I saw your post on Facebook regarding this whole mess and immediately deleted and edited some of my photos from my Etsy shop. Thankfully I haven’t been targeted yet and I hope I’m not thanks to you giving us Etsy sellers a heads up - so thank you! It’s so ironic that their latest girl of the year is a small business entrepreneur yet the company is doing this. They preach about expressing individuality and creativity, don’t they?? I feel like my joy for these dolls and their dolly worlds has been lessened for sure. I’ve been feeling less excited about the brand overall lately - from my daughter losing interest, to how much time I spend creating things for my shop with little payoff/low sales, to the generic items AG seems to be putting out lately, and now this. My husband built me another level for my dollhouse for my birthday and I haven’t been inspired to do anything with it. It’s so sad! Maybe it’s just a season. I hope American Girl comes to their senses and realizes that what they’re doing is not beneficial to anyone - including them!
I hope AG comes to their senses too. Although who knows, maybe we’ll just be beat into submission. I totally understand how you feel and perhaps it is a temporary state - I hope, because you are BEYOND talented and the food items I bought from you are still my favorites! I just love pulling everything out when I set my dolls up for the holidays. We NEED more food crafters like you! I still need to post my unboxing my Kool Aid and gifts from you …I loved everything! You are spot on about everything you said and I’ve been trying to create awareness about what is going on and asking folks to write to AG through the “Contact Us” section of their website. This is important so our voices can be heard. I’m looking forward to your next round of beautiful creations and in the meantime I will be sending positive vibes to bring back your love of this hobby 🥰
@@pemberleythreads2199 oh man. Well I beheaded a couple of my American Girl dolls to use in my pictures, but unfortunately it becomes a problem when you need to model headwear.
Very crazy. You make a good point. Very good point since they clearly are not interested in adding to the historical line, which adult collectors gravitate to and can afford. It honestly is so disappointing. I will still have fun with all my stuff but I won’t be adding anything by buying directly from AG for the foreseeable future.
I stand with you. Also cool to see my name pop up in your video, made me smile. What Mattel/American Girl is failing to understand here is that most of us women crafters started their small businesses with a foundation of love for AG. AG still creates for it's primary market, kids from 8-10 years old and only dabbles in creating for its adult audience. I have great nostalgia for AG dolls when I got mine as a child, but I grew up. I don't need rainbow skirts and sparkle shoes. But the crafting community has created a segway for adult collectors by integrating grown up hobbies such as photography, sewing, DIY product creation, hair styling, designer pattern making, and more. It's a market AG doesn't do and adult collectors flock to purchase these "child dolls" to showcase their art at a sophisticated level. Doll artists are repainting faces giving us detail that appeals to adults, wigs that are more complex or historical, patterns to make complicated dresses, nods to historical costuming, accessories that are high quality and expensive and we are loving it. Sure it's a secondary market, sure it's based off a child's toy but look what was created. So much joy and passion and it's inspired other adults to join in and create a huge segment. So to then go and tell this market and it's sellers that you no longer authorize use of your doll - it just kills our souls. To quote the movie "Big" where Tom Hanks says "I don't get it. It's a robot that turns into a building, but what's fun about playing with a building?" Mattel - what's fun about photographing a doll where you have to erase the face? What's fun about sewing a dress for a doll that you have to chop the head off of? What's fun about creating little accessories and jewelry when in the background we are in fear of being legally crushed? If crafters lose their joy, they stop creating and there goes your adult fandom. We don't want to create and we don't want to purchase from your brand, and believe me it's our wallets that are open when also sharing our fandom with our kids so if you lose us, you bet we are not going to buy your doll for our kids either. You can't crush a crafting families income and then expect that they are going to continue supporting the brand.
Thank you so much for all your thought provoking comments. You are spot on, every comment, every thoughtfully written sentence! We are a community and MUST stand in solidarity against these injustices against the true and tested base of loyal followers. Please post on IG and ask others to continue to reach out to AG via their online portal. Today marks week 2 of this battle and we need everyone’s support. I need more case numbers. I appreciate your help and support!!
