21 June 2012
[via]
I have never experienced anything like it before. I had heard of many of you who have had to deal with this kind of thing, but thankfully, I had never had to go through this kind of attack! Well, that is until yesterday.
But, first things first.
Last night I got 4 comments on this blog post from March 11th, 2012. All of the sudden, out of the blue they were there. The first one was ok, but got me thinking because this person was referring to another person's work that looked similar to my work shown in this post. The second one was a bit different, it accused me of copying said work from that other person, and the other two comments, well, they were the same. I deleted these comments, of course. Who wants that kind of stuff on their website!
I tried to find the source of all of this and about 2 minutes later I knew where this was coming from. Someone saw my work on Pinterest and featured on Sublime Stitching and came to the conclusion I had copied her idea to make a profit out of it. I was called a quote "flagrant asshole" and a quote "bitch", my behavior was gross and the handmade community would not support such thing and all of the sudden a whole "clique of stitchers" attacked me with hate tweets and made fun of me.
I was being scolded for having my work all over Pinterest, I didn't even pin it myself, but others that saw my feature on Sublime Stitching. Someone even sent a tweet to Sublime Stitching telling her she should have rather featured the original artist. I was accused of taking my photos in the exact same way she was. Just to make this clear, there aren't that many ways to take a photo of an embroidery hoop. I was even accused of using her photos.
I tweeted back at them, for which I was being referred to as childish quote "that's a childish response, and quite defensive as well. In my experience, guilty people resort to defensiveness" and uncivilized and that there was no need to make enemies - well, excuse me for defending myself after being accused of copying other people's work - wouldn't you do the same?
Shortly after that I received an email of said person with the same design. She is an Etsy seller as well, and has been selling this design since last summer. Basically she accused me of making an exact replica of her work for my own profit. I am not even selling this design in my etsy shop, in fact my etsy shop has been on vacation for quite some time now because of the exact same reason of someone copying my work. She referred to my Instagram where I was asked if I would list this design to my etsy shop and I replied that I was thinking about it. She even had links for everything on all of my social media sites. She was asking me to either link up properly to the origin, to her, or to not show my work on any of my sites. She gave me advice to find my own way and my own designs and that she hoped her email would help me re-think. - Well, thanks so much!
I replied that I had never seen her work, which is 100% true. I have never heard of her and I DID NOT COPY HER DESIGN!! I told her I didn't need any kind of advice from her. I, too, believe that copying an artist's work is unethical and I would never do that. I am not selling this design, nor am I planning to! I am not making profit of someone else's idea, because I didn't copy it from anyone! It can happen that people have the same ideas! I mean look at how many handmade sellers do the same thing!
It is really upsetting to be attacked for something you didn't do. I always link back properly when showing something that's not from me. She could have handled it in a mature way and contact me right away before getting tons of people involved that stormed my blog. So I took the post down for a while for them to back off! I put it back up though, this is my space and I can do whatever I want here. If you can't handle that -STAY AWAY!
I DIDN'T COPY HER!!!
Of course she doesn't believe me - that's her right and her choice! She didn't have to call me names and accuse me on twitter making her entourage attack me in that kind of manner. I think it's pretty lightheaded to accuse someone of "stealing an idea" openly before checking the facts, defamation isn't something to be underestimated.
I guess it's these kind of things that make us stronger.
With that said, happy Thursday!
Hugs,
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Hi, I'm Chrissy - a part-time working mom and wife trying to navigate life by taking the pup for a walk while the pasta is cooking, so that lunch is ready on time. My spare time is for blogging and knitting - give me a precious skein of yarn and I am in heaven! Thanks for stopping by - enjoy! xxx
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28 comments:
People need to learn that you can't steal "ideas". It's impossible. What makes her think that her brain is so above anyone elses that there's no possibility that you might have thought of the same thing she did, on your own? And the way she handled it is definitely no beuno. I don't know if I would have handled the situation as politely as you. But like I said, people are ridiculous. So sorry you had to experience all of this mess.
xo,
jessie
Internet bullies! So fucking lame. Who has time to stir up such drama? Ohh, people without purpose, that's who.
Please don't even take any of this seriously, Chrissy. You have plenty of followers who know the real you. The genuine, sweet & kick ass lady, that doesn't take shit from anyone. :] It's seriously one of the things I admire most about you.
People are so ignorant! I agree with Hollie! Lame! People that stir up drama are just bored with life and are looking for some way to feel better about themselves.
