Does this t-shirt make me look…
…self-centered?
…misguided?
…fat?
Last year I drew a quick caricature self-portrait to amuse myself. To further amuse myself, I posted it here on the blog. It was well-received, everyone got a giggle, I taped the original sketch to my studio wall and we all moved on.
So last night I started playing around with that old image. I thought it would look cool on a T-shirt. Off to CafePress I went. Indeed, it appears that it does look cool on a T-shirt. And hey, maybe other people will also think it looks cool on a T-shirt. And maybe it will generate a modest bit of cash that can subsidize the yarn habit. So I pull the trigger. A store is born. Fun! Off I trot to the blog and write a somewhat tongue in cheek post about formerly wealthy, currently dead Italians. And some of you like the stuff, which is very cool because I like it too.
But come morning I’m feeling somewhat uneasy about it. Billy says, “Well, you’re kind of asking people for money.” And I hadn’t been thinking of it that way because I hadn’t really thought it through. And then I reread my post and cringed just a bit more.
And then I see this wonderful thing that Cara has arranged, this CafePress store where the proceeds are going to charity. On the same damn day as my silly little store. So I’m feeling sheepish and mistaken and like a capitalist pig of the most unpleasant sort.
So then the dilemma becomes what to do about this store. I like the image, and others seem to like it too. Do I pull the plug on the store? Do I leave it available for those who want it? I toyed with the idea of also donating the profits from mine to charity, but that opens a can of blog political worms of its own.
I donate to charities, including Heifer, on my own each year. However I don’t relish the idea of being the one in charge of a fundraiser, of keeping the tallies, of keeping track of the money and accounting for it… Many many kudos for those of you with the organizational and people skills to do that. I know me, I know my tolerance for public activity.
So here’s the deal, I think. And this is totally up for discussion. I would love your input… But here’s what I’m thinking. If you like any of the stuff in the store and would like to own it, that’s great. Enjoy it. Use it in good health. If you would prefer the money go to charity, please take the entire purchase price and donate to the charity of your choice. You see, the cut that one gets from a CafePress store is rather small (which is fair, as there’s no overhead so no risk on the part of the person who sets up the store. Ex: My cut of an $18.99 T-shirt sale is $2.00). If you only want the item because the proceeds are going to charity, please pass my humble T-shirt by and give the whole amount to a worthy cause.
Sounds eminently sensible and fair to me!
Posted by: di
Eh, $2? I know every little bit helps, but I think it’s cool that you keep what little cash you’ll be getting per sale. You’ve put it out there, and if somone is motivated to give the $$$ to charity, eveyone wins.
Posted by: Christie
Huh? selling articles you design is “asking for money?” What’s wrong with this picture? you can alwaysn donate a portion of your profits, should you realize any, yourself, as you see fit.
Your post yesterday cause ME to go to cafepress and open a shop of my own (Defarge.) Now the question is how to get the word out, have you thought of anything (besides posting to your blog?)
Posted by: e
Sounds eminently sensible and fair to me!
Posted by: di
Eh, $2? I know every little bit helps, but I think it’s cool that you keep what little cash you’ll be getting per sale. You’ve put it out there, and if somone is motivated to give the $$$ to charity, eveyone wins.
Posted by: Christie
Huh? selling articles you design is “asking for money?” What’s wrong with this picture? you can alwaysn donate a portion of your profits, should you realize any, yourself, as you see fit.
Your post yesterday cause ME to go to cafepress and open a shop of my own (Defarge.) Now the question is how to get the word out, have you thought of anything (besides posting to your blog?)
Posted by: e
Your post yesterday didn’t sound like asking for money, it just struck me as an opportunity if anyone wanted a cool shirt. I started wondering if it would make me happy to possibly have t-shirts from blogs I read…sorta like t-shirts from places I visit. Might be fun-not offensive. Anything to help yarn habits is good. Jane
Posted by: jane
the money i’m giving to charities is not coming from the same bucket as the money supporting your (or my) yarn habit. besides the fact that i’ve given a crapload of money to a million dog causes this year and i’d like to have some of it at least indirectly go to diego and sadie. so if this $$ goes to your yarn habit, that helps the yarn habit recover from the lack of $$ that went to the pups and the vet and the emergencies this year. so i’m pleased as punch.
Posted by: carolyn
What Carolyn said.
Posted by: Norma
Sell away, you lovely capitalist you.
😉
Posted by: claudia
I’m SO SORRY! I did not realize we did it on the same day. Please do not feel bad.
Here’s my suggestion (and I’m sorry if I’m repeating someone in front of me): Up your profit point and give part of the proceeds to charity. That’s what I’m doing with my sheepie cards. Honestly, the main reason I’m giving all to charity with the got gauge shirts is because I had the idea, but didn’t do any of the work. 😉 It’d be hard to split any profits.
