Not sure how to title this...
 

This may need to be moved...I'm sorry if it is in the wrong place.

I wanted to take a minute to address a situation that has been brought to my attention. It appears I have stepped on some toes by offering my blankets for sale. I want to let everyone know that I NEVER intended to do this. I have found something that I love doing...making stuff for doggies. I just love it. So I have exhausted myself...and my pocketbook... trying to get the best products, best supplies, best fabric I can find. I have worked long hours on my website and have tried very hard to make something wonderful. It seems that I have purchased some fabric that is either the same, or similar, to other blanket makers here on YT. I did not intend to offend anyone by doing this, I simply saw some fabric in the store that I thought was very cute..and bought it. I also was looking for ways to improve my knots. So I saw some blankets that had nice knots and asked around about how to do them. I got no response so I went to JoAnn's and asked their opinion on the best way to make the blankets. They suggested the "overhand knot". Hubby helped me get the knot just right and that is how I have been making them. It seems that by me making these knots, I have also stepped on toes.

In addition, I have sent out some pm's telling people about my website. I didn't think much about doing this, just did it...thinking that it was a good way to get exposure to the site. well...This upset people that make the same blankets. understandable. And I have apologized to her...and to the people that I sent the pm's to. I am VERY sorry if this was not fair on my part and I accept the fact that I should not have done it. Had I put any thought into it, and thought that it was a bad thing to do..I NEVER would have done it. I really didn't see anything wrong with it. Now, I see that it bothered some...and it won't happen again. So, this is my public apology.

I really had and still have the VERY best intentions. I'm not looking to get rich making dog stuff. It will never happen. In fact, I will probably be in the hole because I tend to buy the best stuff I can find...wether it be the cutting table, the cutting mat, the storage compartments for the fabric...all the way down to the scissors. So, chances are, I will never make money from this. I just love to do it. It gives me something to do to pass time. I have a massive passion for animals and this gives me an opportunity to be a part of their lives. This is why I like to offer the embroidery. It makes it very personal and sweet. I just love doing it. period.

I have been debating on what I should do. Should I stop making the blankets? should I stop using the knots I am using? What should I do?

I can't stop making the blankets...I love it too much. I don't want to stop using the knots because I think they look more professional and I believe they will stay together better. If I can find a better knot, then I will start using that one.

i am not trying to upset people...I am trying to sell my product. I am trying to do what I love. period.

So, I want to apologize to anyone that I may have upset. It was never my intention to step on toes...it was simply my intention to share my love for this with others who might not have the time, patience, or desire to do it for themselves.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a good person. I do not like to upset people, and I love to make people happy. I feel that I have done just the opposite of that, and I am sorry :(

WOW! sorry this has happened i hope u guys can solve this!

me too!

Aw, sorry Mandee that this has happened. I'm sure posting this was hard for you but it was the right thing to do. Good for you. My dealings with you have all been above board and I know you to be a caring loving person.

Good luck with your blankets. Next time Tink needs one, I know where to go!:)

you are so sweet...thank you!!

Hey Mandee -- Im sorry that its happened.


In my humble opinion......

Personally I wouldnt stop selling or making the different knots... if thats how you learned to do it and thats the best, then why stop? You, like others, are only trying to offer the best products to YT!

There is only so many fabrics in the world so there is bound to be duplicates at some point in time.

And you know... you cant please everyone 100% of the time, it will kill you trying.

Just giving my :twocents:

Again Im sorry that it happened.

That was very nice of you to apologize and i hope whomever you hurt will feel better about the situation. I'm not sure about what's going on but i just wanted to tell you that i'm sure it happens to all of us. Most of us have the same places to choose our fabrics from, we are bound to have similar or the same fabrics from time to time unintentionally. Also it seems to me that there would be very few ways to tie an appropriate knot for a blanket :confused: But i'm really not sure...
Good luck with the situation.

Isn't free enterprise allowed??? There are plenty of people selling the same products on YT ...
that is just the way things are. That is what choice is about ...
you know, Macy's, Nordstrom's, Bloomingdales, Target, KMart, Walmart, etc etc etc .....

And using the same fabrics ... well? There are just so many to choose from ...
I do not see where you did anything wrong ....

