*Edited to add new pics 3/21/18
I've been sick and completely forgot to edit this to reflect the new sale date and time - TONIGHT, Wed. March 21 at 8pm PST in my Shopify store. Direct link here. The wings below are some of the offerings that will be available. Most will be repeat styles as I am working on things behind the scenes, plus some lower panels that you can add to your existing wings!
Copycats in Fairyland
Infringement Among the Fae
*Update: in 2023, Ashley started a new fantasy accessory business called The Flora Mystica
I wanted to address an infringement that's happened to a dear friend of mine who also happens to be a wing and crown maker. Angelia of On Gossamer Wings is someone who I have come to respect very much over the years, and even though we haven't met in person as yet, I consider her a good friend. We have even had to deal with a group infringement together (it was a pain, but we won).
Some years ago she was also friends with Ashley Ormaza of Freckles Fairy Chest, who, after getting wing making advice from Angelia, mysteriously blocked her on social media without explanation. Angelia was given the silent treatment, except for an email out of the blue at one point where Ashley claimed she has forgiven her and moved on - forgiven her for what, we don't know because Ashley refuses to respond to Angelia's inquiries as to why. Since then, Ashley started her wing company, making product that would seem to follow Angelia's work. At first, nothing exact enough to make a fuss about, just enough similarities to take note of.
However in 2014, Ashley approached a very popular fairy artist to procure a license to sell wings made after the wings in her Paisley Fairy painting. The problem is, the wing design in that painting was Angelia's.
Jasmine Becket-Griffith was not aware that someone already was selling that design as she found the wing design in line art form on a tattoo parlor website. Being on the back of a fairy in a painting, Angelia did not have any issue with the painting and in fact was flattered. I had tagged her in the comments of Jasmine's post when I saw it and we both thought it was cool, but an artist with thousands of comments can't be expected to keep track of every single one.
Ashley was not unaware of who that design belonged to in the slightest. She was very familiar with Angelia's work, having gotten personal help from Angelia, and she had shared photos of the wing style in question in the past as well. Below, Angelia's Crystal wings created in 2010, and a screen shot of Ashley sharing a photo of a necklace of the same design via her public Freckles Fairy Chest Facebook page when they were still on friendly terms.
In 2014, soon after the Paisley Fairy painting was posted on Jasmine's site, a new post showed new licensed wings would be available that look like the wings in the painting - not licensed to Angelia's company as they should have been, but instead to Freckles Fairy Chest. I was floored, this really looked like a blatant attempt to steal another artist's IP. Thankfully, Jasmine had the contract dissolved immediately, and we found out that it was in fact Ashley that had approached Jasmine to produce the wings.
Angelia did not speak out about it, due to the large following that Ashley had gained, but it was definitely hurtful and I was impressed with her ability to keep it under wraps. At least the wings weren't being produced, at least as far as we know. Below, the post about the licensed wings (deleted from FB since the contract dissolved) along with a screen shot from Ashley's public business page showing a photo of one of her friends or employees wearing an even closer copy of said wings. Was the more accurate copy what she had planned to ship out to customers, assuming that very slight changes to the ones in the license announcement would make it okay? We'll never know, but even if that is not the case, the only person with the right to that wing license would be Angelia.
After that, Ashley launched a new makeup business, and wing making seemed to not be a focus anymore, though she still sold crowns.
Angelia had made a crown that she included in one of her wing photos on a mannequin in 2016, but had not yet listed for sale. Some time later, Ashley made a strikingly similar crown which she would then sell through her Etsy site, before Angelia even had a chance to. It's one of her simpler designs, however in that case making it unique should have been easy to do. A few variations popped up as well, including on the cover of Faerie Magazine, however the first one is the most similar. Below, the first and second posts Angelia made of her crown in 2016, alongside the post from Ashley's public business page of the one she made.
Angelia has finally now offered it for sale (the first one sold but more will follow) and made clear that she had made hers first, and that another artist had been selling a copy of it.
There is more to this story, but I'll leave you with this - please purchase this crown style from the original artist if you like it. You can find her Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OnGossamerWings?ref=shop_sugg
It's unfortunate that Ashley has cut off communication with Angelia, even more unfortunate that she felt compelled to act out in this way, but it is my hope that maybe someday she will come to acknowledge her behavior in the past and present and perhaps offer an apology. As of yet, there has been none and I'm sad to say I have my doubts that one will be offered. I would be happy to be proven wrong.
Personal and professional integrity is important. Artist's rights are important too, and I have always been vocal about that.
I decided to make this post with all facts included, because I was accused of lying about the matter and challenged to prove the allegations by a family member of Ashley's.
