You know what I have noticed? You may have noticed it too- the alarming new trend of large toy companies making toys that look handmade- like different scraps of fabric- bits of ricrac and ribbon- embroidered little faces -yet mass producing them in developing nations - no doubt paying workers 5cents per 1000 toys...I use to see it really occasionally but lately its just everywhere.
I have seen on blogs people having their designs ripped off by large toy companies. Today I was in a shop that I sell to , to check on how my softies were selling (very well- thanks!) and I looked around and all I could see was this new brand of toys they had in that was just a total rip off of... well Etsy softies- (I originally had pictures showing the similarities between the ones I saw today and ones from Etsy but I thought that may not be a wise idea)
How can little crafters like me compete against these huge companies- they sell the toys - wholesale for $10-$15- I can't compete against that.
I am sure they are ripping off designs - but what hope is there? If some massive toy company started making, say, this what am I going to do? I know, I could sue , but really could I? What hope would I have against a legal team???... it's a bit of a David vs Goliath battle isn't it? They can mass produce ten thousand a day and I can produce - maybe 2 a day??
It would be really easy to just throw my hands up in the air and say - bugger it! Why bother?!
But bother I will. I love making softies and its not just about the money- its about making something with my own hands that will bring joy to other people, about people having a little piece of me in their homes...and for those of you who create may agree that sometimes its almost like you have no choice- if you don't get those ideas out of your head - it may explode!
Its just that sometimes some people don't play fair.
Support handmade.
Support handmade.
You are right, right, right and right. I don't know what the answer is but I do believe in karma.
ReplyDeleteWell, here's the thing....they wouldn't be mass producing stuff to "look" like handmade unless there is a current market for the REAL thing. Now, I know that means some business is driven away from the talented, creative, wonderful souls who design and create with their own two hands. Hopefully, people will remember what drove them to want something handmade in the first place. Hopefully, they will remember that something special in buying handmade. And your post is a wonderful way to communicate that and spread the word!!! :>
ReplyDeleteyep I've noticed it, and of course it's to be expected. As handmade becomes popular the big guys want to get there hands on some of it. the best weapon for us is to keep promoting handmade. I'm with you.
ReplyDeleteI know!!! and it sux every shade of suckiness there is!
ReplyDeleteI have faith that people want to buy from a real person and that they want the little tag with a link to a blog where they can "meet " the person who made the quirky little softie...
(I hope)
Here, here! More power to the crafter.
ReplyDelete