actually consider so called "copying" a compliment. I feel that there are enough customers out in the world that we can all share a little success. Most of us get our ideas from other sources, whether it is nature, art, someone else's items, or life. As an individual artist or crafter, it is then up to each of us to take that idea, look at it "outside the box", tweek it, and make it ours. If it works, great, it it doesn't, then go on to the next inspiration.

If someone wants to use one of my items for inspiration, fine. If an items stops selling because the market has become full of identical items, then I would look at my item again to see how I can improve on it and make it stand out from the others. If not, then I would find a new item to create. It helps keep me creative, my mind working, and adds a new challenge.

This pertains to using someone else's product for inspiration. It does not pertain to actually copying, detail for detail, someones else's product, photos and wording. That is going too far, and when that happens the original artist/crafter has a right to be upset and try to put a stop to it.

[Former_Member]

I think that I would consider copycat if someones copy exactly the same item and description and everything. If the items are your inspiration and your original designs, I don't think you should be worry. Like a week ago I bought a rabbit pattern because I have my own design and when I saw the pattern it looks very similar like my final product. So I bought the pattern just to check what were the differences and to compare not to copy and sell it but to check their product and my product... which that is part of competition...

[Former_Member]

I see both sides...you make a good point. Although I have to say, I had someone copy (literaly) something that I know for a fact that I invented...not the concept but a very very ew, different and modern version of it. They made a fortune...ah well. I moved on.

[Former_Member]

I took one jewelry making class. The rest of what I know I've learned from online tutorials, youtube and trying to recreate a design that I've seen and loved. I have not been able to completely recreate someone's work without a tutorial of some kind because the style is different. It never looks quite the same as the image. That's part of the fun in learning a new craft.

To keep my unique items one of a kind, I won't create tutorials or give anyone my style tips. But, I think if someone thought one of my designs was so awesome that they'd try it on their own, I'd be flattered.

I agree with Heidy - if someone was copying exactly the same item, listing description and all, then there would be cause to do something about it.

[OldLadyWhite]

Take it as a compliment and make something bigger and better! I say in my Etsy Profile "I Thank Everyone Who Inspired Me!" I have learned from others all my life so I could grow! I Pray I learn something new every day and it will come from someone I may not even know. Life is too short, I say make lemonade out of lemons!

[WrappedToPerfection]

I had an irate shop owner send a convo to me that I had copied one of her items... I hadn't and I was really upset by her tone.

In my response I provided links to a 1/2 dozen items listed on Etsy that could also have been called "copies"... I never heard back from her.

It's difficult to be exclusive... every idea has to start somewhere... whether it's something you saw in a store, a catalog, online or being used/worn by a person.

Word-for-word descriptions are a definite no-no.

If you saw a listing and you liked the style of photography, would you be accused of copying if you did something similar? I think not.

Also, when you consider how many artisans are selling on Etsy, I believe the sellers, as a whole, are terrific, friendly and reasonable!

[ChrisOsCreations]

i don't know
it's a weird thing
last year i had an incident with a "friend" she copied some of my designs and then she add a pretty comment under the photos "the designs are original DONT copy"... i mean omg and imagine that my sis was the one who saw it and said "Chris, she made the same choker as the one i'm wearing "....
i don't say that when i like something i don't try to make it but when that person belongs to your circle it's the worst....

[Former_Member]

As one of my teachers once told me, it's nearly impossible to create something completely original today, unlike anything else. You'll be inspired by pieces you see and make similar items sometimes, which I've seen. As long as an item isn't exactly the same as your inspiration I think it's all good.

My tentacle earrings for example, a lot of people make tentacle earrings! I chose my own colors, shape, size, and placement of suckers though and they're different from all the other's I've seen. And I also made them just cause I wanted my own, decided to sell them cause I kept getting compliments. (:

[Former_Member]

One of the things I make are log tealight candle holders. Hard to be original with those, but I try to spruce them up and come up with new ideas. (Pun intended. Sorry) ;) We try different types of wood, or things liket that, but with over 9 million handmade things on etsy, I suppose there will be a good chance of repeat items.

[Former_Member]

haha if we were worried about "copying" we'd have nothing in the shop. Every photographer has shots of flowers, and rivers, and mountains and streets and I could go on and on but I won't.
Suffice to say, as long as you've got your own angle, in both making and trying to sell the item, you'll do fine :) You're always going to see similarities in other peoples work.. especially the jewelry section :D

[Former_Member]

I'm not really concerned about copying especially knowing the work some of my items actually take to make. But what bothers me is when people make an identical item from a tutorial, label it as their own, and then sell it.

[TheRogueBaby]

I have seen some of the "copy cat" posts, and I agree it's silly to take an item nearly identical to someone elses, and photograph it in the exact same way, and use the same wording, etc. Be original!

