Copying: All Risk and No Reward

"Autumn Hues" by Yael Berger of The Joy of Color

In the art world, imitation is rarely seen as the sincerest form of flattery, but instead as violation of intellectual property rights. In a recent AGTeam article, the line between Inspiration and Copying was clearly defined. Yet, artists who are perfectly aware of this line will often still copy. Too often, an artist will convince themselves that they aren't copying and that the style, image, or idea is a generic one and they weren't influenced by someone's work. While the reasons why this hurts the original creator who is being copied are fairly clear, the plain fact is that it hurts you as an artist to copy and sell another's work without permission more than anyone else.

Three of the major drawbacks to copying are:

It's not just an illegal copyright violation, you can permanently damage your reputation as an artist. If people see you to be copying, they may begin to assume that it's because you aren't capable of creative ideas of your own. Even the integrity of your original work can be diminished because people may lose respect for you as an artist.

You don't create an identity of your own when you copy. When potential customers run across your work, they may mistake it for the original artist's and even vice versa. This doesn't help you out at all and can hurt the original artist.

As an Etsy seller, you run the risk of having your shop closed. Etsy reserves the right to close down shops that don't operate within their terms of use and having a claim made against you for copyright violation can be enough reason for them to close you down.

The costs of copying someone far outweigh any benefits that could be gained. Large companies, small businesses, and individuals have all found themselves in hot water for doing it. The best policy is to respect other artist's as you would like them to respect you and not reproduce their work without permission.

The DON’T DO list, pt 1, Shipping

As seasoned Etsy sellers, we’ve learned what you need to do to succeed and thrive. Our most valuable lessons have come from making and observing costly mistakes, so don’t not read this list, as members share the best  from their personal DON’T DO lists.

When you are SHIPPING:

1) DON’T leave a buyer guessing about how and when their package will be arriving.

Jen of SewnNatural advises:

Don't silently take in orders. Once someone places an order, we send them a note (ideally within a few hours) to thank them, confirm their order, the shipping method and timeframe, and let them know we will send them another message as soon as their order ships out. We go over details and shipping info that might not have been noticed by the buyer.

Here is an organic baby hat for sale at SewnNatural, modeled by the cutest baby ever!

2) DON’T assume that a buyer has read all of your shop policies, listing copy, and shop announcement where you’ve specified  vital shipping info.

As Yael of TheJoyofColor says:

Don't take for granted that buyers read all the information in your listing. In your thanks you note to buyer specify again the time it takes for an item to arrive. Especially if you are an international seller, this can save lots of embarrassment.

Pumpkin Hill archival print by TheJoyofColor

3) DON’T “gestimate” postage. You will lose repeat business if you inconvenience a buyer.

Toni of TheBuckToothedBunny related:

Ugh, I had to go to the post office today and wait in line to pay the $.43 postage due on an item that I ordered.

4) DON’T save money with inferior packing material. Reused materials are fine as long as they aren’t ragged and dirty.

This is also from Toni:

Don't skimp on shipping materials, I appreciate when my items arrive clean and in good condition.

Here is a new hand screened bag from TheBuckToothedBunny

This series will continue tomorrow with the Don’t Do list to avoid negative feedback.

Have you found these tips helpful? Have you learned other shipping Don’t Do’s?

By Lee Wolfe of OneClayBead

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

As part of our series Peek. Bought. Handmade, we'll take a look at some of the handmade pieces members of the Artisans Gallery Team added to their life.
Today, Yael from TheJoyofColor shares a lovely Etsy story with us.

"I met Kath from NaturalPetProducts in the Etsy treasuries some time ago. We became such good friends that I decided to call her Sis as I feel I found a sister over the ocean. We support each other not only on Etsy but in our personal life as well.

When I listed my first "Stack of Bowls" print, Kath loved it so much that I decided to send it to her as a present for Easter/Passover. Of course, I had to ask for her address and before I could even send it to her she bought it! So refunded her as I wanted it to be a present."

"Last week I got a notice from the Post office about a package. I was a bit worried as I didn't order anything

lately, so I thought "oh no! one of my deliveries was returned, I'm in trouble!"

What a wonderful surprise to discover at the Post office that it was not one of my envelopes! The mystery envelop had a sticker from the BucktoothedBunny. What could it be? I couldn't wait and opened it at the post office and discovered this lovely tote with a note - saying "Love from your Sister Kath :-)". I was so moved that I almost cried."

"The amazing thing is that I was thinking of buying one myself for the summer!"

"You can see me in the photo going to the library with my new Love Language tote."

AGTeam Mother's Day Gift Guide

 

MOM Little House Ceramic Village by TheLittleRedDoor

With spring blossoming in the Northern Hemisphere, one of the season's most wonderful holidays, Mother's Day, is just a few weeks away.  You don't need to look any further than the beautiful shops of the Artisans Gallery Team members to find lovely handmade gifts for every mom.  Whether you are shopping for jewelry, home decor or artwork, you are bound to spot something wonderful for the special people you would like to treat to an artisanal gift this Mother's Day.  Here are just a few suggestions to get things started. For more ideas, please browse the international Artisans Gallery Team shop categories on the right or search for keywords "agteam mother day" or just "agteam" on Etsy.

