Welcome back to my blog everyone! Do you know how much I love that you visit me here? Well, I do! I love that you enjoy what you see enough that you come back day after day to view the artwork that comes from my heart. And I love that you allow me to post things about my life and my family that are special to me and that you respond to that too! It is always an encouragement and a delight to read your comments and e-mails - I love to share what I love with you!
And Sharing is what I want to address here today.
My close stamping friends know that my philosophy about sharing my ideas and stamped creations is an open one. I have always felt that ideas are free. The artwork I produce with love from my heart and a spark in my mind and then share with you here is meant to be enjoyed and shared with others.
Nothing makes me happier than to know that you liked something I created so much that you wanted to Copy and Share It (CASE) with others to bring a smile to their faces! I consider it the sincerest form of flattery and the highest praise. It is especially heartwarming when you e-mail me and ask my permission to CASE my artwork for your classes, clubs or just for your personal enjoyment. That tells me that you recognize the love and creative energy that went into my designing the item you are inspired by. The courtesy and respect you show in those instances is so very much appreciated.
Likewise when you CASE one of my creations, post it on your blog or online showcase, link back to my original piece and let me know you have done so just makes me smile too. Again, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
What hurts my heart is when I discover that someone has CASE'd an original creation of mine and has placed it up for sale in an online marketplace without acknowledging the original or asking my permission to do so. Something else that breaks my heart is when someone CASEs an original creation of mine and enters it into a contest as their own work.
Please don't do this. Please don't sell my - or anyone else's for that matter - ideas as your own. Please don't use my ideas to gain a prize or recognition for yourself.
What I share freely and openly with you is meant to bring joy, not to turn a buck or to win a prize.
I urge you to think about the times you have created something straight from your heart - knowing that it would bring joy to those you would share it with - and the reaction when it did just that.
Isn't that the best feeling? How would you feel if in turn, someone took your heartfelt idea as their own and sold it on the open market? Or enters it into a contest or challenge claiming it as their own?
I am not naive, I know this does occur, but because it does doesn't make right. And in the process it cheapens the sharing spirit we are meant to enjoy.
Thanks so much for visiting me here, and thanks for allowing me to share my heart with you. I hope you will continue to visit as I share what I love.
Blessings,
~~Robin
BRAVO!!!!!!!! Very well said Robin. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you've said. It takes but a minute to give credit where credit is due and eliminates any bad feelings in the future.
ReplyDeleteWell said Robin! I also agree with you wholeheartedly.
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the kindest souls I know!! It makes me feel bad when someone has attempted to break your spirit!!
Your message is simple....when CASEing, please give credit when credit is due!! I also believe that CASEing should not be done at all when submitting projects to a contest or for monetary gain!!
Robin...I've had a post like this sitting in my draft folder for months! Well said! I love sharing...and do freely...however, it does hurt when someone takes an idea and profits from it or diminishes the creator's efforts! THANKS FOR POSTING THIS!
ReplyDeleteKuddos to you Robin!!! I totally agree with everything you said and you said it very well!!! I have always said that CASing is a great thing as long as you give due credit. We all do it and like Lee said it does not take but a minute to give that much deserved credit to the person you are CASing.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya!!!
Robin you said it PERFECT! Why giving credit - where credit is due is too much for some is beyond me!
ReplyDeleteI for one am so thankful for creative stamping friends like you! Always willing to share your wonderful creations and don't know what I would do without YOU!
I hope this message gets out and CASEing is fine, but not to take the credit!
Robin, you have stated this with class! And I think those who are abusing the "unsaid laws" of CASE(ing)will think twice about it now! Well said, and yes it need to be said so well done for posting it.
ReplyDeletePerfectly said Robin! I completely agree with everything you said in your post...it truly is flattering to have anyone love our creations enough to want to make them for themselves, but for contest entries ...I don't think so...it's just not right and I'm so glad you gathered your thoughts and put it out there so eloquently.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job of sharing your heart and making your point. I'm sorry you had to come out and HAVE to post about this, but it's also a great reminder to the rest of us that CASE to be sure to give credit where it is due.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your work - keep it up!!
Well said Robin. It seems like a basic understanding of respect that some seem to lack. I really enjoy your sharing, you are quite inspirational:-)
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