Comments on: Question #1: Is there a way to share without being exploited? http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46 The official Thimblelady Forum. A place for discussion about all things quilting. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:15:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Pam in uk http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-77 Pam in uk Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:10:45 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-77 In our quilt group we do not loan each others 'quilting' books. Authorship and original ideas is a subject we have discussed, our quilting group all realise that quilting books don't sell in the vast numbers that fiction does and we appreciate the authors effort and ownership of ideas. Instead of loaning our books we provide ISBN numbers to each other so the author see a little profit. Only today a fellow quilter took the ISBN of a Kumiko Sudo book I own. They are just small steps but sometimes the small steps can make a difference. In our quilt group we do not loan each others ‘quilting’ books. Authorship and original ideas is a subject we have discussed, our quilting group all realise that quilting books don’t sell in the vast numbers that fiction does and we appreciate the authors effort and ownership of ideas. Instead of loaning our books we provide ISBN numbers to each other so the author see a little profit. Only today a fellow quilter took the ISBN of a Kumiko Sudo book I own. They are just small steps but sometimes the small steps can make a difference.

]]> By: admin http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-71 admin Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:11:31 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-71 Cindy, when you have a look at my applique, you will see the real difference as it is the real how to instead of another pattern book. Besides all techniques are new and make you applique much much better than you have ever since because the level of skills were said "impossible" that is why no book is like it. Cindy, when you have a look at my applique, you will see the real difference as it is the real how to instead of another pattern book. Besides all techniques are new and make you applique much much better than you have ever since because the level of skills were said “impossible” that is why no book is like it.

]]> By: admin http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-70 admin Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:02:05 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-70 Hi, Cindy, thank you for your advise. Some other eager quilters have suggested that before. I had checked the shipping rates of Fedex and UPS plus Australia's DHL and TNT and found their offers very expensive than what I heard in US. Until a US shop owner I ran into in a Japanese show told me she had to sell everything out at the show because Fedex shipped very cheaply out of US but extremely expensive to ship the leftover back! The current service of Australia Post priority air mail is equivalent to US global priority. The slight faster one here also by Australia Post is EMS global parcel. I shall look into that very soon! But anecdotal experience did show that they are not necessarily faster as they promised. We'll try our best anyway. Hi, Cindy, thank you for your advise. Some other eager quilters have suggested that before. I had checked the shipping rates of Fedex and UPS plus Australia’s DHL and TNT and found their offers very expensive than what I heard in US. Until a US shop owner I ran into in a Japanese show told me she had to sell everything out at the show because Fedex shipped very cheaply out of US but extremely expensive to ship the leftover back!

The current service of Australia Post priority air mail is equivalent to US global priority. The slight faster one here also by Australia Post is EMS global parcel. I shall look into that very soon! But anecdotal experience did show that they are not necessarily faster as they promised. We’ll try our best anyway.

]]> By: cindy http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-69 cindy Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:39:03 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-69 OOPS! You do have utube videos. Earlier I did a search for "thimblelady" and didn't find any. I wonder why? OOPS! You do have utube videos. Earlier I did a search for “thimblelady” and didn’t find any. I wonder why?

]]> By: cindy http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-68 cindy Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:31:32 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-68 You say your applique book sales are down but don't mention why. Do you know why? Personally I think there are too many how to applique books on the market already. Applique is so easy to do and easy to learn I really don't know why anyone needs more than one book and/or demo on it. I haven't seen yours so don't know how it differs from the others that are out there, but if isn't different in some way it's now going to stand out. I do know that marketing has a big impact on sales. Maybe you could put a demo on Utube and get some reviews for your books and products online. Also I first went to Amazon looking for your book and they say it's out of print and not available. That may be hurting your sales also. Anyway, I can't wait to get my thimble and quilting book. Several of my quilt guild friends use your silver thimble and love it. I ordered the steel version and hope I love it also. You say your applique book sales are down but don’t mention why. Do you know why?
Personally I think there are too many how to applique books on the market already. Applique is so easy to do and easy to learn I really don’t know why anyone needs more than one book and/or demo on it.
I haven’t seen yours so don’t know how it differs from the others that are out there, but if isn’t different in some way it’s now going to stand out.
I do know that marketing has a big impact on sales. Maybe you could put a demo on Utube and get some reviews for your books and products online.
Also I first went to Amazon looking for your book and they say it’s out of print and not available. That may be hurting your sales also.
Anyway, I can’t wait to get my thimble and quilting book. Several of my quilt guild friends use your silver thimble and love it. I ordered the steel version and hope I love it also.