I look at my "competition" to check out how they propped their items or took their photos, but would never dream of finding an identical prop and trying to mimick their listing. I want my shop to stand out for being "my shop" not to look like all the other shops that sell similar items.

[Former_Member]

I have never been accused of copying NOR have I been copied (TO MY KNOWLEDGE!!) but I think when I've read other posts of people complaining that they've been copied...it was almost always an EXACT copy, meaning that not only did they copy the design, but they ALSO used the same photograph as the 'original' designer. I would DEFINITELY take offense to that...knowing full-well how much time it takes to set up a shot, take it, edit the photo (shading, coloring, lighting, etc.) THAT would bother me a great deal...but I do agree with you, Christen. I've been evolving a bit with my own jewelry line...experimenting with new techniques. Why NOT!! And I definitely don't consider it copying...especially when I apply some of my own 'touches'.

[Former_Member]

I do paintings, and actually a few days ago stumbled upon another shop that had absolutely GORGEOUS photography for sale. As an artist, I run into times where I'm just lacking in inspiration, and this shop owners photos were stunning and completely reawoke my imagination!

I sent her a message telling her this, and that if it was okay with her I might use some of her photos as inspiration for paintings....

I think things like copying and whatnot are just the ultimate form of flattery! - unless of course you are, as others have mentioned above - literally copying word for word, image for image. :)

[Former_Member]

I just made my first set of earrings last night. This is something I had never thought of doing, but once I started, I made four pairs! I ended up putting them in a new section in my shop. But, I did copy the beads and everything for one of the pairs of earrings from the kit I bought as I had no idea what I was doing. The others I improvised. I hope that is ok to put the first pair on here. But, I do like the ones I thought of much better. But, it was a good place to start - to see how it was made and things like that.

[Former_Member]

I think Etsy is an amazing resource for supplies, and many of us probably get our supplies from the same shops. It's also an amazing resource for buyers, giving them access to sellers across the world, rather than just at local craft markets or shops. The same is true of the resource Etsy provides for sellers: access to customers from far flung parts of the world.

There is a downside to this, however, in that sellers from Ohio are competing with sellers from California, etc. I find that this competition leads to lower prices and probably more copying on Etsy than you'd find in your average brick and mortar retail market. Because of that I recognize that Etsy has to just be part of my business strategy and I appreciate it for what it is. I might be the only one in my city or region making the things I make, but I'm probably not the only one in the world. :) Of course, internet anonymity allows new people to come along and undercut or copy sellers without the same trouble they would face attempting such a thing in a brick and mortar shop.

Just a thought... And as I said, Etsy is an amazing resource for both sellers and buyers, so you just have to accept the risks that come with putting your original work on the internet.

[Former_Member]

As a M&P soap maker there are ALWAYS going to be others with the same molds etc. But I strive to make the very best I can, photograph it and sell it to the best of my ability and if someone else comes along and does it better, well thats capitalism.

However, I would not take kindly to someone setting up an identical shop or to someone asking me to teach them how to do what I do or ask me for my supply sources. I mean there is being flattered and then there is doing someone else's work for them.

Any inspiration I gather from other sellers is trends and marketing ideas and tips.

word for word or photography copying is just a sign of someone else's lack of business acumen. They probably arent going to last long anyway

[Former_Member]

this is such a touchy topic. someone had mentioned previously that it's almost impossible to make or create something original, and I think that's really the crux of the issue.

the only thing original about anything, is the person who made it. I mean, we're all going extinct individually, right? I think I take a lot of solace in the fact that no one else is going to have the same idea, is going to capture the picture exactly the way I see it, or put these two colors together with this design, on this day, with these tools. I think as long as we're all striving to add our OWN art into the world, then it's genuine and it shouldn't matter our inspiration. because the mere thought is changed by having it made by our own brains, and not someone else's! you can't copyright flowers or colors or materials, and as long there isn't malicious intent, it's hard to criticize from where inspiration came.

love hearing (seeing) everyone's ideas about this though, especially with all the copyright/trademark/patent law craziness out there these days.

[Former_Member]

Madewithhope said: But what bothers me is when people make an identical item from a tutorial, label it as their own, and then sell it.
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That's why I don't make tutorials! (Although I've certainly been asked enough times!)

[JannisBitsAndBobs]

When you're learning a new skill, your work will look a lot like someone else's because you have to start somewhere. You might start with a kit or a written pattern or take a class and make the class project. From there, though, it's all in what you do with your new skill.

I keep a private folder of pictures on my computer for inspiration. I won't ever publish them, and I carefully noted where each one was from. When I run out of ideas, I go through that folder. The goal, of course, isn't to copy what I have there, but to use those ideas as a springboard. I'm a really good editor in that I can take something and tweak it, but I'm not particularly good at coming up with an idea of my own. So when I look at my inspiration photos, it's to figure out a way to make something similar which is mine and to see what techniques the original designer/maker used.