Sorry you had to go through this but great job organizing the community and getting information out to help others. I hope you all get positive results from American Girl.
This sucks! I’m so sorry u and all of the other fabulous Etsy shops are having to deal with this. This is just so so disappointing. They are forbidding people to give them free advertising! The more clothes people have, the more dolls they will want in order to display them. That’s just common sense. I was planning to start an Etsy shop soon but now I’m a little scared. If they attack UA-cam next they will lose SO much business. I hardly ever want anything until I see it unboxed and hear honest opinions about it. They should concentrate on keeping quality in their own goods. I think they’re blaming the wrong people for their decreasing sales. Collectors still love AG products, they just want MORE. That’s where ETSY comes in. Enjoy your freedom from jail! ❤️
You are spot on!! I am writing them a letter and covered some of these points in it. Check out Savy’s video-she raises SO many interesting points. It’s a sad state of affairs. I appreciate your support and understanding 🥰🤗
@@AGTV4LifeI love Our Generation I might be getting their coffee shop set for Christmas and I also love My life as have a few of their products love their Care Bears and Hello Kitty products. I also like Maplea haven’t ordered from them yet but their products are really cute and also Kennedy and Friends.
Thank you! I’m so glad you get it and understand how I feel. Well, I just put hundreds of dollars back in my pocket after returning my recent purchases. Plus I have a crap load of stuff already to play with lol.
@@JohnsonSquared4ever2012 yeah it is sad and unfortunate since people use AG dolls on other platforms amazon, mercari, etc to model outfits and show scale.
This just pisses me off so much! They should be thrilled that Etsy sellers use their dolls as models! Free advertising for them ! I guess they don't see it that way!
You are right. The doll community is free advertising for them on so many levels. From using our dolls in Etsy photos, wide array of UA-cam video topics, etc. I have so much to say to them and outlined everything in my letter that will be sent to the top executives next week. It may fall on deaf ears, but I don’t care because I need to give them something tangible to touch and read. The last time (less than 1 yr ago) I dealt with a situation that upset me I wrote to 10 top executives and eventually they put a $30,000 engine in my Range Rover and I didn’t pay a dime. I’m going to do a video about that on another channel I’ll be starting up.
How is You Tube different? I’m curious because I started a channel 6 years ago but life got in the way and I didn’t continue. I would like to start again but I know some of their guidelines have changed.
Honestly, I don’t know. Mattel’s approach is a mystery to me. For all we know they may / could go after any and everyone profiting from using their dolls.
@@kashlaw01 my 2 cents would be to get back to UA-cam if it makes you happy. Why not? Some of us are doing UA-cam for the sense of community and not making a living off it.
Whoa! I’m so sorry this happened to you, Jo. 😞 I heard a couple people got those copyright letters from Etsy, but I hadn’t heard that many got them. That’s so horrible. I hope this matter gets settled quickly, in the sellers’ favor. And Instagram jail- Yikes! I’m not done watching your video so I don’t know if you said or not, but why specifically did you get put in Instagram jail? Could you get in trouble for showing AG doll arms and legs too? It’s pretty noticeable what doll they belong too, so I hope not. What a sad mess. Prayers for you Jo. I can understand why you feel so down and not wanting to keep your purchases. 😢 💔
Hi there just watched and I did hear of the clamp down on my Facebook doll groups, I do have an Etsy shop with AG size clothing, I went through and changed all of my descriptions to just "girl doll" and "18 inch doll" do you think that's sufficient? Because wow our dolls are our own personal dolls. What do u think?
That should be fine. I removed anything in my listings that said “fits” American Girl Dolls. Is so unfortunate. I also mention something I noticed related to concealing AG doll faces on Amazon in my video coming out this Thursday.
