West Elm Totally Copied My Sister

Many, many moons ago, before I moved into the city, I used to come in and visit my sister. We would go on little adventures planned by her, one of which included a visit to a pottery place here on the Upper East side (little did I know then that I would one day reside in the same neighborhood! I couldn’t even hail a cab or use the subway back then). You bring a bottle of wine, pick out a piece of pottery to paint, and have a lovely evening just getting creative (and possibly a little drunk). Fun! Anyway, my sister made this absolutely gorgeous piece that I became obsessed with:

I loved the colors and the mix of dots and stripes. So much so that I nagged my sister until she gave it to me! Oh, generous sister of mine. Here it is, living on my coffee table:

Anyway, recently I was perusing the new West Elm spring items and imagine my shock and surprise when THIS popped up on my screen:

WE Dots and Stripes Bowls

As I was saying. West Elm copied my sister! Except IMHO, my sisters is totally better. I told her a million times she could make a business selling them on Etsy, and this just proves it!

Oh, and if you’re wondering what I made at the pottery place, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly “blog-worthy.” Or “apartment-worthy.” Or “fit to be seen by human eyes-worthy.” Not much doubt about who got the artistic talent gene in my family!

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  1. Wow! Your sister has a talent! I would def purchase one on etsy! I agree, gers is better than the West Elm ones!

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  2. Viviana wrote:

    I love what your sister made! So pretty!
    Where is this pottery place in the UES?! I must go.

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
    • I'm pretty sure it was Little Shop of Crafts on 73rd street! There's also Color Me Mine which I think is similar.

      Published 2.10.12 · Reply
  3. I love the bowl your sister made! She should definitely start an Etsy shop!

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  4. I definitely prefer your sister's design- but that's so crazy that West Elm's is such a similar take. I'm going to have to look for a place like that in Chicag- it sounds fun!

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  5. Leslie wrote:

    Lol! My sister is totally craftier than me too. I love the bowl she created; totally better than the West Elm one!

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  6. I do like your sister's over the West Elm item. But I'm obsessed with color! More color makes me happy.
    http://www.shemmyshemmyshakeshake.com/

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  7. Holly wrote:

    So cute! I like both versions, but yours definitely has the better story!

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  8. just me wrote:

    so cute and beautiful 🙂

    http://excurlythoughts.blogspot.com

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  9. I love using bright colored bowls for catchalls! These are adorable and would be an aswesome DIY

    P.s. Cute blog!

    Published 2.9.12 · Reply
  10. How gorgeous, even more so – I love the idea of session to 'make your own creations' – what a fun way to spend the night.

    Published 2.10.12 · Reply
  11. I definitely love hers more, but the West Elm ones are totally adorable too!

    Published 2.10.12 · Reply
  12. Your sister did an amazing job! I would buy one…just saying 🙂 Can't believe the similarity.

    Published 2.10.12 · Reply
  13. Lisa Marie wrote:

    I like your sister's version better 🙂 My sister totally out-potteries me when we do this too.

    Published 2.10.12 · Reply
  14. This is so funny! I definitely agree that your sister's was much better!

    Published 2.10.12 · Reply
  15. Thats amazing. I want it, ha. I love West Elm. LOVE.

    Thanks for picking my number too lol.

    xx
    Tab
    my-cliffnotes.blogspot.com

    Published 2.11.12 · Reply
  16. Karla wrote:

    wow! tell your sister all your readers would like her to open her etsy shop!!
    happy weekend!

    Published 2.12.12 · Reply
  17. Oh I love it! Your sister's is great, and I love how you have it styled in your apartment. It's the perfect pop of color!

    -Lauren

    Published 2.12.12 · Reply
  18. al wrote:

    Ha! Wow all those comments just made my day! I have to say, you took very pretty pictures of the bowl, it looks new again. Looks like a gumball machine in the middle of it, actually. Glad I gave it to you. Maybe I will make another one so that you can do a giveaway 🙂

    –The Sister

    Published 4.7.12 · Reply