Sunday, July 25, 2010

Oh PLEASE

Ladies, I LOVE that you are able to use my ideas for your cards and personal projects.  BUT I need to tell you that I am EXTREMELY frustrated when I see things published online or submitted to Stampin' Up! that are IDENTICAL to things I have shared here when there is no credit given or link back to my work. 

I just saw a blog where someone was sharing samples she had seen at the recent Stampin' Up! Convention and there was my Donald Duck.  EXACTLY as I shared him here. 

I understand that two people can have the same ideas, but Donald was a complex piece of punch art and I have serious doubts that two of us created the same character, using identical methods.

Please ladies, do not submit my ideas as your own.  This makes me want to stop sharing any tips on how to make these punch art characters.  To be honest, I am thinking of ending the blog because this is definitely not the first time I have seen my work show up online without any credit.

Use my ideas but PLEASE give me credit and PLEASE do not submit them to Stampin' Up! or any other publication or company as your original work.

Thank you.

26 comments:

Patti said...

Oh Ellen, I am so sorry you are seeing your work pilfered. But please please please don't end your blog. You are so talented! I just read thru the whole thing tonight and came back to see this message. I enjoy your work so much, would hate to not have it anymore!

Anonymous said...

You'll always be the original "Punchin' Up" Queen!

Anonymous said...

Oh Ellen I am so sorry someone would be so thoughtless to do such a thing. Whoever is so mindless to steal an idea and get credit themselves is a really fake person. The thing that really irritates me is that because of their poor judgement it could jepordize others who really enjoy and appreciate your talent. I look forward getting your emails. It is like christmas when I see you have sent one out, and above that I am sure it takes the fun out of what you do.
Sheryl Newman

Carol said...

Ellen, I, too, am saddened to hear of the abuse of your talents. Unfortunately, some take the saying "copying is the greatest form of flattery" for granted and don't take the time to properly give credit and/or link back to where they originally saw the design. While I realize that some individuals have no concept of what is proper and right in this situation, I also believe that sometimes it occurs out of ignorance or lack of knowledge rather than being intentional or malicious. It would be a shame to see you end your blog, as your creations are spectacular and something I could never envision or create on my own. I truly enjoy seeing your creations and would miss your creations, but I also certainly can understand your frustration and discontent. I wish I could suggest a better way for you to get satisfaction . . .

Anonymous said...

Ellen, I am so disgusted to hear that someone would actually pirate your hard work and not give you credit. I love your work and have gained so much insight and confidence in punch art from your work. I do hope these people fess up to their lack of sensitivity and you continue to share your ideas. Just love love love all your ideas and creativity and I know a lot of your followers would tell others of the pirated pieces and back you up. Keep the faith, you must know that we love your work. LindaAv

Debby said...

Ellen, I am so sorry others are stealing your work and putting it as their own. You do such awesome work, I can't wait everyday to open up my Google Reader and see what new you have done. I love your work so much your the first one I check out each day. Please done stop sharing because of a few ignorant people out there that don't understand the copy right laws.
Have you talked to these people and told them it is your copy right and they can't take credit for it they have to link back and put your name as the original and that they did a reproduction of what you have done?
I would so miss your work, please reconsider.
angel hugs
Debby

Anonymous said...

I as well am so sorry of this to happen to a great artist.I would be very sadden if you ended your blog you have given me great joy on following your blog.Some people just don't have respect for what other do or share with others.So please don't close your blog. But I would get a hole of Stampin up and let them know what some one has done so they can confront people that if they are going to do that kind of thing that they need to tell where the work origially came from.
Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing

Anonymous said...

It makes my heart sad to think that people are not giving you the credit you deserve for all your wonderful punch creations. I hope your blog post is a reminder to all that stealing anything is not right. I would be sad if you quit blogging, as yours is the first I check each day. Your creativity is so inspiring!

Micah said...

Not. Cool.

I hope you write to Stampin' Up, especially considering how strict they are with their OWN copyright.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear that people aren't following proper etiquette and documenting where their inspiration came from. If I am inspired by another's work, I make sure to give them the credit. PLEASE don't stop submitting to your blog - I just found you earlier this month and I'm enjoying every new post!

savvy teaching tips said...

I understand your frustration. When this has happened to me I just think about how Karma works and keep faith in the fact that I try to 'Do unto others..." Keep up the great work Ellen.

Anonymous said...

so sad to hear about this, unfortunately, I think it is all too common.... thanks for continuing to share with us. We appreciate you more than you know!
stampwithme123 at juno dot com

Anonymous said...

You did a great job. I loved your work. I always check your post everyday. Someone should know better that it's your own copyright.

