posted on December 11, 2000 08:30:05 PM new
I don't think I've seen this topic covered much (if at all), and I'm curious about how this sort of thing works out.
Have any of you developed software, written a booklet, made doll clothes, etc., and sold them on eBay? I'm considering writing a detailed set of indexes for a popular collector's "bible" and offering this item for sale as an add-on booklet for people who already own the book.(I also plan to contact the publisher and try to work out a deal that way, too, but that's another story.)
I've been in publishing for years, so I'm pretty familiar with issues of copyright, etc. I know some people will buy the booklet and reproduce it, even if it's against the law, but I'm hoping to keep them from reselling it. To that end, I'll put a copyright notice on each page, and also keep an eye out for it to show up under some other seller's ID.
Have others had good luck creating and marketing this type of thing? How did you protect your investment from resellers? Did your item sell as well as you hoped? Any advice is appreciated.
posted on December 11, 2000 08:36:24 PM new
I sell a very large array of items. The limit of what I sell is solely based on what I find or can fit in my vehicle.
I also sell my own artwork in various ways. Every item I make is copyrighted. I make prints of my original artwork and I copyright, number, and hand sign every piece.
I do not sell an abundance of my work, but I do sell some.
posted on December 12, 2000 04:33:07 AM new
acooze:
I'm with you on the snow!
As far as the subject thread I'm so glad you started it. My Dad made some of those cool candle powered carousels for our family for Christmas and I told him we should list one on eBAy and see how it does.
It's been on a couple of days with no response so far, but we'll see.
I'll be interested in knowing how others have done as well.
posted on December 12, 2000 05:13:27 AM new
Yup. Have made and sold more than 60 quilts since 11/98 - all have sold on the first go-round. Every couple of months I also gather up my leftover scraps and sell THEM, too. I don't see how the "leftover" concept would work with writers, however
As to "protecting my investment from resellers," I can't say I'd object if a bidder decided to sell my work - actually a gallery bought one of my pieces for resale (how's that for flattering?). And since on my webpage I actively encourage folks to "steal" my designs, I'm obviously not concerned about copycats. If somebody actually wants to take the time and energy to copy my stuff verbatim, let 'em. (I would NOT feel the same if somebody were photocopying a pattern I'd designed for resale, however.)
[ edited by HartCottageQuilts on Dec 12, 2000 05:16 AM ]
posted on December 12, 2000 05:27:18 AM new
When you publish your work, ask your printer about security paper. There are several types of patterned and gradiated color papers that cannot be photocopied. This will at least make them (the theives) have to retype the entire booklet before they can try to sell it. Most thieves are lazy, and they will find something easier to steal.
posted on December 12, 2000 05:59:53 AM new
HCQ: every time I read one of your posts I think "I'd like to look at that lady's quilts!" Do you make full-size quilts or also the small panels for wall hangings? We always have those for display at our library and they just make me drool. One of these days I'll get back into quilting and try my hand! I started one for my son's room, but my toddler kept grabbing my pins and needles so into the closet that project went.
posted on December 12, 2000 07:05:59 AM newkezia - Although I've made three or four bed-sized quilts for family members, the additional materials and labor involved don't make them cost-effective to sell; people will pay more per square foot for a small quilt than for a larger one. I guess there's a sort of quilt-price ceiling; most folks aren't willing to pay $500 for something they're going to lay on their bed, but they'll line up to pay $100 for a quilt for the sofa or wall. There are also a few more impulse bids at $100 than there are at $500 Also, to be hoest I haven't got the strength or the attention-span to work on a bed quilt. By the time I've got a top pieced and the quilting designed, I'm ready to start on the next one. The smallest piece I ever did was a 12"x20" miniature sampler for my mother, with little 1/2" squares and triangles. Never again.
MrJim - thanks for the tip. A very talented instructor who's done some quilting for me wants to publish patterns of some of my stuff, and she'll be interested to know there is no-copy (or hard-to-copy) paper available. The only other way I could figure out a solution was to print in "printer's cyan" ink (a light aquamarine) that's impossible to photograph and difficult to photocopy.
posted on December 12, 2000 07:33:43 AM new
I make and sell wood crafts. I've done that for years, but just in the last few months put them up on ebay. I do sell most of my crafts. The market isn't to flooded, yet, and I think what I make is a little different from what others make. So far I've done really good at selling them, better than I hoped, and have had some nice bids on them.
I agree with HCQ, I don't mind if someone resales my crafts. Had a lady from another state who owns a store email me about buying several items at a time to resale in her shop. I can see where it would be a problem for you though. I do sign the back of my items so no one can say it is theirs.
Right now what I want to do is figure out how to make some web pages with my crafts on there. I will have to teach myself, and at the moment, know next to nothing about how to do that.
