Staying fresh and ahead of the game
April 22, 2009
I have been wanting to start a discussion here for some time, but have been deliberating how to post about it as it seems to be a subject that isn’t talked about much: Protecting your artwork from being copied or closely replicated. Unfortunately, this is happening a lot in the online art world. How close it too close?
So, Question of the day: How do you protect your art?
First, let’s chat about what you can do to protect your art from being out-right stolen. This should be your first concern.
PROTECTING YOUR IMAGES:
1) Watermark your images.
So many people treat the internet as an image gallery for free use. With a WATERMARK over your potentially downloadable image, you are telling people that the image is yours should not be used for personal or commercial use. You will also prevent people from stealing the image and selling it elsewhere.
2) Post your images as small as you can without losing resolution. As long as your art is not vector art, you should never be saving your images to the web in a size that could be reproduced or used by another person/party.
3) Register your image(s) with the U.S. Copyright office (if you are in the U.S of course). Here is the link to get started.It is easier then ever, and less expensive than it used to be. http://www.copyright.gov/eco/index.html
4)Educate yourself on intellectual property: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property
5) Disable Downloads: if you can, disable your images from being downloaded on the internet. On ETSY, there isn’t control over that, thus the vital importance for your image to be watermarked and protected with a copyright notification.
These steps should be taken First. But what about the fuzzy lines that surround borrowing, adapting and copying? Let’s chat.
PROTECTING YOUR ART, IDEAS, COMPOSITIONS AND STYLE:
1) Doesn’t copyright protect my idea and composition? No. Art and craft is so subjective, and ideas really can’t be copyrighted. Here is what the US copyright office has to say:
“Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing something. You may express your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your description, but be aware that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.” http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html
2) What can I do when I see someone else coming up with creations obviously similar to mine?
I would love to here your reaction to this, but here is mine. Contact the artist if necessary telling them you are noticing some copying going on. If they still persist, contact them again if you feel you need to. But for me, this is where I stop. You are an ARTIST! You are not a huge million dollar company protecting your branded and patented products. You are just one person with a ba-jillion creative ideas constantly going through your brain. To waste your creative energy by going after a copycat is a waste of that creative energy.
Why?
You are the original creative idea, and have power to always rise above the competition. Competition is good and will most always be there. You can spend your time getting angry, or you can spend your time staying ahead of the game by keeping your art fresh, lively and cutting edge. Most likely if someone is copying you, it isn’t going to be as good as yours nor will it have the LIFE of the BREATH of your creative-from-your-own-gut creation. So leave them alone, and focus on how you can make your creations new and fresh and always ahead of the market.
This leads me to another point:
Keep your own sources fresh and honest. Never let yourself copy another artist’s style unless of course you are using that as a way to learn new techniques and educate yourself. Copying is a good thing for learning how to verse your hand in various art forms and styles. But your work should then take what you learn to a new level, always allowing your own voice to come through. When you choose to copy art as your primary resource, it will be FLAT and will lack the LIFE that really great images require. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap! The moment you are trying to make your creations look like someone else’s, your art will most likely be easy to copy itself. Remember, there was only ONE Rembrandt. He had MANY students, and to this day, experts can’t tell which was a true Rembrandt and which is a student’s hand on a select few paintings. But regardless, there was only one Rembrandt. Do people remember the copycat? No. They never will. Be fresh and mark your own path. Don’t let yourself be a follower.
I love this quote below. It hangs in my studio always reminding me to stick to my own instincts and not be tempted to ride on the coat tails of others:
“You must give birth to your images. They are the future waiting to be born.” - Rainer Maria Rilke
So, there you have it!
My experience is very limited however, and I would love to hear your take on this topic.
What have you done in these situations? What have you done to protect your artwork?
Do tell.
In the mean time, happy art making!
For more GREAT articles on this subject, read here, here , here and here
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Hi Sarah…I have have two sites that i run, one on Etsy and my own. I have noticed people copying you as well and even i get disgusted about it. It’s sad to think that they actually think their going to try and take over and they don’t realize that people want to see there own creativity. I was an Art Director for a company and I designed a line of childrens’ prints for them that are still sold today. Well, let’s just say there is someone on Etsy copying the same look, but I honestly think to myself how sad that is…and I get over it. I haven’t noticed my own art being copied now but i think I will take your advice and contact them if i do. Keep creating those adorable prints and thanks for this post.