Good Luck in your endeavors ....

you know I think it was so big of you to apologize for something that is so minor. obviously someone might have the same fabric or same idea on how to tie a knot. I mean if they sell the fabric im sure chances are someone else might pick the exact same one. I wouldnt worry too much about it, and I would have to agree with the others that say continue doing the blankets the way you have been...they look great;)
Im PMing you now to place an order :-) just have a question before i do :D

It was nice of you to post this. It could not have been easy. It was the right thing to do. I know in the world of sewing and crafting it is easy to buy the same fabric as someone else. It has happened in the doll clothes world. When a person sells the outfit they have made the other gets mad and thinks it was on purpose. You do not seem like the type of person that would hurt others on purpose. I pray that it all works out for you and any others who are upset/hurt. It's like the bride who comes to me for fittings and is upset because she just went to a wedding and the person had the same dress. The fact of the matter is we buy things from stores. People are bound to buy the same thing and it not be on purpose.
If your heart is in creating blankets or other things then follow it.

ask away :)

thanks for all the kind words...I really do agree with all of you. Glad to know I'm not crazy LOL

you are a good person ...
 

wow, that was nice of you to publicly apologize for making blankets ...
I wonder if Ford apologizes to General Motors, or if Honda apologizes to Nissan ...
you have every right to make blankets, tie knots and choose fabrics .... that is the American way ....

I am going to look at your website now ...

WHERE CAN I BUY SOME?
I haven't seen advertisements for these other people and I NEED blankets!

Looks like you'll get my money, for no other reason than I saw you first....and I'm sure you've got a nice product. hee hee

Could you please send me an e-mail or something? I'd appreciate it.

Sorry this happened to you. I can see the other sellers point of view, but it's a bit ridiculous imo. If they pay YorkieTalk to advertise them, then okay...if not, you should be on the same playing field as them when promoting your goods!

:thumbup:

you can click on the link in my signature to see my site.

all of my blankets can be monogrammed too. and I also sell matching pillows for those extra pampered pooches :)

Thank you!!

yorkie
 

WELL MY OPINION IS UNLESS THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE A PATENT ON THEM....I WOULD KEEP MAKING THEM....I CURRENTLY HAVE A PATENT PENDING ON MY YORKIE ONE-Z....AND THEY WILL BE ON THE MARKET THIS WEEK....I ALSO ENJOY MAKING THINGS FOR MY YORKIES AND JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY PRODUCT ON YORKIE TALK ....BECAUSE I LOVE THIS SITE AND I KNOW THAT OTHER MEMBERS NEED AND WANT CERTAIN PRODUCTS...IF YOU ENJOY DOING IT...KEEP DOING IT....I DON'T CONSIDER MORE THAN ONE PERSON MAKING THE SAME THINGS STEPPING ON ANYONES TOES...I SAW YOUR BLANKETS AND LOVED THEM AND EVERYONE ELSES...GOOD LUCK AND CHECK OUT MY NEW PRODUCT ON triciasyorkieone-z.com the site is not finished...but will be in a few days....i put some pics on there to practice how it would look...new photos comming....keep sewing and doing what you enjoy

tricia

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I am sorry this has happened to you. Tie blankets are very fun to make, and I know many do sell them, but you have the right to make blankets and tie what ever knot you'd like!! Being a store owner myself, I look around so I know how I can be different. The more same things you have as others, the tighter you make the competition for yourself and others. However, you chose cute fabrics that you liked, and you have that right!!! I'm sorry you are having this trouble. I hope you get everything worked out!!

tricia...those are very nice!! :) good job..and good luck with your sales

Hello, I don't post often.... just do a lot of reading. I know what you mean when you say you have passion for animals as I do as well. I believe you have as much right to do your blankets the way you choose as any one else does on YT. Please do not get you feelings hurt!!:cry: Keep on doing what you love to do. I am going to check out your website. When it comes to clothes I order from a few different people off YT. It has went real well.
I hope I will love your blanklets and get them ordered for Christmas gifts for my friends & family that are dog lovers.:thumbup:


Gayla :wavey: & MY Layla Bear:animal-pa

I just went out to your site, and your stuff is really cute! I know there are a couple others that I have seen on here that look similar to your blankets, but as another poster said, there are probably only a few ways to make those kinds of blankets. I've seen them long before I saw them on YT-for adults and babies!

Plus, it's nice to have a few vendors to choose from-for example, many vendors have different prints, different prices, and different lead times. Plus ship times might be better for some that live closer to certain vendors than others. So, I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping on with your business-you might have something new and different to offer that someone else doesn't have, whether that be in the tangible product or in your customer service. Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition-and I know you're not even in it for that-you just really enjoy what you do! More power to ya! Good luck in your new ventures! :)

This same thing happened to me.
 

