Season’s greetings from me! I hope everyone has had a good Christmas?
Ours has been a quiet one, not having family nearby and with my niece back in Spain for the festivities it’s been just the three of us; me, my man and our lad. I closed up shop a few days before to give me time to shop and prepare. We brought the potted tree in from the garden and I bedecked the place with lots of candles and fairy lights. We cooked and ate a lot of food, opened a modest number of presents, played games, watched movies. All the usual stuff.
One unusually nice thing happened: I was contacted by a couple of owners via Borrow My Doggy about maybe looking after their dogs in future. I have been on their website for a while and had people contact me before and have responded to them but then heard nothing back. So, we’ll see how things pan out, but I’m hopeful that I might make some new canine friends.
The thought of our previous dog still haunts me and I would much prefer my thoughts of dogs to be happy ones, so I am very glad that there is the possibility on the horizon of making some new and happier dog memories.
Unfortunately, on the day before Christmas Eve, one unusually not nice thing also happened. Someone, a fellow maker, contacted me about my work and said that they were sorry and they didn’t relish sending me this message and also realised I wouldn’t like it, but they had protected their work and people had pointed out to them that mine looked similar to theirs, and it had got to the point where they couldn’t ignore it, and thereforeĀ would I stop doing / making certain things.
So. As my stomach fell through the floor and my head started spinning I started wracking my brains thinking of when I had last seen this maker’s work, and what on earth I should say or do in response.
(The answers to the brain-wracking are that I last recall seeing their work a while back: I am aware of them, but only in passing, one of many, many different people who make nice things that pop up from time to time in my social media, because I follow makers in all kinds of disciplines whose work I enjoy in order to support them andĀ to be part of a community of makers generally and doll makers specifically – and most definitely not because I want to copy or imitate any of them or their work. And that I should respond to them.)
And so I have spent my Christmas somewhat preoccupied with this state of affairs. Because although the message said that they were sure that I had not at any point intended to copy them, that’s exactly what it felt like I was being accused of.
By the way, none of the pictures used in this post are specifically related to the message I received – I would just like to make that absolutely clear. I will also not be naming the person who contacted me, as I have no wish to annoy them further or have people make any comparisons between my work and theirs.
Somewhat ironically, I have been in the opposite position in the past.Ā More than once, in fact. So I can completely understand this maker’s wish to protect their work.
It is more than annoying to have worked on a design, to have crafted it and developed it and then to see that someone has seen it and used it (or one or more elements of it) and claimed it as their own. In this respect I can sympathise with how they must feel after having had others point out to them something of mine, that to them seems to include elements of their design.
The problem is (and this may sound defensive and self-justifying, but this is, after all, true, and this isĀ my blog, so f**k it!) this is not what has happened in this case.
I hate copycats. Anyone who knows me well in real life knows this. I always strive to make my work original.
In this I have developed in two particular directions recently ā adding paperclay details to cloth dolls and working on a miniature scale – precisely because I haven’t seen others doing similar work and it feels like these new elements combine to create something that’s mine and mine alone, amid what can sometimes seem like an ocean of nice, but oh-so-similar dolls.
I am, therefore, not happy,Ā to put it mildly, that people are seeing my work and thinking that it is a deliberate imitation of someone else’s.
Because it isn’t.
So I have responded to the person and said that my designs in future will alter in a certain way, as they have requested, mainly becauseĀ I have no desire to be seen by anyone as an imitator or copycat; but it all feels a bit sad and ludicrous because as far as I can see we just have vaguely similar styles, not even all the time, and I don’t see how I could have prevented this situation from arising, or how I could stop it from arising again in future, come to that.
Copying does seem to be rife in the doll-making world, as in the world generally. Creative friends of mine working in other media have had their work imitated or copied, even having had their own photographs of their designs stolen and used by others to sell unlicensed or copied work.
This situation makes us all sensitive when we spot work that appears to “echo” our own. 
As others have said before, “there is nothing new under the sun”, but in this modern world, making from the heart is not the only thing that matters – you have to own the design rights. And even then, someone else may not bother to take any notice of that. I do understand this, which is why I have tried to respond reasonably and not let myself get upset by the situation.
We are just two independent makers trying to produce original work.Ā Surely there is room for both of us?
There is just one thing about this unfortunate business that does rankle. Which isĀ that they chose to contact me about it immediately before Christmas, so it has been on my mind, on and off, all over the holidays.
My work was paused, my shop was closed. My heart was happy and I was looking forward to Christmas, before they got in touch. I think they could easily have waited a few more days.