It was just one listing that was a doll next to handcrafted hot chocolate with marshmallows that I made. I had many other listings with American Girl doll faces in them and since removed the faces.
@@AGTV4Life I was wondering because years ago, they took down a couple of mine that had "American Girl doll" in the title. Yet all of the listings had that. It seems really random.
It is discouraging that AG is treating small business owners, the majority of whom are women, this way. I pointed out in my letter to them that with Summer, their new girl of the year, they are encouraging female free enterprise and small business ownership while oppressing those same type of women.
@@melangellperry5984 It's really putting a bad taste in my mouth. I wish there were a cute 18" alternative to AG. I really don't care for the current alternatives.
Yeah it’s not right and I was thinking about starting a Etsy shop but I’m not going to now because of this situation and I’m also not spending money at American girl maybe they need to reread Miss Chrissa’s books and fix their bullying actually I might make a video with Chrissa on how she’s not happy with the company that created her is bullying esty sellers and it’s also not fair that Summer has a small business and yet they’re are bashing small businesses not cool AG.
@@AGTV4Lifewill do so in the later tonight if I’m still awake because I heading to a bull riding rodeo with some friends but likely I will be filming the video after I get home I’m a night owl. I’m actually going to dress Chrissa in her special occasion dress that she wears in her movie.
I saw your post on Facebook regarding this whole mess and immediately deleted and edited some of my photos from my Etsy shop. Thankfully I haven’t been targeted yet and I hope I’m not thanks to you giving us Etsy sellers a heads up - so thank you! It’s so ironic that their latest girl of the year is a small business entrepreneur yet the company is doing this. They preach about expressing individuality and creativity, don’t they?? I feel like my joy for these dolls and their dolly worlds has been lessened for sure. I’ve been feeling less excited about the brand overall lately - from my daughter losing interest, to how much time I spend creating things for my shop with little payoff/low sales, to the generic items AG seems to be putting out lately, and now this. My husband built me another level for my dollhouse for my birthday and I haven’t been inspired to do anything with it. It’s so sad! Maybe it’s just a season. I hope American Girl comes to their senses and realizes that what they’re doing is not beneficial to anyone - including them!
I hope AG comes to their senses too. Although who knows, maybe we’ll just be beat into submission. I totally understand how you feel and perhaps it is a temporary state - I hope, because you are BEYOND talented and the food items I bought from you are still my favorites! I just love pulling everything out when I set my dolls up for the holidays. We NEED more food crafters like you! I still need to post my unboxing my Kool Aid and gifts from you …I loved everything! You are spot on about everything you said and I’ve been trying to create awareness about what is going on and asking folks to write to AG through the “Contact Us” section of their website. This is important so our voices can be heard. I’m looking forward to your next round of beautiful creations and in the meantime I will be sending positive vibes to bring back your love of this hobby 🥰
I just ordered a doll from Kennedy and Friends. They happily gave me permission to use her as a model for 18 inch dolls.
Yay!! I’m going to check them out. How would I ask for permission from them to use their doll in my Etsy Shop pictures?
They are lovely dolls but do not fit AG sized clothes just fyi. They are narrow in waist and shoulders!
@@pemberleythreads2199 oh man. Well I beheaded a couple of my American Girl dolls to use in my pictures, but unfortunately it becomes a problem when you need to model headwear.
Crazy what's going on, I sometimes think AG on the low is trying to discourage adult collectors from buying or reselling AG related items.
Very crazy. You make a good point. Very good point since they clearly are not interested in adding to the historical line, which adult collectors gravitate to and can afford. It honestly is so disappointing. I will still have fun with all my stuff but I won’t be adding anything by buying directly from AG for the foreseeable future.