Hi Sarah…I have two sites that i run, one on Etsy and my own. I have noticed people copying you as well and even i get disgusted about it. It’s sad to think that they actually think their going to try and take over and they don’t realize that people want to see there own creativity. I was an Art Director for a company and I designed a line of childrens’ prints for them that are still sold today. Well, let’s just say there is someone on Etsy copying the same look, but I honestly think to myself how sad that is…and I get over it. I haven’t noticed my own art being copied now but i think I will take your advice and contact them if i do. Keep creating those adorable prints and thanks for this post.
This “copying” is running rampant it seems! Just a couple days ago I was reading C Jane and learned that someone had actually been copying her POSTS and calling them their own! It’s SHOCKING what some people will do!
Great post! I am always on a look out for more information about protecting myself. I think I may start doing the watermark and I am definitely checking out the links in this post. Thank you!
Funny that you should be writing about this today, because I just stumbled upon an Etsy shop a few days ago where the artist is obviously gleaning ideas from you. Not direct copying, but close enough that I recognized the source of those ideas.
In the end though, I think you are right. It’s deplorable that people can’t just take the extra time to make genuine creations, but at the same time, as artists running little cottage industries we a) don’t have the time or money to truly pursue the infringers and b) we should always be looking for ways to improve our own work and reinvent our own little wheel from time to time.
And of course, the copiers are never quite as good as the original anyway. But it does provide an odd sense of competition and motivation to do something even better.
Because the law is a bit open to interpretation, I think that going much further than maybe a couple of emails to the copying artist just isn’t feasible with extra resources and money to do so. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be working on new designs anyway
Thanks for posting about this, it definitely isn’t discussed openly enough! I think if there were more ongoing conversations about this, those who copy might think twice before doing so
Thanks for our post on protecting my art. I finally took the time to watermark and reduce the size on all of the art I had on my blog. One day I noticed a lot of activity on my blog; someone from another country clicking from image to image as fast as they could. It appeared to be copying. I wonder when I will see my art on products made in that country. I know of another blogger who had someone copying her style and selling the ideas as her own. You are totally correct when you say the copier can never match the style of the true artist who paints from her heart. The copies were just flat. The originals are alive. I think if you are living a full life you will always have enough ideas of your own to create original art.
Hi Sarah Jane,
I jut found this post from twitter : )
I don’t think people talk about tis subject enough. To many folk feign ignorance or make excuses.
I don’t don’t have an etsy shop, but I know there is a seller there that has been eerily inspired by me. My solution is to call them out on it… in the nicest way possible of course. If someone know they are “being watched” it sometimes slows the copy cat down.
Oh man, that’s too bad. I’m SO glad you posted about this as it’s becoming a little ridiculous. I always thought there was some sort of “artists agreement” over this. If you really are an artist, than you know about the agreement… do no copy! Use things as inspiration sure, but adapt them to fit your own style and let something else build off that. It’s just sad, because that’s one of the best things about being an artist and creating something… it gives people a peek into your head. If it’s not from your head, it lacks depth.
I was nervous as I first read this because I had a very similar situation happen to myself, and I was curious to see how you would handle things. I was glad to see that you recommend contacting the artist about it. I did the same.
I clicked onto a very popular baby blog and saw they were highlighting some “brand new to the market” clips. hmmm.. they were my exact clips (names and everything!). I thought shortly about how to react and then decided quickly to contact the “creator” myself. I bluntly told her that I knew about her clips now, and I knew where her ideas had come from. I kept it short and simple. I wanted her to know I knew, I didn’t agree, I thought it was a sad attempt on her part, and that she should have more respect for fellow artists. She replied something very defensive (an obvious reply from someone who feels guilty), and practically admitted to copying… AND let me know that she would continue to make them!
Hopefully your “copycat” will have more respect for the industry and for you, and will change her ideas. But, with situations when the person just doesn’t understand (and how could they if they’ve never had an original idea) you just have to let it be and know that you’re ideas are original and hope that people will recognize that and want to support you for that. I’ve found it’s made NO difference in my sales. People can see who’s “got it” and who’s pretending. People want to pay for the originals and most people can tell the difference.
