So I was perusing etsy, and found a shop called "WatercolorsBlooming" FULL of beautiful artwork. Artwork that was whimsical, enchanting, fantastic, and....familiar.
Quite familiar actually. Funny, they're even selling MY artwork.
Go take a looksy. They just might be selling yours too!!
I think it's pretty funny that they're selling my artwork as an "original". Any poor soul who gets this will realise it's a print!
Anyway, thought I'd warn other artists that there's a crook out there with a shop full of art that isn't theirs.
happy shopping;)
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A little update. It's been brought to my attention by the lovely etsy peeps that she has another shop HERE. Same sorta thing.
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Another Update! I recieved an email from Miss waterblossoms herself:
"I am so so sorry. My friend had a print of this painting and I loved it and painted it to sell in my etsy shop. I will remove it immediately :( I had no idea it was an etsy seller. ".
I wonder why she has so many of the same "originals".
OH..wait. There's more.
"I have an art degree from Hawaii and I am actually an artist. I painted this painting from your print. I can mail you the actual painting if you'd like so you can see it is not a print. I do not sell any prints in my art shop."
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haha... if they actually know how to paint, why not be creative and original?
ReplyDeleteso glad you caught it though, did someone tip you off, or did you just happen to see it?
Very smart way of getting around the "calling out" issue. I also will tweet about this... I'm so ticked off.
ReplyDeleteoh, never mind, I just read how you found it.
ReplyDeleteso funny!
Actually, Lovables, someone did throw me a tip:) I'd give her a public thankyou, but i'm not sure she'd want that!
ReplyDeleteWTH. Is there anything in that shop that's original??
ReplyDeleteLOL have her send you a "painting"!! :D
ReplyDeletehah, i really don't wanna give this crazy person my address!
ReplyDeletewow. carppy-tastic.
ReplyDeleteI'll just be passing that link on to several other artists..
If anyone's interested, here are the original shops that made some of the stolen Art:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31710556
stolen from:
http://www.theodesign.com/blog/2007/03/above-treetops.html
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32458493
stolen from:
http://www.theodesign.com/blog/2007/12/illustration-friday-soar.html
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31276565
stolen from:
http://www.theodesign.com/blog/2007/04/illustration-friday-green.html
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31224077
stolen from:
http://nakedpastor.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/2197932683_4d08e44793.jpg
Wow,
ReplyDeleteJust wow.
You guys are amazing!
Fantastic Job!
I hate this kind of sh*t.
I left ebay because of people constantly copying my work. Hate to see this going on here with etsy now.
WISH I had some of you at my back then on ebay!!!
oooh stuff like this makes my blood boil!
ReplyDeleteif anyone's on Twitter, I just tweeted about it to help the cause!
http://twitter.com/joojy/status/4874160779
http://twitter.com/joojy/status/4874135822
this is both hilarious and sad! I hope her shop gets shut down and we need to find more of the *real* artists!
ReplyDeleteWhat's even more disgusting id that Etsy STILL hasn't shut this fraudster down!!!! I'm all for people being inspired by others' works to create their own original piece, but totally ripping off their work is totally disgusting. & I agree Little Loveables, if she is an artist, why not just make your own paintings? Or if you are so talentless that you must borrow somebody's work, at least use public domain images instead of copyrighted ones - sheesh!
ReplyDeleteOMG that girl's got brass ones..Amazing..and she has the audacity (sp) to convo you..I will send her a convo as we all should.
ReplyDeleteI used a quote once and then I saw another artist (who I love) used the same one..I convoed her and told her that I felt bad, but I had completed mine a long time ago and it wasn't listed yet and didn't want her to think I copied her. Wow where's the ethics, values and character with this woman? Sickening sh@t! Trudy
this is stolen from badbird
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29290368
original here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27056863
As usual, Etsy closed the thread but not the clearly offending shops.
ReplyDeleteBusiness as usual.
Good catch, Mayberry,
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. What a miserable travesty. I'm also baffled that the shop is still open but the thread is closed. Bah! Whats is wrong with Admin?
ReplyDeleteAdmin closed the thread on etsy. I wish there was a way to get around the "calling out"-- like a thread on favorite items and list both "hers" and the original and let people come to the conclusion themselves... ideas?
ReplyDeleteLikewise, it's a shame the thread was closed down when it's very clear this person needed to be outed for being on another planet about what is and what is not ethical about selling art online - selling prints of someone else's copyrighted work, and claiming it as your own is just Not Cool.
