No names will be given to prevent further insult to those referenced.

UPDATE: The situation written here is now dealt with, yet the questions still stand.

I'm at an impasse. And by that I mean I'm very confused and sad. :(

So the other day I saw a cute onigiri plushie someone made and posted an image to an art site. I thought it was cute so I favorited and commented on the image saying that I love it. I asked if they had a Esty shop and they happily replied with their brand new shop with a few more cute plushies that I saw on their page. I commented that I would like to mimic their onigiri plushie style and would link/boost their page and shop.

They sent me a PM:

Hey,
I'd really appreciate it if you didn't copy my design for your own. These pieces of art are mine and I have my signature in the design. Mimicking art is just really uncool, even if you do give credit. Just as you wouldn't trace someone's art, and boost them, you shouldn't mimick my design. It's just really uncool.

I totally agree that tracing is mean ...without credit. So I replied:

Oh, I definitely won't copy! :o I hate those people as much as the next person.

How to say it... I was... inspired? by your post? There are many onigiri plushies out there (just take this google image search for example) that many are bound to look the same. When it comes down to it, onigiri is an open-source food and the chibi style is believed to have originated in Sailor Moon.

Sorry for the confusion! If you would like me to change or remove my comments, just ask!

After a few hours of no reply, I assumed they blocked me (I don't blame them if they misinterpreted me) and checked the post. Sure enough, it was not in my favorites anymore. Out of curiousity of how the system handles blocked account comments, I used an IP randomizer to check the post and... no post? On further investigation I found this post by them:

Earlier tonight I was writing my very first journal about launching a shop for my sewn babies. I was very excited. But my journal has changed and I have removed all submissions because a member said they would mimic my art instead of supporting it. It's honestly so discouraging. All of my plushies are my own sketches, designs, patterns, and hard work. They have my signature. They are part of a brand I've created and it's heartbreaking to think someone out there is taking these things from me.

It makes me so sad that I made them think that! Their plushies are adorable and so well made! D:

UPDATE:
I bought an onigiri plushie from their shop with an apologetic note. I'm still looking for opinions on the topic.

UPDATE:
I received a response PM:

In response to your journal, I have a full time job so that's why I didn't respond right away. I appreciate the thoughts, I understand your perspective. But I still don't appreciate the whole mimic thing. I'm glad my work could inspire you, I guess?
It's just a real shame.
I responded with:
Ah, don't worry about not being able to respond quickly. Real life is more important.

I hope you decide to continue designing and selling plushies, if it makes you happy!

...I am still oblivious to why mimics would insult you. As Akaikosh (and others from FV) put it, all artists mimic and adapt on others' styles. “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” ― Oscar Wilde. If not me doing so with boosting, someone else doing it without credit. I especially want to know so I do not hurt anyone else's feelings. ._.

The short of it is that I am making an onigiri plush, do you want me to boost you?

Now we wait.

UPDATE:
While I'm thinking about it, I'm adding another question: at what point is something open-source bootlegged? In context, the onigiri plush I favorited looks strikingly similar to the second to right bottom one on the image, but just how different can you make those type of things?

FINAL SITUATION UPDATE:
Upon checking for a response for the PM I sent after a few days, I noticed they closed their shop and entire account. I'm going to side mostly with Akaikosh here; they were not going to last long...

...Maybe it's just because I deal with insults all the time, but I feel like everyone needs to develop a certain amount of resistance before putting their heart and soul (AKA art) out for anyone to judge... It's a sad fact of the world...

I hope they take some time off to think, and maybe decide to return to making plush for sale!

Now I just need to get my money back for the one I bought...

Does anyone else consider mimicking a popular style tracing?

At what point does something become bootlegged?