I see nothing wrong with making money. (Although my family might beg to differ.) You’re not FORCING anyone to buy anything – if they want it, they can buy it. It’s their money after all.
What are you going to do with the book? Give it away? 😉
Posted by: Cara
Personally, I’m very glad you’re going to get $2 because I get to wear an original piece of art on my thong.
And you can quote me on that. 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
Your post yesterday didn’t sound like asking for money, it just struck me as an opportunity if anyone wanted a cool shirt. I started wondering if it would make me happy to possibly have t-shirts from blogs I read…sorta like t-shirts from places I visit. Might be fun-not offensive. Anything to help yarn habits is good. Jane
Posted by: jane
the money i’m giving to charities is not coming from the same bucket as the money supporting your (or my) yarn habit. besides the fact that i’ve given a crapload of money to a million dog causes this year and i’d like to have some of it at least indirectly go to diego and sadie. so if this $$ goes to your yarn habit, that helps the yarn habit recover from the lack of $$ that went to the pups and the vet and the emergencies this year. so i’m pleased as punch.
Posted by: carolyn
What Carolyn said.
Posted by: Norma
Sell away, you lovely capitalist you.
😉
Posted by: claudia
I’m SO SORRY! I did not realize we did it on the same day. Please do not feel bad.
Here’s my suggestion (and I’m sorry if I’m repeating someone in front of me): Up your profit point and give part of the proceeds to charity. That’s what I’m doing with my sheepie cards. Honestly, the main reason I’m giving all to charity with the got gauge shirts is because I had the idea, but didn’t do any of the work. 😉 It’d be hard to split any profits.
I see nothing wrong with making money. (Although my family might beg to differ.) You’re not FORCING anyone to buy anything – if they want it, they can buy it. It’s their money after all.
What are you going to do with the book? Give it away? 😉
Posted by: Cara
Personally, I’m very glad you’re going to get $2 because I get to wear an original piece of art on my thong.
And you can quote me on that. 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
When the jerk-off who’s been standing outside of my local bodega for the LAST NINE YEARS (no exaggeration) asks me for money EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, i find it offensive. When my friend Cari, who is not only a friend but a gifted artist, designs something cool and wearable that will make me think of her (and smile) every time I wear it, it makes me happy. That is NOT asking for money. There’s no difference between this or buying a friend’s pattern or book or anything else she or he created. You put it up there, and people can choose to buy or not buy. As to charity, we all (hopefully) do what we can. It’s apples and oranges. It’s also relative: could I do more? Certainly. Do I do more than most people I know? Yes. Is it good to be reminded that I could always do more? I think so. But I don’t think you should feel any remorse for the Cafe Press store. In fact, I hope you add to it over time.
Posted by: regina
What Claudia said: Nothing offensive in having your own CafePress shop.
I love the image btw.
Posted by: Steph
I don’t see anything wrong with it at all. You are licensing your design and there is nothing wrong with being paid for it.
Posted by: Anita
I don’t see anything wrong with it at all. You are licensing your design and there is nothing wrong with being paid for it.
Posted by: Anita
Also seeing nothing wrong with it. You write a book, you’re gonna sell that book, right? I design something, hopefully people pay me for it. You drew a really cool image, no reason in the universe you shouldn’t profit, even modestly, from people wanting to own that image. It doesn’t make you a non-charitable person.
Posted by: Jackie
I bought a shirt right away. You were very creative to come up with the image and then the idea to use it to ‘support’ yourself. It’s a great idea! I can’t wait for my shirt to come and I’m thinking of buying the journal, too.
Posted by: margene
I bought 5 mugs for the women in my writing group. Please go buy yourself some nice sock yarn with the proceeds. Life is short.
Posted by: Juliette
When the jerk-off who’s been standing outside of my local bodega for the LAST NINE YEARS (no exaggeration) asks me for money EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, i find it offensive. When my friend Cari, who is not only a friend but a gifted artist, designs something cool and wearable that will make me think of her (and smile) every time I wear it, it makes me happy. That is NOT asking for money. There’s no difference between this or buying a friend’s pattern or book or anything else she or he created. You put it up there, and people can choose to buy or not buy. As to charity, we all (hopefully) do what we can. It’s apples and oranges. It’s also relative: could I do more? Certainly. Do I do more than most people I know? Yes. Is it good to be reminded that I could always do more? I think so. But I don’t think you should feel any remorse for the Cafe Press store. In fact, I hope you add to it over time.
Posted by: regina
What Claudia said: Nothing offensive in having your own CafePress shop.
I love the image btw.
Posted by: Steph
I don’t see anything wrong with it at all. You are licensing your design and there is nothing wrong with being paid for it.
Posted by: Anita
I don’t see anything wrong with it at all. You are licensing your design and there is nothing wrong with being paid for it.