ReplyDeletewell, she had a few cognitive thoughts, she was able to remove the watermark from badbird's piece. she deserves the lifetime of achievement for idiocy award.
ReplyDeleteAppauling!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is just horrible. (drumchick99 from etsy here).
ReplyDeleteShe feels bad because it was another etsy artist she copied from? WOW, she wouldn't care if it were an EBay artist, or a college kid in art school? That would make it acceptable?
ReplyDeletePleazzzeeeee..............
GET ORIGINAL
This belongs on You Thought We Wouldn't Notice: http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/blog3/
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your support! I'll keep you posted through my blog, as etsy seems to continuously close all threads posted about this matter. (rather immature of them, I might add!)
ReplyDeleteIf and when, I hear back from etsy and HarperCollins publishing (re: Maurice Sendak's works) I'll let you know!
Infuriating - both the thief and Etsy's canned response. Word is sure getting out though!
ReplyDeleteEtsy- your place for All Things Copied.
ReplyDeleteThis is totally bad. I hope Etsy wakes up and closes her down.
I hope she is kicked off soon.
ReplyDeleteWow, does plagerism mean anything to this person. Even IF these were "originals" aren't there laws saying you can't replicate someone's work? How crazy!
ReplyDeleteHer shop is gone...well, the first one anyway. Not permenantly, just "away" with all the listings pulled. I'm glad I took screen shots!
ReplyDeleteShe stole her banner from here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8104688
That, she actually didn't steal. That's one of etsy's resource banners. You can make one for yourself here : http://team.etsy.com/bannerdisplay.php
ReplyDeletenow on her second shop...that very well could be stolen.
this is horrifying. here I was thinking a little watermark will save the day. I'm glad to know so many etsy artists have each others backs though. this is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous. Too lazy and greedy to make her own art so she steals other people's. It's great to see savvy artist that have each others back's in this way.
ReplyDeleteShe has closed her shops, Etsy did not close them although I suspect Etsy Admin did contact her. I can't believe shut down all 3 forum threads on this yesterday. I am noticing more and more Etsy is more supportive of the evil doers, rather than the honest hard working stiffs. Did you ask her to send the money she made selling your artwork, I'd send her a bill via Paypal
ReplyDeleteIt looks like admin didn't just shut down the forum threads, but deleted them. I can't find them anywhere this morning. How annoying.
ReplyDeleteCrazy!
ReplyDeleteAnd Esty is even crazier for not closing these shops. They are the ones who should be held accountable. How simple for them to add a few words that they aren't in no way responsible. YES YOU ARE ETSY! It's their site and they aren't held responsible? Wow
Her shops are still opened and just put on a vacation mode. She is now searching for new work to copy and add to this same site.
In time Etsy will be catering to only crooks and lose all their professonal sellers with real ideas. I thought that those tile charms were such a copycat item to make a quick buck in which for some I have clue how they are making any money selling for so cheap, but this one takes the cake. Actual art work made from someones imagination and hands, copied and recopied to make a quick buck. Uh HELLO!
So many sellers on Etsy truly aren't artist at all and are let over and over again by Etsy to copy and sell other true artists work. What pisses me off even more are those other members who back this up and make new posts that you should be happy someoone is copying you.
Makes you wonder if they themseleves have copied off of REAL Artist work before and claim it their idea, so they see no problem with copying others hard thought our work and ideas. PATHETIC
I'm not sure if this will work, but i'll post a link to the thread. I can still see it, because I posted in it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6316881
I still haven't heard a single word from etsy!
Makes it very tempting for me to close up shop and sell elsewhere, or independently...
WATERMARK your images!
ReplyDeleteSo what if some can remove it. Do it anyway people. We need to think that if they are saying don't bother watermarking, is it because they are the ones stealing our pictures? So what if your watermark covers a part of your art. Just make sure it's not over the entire image or not over most of it. Don't make it too small so that it is easy to take out. Don't make it too light. Make it noticeable without taking away from your art. I work with photoshopand yes it can be easy to take out, but no one is so perfect to not leave a mark behind. If you know how to use layers in photoshop you can make a bar across the image and lighten the bar to about 50-60 percent, then add another layer and add your shop name. You can lighten the name or leave it as is. It takes more work to delete this kind of water mark because a thief isn't going to take the time to fix it to look original. They are stealing because they are too lazy to make their own art, they will be just as lazy to try and remove your watermark.