Margie said...

That is so sad that someone would have the nerve to take your work to gain credit for themself. Unfortunately, there are folks like that out there. However, there are those of us who need you for our daily inspiration. Please don't leave us.....

Carol L said...

That was definitely NOT cool, but unfortunately the kind of people who do that sort of thing are always going to be lurking around every corner. I'd hate to see you stop blogging because of one person's thoughtless actions. There are countless numbers of us who enjoy what you do and would NEVER stoop to taking credit for someone else's work. You have a talent and I'm grateful that you share that talent with us, and I'm really sorry this had to happen to you. Keep moving forward and know that what goes around comes around.

Anonymous said...

sorry that this has happened to you. I certainly understand the frustration. You are part of my morning, I check your blog while drinking my tea. Love your stuff and would miss it soooo so much.

Kimmi said...

Ellen, I have to echo the sentiments shared by many others... I'm sorry to hear that your work is being copied by others who are claiming it as their own. It is a shame and very unfortunate. I know you stated you are thinking of ending your blog, and I really hope you keep up with it. I find so much enjoyment and inspiration from your blog and the wonderfully creative work you do. Please keep it up!!

Kim said...

Oh Ellen, I really feel your pain. I was feeling this way a couple weeks ago when I discovered that someone was selling instructions to make cards with my own designs. Unfortunately, it will continue to happen because people feel they have the right to use other people's designs for personal or monetary gain. Please don't let this discourage you as so many will lose the benefit of enjoying your wonderful creations. I try not to get discouraged myself when this happens since I don't want to punish all of my other wonderful readers that respect my copyright.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear that someone has done this - there is no excuse for not knowing the "rules" about CASE-ing. I would be very sad to not have your blog to look at every day! Please, if possible, stay on line.

Sue Bishop

The reason I am anonymous is I have forgotten my google account.

Jo Ann said...

I, too, am saddened that your wonderful work has been misused. I certainly hope it won't force you to edit your blog, as it is truly a bright spot in my day when you share your creations. Thanks for letting us see how talented you are!

Anonymous said...

Ellen,
I am so sorry someone is doing this to you. How disrespectful. Yes when we case something it is meant as the utmost of compliments but HONESTLY ladies give Ellen the credit she deserves. Don't go ahead and post or blog it as your own. RRRRR, the nerve. Whenever I make something or post it I always provide reference to the person I got the idea from.
I love your blog Ellen and I hope maybe whoever is doing this will read what you wrote and have a little respect and a public apology.
I would miss you blog very much if it was locked down...or maybe that's what you need to do. Lock it down to those of us who don't misuse your lovely work.
Another thought, the work you do is YOUR work. People need to remember how much a lot of demo's charge to share their ideas, you let us view it AND give us directions out of the kindness of your heart....RRRR now I'm wound up. Feel like looking for the Donald Duck copycat and giving them a piece of my mind right now!
Sorry Ellen, but I love watching what you create and now I feel like someone is taking advantage of a close friend.
Please know I do and always will be one of your girls who gives you a shout out with credit.
Love,
Kealey (Vermont)

stamping sue said...

Ellen, I understand completely about you being frustrated with "stealing" from your blog. I do hope you do continue sharing your punch people they do give me a chuckle at times. I appreciate you taking the time to figure out how to create all the punch figures you do. stamping sue

Anonymous said...

just read about your frustration - I can't believe someone would do that. very sorry for someone's inconsideration. I really hope you feel the love people have for you, and will decide to continue to share your genius. Carla Starry

Laura Lipe, Pisgah Forest, NC said...

I'm so sorry this happened, Ellen. But you know, when Stampin' Up! posts samples they've received, they don't show the back of the card. Perhaps the girl who made that sample posted at convention had your name on the back as the original creator (probably not, but she COULD have--we cannot see the backs). But then maybe she should not submit to SU a creation that she herself didn't come up with. It's a really hard call. I understand that people are inspired by your work and want to copy it! I just hope you will NOT stop sharing because you are the BEST, bar none! Smiles, Laura

Terri in CA said...

Ellen, I was at convention and when I saw that Donald Duck on display, I thought of only one thing! YOU!! In fact, anytime I see any cleaver punch image, I figure you have created it. I bet that there are others who feel the same! You are so talented and I truly hope you don't let this stop you from sharing, all of my customers enjoy all of your creations. Thanks again for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen,

I've only just discovered your wonderful work! PLEASE don't end your blog - of course you should be credited for your creativity! I would be very sad if through lack of moral ethics of the few, that the majority will be deprived of seeing your good work from across the pond -

A new fan!