Posted by: Anita
Also seeing nothing wrong with it. You write a book, you’re gonna sell that book, right? I design something, hopefully people pay me for it. You drew a really cool image, no reason in the universe you shouldn’t profit, even modestly, from people wanting to own that image. It doesn’t make you a non-charitable person.
Posted by: Jackie
I bought a shirt right away. You were very creative to come up with the image and then the idea to use it to ‘support’ yourself. It’s a great idea! I can’t wait for my shirt to come and I’m thinking of buying the journal, too.
Posted by: margene
I bought 5 mugs for the women in my writing group. Please go buy yourself some nice sock yarn with the proceeds. Life is short.
Posted by: Juliette
Dude, I’m opening an online store (not CafePress, but still) in September or October. I’m going to be washing, carding and dyeing wool. Selling some handspun also if I can make it look like wool. And other stuff; stitch markers, felted needle holders, etc. Basically anything my mercenary little heart can think of.
I’m not going to be feeling like I’m begging for cash. If someone doesn’t want it they don’t have to buy it.
I don’t think you’re begging either. Go for it, and if you have $ left over at some point and feel like giving some to charity then do, but that’s got nothing to do with selling your stuff.
Posted by: Rabbitch
Hey, it’s your image. And you’re not forcing anyone to buy anything. It’s not weird.
I think I snorted out loud when I saw that there’s a THONG in your Cafe Press store. Please, please, please keep a running tally in your sidebar of how many Unreliable Narrator thongs are sold?
Posted by: alison
What everybody already said. Though I do find this post adorable.
Posted by: valentina
What everybody already said. Though I do find this post adorable.
Posted by: valentina
I am totally buying a thong. Wait…something about that seems kinda creepy. How would you feel knowing that I’m wearing your face on my crotch? (Did I just hurt thong sales or help them? do you want to know?)
I get where the “asking for money” concern is coming from, but you could’ve asked for money for the patterns you’re offering for free, and people would’ve gladly plunked down some dough. This is something else you’ve designed. And, I might add, getting a far smaller cut from those proceeds than you would have if the patterns were for sale.
By the way, what is so wrong with us that you feel bad for setting up a store, but then Cara feels bad for setting up her charity store? We all do good in our own way. Except me–I suck. (See? See how silly it is?)
Posted by: Em
I agree with Regina. So, sell sell sell, my dear. Because I, for one, WILL be buying a thong for myself, even though it won’t show off my big fat needle like a nice boy cut tight boxer would, I might just hang it on my wall and say “hi” to it every time I come home. I mean, what’s not to like about a self-portrait of you greeting me every night?
Posted by: john
I never get this. Why are people so reluctant to be capitalists? Why the guilt? You sell, people buy. You aren’t making them come here, read your posts, go to your store, buy your stuff. Why do you feel responsible? Why is money so taboo?
— the curious girl who talks about money on her Google-Ads-promoted blog
Posted by: Nadia
Dude, I’m opening an online store (not CafePress, but still) in September or October. I’m going to be washing, carding and dyeing wool. Selling some handspun also if I can make it look like wool. And other stuff; stitch markers, felted needle holders, etc. Basically anything my mercenary little heart can think of.
I’m not going to be feeling like I’m begging for cash. If someone doesn’t want it they don’t have to buy it.
I don’t think you’re begging either. Go for it, and if you have $ left over at some point and feel like giving some to charity then do, but that’s got nothing to do with selling your stuff.
Posted by: Rabbitch
Hey, it’s your image. And you’re not forcing anyone to buy anything. It’s not weird.
I think I snorted out loud when I saw that there’s a THONG in your Cafe Press store. Please, please, please keep a running tally in your sidebar of how many Unreliable Narrator thongs are sold?
Posted by: alison
What everybody already said. Though I do find this post adorable.
Posted by: valentina
What everybody already said. Though I do find this post adorable.
Posted by: valentina
I am totally buying a thong. Wait…something about that seems kinda creepy. How would you feel knowing that I’m wearing your face on my crotch? (Did I just hurt thong sales or help them? do you want to know?)
I get where the “asking for money” concern is coming from, but you could’ve asked for money for the patterns you’re offering for free, and people would’ve gladly plunked down some dough. This is something else you’ve designed. And, I might add, getting a far smaller cut from those proceeds than you would have if the patterns were for sale.
By the way, what is so wrong with us that you feel bad for setting up a store, but then Cara feels bad for setting up her charity store? We all do good in our own way. Except me–I suck. (See? See how silly it is?)
Posted by: Em
I agree with Regina. So, sell sell sell, my dear. Because I, for one, WILL be buying a thong for myself, even though it won’t show off my big fat needle like a nice boy cut tight boxer would, I might just hang it on my wall and say “hi” to it every time I come home. I mean, what’s not to like about a self-portrait of you greeting me every night?
