This blog was started at a suggestion of a friend to raise awareness towards a particular problem in the handmade and small business community... particularly the shop I'VE had an ongoing issue with.
Let me start from the beginning.
In 2010 I began my shop, birdie baby boutique out of my home and sold my items on Etsy and the facebook page I started. I was no professional, and floundered around to find my niche, my style, what I enjoyed making and truth be told, what I made best. I believe most folks who've started a shop and organically grown their brand can tell you this is the way of natural and normal growth. Over time my products got better, my designs improved and my presentation improved as well. My friends and followers could recognize my work a mile away.
Fast forward several years. There are many other headband vendors out there who now have a similar style, which I completely understand and respect. That's the nature of business-- you go with what's working, what's selling and what's in demand. I know many headbanders whom I respect and in turn respect my designs. Shoutout to my girls Joelle and Bethany from Simply Sweet + Blossom Bands. {knuckle bump}
HOWEVER. Last June, one of my suppliers I have been buying materials from for years emailed me and informed me "I think you have a problem, this looks like more than just a superfan!" and linked me over to Ashley Wolfe's shop, Gold Feather Boutique.
I was taken aback. Shell shocked. Horrified and sickened. Page after page of COMPLETE and total copies of my designs.... right down to the names. {or very closely related, clearly inspired names. pics below!} Even a band copied from the blog posted photos of my daughter's birthday party. That took some serious digging to come across.
I took a breath and immediately wrote the owner of the shop-- and was rudely told I was out of my mind, she wasn't copying me and that if I wrote her again I would be reported to Etsy for harassment. Me, being... well, me.... I wrote back again. I simply said that she and I both know that wasn't true and that I've been working too hard for too many years to let her just take what I had worked hard for. I have tirelessly worked for my customers to be reliable, trust worthy, fair and have great quality work. I have made amazing friends through birdie baby... many of which are well respected professional photographers whom I could guarantee would never use her products. I told her if I could do nothing else, I'd make sure her reputation among that community was shot. That was the end of communications with her at this point.
I'll let you decide if I was overreacting or not. The following is the first "wave" of bands and designs.
I was immediately blocked from this businesses fb page + instagram feed--- as were, Startlingly ALL of my followers and friends.... she literally went through lists of thousands of people and blocked, blocked, blocked. If you have {as you yourself said} nothing to hide.... WHY HIDE?
Let me regress for a moment to make a point that I think is worth making. I 100% understand that at the beginning, you don't necessarily know how offensive copying can be. I am SURE some of my designs of mine aren't all that original. I also undertand being INSPIRED by a brand. Believe me, I've inspired my fair share of customers to start their own brands that mimic my bands. I GET it. I do. I realllllllly, really do. This is so different. Here is why.
When you're confronted with your own amoral behavior, as Ashley was--- don't you stop? Of course you do. You learn your lesson, you regroup, you plunge forward and make your own mark.
Well.
I proceeded through the proper channels of my attorney and Etsy and filed the proper complaints to have the listings removed. These were taken down... but each new design of mine brought new designs from her shortly thereafter. She then began filing counter complaints which is 100% a lie to Etsy on her part. In it she claims she truthfully and honestly does not believe that I hold a copyright on my designs, although she's been sent proof of this.
In the meantime she had contacted an attorney who contacted me. He said to me, and I quote.
"Miss Wolfe would like to make this water under the bridge and has removed many listings she thinks you'll have issue with. She agrees to no longer go to your website for inspiration."
I was hopeful.
Until shortly thereafter she resumed her behavior. Even going so far as to post a photo of my own daughter in her feed {to what end I still have no idea}
I tend to get into a design groove and discover a little tweak I like, an embellishment I have fun with or a new layout I prefer. I can always tell which "phase" I was in by the different accents and details. Each time I do something, she follows suits right after. Just last week I had a personal photo shoot with D. Within 3 days, she's copied that theme. To be honest at this point it's almost humorous that she hasn't been able to let her own creativity take flight and taken off on her own path. Perhaps, as so many have suggested, she simply doesn't have any of her own. Here's some more examples, which are much harder to get proof of now that she has me blocked from her social media outlets... but they still filter in from sources. :)
I hope that sharing my story and the truth behind her brand and seeing the person she is can stop at least ONE person from supporting her work. She doesn't deserve success, or for me to tread gently with her reputation. Ashley Wolfe knows exactly what she is doing, exactly who she is hurting and consciously and decisively continues to copy and mimic my designs. I want you all to know it.
My hope is that this post is not perceived in any way as an attempt at cyber bullying... in truth, I've tried to speak with her privately, with attorneys, and several more ways... it just falls on deaf ears.
I am a mom. A mom who's spent countless hours dedicated to working hard to provide for my family through a brand that I built from the ground up. I try to teach my kids the difference between right and wrong, truthfulness and dishonestly. My work has taken time away from them. This is something I've struggled with, the guilt of that... then to have someone steal from me what I've toiled for, feels like they've stolen from kids too. It's personal, it hurts and it's not right. I am honest, I am truthful, I am loyal and I deserve to be treated better... but more than anything, my family deserves better.
