Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

If only it was simply imitation.

To my disgust, I discovered yesterday that someone had not just imitated, but copied the majority of my website, selling mainly the same products. I am extremely disappointed that someone felt it necessary to do this and then cut their prices by 50% compared to mine.

Don't get me wrong, I know that there are plenty of talented, creative stitch marker jewellery designers out there and I enjoy looking at their work. There's a place for everyone and a niche in the originality of the designs. Until you copy someone else that is.

Most folk that love yarn and craft would understand that you can't simply copy someone else's ideas, down the text on their website - come on, at least be original with that, I mean, you've obviously created some handmade products, yet you have no imagination to present them in a different way to me. A coincide? I really don't think so. I know how long I spent finding the right words to describe my products and business, yet someone thinks it's OK to copy that and use it to sell their products. Did they think I would never know. Well I do. I know who they are and so do they.

Still I've been doing this for years and am well established in the knitting world, so should I be worried? Part of me is not worried, as I know from experience that her products are undervalued and the business model will not succeed for long at those prices. I will be more concerned when she realises this and increases the prices, which at least would reach my standard.

As with all businesses, evolution is inevitable and the way I feel right now, is that this is time to move on and reinvent the business, in part because someone has copied my work and also because I have found new words to describe my products and business. I realise too that it's nearly 6 years with much the same words and the world has moved on, and so inevitably I will too.

I've worked too damn hard at my business to let something like this put a spanner in the works.

So onwards and upwards....and to the copycat, what goes around comes around. That I do know.

Nicsknots Drawstring bags now available at Atomic Knitting!

We are very excited to announce that the lovely drawstring bags that are handmade by Nicsknots are now available to purchase from Atomic Knitting.

All Nicsknots sock project bags are handmade in the UK using a variety of funky printed fabric and fully lined with recycled cream material. With its drawstring, just pop your knitting in here and off you go.

Also ideal for knitting groups where you don't want your yarn rolling around on the floor but it keeps falling off your knee; pop the yarn in here and the problem is solved

With a circular base, this bag stands flat rather than some bags which have no proper 'base' and is loads bigger than most sock knitting bags. It's positively massive inside. The bags measures 15cm across the base and 17cm tall. (5.5 x 6.5 inches)

Which one will you choose?

We've selected some amazing bags such as the Russian doll print bag £10, which can be further accessorised with the Russian doll stitch markers which are now available in selected colours in sets of 3 from £4.95.

We also love the funky cat print on this bag - a must for any cat loving knitter £10.

And of course our collection would not be complete without a cupcake bag £10. Launching today in celebration of the end of National Cupcake Week....yes really!

Perfect for gift giving - simply team up with some stitch markers, yarn, needles or crochet hooks.

Buy today at Atomic Knitting

http://www.atomicknitting.co.uk/

Sparkly Cat Collars featured in Your Cat magazine July 2009

Bohobeads Boutique - our sparkly cat collars have been featured in Your Cat magazine under 'Bling up your cat'! We've had considerable interest in them and there are still some collars available at http://www.bohobeadsboutique.com

Bohobeads Boutique Cat Collars, labelled 4, 5 and 6 above

Argh! Beads Everywhere!

This is Pheobes, otherwise known as Trouble with a capital T.

Looking particularly mischiveous here after getting into the bead studio and wreaking havoc with the seed beads which are now all over the floor...hundreds of them!!!