I for one think that you should continue in what you love doing. I dont know this other person and I dont want to hurt or step on her toes either for saying this. but you two are prob not the only ones making these the same way. Im sure there are people all over the world making them. If you stop making them your putting what you love doing on hold because of someone else. its not right or fair. I know what you are going through and how you feel. I too have been there and stop doing what I loved doing because I didnt want to make anyone mad, upset or hurt. but then it only left me hurt. KWIM?
To make a long story short and I wont name this other person,because I dont want to start trouble. and I like them a lot.but Im sure if they read this they will know it was them. I made some thing that another member makes not the same way or any thing but basicaly the same thing and I gave it as a gift. well after that I got a few pm's and a few not so happy emails of how wrong I was and so on.because they to make these and I was more or less taking their bussiness. I wasnt I gave it as a gift. It hurt me to think that this person was upset with me, and I so wanted to start a small bussiness some day wanting to sell these items. I do sell them to my friends and family but selling them on the net would bring in more money.I even had some made up and my web page made. I needed the extra money so very much. I have been out of work because of my back and theres no way I can ever go back to work , so this was a way of helping my husband bring in a little money to help him on the bills, food etc. But after the emails, I thought well if this member thinks this way then maybe so many others will too , I cried for two days and and told my Hubby that I was not going to sell my stuff on line. I feel I had gave up in helping my hubby. and I still feel bad about it because with a bad back theres not a whiole lot I can do. Hubby told me to do what i want but I should never give up my dreams because it made someone mad and that I would regret it, and I do.
sorry this is so long But before making a decision to stop doing what you love doing because of it making someone else mad. and prob someone you really dont know only on YT someone youll never meet. dont give up your dreams and plans for anyone, Like I did,

wow...thanks for sharing. I wish you would start doing it again...I'm sure all would be ok for you. bless your heart.

no, i am not going to stop. I have had an AMAZING outpour of people pm'ing me and telling me exactly what I had been thinking...so I am not going to stop. I will just keep doing what I love and will constantly try and improve my products so that they can be the best. I don't usually give up easily...so this will not be an exception.

thanks again for sharing your story. I will keep you and your family in my prayers...

hugs....

I wouldn't sweat it if I were you. If its something you love doing and your obviously great at it,I say keep it up! :D
I have just saved your web page to my favorites and as soon as I get a little extra $$$ you've got my business!
Lily is gonna need her some monogramed blankies and bandanas! :p
Keep up the good work! :thumbup:

There is always going to be several people making the same product - otherwise there would be a monopoly..LOL. I don't agree with intentionally copying another's exact design and selling it, but you aren't doing that...you're simply making a product that a ton of people are making these days...and there really is only so much cute, dog-related fabric to choose from. I've made blankets like this myself and given them as gifts..from some of the exact same fabric I've seen on YT. People will choose who they want to buy from so don't worry about it

The whole point of North American economics is to encourage COMPETITION. Competition is what drives and improves our economy. But enough with macroeconomics.

I do NOT think you have done anything wrong. I'm not sure if you should bother apologizing. Why should you apologize for trying to market your product? Unless there is a patent on this blanket, I would go ahead and continue doing what you enjoy: making your beautiful blankets. I think it's a little ridiculous that someone would get upset with you because of this. Do these same people get upset with large corporations that also manufacture and sell these products?

So, keep on doing whatever makes YOU happy, because I'm sure the blankets you make bring a lot of happiness to your clients and their fur babies!:D

this is very true

I think someone must have tender toes ;) If someone has the same fabric as me I say well great minds think alike. I hope you continue to make these blanket and whatever else makes ya happy.I think someone owes you the apology.

Hmmm, there are some very talented people on YT and I enjoy viewing and purchasing things here.:thumbup: The blankies, dresses, shirts and bags are so adorable that If I was rich, I'd buy from everyone.:) My mom always told me to never get mad if someone copied my style, take it as a compliment. She said if I show up somewhere and another person had the same shirt or shoes on just wear it better than them.:D She always told us when man made one for sale, he made 1000. With that being said, someone else can, WILL and probably have already made similar blankets. If it is a hobby you have and the talent to make it work, I would suggest not giving it up. There's a world of material out there, be creative, switch it around a bit, make the same, whatever floats your boat. As ADULTS, hopefully the other blankie people of YT will understand and work harder to continue making and selling theirs. There's enough of us to go around to purchase them.:D

I think you should continue to make your beautiful blankets with whatever fabric you like and tie the knots whatever way you like too. I made one of these blankets once and used the knots shown in the instructions. I have also seen instructions on the internet with the same knot. I just thought everyone who made these blankets used the same knot. I looked at your blankets and they are really nice.

Hopefully the person who made the same kind of blanket will realize that there is a very slim chance that they are the only ones making these blankets with the same material and knots, and won't hold it against you. Good luck!

Pepe Mint,
You know that I respect you...in fact, I just ordered something from you. That said, is this really the proper place for this discussion? Shouldn't it be in the YT vendors feedback section or in off-topic? And, I also didn't think vendors were supposed to sell on this part of the forum, are they? Good luck and I hope any bad feelings get worked out.

That is ridiculous. Whoever, made a big deal out of this..didn't help them at all. Because that made you post this which in turn got you A LOT of exposure. I'd love a blanket for Watson with his name on it!!!!!