Go to MY PERCEPTIVE REFLECTION!!
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- Go to THIS IS THE MOST SILLIEST THING TO GET ANNOYED WITH - BUT, WOULD YOU????
Mrs Tanga
posted by
Tanga
on September 25, 2006 at 12:04 PM
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Wow.....so many comments....Thank you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have all given me something to really think about....I will from now on sign the copyright at the bottom....I was stupid not to have done it in the first place.....but I wont forget anymore, as I have learned from it.
also now I am really thinking about doing this for real and getting paid for it.....I need to do some research and such....
but thanks all soooooooooooooo much!
posted by
_Symphony_
on September 25, 2006 at 5:09 AM
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Symphony
Some people have no sensitivity. You are right to say, excuse me, that has a copyrite and it is illegal to use it without my written permission and I am sorry I can not give that out. Some people!!!!
posted by
Justi
on September 24, 2006 at 11:12 PM
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That would be annoying...
Paricularly since one wouldn't know her intention. If she liked the message, that might be ok, but she might have been taking to give to someone else. Best case: she really like it and your work gives her comfort. Worst case: she uses your work and takes credit for it.
At some point you should assign a value, if for no other reason that to test the waters for the marketabitly of your personlized rememberances.
posted by
food4thought
on September 24, 2006 at 10:38 PM
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And I third it, Symphony. I know you are too sweet, but don't let anybody take advantage of you like that. Just tell them that you want paid for your time and materials.
posted by
MaggieMae
on September 24, 2006 at 1:06 PM
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That was a good meeting. I second PF's suggestion.
(A)
posted by
A-and-B
on September 23, 2006 at 3:37 PM
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Symphony, you should always place your copyright info
At the bottom of any poem. Also, it wouldn't have been wrong of you to say, "Ma'am, this poem is my own work and it's copyrighted. You need my permission to reproduce it in any form."
Standing up like that for your self will help you with your confidence level.
You should also tell the ladies that you'd love to do one for them but there will be a small charge to cover materials and labor. Then charge them ten bucks each. They could pay it. It wouldn't send them into poverty...LOL!
posted by
Passionflower
on September 23, 2006 at 3:19 PM
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Symphony
Everyone here said pretty much what I wanted to say.... I must just add that I feel a bit bad about the comment I made on your one post. I have not printed your beautiful poems to put on my mirror like I said to you in the one comment. I know you said it is ok... but now I am not so sure. I'll just read them on blogit. I am sorry, I didn't even think that my complimentous comment will maybe cause you to feel used, I just tried to make you feel good about your beautiful poems.
Mrs Tanga
posted by
Tanga
on September 23, 2006 at 11:26 AM
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Symph, I agree with Mason here.
You spend the time to do the work and you should be compensated for it. Even if it's through bartering or monetary payment, it's only right. And, as far as that woman who copied your poem? When you give her the finished product you're designing for her, I would suggest a quick mention that, "I have created this for you with sincerety and free of charge. All I ask from you is that if you chose to use my poem in any way, privately or publically, that you properly offer me due copyright and credits for my work."
posted by
SpitFire70
on September 22, 2006 at 1:05 AM
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Perhaps, a gentle but firm.. annoucement... "I am now, professional...
here's my card (hand them out)... and of course all of my original customers will recieve 20% discount (and then annouce your rate which is of course plus 20 %)... and few will be offended... some will though (nobody bats .1000)... and you will make money... I understand your problem, I've had similar experiences with astrology, cystal healing, and Reiki healing... now those who are sincerely interested pay $100 for an indepth astrology analysis.... and $35 for a 1 hr crystal and Reiki healing session... and now on occassion I make money ...and both I and the patron are satisfied... value for value...
posted by
MasonGarrett
on September 22, 2006 at 12:55 AM
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SYMPHONY
She had what mother would have called, 'such cheek.' Now next time luv, speak up, don't let people do that without asking, let them know how you feel. I actually have a brother like that.
posted by
WileyJohn
on September 21, 2006 at 10:16 PM
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still annoyed...
