You’ve got to be kidding me! Postage is going up to $.78? The jump in the price of everything is shocking, isn’t it? And now, just as I’m getting ready to post old patterns for sale, postage is going up. Dang.
I have checked Etsy throughout the day and Samantha still has not taken down Long Tall Chickens. I’ve not heard from her either.
So this afternoon I pulled old patterns for sale.
- I didn’t choose any dolls.
- I didn’t choose any Christmas.
- Previously I had planned to make patriotic patterns available May 1 so I avoided them now.
- Each pattern will require its own SASE. If you’re ordering several patterns, throw in enough money to cover postage and I’ll put them all in one big envelope.
- I’ll leave the price at $5.00 each with the possibility of going up to $7.00.
- I tried doing pdf downloads several years ago – the people I “hired” to set it up and take care of it for me all quit – too much work, they couldn’t figure out how to do it, too many complaints and questions from customers. Such as – I paid for my pattern but I don’t know where it went. Sigh.
- I am willing to make these copies and mail them if you’re willing to help by following these guidelines.
- I don’t have time to check all measurements and let you know. Look at the picture and get a general idea of size.
9. The pattern was only $5.00 – toss it if you don’t like it when it arrives. No refunds.
10. Most patterns have multiple pages which will require 2 stamps. I can’t have each one weighed at the post office. If I have to add a stamp, I’ll just have to do it.
11. This won’t be a perfect pattern sale. I have no patterns on hand so each will be a new copy.
12. No, you will not have my permission to make pdf downloads of these patterns and sell them as your own design.
13. All patterns have current copyrights.
14. Customers often don’t realize how long it takes the post office to get their patterns to them. By the time you mail the order, I receive it, I fill it within 2 days and mail it back, there can be many delays.
Put this post somewhere if you think you might want to refer to it in the future.
These patterns are all $5.00 each and will go up to $7.00 each eventually.
Some of these patterns have quite a few pages – without listing each one with its own postage I just have to guess and you will, too.
These two multiple sheet patterns have never been made available but now each one is $15.00 each.
We can only try this – if there’s too many problems or complaints, I’ll just shut it down. I’ve never had any intention of posting these old patterns but the Etsy problem is forcing me.
I so appreciate all your support to fight Etsy’s willingness to allow someone to lie and claim to be the designer of a pattern that wasn’t theirs to begin with.
It’s been an exhausting day – what shall I sew tonight? How about Long Tall Chickens?
Here’s a real life experience from years ago. We were getting ready for one of our big sales when a customer who was shopping in the days ahead of time asked if I’d consider selling some antique I had. I told her it would be at the rummage sale. She said to me, “Pretend this is the first day of your rummage sale.”
Thanks to all who came to my aid and contacted the seller and/or Etsy. The only way the copyright issue will not be a problem is when I die.
I just checked and your pattern is gone from her Etsy page. There is a “real” pattern for $6.00. Your readers and your persistence paid off.
Oh Mary, I have been traveling &I am so sorry to read that someone has the gall to steal your patterns. I can only imagine how much time & effort it takes to put your quilt ideas onto paper. I do believe that I still have the Bone Appetit pattern somewhere in my sewing room. I made it for a beagle living friend.
Mary, Thanks for all you do. This seems like a great solution, at least until some other dishonest person decides to steal from you. Anyway, it seems fair and I am more than willing to add a little bonus dollar when purchasing so Uncle Sam gets theirs(I hear the postal service is struggling too).
Move forward with a smile.
Honestly, Mary, did you ever wonder if these people are plotting against you with all their contemptible activity, hoping to wear you out so that copyright will no longer be an issue? I’m kidding, but just barely.
I wrote to Samantha, using a reasonable tone, explaining the issue and suggesting that if this were an honest mistake she should rectify it now because continuing to sell your patterns after she knows she is doing so without the permission of the copyright holder indicates bad intentions. I gather she does not care how it looks.
