Would you be bothered?

[Babiease]

...an Etsy shop owner buys an item from your shop and is selling like items in her shop? Today's challenge for me! What would you do?

[TheSalvagedEdge]

I buy jewelry all the time. Not to copy, but because that is truly what I love so that is what I tend to focus on in stores. I sell in a market where there are 3 copper artists. We trade secrets and pieces because even though we all work in copper, we all have our own styles and things we like to do. Maybe they just loved the fabric you used. :-)

[Former_Member]

Be aggregated, but realize nobody can make MY items like me.

[WaterStreetDesign]

First of all, LOVE your shop! I don't think I would do anything at this point. If you want to check back later and see if your style, design, patterns have been copied, I would think of contacting that shop then if you can prove a connection. (I haven't had experience with this, and am trying to think what I would do!)
Another idea, is to put some clever wording somewhere in your shop, saying your products are all original and unique to your store...
Good luck!

[AdamRabbit]

I would be annoyed but try to think of it as, well at least they bought it instead of trying to rip it off through photos.

[Former_Member]

I would not assume they're copying. I've bought tea towels off etsy because, while I love my own towels and they are in my kitchen, I don't want to stare at only my designs all day. Besides, it's not hard to copy the stuff we sew by looking at the pics. There isn't that much that's new under the sun as far as sewing techniques go.

[Former_Member]

I do buy jewellery from other people, if I can't personally make it. Like engraved stuff, hammered metals etc.. I specialise in wood.

But I can see where you're coming from. Just keep a close eye on the shop.

[Former_Member]

I agree. I see many banners I want to buy, especially the glass ones.

[SnarkFactory]

I love art! I've bought one thing from etsy and it was a small piece of art. If I had more money to spend, the first thing i'd buy is art. I'm passionate about it, whether it's creating it or looking at it. Yes, I realize someone could copy me, especially with all the promoting and marketing I'm doing, but I like to think something would be missing. For example, there's a very popular artist named Leonid Afremov who's been super successful and China sells cheap duplicate knock offs of his paintings. Yes, they sell, but China can't duplicate the spark that made the artist famous in the first place. A copier will always be two steps behind. They can buy your work but they can't buy your brain.

[beatroad]

Yah, been there.
But in the end, there was nothing I could do about it.
Now I sell different kinds of jewelry and they sell supplies. So it worked itself out. ;)

[Former_Member]

I buy stuff from other jewelry makes because I love their pieces.

I would be flattered that another jewelry maker bought my stuff. Let's me know that I am on the right track.

[Former_Member]

I tell myself that although people can copy that particular item, they can't copy my creativity that comes up with new stuff. Challenges me to stay ahead of the game.
hope that helps..

[elainesgems]

I have two wire wrapped pendants from other Etsy shops. I really liked the stones and couldn't find similar ones to make for myself.

[Former_Member]

Who knows why she bought it maybe her friend liked it and didnt have an account? Be positive!