Giving Credit to those who deserve it! Thanks you all

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reddwil

reddwil

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
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Location
Loganville, Georgia, USA.
We as members of this forum are all about sharing. Ideas, material, methods. We often copy others work, build on it, improve on it and learn. Some post tutorials so that we can all learn from it. That's one of the many things I love about the IAP. There are many many great artist here, and some day I hope to achieve that level. Back several months ago I made some blanks based on the creativity of another member, Jjartwood. I spoke with Mark regarding my ideas and wanting to produce blanks to sell. Not wanting to steal his Idea as my own, I felt compelled to first ask Marks permission. And being the suburb gentleman he is, he gave me his Blessing and shared many helpful tidbits.(Thanks again Mark).

Since then, many other members have made some outstanding pens using Marks metal foil concept. Many times giving him credit for the concept of their work. You see it for others as well, like Johnathon, Marla, Capt G, and many others. Cudo's Gentleman!

While sitting around this afternoon doing a little web surfing, I ran across a turner selling pens who will remain un-named on a website which will also remain un-named. To my knowledge and searching the individual is not a member here. On this website the seller was selling a couple pens made from blanks I MADE. I know I made them as I made pictures of the blanks because they had details that I wanted to remember how to recreate. I was very impressed with the workmanship and even felt a sense of pride, That was until I saw the words "This Blank was 100% made by me". Or maybe I'm wrong and He got real lucky.

Its not that I want credit for the blanks, honestly I could careless. I shouldn't get the credit anyway. I sell the blanks and people can do as the choose with them. The only point I'm trying to make is what granddaddy always told me, Give credit where credit is due. If your gonna make or sell a pen made by using someone else's blanks, don't say 100% made by me!

Again, a BIG THANK YOU to everyone here for your willingness to share and promote this crazy obsession we call pen turning
 
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There are some shows that REQUIRE that you made the object. So, some people rather exaggerate their involvement.

We (Dawn and I) used to joke about "100% handmade by me". REALLY, you spun the material yourself??? Or, in penmaking, you mined the metal for those components, then cast and plated???

So, take these things with a grain (or saltblock) of salt. YOU know who made it---that is really all that matters, isn't it??

FWIW,
Ed
 
You did right with how you went about doing what you're doing Kent. I wouldn't sweat the guy saying he made everything. Your work is awesome and we all know it :biggrin:

I had a similar thing with me but in a more positive way. It's someone I've never seen here on IAP. I was browsing Etsy and one of the sellers had several pens made with my blanks on there (among hundreds of other pens!). In his description of each pen he called my work "Italian Grade Resin.". I have to say it put a smile on my face.
 
Broks803 said:
You did right with how you went about doing what you're doing Kent. I wouldn't sweat the guy saying he made everything. Your work is awesome and we all know it :biggrin:

I had a similar thing with me but in a more positive way. It's someone I've never seen here on IAP. I was browsing Etsy and one of the sellers had several pens made with my blanks on there (among hundreds of other pens!). In his description of each pen he called my work "Italian Grade Resin.". I have to say it put a smile on my face.
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I know the guy, he sells pens using my blanks as well. Keeps calling me an artist! Makes me feel like I need to get one of those funny hats and start painting soup cans or something
 
I find it flattering to know others want to use my blanks to make pens. Since I don't "sell" many pens and usually donate them, my blanks are my main income to support my habit. I don't expect any credit or recognition. Its just a good feeling when I see others owning and using them. I also like to use others blanks to get a good mix and I have gotten many great comments at fund raisers with their blanks. Its just another reason why I love this place. Great people and great products. Thank you all!
 
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When I'm selling a pen made from a blank purchased from someone here I always make a point to mention it was made in collaboration with another artist. I usually mention where they're from and maybe a brief description on how it's made. I think this is at least the right thing to do.
 
Brooks803 said:
In his description of each pen he called my work "Italian Grade Resin.". I have to say it put a smile on my face.
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This caused me to go look at my descriptions of your blanks. I have two:

1. The material for this pen is hand crafted and poured by an artist that is well known among pen makers. His materials always sell out the day they are posted for sale. Each one is hand poured to create a dazzling display of color, pattern and depth...

2. The material for this handcrafted pen is special. It is a high quality hand poured resin that was specifically designed to replicate vintage resins of the past. It beautiful translucence give the pen a depth that is mesmerizing. The colors are swirled together in a pattern that is both pleasing and makes the pen one of a kind. These resin blanks are highly prized among pen makers and usually sell out quickly when a supply is made available.


Maybe I should throw out the Brooks name more often? You could be famous. :)
 
mick said:
When I'm selling a pen made from a blank purchased from someone here I always make a point to mention it was made in collaboration with another artist. I usually mention where they're from and maybe a brief description on how it's made. I think this is at least the right thing to do.
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We were at a show last year and the charwoman of the jury came in to look us over. She asked about the material a blank was made of and if I made it. I explained that I did it in collaboration with another artist.

"Did you pay for the material you made this from?" She asked. I said yes. "Then this is a buy and sell and it is not allowed in this show. She allowed us to finish the show but made it clear that we are not invited back.

I did explain that the brush artists all bought their paint and canvas, the jewelers didn't personally mine their gold and silver, the wood artists didn't grow and harvest the trees that the wood came from. She didn't buy it. We are kicked out and not invited back.

It doesn't matter is she is resistant to clear logic, if she was just clearing a space for her brother-in-law who is a pen maker, or if she is still angry over some kind of run-in she had with another pen maker 10 years ago. It didn't matter that I could give her a highly detailed description of how the casting was made and show her pictures of me pouring a casting. She is the chairwoman of the jury, she had the final say.

No matter what you are selling at art shows, there is a delicate balance between being painfully honest verses being told to pack up and hit the road.
 
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