This should be sufficient.
Winter Melts Into Spring With Headdresses and Hair Accessories Tonight!
Headdress Sale Tonight at 8pm PST
Though some in the country are still facing winter storms, on the west coast we already have spring blooms and warm days. The 7 winged headdresses and hair clips listing tonight at 8pm reflect both seasons as one melts into the other.
The first was the most intense to create, the Pink Blossomed Fairy Faun antler headdress. Lots of details such as gold / brass filigree in the center and at the horn tips, from which jeweled bead strands hang. Pink quartz crystals are hidden in the blossoms, and Swarovski crystals decorate the Salome wings on either side, which are made with actual metal frames! In fact all the pieces tonight except the Valentine headdress use wings that are mini versions of my original wing designs. It attaches via an adjustable elastic band that goes under the back of the head, which is removable, and also comes with clips at each side hidden underneath for extra security. You might be able to get away with wearing it without the elastic, but probably only for photos if you keep your head verrry still. The other 3 headdresses fanciest attach this way as well. The price of this one will be $359 plus shipping.
Pink Blossomed Fairy Faun Headdress, $359
The second headdress also sports antlers, but this one is done in a winter theme with silver, icey blue and white. Bluish crystals peek out from the icey flowers and iridescent sprays adorn each side along with the Salome mini wings done in White Satin iridescent with chrome silver veining, silver filigree and Swarovski crystals. This piece will be $325 plus shipping.
Silver Winter Fairy Faun Headdress, $325
The third piece is another wintery one, but I also think it would work great for a Navi cosplay! Silver lace, and cyan blue iridescent glass beads and silver chain adornments decorate this glittered faux flowered piece, and the mini wings are the Aynia design with Aqua film, white veining, silver filigree and Swarovski crystals. Will be $315 plus shipping.
Winter Nymph Headdress in ice blue, silver and white. $315
The 4th offering is also wintery, but in the form of clips that attach at either side of the head - and could also be used to clip onto your clothing! The mini wings are the Salome design, done in Aqua film with pearl veining and decorated with silver filigree and Swarovski crystals along with iridescent jeweled wire sprays and iridescent white beaded fringe. Will be $165.
Winter Salome Fairy Hair Clips, $165
Now for more flowery pieces! This Mucha inspired headdress of all white flowers has a touch of warmth with gold toned filigree, gold veined mini Aynia fairy wings on each side with iridescent crystals across the forehead and in the center metal piece. White lace and iridescent rhinestone strands hang from each side. $310
White & Gold Much Inspired Floral Headdress, $310
These Lavender Guinevere hair clips are done in the iridescent Lilac film with pearl veining, adorned with silver filigree and Swarovski crystals. Pearl and iridescent crystal sprays peek out from the lavender, blue and purple flowers and white iridescent beaded fringe and crystal strands hang under them. $195
Lavender & Silver Guinevere Hair Clips, $195
Last but not at all least, is the Valentine Guinevere Headdress. Unlike the others in this sale, these wings are printed and embossed acetate with iridescent film. I really like the effect the embossing has, although they aren't as rigid it gives them a really delicate look. There is a large and a small layer, so there are two sets of my mini Guinevere wings on each side, embellished with red heart, pink and iridescent Swarovski crystals. Red and pink flowers are at the base with gold chain swags draping below, from which red and pink glass beads hang. A gold lace band joins the two sides with an iridescent red jewel piece in the center, and red velvet and glittered large wired leaves are layered in back at either side. Held with clips, and also has loops for attaching elastic if desired. $315
Valentine Guinevere Headdress, $315
I will also have some rare made to order wings, which you will also be able to mix & match so you can choose which bottom panel you want with it! Remember to get there right on time at 8pm Pacific Standard Time, click through to the Shopify store.
Fairy Wing and Headdress Sale This Friday at 12:30pm PST!
This friday, February 16th at 12:30pm PST I'll be listing some wings and at long last, some headdresses as well. The first set of wings is a variation on the Queen Alexandria Asian Poppy wings I made last year, but this time in a pale pink and deep maroon on the iridescent White Satin base with the new Candy Coat Gold veining. I almost put hearts in these but since it would be after Valentine's day by the time these would list, I thought maybe I should leave them out. What do you think? Do enough of you fairies like hearts and pink & red combos throughout the year?
Guinevere fairy wings in Queen Alexandria Pink Poppy theme with candy coat gold veining
Guinevere "Queen Alexandria Pink Poppy" wings side view
Guinevere "Queen Alexandria Poppy" fairy wings side view #2
Much more to come! I'll be posting new sale items here on the News page from now on in addition to my social media accounts, as organic reach has become fairly abysmal these days compared to what it used to be.