You are such a beautiful person and I am so sorry that you were attacked in this way! I am outraged for you!
Love you, pretty.
This is clearly about much more than just copying. I had to look at comments on twitter just because I was so upset that someone would treat you this way. After reading what I saw, it is so clearly a case of bullying-- a situation in which those involved in the bullying needed a sense of power over you. I see this sort of thing on a daily basis at school with the kids that I teach. When people engage others in this type of behavior it is to make themselves feel better about their own insecurities. I am so, so sorry that you had to go through this. You are incredibly talented at what you do and I hope that you keep doing what you're good at!
Copied or not copied there are way better ways to handle situations like this one. Unless someone really is being a b*tch I don't see any need to treat someone like you were treated yesterday. It was an honest misunderstanding. I hope this all blows over soon for both of you. No one needs this kind of stuff on there mind.
UGH - so sorry you are dealing with these ignorant people.This is a big world and it's stupid to think no two people would have the same style and end up designing things similar to each other. I say go ahead a sell your stuff. You know the truth so don't let these people back you in a corner. hugs!
You poor thing, this is so upsetting, I really feel for you! I think anyone who reads your blog regularly would know you'd never copy anyone's work. There are creative ideas floating around everywhere and none of them are so unique that no-one else could possibly come up with them on their own!
And I also agree that, just supposing you *had* copied her work in some way - there would be a better way of handling it!
Hope you feel better - I know how painful these things can be.
It's happened to me before but in my case I was attacked with about fifty comments and they were calling me racist because I made fun of douche bag lady and she just happened to be black. I make fun of all douche bags, no matter their color...
Forget about that chick, who cares if you did copy it! You did the work and it looks like it took a long time to do it.
My gosh! That's AWFUL!!! What jerks!
And, for the record, there are SO many designs on Etsy that look exactly the same by several designers--it doesn't mean that one person stole it from another; it just means that they each came up with a similar idea OR that's the thing that sells. Good Lord. You did not deserve any kind of attack.
Some people just need to grow up and get over themselves . . . golly wolly . . .
oh my gosh! i am so sorry you had to go through this :( i can't believe people can be so rude as to attack you like that.
i had someone accuse me of copying them last year, mainly becuase I was new to the etsy 'world' - never mind the things i was supposed to have been copying were things that i had been making for 10 years and selling IRL.
{{hugs}} chrissy xxxx
Oh lovely - I've just seen the tweets too. Some of these girls are pathetic! It's called internet bullying.
Ladies. Sometimes people have similar ideas, it's life! Have you not seen clothes shops or jewellery shops on etsy?! Things are bound to be similar. If you really think somebody has copied you, you send them a polite email and you discuss it between the two of you. There's no need to start talking shit over Twitter to intentionally make somebody else feel bad - it makes you a really horrible, insecure and pathetic person. If you're sure of what you're selling it doesn't matter what anybody else is. Get over it.
I hope you keep smiling Crissy! Haters gonna hate ;)
I'm so sorry this happened to you Chrissy!
OMG, I am really sorry that this happened to you, Chrissy. I really don't understand how people can act like that. I mean, come on, it can happen that handmade things look similar....people have the same idea. But it's so stupid to accuse somebody of copying....in such a stupid way. It makes me angry too. I am so sorry, Chrissy. I can understand how you feel right now. :( Hugs!
Ugh,I am so sorry you are dealing with this.
Her saying you are copying her ideas, it's like saying only one person in the world can write a book, no on else can do it too. Or there can only be one kind of soda, no other flavor options. Only one brand of shoes, or one type of car, no one can be creative and think outside the box. Etc ... What a childish person she is, oh whaa-boo-hoo, she needs to grow up! The world is full of creative people, and many people might have the same ideas - shock! She's just trying to crush your spirit. When you get boring for her she'll move on to a new target.
Hugs!
Me again - I think this is all stemming from her being jealous of your work. FACT! Yours are far superior to her French Knots! She may have had the idea first and gotten to etsy before you, but hers are lackluster. She should strive to reach your level of talent.
I am sorry to hear that you were attacked for your creativity and designs. It's really low when a person has to manipulate others and try to gain friends through such a thing. I think your work is beautiful, and being a follower of your blog and such, I believe you worked hard and didn't copy. I'm sure her work is nice, but it sounds like she got jealous and was trying to eliminate any future competition. I mean that's like everyone that makes a Pink, Black, and White box quilt accusing the other of stealing the idea. People can be naive and silly. You're a wonderful person, and VERY creative... Don't let the bullies get to you. Keep up all your hard work.
