Much to my surprise I was told today about a well known very high end European home furnishings company that also carries burlap pillows. Of course I wanted to see what they are offering so I visited their website. Talk about ruining my day…. there they were, three of my original designs. If someone is going to copy I do think they should change the design even just a little. But NO !!!!!!! For all of you who purchased one of my burlap pillows you got a bargain. This company is selling them for $63.00 mine go for $38.00. And they have sold many at wholesale. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. 
Here we are making pillows in the United States and these people are buying from either China or India. Who would of thought that my pillows would be knocked off. So sad!
I just had to vent, when you put so much hard work into something and this happens it is so disheartening .
I just had to vent, when you put so much hard work into something and this happens it is so disheartening .
Thanks for letting me vent..
20 comments:
Bonjour Michelle,
No problem - vent away! I am sorry to hear this, I know you've worked hard to create these designs and it is disheartening. The world can be quite ruthless. No worries though, your are better because they're made by hand and lots of love!
Bonne soiree!
Oh, Michelle, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. It's so wrong that larger manufacturers do this to independent artists, but it seems to be happening a lot. You feel free to vent whenever you like!!
Oh Michelle what a bad thing happened to you! Your cushions are unique and you made them perfectly!
A little consolation...this often happens to Gucci and Louis Vuitton...that means that you're very talented!
Big hugs!
Vale
So sorry to hear this, I do hope you have got in touch with the company about it, I am sure this is illegal. Well I love my "original" cushion very much, how dare they do such a thing!
alicia
www.time-worn-style.com
HI MIchelle
It's too bad that people aren't more ethical. Unfortunately, it is so easy for someone to steal our designs. The thing that is most amazing to me is they aren't concerned about you finding out. If you have a friend or family member who is an attorney, I would get a piece of the letterhead and send them a letter telling them if they do not immediately stop selling your design, you will be pursuing legal action. It may scare them into stopping. People who know you, know your quality and will continue to buy from you.
I know you will handle this with all the grace that you handle everything else with.
Hugs,
Tamerie
I see this a lot actually.. with Target headquarters in the Midwest, I know a lot of store owners of handmade and imported items that get so tired of seeing their items knocked off a few seasons later....I'd send them a letter- or have an attorney do it. And make sure you sign your pillows or put your own initials somewhere in the design...and well, imitation IS a form of flattery...though that really is not what you want to hear,I am sure....Keep up the good work, make more designs, change it up....
I am so sorry for you! As artists, we put our work out there and hope that people have honor toward our copyright. Vent away!
I was afraid of that, Michelle! That is unfortunately the norm and happens often. Because they know they won't be held accountable. Getting laws enacted takes for ever and is hardly ever enforced unless you are a multi-billion dollar company. So I say the heck with that, use the law of popular opinion.
Bloggerville and independent artist unite! I say expose the stealing turds! Put the wholesaler's name out there and if the shops who bought from them don't demand their money back from the thief wholesaler, we'll web-picket them too! ha! Unlease the wrath of bloggerville and independent artists everywhere on them! Sorry, I was having a Patrick Henry moment! ha!
Your designs are so beautiful and so beautifully made.
I hope I helped lighten things up a bit. ;)
For what it is worth, they only knockoff the best of the best!
hugs,
Tina
Oh Michelle,
That's awful. I'm just pleased that I have 3 Petit Coterie originals and tea towels and 2 chairs, upholstered in your material..... and I bet theirs don't have the little silver charms on them.
Don't worry Michelle, and don't forget that copying is the best form of flattery !! XXXX
I cannot believe that some one would be so blatant! That's terrible! I am so sorry this happened to you! It' is an artists worst nightmare!
As an artist and a business woman this is a hard one to take...
I am so sorry.
Keep going, they'll never be able to keep up with you!
annie
Michelle,
I am so very sorry. I know how much this had to bother you. It can bother me a little when just other little shops are copying something I have made. It is so wrong that they did this.
Hi Michelle,
I think this has happened to all of us one or more times throughout our talented lives.
I hate to admit it but to me "copying is not the highest form of flattery", it's just stealing a piece of another person's soul. Totally unacceptable.
Just remember there are hundreds of us out there who will only purchase from you, because we are your fans for life.
xo Cath
ugh, I am so sorry Michelle, that is just not fair...thanks for taking the time to do what you do...this is exactly why I am a big supporter of small etsy shoppes!
I think this is terrible, and very unfair. Your designs are unique and very special. I agree that you should contact them. how blatant.
Keep making your awesome designs, can you copyright them?
glad you shared...
Karen
Sweet Michelle (it's been a while...I had to get through card season!) - The same has happened to me. I even received two copy cats in the mail this Christmas. Yes, disheartening, but if all that we have (ideas, creativity, finances, everything) comes from the Lord, then I have to trust for both of us that He will make things right in the end. And besides, I'd rather have the charm and grace and pleasant spirit that comes with your pillows than a heartless, mass-produced one!
Keep doing what God made you to do. You're good at it!
Blessings,
Linsey
That is so sad that happened. Mass producing a wonderful art is shameful to those people who do it. You have every right to be upset.
Super! :)))
Michelle, Your work is fantasic! Glad to discover your blog and looking forward to reading more!
Sending + vibes from Paris,
Brigitte
So sorry, Michelle! I adore your pillows (have 2 -- planning to add more in the future!) and would rather support you anyway. It's so lousy when stuff like this happens. Just remember why you do what you do, and let them live with their lack of creativity and original thought.
Amy
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