Sleeping Dogs Studio

Sale continues through Monday, 8/16!  Check out brand-new items tonight, tomorrow and Sat. – all for 15% off until the sale ends!

"Infinity Pool" - 5X7 Frame

I want to thank all of you for being so kind as to comment on the blog, as well as to me individually – your support on this issue means a lot, and makes dealing with it so much easier, so thank you!

You will see a few improvements/additions to our web site in the next few months that will assist with preventing this from happening in the future.  For those of you who have sites of your own, I’d consider including such language for yourself – we are such a community of “sharers” that it’s hard to believe that there are people out there who would steal your work – but being creative does NOT mean that we shouldn’t also be business savvy! 

We will be highlighting more prominently our disclaimer notice about using images from our site; we will be emphasizing on each page just how long we’ve been in business to combat the newer companies that could swoop in last minute; and we will be adding a .pdf history of our company, including origins, general info, etc.  For any store or customer reading the latter, I think it will be clear what came first.

Will there also be legal action?  That’s undecided as of yet.  I think it depends upon whether or not the “copying” continues.  In the meanwhile, thanks to all of your feedback and excellent suggestions, we have a plan – and the plan means we are 1/2-way there!  Thanks to all!

(Sung to “And the Beat goes on”… – which dates me beyond belief…)

My computer techie teenaged son helped me in adding many cards to Artfire last night, as well as a box, and a plate/frame set. 

Tonight we’ll be adding more new cards, as well as another box – and tomorrow, 3 more sets and hopefully oodles of frames.

The only thing that might get in the way is unexpected and IMMEDIATE new To Do items - like having to take a time out to wash the dogs.  Why do dogs think it’s the coolest thing in the world to roll in smelly, SMELLY, unmentionable items they find in the yard?!?  I’m not sure, but absolutely everything had to wait until they got thrown in the tub, as they were leaving the scent everywhere…and it was indescribable.

But – they got cooled off by a nice bath, and actually seemed happier than usual about the whole grooming experience!  Guess I just have to do it on 95 degree days to avoid any scuffles with them!

I am so naive!  It’s true…I’ve always assumed the best in people, so end up feeling unusually betrayed if that trust is challenged.

So imagine my feelings to discover that a store to whom we sent samples of our frames almost three years ago, has incorporated similar items into their own paper products company(which I didn’t realize they had!) - showcasing frames, and jewelry holders among other items.

Are the designs EXACTLY the same – well, it’s a matter of interpretation.  There are definitely “borrowed” elements – some ribbon is the same, use of flowers as embellishment is prevalent – and they have a leash holder, one of our most popular constructions.

I’m curious about this issue of “intellectual property”, and how it translates to artwork, and would love your feedback on the issue. 

Is there a line one can cross?  Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery in this case, even if they make money from it?  What recourse if any does one have?

I love Kelly Rae Robert’s comments on this from her Blog, to be found at:

www.kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com 

Kelly Rae is a very successful artist with a great blog, and a big heart, and I respect her opinion immensely.  On this topic she says:

“It’s not Okay…. 

…to replicate my designs and then sell your version of my work. i have been amazed at what i’ve seen out there – exact color schemes, backgrounds, body poses, faces. please don’t copy. whenever i see artwork for sale that looks way too similar to one of my images, my heart sinks with major disappointment. that is the honest, messy, and perhaps unpopular truth.

It is okay…

…to copy my work as you try and find your style. totally okay and expected. but it’s not okay to sell your version (copy) of my work if they look very similar to my work. if you aren’t sure if yours is different enough from my style, then it probably isn’t. listen to your inner whispers on this one before you sell.”

I’d love to hear from our readers too with your opinions on this topic…

Yes, it’s true, it’s time to reward those of you who have been so patient about our Artfire and Etsy direct sale shops going “on vacation” for so long while we have filled store orders – THANK YOU!

Asian Queen - 5" X 7" Earring Holder

By day’s end tomorrow – Monday, 7/26/10, you will begin to see new items trickling back onto Artfire, which is the first shop we will get up and running again.  Why Artfire over Etsy?  Because they have – in my humble opinion! – the best sale software, which means that everything you purchase there will automatically register as 15% off!

"Collage" cards - Set of four

Yup, that’s right – a chance to take advantage of our guilt!  Who could pass that up?!?!  First up will be frames and cards; and we will be adding boxes, constructions, and love altars over the coming week until we’re once again up to full force.

"Scattered Flowers" - 4" X 6" Frame

Thanks for being so patient and so loyal!    The sale will last for three weeks – until Monday, 8/16/10.  So buy your “Christmas in July” – and August! – gifts starting tomorrow, and before the sale ends!

Today’s picking of a give-away winner was a little more interesting than usual.  It was as if the dogs couldn’t quite remember how to get the hang of nosing just one name out of the hat, and instead took turns chewing on a piece, returning it to the hat…picking another, chewing on it, etc.

Finally, I started over – frankly, the names were wringing wet and illegible at this point! – and after using my fingers to pry open Jasmine’s jaw (think lion-tamer with head in the lion’s mouth here), I pulled out a name!

And the winner is…Eleanor!  Eleanor, just send me your mailing address via carolyn@sleepingdogsstudio.net, and I’ll be happy to send out your very own Sleeping Dogs Studio earring holder.

Thanks to all who entered – we’ll have something else to give away in just a couple of weeks!