I think your steps for action are right on though. I would contact the artist, be polite but stand up for what is yours. I’m glad I did. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this though- it’s not fun at all. I hope you sort things out quickly!
I have only recently started following your blog … and I love your shop … and though I am not on Etsy very often (only if linked by a blog to see if I like the product … which is how i found YOU) I noticed a store with a style similiar to yours too.
All it did was make me think of YOUR shop though … which I went back to, lol.
I have noticed that same thing. I won’t mention names either, but I saw a shop that credited another shop with giving her/him help and advice. They then opened a shop with almost identical items.
Great post!
Great comments all of you! I am so saddened that this has happened to many of you…sounds like it is something worth talking about. but also glad to hear it hasn’t gotten you down! Keep moving forward–Walt Disney:)
Sarsh I just sent you a response to our earlier conversation. I hadn’t had a chance to read your entry yet. Well done.
Sounds like you really know your stuff, thanks for sharing! Maybe one day I will be an artist on etsy and will keep all this in mind! Now I’m totally curious about this copycat and just can’t imagine another’s work could even compare! I’m hopping on over to etsy right now to thank you for most lovely package. I have so many cards now I just don’t know what to do with them and I still want more! i just can’t get enough Sarah Jane!
Hi, Sarah!
Great post. I remember emailing you to tattle on that “unnamed shop” that has tried to steal your vision, however, you are on the up for sure…anyone looking for captivating, true childlike spirit will not find it in the prints of the other shop. I’m especially taken by your newest additions: the family tree, the birthday parade……..
There’s just something special about what’s behind your artwork that keeps us coming back to see them again and again (and wanting to buy them up for our walls!!!!…Titus’ family tree is framed and PERFECT by the way).
As an artist, I’ve often felt held back by the fear of someone taking my ideas, but I love reading the assurance and integrity behind your post…makes me feel a lot more enabled to just create and stand firm. Thank you for the resources and for keeping your chin up…!
Sarahjane, I was shocked to read your post this morning! I am a regular reader of your site and enjoy your posts. However, from the introduction of your etsy site, I have noticed that you have “copied” the images, layouts, themes, and style of many other artists. Your new baby announcement is almost identical to “modernclassickids” on etsy. Not to mention the details of your work copied from artists like “belleandboo”. I have picked up many vintage children’s books and found pictures that have the very same composition as some of yours. To claim your art as original is very deceiving! Obviously all art is inspired from something, often from other artists. But you have never even acknowledged any other artist as your inspiration, let alone the source of your ideas. I have noticed this for a long time but never felt I needed to say something until your post this morning. Please at least be honest with us! I am sure that your first thought will be to erase this comment immediately–however, your should be willing to accept the criticism of your viewers and not just the praise.
Hi Sarah Jane, I have been enjoying your art for some time like the others. I think you are extremely talented. I have thought from the beginning that you probably needed an agent. You are talented enough for the big time Sarah, not that Etsy isn’t but all anyone has to do to get a high res image of yours is purchase it and copy it. You should license your work, it could really take your career to another level. Girlfriend you are good!
I must disagree with the above commenter. I went to the “modernclassickids” site to see what they were talking about and all I notice was that they both have an image at the top and invitation information below (there is also an elephant, but it is not like Sarah’s and she has had that print for a long time). That is not an original idea from “modernclassickids”. I feel that the composition of an invitation is not what Sarah was talking about. She was talking about a true copy (colors, faces, body positions, all together). The use of a gray elephant is not considered a copy, but the position and paring of exact phrases could be.
it was so fun to talk to you the other day! I promise I will call when we are settled.
I think that talking about the business side of your work is quite interesting — and an area that small business owners, especially women, tend to overlook.
Kaylin,
Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate your honesty and your criticism. I welcome your concerns.
I will be upfront and say publicly that I have NEVER copied anyone’s art or designs specifically. I do not say that in defense, but rather to make your point a very good one. Since I have never copied any artist’s work but instead always use multiple references including my imagination for my design inspiration, how is it that my illustrations could be seen as copies? This is good point which I hope to clarify:
The art in my shop carries a very specific style. I gain most of my inspiration from my own childhood which was filled with the old classic vintage illustrations. And even now as an adult, I am always attracted to that form of style, composition, design, etc. I use great artists from the past as a springboard in some of my art, but my imagination always takes over and the image becomes my own. In studying, I have realized more and more that STYLES or DESIGN TRENDS have certain characteristics that are going to come up as constants in any artist’s attempt to create in that genre.