Posted by: john
I never get this. Why are people so reluctant to be capitalists? Why the guilt? You sell, people buy. You aren’t making them come here, read your posts, go to your store, buy your stuff. Why do you feel responsible? Why is money so taboo?
— the curious girl who talks about money on her Google-Ads-promoted blog
Posted by: Nadia
Some days it seems like blogland is overflowing with misguided guilt. I have to disagree with your equating this to “asking people for money” Do you feel guilty when people pay you to write? I don’t think so. I say, God Bless America – a place where you can share your creativity and enjoy the fruits of your labor. By the way, some of my best friends are capitalist pigs – and I mean that in the nicest possible way. 🙂
Posted by: Lisa
Relax. If we like it we’ll buy it. You’re an artist. You have provided each of us the means to be a cyber-Medici and how wonderful is that? A work of art with a personal connection to the artist. Here’s to you — clink.
We can exercise our charitable inclinations more directly. One thing has nothing intrinsically to do with the other so don’t overanalyze it.
— Catherine
Posted by: Catherine
Hello! I have been feeding myself for years now because people buy tee shirts. You got a problem with that?? 🙂
Posted by: Cassie
Bravo, I say! I just ordered one of the tote bags because it’s cool, not because you’re any kind of capitalista. You and I have never met (at least I don’t think so – were you at the Point on Sunday afternoon?). But I’ve been reading your blog for a while now as I’ve learned my way around the knitblogs, and I think you’re great. I also think you deserve to be paid for your work. I’ll be proud to carry my knitting around in my new tote bag!
Posted by: Gina
Every artist needs patrons my dear. If Leonardo had access to Cafe Press, I’m sure he’d be in there with his Mona Lisa thong too (and Davis willy warmers too).
Posted by: Alison
That would be the DAVID willy warmer, not the lesser known Davis willy warmer mentioned above. Both were eminently different, and the Davis made no money for Leo. Although the image of Davis did do mildly well on a coffee mug where the rotund nature of the mug distorted things slightly.
Crap. That’ll teach me to proof read before hitting Post.
Posted by: Alison
Some days it seems like blogland is overflowing with misguided guilt. I have to disagree with your equating this to “asking people for money” Do you feel guilty when people pay you to write? I don’t think so. I say, God Bless America – a place where you can share your creativity and enjoy the fruits of your labor. By the way, some of my best friends are capitalist pigs – and I mean that in the nicest possible way. 🙂
Posted by: Lisa
Relax. If we like it we’ll buy it. You’re an artist. You have provided each of us the means to be a cyber-Medici and how wonderful is that? A work of art with a personal connection to the artist. Here’s to you — clink.
We can exercise our charitable inclinations more directly. One thing has nothing intrinsically to do with the other so don’t overanalyze it.
— Catherine
Posted by: Catherine
Hello! I have been feeding myself for years now because people buy tee shirts. You got a problem with that?? 🙂
Posted by: Cassie
Bravo, I say! I just ordered one of the tote bags because it’s cool, not because you’re any kind of capitalista. You and I have never met (at least I don’t think so – were you at the Point on Sunday afternoon?). But I’ve been reading your blog for a while now as I’ve learned my way around the knitblogs, and I think you’re great. I also think you deserve to be paid for your work. I’ll be proud to carry my knitting around in my new tote bag!
Posted by: Gina
Every artist needs patrons my dear. If Leonardo had access to Cafe Press, I’m sure he’d be in there with his Mona Lisa thong too (and Davis willy warmers too).
Posted by: Alison
That would be the DAVID willy warmer, not the lesser known Davis willy warmer mentioned above. Both were eminently different, and the Davis made no money for Leo. Although the image of Davis did do mildly well on a coffee mug where the rotund nature of the mug distorted things slightly.
Crap. That’ll teach me to proof read before hitting Post.
Posted by: Alison
I just re read the post, and it doesn’t sound like begging at all.. just a “hey, I found a way to help support myself”
Posted by: Teresa
When I saw your store I thought – geez, that’s a great shirt – and then I remembered that I’m freaking broke and considered starting my OWN Cafe Press store. Everyone has their own reasons for their capitalism. Some good (yarn, doggies and charity) some bad (novelty yarn, fast food and illicit drugs).
Posted by: Stephanie VW
I just re read the post, and it doesn’t sound like begging at all.. just a “hey, I found a way to help support myself”
Posted by: Teresa
When I saw your store I thought – geez, that’s a great shirt – and then I remembered that I’m freaking broke and considered starting my OWN Cafe Press store. Everyone has their own reasons for their capitalism. Some good (yarn, doggies and charity) some bad (novelty yarn, fast food and illicit drugs).
Posted by: Stephanie VW