I'm Still Stitching ~ Why I'm Not Sharing My Work
You may have noticed that I have shared very little crazy quilting lately. This is not the type of post that I ever thought I would need to write, but after reading Sue Bleiweiss' post the other day, I felt that I needed to speak up about something that has recently happened to me.
Please read Sue's post here: https://suebleiweiss.blog/2017/04/02/inspiration-vs-copying/ She has kindly given me her written permission to link to it from my blog. She said all this much more eloquently than I.
I have freely shared my work, written about what I'm working on, the materials I have used, why I have used them, about why I have made the design choices that I have. Many of you have found this inspirational and in turn, your blogs, posts and e-mails about your work have inspired me.
Recently, I learned that my work was not being used as inspiration, but being copied almost exactly by a few individuals. In each of the situations, I learned of it after the work had been completed and shared with others. I was told that I shouldn't be offended, that it was the highest form of flattery.
But the reality is that I don't feel flattered, instead I feel rather violated by the blatant/flagrant copying of my work. It has made me uneasy to share so freely.
Copying someone else's work without permission isn't flattery. It is stealing. It is a copyright violation and it is illegal.
I'm still stitching, but just not sharing right now.
p.s. at the bottom os Sue's post, there are several links about the issue of copyright in the arts if you would like further information. The one from Lost Quilt is especially helpful as it's written in plain English.
Recently, I learned that my work was not being used as inspiration, but being copied almost exactly by a few individuals. In each of the situations, I learned of it after the work had been completed and shared with others. I was told that I shouldn't be offended, that it was the highest form of flattery.
But the reality is that I don't feel flattered, instead I feel rather violated by the blatant/flagrant copying of my work. It has made me uneasy to share so freely.
Copying someone else's work without permission isn't flattery. It is stealing. It is a copyright violation and it is illegal.
I'm still stitching, but just not sharing right now.
p.s. at the bottom os Sue's post, there are several links about the issue of copyright in the arts if you would like further information. The one from Lost Quilt is especially helpful as it's written in plain English.
Comments
Now a question. I believe I told you quite some time ago, that I have 10 Pinterest Boards that each feature 1 of my Top 10 Favorite Crazy Quilters. I also am sure I told you one was dedicated to you and your work.
After what you posted today I wanted to touch base with you and ask if those posts that I have done of your work for several years are something that I need to delete. I hope not. Any work I post of yours I remember that I told you about the boards I had, and that one was yours. I never post any CQ without giving credit to the person who did it. Now I don't know what to do.
God's Blessings and Bear Hugs, Sondra
Bear Hugs,
Sondra
Love & hugs to you and I hope one day you will share your beautiful creations with us once again.
FlowerLady
xx, Carol
I am sorry to hear this has happened. With our kind of crazy, I don't know how you can copy someone else's work...not exactly....I can't even begin to do some of the stitches and artwork you do. When someone ask how I do a certain stitch, I give them sites to go to so they can learn on their own and not copy me! But please don't give up being a inspiration to all of us!!! That's what we all need to be for each other, and there's more than enough inspiration to go around without making exact copies!! Keep up the good work.
Also, you can put your name as a watermark on any pics...they can't use the pics then as if they are their own.
Happy Stitching,
BJ
https://quiltingtexturepassion.blogspot.com/.
Yours, sending you sew much hope and respect, Jean A. Williams, calicostitches75@gmail.com
I just wanted to say I'm very sorry to hear this, but I completely understand. I learn so much from your work and you even have your very own folder so I don't have to dig through the other things I've saved to find it. I will say that as a teacher, I encourage my student to emulate the work of other artists they admire (like the great painters) as a way to practice and hone their craft, but I also stress that they should never outright "copy " and/ or claim the ideas as their own, but rather give credit to the artist they are studying. I sure hope you will come back some day. I for one will miss seeing your beautiful work. Kind Regards, Ann Thacker
I am so sorry to hear that others have violated you in this way. I understand how bad this feels since I have had the same happen as an artist. I don't quilt (not where my talents lie) but I truly have enjoyed seeing your work since I discovered your blog. It will be sorely missed as long as you don't feel like you can safely share your beautiful works here, but I understand and will continue to follow your blog and enjoy what you do share with us. Hopefully there will come a time when you feel free to share again.
Micki