Single Flower Earrings in Sapphire, Rose Quartz and Mandarin Garnet

by FussJewelry (Connecticut, USA)

 

Blue Bells 8x10 Fine Art Flower Nature Photography Print

by TheEye (British Columbia, Canada)

Little Nut Necklace
by PoleStar (North Carolina, USA) 

Tea Time original watercolor painting

by TheJoyOfColor (Tel Aviv, Israel)

Hand Textured Porcelain Vase

by NewMoonStudio (Rhode Island, USA)

Handpainted Scarf

by Birribe (Stockholm, Sweden)

 

Reef bracelet

by JibbyAndJuna (Pennsylvania, USA)

 

Pie Plate Footed Cutting Board

by GrayWorksDesign (New York, USA)

 

Wool felt Kangaroo Mom and Joey 

by EvesLittleEarthlings (Ontario, Canada)

Noodle stoneware Serving Bowl

by OneClayBead (North Carolina, USA) 

Lavender Hand Pulled Linocut

by PeaseBlossomStudio (Texas, USA)

Pear Small Funky Vase

by RomyAndClare (Indiana, USA) 

 

Children's Names Necklace Personalized

by moonovermaize (Virginia, USA)

fine art giclee print

by gretchenmist (Melbourne, Australia)

Bel Fiore Ring

by BeyondTheRockz (Connecticut, USA)

 

2 Crocheted Macarons

by Beliz82 (Paris, France)

Dandelion wish necklace in silver

by LuluBugJewelry (California, USA)

LOVE Languages - LongSleeve T-Shirt

by BuckToothedBunny (Massachussetts, USA)

Honeysuckle Baby Alpaca & Silk Knit Scarf

by TickledPinkKnits (New York, USA)

What inspires you?

Awhile back we did a 'What inspires you?' post.  I loved seeing what inspires artists and it's high time we find out what inspires more of our Artisans don't you think?

Yael, aka TheJoyofColor, shared what inspires her.  I have to say I was surprised when I saw what inspired her, while the first photo seems like an obvious choice, a few of the other photos weren't quite what I would have imagined which is exactly why I love about finding out what inspires other artists! 

Above, Yael's poppy inspiration: a photo that started my watercolor series of poppies, it was taken by my niece in the Negev (south of Israel)   Below: Red Sunset on Poppies Field.

Yael included things that inspire her from her own back yard as well as Tel Aviv. She says:  A lot of my inspiration comes from my home garden, this is of the Bird of paradise plant. The Park has always somthing to offer. The Urban scene always intrigues me, these 2 photos were taken in the south (old) part of Tel Aviv a place for hip boutiques and bups.

I searched her shop to see what she might have made from her Tel Aviv inspiration and thought maybe this Golden lurex knitted scarf fit the bill.  Feels industrial, part of a city life and structural all in one!

▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀

Roxana of IlluminatedPerfume shared her inspiration:  I've been honing in on what is behind my primary inspiration of NATURE and BEAUTY, I think it has to do with authenticity, however, it appears that language is not a sufficient means to really define it. After all everyone sees beauty in different ways.  Here's some things I find really beautiful and thus inspiring: Illuminated Manuscripts and the visuals in the film Vatel.

First photo:  The visuals in the film Vatel. I introduced my daughter Eve to one of my favorite films, Vatel. I knew she would appreciate it because, like mother, she adores all things sublime in nature. This film is a bouquet of grace and exquisite harmony. True the story is not to the level of the direction, cinematography, art direction, music, acting and costumes. In the case of this film the story is just good enough for the visuals to carry you to the end. Vatel is a sensual banquet of eye candy with the appeal of the current shabby chic, vintage, French style currently in fashion.

Next: Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola.  Vespertina™ solid perfume feels like a good match with French pastries. The Jasmine and Rose in this fragrance have a vintage yet modern feel, like something Kirsten Dunst would have worn while filming Marie Antoinette. Staying close to the skin she would have enjoyed it's aromatic without nuking her fellow actors overpowering silage.  I tend to find films really inspiring, I think it's because they showcase beauty in so many different aspects...physical beauty, nature, fashion, color, light, etc plus moods are evoked through the story combined with the visuals. I love the paintings by Waterhouse for example, but when that painting comes alive in a film the imagery is more compelling for me.

I also love poetry and a great story, which brings me back to wondering what's at the core??? Lots to contemplate with this great question.

Below: one of the outcomes of her inspiration, her Vespertina Perfume!

▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀

 BetsyBensen says this about what inspires her: Well, I got my degree in Art History for no other reason than I was so inspired by art through the ages. It made me really want to make things. I'm still excited by things people create.

When I look at her shop now I can see how she is inspired by Art History, her pieces reflect that (at least to me).  I imagine kings might have worn her rings, well dressed ladies would have been adorned in her jewelry. If I'm not mistaken, these azurite-chrysocola earrings have an old world painterly feel do they not?

And I totally see this Chunky Sterling ring on a King's finger; his pudgy well fed hands adorned and pointing at his jester to entertain him ~ his rich lifestyle and unduly wealth highlighted by the opulence that this ring exudes!  Of course this would look wonderful on a woman too,  I got carried away by her inspiration.

 ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀

Thank you fellow artisans for sharing what inspires you!