I hope this post reaches your eyes and your heart Ashley, and you rise to my challenge for a better you. There's no way you can feel pride in your business when you know you've stolen it. Be a better example for your children, make those who love you proud. Be better.
xo,
Katy
Let me start from the beginning.
In 2010 I began my shop, birdie baby boutique out of my home and sold my items on Etsy and the facebook page I started. I was no professional, and floundered around to find my niche, my style, what I enjoyed making and truth be told, what I made best. I believe most folks who've started a shop and organically grown their brand can tell you this is the way of natural and normal growth. Over time my products got better, my designs improved and my presentation improved as well. My friends and followers could recognize my work a mile away.
Fast forward several years. There are many other headband vendors out there who now have a similar style, which I completely understand and respect. That's the nature of business-- you go with what's working, what's selling and what's in demand. I know many headbanders whom I respect and in turn respect my designs. Shoutout to my girls Joelle and Bethany from Simply Sweet + Blossom Bands. {knuckle bump}
HOWEVER. Last June, one of my suppliers I have been buying materials from for years emailed me and informed me "I think you have a problem, this looks like more than just a superfan!" and linked me over to Ashley Wolfe's shop, Gold Feather Boutique.
I was taken aback. Shell shocked. Horrified and sickened. Page after page of COMPLETE and total copies of my designs.... right down to the names. {or very closely related, clearly inspired names. pics below!} Even a band copied from the blog posted photos of my daughter's birthday party. That took some serious digging to come across.
I took a breath and immediately wrote the owner of the shop-- and was rudely told I was out of my mind, she wasn't copying me and that if I wrote her again I would be reported to Etsy for harassment. Me, being... well, me.... I wrote back again. I simply said that she and I both know that wasn't true and that I've been working too hard for too many years to let her just take what I had worked hard for. I have tirelessly worked for my customers to be reliable, trust worthy, fair and have great quality work. I have made amazing friends through birdie baby... many of which are well respected professional photographers whom I could guarantee would never use her products. I told her if I could do nothing else, I'd make sure her reputation among that community was shot. That was the end of communications with her at this point.
I'll let you decide if I was overreacting or not. The following is the first "wave" of bands and designs.
I was immediately blocked from this businesses fb page + instagram feed--- as were, Startlingly ALL of my followers and friends.... she literally went through lists of thousands of people and blocked, blocked, blocked. If you have {as you yourself said} nothing to hide.... WHY HIDE?
Let me regress for a moment to make a point that I think is worth making. I 100% understand that at the beginning, you don't necessarily know how offensive copying can be. I am SURE some of my designs of mine aren't all that original. I also undertand being INSPIRED by a brand. Believe me, I've inspired my fair share of customers to start their own brands that mimic my bands. I GET it. I do. I realllllllly, really do. This is so different. Here is why.
When you're confronted with your own amoral behavior, as Ashley was--- don't you stop? Of course you do. You learn your lesson, you regroup, you plunge forward and make your own mark.
Well.
I proceeded through the proper channels of my attorney and Etsy and filed the proper complaints to have the listings removed. These were taken down... but each new design of mine brought new designs from her shortly thereafter. She then began filing counter complaints which is 100% a lie to Etsy on her part. In it she claims she truthfully and honestly does not believe that I hold a copyright on my designs, although she's been sent proof of this.
In the meantime she had contacted an attorney who contacted me. He said to me, and I quote.
"Miss Wolfe would like to make this water under the bridge and has removed many listings she thinks you'll have issue with. She agrees to no longer go to your website for inspiration."
I was hopeful.
Until shortly thereafter she resumed her behavior. Even going so far as to post a photo of my own daughter in her feed {to what end I still have no idea}
I tend to get into a design groove and discover a little tweak I like, an embellishment I have fun with or a new layout I prefer. I can always tell which "phase" I was in by the different accents and details. Each time I do something, she follows suits right after. Just last week I had a personal photo shoot with D. Within 3 days, she's copied that theme. To be honest at this point it's almost humorous that she hasn't been able to let her own creativity take flight and taken off on her own path. Perhaps, as so many have suggested, she simply doesn't have any of her own. Here's some more examples, which are much harder to get proof of now that she has me blocked from her social media outlets... but they still filter in from sources. :)
I hope that sharing my story and the truth behind her brand and seeing the person she is can stop at least ONE person from supporting her work. She doesn't deserve success, or for me to tread gently with her reputation. Ashley Wolfe knows exactly what she is doing, exactly who she is hurting and consciously and decisively continues to copy and mimic my designs. I want you all to know it.
My hope is that this post is not perceived in any way as an attempt at cyber bullying... in truth, I've tried to speak with her privately, with attorneys, and several more ways... it just falls on deaf ears.
