You know that moment when you feel like you've had an amazing idea, and you work really hard on that idea, and it turns out better than expected?
Then you decide to share it with others because you want everyone else in on the fun?
What you didn't realize was that eventually, no one would know that it was your idea in the first place, and your feelings are just a little bit hurt.
This is where I am right now...my feelings are just a smidge hurt.
Almost 2 years ago, I turned a little old $5 yard sale table into this LEGO Table.
And for those of you who may be concerned...the table had been sanded down by the previous owner, and it wasn't a priceless antique that I decided to butcher and then paint;-)
It was cheaply made, and thus, I felt completely justified in giving it new life.
Since then, I have seen this table EVERYWHERE!
At least weekly, I see it on a blog, Facebook or Pinterest.
When you search "Lego Table" on Pinterest or Google, it's one of the first images to appear.
I find this truly mind-boggling...especially since my blog only gets a little over a thousand page views a day.
What bothers me, is when my images are taken from my blog without permission...altered...and then sent across the internet with no recognition of who the owner is. This is a common thing, I know, and comes with the blogging territory, but it's still slightly irritating.
Case in point.
I have seen this picture over and over again on Facebook.
It's exciting to see at first because I see how many "likes" and "shares" it has under the picture(sometimes a few, sometimes hundreds of thousands).
But then, I notice that something is missing.
My water mark.
Big thumbs down.
Now obviously, if someone really wanted the complete tutorial, all they would have to do is type "Lego table" in any search engine, and they would come across it in no time.
But that's not the point.
It's my work, and I'd like for people to be directed to my blog...plain and simple.
Like I said before, I realize that's the nature of the beast...got it.
I will say this...for those of you who have found me, whether it be from Google, Facebook, Pinterest, or any other search engine, and have commented on the post, shared the post, sent emails asking for permission to use my photos, or sent words of encouragement, I thank you for that.
It means so much to me to know that I am inspiring others to turn "trash into treasure", to give new life to an old piece, to be creative when you start with something small.
That is what I love to do, and if I can help someone else develop that same love, then it's been a good day.
And for those of you who say that this table obviously belongs to someone who doesn't have "a real Lego collection," you'll be happy to know that all of our Legos do not fit in this table, but we don't have a huge collection either. We have enough, and the kiddos seem to be completely content with what they do have:-)
Rant over. :-)
7 comments:
It certainly proves you had a wonderful business and creative idea - but it really feels awful when you don't get credit for it and people start using your stuff without permission.
I see it too!! ALL the time on Pinterest. This table and your chalk board menu. I stop while scrolling and think, "I know who made that!" I can see where it would be frustrating. I'll start linking your blog when I see it! lol! :-)
~Jana
I'm glad I found your original post and I can't wait to explore your blog. I see the 'not a real lego kid' comments too and they really upset me. My daughter is 4.5 and she has one box of 500 pieces which she loves. It's going to be a few years before she can build those massive sets. So until then a set up like that will suit her just fine as she makes little houses and cakes and gardens and whatever else she can think of for her little people.
There are always going to be "haters". Some people just feel the need to say nasty things like that (about your Lego collection). Take comfort in the fact that these kinds of people are just naturally unhappy with their life and want to bring others down. I LOVE your Lego table idea! I'm thinking out making one for my grandchildren. And if I do, I will DEFINITELY give credit where credit is due. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
I first found your table on pinterest. The 1st photo that I saw linked to someone else blog with no instructions. This sent me on a journey to find the directions largely because I wanted to make several of these for my grandsons and wanted to know the source for your basket. But also because I try to always check where pinned pictures link to and very strongly try to only link back to the original post when I pin anything. It infuriates me when a pinned picture on pinterest only links to someone's "collection of other bloggers projects.
I just wanted to say thank you for your original tutorial! I canme across the picture on Facebook, sadly without your watermark and searched until I found your blog. I hate when I find deadlinks on Pins or Facebook becuase its so obvious the picture was stolen.
I want to buy one of these from you
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