For six years, SharpMarketplace grew on Etsy as one of the top-rated design shops in its niche, trusted by over 38,000 customers and more than 3,000 five-star reviews.

From the beginning, my goal was simple: to create high-quality, print-ready art for small creators, Etsy sellers, and anyone building their own independence through creativity. Every design I published was manually checked before going live. I always verified phrases and keywords in trademark and registered-word databases to make sure everything was safe for commercial use.

Then one day, I made a mistake. I used a funny phrase that sounded like an internet saying: “No Weenies Allowed.” I didn’t realize it came from SpongeBob and was protected by Nickelodeon’s copyright. Copyrights are stored on completely different platforms than trademarks, where only large companies like Disney or Nickelodeon register their creative works. Unlike trademarks, they aren’t searchable through the same public databases.

I never intended to use someone else’s property or benefit from it. I’ve always taken pride in creating original designs. But that single oversight led Etsy to permanently close my shop, without any chance to explain or appeal.

I took full responsibility, contacted the rights holder, and learned a hard but valuable lesson: to check even more carefully, and to protect both myself and my customers with every design I make.

Now, SharpMarketplace on Shopify is a new beginning. Every design here is original, safe for print-on-demand, and carefully screened for both trademark and copyright risks.

This isn’t just a new shop. It’s a rebuild of trust, effort, and creativity.
Thank you for being part of it.

Your support keeps this journey alive. 🤎