HCQ- thanks for your web page. I too have been dying to see your quilts. Everytime I read one of your posts I think I'm going to have to ask you about them.
posted on December 12, 2000 08:34:35 AM new
I've mostly sold used things, but lately I've been sewing certain niche items and selling them. I haven't worried about copycats so far but I could see it happening if I come up with a really hot selling design (in my niche, people tend to jump on the bandwagon of any new, cool design). I have seen people steal my descriptions of my designs to use on their ordinary factory made merchandise and I wasn't thrilled (although that *is* a compliment to my writing skills!)
I know selling something I have created feels way more involved than just selling stuff I bought somewhere. Right now I'm waiting to hear from a buyer who purchased one of my designs and had it custom-fit. I send the finished thing out Friday and I'm on pins and needles worrying that she won't like it, something is too loose, too small, UGLY, POORLY MADE, my mind goes wild thinking of potential criticisms....I know that there's a 99.9 percent chance she'll love it, but there's always that slight insecurity about my self-made items.
posted on December 12, 2000 08:41:34 AM new
HCQ: wow, they are absolutely wonderful. Some of them looked like kaleidoscope quilts. The fabric selection is gorgeous. *sigh* Maybe when my kids are older, I'd love to try my hand. I did more crafts as a girl than in all my 30s.
posted on December 12, 2000 09:01:09 AM new
I too, have been brainstorming about making some items for sale on ebay, and possibly "boutiques", I'm just wondering if the time/labor involved would be worth the possible profit. Hart Cottage-how much time do you spend a week at your craft? I agree with Keziak, your quilts are definitely works of art! Are you familiar with Faith Ringgold's work? Keziak-I can relate to your situation! I have several small projects that I've put on hold-any moves made towards my sewing machine or needlework supplies and the babies come running to "help" me. Their one hour or so naptime if that even happens, is not enough!
CoPyRiGHT iS a PRoTeCTioN THaT CoVeRS PuBLiSHeD aND uNPuBLiSHeD LiTeRaRy aND aNy aRTiSTiC WoRK (youR eWoRK!!!) WHaTeVeR THe FoRM oF eXPReSSioN, PRoViDeD SuCH WoRKS aRe FiXeD iN a TaNGiBLe oR MaTeRiaL FoRM. THiS MeaNS THaT iF you CaN See iT, HeaR iT aND/oR TouCH iT - iT May Be PRoTeCTeD. iF iT iS aN aDVeRTiSeMeNT, a SoNG, a PHoToGRaPH, aN iMaGe, oR a HTML CoDe THaT CaN Be SeT oN PaPeR, ReCoRDeD oN TaPe oR SaVeD To a FLoPPy DiSK, CD-RoM oR CoMPuTeR HaRD DRiVe, iT May Be PRoTeCTeD. CoPyRiGHT LaWS GRaNT THe CReaToR (you!) THe eXCLuSiVe RiGHT To RePRoDuCe, PRePaRe DeRiVaTiVe WoRKS, DiSTRiBuTe, PeRFoRM aND DiSPLay THe WoRK PuBLiCLy. eXCLuSiVe MeaNS oNLy THe CReaToR (you!) oF SuCH WoRK, NoT aNyBoDy (oTHeR eMeMBeRS) WHo HaS aCCeSS To iT aND DeCiDeS To GRaB iT aND DiSTRiBuTe iT PuBLiCLy WiTHouT aNy PeRMiSSioN, THaT WiLL Be CoNSiDeReD CoPyRiGHT iNFRiNGeMeNT uNDeR THe uS aND iNTeRNaTioNaL CoPyRiGHTS LaWS.
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posted on December 12, 2000 12:32:59 PM new
Mr.Jim...thanks for the tip! I'd heard of this type of paper, but hadn't actually thought to check it out. Now I will.
HCQ, I must agree with the majority opinion...your quilts are beautiful! I can see why you wouldn't mind somebody reselling one, but I can't imagine that anybody would WANT to!
Poton, thanks, but I already know the copyright law pretty thoroughly. It would help others, though, if you would post this in a typeface that is actually legible.
Thanks, all, for the comments and suggestions. This is really a fruitful discussion, IMO.
posted on December 12, 2000 12:34:57 PM newpoton, somehow I think you're not going to have to worry about anybody plaigiarizing your post. Noting that it's copyrighted in this case would appear to be overkill.
keziazk - Not exactly "kaleidoscope" - I hate working with 60-degree triangles Anyway, it's "full time" for me, but I'm not well enough to put in a 40-hour week, so the actual time I invest varies. When I'm feeling good I can do a couple quilts a week from start to finish. No way do I make a living on these, but I keep my costs as low as possible and I know I'm getting better than the average market price, so I really can't complain. If I wanted a higher profit margin I'd set up a sweatshop somewhere junqueen, I have indeed seen Ringgold's prints. cajunatpassmore, my webpage is nothing fancy but it was idiotproof to set up. Go over to [url]www.trellix.com[/b] and download their free software (you also get free webspace if you need it). Even I could use this program, and believe me I tried dozens! Nicest thing is that it's easy to update your page when you rotate merchandise. Every time I list a new quilt on ebay, I add it to my webpage, and visitors who've asked for notification of new quilts get an automatic email directing them to my website. I'm not interested in selling directly from my site (IMHO not enough traffic), but it's a start anyway.
posted on December 12, 2000 03:06:15 PM new
Poton, your information about copyright appears to be dated, and, in some cases, just plain wrong. The story about mailing your manuscript to yourself is a copyright urban legend, although many authors (Margaret Mitchell of Gone With the Wind fame included) have believed it. As for the music example, you don't actually have to write it down, you just have to fix your composition in a permanent format, such as, oh ... recording it.
