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"TraVeL ThRouGh ThE LaNd Of “Soft in the Head”
...the home of “Singing and Dancing Mice & Humorous Frogs!”.
Where “Original Designs” of patterns and soft sculpture characters come to life..…
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The Pain of Copycats......
SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!
As you all know I have preached about this "boil" on the artist world often. Well folks it has happened again and this time with one of my characters that I treasure most...my "Miss Tizzie Tea Frog". The one who graces my banner, the one who has been published in numerous magazines and "YES" the one that is an ORIGINAL design BY ME!!!!!! Now, I know that "copycats" are handicapped and unable to think for themselves or they wouldn't have to resort to copying....don't they still have some form of decency or scruples or was that quality shoved aside to make more room for their rather inflated egos! To blatantly copy someone and then have the audacity to call it their original design.....seriously? I find this behavior disturbing and incredibly narcissistic. I honestly feel that this person should have spent more time developing their skills and less time stealing ideas from others. Let me just say this one last thing before I go douse my head in cold water, this person did not just use one of my patterns to make this doll and pass it off as her own design.....this "wannabee" copied a one of a kind signature piece that is on my business cards, my banner, and has been published in many magazines and calls it "her own" creative design....I think this would be called "blatant" theft and I think earns her the right to be the centerpiece in the "Hall of Shame"! WTG "Off The Beaten Path Designs"!
As you all know I have preached about this "boil" on the artist world often. Well folks it has happened again and this time with one of my characters that I treasure most...my "Miss Tizzie Tea Frog". The one who graces my banner, the one who has been published in numerous magazines and "YES" the one that is an ORIGINAL design BY ME!!!!!! Now, I know that "copycats" are handicapped and unable to think for themselves or they wouldn't have to resort to copying....don't they still have some form of decency or scruples or was that quality shoved aside to make more room for their rather inflated egos! To blatantly copy someone and then have the audacity to call it their original design.....seriously? I find this behavior disturbing and incredibly narcissistic. I honestly feel that this person should have spent more time developing their skills and less time stealing ideas from others. Let me just say this one last thing before I go douse my head in cold water, this person did not just use one of my patterns to make this doll and pass it off as her own design.....this "wannabee" copied a one of a kind signature piece that is on my business cards, my banner, and has been published in many magazines and calls it "her own" creative design....I think this would be called "blatant" theft and I think earns her the right to be the centerpiece in the "Hall of Shame"! WTG "Off The Beaten Path Designs"!
31 comments:
This happens over and over. Do they think we cannot recognize our own designs????
Jerks!
This upsets me to say the least. How did you come across this copycat? So they are selling it as their own creation. Well it is obvious that it was copied. The web is a small small world odd they wouldn't realize you would find them. Better watch to make sure nothing else gets copied.
Sorry this happened to you!
I know how mad this makes you!!!! And this creation is one of your very best!!!! There is also a lady out there who took your mouse on a lid with the nail feet that sits on a lid, and she has come out with a whole line of PATTERNS from this creation..... I know, because I make mice too, I have been making mice for over 10 years, and she will take my ideals, then use your mouse, change it a bit, then she comes out with the pattern... If I come up with something cute, within a few weeks, its a pattern!!!!! I do not sell patterns, But I might as well make the pattern, because she will.. Over Christmas, My ideals made her two new patterns!!!! And beat it all, She has a good little bussiness...Using other artist creations!!!!! And has NO SHAME!!!!!! Now I use alot of patterns from different designers, but I give them the credit.. But to use their ideals and come out with the patterns, Is the lowest of the low.. pattern designers, should be designers, not copycats!!!!!
Well I hate that this has happened to you. I just do crafts for fun, for myself and freinds. And almost always use patterns I buy from others. And I have made your mouse pattern twice and it doesn't matter how hard I try it never looks as good as yours! So maybe the customers of this lady will realize that of her peices too.
I really wish these COPY CATS, would crawl back under the stones, they crawled out from. It causes such bad feeling within the Art community.
So sorry this has happened to you again..x
Pam, I am sorry this has happened to you once again.
