Last weekend, Etsy Team Columbus hosted the 2nd annual Eco-Chic Craftacular in Columbus. The purpose of the show is to focus on environmentally-friendly approaches to our creations, feature crafts that promote green living, and bring awareness to the importance of community support.

As a core member of ETC, I had the pleasure to re-design the website this year. I also had a booth, and used the opportunity to finally pull it all together and show the designs I’ve created in the way that I wanted them brought into life.

I had a fantastic weekend and a great show, with constant positive feedback and prints that were flying off of my table! It was such a rewarding experience. And completely different from the same show last year, where I felt anxious and even a bit embarassed about my creations. This time there was much less of that- because I’ve grown personally, and also because these are such a reflection of who I am and I was able to bring them out of my head and have them fully formed. I didn’t need the pressure to talk to customers or share bits about my talents and all those things the craft blogs tell you to do to sell. I just made them, and loved them, and they went.

A few show highlights:

Overall, I gave myself a pat on the back for having my best show yet, and putting it together in about 3 weeks while going through a divorce, working full time, changing careers, enrolling in classes, and all the various tasks that take up time in life. Not complaining or bragging, just simply proud of myself for this moment.

These are some things I have put together for a friend who DJ’s at a local bar, to use on Facebook for his fan page and events. He knew the designs he wanted to pull from and I just made it happen. And then I got carried away and made a FIERY LASER EYED UNICORN OF DEATH!!!1!! my little pony. These things happen.

Hey, did you know Ohio fuckin rocks?

Comment submitted to several of my posts on this blog:

OHIO ROCKS Inc has the pairing of words “Ohio rocks” trademarked. Based on trademark registration #77524790 was request that your clothing ads not contain the words “Ohio rocks” together. You may not give info about places to consumers and sell products using our mark. Please Remove this title and meta tag within 3 business days. If not removed we will seek a legal resolve involving in damages. Thank you for your time in this matter.

Jason White
President
OHIO ROCKS Inc
Ohiorocks.com

Dear Jason White,

Thank you so much for including me in your war against anyone using an entirely common phrase. I’m actually kind of flattered that you think my rock n roll fingers in Ohio would cause issues with your incredibly well-known and respected webzine. I have two responses to your comment:

1.) I am changing the title of my artwork to OHIO F’N ROCKS, solely out of professional courtesy. However, you have obviously not noticed that (A) it isn’t a clothing ad, (B) Ohio Rocks isn’t actually printed anywhere on the design, it is simply the title of a piece of digital artwork, and (C) according to trademark laws, my use of Ohio Rocks as a description of the design (an outline of the state of ohio, with a publicly recognizable hand symbol for rock music) acurately describes exactly what the design portrays and is protected under fair use:

“Trademark is subject to various defenses, such as abandonment, limitations on geographic scope, and fair use. In the United States, the fair use defense protects uses that would be otherwise protected by the First Amendment. Fair use may be asserted on two grounds, either that the alleged infringer is using the mark to describe accurately an aspect of its products, or that the alleged infringer is using the mark to identify the mark owner. One of the most visible proofs that trademarks provide a limited right in the U.S. comes from the comparative advertising that is seen throughout U.S. media.

An example of the first type is that although Maytag owns the trademark “Whisper Quiet”, makers of other products may describe their goods as being “whisper quiet” so long as these competitors are not using the phrase as a trademark.“

2.) I’m sorry that you decided to trademark a very common pairing of words, and then the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources trademarked “Ohio Rocks!” for a geological program, and now you are so upset that their entirely legal use of their trademark will be more well-known than your website that you have gone around the internet begging the help of celebrities.

However, petitioning Drew Carey, Larry Flynt, and Eric Clapton on their Twitter, Website and Facebook pages (respectively) might not be your more effective course of action if you wish to challenge the ODNR.

April 3rd, 2010 at 2:38 pm The state is messing with our small company. We have trademarked Ohio rocks in section 035 but they are trying to use it in geology….. Then are trying to trademark it in tshirts which would killl our company named , Ohio rocks. We request your help.

Ps – I met Simon leese while I was in the cincy justice center, as an inmate. He had on plad pants and seemed like a tool…..And sorry for any typos….. I’m typing on my phone:)

Jason White
President
Ohio Rocks Inc
ohiorocks.com
Jason@ohiorocks.com

Source: (http://larryflynt.com/?p=745)

I’m not entirely sure how those three people might help you fight a legally registered trademark, but I guess I give you props for creativity. Maybe instead of spending so much energy continuing this losing battle, perhaps you should instead invest that energy into your own zine, and it will become an entity in it’s own right. Just a friendly suggestion. Also, your spelling and grammar are atrocious; I am certain you will be taken more seriously when you take the time to speak correctly.

Oh, but Jason, there is one thing on which we do agree…

OHIO FUCKING ROCKS!

Love always,

Jannypie

P.S. Consider this my official registration of “OHIO F’N ROCKS” as belonging to me, Janny Fuckin Pie (aka Jan Dennison of Indiefinable Creations).

Inspiration: “Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau

OKAY lovely readers!

Steps are being taken to get this show back on the road!

There is still quite a bit required behind the scenes to really make my vision complete, but it is happening.

Great news: I am finally registered to start taking classes this summer! I am in a program for a degree in Independent Studies, which allows me to essentially design my own coursework in graphic design, e-commerce, marketing, and interpersonal communications. It will likely include a minor in web design as well. I think it will be an absolutely perfect fit for me, my abilities, and my goals!

Good news: I had a chance to sit down yesterday and write out some things high on my to-do list. Here is a look at it, if you are interested.

Complete migration from jannypie to indiefinable

• direct traffic to the new blog
• send out newsletter
• make it all official
• shut down jannypie accounts

Finish this web

• organize categories, tags and pages
• install featured posts section
• add project and download pages
• install project wonderful ads
• add design services, brief, process and packages
• add galleries
• add friends and affiliates pages

Finish and publish blog posts piling up

Receive and set up Yudu

Get things to Yudu onto

Order business materials and packaging

Order display equipment for shows

Complete designs in queue

Complete requests from friends/family

Start production on screenprinting designs!

Other news: I have been taking both a glass mosaic glass and a painting class with members from Etsy Team Columbus. It has been so much fun learning a new medium (glass) and getting back into painting! I have many pictures to share with you soon!

Inspiration: “An individual can make a difference, a team can make a miracle.” -Anonymous

Today is CINCO DE HARDWOOD, when Seth Harwood one of my *favorite* authors is launching his new book Young Junius. I blogged last year about the book before this, Jack Wakes Up, which just FUCKING rocked, and have been waiting and waiting for the next one.

Seth writes action stories so injected with testosterone and badassery (yes I said it) that it makes ME wish I was a dude livin the life. I made all the guys I know read Jack Wakes Up, and they liked it, so it even has a guy mushroom stamp of approval. Buy it today and get a limited edition signed copy!

Are there discount codes I should use? You hella best betcha. We got a lot of affiliates helping us out on this one. So choose your favorite and you’ll get $3’s off your checkout AND help them right back in return. Click here to go through to the page of codes.

(I personally am using the code SCOTT to also support the man who got me addicted to listening to these cool ass books on my iPod and opened the door to all the rest!)

Hope you give this very talented author a try!