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Wednesday, January 2, 2008
How to Make a Scrabble Tile Pendant with Me :)
Click the photo for Scrabble Tile Information or,
Visit my typepad blog for all sorts of cool-ness-ness.
Littleput.Typepad.com
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30 comments:
I'm trying to view your post as a positive; but I must tell you this strikes me as bittersweet. You're very dear & more than brave for dealing with this reality as you are doing. I suppose that strength is part of your art, as well.
Well done. xxoo
Very big and generous. I view this as a positive - this way you can celebrate successes and grow, rather than continue being hurt by copy cats. And it really does establish you as the original :)
Perhaps I shouldn't blog before coffee :) I think since this is the first time I've ever blogged about being copied there is certainly some sadness but sharing the tutorial has really been fun. Having a choice in the matter after all has been quite a good thing, especially when it sells :)
I want to thank you for the tutorial. It must be a hard thing to decide. You are one of the more sucessful shops on Etsy and I admire you. Thanks again!
Tina
What a nice way to respond to something crappy!
Ryan, I am so honored that you think my work is innovative. I totally understand your frustration, because I've had a few copiers of my own with other items, and I can't imagine how it feels on the level at which you are copied. I am an art teacher, and sometimes the little ones will get upset and tell me that someone is copying them (the artwork of 2 kids sitting side by side looking identical is hard to miss), and I try to tell them you can be inspired by someone else's ideas, but you have to spend a lot of time and energy into your though process so that you come away inspired, but have original ideas. You work so hard, and it's obvious to me that you continue to come up with innovative ideas, and I wish you continued success!
Very smart way of handling your situation. You will continue to come up with inovative ideas and no one can steal that creativity.
You go girl, you continue to inspire me...
Happy New Year,
xx cat
I promise not to make paper or scrabble tile jewelry :) Best of luck with the tutorial. I'm sure you will sell lots of them, because everyone knows you're the first and best at them.
I certainly think if people want to do it they should. Creating the tutorial was a way for me to let go of my feelings of ownership on the idea. I invite the people who use the tutorial to have a great time with the pendants, I am looking forward to seeing all the new ideas and different styles that come from this technique. It is open to all :)
I understand how you feel. We've recieved several convos about our carved dominos asking specifically about our process. After replying,I never hear back and wonder if they ran out to buy supplies!
It is nerve racking, and it is very good of you to try to turn it into something positive. Best wishes. :)
This is a really great thing you're doing! You're constantly an inspiration! Hey, why do you always come up with such great ideas? ... Oh yeah, you're the best :)
PS Thank you for all the advice! :)
I will always buy from you - even if I'm making my own. You are awesome!
Ryan
I am so proud of you. You have taken a most difficult and frustrating experience and turned it into something positive. Good for you. No matter how many people learn your technique there will only be one littleputbooks and only Ryan's pendants will be made with your heart's flow.
Love Kathy
wow - this must have been a tough call to make. It is a subject that I can imagine is very painful and every artist must wonder and worry about this at some point. However you have dealt with it with such grace and humility that I have such respect for you.
You are an innovator and I know that your work will constantly be in a state of progression with new ideas. I am looking forward to seeing what you do this year! All the best for 2008.
I think it is amazing that you would do this. I've actually been meaning to convo you for a while on Etsy (no, not ask you how you make your pendants! LOL) but to relate a strange, coincidental story that happened a few weeks ago when I came across one of your pendants in "real life".
I don't want to type it out here online, so perhaps I will convo you or you can email me, if you like.
I have been a long time scrabble lover and player for many years. Scrabble is a game that we've played and enjoyed in my family for as long as I can recall.
I even have some scrabble tile magnets that I made for our fridge (before I even knew of Etsy, or anything else like that.) Just because I think scrabble is awesome and they make cute magnets (plus thenyou can "write" on your fridge!) ;)
Having a long time affinity for anything Chinese art or Asian art related, I have been collecting pieces of lovely chiyogami paper for years, along with all the other Chinese Brush Painting supplies I stock. I even dabbled in origami for a while. In the past I've made pendants out of various wooden cut outs and mixed media. I've never made a pendant using a scrabble tile, but I do think your idea is a great one.
Ever since joining Etsy, I've loved all of your plum blossom scrabble tile pendants as those are my favourite Chinese Brush painting subject. And I've often wondered how you felt about all the other "scrabble tile pendant makers" that seem to abound on Etsy.
