I read this post a few weeks ago, and it hit a nerve, probably because I used to be guilty of it myself: I’d walk around a craft fair, and think “Pah, I’m not paying for that, I could do that myself.”
And now that I do my own vending, and spend a lot more time at craft fairs, I hear people who not only say this, but say it loud enough for the vendor to hear. I’ve even heard it myself from another soapmaker about some of my own soaps. I hear this at SCA events, heck, I hear it in pretty much any gathering of people who like to make their own things. And this is what really gets me: It’s not non-crafters saying this. It’s the very people who are making, creating, crafting. Wow, that hurts. The people who should get it the most are most guilty of devaluing other crafters hard work.
I’m occasionally guilty of thinking this. And sometimes even more of a “wow, I really want to make that myself!” And gaining inspiration from someone elses work is fine, but don’t rip it off directly. Inspiration is a compliment. Imitation is theft.
You know, making soap? Not hard. Anyone can do it, really. Don’t want to play with lye? There are plenty of options around that as well. I have fun with it, but it’s not overly complicated. On the other hand, it is pretty time consuming. Given enough time & money, I’m sure you could duplicate everything I’ve ever made. I’m not ridiculously talented, I just like to play. But the next time you’re looking at something and thinking “I could do that!” ask yourself: Would you?
And don’t say it out loud. Crafters take pride in their work, even if our work isn’t super difficult.
Little known fact: I love buying handmade soap. This is slightly ridiculous, because not only CAN I make my own, but I do, gobs of it. I have enough soap to last through the apocalypse. I will be very clean when the zombies come. I also believe in supporting fellow soapmakers, because there’s nothing more depressing than someone rolling their eyes and dismissing your hard work with, “I can do that.”
That’s what’s great about cross stitch. It’s easy, but VERY time consuming. I’m unemployed, so it’s great. I haven’t heard anyone say “I could do that,” I’ve only heard “I couldn’t be bothered to do that.” Granted, I don’t spend as much time at craft fairs as you, so people might be slagging needlework all over the place.