The questions that I get asked most often are: "Will this be a pattern" or "why don't you make all your characters into patterns so everyone can enjoy them"?
The world here at "Soft in the Head" is constantly spinning and I never know when I'm going to be leaping off. There are days I get inspired to create something so unusual that it actually will take me days to figure it out while staying within my "primitive" realm... so designing a pattern for it would be incredibly difficult to explain, in detail, to someone else on how to do it. Not only that, sharing everything I do just wouldn't be good for business....secrets within ones craft is what keeps it desirable and selling. Also considering the 
I'm very protective of some of my techniques and feel that they are what make many of my characters unique and special and not real sure I want to share everything, that took me so long to develop, in a $10 pattern. The pattern industry has been a cruel mistress and it has taken me 3 years to become brave enough to, once again, start designing
Three years ago I found out that a person, who I admired and thought a friend, was taking designers patterns and converting them to PDF's without our knowledge and sharing (yep sharing) them with anyone and everyone! Needless to say this made a HUGE impact on the income of many pattern designers, me included....one does not forget these type of indiscretions easily. This is when I began designing "One of a Kind" pieces and became very guarded and protective of my work and I quit designing patterns except for magazines. It is unfortunate that the actions of a few make it difficult for the many!
I'm trying to get back into the pattern world but any pattern I design will be different from anything that I do for shows or for my collectors.
When a collector, which I have many, purchase a piece from an artist they want to be reassured that the piece is special and limited to just them....not a pattern that is accessible to everyone....though I do get many requests to make something from one of my patterns. Some collectors might love the design of one of my patterns and want an original piece and I will do this for them. In all honesty I wish I could just make everyone who follows, collects or just plain likes "Soft in the Head" happy and I'm working on doing just that! New Pattern Coming Out June 1st....
10 comments:
Your argument is spot on!! Don't blame you a bit!!! Sharing is nice and gives one a good fussy feeling...but can bite big time...btw meant fussy feeling. Still figuring my way around my KINDLE fire!!
I think you are so smart to keep your secrets. They ARE what make you so darned unique! Can't WAIT to see the new pattern!
}}Hugs{{
Vicky
Thanks so much Bettina and Vicky....your comments meant a lot to me!
I understand completely, some secrets are what makes our different and unique and sharing that would take away from our own creations. I prefer simpler patterns that I can play with, I can never follow directions or create something exactly like another designer.
Debbie
Very well said. You have a special gift and I understand completely why you want to keep some things uniquely yours.
Judy
Thank you all for your support and kind words! This is a topic that is often addressed and criticized but if one isn't true to themselves than what hope do they EVER have of being happy in their life and work :)
Hi Pam, I understand where you are coming from. We would put ourselves out of business.
Hugs Kay
I'm fortunate to own a few of your patterns. I find your comments to be absolutely on the mark. You kind of have two businesses - one for your one-of-a-kind creations and one for patterns. It makes perfect sense to me! I'm delighted to have items I've made from your patterns and I don't hesitate to tell people, when they comment, that you have other amazing work. Sadly there will always be uncreative people who copy someone else's work.
Hey girl, I just love to see your creativity and your characters!! You don't owe anyone anything...you make this world better just by being. I am usually a lurker, but just have to say...love your creative mind! Have a great weekend!
Post a Comment