I created this card using an IndigoBlu angel rubber stamp, embossing powder, and glitter/ black cardstock.
I thought I’d take some time today to talk about angel policies. I’m not an expert on this topic, but I want to pass along some information to you that I’ve learned. When I first began to create cards, it was because I loved the challenge and the creativity aspect. Also, giving cards to my loved ones and friends warmed my heart, and I could tell they appreciated the time I put into making them. But, there came a moment, when I had the thought ‘what will I do with all these cards I plan to make?’ The solution: start a business and sell them.
I soon learned that many of the items I was using to create these cards (stamps, dies, etc.) were copyrighted. I understand that…receiving credit for designs because of the time, and heart, it took to create them. What I learned, too, is that companies have, or don’t have, something called an Angel Policy. An Angel Policy grants limited permission to purchasers to create hand-made artwork for sale. It provides crafters a way to sell items without violating copyrights, but there are rules and guidelines that need to be followed.
Each company’s Angel Policy is unique-some have a limit on how many items you can sell using their products; where you can sell them; if they want to be given copyright credit, etc.-basically their rules. If their Angel Policy is too restrictive, or I need to jump through too many hoops to comply with it, I don’t purchase their products. Crafters spend a fortune collectively to buy products from companies. It bothers me when a company wants to make money from me, but they don’t want me to make money for items I wish to sell that I have put my heart and soul into.
Angel Policies often can be found on companies’ websites. If it’s nowhere to be found, I send an email to the company asking for their guidelines. I’ve found a lot of companies respond quickly; others do not. If they don’t respond, I don’t purchase their products. I learned that a call to a company isn’t always the most effective way to get accurate information. I sent an email to a company-they took forever to respond (two months), so I called and talked to a representative. He said there were no restrictions, that they had an excellent Angel Policy. Shortly after I talked to him, I got an email from the same company that said a totally opposite thing. Two different stories.
I keep a 3-ring binder with all the Angel Policies I’ve researched just in case the topic ever comes with a company. I’ve heard that Angel Policies can change; but I like to have visual proof of the information I received or printed off from a company’s website, along with the date.
On an online forum once, someone said that companies can’t possibly enforce copyright violations. Another person said she’d heard that some companies’ employees browse the internet for websites, or blogs, that violate their copyrights. I don’t know which is correct. The way I see it, I’ll do my best to know the companies’ Angel Policies and conform to their guidelines-that way I won’t worry or stress about it. It also gives me a clear, and informed, way to make future purchases.
Materials Used:
- Core’dinations Cardstock, Bermuda Bling
- Black Cardstock
- IndigoBlu: Angel Dinkie Rubber Stamp, Code: ANG-D
- Ranger Holographic Embossing Powder
- VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad
- Acrylic Block
- Martha Stewart Scoring Pad
- Fiskars Dual-Tip Embossing Stylus
- Fiskars Procision Rotary Bypass Trimmer (12”)
- Ranger Heat It Craft Tool
- Scor-Tape: 3/8”
I hope you enjoyed my card, and that this information has helped you in some way. Have a beautiful day!!!
Diane