Make of that what you will.Ā ā„
I just wanted to send you some sympathy after reading your latest blog. I know it doesn’t help but I really feel for you with this accusation and I’m sorry it stayed in your mind over Christmas. Please keep up your good work with whatever you make in future. You obviously put your heart into what you do and people appreciate that.
Thanks Judy. I’m fine and I’m not going to stop making altogether. I just hope that whatever I come up with in future doesn’t provoke any similar responses from anyone!
Iām so sorry youāve had this happen. Youāre right that it would have been better for them to wait until after Christmas, especially as itās a rare opportunity for rest for makers. I think you have responded in a very honourable way and acted with integrity and you should hold onto that. You make beautiful, wonderful things and I love seeing them.
Thank you Naomi. I think that because the maker in question has protected aspects of their designs I have acted in the only way possible under the circumstances really. I do see their point, but I also want to stress that nothing I make is an imitation of anyone else’s work and that if there are perceived similarities, they are coincidental. It’s very important to me that I am not perceived as an imitator – to be so would go against everything I stand for and believe in as a maker.
If you were the kind of person who spent ludicrous amounts of time on Pinterest looking for something original to copy it would be something, but you’re not. I suppose we’ll never know what you supposedly plagiarised except by analysing what’s no longer appearing in your lovely posts.
Timing is everything in these situations, too, and there’s also the possibility that you thought of it first but simply hadn’t gone to the lengths of protecting your idea.
I wonder if the complainer has been stewing for a while and wanted to get it off her chest before Christmas so she’d feel better. Kind of her to pass the joy on to you. Not.
Please don’t let this discourage you in any way. The images you have shown in this post demonstrate that you’re fully capable of exquisite originality, and don’t really need to ‘borrow’ ideas from other people. I hope you have a creative, satisfying and hopeful New Year.
Well, I can’t be too sure what constitutes ludicrous amounts of time on Pinterest… I do spend quite a lot of time on there as it happens! But my obsessions on there are more towards interiors, fabrics, food and embroidery. As I say, I do follow other makers and love seeing the work of others in all sorts of disciplines including textiles and dolls, but not in order to copy, steal, imitate or appropriate their designs or any aspects of them. I try not to spend too long looking at the work of other doll makers, precisely because I don’t want to be overly influenced and produce something derivative. I want what I make to come from me, not from others. Usually my work evolves from stuff that has nothing to do with other makers – for example, the gold cotton velvet curtains someone gifted to me recently have been a big influence, resulting in bears, bear face brooches and the bumblebees (velvet is excellent for making something look furry on a mini scale). The bees (and spider girl) also came about partly as a result of looking for ways to use a large reel of narrow black ribbon I got from a friend during the summer.
Thanks for your comments and support now and over the whole year Kate, and a very happy and creative New Year to you x
Had to respond as I felt for you that it had been on your mind over the break. Bad timing when you wanted you thoughts to be on your family. I think you have behaved in a very grown up way and I think I would have been much much more immature! I have always enjoyed the originality of your work and the way you show your ā working outā and the creative process shows that it is original. Itās a small world of makes and itās hard to say whoās has inspired who. Do you think that Monet complained when other Impressionnists took his style?!
Looking forward to whet you do next.
Thank you Jo. I really appreciate your taking the time to comment and be supportive – if Iām honest, a bit of support is very welcome x
Really sorry that you had that to contend with over Christmas.
I love your work and have recently purchased a bear brooch and bumblebee from your Etsy shop. ( Fantastic) I have never seen anybody whose work is like yours so please carry on with your making. Your dolls just make me smile!!! Have a great 2019.
Thanks Tracey! I’m glad you like the things you ordered. x
I am saddened to read about such things you have been going through. What a foolish person they were to write and suggest what they did! What if all makers stopped making for fear that they might be making something that had already been made on another side of the globe? I would live in fear of lifting a paintbrush, sewing a quilt, making clothes, or using any form of creative media that I might have come up with some creation that had already been made by another! NO it will not happen! Jealousy is such an ugly thing and I hope you won’t let it ever stop you from creating anything new. What comes from your hand and mind is YOURS and yours alone! Keep on making dear! You are amazing!
*blushing* – thank you so much!
If a person is truly creative in their work, as you obviously are, your work will continue to evolve and you will continue to be known for a certain “look” to your dolls.
I have no idea who this person is or their work. You are correct in your feeling that this could have waited until after the holidays. Sending that letter was nervy and frankly rude. Do not feel as though you are copying and I am very sure I would not stop making my dolls to suit someone else. Two people can’t have a similar idea???? Really????