I saw this on twitter and it infuriated me!!! Your work is similar but WAY more detailed and beautiful. I can't believe how rude she was to you!! There are so many people out there that some are bound to have similar ideas. It does not mean that you happened to have similar designs on purpose. I'm sorry you had to deal with this. Love you girl!
Wow, how incredibly frustrating. I am always "afraid" that an original idea (that might not be so "out there" that nobody else could ever think of it) might be considered copying someone else's ideas.... I mean, come on!
There are so many people on the Internet, doing basically the same things that it is really hard to even "prove" when someone is a copycat.
I understand that it must be frustrating when you see what you consider "your" personal twist on something on someone else's blog... but in most cases, I would investigate very, very hard to make sure that this is not just a coincidence of the same genius idea.
It happens ALL THE TIME.
I'd be so bummed if that happened to me, so I applaud you for handling this so maturely!
Oh my gosh! Are you for real? That's soooo lame? How old are these people? 10? I mean, seriously..People come up with similar ideas all the time and you weren't even selling it.. This upsets me majorly.. I can't eve imagine how ticked you are. Sorry to hear about these lame-o's. Chin up girl! You didn't do anything wrong!
xoxo,
♥Janette, the Jongleur
I am so sorry you are having to deal with this! You have handled it so well. Hugs!
Wow Chrissy! I'm so so sorry that you had to deal with this. I remember that design and I loved it! I had never seen anything like it at the time. Also...I don't get it! It's like a million french knots right? I bet it was done way back in the 1920s and earlier by sweet little ladies. I see no reason why that couldn't be an idea that came to so many people at the same time. She most definitely could have approached you with dignity instead of hatred. So so inappropriate. So sorry friend!
seriously ridiculous! im very sorry you are going through this! at least you are keeping your sense of humor. i laughed out loud when i read "Just to make this clear, there aren't that many ways to take a photo of an embroidery hoop." hugs!!! xo, ashley
I haven't a creative bone in my body, so what do I know? (Let's get that out there right now!) I'm sorry you had to deal with such negative behavior. Frankly, I'm always amazed that people aren't accusing folks of copying things all the time. I'm not saying I don't think there are unscrupulous people out there, but seriously - can every idea honestly only be had ever by 1 person?
I guess this speaks to the good sense behind something I recently read on someone else's blog. She highly recommends watermarking all of your photos - at least you couldn't be accused of stealing someone's exact photo.
As many people above me have stated - it isn't so much that the conversation was held - people have a right to inquire if they think there are shenanigans going on. It is the WAY in which it was held, and the forum in which it was held - there's no reason for that type of behavior or language. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Aw Chrissy! I'm sorry girl! There seems to be a lot of this going on lately in different circles... Just last week there was a whole hub-ub in the mommy blogging circles over someone copying someone else's post... Dude. This needs to stop. There are so many people in this world, how can ANYONE claim to have thought of something before someone else anymore. Just for the record, I don't believe you would have flat out copied anyone! And even if you saw hers or someone else's idea and put your own spin on it... that's how crafting/sewing/whatever works. Again, so sorry girl! We're behind you!!!
Wow what crap.
Do people really know what Idea means.
"A concept or mental impression"
It's not like you are making every stitch the same way and have the same material as her. Or something of the sort.
I bet you she copied from something and she just has to blame someone because of her low self esteem.
People who do that to my friends tick me off badly. There is no need to harass people let alone good people.
Some people are a waste of space. no lie.
Cheer up Buttercup! You find jerks everywhere anymore!
Oh sweetie what an effin retard! I get so upset to read things like this! People really are dickheads.
I agree with everyone above. Hope you are fine and take care of you. Love K
People can be so stupid...and really need to find something better to do with their time than bully and harass. What a weird way to choose to spend their time...poor things...they must be extremely bored and lonely.
You're the best...all the rest can just bugger off :)
Jenna
I'm so sorry you went through this! I cannot think about how that would have made me feel. I know that a lot of people are very protective over their crafts, even though some of the thigs and techniques I see have been around for ages. Even though I really enjoy crafty blogs, I have deleted most from my reading list, as I have so often seen items that were similar to ideas that I have had independently and I am so scraed of first: being accused of copying and second: fencing in my own creativity because of that.
xxx