I’m going to have to quickly order some checks!! “Bone Appetite” is calling my name.
Rule of thumb is 4 standard pages per stamp. Or thats what I was told a million years ago before dirt.
Heidi – and unless I tell you how many pages and what size each page is, how will you know? These old patterns are printed on 17×22 which will need to be copied on 11×17. A far cry from 8-1/2×11 of 4 pages per stamp. Can you see my problem here? It’s endless.
How to report a shop
You can report an entire shop on Etsy.com.
To report a shop on Etsy.com:
Visit the shop on Etsy.com and choose Report this shop to Etsy.
Select a reason from the dropdown.
Choose I don’t think it meets Etsy’s policies, then select the reason why you’re reporting the shop from the list of available options.
Enter a note about why you’re reporting the shop.
Choose Report this shop.
Brenda – I’ve done this and heard from nobody.
there is an article on etsy support on how to report this sort of thing. I tried to copy and paste the directions but the paste is not happening. SORRY.
Mary, I also found your patterns for sale on Etsy from TABA, Terry in Bell, Florida. They were in your Country Threads package, had a lady’s name in cursive at top, previous owner I assumed. I just typed in baskets and scrolled finding them with others as a groups of three patterns, assorted, to buy.
I really hope that it will all work out for you and not be an overwhelming job.
So sorry people are ignoring the copyright laws. Thanks for making these wonderful patterns available to us. I really appreciate your efforts. Take Care, 🥰
Seeing your patterns brings back memories of stopping at your store.
…I just tried your link-I received the message item is no longer available!!!!!
Donna- really? That’s great news / I wonder how many more Country Threads patterns she’s offering
I am so sorry you are so flustered.
I would be to, working hard for so long designing your patterns. I did google “how long does a copyright last”? It said the life of the person plus 70 years. I have a few of your patterns but many many many books!
I love Country Threads. I wish I could have seen your store.
One more question: Do we write the checks to Mary Etherington? I don’t remember what we did before.
Betty in Rapid City
Betty – yes, checks made out to Mary ETHERINGTON
Betty – and here’s another bump in the road I hadn’t thought of yet – I will need to pay sales tax on these patterns so I will need accurate records.
Oh, Mary. You are going to have your hands full with orders for all of the patterns. In case you haven’t thought it through, yet. Maybe you should wait a few days after the requests for patterns start arriving. It might help is you would sort thru the orders by the pattern/patterns they want? Then if you have 10 orders for a certain pattern, you could run 10 patterns at one time and fill those orders. You’d need another plan if somebody orders 5 different orders…….
You could find yourself up to your ears with orders. There are so many ‘newer’ fans and they never had the privilege of visiting your shop and seeing all of the creativity.
Luckily, I have the ‘Long, Tall Chickens’ and I love it. It is a great pattern.
I’m even going to order another pattern, but that will be thru the mail. The news said today the postage may go up on July 13, but it hasn’t been approved yet. It would be nice if their delivery would be better. Right now I’m not very happy with their service.
So, DO NOT wear yourself out filling all the orders. I’m sure the ladies will be very happy to get their patterns in 2 or 3 weeks, or longer.
Take care. Betty Klosterman
Betty – that’s sweet of you to give me that much time to fill orders! Yes, I’ve got lots of chores and yard work to fill my time. I’ll let this first group of patterns fit for a bit before I work on the next batch / it’ll be an all summer job!
Oh my goodness this is like a dream come true seeing all these patterns of yours to browse through. I’m too tired to start my order on a piece of paper and now can’t wait to have my coffee in the morning and begin. Thank you Mary for this wonderful opportunity. I hope all cooperate to make this a good experience. You’ve listed everything we need to know. Thanks a lot for making your patterns available.
Kathy – these are the oldest ones that I started with
Shocking to think people disregard copyrights. I went through at least 20 pages in Etsy and came about 20 of your patterns for sale. I hope you hear back from Etsy and ‘Samantha’. I will order tall chicks…I will send $ in the mail.