Just a thought to ponder and I don't mean to sound harsh but why oh why can't people come up with their own ideas? It drives me NUTS to plan an event, design a class, etc only to find another company doing the exact same thing, teaching my original layout, etc. I know scraplifiting is popular and okay in this industry but some companies/people take it to far!! We all find an idea we like and tweak it but my goodness put your own twist on it, don't copy everything. I'd be happy to consult with them, help them plan their own ideas or events but do your own thing!! It's a ton of work to organize, plan, create, design and it is so frustrating when you do all the work and someone takes it as their own without any credit back to the originator.
I always try to put a happy twist on things so I guess the happy twist would be I must be doing something right if they find it good enough to copy!! LOL!!! One more thing, they can copy all they want but they won't have the K.I.S.S. factor and therefore.....well..... you know!!!
Thanks for letting me vent and remember be original!!!
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9 comments:
You Rock Shannon and Rock stars always have some one who wants to replicate them , We know who the real rock star is.
I'm guilty of scraplifting but always make it my own by messing up ! then I call it my special twist.:)
Miranda, scraplifting an idea, a theme, etc is fine. Putting your own "special twist" is great!! I love it when someone likes a class project so much that they want to tell all their friends they did it!! It's a great compliment to me and I'm okay with that, I think it's funny!! It's only when someone takes the entire project - papers, embellishments, everything, creates it, sells it or teaches it and calls it their own that is frustrating or they take an event, do the exact same things, so much so that you can't tell one event from another when reading the descriptions that's frustrating! I know page kit companies have a hard time with this, they spend countles hours creating,designing, cutting kits only to have someone take a photo and recreate the project. Trust me, it's easier to buy the kit, LOL!! All the hard work is already done for ya!! Thanks for letting me vent and if you are ever do scraplift an entire project simply give credit where credit is due!! See a copycat event, think twice! They can copy everything but can they deliver the goods? LOL!! Have a great day!
I think as a Business person that is terrible and unethical .and it would be very frustrating. as I know it takes a lot of time to create these Ideas. Sometime I work on one page up to 5 hrs. (does any one else do that?) or am I crazy ?
p.s I can't get away with claiming your ideas anymore because yours are so good . people say how did you do that. and I'm like ummm ahhh (*&^% ? ?? oh Shannon must have done that one. But look. these are my pictures. hahaha
Scraplifting for fun is acceptable. But doing it for personal or professional *gain* is not cool. Really BAD scrapbooking etiquette.
If they are that unoriginal, then they're probably pretty dull and uninteresting all around.
Wouldn't worry about them too much. People will figure it out!!
Have a great day.
In my field, originality is a must also. However, sometimes similarities happen. I must say though... arrogance is not attractive on you.
Anonymous, I don't think anyone at all is being arrogant maybe a bit protective our our work but not arrogant! We are simply having a discussion about scraplifting. There are two types as someone pointed out, for personal use which is encouraged when it's done properly. I don't think anyone at all, including myself can say that they haven't scraplifted an idea perhaps color combinations, mats, layouts, embellishment placements, themes, etc. The magazines are full of ideas for that very purpose, well that and to advertise all the new product! LOL!! There are even some fantastic idea books and sketches that are great for scraplifiting. (My favorite sketch site, http://www.pagemaps.com)
I think the difference is when someone takes a class for example. Creates the class to a T, same papers, same exact layout, same ribbon, same embellishments. Takes that class and teaches it as there own. That's wrong in anyone's book. As a teacher, we work hard to come up with ideas, new twist to teach and it's frustraing to do all the work only to have someone take it and teach it as their own original ideas.
Events are the same way, I vend many, many events throughout the year as well as host them. None of the events are ever the same, you always have a different game, a different setup, a different energy level. Someone can try to copy an event but the likelyhood of them being able to reproduce an exact replica of an event is highly unlikely. That being said, when you plan an event and you have certain signature items or perks that customers recognize you for and those same perks are being advertised and offered at another event. Well, that's where you get into the is it okay thing. Organizers and even store owners work many, many hours behind the scenes to bring you top notch events and awesome stores filled with product, classes and such. It's highly disappointing when all your work is duplicated by someone else as you can imagine.
There have been numerous conversations about this in a business group I belong to, it's happening all over the place and there's no way to stop it other than to simply ask, "Please, if you like an idea, ask first and then credit the owner". Business owners have to work even harder and be more protective but it's the same way in all industries and part of being a business owner. (there are positives to being a business owner too, LOL!!)
Great conversation, Love to hear what your thoughts are!! Everyone has thier own ideas and opinions!
Happy scrapping!!
Miranda, you are making me blush!! LOL!! Thanks for the sweet comment and I'll pay ya later, LOL!!! JUST KIDDING!!! I didn't pay her to say that, heck I didn't even ask her to!! LOL!!
Shannon- you are so right! As another business owner I understand what you are saying. We work our tushies off (would love if it really went away!) and then someone comes in and takes the whole thing to call their own. Major frustration!
I have found though that the copycat site/event/project just isn't the same as the original. And our customers know the difference! When the copycat can't come up with their own original ideas it becomes very obvious.
Similarities happen in all of our work. When it's an exact replication it's rather hard to claim "similarities".
It's not arrogance on your part - far from it. You are proud of what you have worked so hard to achieve. Someone else doesn't have the right to ride your coattails by copying it. I for one am proud of what you have done and will support the original every time!
I think scraplifting as a non business person owner is encouraged that is why there are the Magazines ,Conventions and Classes given by store owners and manufacturers. But as a Business you should have the morality and respect not to copy. Similarity will happen , but shame on you if you profit from someones hard work . this is a hobby where WOMEN need to RESPECT and HELP each other .
Tulsa Ok.
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