03/05/2026
This morning I woke up to four message requests, all saying pretty much the same thing: that I make beautiful pottery and asking whether I’d like to share it on their platform — for free, of course.
I did what we all do and clicked through for a look. A bit of a snoop revealed that only one of those accounts actually credited the maker whose work they were posting. The rest? Just nicely curated feeds built on other people’s creativity.
I’ll admit, for a split second I was tempted. Visibility can feel like currency, and when you’re a small maker, any exposure can sound like a step towards sales. We’re constantly told that sharing, reposting, and being “seen” is how we grow.
But the more I sat with it, the more it didn’t sit right. The idea that someone else could be building their platform — and potentially profiting — from my hard work, skill, and passion didn’t feel like a fair exchange. Exposure doesn’t pay for materials, studio time, kilns, or the years it takes to develop a voice and a practice.
I have a teeny tiny patch of Insta‑turf, and I protect it quite fiercely. Every single follower here has come from personal connections, word of mouth, events, or the occasional magical moment where I land in the algorithm’s sweet spot. None of you are numbers to me, and I’m genuinely grateful for every follow, every like, every comment, and every conversation.
This whole thing has made me think a bit more about ownership, credit, and boundaries in the online creative world. So I wanted to ask — do any of you watermark your content? I’ve resisted it up until now, but I think I’m going to start from today.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.