She is in the Hall Of Shame in my book as well.. sheesh, what a low and pathetic thing to do.
~Diane
Unbelievable, I am come to believe that these people are delusional and really believe it is their design. I have some who think that they can buy one of my designs, change one thing and call it their own. The most recent is a woman who is selling all of the punch needles that her sister gave her, as her own. I don't care if she sells them, but without the credit, we lose pattern business, as well. Some are one of a kind, so I know she didn't make them, but not worth the stress of worrying about it. I do get mad about design copying though, especially with things like yours, they are unique and you have your own style, so it is obvious when someone copies you.
Debbie
Im so sorry this happened to you once again.
This is very much recognizable as your Miss Tizzie.
This has never happened to me personally but...
I do have a black cloth doll that was handmade by Arnetts Country Store.
I purchased it last summer and have shown it off on my blog. Both when I 1st purchased it, stating where it came from and in random photos of my living room it can be seen.
About 2 weeks ago on FB, someone started posting pictures of this "dead ringer" doll, stating it was an original design of hers she just came up with.
Um, excuse me??
Seriously, this was Exactly like the doll I purchased from Arnett's. The only thing different was, of course, the farbics it was dressed in.
And she was selling these as her design she just came up with???
Well, to be honest.... it made me quite mad and it wasnt even anything I made!!
I cant imagine how furious I would be if it was actually my design.
~Tam
I hate to see this happen again! So sorry Pam, but folks will know what is real after awhile. I will let someone know if I see an obvious copy cat out there. Hopefully she will be sunk by her own deceit.
I have you on my blog page because I love your work. Let me say this and I hope it will make you feel better, "her copy is a cheap imitation of your original," and I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole! I love frogs, toads, hence my name on ebay toadhollowprim. But I'm sure it's very, very frustrating! So smile her's looks like it came from Walmart.
So sorry this has happened to you. There is nothing more special than a Soft In The Head Original! Sending you hugs!
who is fooling who?~ you can't get that many elements on target and claim that it is your own work. Her defending the how and why just makes you want to give her the number to a good shrink. People will only treat you how you allow yourself to be treated, Kudos Pam, for not allowing this and saying it out loud!
You guys are the best! One thing I have prided myself on is being original. I don't surf EBAY or buy magazines...I don't take classes because I never want to be confused with someone else's work. My Tizzie Frog was designed over a year ago. She was hailed as an unusual design at that time because of the shape of the head and the glasses....so if this person thinks for one minute hers is the original and she didn't copy anyone she is quite delusional or just a bad liar, maybe both! She's the one who has to live with it. Very sad indeed!
I will continue to throw copycats to the masses anytime I see it happening...maybe they will think twice before stealing from a hard working artist again!
Hi,
I so feel for you. This just happened to me as well. I really want to tell the person off, but I didn't.
So sorry this happened.
Why can't people come up with original ideas?
Love your work!
Rosemary
*****ok...at one level it is a compliment that someone is interested in your work, but yes, everyone has the right to be credited for their accomplishments. so, what are you going to do about it, other than complain on the internet to a group of faceless people? legal action is the only recourse and if you don't pursue that, well perhaps you are actually "soft in the head!" stand up and do something ladies...it will only empower you in ways that will benefit women around the world...passive agressive behavior only leads to the sore butt from sitting on the fence!!!
That's the most blatant act of copying I think I've ever seen! Good on you for calling her out and making her the centerpiece in your "Hall of Shame". Although I agree with the call to take legal action the costs associated with that course of action are so high, who can afford it? I'm so sorry this happened, your work is exceptional and unique and NO ONE can ever duplicate it. Deb
Oh Pam....I'm so sorry... that really sucks. It's sad and it hurts you....the thing is they wouldn't like it if someone did it to them....so why do it to another.
I just read your theft article. That's what I think of it, pure out and out theft. I am so sorry to hear about this. A one of a kind design means just that, and the person who stole your design should be ashamed. If they had any conscience at all they would remove the design and/or pattern and admit to their journey thru darkness on their blog or website. Very sad!!!!