Fairy Wing Sale Tonight and Sunday!
Winter Fairy Wings with glittery flocked frosty edges
Read moreDon't piss off the faeries! Infringement, Copyright and Owning Up
After being a few years of being mostly absent and taking a creation break from Second LIfe™, I've finally started revamping my store and digital merchandise starting with Bento animated wings. Content creation in SL is something I've really enjoyed, but couldn't manage while I was stuck with a slow computer incapable of handling new viewer updates as it made for a miserable experience. I finally got a new (used) iMac that could run SL with most of the bells and whistles, but I had been gone so long that the idea of learning all the new techniques and 3D applications seemed so overwhelming that I found myself a bit lost.
Until I found out that the new materials enabled viewer could show real-time iridescence!
True iridescence inworld, that was the shiny that got me to fall down the SL rabbit hole once more.
However, while browsing their marketplace listings for things I needed and checking out what else is out there I found quite a few pirated designs of mine being sold. In fact there's another one I found just this week that I haven't even had the time to file a DMCA notice for.
One DMCA I filed that infringed on one of my older designs, the Teasel fairy wings, back in June was taken down. And then this last month I noticed a very similar design had taken its place in the infringing party's store, similar but changed just enough to probably avoid a report.
That didn't surprise me so much so as the note at the end of the revised wing's description.
The seller stated "This is 100% my own creation. My previous pixie wings were removed due to a malicious DMCA report. I have all the original blender and PSD files that show the creation of these wings step by step. If this gets reported again, I will take legal action."
Really now. I created that design from scratch, the first set to Gypsy Tripsa, the originator of the Faery Crossing lands in SL. I registered it with the US copyright office to protect my IP and had been selling that design since 2007.
Except for pop culture designs like Tink's wings, I don't use existing designs in my work. I browse, I get inspired - and then I put it all away and start sketching. I don't WANT to use an existing design because why offer something that already exists? The creation, making something that had not been in existence previously is most of the thrill of art.
I bought a set of the new wings, and left a mediocre review with a comment about the previous design and how it was not at all a malicious DMCA but absolutely justified. After a few denials I then got the most bizarre explanation - that she admittedly was lazy and used the design from my physical wings, didn't realize I was in SL, and that it was "just the veins" anyway.
Sometimes, the ignorance is baffling. As if the vein work wasn't the core of the whole design, the thing that I registered with the copyright office. Along with this laughable admission, she also argued that I don't own pixie wings and that design has been around since before 2007. She provided some links that were downright ridiculous, probably the most different you could get from my design in every way - wrong shape, wrong veins, no similarity at all besides the fact that they are also wings.
My review has since been removed, but the statement claiming that my DMCA was malicious is still there. So this blog post will stay up as long as that petty little note is.
If I felt like wasting that time, I could have taken legal action myself as I know that willful infringement of registered intellectual property could not only incur actual damages, but up to $150,000 in addition for statutory damages. An admission of copying the work was captured in a screen shot.
Now, here is the Teasel wings photo that's been stolen more times than I can count, from before I knew to watermark the hell out of EVERYTHING. It's no longer on my website but photos of this design in various colors are still in my galleries and social media pages, and unfortunately probably in places online they shouldn't be.
Now, the reported wings below that she called Pixie Bento Wings. *Ahem* It's a pretty exact copy except for the smoother edges and different colors.
I don't need to say much more, except that this is just to make sure that anyone who sees the pirated design on the SL grid knows that this person profited off of my work and my property without permission or compensation, and the infringer is still amazingly adamant that somehow they were doing nothing wrong. Unfortunately SL no longer removes infringed items from the grid because they don't want to have to deal with potentially thousands of people pissed off that they no longer have a product they paid for.
So I'm re-releasing this design now in a new Bento animated, materials enabled format that's better than ever, and I didn't have to lazily steal someone else's work to do so.
Fancy Fairy Wings Featured in Faerie Magazine's Summer Issue
I am so excited to be featured in two different sections of this summer's Faerie Magazine issue!
Firefly Path created a flutter of gorgeous fairy gowns to create Queen Titania's Fairy Court from a Midsummer Night's Dream and paired them with my iridescent wings. You will find powerful faerie queen, and her court playing music or lounging in tree branches.
Another feature showcases Debra Mazar's daughter Gulieta as a Flower Fairy inspired by Mary Cicely Barker, in which she wears Fancy Fairy 'Aynia' wings.
The issue is already shipping to subscribers and I'm eagerly awaiting my copy!
You can find Faerie Mag in Barnes & Noble stores, or purchase & subscribe here:
https://www.faeriemag.com/
