Steal Like an Artist

I thought I would switch things up today and vent a little bit about something that bothers me :)

Have you ever been looking online or on Etsy and find an adorable pattern that you want to make, only to see a (sometimes rudely written) blurb at the end telling you that this pattern is only for personal use and forbidding you to sell any projects you make from this pattern? I kind of get where they are coming from but I have to admit that I have a completely opposite view of making a pattern available. I am a young adult (as I'm sure much of my readers are) and to be honest, times are tough. Especially in the creative field. If I post a tutorial and you make something from it that you can sell, DO IT! I think it is more important to help build up the sewing and crafting field rather than stifle it by creating a pattern that prohibits someone from selling their project. The only way the economy and the handmade field is going to grow is if people buy handmade items. Etsy cannot grow if it is filled only with patterns and no handmade goods because you are forbidden to make and sell your projects. It is just so silly to me. I am currently reading a book called "Steal like an Artist" by Austin Kleon, which is amazing, and I had to share my favorite excerpt from it:

Whenever I see a pattern that has some over the top, threatening statement telling me that I cannot sell anything I make from that pattern or even any alterations of that pattern like changing the size, strap length, etc (which I have seen multiple times and I think is RIDICULOUS. If I change your pattern, it's not your pattern anymore), all I can think is "Does this person honestly think that they created the first purse?" Purses and handbags and wallets have been around for a lot longer than anyone alive, so to falsely presume that you are the first person to think of a certain pattern for a bag is ludicrous. Ah...feels good to get that off my chest :)

In conclusion, steal like an artist and feel free to make, sell, give away any ideas you see on this blog. All I ask is when or if someone asks where you learned how to make said item, just say "Cold Hands Warm Heart Crafts blog". That's it, not too hard? And honestly, how am I even going to know if you do tell them that haha. I want to empower people to make things for themselves and try to start side businesses and I want creative people my age to make money off of what they sell. You know why? Because that's what I'm doing and I would want someone out there rooting for me to sell every last thing I make. It is insane to assume that the things people out there make from a pattern online is going to make them the next billionaire. It's not. But what is is going to do is help people feed their hobby and make enough money to buy more fabric and more thread and keep learning and growing their creativity. 

I hope I didn't push any buttons ;)

Have a sew-riffic day!