I am so sorry this has happened to you...it is sad. I mean to copy ideas and give credit is one thing, but to just call your own...insane!!! I had a poem stolen from me a few years ago and made into a scrapbook set on ebay - I contacted the seller and she pulled it immediately.
i have a comment for you and your friends that are trashing my sister inlaw my sister inlaw has a great imagination way beyound yours and she does not steal ideas if she uses other peoples designs she always gives them the credit and the web site to look at if this continues i will report you to facebook and if you have proof show it if your not afraid you will post this but i have a feeling you will erease it i dont like people talking about my family and if you had such confidence you will post this comment not just the positive one in your favor from a very upset family member so be areal woman and post this so people can decide for them selves but i think your taking credit for her work
It's always easy to hide behind the guise of "Anonymous"....I think you and your dear sister in law need not only challenge my opinion re: this issue but the opinion of more than a hundred individuals who have seen the photos and read her letter on Facebbok....which by the way I have more reason to report to Facebook about than you have re: anything I have done. Be careful throwing idle threats around cause my dear "Anonymous" as you have seen I am a woman of action!
I have also noticed that your sister in law loves to frequent my blog examining every page. You are just making my case that much stronger, thanks!
I think the proof is that Pam has documentation through the frequent publication of her work. I would suggest legal action if your sister-in-law does not desist!
Chandra Cerchione-Peltier
i dont need to hide my sister inlaw has copy right on this doll this doll was for sale at a festiful in 09 when was yours made show these people proof that you had a copy right to this doll and when it was made we have proof and if you need to know who i am my name is bryan yeary now show the proof
You are unbelievable, lady, and your sister-in-law is responsible for outright fraud!! Pam has been making these artworks long before 2009, and the artistic community respects her work and integrity a great deal.
Chandra Cerchione-Peltier
"Bryan Yeary"! You really ought to get your facts straight! Sounds like you are in over your head with BS fed by your "SIL". You obviously are not part of the Primitive Folk Art World and hold no credibility here.
SO....
Before you decide to get on a Blog Commenting soapbox, do some research and at least be a LITTLE knowledgeable in what you are talking about. Anyone who is anyone in the Primitive Folk Art World knows that Pam is as ORIGINAL as they come! She is creative, imaginative and TALENTED! A genuine person to boot.
Unlike your SIL who I have never even heard of until now. What a debut for her.
One more thing. You might want to invest your free time and energy into learning some Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation.
Go away and leave my talented friend alone.
so many great comments...always know that your work is so distinctive, that however many steal from you, you will always be THE TIFFANY !!
oh off the beaten path!...yeah they are ! they need to get back on the narrow road :)
All of these comments simply offer proof that Pam is a well regarded and respected member of the artistic community. It's a fool's game to pretend to ape her works and call it original when Pam is already so well known throughout the country! Taking a ripoff piece to some local festival where the locals are unfamiliar with Pam's work is not the smae thing as getting it past collectors, fellow artists, and publishers long familiar with Pam's work.
Again, a fool's game...
Chandra Cerchione-Peltier
Pam has "MY FREE COPYRIGHT" banner posted on her blog. Therefore she has an instant copyright that is dated and timed to when Pam published it here on the blog without having too go far. Just for issues such as this ~ the other person will need to produce a copyright type of the same or a copyright number to her lawyer or the judge. I'm sure the other person's family will be right on it to make sure the person they are standing up for is indeed right.
they keep talking about"proof" you can say it over and over. How can youreally show proof, sketches can have new dates on them, photos could be anytime, etc. unless you have a actual photo with a dated newspaper, actual event that has somewhere in the photo the year or date it's all just talk. when you look at someones work and it has no rhyme or reason to certain style you have to wonder (assume) it is copied from other designers. but when you look at pam's work you can pick her out of a lineup, same style, colors, etc. pam has my vote on this one!
Pam i am so sorry this has happened once again to you. I know this person and have decided to remove her from my ebay group. Keep doing what you are doing pam you inspire so many people. And just today my daughter who is expecting in sept asked for one of your dolls to showcase in the baby's room. Gotta save but the baby boy or girl will have one.
sandi
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