Regretsy, Where Do You Draw the Line: Humorous VS Obnoxious?
Regretsy FAIL
Sure, it's fun to make fun of a windchime made of trash and disgruntled lampwork beads. Yes, it's hysterical to catch a listing mistake (Read the description) where the seller took it all in fun and even laughed at herself. Defintely, it's a WTF moment to find real baby chicken parts being sold for craft and jewelry projects. And where else, but on Etsy, can you find the Ultimate Spell Kit for taking karmic retribution against your copycat foes? But where do we draw the line?
I've always been a fan of Regretsy. I've gotten a lot of great laughs from their finds, and some of the comments people make about them. But todays Regresty posting really hit a nerve with me. This is not someones humorous crafty bit. This is not a WTF moment. This is an 18-year-old girls genuine, sincere piece of artwork.
I have a real problem with slamming another persons artwork whether I like it or not. No, her drawing is not technically perfect, but I think she's got great potential and, with instruction and practice, could possibly be a really good artist one day. Some of the comments that are being made on Facebook, about her and her drawings, are rude, insulting, immature and downright hateful. But what's even worse is that they are actually telling themselves, and evidently believing, that what they are doing is good for this young artist. "It's a critique." they say. "It's tough love."
I'm sorry, but no. Saying someones work looks like "shite" is not a critique. Making fun of the drawing is not a critique. Bashing and humiliating the artist, is not tough love. This is a young person who has a passion for art. Let her grow. If you're a better artist, give her some constructive criticism. Share with her some tips that might help her improve on her talent. This is not what I thought Regretsy was about. I have to say that, for me, Regretsy is losing sight of what made it so humorous in the first place. The definition of humorous and the definition of obnoxious are two different kettles of fish and Regretsy is now teetering on the edge of obnoxious.
I just received a comment from Regretsy via Facebook and I'd like to share it with you.
Regretsy: "Oh Debra, this isn't art school. It's FACEBOOK."
Well, there ya go, that makes okay then.
Published by Debra Bartshe
I am a mother, wife, and grandmother to seven beautiful grandchildren at the ripe old age of 47. I have enjoyed writing all of my life in addition to other arts and crafts. Only recently have I decided to s... View profile
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42 Comments
Post a CommentShe should ask people permission before using their images. You know, like to avoid legal trouble in the future?
Thanks for writing your thoughts Debra!
There are alot of things I could say in response, but I will just point out the most obvious to me. High School is obviously not over for April!
I'm with you 100%. Majority of people today just take things too far. I blame it on lack of self-respect and hiding-behind-the-keyboard-complex. The Internet isn't a free pass to be a fool. Then again, some people can't help being morons. :p
Well said!!!
I'm glad you wrote this. I'm not a crafter or an artist, but I buy a lot of handmade items from ETSY. When I heard about the Regretsy blog (because of the new book's publicity) I thought it was hilarious and looked at it for about a week until I got some of the same vibes. The comments are so crude and ugly.
I posted something about this on Regretsy's Facebook site and someone said they couldn't take me seriously because of my profile picture (my face)! Another person wrote "GTFU." And, yes, I got a lot of that crud about being "art critics." I deleted my comments and am staying the heck away from that site. I would rather look at funny or essentric ETSY things, anyway.
fuckery" like it's some kind of mantra) feel that it's okay for them to crudely insult artists, but get insanely upset if anyone criticizes April or them. April sort of started that trend, by blogging about anyone who says anything negative about the site, which just encourages her followers to get all defensive.
Meh. It now feels like a bunch of mean girls and the sense of fun has gone out of it, at least for me. I think that anyone who puts his or her work out on the internet, especially for sale, should prepare to be criticised. I just don't agree with the Regretsians who seem to feel that scatological references and personal remarks are adequate critical responses to a piece of art or craft.
Debra, you're a brave woman :) This was a great article. I agree with you on all points.
I found Regretsy pretty funny at first. April is a very good writer and a genuinely funny woman. There are lots of things that seemed to be asking for mockery. I bought into it. I loved it!
But the whole thing became more and more mean-spirited. I check the site every week or so now to see if there's something funny (there are usually a couple of good posts, the rest are Winchell blogging about all the money she's raising for charity or self-referential contests). I no longer read the comments at all, because they are drearily repetitive. There seem to be quite a few of Helen Killer Ditto Heads all trying to outdo each other in snarkiness and failing to make much of an impact beyond increasing the negativity a zillion percent.
I, too, find it pretty amusing that the same commenters who consider themselves die-hard, free-wheeling Regretsy fans (the ones who keep saying "whimsicle
The art discussed in this article was removed by the artist. It's a shame that folks are so immature. I for one respect your opinion Debra and agree with you. Those comments reminded me of being in the 6th grade. At least you are getting the PV's :)
No Sam, I didn't take your comment down. It's right there where you left it.
I see that you took my comment down about how leaving this article up further injures the girl. I realize that this has now become about you and validation of your righteousness. Good Luck with all that.