I volunteer a few days a week at the GK (great kiddos) school. I try to bring some sort of craft project with me, lately being fabric sample books I got (for free WORD!). I am taking apart the books, stripping off the backing of each sample and then cutting circles, cutting circles, cutting circles. It's not rocket science so I can help with homework or tell a kiddo to pay attention while I cut (and cut and cut...). Anyhoo, I'm chatting with the teacher, who is crafty in her own right, about making fabric rosettes for hair clips/headbands/etc.. I'm demonstrating how to twist and turn them when she exclaims, "Wow! It's great you're willing to share how to do these. So many women won't tell their secrets."
Hmmm, my first thought: How in the world is a fabric rosette a secret? 350,000 results on Google for "fabric rosette tutorial" suggest most folks know how or at least can find out in .19 seconds. But it's not the first time I've heard it; tutorial blogs stating "hey, don't use this to actually make anything someone might want to buy," craft business books suggesting it may be hard to find others in your exact crafting field willing to share information or advice with you.
Am I missing something? If I make hair bows and you make hair bows, are we now mortal enemies? Do I need to guard my glue gun techniques with a patent? Intellectual property is worth guarding, but a new way to best cut out a circle of fabric? I just don't think so. Do we miss an opportunity to better ourselves and others by sharing our mishaps, our eureka moments?
So while I'm trying to work to make this a business, ask me questions about how. I'll share my glue gun injuries, my sold that headband off my head moments...and the how to. If you end up making a fabric rosette or two, let me know.
