Just a couple of orphan blocks lying around. And you can never have too many pillows, right? Got to at least try that spiral quilting (needs some work). And I get to check them off the 2QFAL list!
On another note, I wanted to introduce you to my two new pin bowl friends.
Pistachio and Cherry:
Don't tell Pistachio, but Cherry is my favorite. And I'm just now realizing that these are Christmas colors. Sigh. I LOVE Christmas!
I got pistachio as a gift from a friend. I wanted two (actually, I want ten!), but these were pretty hard to come by. But then I found a new source for them. Same product. Identical workmanship. And available for more than five minutes at the crack of dawn a few days a year! I think I'm going to get yellow and aqua to round out the collection.
So go here if you want a pin bowl yourself. They even take pre-orders and ship internationally.
Edited to add:
I guess I don't have a problem with someone seeing a successful, but limited product, and capitalizing on it. The maker of the "original" pin bowls had a great idea, but her product is only available in random fits and starts and it got very frustrating if you missed that tiny window of opportunity. If someone else is offering the same product (and you can't trademark/copyright a polka dot) with a different approach to supply/demand, I say, "Yay!"
From a fabric buyer's perspective, I don't want to have to set my alarm to buy a certain fabric before it sells out.
But I'm interested. Your thoughts?
Your free motion is great and I love the pin bowls! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to use orphan blocks! Very cute!
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a ruler pal from Pleasant Home (the etsy shop that started the cute dot pin bowls). I had to email Jody (the owner) a few times about a small issue and she mentioned that another shop had started selling an identical product to hers. I realize that these pin bows were sought after and this other shop has capitalized on that....but my feelings are torn. I guess that Pleasant home couldn't keep up with the demand and this new shop is going to jump on the market. As a creator I see both sides.
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't have a problem with it. As a quilt designer, I would have a problem if someone violated a copyright, which is a legal issue. But there's nothing unethical, in my book, about a simple supply/demand problem being solved by another player. That's what makes capitalism beautiful! There's no end what we can accomplish and achieve. Otherwise, we're at the mercy of the monopoly and I'm not a fan of that at all.
DeleteThe truth is, I could never get up early enough to get one of her pin bowls and it was so frustrating! She's got a huge following and so many of her customers walk away disappointed because they missed it.
That's what I meant about seeing both sides--because the pin bowls were released sporadically and she didn't take pre-orders, I guess it was inevitable that someone figured out how she made them and is doing the same thing. The pin bowls are very cute and the new shop has found a way to get more of them ready and to have them available to everyone, not just the lucky person who logged on at the exact right time. By the way, I have bought your flower pattern and I'm looking forward to picking out fabric for it. Have to find something just right!!
DeleteI love the loopy quilting on the pillow on the right! And what an awesome way to use orphan blocks, great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove your pillows and those pin bowls are so fun. You can never go wrong with polka dots.
ReplyDeleteGreat cushions - haven't tried spiral quilting (I really should!) I don't see anything wrong with the pin bowls - supply and demand: it's the way of the world. They are very very cute - c'mon someone in the UK - start making them!
ReplyDeleteim amazed at the price. they sell the plain ones at harbor freight for $3. i think i need to grab some spray paint!! http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-magnetic-parts-holder-61428.html
ReplyDeleteLovely pillows!
ReplyDeleteAs a maker, I have a problem with someone copying EXACTLY. I went to see both shops to see the difference. I understand that one shop may not be able to meet demand, but ethically, I think if one was going to make a similar product, (similar being the key word) that they should change it up a little bit at least - different size, different colours, different pattern - something! I have been copied more than once and it gets a little frustrating when you put so much time and effort into coming up with new designs and someone jumps on board just when you have worked out all the kinks and takes advantage of your hard work. I could even understand if the original supplier refused to ship to a certain location (overseas perhaps) and a new person started making them for that particular area, but in this case, both are in the USA.
Thanks for your thoughts Natalie. I understand your perspective. As a designer myself, I recognize the ownership you feel over something you worked out. But there's nothing remotely new about painting a polka dot on something. Pottery Barn made sure of that!
DeleteI suppose that while the products are identical, the business model is not. Some might appreciate the thrill of being one of the "lucky" ones who've managed to snag the original product. But I saw so many frustrated people on IG who didn't manage to get one. This new seller has a different approach, and ethically, that makes it okay in my book. If the original creator can't meet demand, for whatever reason, then she's left the door open.
Well, I'm with you on this one. I feel that there is very rarely an original concept these days (and please, Pinterest has only helped foster that theory) ... so it's all about the approach and execution. Add in that I don't love when people throttle supply to create a higher demand. Maybe that's not what this first person did... but that's how it felt to me. I loved that I was able to log on to etsy, get the two colors I wanted most, and have them in my hands within days. That's a purchase that makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteAnd two "FWIW" points: One, there are lots of "DIY" tutorials on how to make a pin bowl like this so I really don't feel like the first shop "owns" this at all. If the second shop is open to ideas, I'd love to see stripes offered too... ;-) Two, I make my living as a designer and photographer. I understand the gray area and the fuzzy lines. I still don't think that there were lines crossed. It's part of the creative business. For better or for worse.
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