Post #388177 by Paipo on Thu, Jun 19, 2008 2:39 PM

WOW...thanks for all the support. You guys really are the best!

Babs, yes...I didn't want to sound like a crybaby, but it is damn hard to make a living from this stuff. Our original designs are all we have to give us an edge over these guys (actually, most of those pieces are pretty shitty quality too.)

Perry, you are right...I knew I'd seen that one too. I think those Rolfe and Jackie ones are also sold by the same lady who sells Norm's and Silivenusi's work. It was pretty obvious that her ebay store has been targeted along with the TC marketplace. I find it intriguing that only NZ artist's work have been ripped off by this guy. Of course, we are at the other end of the world and don't attend Hukilau/Oasis/insert event here. None of this stuff has been listed on ebay or here either (which you might expect if he was ignorant of its origins) - it all seems very deliberate and careful. Some of the PMs I have had mentioned how hard it is to compete against these guys at events when they are using third world labour (and kiwi design!)

Tipsy, I knew you'd chime in on this, and you better believe if I was there I woulda caused a scene...but I'm in New Zealand and thus all I have is the power of internet and the tiki grapevine. And he'd have gotten away with it too, if not for one man and his camera. Makes me wonder how long this has been going on....

Ravs, unfortunately that was another guy - that's right, this is the second time this year I've had to deal with someone directly copying my work and selling it to the same market I deal with. The other guy was copying my contemporary jewellery designs right here in NZ and hawking them to galleries, but I haven't tracked him down...yet!

Kinny, thank you for starting my day with a :lol: - perfect!

Spread the word!