I'm actually more than a little annoyed but I make a point of not blogging to moan about things. My blog has always been my escape and it's my "ideal world". The place I get to spend all day sewing or card making or painting or basically doing whatever craft I want, gardening, cooking, drinking coffee with friends and all that. However today I need to have a little moan.
There are a few people out there that are copying what I do - using my tutorials as their own in workshops they deliver, taking wording from my workshop descriptions and using it on their blogs/facebook pages, even going so far as copying my status updates in Facebook ! I can't decide if I'm more angry or upset at the minute. It's been going on for quite a while and I've been keeping a record of it with a view to maybe confronting them but I'm not sure yet what to do so I'm doing what my friends' mum tells her. When you don't know what to do do nothing.
Because of this I won't be sharing my "works in progress" for a while. Has this happened to you? What did you do about it? It's so hard to know what to do.
In the meantime I'm sharing some pics of my christmas angels that I got the other day for a few euro. I love picking up christmassy bits in the sale.
I'm keeping them on my kitchen window - they're too cute to pack away.
That's an absolute bugger Michelle...sorry to hear it. There are some unscrupulous people out there who don't have enough ability or talent to do things themselves.
ReplyDeleteHope you catch up with them eventually
Lesley
Now this is a hard one and one I've seen and experienced. I even had a similar 'moan' the other week. It seems when you do something well or have a knack for something there is always someone who wants a piece of the action, your action!
ReplyDeleteThe only trouble is the web is sooo big this can and will happen. When someone does not even begin to disguise they have just copied and pasted your work, that really is naughty.
Polite email, replys, so they know you know? Might not get you anywhere but you'll feel better. Oh and that saying, copying is the sincerest form of flattery, grrrr, NOOOOOO!
Oh and its not really moaning its sharing how you feel, you share away.
oh no i'm so sorry you feel like this, but i do understand.
ReplyDeleteThing is there are so many blogs that do/sell the same things that its really hard not to do similar things. But copying exactly would wind me up to. I don't show my things until finished and i have sometimes noticed things in blogland that i've done just after i've showed them. But i'm sure other people may have thought that i've copied them too without me actually copying them (if you see what i mean?)
Rather than be angry or upset - try and remember that copying is the highest form of flattery xxxx
Michelle..the angels are perfect for every day not just Christmas. Plus you are well entitled to have more than just a moan with regards to the copycat work. Hope it gets sorted in your favour. Sinead x
ReplyDeleteI know they say copying is the first form of flattery but it isn't, it is bloomin annoying!
ReplyDeleteI would confront this person with a short sharp message and that should frighten into stopping. x
That's awful. No one copies my creations as they are so simple and basic anyone could do them. Yours on the other hand are unique-that isn't very nice copying your work and even stealing your ideas, you must be annoyed. They obviously don't have any creativity themselves and are trying to be you. People like that obviously aren't comfortable enough with their own ideas and creations.
ReplyDeleteAll things nice...
Hi Michelle, so so sorry to hear this is happening to you! it makes me angry when people do that too - infact I have had it happen more then once myself, where someone put up a photo of mine of a finished project and claimed it as their own!! I contacted them, it was removed. but it has stopped me from sharing free patterns on my blog for now - as the upset wasnt worth it at the time, I put up free patterns to share with people, all I ask is for a link back to me, the original designer and yet so many times people claim it as their owm! grr! I think you right to wait until you decide what to do, I like to say pick you battles... also a battle won is a battle prepared, Im sorry this has happened to you
ReplyDeleteNeen
to make you smile my word verification is BUMHEAD hehe
Its best to do nothing, rise above it and try not to let it bother you. They are obviously not as talented as you if they feel the need to pass your work off as their own.
ReplyDeleteKeep your chin up.
xxx
Oh dear - don't know who your bloggy stalker is, but what a shame....
ReplyDeleteKeep up the posts though, I am really enjoying getting to know you!
Lx
I would be Pissed excuse my bad language these people are too lazy and oh I have words but I better shut up....RUDE!
ReplyDeleteIf your going to be a copycat you have to put your own twist and spin on it!!! make it your own you have inspired many I'm sure!
First, your work is lovely :0)
ReplyDeleteYou have to work hard at what you do, and it probably feels like these people are 'stealing' in a way. (I'm not clever enough for people to copy what I do LOL )
I have every sympathy with you.
The trouble with the internet is, once you press that publish/post button, it's anyones :(
It's such a shame that those few people can't play nicely, and so ruin things for the rest of us who so appreciate what your doing..
Take care, and have a good weekend :)
Thank you all so so much for your lovely comments and emails. I've decided not to do anything for now. Hopefully the people that are doing this will have seen this post and it will make them think. I think we all need to have a post like this every so often just to remind people. Michelle xx
ReplyDeleteJe n'ai pas tout compris mais je comprends que vous avez des problèmes avec des personnes peu scrupuleuses. Votre blog est votre espace "perfect world" et je l'aime ! I love your blog and this angels are so nice !
ReplyDeleteBon courage !
The Bible says it's wrong to steal. I would think that the conscious of the person or persons whatever the case may be would be enough to keep someone from doing that, but, we do live in a different world! I hope and pray that the thieves would come to you and ask for forgiveness! I love following your facebook and your blogs, you are an inspiration! God bless!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do know how that feels, although I've not posted things on my blog that people have stolen. But years ago I taught in TN. After I moved to New Mexico, one of my friends went to a quilt guild class where the "teacher" they had brought in had copied and was handing out materials I'd used in classes for a chain of six fabric stores AND which contained my copyright notice. It's insane how many uncreative people think they have the right to use the ideas and materials of others. Also crazy that they think it's okay if they don't get caught--or even if they do! I'm sorry this is happening to you.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my bug bears Michelle, I'm sorry that it's happening to you. You share so much here on your blog so that other people can be inspired and learn, I'm appalled that someone would blatantly try to pass your work off as their own. While I don't create the type of things that you do, I have also experienced having my work copied (content from my website, blog posts, FB updates etc) and it has really upset me. I chose to do nothing about it but every time I see something else it gets me annoyed all over again. It's very difficult to know what to do. It's a shame that people can't find their own voice or tap into their own creativity and feel the need to copy the work of someone else. I believe in karma though and that helps me to forget it and move on. It also pushes me to work harder to create a better website and blog and to be as original as I can be in my own work.
ReplyDeleteHello Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThis has happened to me 2 or 3 times (that I'm aware of) and I've confronted the people were the situation is too obvious (like copying one's words).
I say address the problem and then leave it, otherwise you'll go mad!
Good luck! You have all my sympathy.
Constança