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I can't believe this but I just got this email that complained about my choice to make a cat and I was going to share it here on TT when I saw that Krista got the same exact email (posted under "rudest email ever")... check it out: (I deleted the sender's name)
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> Hi Kathy, your cat is very cute, but I wonder why you well known artists have
to do cats now that a couple people have started doing them and are finding a
niche. Why do well known artists have to jump in on it, when somebody starts
doing something other than bears. I hope the collectors will notice that you are
just following suit and creating not what you want, but what is selling right
now!!! You have an amazing name for yourself so have no problem selling your
adorable bears, why on earth would you want to take some of the potential
customers away from others???? Your cat is sweet, but to me it looks like a
modified Lisa Pay pattern. I would say keep up with your absolutely adorable
bears.
This was my answer to the email:
We artists all try to expand beyond what we know that we already do well. If you
watch my creations then you will see that I have recently make a penguin, a
mouse, a fox, a dog, and a raccoon. When you design other animals you stretch
your abilities because you have to really think about your designs and do a lot
a problem solving along the way. I am familiar with Lisa Pay's dogs because we
did a show together and she was across the aisle from me but I honestly have
never seen one of her cats. Why did I decide to try to make a cat? Well, it
wasn't because I was influenced by cats that I had seen by other artists...it's
because I have been reading a series of novels where cats are the main
characters. They are mystery books by Lilian Jackson Braun "The Cat Who...."
series. I've probably read a dozen of them over the past year. That was my
influence for making a cat. I'm sorry that you thought that I had another reason
for making a cat but it was simply because I felt like making a cat. I will
continue to make my pandas and bears but I will also make any and every other
animal that challenges my creative abilities. I hope that you will continue to
enjoy watching my creations...even if I make more cats if they are requested.
But I had made my cat and I was already thinking about what animal I wanted to
try next.
Hugs~
Kathy
So what do you all think?
YorkshireGood for you!!!! :clap: :clap: :clap: Hopefully this will put an end to her horrible emails!
Hugs Ali x
P.S. I've just gone on ebay and seen your cat - she's adorable 
and I would LOVE to have her as part of my hug (if I only had the money) 
Posts: 1,836I think you answered her perfectly. :hug:
Questioning others artistic desires ...all whilst throwing backhanded slaps mixed in with "adorable". ????? Nothing better to do on a lovely mother's day weekend?
I worked for a man who owned his own shop...several actually. He himself was very very customer oriented, BUT he wouldn't allow for people to abuse him or his workers just because they were potential customers. The customer wasn't always right.....a phrase that some times allows for abusive people to take advantage of others. I think valuing our collectors and potential consumers is key, but when push comes to shove we also need to be able to stand our own and let those who would hurt us know that we don't accept it. It can't be a one way street of respect and fuzzies as you're getting beat about the head with rude comments and accusations (Is she saying you used a pattern?? That takes some nerve too)
You were perfect Kathy!
:hug:
~Chrissi
Waggle BearsIs this person one of your collectors?
I thought you were a much more diplomatic in your response than she deserved. And certainly you shouldn't have to justify why you challenge yourself to make a particular animal or explain why you wanted to try something you hadn't tried before. If people limit themselves to what's comfortable and what they know right now, they stop growing and learning.
Troll=Kelly
I'll never know why people take satisfaction in being rude and offensive.
OMG Kathy, that is totally the same person, I haven't even responded because there is no way that I can be remotley nice!!! I just can't get over the pardon my wording Balls, that this person thinks they have, or has grown sitting behind their computer!!!
Hugs,
Krista
I'm glad you all think that I had a good reply but I honestly was thinking much stronger words....but I kept them in my head and off the written page.
To answer Marlys' question: I have no idea who this person is, she is just someone who asked to be on my mailing list.
:hug:
Kathy
BrisbaneYour cats are beautiful ladies and in no way a copy of anyone else's work.....Hmmm does that mean because we all make bears that we are copying each other?? 
Kathy, :hug:
You do exactly what you please...It is your business...
Competition is healthy and happens in all industry.
True artists grow, change and develop.
And if you want to run a good business you have to bend with customer demand anyway....
Your cat is excellent... Make many more...
Just as cute as all your other furies...
I'm making a cat right now...lol...
Im never shocked at the things that happen on ebay....
Way to go Kathy! Your reply was so professional, yet got your point across.
I hope that you didnt let this silly letter bother you. I would simply delete it and not give it another thought!
Keep making you darling kitties!
Bear Hugs,
Kim
Posts: 535I am so very sorry that anyone is receiving these emails!!! You answered her in a calm and professional manner - way to go! I would have not been so nice!
