inspired by the little nest i found this winter, i've been working on a new series for the shop based on the idea of "nesting"... feathering your nest in winter to prepare for the coming spring. i'm working on some more birds and bunnies. i have made a new line of smaller mushrooms.i also have been working on some feathers. i like the idea of having the sweet little tokens of nature like these in the home. i have seen several other people though who are also making feathers! i never know what to do in these situations? i guess that's the way the universe seems to work.... i'm not sure where these ideas come from but people often seem to have them at the same time. i was surprised and disappointed when i saw some other feathers pop up on flickr yesterday by artists i really admire. bad timing on my part i guess. so i'm not sure the feathers will end up in the shop or not, but i am enjoying making them. i am going to experiment with adding some silver beads also. i'll post pictures here at least.
this is an issue i always wonder about and would be curious on other's thoughts? what do you do if you have thought of an idea and then realize someone else is doing it? has this happened to you? it has happened to me before, and i've discussed it with others it has happened to and it's a difficult issue i think. any thoughts?
** by the way, i'm not quite ready to open shop again as planned! my kids have both been sick with something or other the last few weeks, and ive gotten a little behind. i'm really hoping to get a lot done in the next few days and post something again!
9 comments:
yes, i think i am one you have talked with about this... :0) it is a hard subject and i am learning a lot over the years, conversing with others about it. seems great minds really do think alike and quite often. the times it bothers me the most is when it really affects my business.
it's one thing to have a similar idea as someone else, but when someone blatantly copies every move you make and every time you do something, a week later, they do it also, it's bordering on not just "great minds think alike" but "one great mind leading another less-creative individual who is a jerk and just banking on someone elses' creativity"!!!
P.S. sorry to rant on your blog... :0) heehee...
but i love your blog and check it often and i think you'd be fine listing the feathers...surely they are unique enough to hold their own.
~~hugs~~
I say go for it. Lots and lots of people make birds from fabric, but each of us do it in our own way, with our own style and self-expression. Please don't hesitate to make and sell your feathers. They are not Stephanie's feathers, nor are they Sian's. They are yours! And yours are like no others.
thanks jenn and abby (i can see you know exactly who i was talking about;)
it's so wonderful to find a community of artists who do similar work. it can be truly inspiring and i guess a challenge to find your own voice.
Oh, I think you should list the pretty feathers, definitely! They fit in beautifully with with any nature scheme, and yes, you are right...its just the way things are sometimes that more than one person at any given time will be thinking of the same thing. You can't overthink it and stifle your creativity. Your feathers look lovely from what I can see in these photos, and I had that little bluebird bookmarked right before you closed your shop for a break. I will be looking to see when he becomes available upon your return. :-)
thanks belinda! i'm hoping to open up again very soon!
I love your blog! I'm so glad I found it. I love your selections! Such great choices.
I think that sometimes the more people that riff off of the same theme, the more popular it becomes (witness: owls) and the more chance you have that someone will get into it, and start searching for them and then, viola, buy yours. A theory.
Just keep going. Your work is beautiful.
leslie- great blog you have. thanks for the tip on the japanese fabric on etsy... i had one favorited but the other i hadn't seen before and faound a great fabric i've been looking for there!
"grey cottage studio"- welcome! thanks for your very kind words. great blog too! i'm so glad to find so many great fellow bloggers!
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