]]> By: cindy http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-67 cindy Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:19:33 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-67 You asked for comments on your website, this is my comment/suggestion. Offer more than one shipping method. I really appreciate the low cost of your shipping, but I don't want to wait! I don't know how the post office works in AU, but here in the states they have something called Global Priority mail. It is more expensive, but it is VERY fast. I think you should offer more than one shipping method, regular and faster. Thank-you, Cindy You asked for comments on your website, this is my comment/suggestion. Offer more than one shipping method. I really appreciate the low cost of your shipping, but I don’t want to wait!
I don’t know how the post office works in AU, but here in the states they have something called Global Priority mail. It is more expensive, but it is VERY fast.
I think you should offer more than one shipping method, regular and faster.
Thank-you,
Cindy

]]> By: admin http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-66 admin Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:23:39 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-66 Mary, I totally understand what you meant. For myself, worrying there might now be a quick solution to the problem, I make sure to shift to more service based business from teaching and inventing - good ideas take time to develop... Even though I haven't an answer to the problem, by raising the questions, I hope one day a better solution can come up if enough of us thinking long and hard enough. To me, the very foundation of a free world is built on genuine fairness to reward citizens for what they contribute to our community. I hope everyone who did the hard yard of work should be rewarded - it is only fair. I am particularly concerned about this matter is not just because I have something at stake. Perhaps it has more to do with my unique life experience. Having witnessed the collapse of a communist system, I know far too well it was not the outside pressure from the free world or the economic sanctions but the free riders in the name of Communism or sharing that doomed the future of a hard working nation so completely... I was 18 when Cultural Revolution ended and I clearly remembered the most asked question by adults were how could this had happened under everybody's watch?! Please don't give up thinking... Good people have to do something so less bad things can happen. - Liuxin Mary, I totally understand what you meant. For myself, worrying there might now be a quick solution to the problem, I make sure to shift to more service based business from teaching and inventing - good ideas take time to develop…

Even though I haven’t an answer to the problem, by raising the questions, I hope one day a better solution can come up if enough of us thinking long and hard enough. To me, the very foundation of a free world is built on genuine fairness to reward citizens for what they contribute to our community.

I hope everyone who did the hard yard of work should be rewarded - it is only fair. I am particularly concerned about this matter is not just because I have something at stake. Perhaps it has more to do with my unique life experience. Having witnessed the collapse of a communist system, I know far too well it was not the outside pressure from the free world or the economic sanctions but the free riders in the name of Communism or sharing that doomed the future of a hard working nation so completely… I was 18 when Cultural Revolution ended and I clearly remembered the most asked question by adults were how could this had happened under everybody’s watch?!

Please don’t give up thinking… Good people have to do something so less bad things can happen. - Liuxin

]]> By: Mary http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-65 Mary Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:35:54 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-65 I don't think you will ever find a solution to this problem. If this is your life's work, you must charge for sharing your knowledge knowing there will always be some petty thief in one of your classes who will take the information and turn it to their own use. They know in their heart of hearts they have stolen the information but lack the morals and/or ethics to realize or admit it. But know there will also be students who will be happy to pay for your knowledge, who will not steal your methods or patterns and who will give you full credit when asked about a technique or pattern they've used for personal use. Many of us can recreate, you are among the fortunate few who can not only create but invent new and easier ways to produce. Thank you for continuing to share through classes, books, dvds, tools and forums like this one. As you said, quilters who share are happy, they do it from love of the art. Quilters who steal, I think they are not happy, they are small sad people who are insecure and have low self esteem. Taking someone else's ideas and presenting them as their own makes them feel good...but not for long. I don’t think you will ever find a solution to this problem. If this is your life’s work, you must charge for sharing your knowledge knowing there will always be some petty thief in one of your classes who will take the information and turn it to their own use. They know in their heart of hearts they have stolen the information but lack the morals and/or ethics to realize or admit it. But know there will also be students who will be happy to pay for your knowledge, who will not steal your methods or patterns and who will give you full credit when asked about a technique or pattern they’ve used for personal use. Many of us can recreate, you are among the fortunate few who can not only create but invent new and easier ways to produce. Thank you for continuing to share through classes, books, dvds, tools and forums like this one. As you said, quilters who share are happy, they do it from love of the art. Quilters who steal, I think they are not happy, they are small sad people who are insecure and have low self esteem. Taking someone else’s ideas and presenting them as their own makes them feel good…but not for long.

