Disclaimer:
This post is inspired by Alex of
Angelique Angels and Monika of
Vergissmeinnicht Kuss who wrote some beautiful Facebook posts giving credit to the artists they have been inspired by on their creative path.
There is a lot of talk about Inspiration, Imitation (Copyright, Idea Stealing, Copying other Artist's items and ideas etc.) in the Handmade community.
I think I am absolutely guilty of being inspired by my fellow dollmakers art and by other artists all over the internet.
I spend a lot of time admiring the beautiful items they make and I find myself spending 1 hour and more instead of "a quick look" on the internet.
I am sure I am influenced by the wonderful things I see. I see something and some spark in me becomes alive and an idea forms, becomes clearer and clearer in my mind and eventually I watch my hands bringing it to life.
My customers inspire me. Their visions and ideas challenge me to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.
I am also inspired by beautiful boys and girls I see in the streets, I am inspired by children I got to know by looking after them intensely when they were little, I am inspired by characters I read about in story books or watch in movies. I am inspired by nature, by memories from my childhood.... I am inspired by life.
When I started learning to sew I even almost copied some things, just so I could have something to compare it with, so I could see whether I succeeded in making something. I am reminded of painters who train their skills by copying ancient masters' techniques and colour schemes, expressions etc.
Where it becomes a bit distasteful is when you copy something and claim it is uniquely yours or say you invented it or build a brand based on stealing someone else's thunder.
Don't sell yourself short, trust in your own imagination and endless pool of creativity. By copying someone else you might be missing out on the incredible ideas you would otherwise come up with all by yourself. What captures my heart most, is when I see someone create something that comes directly from them, out of the depths of their mind/ soul/ heart. Same goes for what I make. When I have a deep connection with it, it often is my best work/ doll.
I trust that the right people find me, I trust that the customers who are drawn to me will love what I do. I trust that I always get the exact business I need and can handle.
I learn, I grow and I apologize to everyone who has the feeling I stole an idea off them or are a little bit too much inspired by their incredible artist work.
I also might forget to give credit where credit is due when I am so emerged in my process that I forget where my inspiration came from originally. Please forgive me for that.
I am striving to be original, unique and I am working towards finding myself in my art and work more and more.
Sometimes I have to learn who I am not, before I can find myself.
I have been trying to make a short list of people and pages who I am most inspired by, but I realize I interact with so many wonderful people in online world, that I better mention almost everyone I came across as I am sure they left their mark in the inspiration part of my brain in one way or another ;)
Here is a (ever growing) list of people and websites I am or have been inspired by (in alphabetical order):
Angelique Angels. Alexandra to me is royalty in doll couture making.
Amy Butler. Her colourful fabrics and free online tutorials helped me make beautiful quilts.
Bamboletta. I love you girls. I might not have picked up this art if the frustration of not being able to cart one of your cuties had not inspired me to make dolls for myself.
Bumbabeena Dolls. I love these sweet dolls created by the wonderful Reena.
Byron Katie. My light in the dark. The work that brings me back to me every. single. time.
Chalbaby. Chaldea is making the cutest african babies. My daughter has several in her room xx
Debs Steiner Dolls. Deb makes beautiful dolls and toys xx
Em&Femme Designs. Ilja's colour happy clothing is just so inspiring and beautiful.
Emily Moon Dolls. Lana's dolls are simply magical.
Etsy. Browsing on Etsy is like browsing the collective mind of all artists and creations possible. Love it!
Fairytea. Love her creations!!
Fairywooldolls. Gabi's tutorial took away the fear of using wefts for my dolls hair.
Fabric Sellers. Lots and lots of fabrics. I browse online and ideas pop in my head about what to make with it.
Farbenmix. A website of endless inspiration and tutorials who helped me get started in my sewing adventures.
Fig&Me. Fabs' dolls are just magical.
Glimmer Row Doll Boutique. Lindsey's dolls are real works of art and she is so generous and supportive.
Gudrun Sjoeden. I wish I could wear exclusively her fashion all year round.
Heikeleien. I squeee when I see these cute dollies.
H&Elle. Sam's dolls have such sweet faces and I love their clothes.
Ida Bohatta. Her endearing paintings and stories will forever make my heart sing.
Inviting Play. Julie's imagination seems to be endless and it is so beautiful what she creates.
Jem of Mine. Emma's dolls have these sweet faces that I am drawn to every. single. time. So gorgeous!
Katwise. Kat is such an amazing artist. Her upcycle dream coats floor me every time.
Lali Dolls. Jennifer's tutorial saved me from ruining my hands while sewing TLS.
Lief Monster. Wendy is a wonderful artist. her dolls and knit work and witches and angels are beautiful.
Little Jenny Wren. I love Jenny's sweet innocence and dreamy expressions.
Mariengold. Maria's dolls have so much soul and you can feel the love they have been made with.
Matilda Jane Clothing. The cutest clothes and prettiest fabrics, love the bags too.
MiaLuna. A friend in Germany whose incredible kids clothes inspired me to sew for my daughter and learn sewing!!
Moonchild Dolls. Barrie is just so amazing. I love her colours, Euro fabrics and oh the clothes!!!
Naptown Boys. I wish I had a house full of these sweet lovies created by Nikki.
Oh Juniper. I love the expressions in these sweet faces
Peperuda. Daniela is making such sweet knitted clothing and look at these faces!!
Petite Besties. The sweetest faces ever created by Kim who has the "magic touch".
Pink Petunia Cottage Dolls. Cathy's dolls are so sweet and I love love love her quilts too!
Pinterest. Just amazing. A pool of ideas and inspiration!
Pookidolls. Suzi is just a class of her own with her inventiveness and unique style.
Puppula. Zeljka's dolls are so beautiful and sweet. I love her clothing too.
Riverside Dolls. Donna's dolls are beautiful. I especially have a soft spot for the mohair wig ones.
Sarah Clemens Clothing. I adore her fashion. ADORE it.
Sarah Rickard Photography. Sarah is a great
photographer and crafter. Also owner of
Little Birdy Nappies.
Three Little Treasures. Peggy is just the sweetest.
Vergissmeinnicht Kuss. I love how Monika can create these personalities and their clothes rock!
Winterludes. Winter is just amazing. Her dolls are so alive and fun and sweet.
With Love, Hannah. Faydra has such a vivid imagination and incredible eye for detail.
Yarn Artists. Your work is just amazing. I would love to spend thousands on your beautiful creations.
I am sure I will add lots more....
My doll collection is quite growing here at home since discovering all these fantastic artists :)
THANK YOU!!!
This is just a personal point of view which might expand/ change in the future. None of my thoughts are eternal, I notice my mind changes a lot.
For more and/ or legal info, I find
this blog post very interesting
The picture is taken from
here.