Following a style or design trend is not copying. Nor is taking principles of composition from certain genres of art. Layout and themes are the same. HOWEVER: when a style, layout, theme, color, design AND composition come together AT THE SAME TIME derived from a copyrighted source, that is copying, imitating or borrowing.
Mandy from Belle and Boo and I had this conversation about a year and a half ago. we both agreed long ago, that since we get our inspiration from the same sources (vintage children’s books being a primary one) and since many of our favorite artists are the same, our art is going to have similarities. Am I copying her work? no. Is she mine? no. Are we inspired from the same sources? yes. Do we respect our similarities and differences? yes. In fact, we have become good friends over the past 2 years. I respect her art so much, that I have actually decided not to post certain images of mine that shared similar compositions because I know our traffic base is the same, and I want to make sure that viewers and customers appreciate our differences (I had a print with a boy pulling a wooden pull toy, but she released an image with the same composition right at the time I was going to release mine, and respect for her and her art, I chose not to release my own).
I mention Mandy not because I want to name names here (I really didn’t intend this post to be about me at all) but to make a point: when you are working in a specific style and design trend, there are going to be fine lines in who can claim what as their own. Thus the VITAL importance that your art is INSPIRED from not TAKEN from any particular artist. And because I WANT my art and designs to have the nostalgic feel of the classic vintage illustrations, of course there will be similar poses, compositions, etc. But they are not stolen or taken, rather used as a foundation for me to claim my art as vintage inspired with my own modern take.
As in cooking, foundations of recipes cannot change. bread will always be used with yeast, flour, and water. Vintage children’s characters also have certain ingredients. But the key is how you make those basic ingredients express what you want them too. I take great care in working from my heart and gut while using these basic ingredients. And I hope that I am speaking for most artists out there.
Again, I thank you for your honesty and criticism. I think every artists needs the chance to take an honest look at their own work in relation to what is out their in efforts to clearly mark their path and contribution. Thus my post today.
Hope this addresses your concerns,
Sarah Jane
PS: if any of you feel to expand on this subject, PLEASE no bashing. Honesty is welcome, but I intend these post to be a helpful place where we can learn from eachother. thanks.
Hi Sarah,
I read each and every comment for this post and I must say this has been a very healthy discussion. I have been following your blog since the very first post and I know you have been honest about your sources of inspiration. I remember that one post where you mentioned belle and boo for the first time and how she’s been doing what you wanted to do and has been quite successful at it. If you had intended to copy her, you wouldn’t have mentioned her in the first place.
I think as intelligible adults, most of us can recognize what is copying and what is not. And yes, even I came across THAT shop which copies your art. I agree fully that it is COPYING because everything in that piece is the same as yours. I specifically remember one ‘small girl on the beach’ print.
However, what I’m most impressed with is how you reacted to the criticism you received for this post. Your response was the ideal one, you have shown great maturity in not getting hassled by the comment. I personally feel that is the true sign of a great artist. My respect for you has grown immensely.
Carry on with your good work, Sarah.
Thanks for this discussion. I have been following your work for quite a while now and even have one of your prints in my little boys room which I love! Yes, of course we are all inspired by other artists and that can be a good thing! Think of all the amazing art movements – impressionism for example – yes there were many similarities but also the own artists’ unique viewpoint and talent. I find your work very inspiring myself. Yes, I recognise certain elements in your work that remind me of others’ work, but I have never had a problem with that. Your work is yours because of a certain something – a certain vitality and expression that is your own.
Those that directly copy would be hard pressed to achieve that and I think most people that have an interest in illustration are fairly easily able to detect a ‘fake’.
Watermarking is a great idea – which I have put on my must do list before finally opening my etsy store!
Thanks for be open and honest – as usual!
thank you so much for this post! I really needed it! I’m having alot of trouble with this lately!!
I’m so happy to see your response and the manner in which you handled the issue at hand. When it comes to children’s illustrations, there are so many sources of inspiration like you said – classic books we all grew up with, childhood memories, other artists…it’s the things we all share that make our images mean so much to others. There are bound to be similarities. Style & technique are truly what make the piece the artist’s own. Yours is top-notch!