For information, see the Library of Congress's Copyright Office Website:
posted on December 12, 2000 03:14:11 PM new
I hand carve walking sticks and have sold them. I also sold a couple of fountains I made as well as a little set of crafty type Santa's I made last year.
My regular (drawings/paintings) don't sell because my wife says they are too wierd.
I don't sell a lot because I don't produce much...but it's nice to know that someone out there appreciates the work and it's in their home...
Make money for your school with School-Auction.Com http://www.school-auction.com
posted on December 12, 2000 03:43:01 PM new
HCQ- thanks for the info. That's what I need, something that is fool and idiot proof. I'm afraid that if it is to complicated I will get quickly frustrated. Also being able to rotate things around quickly and easily on it is a big plus!
I agree that there most likely will not be much traffic on the site, but as you said a place to direct people to who are wanting to look at the other things I've made.
Your quilts are beautiful. You should be very proud of your work.
posted on December 12, 2000 04:04:55 PM new
I started selling vintage beads on eBay, eventually got to where I was listing jewelry I've made with all vintage components. Jewelry on eBay has brutal competition these days. It is a buyer's market, no question. I also think that especially with handmade jewelry, building up a following helps to a huge degree.
HCQ: Nice to see the vibrant colors in your quilts...I find those pale, repetitive quilts kinda boring. When I used to exhibit mine, they were the ones all the way across the room screaming, "hey, look at me"...but
then most of the quilters here are at least 80.
I might have to give some wallhangings a try; I completely agree that it's really hard to get enough anywhere (not just eBay)
for bed sized quilts (and yep, it's a lot of grunt work to even get a full sized quilt in one piece).
posted on December 12, 2000 06:12:01 PM new
Hi, Sonsie. I sell my own software at eBay and also information guides. You can bet your bottom dollar someone will try to steal your work, expecially if you distribute it as some sort of text file (i.e., HTML, Microsoft Word, etc.).
One way to discourage this is to distribute your work in some sort of compiled format. Adobe Acrobat (PDF), Windows Help and HTML Help are all compiled files. Also, you can get one of the eBook programs and make your own eBooks.
While compiled files won't completely prevent users from stealing your work, they can't simply remove your copyright and distribute the file as is.
Also, consider joining VeRO. If you can't work things out with a bootlegger, you can pull the plug on their auctions.
I'm working on a guide in the new HTML Help format. It's really cool. You can put hot links, bookmarks, annotations and other stuff within the document. My last project was a Web Publishing Guide in standard Windows Help format. WinHelp is easy to make, you just create a bunch of MS Word .DOC files and then run them through the free Microsoft WinHelp compiler.
posted on December 12, 2000 07:12:12 PM new
I sold some of the stained glass pieces I made on eBay & also some crystal jewelry. Neither brought a lot, but I was happy because before eBay I used to give it away.
Do you let people know when you auction the leftovers?
Most of my quilts are traditional piecing, but my sister does the paper piecing and I would love to get her some new selections...
I know that this is off-topic, so if you prefer, please email me. ([email protected])
Jane
As I'm debating throwing out my recent attempt at my bed quilt.....it sounded like such a good idea when I started it.....but 2 inch squares for a king size quilt.....I think I was loony...<sigh>
posted on December 12, 2000 09:58:55 PM new
TWINSOFT...thanks for the great tips. I hadn't contemplated making this an electronic document, but it would be a lot easier (and cheaper) to distribute that way. I'll check out your website.
posted on December 13, 2000 04:13:39 AM new
I have no talent whatsoever when it comes to crafts so am envious of those of you who do! My mother-n-law makes the most beautiful quilts and GAVE them away (before I met her!). Now she is too busy to make any *sniff*
I am too sensitive to try and sell something if I was able to make it. Some people are just too harsh! Wasn't there a recent thread where some bidder wrote a seller and told them their artwork looked like it was made by a child and to give it up? My luck I would get a bidder like that! No thanks!
Also, to be hoest I haven't got the strength or the attention-span to work on a bed quilt. By the time I've got a top pieced and the quilting designed, I'm ready to start on the next one. The smallest piece I ever did was a 12"x20" miniature sampler for my mother, with little 1/2" squares and triangles. Never again.