I stand with you. Also cool to see my name pop up in your video, made me smile. What Mattel/American Girl is failing to understand here is that most of us women crafters started their small businesses with a foundation of love for AG. AG still creates for it's primary market, kids from 8-10 years old and only dabbles in creating for its adult audience. I have great nostalgia for AG dolls when I got mine as a child, but I grew up. I don't need rainbow skirts and sparkle shoes. But the crafting community has created a segway for adult collectors by integrating grown up hobbies such as photography, sewing, DIY product creation, hair styling, designer pattern making, and more. It's a market AG doesn't do and adult collectors flock to purchase these "child dolls" to showcase their art at a sophisticated level. Doll artists are repainting faces giving us detail that appeals to adults, wigs that are more complex or historical, patterns to make complicated dresses, nods to historical costuming, accessories that are high quality and expensive and we are loving it. Sure it's a secondary market, sure it's based off a child's toy but look what was created. So much joy and passion and it's inspired other adults to join in and create a huge segment. So to then go and tell this market and it's sellers that you no longer authorize use of your doll - it just kills our souls. To quote the movie "Big" where Tom Hanks says "I don't get it. It's a robot that turns into a building, but what's fun about playing with a building?" Mattel - what's fun about photographing a doll where you have to erase the face? What's fun about sewing a dress for a doll that you have to chop the head off of? What's fun about creating little accessories and jewelry when in the background we are in fear of being legally crushed? If crafters lose their joy, they stop creating and there goes your adult fandom. We don't want to create and we don't want to purchase from your brand, and believe me it's our wallets that are open when also sharing our fandom with our kids so if you lose us, you bet we are not going to buy your doll for our kids either. You can't crush a crafting families income and then expect that they are going to continue supporting the brand.
Thank you so much for all your thought provoking comments. You are spot on, every comment, every thoughtfully written sentence! We are a community and MUST stand in solidarity against these injustices against the true and tested base of loyal followers. Please post on IG and ask others to continue to reach out to AG via their online portal. Today marks week 2 of this battle and we need everyone’s support. I need more case numbers. I appreciate your help and support!!
Sorry you had to go through this but great job organizing the community and getting information out to help others. I hope you all get positive results from American Girl.
I hope so too! I really do! Thank you so much! 🥰
This sucks! I’m so sorry u and all of the other fabulous Etsy shops are having to deal with this. This is just so so disappointing. They are forbidding people to give them free advertising! The more clothes people have, the more dolls they will want in order to display them. That’s just common sense. I was planning to start an Etsy shop soon but now I’m a little scared. If they attack UA-cam next they will lose SO much business. I hardly ever want anything until I see it unboxed and hear honest opinions about it. They should concentrate on keeping quality in their own goods. I think they’re blaming the wrong people for their decreasing sales. Collectors still love AG products, they just want MORE. That’s where ETSY comes in. Enjoy your freedom from jail! ❤️
You are spot on!! I am writing them a letter and covered some of these points in it. Check out Savy’s video-she raises SO many interesting points. It’s a sad state of affairs. I appreciate your support and understanding 🥰🤗
Time to celebrate and show off Our Generation, Amazon’s Amazing Girls, Maplelea.
Spot on! That is exactly what I plan to do and already have lots of Our Generation, My Life As, Amazon, etc stuff ready to be unboxed lol
@@AGTV4LifeI love Our Generation I might be getting their coffee shop set for Christmas and I also love My life as have a few of their products love their Care Bears and Hello Kitty products. I also like Maplea haven’t ordered from them yet but their products are really cute and also Kennedy and Friends.
I’m with you! I have collected so many dolls, and they just disgust me now. I’m getting ready to sell off some of my collection.
Thank you! I’m so glad you get it and understand how I feel. Well, I just put hundreds of dollars back in my pocket after returning my recent purchases. Plus I have a crap load of stuff already to play with lol.
thats so sad to hear about the copyright infringement. im real sorry about that.
@@JohnsonSquared4ever2012 yeah it is sad and unfortunate since people use AG dolls on other platforms amazon, mercari, etc to model outfits and show scale.
This just pisses me off so much! They should be thrilled that Etsy sellers use their dolls as models! Free advertising for them ! I guess they don't see it that way!