]]> By: admin http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-62 admin Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:26:38 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-62 Hi, Sue, thank you for your input! Keep thinking. I still hope there will be a better way as someone who experienced "communism system" first hand... It's got to be a better way out there. Cheers, Liuxin Hi, Sue, thank you for your input! Keep thinking. I still hope there will be a better way as someone who experienced “communism system” first hand… It’s got to be a better way out there. Cheers, Liuxin

]]> By: Sue "Boo" Chura http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/archives/46#comment-61 Sue "Boo" Chura Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:14:32 +0000 http://thimblelady.com.au/forum/?p=46#comment-61 Personally, I wish I had an answer. Back in the late nineties when I first went online, I was eager to share, as I was self taught. Most of my tricks and methods were of my own making. Yes, I had been inspired by those before me who had written books and patterns, but with the invention of rotary cutters and clear rulers, my own experiences as a garment sewer, and experimentation I had 20 years of quilt making and a willingness to share. After hosting a quilting forum for a few years, it became obvious that these tips I was sharing were being used by my students in a commercial enterprise. I remember clearly telling one woman that I was glad she found a cottage industry for my ideas. Her response startled me, as she claimed to have no idea what I was talking about. She then proceeded to charge members of the forum for these patterns she developed from this 'new' technigue 'she' invented. Soon other quilters stopped sharing and wanted to charge for their knowledge. I left that group. After a few years, a new site was in process of being formed. Given the chance to be on ground floor of a quilting forum, I jumped at the chance and accepted the job of moderator. Non of these ladies where professionals and just wanted a place to learn. The forum grew so quickly that it became a full time job for me to keep up with postings at the same time teach and organize chat schedules. Then to my surprise the same thing happened again! So this is what I have learned between online quilting forums, quilt shops, classes and books. Once an idea is out there for anyone to hear, it is basically out of your control. You will see it everywhere when it comes to quilting, applique and piecing. Someone writes a great book, for example. Maybe invents a new ruler, or a method, or even a new tool. Within a short time there will be many similar books, rulers, methods and tools with a new name on them. They will be marketed as new, but you know you have seen it before. Some are better at writing and marketing than others, some have truly inventive ideas, but it is all aimed at those who appreciate quilting. There are many new quilters who really believe that chain store fabric is fine and more cost effective. To them I say go for it! As their skills improve and they realize they not as happy with the outcome, they will ask a seasoned quilter what she uses. The same will go for tools, methods, and rulers. The bottom line is we share because of our love of quilting. We want to pass this love on to others. Short of hiring a full time law firm to police the industry, I do not have any other answer. We share because we want to. There is no other answer. Quilters who share are happy, those who don't, well Scrooge McDuck comes to mind. Personally, I wish I had an answer. Back in the late nineties when I first went online, I was eager to share, as I was self taught. Most of my tricks and methods were of my own making. Yes, I had been inspired by those before me who had written books and patterns, but with the invention of rotary cutters and clear rulers, my own experiences as a garment sewer, and experimentation I had 20 years of quilt making and a willingness to share. After hosting a quilting forum for a few years, it became obvious that these tips I was sharing were being used by my students in a commercial enterprise. I remember clearly telling one woman that I was glad she found a cottage industry for my ideas. Her response startled me, as she claimed to have no idea what I was talking about. She then proceeded to charge members of the forum for these patterns she developed from this ‘new’ technigue ’she’ invented. Soon other quilters stopped sharing and wanted to charge for their knowledge. I left that group.

After a few years, a new site was in process of being formed. Given the chance to be on ground floor of a quilting forum, I jumped at the chance and accepted the job of moderator. Non of these ladies where professionals and just wanted a place to learn. The forum grew so quickly that it became a full time job for me to keep up with postings at the same time teach and organize chat schedules. Then to my surprise the same thing happened again!

So this is what I have learned between online quilting forums, quilt shops, classes and books. Once an idea is out there for anyone to hear, it is basically out of your control. You will see it everywhere when it comes to quilting, applique and piecing. Someone writes a great book, for example. Maybe invents a new ruler, or a method, or even a new tool. Within a short time there will be many similar books, rulers, methods and tools with a new name on them. They will be marketed as new, but you know you have seen it before. Some are better at writing and marketing than others, some have truly inventive ideas, but it is all aimed at those who appreciate quilting. There are many new quilters who really believe that chain store fabric is fine and more cost effective. To them I say go for it! As their skills improve and they realize they not as happy with the outcome, they will ask a seasoned quilter what she uses. The same will go for tools, methods, and rulers.

The bottom line is we share because of our love of quilting. We want to pass this love on to others. Short of hiring a full time law firm to police the industry, I do not have any other answer. We share because we want to. There is no other answer. Quilters who share are happy, those who don’t, well Scrooge McDuck comes to mind.

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