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Friday, January 7, 2011

It's the New Year.......

...........and I'm already having an identity crisis! As you all know I have had a website and blog for several years now,
an Etsy site of the same name,

These sites include my Angelic Inspirations(angels), Angelic Melodies(musicboxes), Apronation(vintage inspired apron designs), Brown Bags (totes), etc. 
and last year I decided to put my aprons on thier own site, so in February I opened a second Etsy site
Apronation
Show off your Apronature!
When I created the word 'apronation' I checked everywhere to make sure no one had used that word. They hadn't, so began the online debut. Well, fast forward to January 2, 2011 and it seems someone has opened another Etsy site (Nov 2010 joined, added items Dec 25, 2010 for sale) using a variation of Apronation. I was working on my site and placed myself in the 'sellers' search peramiter and now there are 2. Apronation and AproNationUSA.
(sigh)....hence my identity problem.
After a brief Etsy convo, it seems the only thing I can do right now is place a disclaimer........................

AproNationUSA, a wholly seperate entity doing business out of Ca., is in no way affiliated with
Apronation, Brown Gingham Creations, or
Designer/Owner Melody Brown, of Oh.
Contents on Brown Gingham Creations and Apronation sites, including text, artwork, designs, and images, are the sole property of the author/designer and may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission.
All rights reserved 2008-2011

I hope this eleviates any confusion that may come up.

17 comments:

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Hi Melody!! Soooooooo good to see you! Oh gosh, I am so sorry about the ordeal with your new shop name!! What an aggravation! I wish you abundant success!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Melody, Happy New Year Sweet Friend. I am sorry to hear of the identity confusion with your shoppe name. As you said, the disclaimer places it all in good order. Best wishes for much success this year and beyond.
Hugs and blessings with love from Texas,
Celestina Marie

Sherrie said...

They had to have known that you were already an established shop. Shame on them. Good idea with the disclaimer. Just keep on doing what you do best. (It is frustrating though, isn't it.) Happy New Year to you and your family. Best wishes and success for all your enterprises.

KitschKrafts said...

Ugh! I hate when that happens. There is another company out of Australia, I think, with the same name as my company. I have been in business for many more years than them, but I know it's still confusing. Good luck to you!

LV said...

That is too much for me. I am sorry this had to happen, but it is hard to know what to do anymore.

Cinderella Moments said...

That is so annoying! With all the names you can come up with. I'm sure you'll come out on top.

Dena E's Blog said...

Hello Sunshine!!! Just getting here to say Thanks for the precious note you left on my PINK post, with your prayers...It touched my heart soooo very much..
I really need to stop by more often Sis... I did another post on BLUE Monday to thank all of your for your blessed prayers.. We give our days to God and do the best we can in following Him no matter what issues arise in our family or the news....And THANKFULLY I have special Sister's in Christ like you that help keep me focused on Him...What a blessings He has made blogging for me and hopefully for many others blogging for Him on the path towards Heaven.. Where, if we never are able to meet here on His earth, we will in His Heaven..Amen
BlessingsLovePrayersandHugs~~~Dena

craftyles said...

I hope upi can resolve the issue. It is frustrating when things like this happen. Best of luck on getting your Apronation name!

Diann said...

Hi Melody!
Sounds like someone liked your idea so much you chose to grab it for themselves. It's sad they couldn't come up with an original idea to use. I hope YOUR Apronation is a huge success!

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Hi Melody!
Oh no, I'm so sorry that is happening to you. ARGH!
When I went to create my Etsy shop, I found out right away that someone had already used the name I wanted - which really knocked me for a loop, since it was a name I had been called since childhood and had always assumed no one else would know about. WAH! I ended up using a similar name (with an omission plus what was the same, was spelled differently - after all, it was so very meaningful to me, it wasn't just a name I had picked out) but surely nowhere near as similar as yours (geez, that's IDENTICAL, except for the USA bit).
Holy moly! Looks like they blatantly snagged your name, the weasels. Sounds like you've made the best of the situation though and taken care of yourself the best you could.
Wishing you much success with your shop in 2011!

Sally

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by everyone. I appreciate your words. You've made me feel better!

Dena E's Blog said...

You are sooo PRECOIUS Sweet Sis.. LOVED the note tonight and I'll sure send up prayers for your parents and you..So much to get through somedays in this crazy world... Thank and Praise Him we have family and each other...
Keep warm and safe in His arms as you go through all you have to...
In my heart and prayers~~~Hugs Dena

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Melody,

Wow, that Apronation is an amazing name! No wonder other people have it too..but, it is brilliant!!!

And I love your description and "that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!" You are a riot! Now you can see why I don't want to get my picture taken...I think most of us feel that way!
XO

Shirley said...

Hi Melody, I hope your dad is feeling better and I am sorry about the snow. We were to get freezing fog tonight. It has been bitter cold and our furnace at work hasn't been working right. Today the thermostat only registered 60 degrees. It sure wasn't very good working conditioning. Our son is going to finish up his degree this semester while he looks for a job. He only needed 10 hours. He is looking forward to going to school. He has the qualifications for several jobs, just short the piece of paper. We went out for dinner last night. It was the first night that my other half acted like he wanted to do so. He had me worried for a couple of days because all he was doing was sleeping. His appetite wasn't that good either.
When I read about the ordeal of your shop name, I checked out mine to see how many used the a similar name to mine and what they did. I sent my Tiny Treasurers quilt to Australia. I haven't heard if it has reached it destination. Well I need to close for now. Take care, try to rest I know it is hard for you right now. I will say an extra prayer my friend. Your Missouri Friend.

NanE said...

Hi Melody! Well, that stinks, sorry someone has taken your name. I guess you should be flattered that you picked a great name, but it still stinks! Hope you can get this resolved, hugs Nan

Melissa said...

Oh, that's a bummer but your disclaimer is well-written. Apronation is a great name. What's that saying? Imitation is the highest form of flattery?

P.S. I have an award for you at my blog! http://www.nounsandviolets.com/2011/01/and-the-award-goes-to/

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Hi Melody, Finally catching up today! First, Happy New Year! This happened to my friend Beth a few years ago. She makes these fabulous pin cushions, and someone started making the identical ones, but also started marketing and packaging exactly the same as well! She was very upset, but in the end there is nothing that you can do about it. I guess "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" ?
♥, Susan