To clarify; I would have been annoyed with them assuming that you'd put those things together without so much as asking you. I do not like being taken for granted; no one does!
posted by
Dandell
on September 21, 2006 at 7:34 PM
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annoyed...
Imitation is the ultimate compliment, or so I've heard....I'm just quoting someone else that said that once!
I think you were a hit, from the situation you described. Your poetry must have really touched her for her to make the effort to copy it down. Have you written it in any of the blogs? I'd like to read it, too.
posted by
Dandell
on September 21, 2006 at 7:32 PM
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yes
I would be annoyed, very much. You should write at the end of your poem not to be copied. LOL think they would get the hint.
posted by
8-ball
on September 21, 2006 at 7:27 PM
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It is perfectly
natural to be annoyed when you feel taken for granted. The scary thing: She probably did not even realize that she was annoying you.
posted by
Tanga
on September 21, 2006 at 12:15 PM
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I have had two similar experiences. At one time I made suncatchers that said Welcome and Merry Christmas in about 30 languages that I had to research. I sold them at art fairs and people would come and demand a list of the words. Another time, a church up town announced they were going to perform a play I had written without asking me. It's annoying but not serious.
posted by
babe_rocks
on September 21, 2006 at 8:19 AM
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i don't blame you
sounds like it happened so fast that maybe you didn't have time to react. especially at such an emotional gathering. maybe next time bring some samples and order forms.
posted by
ladychardonnay
on September 21, 2006 at 7:57 AM
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I think they should have asked...
...but signing it is a very good idea! It must have been a beautiful poem Symph!
posted by
ginnieb
on September 21, 2006 at 7:33 AM
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Pat_B
is right
posted by
Azur
on September 21, 2006 at 7:13 AM
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Did you put your name on the poem on the card? You should do so every time. It sounds like that women does not understand the feelings or etiquette with writers. Next time you could say to her that while you are happy that she has copied down the words, would she ensure your name is listed too? It was a bit presumptuous of the leader to volunteer you
posted by
Azur
on September 21, 2006 at 7:12 AM
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It was insensitive of the woman to offer your services
and if you'd even suspected she might do so, you could have been ready with a response. Your reaction is not silly -- it's absolutely appropriate. She misappropriated your generous gift of appreciation.
It is not a compliment for someone to copy your work -- but if it's not marked with the copyright symbol, there's not a lot you can do about it. Next time you're in the group, maybe you could make a point of saying you did the first one as a gift to show appreciation, and you're flattered by their attention, but:
1) there are other demands on your time, but if they can be patient, you may be able to get something similar for them.
2) mention that the paper and ink and software it takes to produce these things are expensive, so you'd like to recover your costs. Figure out the cost of paper / card stock / envelopes, etc, that you need, add in the cost of the ink - those cartridges are expensive. Then double that to compensate for your time. People are grateful to have this kind of memorabilia, and they would be happy to compensate you. I, for one, would not ask you to do this for me unless I could repay your kindness...
For future reference, you should get at least $15-$20 an hour for scanning & editing their photos and typing the blurbs, in addition to making a little profit on the materials.
When you give your art away, people don't value it as they should.
posted by
Pat_B
on September 21, 2006 at 7:11 AM
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Yeah, that would burn me too. How rude!
posted by
Schatz
on September 21, 2006 at 7:07 AM
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SYMPHONY
I think you probably feel devalued because of this. You wanted to do something nice for someone, and they jumped on the 'freebie' bandwagon. I experienced this firsthand with my tree work. I lowered the price and people came out of the woodwork. They demanded that I do more than what they wished when they called, and then they offered less money when it was done! I felt used.
But, the truth is that until you value yourself, you will use your work to feel accepted. This is a lesson I learned from the whole experience. I don't mean 'you' directly; I mean anyone.
Now, I don't work for free and I'm much happier. And, I attract thankful people who appreciate what I do.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 21, 2006 at 6:41 AM
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