Thanks,
Jaimee
ModernClassicsKids.com
This is a great post/discussion. I think there is always something amiss with the blog/shop of a copier… there’s no connect between them and ‘the art’ (which of course they did not truly create hence the disconnect) You can sense the phoniness and their personality & works just never quite mesh. From what I’ve seen of it, they nearly always are on to the next victim before they gain a following and that is a small part of what keeps them from ever gaining a loyal following.. not to say we should not do anything about it at all, but, they have no morals… and they have no genuine creativity, so… what can come of that? Not much in the long run. Your work is very unique Sarah, and though it’s obviously inspired by vintage illustration, it’s very truly yours. ??? Also, I love your work & Belle & Boo’s but find that though similar, you both have a unique look.
Hi Sarah Jane,
, b/c my art wasn’t similar to others b/c I simply did not surf the web for inspiration or to find out what others were doing. By doing so, I was able to team with many other digital artists on projects b/c we weren’t threatened by one another. I don’t see what I do as a competition, it’s just what I love doing. I think that your work is fantastic, and it definitely captures a true spirit of a child!
I recently found your blog when a friend told me about your wonderful artwork that you sold on Etsy. I haven’t had a chance to read everything, b/c I like to start at the beginning (meaning I am up to March of 2007 of your archives). I did however, peek at your blog on the 16th, and wow….congratulations on the soon to be arrival!!!
Anyway…..
This is a great post, and I have to agree that is a great subject. I totally agree with your comment about inspiration from children’s books and vintage books. A lot of artists take inspiration from those, and it is only a matter of time before someone does something similar…..thus others see it, and feel that the one artist is copying from another. I admire your grace in your response to the one comment. I have had an online graphics store since 2001, and recently opened an Etsy store, and I have found out that I always did well on my website (not Etsy yet, I just got started
Anyway, with that said, I just wanted to say that I admire your work, and totally agree with your response.
Great post. So helpful. And great response here in the comment section. You are a CLASS ACT. I have agreed with you & everyone else that said “YOU CAN SPOT A FAKE”. And you are so right to say it’s that there’s no “LIFE” breathed into it. That’s a perfect word to use for that. There’s no story behind it. No passion in creating it. No desire to enjoy the process. No respect for artists or even their customers. No desire to create, just recreate & pull the wool over as many eyes as they can. Originals have LOVE, FLUIDITY, LIFE & JOY that is authentic & apparent.
There are two types of people in this business.
•There’s the person who just wants to make $ (because everyone else has) and fame. But there is zero emotional attachment to the art or to any sort of human being [customer, artist, etc.]. You can usually see the disconnect. And that person will be stuck with copying & stealing as their legacy. And I secretly hope they feel a twinge of guilt with every bit of praise they get from people who are genuinely impressed with their work.
•Then there’s the person that puts passion into every single thing they do. They put passion in the artwork & in all the people they interact with. The reason behind their work is because they L-O-V-E it and nothing can stop their desire to create. Nothing can stop the ideas from popping in their head. It’s just a part of who they are. Every piece of work they create, they can OWN with a satisfaction that can NOT be replicated.
What apt timing, I was just alerted to the fact that someone has copied and pasted a mixture of my illustrations and is using them as their shop banner & selling them as gift certificates, how on earth they thought they would get away with it beyond me ?!
I agree 100% with your comments Sarah, I constantly look to the past and present for inspiration for my work & then try & add my own little twist.
Keep doing what you are doing, you inspire me everyday x
I too, have been “copied”. so blatantly that I made a collage of her garment beside my garment, a number of times, for a number of garments. When my copycat replied to deny my accusations, I was horrified to learn that she was actually a long-term customer, and ‘friend’. It wasn’t long before this happened that she emailed me directly, thanking me for changing her life, that she’d gotten out her own sewing maching and was creating again after a long hiatus.
Your comment about “staying ahead” is so right. I tried my hardest but I had lost heart and my ‘studio’ stayed packed in boxes after a house move.
Interesting what you write about Mandy from Belle and Boo: I have an exact situation happening with another Australian designer. We have what we call a connection, where one of us will often list a new design that the other still had in their head. When I discovered her 3 years ago, I also had words with her about copying, but we have since come to understand and accept that we are inspired by the same things, and we also have become good friends.
