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I do several craft shows and some of the shows are in homes and all the crafts are mingled. Last year I sold the redneck wine glasses and one of the crafters bought one and told me it was for her daughter and she would not sell them where I do shows. I set up for the show yesterday and guess who was selling the glasses. I spoke to the promoter and she said that I guess that is a crafter (the promoter has stolen several crafters ideas and them sells them at the shows. What would you do?

There isn't much you can do. You probably don't own the copyright. And, remember, you copied the idea from someone else. That doesn't make it any easier to handle.

You can make yours special by adding a charm or tie a ribbon on them. Make some tags with a cute little poem or gift tags tied with raffia to yours. Or undercut her price even by 10 cents. You can let her know that you know she is not to be believed or trusted in some subtle way.

One of my favorites is to adopt the attitude that to be copied is the ultimate compliment. At the local after-Thanksgiving craft show a woman who had some of her craft ideas stolen one year had the booth next to the 'thief'. She promtly had her husband make a plaque with that quote on it and displayed it in the middle of her table. The other booth lost a lot of sales that weekend. The original maker sold out before the end of the show.

You don't own the idea unless you own the copyright. As mentioned it wasn't your original idea in the first place which makes it anybody's game. I do not believe in playing dirty and do not believe in trashing someone who decided to make good on an idea in which you did the same. The professional thing to do if you choose to stay at that venue is to carry on by making yours better somehow or post a sign that you were the original seller of the product at that fair.

Frankly, the real problem I see here is with the promoter, not the other gal who set up shop. I wouldn't even sell at a venue if I found out that the promoter wasn't on the up-and-up. You're just setting yourself up for trouble. And if I had proof of the promoter's behavior I'd report her to whoever hired her in the first place. It's people like her that give great craft fairs a bad name.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rainee,

I've never had that happen from a craft show but I've had other people take some of my ideas, in fact it happened too many times to count on this site. I just chalk it up to experience. I have used too many other's ideas and patterns (I try to give credit every time but there are times I forget who did the original piece so I just say I forgot and thanks to whoever) to get upset by anyone using mine. If it was something that would make a big splash in the market place and tons of money I would copyright the idea but haven't had any that good lol.

The Redneck wine glasses are truely a no brainer craft, cheap to make and can be sold at various prices. Don't let this discourage you it happens all the time. The real problem is someone taking your original idea and making it better, that really hurts.LOL

I've had this happen - I admit I get ideas here and other places online, but I like to add my own twist to them, such as making a new poem or something. But when I see MY version of the poem at another crafters booth it does IRK me! But I usually just give up selling that item and move on to something else. I figure if I've sold it long enough for it to be copied, it's time to move on and create something new.

It happens to all of us and will more than likely happen more often as most people have cameras on their cell phones. You do realize any photos on this group are shared and I don't mind sharing my ideas as long as you give credit to the artist. Giving Credit to the artist to anything that you make no matter if it is painting or crafting. I feel that this is very important.
Take it as a compliment and go on and just enjoy what you are doing.
DJ

Sometimes people can be really rude, I have had them ask me exatly how I made something, what kind of glue I used, etc. I never give them any answers that will help them like yes you need to find a real good glue to make sure it stays together. A good crafter can look at your items and get a idea on how to make them anyway. And I prefer them to purchase one and figure it out than asking me. I think the rudest was the first time I had the redneck wineglasses, two people from one booth would take turns asking how they were made, when I got really busy with a lot of customers around I heard a loud click and I look up and one of them had my tag in her hand and was taking a picture with her other one. When she saw that I was looking at her she ho humed and said oh I had to take a picture to show my daughter the wine glass but she didn't take a pic of the glass just the tag.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Craftyannie,

Thank you all for you reply. What made me mad was the crafter bought the glasses last year and promised that she would not sell them at the same shows I do. This is a blended show so only one crafter is allowed to sell the glasses item.

I usually sell an item for one or two years and then go on to the next craft.

at least that show had the exclusive on the items... a lot of shows do not...

i've had people ask the hows and why, i would tell them a little but not everything... but always thought they would be better off buying one and just taking it apart...

I don't believe it will ever change, unfortunately and i think that's how we all get creative thoughts, you see something, it reminds you of something else...
poof...
Melinda