In Your Best Pinterest?

I'm always a little late for the party, but did you see the Easter eggs dyed with silk ties on Pinterest?

My friend Keiren made these; they are so pretty and super easy to make.

(Here's a tutorial. And another.)

I didn't have any silk ties handy last weekend, but found these at Goodwill yesterday. So I'm way ahead of schedule now.

Of course, I probably won't be able to find where I stashed these come next Easter, but at least I TRY to get ahead.

---

Speaking of Pinterest, I'm really not sure yet about the whole pinning thing. I've gone on a bit to search for things, but haven't made many boards. At first, I was afraid it would be a giant time-sucker and I would be lost in a sea of pins for days on end. 

But in addition to making fun inspiration boards, it also seems like a good marketing tool. Mitzi of Flipping Vintage has written a great post on Using Pinterest in your Online Vintage Business.

Then I started coming across some vintage bloggers who were having issues with Pinterest's Terms of Service, like this post by the talented Anne of Fiona and Twig.

You can be held responsible if you pin something that you don't own and that person doesn't want to be pinned. Seems it would only be safe to pin your own items, which sort of goes against the whole concept of Pinterest.

I think most people would want the free publicity and exposure, but I can certainly see how a photographer or other artist wouldn't want their creative property displayed without their permission or control.

It's certainly something to think about, although the legal ramifications are a little too convoluted for me. Plus the Easter candy has been screaming at me and getting me all distracted. Damn you, Zitner Butter Krak Coconut Eggs.

---

To read more about this issue, here are some links. My advice is to have lots of candy on hand.

Why I Tearfully Deleted my Pinterest Inspiration Boards

The Perils of Pinterest

Pinterest vs Ethics and the Law

Change Your Terms or We're Leaving

Above the Law

(Pinterest has recently updated its Terms of Service, although I'm not sure if that's due to all the hoopla or if it even addresses this issue.)

---

As for my decision? I would like to start pinning more, but I'll be sure to link back to the original post to give credit to the pin.

In case you were wondering, you have my full permission to pin anything you like from my blog. And if you want to give me candy, that's ok too.

Comments

[angie.a]

Oh, I heart pinterest. It IS a giant time suck if you let it! I really started getting more into it after I found some like people to follow. Then that just exponentially increases daily because they have people that you don't follow that you can follow and on and on and on. So soon your dashboard is FULL of amazing things to re-pin. But I did start out just pinning from the net, "original pins" (tehe, Catholic humor).

I'm not afraid of the terms of service, most sites have the same terms of service. They did change the wording recently due to the backlash though, and yes, they are more realistic now.

You are not allowed in the TOS to use Pinterest as an advertising medium for your own business though. That's an explicit no-no, so I wouldn't try going there.

[Laura @ 52 FLEA]

I want your candy!
Those coconut eggs sound pretty good!
:)
P.S. I feel the same way about Pinterest...
confused!