Can you tell me how to duplicate your work for my own gain?

[TheSnakeLady]

An acquaintance of mine just got an email that went something like this...

Hi. I’m just back from a craft show this past weekend, and everyone still LOVES your kit.

The model that we have made was done from our own supplies in different colors.

Everyone loves his color way so much that I am putting together a kit using the same or similar materials. But my materials aren't measured the same way. How many parts (by weight? by counting?) do I put in the kit? Is there some resource somewhere that gives this sort of conversion?

(AKA - I love your kit so much I want to copy it in a different color and sell it for my own profit.)

-Love: Entitlement Whore

[BamaBabe]

What a set of brass balls that EW has!!! Unbelievable.

[spark]

These people seem to live in some kind of weird alternate reality, because I can't even picture what goes through somebody's head when they ask something like that.

It's bad enough the people who ask me how to make something so they can make themselves one instead of buying, but to outright, explicitly ask how to copy your stuff so they can sell it? They're insane.

[Kogarashi]

All I can figure is these people don't seem to realize that the design/kit/whatever itself is copyrighted, or think it's some sort of open source freeware-type-thing that anybody can tweak and resell. Doesn't excuse them, but might explain them.

I think that's about the point I'd reply, "I'm glad you like the kit! Unfortunately, it's copyrighted, but we can make one in your preferred color if you like. "

[NateTheChops]

That'd be like writing a letter to your favorite author telling them how you just made the best seller's list by copying their book and changing the title. Amazing.

Good to see you Snake Lady.

[Kanalah]

Yeah. I get people at shows asking me what the name of the quilt pattern is, where I bought the fabric, how much it costs to make a quilt, how much time it took etc etc.

Some can be chalked up to curiousity, while some will just outright tell me "I'm going to make one just like it and I won't have to pay you!"

Of course my generic response is "Good luck, that's not a beginner's pattern!"

[Kogarashi]

Of course my generic response is "Good luck, that's not a beginner's pattern!"

Ooh, indeed, that's the best part with something complicated. You get the people at shows saying "I could do that!" and you just smile and think, "Yeah, good luck with that. See you next show."

[Seshat]

That's exactly why I'm paying Sparks.

I'm capable of painting. I'm capable of sewing, and confident that I could design and make a plush toy.

I'm NOT confident that I could do it as well as she could. Not without - oh, as much practice as she's had.

[ShadowBall]

I've asked some folks on DA some things about their art...like I asked someone who makes and sells clay charms if there's a brand of clay they might suggest because I'm interested in trying to make charms myself. Or I have asked folks who make plush dolls what a certain kind of fabric is because it looks cool and I cannot for the life of me figure out WTF it is by looking at it.

But it takes a special kind of entitlement to outright ask someone how to make something - down to the measurements - so they can make it on their own. If everybody did that, everybody would be broke. And do you think for a second that if someone asked this person how to make a kit (the one who wrote the email), she'd be as willing to share and thus lose potential profits? Hell to the no she wouldn't.

If you need help making shit, there is a forum for just about goddamn everything creative. Hell, I found out there are forums that will teach you how to make video game sprites using Perler beads, of all things. But for goodies not laid out in tutorial format for your convenience, you buy desirables from people who CAN actually make them. I swear, making anything - dolls, art, food, jewelry - it brings out the worst, the cheapest and the dumbest people.

[hinakiba777]

Wow, just wow.

I tend to consult a lot of knitters at craft fairs about their patterns because I'm looking for a new project. I just prefer my own deformed little pieces because I feel accomplished. But I cannot imagine someone e-mailing another person up and basically saying "Hey I love your work. Could you tell me how to do it so that I can make money off of it instead of you?"

That takes a lot of gall!

[Seshat]

In my experience, a lot of crafters are happy to help you learn a technique, or recommend a fabric or crafting clay or whatever.

Heck, recommending an instructional book, video, class, etc is often common too.

But the thing about art is that it's art. It's unique to the individual. Once you have the techniques, it's up to you to apply them your individual way.

[TheSnakeLady]

Yah. And my acquaintence sells a pattern separately for anyone who would like to make their own color-scheme using their own materials, intended for people who are making one for themselves (or as gifts, and soforth).

But the person wanting to make their own color-scheme version of her kits to sell is crossing the line of what's acceptable and what's not.

[Kogarashi]

I know. In my book, it's fine to ask for more specifics on how something is made if you're planning on making one for yourself for personal use. There's still the skill involved that may not mesh perfectly, and I figure it's for personal use. But when you want to copy someone else's hard work so you can make your own profit on it, it crosses the line. Sure, it's one thing if the original artist has said, "Yeah, here's the pattern I use for basic plush dolls, go ahead and make your own to sell." Because there, there are still the little fiddly details that make things unique, and because the artist has given permission. But you don't just ask the artist if you can essentially steal their hard work for your own gain.

[Seshat]

Kanalah PMed me the URL to her etsy site.

I recognised some of the basic quilting techniques and patterns from a time when I was thinking about quilting as a hobby. Browsed websites, looked through some books at the library, etc etc.

So yes - if you want to learn to do what Kanalah does, the critical information is out there - and it's out there for free!

Does that mean I could make one of her quilts myself, right now?

Does that mean that someone willing to put the effort in could learn to do what she does? Yes, of course it does! But that's the key element that so many people miss. Effort.

[AccountingDrone]

Ooh, indeed, that's the best part with something complicated. You get the people at shows saying "I could do that!" and you just smile and think, "Yeah, good luck with that. See you next show."

LOL, actually I *can* do that, I just prefer to work on garments, and let some other person make beautiful quilts ... although some mongolian clothing combines quilt piecing and a sort of trapunto done with cording instead of pieces of cotton batting. Pain in the ass to do so I don't care to do it a lot =)