As a former shopowner, and a current teacher of Decorative Painting, I am very excited to see the sales of painting packets and books still flourishing here on ebay- that means there are still artists out there looking for that special design to use to paint an heirloom. However, I am sad, and angry, about the sellers who are selling photocopies of an artist's designs.

My first piece of advice to any buyer, before bidding, is to do a web search for the artist and check her website FIRST. That "seminar" or OOP (Out Of Print) design may well be offered directly from the artist. If it isn't, call and ask her! She may be willing to check her "stash" for you. And it amazes me to see prices approach $50-60 for a design that is current and offered for $8.00! Check the web for the artist's site before you bid!

I recently sold a design- for a LOT of money, and when asked by the losing bidders to make/sell a copy, I did another search, intending to give the artist's website to the disappointed bidders. Lo and behold, there was the design- newly on her website! I refunded the sale price and gifted the packet to the very surprised buyer, and let the others who had inquired know about the packet being available.

Another thing to check is the sales or feedback of a seller. Recently, a seller offered a "seminar" design by Jo Sonja. Yes, she may have taken the class, but the design is on Jo Sonja's site for $8.50. I checked the seller's feedback, and this packet had been first sold by her for $8. She then re-sold it for $68!!!!, and she offered second chances to the other bidders. Making copies? I certainly think so!

I conduct seminars for Big Brushes, and very often have left over packets. And will sell them as such (and offer second chances only if I have another packet). This listing, however, stated that she took the class- hmmm, in most cases only 1 packet is given out to a student. Re-selling the same packet again and again- copying? Could be! Geesh, I recently sold a lot of older packets from seminars- only one of each, and had so many emails asking for copies- at incredible prices- can't do it, ladies! If your seller will, she's dishonest.

Check the dates of the photos, too. A recent seller had Bringle packets that were selling and reselling. I bought 3 of them- older OOP designs. All on brand new paper (she had even photocopied paint splotches from her original instructions)- older paper is a bit discolored. And the dates on the back of the (new) pictures were all from the same recent batch, even though the designs were published 3-4 years apart. And yes, her sales and feedback showed the same patterns selling many many times over.

Joyce Howard "patterns". Being sold as "prints" to frame.  Clearly stated in the listing that they are copies of the old line drawings. Those were successfully removed from ebay- the seller clearly stated they were copies. The patterns of the Howard stocking, cookie box and santa are still being offered, though- so buyer beware- they are copies.

If you find your purchase to be a copy, or suspect it to be one, contact the artist- they are very happy to help. If a copy- then contact the seller- explain, and ask for a refund because your item is SNAD- Significantly Not As Described. File a refund request with Paypal for that reason. Your seller will claim "I bought them from someone else". Well, you've paid for an original design packet, regardless of its source.

Why be concerned about copying of patterns? Well, Copyright Law protects the artists- they alone are authorized to make up their design packets. It interferes with the income derived by the artists from legitimately produced packets.

In conclusion, as I state in every one of my packet listings:

As with every pattern I sell, this is an original pattern packet, not a photocopy. Please note that some designs are being illegally photocopied and resold- know what you are buying and if in doubt don't hesitate to contact the artist!