Who stole Noa The Narwhal?

Suzanne Scott from Whimsical Lush argues the case for supporting independent retailers, both online and in stores

A s with most mornings I sat with a cup of tea, whilst browsing my work on social media. On that particular day I opened a message I had just received on Instagram from one of my American followers: “Hi!” it read, “You’ve probably seen this already, but I thought I would give you the heads up just in case...”

She attached a link to a website that I’ve never heard of where my enamel narwhal pin is being advertised for sale, using photos and descriptions taken directly from my Etsy shop. I was shocked and angry. I immediately contacted the site, demanding that they remove my pin. I heard nothing back. I didn’t know what else to do. Had they stolen Noa the narwhal?

Noa is a little character I had drawn as part of a project about dreams.

A young girl had written to me via my Facebook page (with the help of her dad) asking if I would draw a unicorn.

“Yes,” I replied, “but let me draw you a real one! Narwhals are the unicorns of the sea.” Noa the narwhal went down a storm. I couldn’t believe quite how popular he became. After lots of requests I launched a small range of notebooks, prints, cards and enamel pins. They flew out of my online shop and other pop-up stores.

I was delighted that my creation was making so many people smile.

Later that morning I wrote about Noa’s “adventures” on my Whimsical Lush Facebook and Instagram pages.

My online followers have been a big support system. It has felt like a community, which I value greatly. I didn’t want to appear to be another “online drama queen” but talking about it felt like the right thing to do – If nobody talks, nothing changes.

People were horrified when I explained what had happened. They offered help and advice and even contacted the site on my behalf. Several also suggested the site may be “drop shipping”, which means supplying goods directly from the manufacturer.

I was invited to join an Instagram group with artists from all around the world who were also dealing with the same website. Between us we found details of the person behind it and grouped together to report all our findings to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

It felt great to work with people in the same situation as myself and was hugely satisfying when our efforts were rewarded by the site being taken down.

In Dundee, I know that artist Lazylinepainterbelle has had her unicorn enamel pin design stolen on several occasions. And a while back, designer Hayley Scanlan had a run in with a well-known high street shop that had copied one of her T-shirt designs.

Stories like ours are sadly not uncommon. It often feels like all morals are out the window when it comes to art and design, that it’s seen as fair game... and it shouldn’t be. Our designs belong to us. The trouble is that we are all independent artists and makers, without big fancy lawyers behind us, and these dishonest people know it. But that doesn’t mean we are powerless and can’t fight back to make change.

Everyone can be part of that change, including you. In fact, we depend on you. Everything that you buy direct from us, even just a card from Etsy, pop-ups, small shops or markets allows us to continue to create. You can help stop that heartbreak of losing your favourite artist, designer, shop, or musician just because they could no longer afford to keep going.

In return you get something you can treasure and enjoy, something that is not fake or mass produced but unique and created with consideration and love. It is something that tells a story and creates a talking point. These are things that you cannot find on the high street or on fake websites.

So whenever you can please support small and independent businesses, shop local and feel a sense of pride whenever you wear that quirky limited edition enamel pin with a great story behind it. Noa The Narwhal, top, and other designs by Suzanne.