Anyway, I am happy to say that after an 10 month break, I have unpacked everything and am back to creating in the way that I love – from my head and my environment. Nobody can ever replicate that, huh?
Great post.
I saw the copycat shop several days ago. I have been an admirer of your work for about a year now – and for my birthday recently my mother gave me three of your prints, framed. (July, March, December, for each of my three girls). Although I’m always outraged when I see copycats, I had to laugh a little – to think anyone would prefer hers over yours. I’m working on a product right now to open my own etsy shop, and I’m spending time perfecting it before I even open the shop. I hope that even if copiers follow, that my work has the same quality and integrity that yours does, to make it stand out from the rest.
I receive my order this morning and I love it!…
thank you so much
best regards
Marielle
This is indeed a healthy discussion. I was not able to read all comments, but as an artist with commercial experience, I want to second Sarah Jane’s explanation of styles and designs that inspire and point out that especially in the commercial world, there are DESIGN TRENDS that in fine art might be called GENRES. Since the beginning of art, there have been similarities in color trends and compositions – even rendering styles that are meaningful and sometimes even symbolic in certain cultures. Think of the style that the Impressionists employed. Each artist used a similar approach and palette of color with their own distinct results. But they were identifiably a group with a similar new style of painting and seeing.
Clearly now we are experiencing a revitalization of the color palette of the 1970s and the childlike simplified expression of people from books and images of that time. This also derives from vintage illustration. I don’t mean to get academic about it, but I think it is very important to differentiate between outright copying and a kind of spirit of the times that is reflected in certain design trends and how we as a culture respond to them. There are many sellers on Etsy who have commonalities with SJ, but they do their own work, their own compositions, their own creative energy. The ones that simply copy someone else? Well, that is both illegal and pathetic. And I think over time they will fizzle out. Hopefully the damage to the original artist is small or nothing.
I do wish there was an easier way for an authentic artist selling on a small scale to protect her work from large manufacturing, which seems to be even more unfair and possibly more devastating to the small scale artist/seller.
Thank you, Sarah for this very useful information. You handled the issue with ease and grace.
Sarah,
I’ve just started following your blog. I was first enamored by your work and the way your images stirred my own childhood memories. Now, I’m a huge admirer of YOU! Thank you for not only bringing an unspoken subject out into the open, but for doing it with such eloquence. Your honesty and intelligence created a perfect invitation for discussion, and I’ve found this enormously helpful. I don’t know if anyone has been copying my own designs, but I certainly feel more educated about how to prevent it from now on. Thank you so much for putting the time and energy into this post.
The copying issue is big on ceramic blogs these days too. I just feel like one’s work has to rise above those out there that just want to copy to make a dime. It really sucks but to be an artist with integrity, to know what you do is above the act of copying, that’s what it really means to be an artist.
thank you so much for this. i needed it today. xo
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I just found this link from someone else’s blog….and I cannot agree more with your thoughts….as I too am on Etsy, and have one sore sore sore spot with one artist that has held me back from doing much on Etsy…isn’t that so sad???? Our work is not even similar, yet theme-wise, it somewhat is. But the truth be told…one of her repeat buyers started to buy from me…and thanks to feedback, I somehow got on HER radar. So, the worst part is that this other artist, well-sold & popular, brought her attention to ME….and yet, I have found, is a major copy cat artist from the start….and I’m talking serious copyright infringement that no one would even think twice to question!!!! I know that she even bullies other artists…and yet it has always made me wonder if I should send some of the artists she has so directly copied (not on Etsy!) a letter. I’m absolutely not a vengenful person—but I was asked by one person who I shared this with one thing that is still in my mind. They said “If someone was copying your art, would you want the person who discovered this to tell YOU????”
Maybe it’s because I am so supportive of other creatives that I have not done this sort of thing…and yet this one SILLY WOMAN holds me back since she constantly re-works art to new pieces I create…and even prices her art as I do mine….it’s so damn annoying!!!!
Hmmm…what would you do? I am about to re-open my shop, under my direct name (which copycat knows anyways) so I don’t want to even consider this schmuck anymore since I have gone on an Etsy hiatus for quite a while.