I am a mom. A mom who's spent countless hours dedicated to working hard to provide for my family through a brand that I built from the ground up. I try to teach my kids the difference between right and wrong, truthfulness and dishonestly. My work has taken time away from them. This is something I've struggled with, the guilt of that... then to have someone steal from me what I've toiled for, feels like they've stolen from kids too. It's personal, it hurts and it's not right. I am honest, I am truthful, I am loyal and I deserve to be treated better... but more than anything, my family deserves better.
I hope this post reaches your eyes and your heart Ashley, and you rise to my challenge for a better you. There's no way you can feel pride in your business when you know you've stolen it. Be a better example for your children, make those who love you proud. Be better.
xo,
Katy
I love this. And you.
ReplyDeleteI love this. And you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Heather!!! You are an amazing woman with so much integrity and I am proud to know you! Much love to you my friend! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the fashion world. 1st of I agree with your post. But what I am telling you is for your legal well being. Everyone copy's everyone especially in the fashion world. Legally all some one has to do is change 1 thing as small as a zipper or stitch or bead and they can claim it as their own design. Is this fair? Absolutely not. But you are are not the ONLY artist who has been copied. And unfortunately she could LEGALLY sue you with slander or serve you with a cease and desist. Her designs obviously are copied from yours but are not exactly the same so unfortunately you can lay no claim to it. Be careful in how you slander her even if she is stealing your designs because unfortunately that's how the fashion world works. Good luck! Your headbands are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI could be informed incorrectly but I believe one must prove statements are false in order to successfully sue for libel and everything I've posted here is true and accurate. She simple just has to make the decision to stop once and for all and I will happily remove this posting.
DeleteI agree with everything you've argued above and I certainly made no inference I Was the first to be copied. Additionally, subtle changes are allowed but there is also the cases of "considerable likeness" that are taken into account when deciding on these types of cases. We have, and will continue to collect photos as evidentiary value of her mimicking until she chooses to discontinue doing so.
Thank you for your kind words on my work. xo
A friend sent me this blog as a joke, but after reading it, I just wanted to post a quick comment... First of all, these designs are similar, but not exactly the same. It seems like a Pepsi/Coke thing. Also, I looked at the Gold Feather shop, and many of these designs aren't there anymore. Did she take them down at your request? If so, it seems like she's making an effort to not cause trouble. Also, I'm not understanding what the purpose of this blog is? It seems pretty disrespectful to have a whole blog about this. Like you said, there are a lot of great headband companies out here. You both seem very talented--both of your shops have lots of sales and admirers. I think you should just each go your own way and wish each other the best. I'm sure your energy could be better spent than on something so negative. It may be time to turn the other cheek...
ReplyDeleteHi MaChelle, I appreciate your taking the time to read this, even if it were sent to you as a joke.
DeleteTo answer some of your questions~
No, those items are no longer listed in her shop, but its is certainly not because of her taking them done. This has been done because I have my designs copyright protect and in accordance with Etsy's policies, they have removed those listings.
I believe you are correct, that this is not particularly respectful but if you've taken the time to read the post in it's entirety I think you'll see that I have taken many, many previous steps which would be deemed more respectful in an effort to keep the matter private. All of these were ignored so it was my hopes to raise awareness, if I can't stop the continuation of it. If she will not heed my pleas, at least my situation can be used to show others how terrible this is and how hurtful copying. How do you feel about her posting my child on her instagram account? Does that not bear mentioning? The disrespect began from GFB as a starting point. I'm just making it public knowledge.
I too understand your comparison to coke vs pepsi... but herein lies the heart of the matter.{Although first I must beg to respectfully differ, many of these are EXACT copies}
This is not big business. I am a mom, with young children and I work very hard to juggle this shop and my family responsibilities. My customers know me, have a personal relationship with me... so this is far more personal than corporations. While it may seem trivial to you, each of these designs is thought out by me, hours upon hours researching supplies, finding the right materials, trial an error on design. All time that I weigh and balance with my family. To come along as see it, and just copy it, literally steals that effort and investment I have put into having a unique and stand out product. It's like a farmer working hard to tend to his fields and someone coming in to take all his crops that he has toiled over. There's so much more that goes into it than the actual fabrication of the band itself.
I knew also that by posting this I would probably catch some flack- and I told myself I would be alright with that. It's hard to stand up for yourself in a society where everyone wants a nice face put on. I believe that copying is wrong, I believe it is a huge flaw in the handmade community that we are told, that "imitation is the highest form of flattery" or just to "turn the other cheek"--- I am supposed to sit idly by while someone steals from me and say nothing? I just cannot/will not do that. It's too wrong.
Let me remind you that this was not a one time occurrence... this has gone on for a year and a half at this point. It hasn't stopped, abated or declined--- she's made no changes in her behavior, no efforts to "go her own way" and no apologies for anything she's done. If she would do so, I would certainly be satisfied with that outcome. I'm just waiting for that to happen.