You are right. The doll community is free advertising for them on so many levels. From using our dolls in Etsy photos, wide array of UA-cam video topics, etc. I have so much to say to them and outlined everything in my letter that will be sent to the top executives next week. It may fall on deaf ears, but I don’t care because I need to give them something tangible to touch and read. The last time (less than 1 yr ago) I dealt with a situation that upset me I wrote to 10 top executives and eventually they put a $30,000 engine in my Range Rover and I didn’t pay a dime. I’m going to do a video about that on another channel I’ll be starting up.
Thank you so much for sharing all the information about whats been going on.
Thank you, for taking the time to watch this video since it’s been a whole shit show.
How is You Tube different? I’m curious because I started a channel 6 years ago but life got in the way and I didn’t continue. I would like to start again but I know some of their guidelines have changed.
Honestly, I don’t know. Mattel’s approach is a mystery to me. For all we know they may / could go after any and everyone profiting from using their dolls.
@@kashlaw01 my 2 cents would be to get back to UA-cam if it makes you happy. Why not? Some of us are doing UA-cam for the sense of community and not making a living off it.
Whoa! I’m so sorry this happened to you, Jo. 😞 I heard a couple people got those copyright letters from Etsy, but I hadn’t heard that many got them. That’s so horrible. I hope this matter gets settled quickly, in the sellers’ favor. And Instagram jail- Yikes! I’m not done watching your video so I don’t know if you said or not, but why specifically did you get put in Instagram jail? Could you get in trouble for showing AG doll arms and legs too? It’s pretty noticeable what doll they belong too, so I hope not. What a sad mess. Prayers for you Jo. I can understand why you feel so down and not wanting to keep your purchases. 😢 💔
@@AGTV4Life makes absolutely no sense because we are actually promoting their merchandise!
@@kashlaw01 EXACTLY!! #TRUTH
Hi there just watched and I did hear of the clamp down on my Facebook doll groups, I do have an Etsy shop with AG size clothing, I went through and changed all of my descriptions to just "girl doll" and "18 inch doll" do you think that's sufficient? Because wow our dolls are our own personal dolls. What do u think?
That should be fine. I removed anything in my listings that said “fits” American Girl Dolls. Is so unfortunate. I also mention something I noticed related to concealing AG doll faces on Amazon in my video coming out this Thursday.
@AGTV4Life i liked how you blurred the doll faces out but I'm not re doing all of my listings
Did they deactivate every single listing you had a doll face in? Or was it just a few that they found?
It was just one listing that was a doll next to handcrafted hot chocolate with marshmallows that I made. I had many other listings with American Girl doll faces in them and since removed the faces.
@@AGTV4Life I was wondering because years ago, they took down a couple of mine that had "American Girl doll" in the title. Yet all of the listings had that. It seems really random.
It is discouraging that AG is treating small business owners, the majority of whom are women, this way. I pointed out in my letter to them that with Summer, their new girl of the year, they are encouraging female free enterprise and small business ownership while oppressing those same type of women.
@@melangellperry5984 It's really putting a bad taste in my mouth. I wish there were a cute 18" alternative to AG. I really don't care for the current alternatives.
Yeah it’s not right and I was thinking about starting a Etsy shop but I’m not going to now because of this situation and I’m also not spending money at American girl maybe they need to reread Miss Chrissa’s books and fix their bullying actually I might make a video with Chrissa on how she’s not happy with the company that created her is bullying esty sellers and it’s also not fair that Summer has a small business and yet they’re are bashing small businesses not cool AG.
You make great points!! Please do a video using this story line. PLUS the new 2025 GOTY Summer also has her own small business.
@@AGTV4Lifewill do so in the later tonight if I’m still awake because I heading to a bull riding rodeo with some friends but likely I will be filming the video after I get home I’m a night owl. I’m actually going to dress Chrissa in her special occasion dress that she wears in her movie.