Thieves steal what is the easiest to snatch. Protect yourself from Etsy thieves, because Etsy isn't going to protect you.
I would like to find out if the item purchased yesterday will be delivered to the buyer.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it will have a return address.
Will she be as stupid to send it out with a return address that's not a PO Box, as she was to post these items from where they were stolen from?
Liars and cheaters are always caught. Better off being honest and true, then you don't have to constantly look over your shoulder. I think that is what she is doing today. Can you just see her biting her nails in thought? chomp chomp chomp oh man chomp chomp chomp who's knocking on my door chomp chomp chomp oh not answering my phone chomp chomp chomp ughhhh chomp chomp chomp how do I get away with this one chomp chomp chomp chomp shit chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp
The link to the thread works, but if you type in "stolen artwork" in the etsy forum titles search box it doesn't show up. It hasn't been deleted but you can't search for it. I'm so mad at Etsy for this because they're making it difficult to get the word out to other artists and artists deserve to know if their work has been stolen from them. I noticed that the thief was clever enough to take images from etsians' "sold" listings so searching for the picks on etsy takes too long for a small group to do. Artists need to be notified!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have some screenshots including "sold items" from both shops-- if anyone wants them.
I've been twittering about it. It seems sort of snarky, but I really want to warn other artists. Not cool.
ReplyDeletehah, and yes, I HOPE she's chomping!
This:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=20174028
Was stolen from this artist:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28408394
Did anyone else happen to take screenshots? I got a lot of her shop, but not all of it. There are a few artists looking for some shots of thier work on this wacko womans site, so that they can notify etsy.
ReplyDeleteI have screenshots- not of everything but if anyone wants them they can convo me on etsy for them ! I'd be happy to help.
ReplyDeleteIs there a third shop or is this a coincidence?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6506718
Well, looks like http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8091777 is open again.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Did Anon (who posted right after shananana) with all the links contact those people, cause the 'art' is back on etsy.
I was following this thread the other night just before it closed. So sad (glad to have discovered Corrabelle though, fabulous stamps!!!).
ReplyDeleteThis stuff makes me nervous because I'm just now starting to create original designs in photoshop to print to create cards. I would never know if someone took my stuff.
I just don't get how this crazy copying person is thinking. Most people with an ounce of common sense knows that you can't duplicate someone elses work, at least not to sell! Saying it's not a print it's a 'real' painting is a side issue, the REAL issue is that she copied someone else's painting and is calling it hers. That's called forgery.
I am SHOCKED by this really. Cannot believe her second shop is still open. Etsy should be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteAfter comparing some of the original images and the stolen images, I have to say, IF she does indeed paint a "new original" copy, she's dangerous. It's virtually impossible to distinguish any difference.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, Etsy has no shame, IMO.
ReplyDeleteThat shop was still open this afternoon, but she had taken all the listings off. Looks like she put them back up, or did Etsy put them out and put them back up?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't put it past Etsy
The Original shop is still on hiatus.
Someone needs to buy an item and put a negative just like th eother shop. This may be why she's using this one, no negative feedback yet.
what gives?
My art is on both her sites as well...I'm very upset and I sent the idiot an email. I had my Ballad of Sir Lucky Lion on the site she closed and I have a yellow tree with a orange owl in her other shop. I'll be contacting etsy as well.
ReplyDeleteNot a coincidence at all...look at the cherry blossom tree.
ReplyDeleteSame shop. Same profile, same shop announcement. I'm livid.
Her THIRD shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6506718
ReplyDeleteI've made a new blog post, with her third shop. I took a LOT more screen shots this time;)
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you say it the same person?
ReplyDeleteAnd yes I'm one to believe that leaving a negative feedback to this thief is the right thing to do. I will warn others who are thinking of buying from this thief.
No Neg FB, then they will keep on doing so.
What's so hard to understand? Are people wimps letting others steal ideas & work? This is why they do it. WAKE UP
I hate stupid threads like that
Well, VintageChildhood's shop is empty again, apparently she deactivated again. *rolls eyes*
ReplyDeleteWell she closed the second shop again
ReplyDelete"VintageChildhood's Shop Announcement
I have chosen on my own to permanently close my shop down. Sorry for the inconvenience :)"
I think she reopened thinking no one would know. I would say she is stupid enough to think this. lol
I guess her Arts Degree didn't teach anything about basic copyright. I love how twitter and social technology brings people like this to everyone's attention.
ReplyDeleteI am just stunned!
ReplyDelete