So, I'm sitting here wondering why I can't think of a single thing to talk about. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. There has been something on my mind that is eating at me. I want to talk about it, yet I don't. Yet I do. Yet I don't. You can see what a problem this is! But here I am. Talking. Because I just really need to say some things.
Some of you will read this and know exactly where I'm coming from here. Some of you will think I'm out in left field. And that's ok. But I've just got to say it anyway. And, hey, this is my blog, my diary, so I can write whatever I want, right?
It seems that everyday I have a conversation, read a blog post, get an email, or answer my phone.....and the topics of conversation have the same thread running through them: BEING AUTHENTIC (or rather, the ones who are not).
I know I'm not the only one in the art/crafty/design/retail/whatever-you-want-to-call-it blog community that is feeling this way lately. There are many others with these same feelings who haven't shared them in a public format. And I do understand why. But, I have never been one to sit back and watch as less-than-honorable people claw their way to a place they are trying to get to, without caring a bit for those they are stepping on along the way. So, there comes a time........
I really do believe there is room for all of us in this big, big creative world. We are each unique, and no matter how hard someone tries to duplicate another artist's piece of art or design ideas or digital graphics or shop concept, IT WILL NEVER BE FABULOUS IF IT DOESN'T COME FROM YOUR HEART. And, geez, it must be exhausting to keep trying. Every person puts her own fingerprint on everything she touches, and there is something innate in that that cannot be recreated. A passion that truly cannot be duplicated.
In the past couple of months alone, I've seen store owners choose names that blatantly echo an existing store's name. I've seen artists knock-off another artist's creation and call it their own design.....and some even get published! I've seen shops try hard to mimic the look and feel of other shops (and fail miserably). I've seen people create logos and digital design elements that are on the verge of copyright infringement. I've seen etsy sellers grab Flickr photos by various talented artists and create an etsy shop banner with these photos! I've seen stores work hard to build a unique image and offering, only to have another shop copying the details and assortment a week later. These things are no coincidence. And people know. We are all connected and bound rather tightly here on this web. People notice a copycat a mile away, and that person loses credibility with every sour move they make.
I guess I just want to say this: Be authentic. Be you. Use your passion to push yourself to create or design or sell (or whatever it is you love to do) in a unique way.
Now, I also think there is a flip side to this. We cannot let ourselves get overly-sensitive either. If I blog about how I made my velvet pea pods (trying to think of a silly example here), I certainly should not get upset if other people start making velvet pea pods! After all, I showed you all how I did it and what I used and told you how fun and easy it was.
But if I blog about how I designed them and what I used to create them and the special technique I developed and then made them and now sell them in my etsy shop (again, just an example, I don't have an etsy shop), then I think I DO have a right to be a little annoyed when someone blogs about how they designed and made their "original" velvet pea pods and are now selling them in their shop a week later. Am I splitting hairs here? Maybe. But there are just some unwritten rules that really go hand in hand with common courtesy. Go ahead and make all the pea pods you want, just don't be surprised if you get tomatoes thrown at you when you claim them as your own and sell them and then submit them for publication. It's a small world and news travels fast. And, frankly, I don't get why anyone would want to sell the same pea pods. How about trying velvet broccoli?! Something new!
It's a fine line, I think. Fine but clear. Whether we're aware of it or not, we are all constantly gathering inspiration like little snowballs, rolling along. A snippet of a magazine, a blog we love to read, the ever-flowing Flickr photostreams, a favorite talented artist, an industry leader and mentor, a shop that has a look we're drawn to, a designer with a clever eye.......all of these are sources of inspiration for creative souls like ours. And inspiration is a good thing! Inspiration is the reason we read each other's blogs everyday! We love to share our creative ideas, our latest project, techniques, favorite new products, etc. So, I say, be inspired! Soak in the inspiration that is all around. Use it as starting point, and then add your own passion and creativity to truly make it your own. Most of us are authentic, and I know it's just a small little handful of bad apples that have spoiled the bunch lately, but I still feel very compelled to write this post. I needed to do this.
If you've read this far, thank you for taking the time. I'm not usually this long-winded, am I?
And to everyone who has confided in me about this stuff recently or reached out to me in my own annoying, troublesome time, and you know who you are, thank you. Hold your head high and just remember: They cannot imitate your passion.
EDITED: I am not referring to anyone copying something I have made. From a couple of the comments, it seems a few people think I am talking about the bracelet in my previous post??? Goodness, no, not at all! Just wanted to clarify that....