Hugs,
Julie
Real Deal BearsWow Kathy, your repy email was excellent. Unfortunatly, I never saw the cat that was being refered too, I bet it was a sweetie like all your designs are.
It sounded to me that this person is friends with someone who specialises in cats. How very narrow minded of her to say only one person can make them.
It's weird as I have just been commissioned to do two cats, and I will probably look at making more. But, I have been given a free hand thank goodness and time to do them.
I was going to refer them on to someone who makes cats, but couldn't resist the challenge 
Keep stretching those boundaries, and there is always the blocker button on email
LuxembearsKathy here's a quote from Mother Theresa: " When you are successful you will have genuine enemies......but never stop being successful."
Never let anyone bully or intimidate you. Your response was spot on but if they continue to email you I would not honor it with any more responses. There is quite a lot of insecurity in this business.....and inapproriate behavior. 
Waggle BearsJudi: That's a great quote from Mother Theresa, and, unfortunately, many times true.
LemonWolf: Wow, that letter didn't even give you any backhanded, nasty compliments. Very hateful. I think this is the key:
...and the outrageous prices they were getting...
Your bears certainly are unique. I've never seen anything like them before. This lady needs to get a hobby to keep her busy or a husband. She's got too much free time if she can write such nasty letters and write to a list of artists to "tell on you."
She sounds like she could be the lady that was on YouTube the other day talking to a telemarketer.
Kathy here's a quote from Mother Theresa: " When you are successful you will have genuine enemies......but never stop being successful."
Never let anyone bully or intimidate you. Your response was spot on but if they continue to email you I would not honor it with any more responses. There is quite a lot of insecurity in this business.....and inapproriate behavior.
Well said Jodi !!!!!! 
Well, after seeing that Krista got a similar email and Lemon Wolf Bear got an even nastier email...at least I know that I am not alone.
Thanks for all of the great supportive feedback! After 20 years of working hard to build up a good reputation it is just infuriating to be accused of copying but I am grateful that I had Teddy Talk so I could vent my frustrations.
Hugs~
Kathy
Kathy and Krista, I find if you just let these 'paranoias by proxy' give you strength then the negativity you get from them becomes a source of inspiration..it's case of letting your work speak for you and just not even giving it a second thought. While people like this are obsessed with what everyone else is doing they are doing nothing positive for themselves..I often wonder why they can't see that themselves!!!
I am sure that the artists are not in the least concerned so why should this person be!!!
I do think Judi is right...that jealousy is what is usually at it's root....you'll always get loads of mates if you are not a concern because of doing work that is not threatening to anyone...but the minute you start doing work that is superb someone, somewhere is going to try to knock you down!! That isn't to say you only just started to do superb work but you know what I mean!!
In my time as an artist I have had lots of negativity of this type..which I won't elaborate on...but even the times that I felt low about it usually resulted in me pulling something new out of the bag to prove them wrong..in fact I would go so far as to say that it actually helped me!!!! It made me try harder than maybe I would if it hadn't happened!!!!
Director Blake Edwards famously said at the Oscars when he got a lifetime achievement award 'Thanks to my friends..and thanks to my enemies..I couldn't have done it without you....'
I think that makes things like this almost a cause for celebration!!
Posts: 8,574Bravo Kathy. Excellent reply.
And isn't expanding and growing part of what makes a real artist and artist?
dilu
Storytime BearsKathy I did the same thing on Krista's thread I thought you would get a kick out of it too, I took out some of the original email:
"Hi Kathy, your cat is very cute, You have an amazing name for yourself so you have no problem selling your
adorable bears, Your cat is sweet, keep up with your absolutely adorable bears."
Hugs
Jodi
Your cats are great and keep on making them.
A great reply to the letter Kathy.
Hugs
Carolyn
Storytime Bears
'Bear' Bottoms OriginalsKathy,
I couldn't have responded any better; good for you for standing up for yourself, and in a mature, calm manner! I received an email quite some time ago about supposedly copying someone else's work and was so furious I had to stop and reread my reply many times over just to make sure I hadn't lost my head! lol I'm glad you don't feel like you are copying anyone else by making a cat (or ANY other animal)... we are all artists, and the wonderful thing about art is the freedom of expression we have through it. Absolutely no one should receive emails like that for being creative.... there's enough room for all of us!
And by the way, both yours and Krista's cats are completely DARLING.... I'd be sad if I didn't see more! Perhaps I need to make a mouse to go along with your cats! 
Kimberly W.
So very true!!!
Yes Please Kim....make some mice!!!!
Hugs,
Krista