Perhaps you should pick up your work after the new year after you have had time to spend with the family and enjoy the holiday season. You will be back and ready to work with a new perspective.
Besides if you were a true imitator your dolls would not be so delightful, nor would you be able to make them sparkle and bring them to life.
Thank you. I fully intend to pick up my work in the New Year. I am glad of a break for my poor aching fingers and knuckles after weeks of assiduous hand stitching, but I am looking forward to getting back to work as well. I have plenty of ideas that haven’t yet seen the light of day!
Hi! This is Angele from Fabric And Ink. I always read your blog and was sad to read this today. Firstly, I followed all the troubles your family went through with your dog and none of them were your fault. You did absolutely everything you could of done for that dog. I hope the dog sitting thing works out. Secondly, do whatever it takes to get yourself past this “copying” thing. I hate copycats. I’ve had it happen to me and had it denied by the person doing it – she was selling patterns of my designs on Etsy – but has since closed her shop. I look at a lot of dolls on Pinterest and Instagram and there are always similarities because, really, how many different ways can you construct these little guys? I’m sorry this person reached out to you right at Christmas. I’m guessing she was lashing out over a perceived infringement of her design. We don’t always think straight when we are cross. I’m sorry you’re caught up in it. Your dolls are gorgeous and so beautifully made, I love mine. When you’re making, a technique is a technique. How you use it makes your creations special and your own. Please don’t let this get you down.
Thank you Angele. I am so sorry that you have had your designs copied and sold as patterns – they are beautiful and very distinctive. Have you registered your designs anywhere, to protect them?
I honestly can understand how the person who contacted me must feel. In the past I also had a series of communications with someone to whom I pointed out similarities between their work and mine. The similar piece I referred to appeared a few weeks after mine went a bit viral on social media (I had searched before I posted pictures of my work and there was nothing similar to be found at the time). The other maker denied copying, and communicating with them was a very uncomfortable process from start to finish. I hate upsetting people, but sometimes it’s just unavoidable – it’s so annoying when you are certain that your work has been appropriated, particularly if, as they have said, others have also pointed out the similarities to them. So I do understand.
But you are correct that a technique is a technique – which is what I have tried to get across. My techniques have developed in the way they have because that is simply what I have found, through experimentation, works at a tiny scale. I hadn’t even seen the particular items of the other maker’s work in question; the similarities may be there, but they have not arisen from imitation.
Angele again, I just re-read my comment and thought it might sound like I was defending the person that contacted you which was not what I intended at all! It sounds like she was reacting in haste in contacting you when she did, because she was upset. There was no reason to put a shadow over your Christmas, I’m so sorry it’s happened at all.
Thanks Angele. What I didn’t say before about the dog is that the reason she has been on my mind again is that she popped up on Facebook – she is back at the rescue again, having been returned by yet another family, presumably because they have also found her too difficult to live with for the same reasons we did. It is very sad to see this.
What a shame about the dog, I’m sorry she’s not found the right family. I hope you are feeling a bit better about everything.
Yes, I think so. Although I did laugh when I saw this picture pop up in my Facebook feed this morning!
I am not accusing the maker of copying my doll stands, just pointing out that having similar ideas is not a rare occurrence. Needless to say, I will be waiting until the day before the maker’s birthday to forward them a strongly worded message (Joke!)
I adore your work..as an artist..let the wind take your thoughts away…for you need this open channel to create..sending love
Thank you. Agreed – stewing over this will not help my anxiety, nor will it help my creative process. Writing this blog post and answering people’s comments is part of a cathartic process of letting it go.
I really love your work, & have always thought it very uniquely yours. I am very sorry about this whole copying accusation, especially at Christmas time!!! I think you have dealt very well & honestly with the whole thing. I must say, as a new doll maker who is trying to create original work myself this is all rather alarming, because there is that fear of having an idea that someone else you don’t know about has had, or similar, & then to be accused of copying which I too hate… or to be copied. But sounds like it’s just part of putting oneself out there… So glad you will continue to create, you are brilliant!!!!
Thanks Erin. I think all you can do is to make what you want to make, donāt copy and deal with whatever comes your way when and if it comes. No point in worrying unnecessarily ( though I know only too well thatās easier said than done!)
I just wanted to say that I love your work. I was drawn to it because it was something fresh and new to me. You are so talented and all your work is very inspiring and takes me to a different world. Thank you for putting it out there and sharing it with the world. It’s a more magical place because of it!
Thank you Candice – what a lovely thing to say!