Thursday, May 22, 2008

BUSY Supply shopping!

OH!
I am EXHAUSTED!
As a few of you know, I haven't been able to be out and about much for almost 3 months now getting over my ailment. I am still walking around with a limp so it's pretty slow going. LOL.
Yesterday was my "not really my Birthday but celebrating my Birthday day" lol...it was the BF's day off so he took me to do ALL my errands and then treated me to eat Spicy Champon at my favorite noodle house in Little Tokyo. It wasn't the sushi I originally wanted but it was still delicious and my tummy was happy.
(I'm going to have to take a picture of these things so I can share.)
Unfortunately since I am NOT use to walking very much I think I over did it and I'm sore...my troubled right leg and foot ESPECIALLY.
Ah, bit I found some great stuff and now I have to start on some more Custom pieces that I purchased several supplies for. I have a piece that I am starting that I purchased this lovely Crystal Organza and Silk Organza both in Mauve that I am incorporating in an ivory flower...I am excited to see what I finish with.

On a different note, I am noticing more and more designs in other shops looking more like mine BUT NOT EXACTLY the SAME...it's a bit annoying. When you can look at these other people's designs and TOTALLY feel the vibe of mine...I can't help but feel a bit cheated. I mean, there is one designer in particular that I admire very much. By this what I mean is I believe she does very nice quality work and I truly see her as an equal. What I like is that we BOTH work in the Bridal arena but I think we hit a different clientele...which I think is a GOOD thing. I have made quite an effort NOT to use certain materials that I think are pretty signature of hers...(that I see other people knocking her off left and right and it's SO OBVIOUS when you look at their designs because they LOOK so much like hers) I think it's SUCH A SHAME and totally NOT fair when I see her working very hard...this goes for myself as well. I don't appreciate seeing work similar to mine in other people's shops. I am NOT talking about the plain silk flowers with crystals...everyone does those, I am talking about my more elaborate pieces..the mixture of fabrics and feathers...you can look at them and see what I am talking about. I guess that's what happens when you make really beautiful work. *sigh* I'm venturing in to uncharted waters...what is the protocol?

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6 comments:

Tami Daun said...

Huff. It happens in every niche of business. Not only products, but services as well. I know it's not easy, but try not to let it get to you. Easier said than done. I know.

Unknown said...

I know.
*sigh*
But just today I saw BE selling a NEW white rose with Pearls and crystals in the center...hmmm, and where have I seen THAT before? And of course, they are claiming complete copyright on that design as well!

I think I'm most disappointed with the vendor that I see as an equal making pieces that very much resemble mine...I almost feel as if clients are asking her to make something "like" mine or even maybe something similar but more conservative...it just feels like it when you look at them.
There is an absolute difference from what she WAS making to what she is now...but I get that we ALL grow as designers and we change and progress...well, I guess I just have to deal with it.

Virtuous Blue said...

Yeah, it sucks when your work is duplicated like that. But hey, at the end of the day, you can consider it a compliment. If your work is so beautiful that people admire it and want to emulate it, then you're doing something right girlfriend ;-)

Oh, and I hope you continue to get better and have a speedy recovery.

Kenya
VB

Unknown said...

Yeah, I just had to remind myself that everything in fashion has already been done and we simply pick and choose what we like and incorporate it into designs with our own personal flair! Plus, we can still use many of the same elements and there will come a time when designs can look similar because of this...it doesn't mean it was intended to or "copied".
In the end, WE simply design what our customer want...there's no harm in that!
What's great is that we have the freedom to expand as we grow and develop as artists!

BUT, I still hate the blatant copycats!

LOL!

sayanythingnow said...

Now that you mention it...MK's work is starting to look more like yours...same feel with feathers and mixtures of fabrics on similar flowers.How confusing...maybe you should try to talk to her about it.She might not know that her style has changed too much with the same "feel".Talking about it always helps.I hope your health gets better too.

Unknown said...

I actually didn't mention MK. I personally don't have any issues with MK. I think she's an AMAZING designer that has a VERY DIFFERENT Flair to her work. Sure WE have SIMILARITIES because we might use some of the same elements but I know that she in no way is trying to copy me nor I her.
Besides, change is a part of growing...it would be a shame if as designers we always reproduced the SAME items over and over. Inspiration can allow us do create things we never thought of before! That's exciting!
:)

There ARE SEVERAL OTHER CULPRITS that I shall not name that I DO BELIEVE are blatantly copying US though!
LOL!!!