Since I am still fairly new to Etsy, I was never quite sure who came first, but I always assumed it was you, since you seemed to have the most original ideas and overall sense of design and style.
Putting one's art out in the world is a scary thing -- and I greatly admire the fact that you are willing to share your knowledge with others in such an open manner.
I deeply admire the way you have handled your successes and setbacks.
I wish you every success for the future -- you are a wonderful asset to the Etsy marketplace.
Mei Designs (Nickie)
Ryan, you are an inspiration to so many. I have followed your blog, gained so much knowledge and information from your marketing tips and your short cut to listing in the forums. I have also followed your success and I know that has been an inspiration for so many, myself included.
Once again, you demonstrate and define the meaning of a true original.
Thank you for being such a great example to so many.
Happy New Year and Wishes for continued success.
Seems like you've hit upon a really positive way of dealing with a situation that had the potential to eat you up. Well done you!
Ryan...you go girl. What a great way to respond. I've always wondered about all those secret admirers and what they were up to. I'd love to use your tutorial just to learn something new! Though my style is very different. Your blog is wonderful and I'll be adding it to my list of favorite artists and friends on my blog. My friend loved her scrabble journal I got from you! Best to you . Kelly
You never cease to amaze me. When did you get so wise my friend? To put this before pride is above all things. I hope it comes back to reward you 1000x fold. xxxoooxxxooo
Know that sharing this information will brighten the faces of my daughter and nieces on our craft days! Oh and the great memories we will make. Copycats are always around in crafting. But satisfaction should come to you that you helped people have fun, and make memories. Good luck to you, and your's are still the best!
Thanks a million.
It's still new and fresh to me! I wouldn't even attempt it, to be honest. In fact, I gave you a shout-out on my design blog, http://nesting-instincts.blogspot.com/ Please keep up the great work!
Add me to the list of people that are proud of you.
I'm also taking the negative bitter feelings of being copied/ imitated and turning it around into something positive. It really is so much better!
I want a scrabble tile pendant with one of my print scraps on it someday, but I know I would never make one!
Thank you so much for being so honest. I actually look at other artists work, not to copy, but to get inspiration. I am a social worker and do have any formal art training. Everything I've learned has been from books and tutorials because there is no one near me who does what I do. Thanks again.
you generousity has given me so much to think about in reference to my own work, I cannot even put it into words right now.
You catch more flies with honey. I guess I would never have found your blog if I wasn't reading of another artists discontent over the possibility of copying. So I guess you're not alone. It's a chance we all take. I admire your tact.
Very generous of you to share your ideas and instructions! I can understand your hurt at feeling copied. I doubt that (copying) has always been the case though. Scrabble tile pendants have been around forever...alot longer than Etsy has in fact. I've got a girlfriend who has been making these pendants for years (and did an online tutorial for them several years ago!)
So chin up and reach way into your creative juices to find a new craft, or a new direction. Dwelling on the bad (real or imagined) can only bring you down.
Good luck!
how do you know you are the first person in the world to do something like this! for years i have been selling wooden pendants made with paper and coated in resin at my local sunday markets, iv'e just got online to see if there is a market for me and indeed there is! Share the love, share the creativity i say!
When anything is made for the first time and its deemed to be good/great is it not copied and reproduced thats why there are so many brands of the one product! I would welcome the competition and be flattered by it, keeps you on your toes!
Cheers
Harriet
Why is it that people are considered copy cats? when they make somthing like you make..I highly doubt that you are the first person to ever make scrabble tile crafts..art is art crafting is crafting if you do not want people making things like yours spend the money and buy a patent so that no one can make the same thing (not sure that you can get one for a craft)I am sure that you all have seen a craft and said I can do that and you go get the supplies and make it and sell it..grab a tissue and wipe away your tears..your making your money what does it matter if a million people decide to make a pendant out of a scrabble tile..everyone has different ideas and designs...in the world of crafting everything is fair game..but thanks for sharing your process I am sure that alot of people will be making these and selling them at their local flea markets and craft shows..more power to them if they can make a little money for their household..you should be happy that people like your ideas and appreciate your art..
Hi there - I saw your tiles on ETSY and fell in love with them. Somehow I ended up here and saw all these posts ... and just wanted to say that we "Etsians" and other artisans worldwide create for the love of creating. It brings us joy. Ok and sometimes some money too, but we get into it for the love of it. I somehow niavely perhaps believe that good intent will prevail and those who do art for the love of it will be successful because that love carries into our product. You are obviously very successful with your craft and your creations bring joy to others. I wish you good things.
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