Bead Advice Needed!

Hmmm. In your position, I would probably nicely say something like "The pregnant female form has been the subject of art in all forms for millenia, so of course you can and should work on your own interpretation of it, and I encourage you to develop your interpretation to the fullest extent. In this particular interpretation, this is a signature bead for me which has been featured in magazine articles. While I wholeheartedly support the individual right to duplicate artwork for your own enjoyment and learning, it's usual to ask other artists to refrain from duplicating signature work for the purposes of selling it. I hope that answer doesn't disappoint you, but I am truly not comfortable with the idea of this style, which is so closely associated with my name, being duplicated for sale by other artists. If you want to make a couple to give as gifts, I would be comfortable with that."

She may take umbrage when the answer isn't what she wanted to hear, but, really... this is something she should learn anyway, if she's making glass beads. It would be like me emailing Tink and saying "Hey Tink, I have a customer who wants me to make some of your "Largo" beads, is that cool with you?"

I make goddess beads.. not so many anymore, but that used to be my main seller. I've even made a couple of pregnant Goddess beads. When asked to do a Goddess bead with a baby in the belly, my reply is "Oh, there's already someone doing that, hers are amazing". Why should I make them if you already do them so well? In my opinion, the right thing for that beadmaker to do is give the person who asked the URL to your website.

Better for her to learn now, gently, from you, than to tick off someone mean in the future!

-Kalera

Good answer, Kalera! Why is it that we have a hard time saying "no" to something that we have every right to say no to?

Ahhhh, sounds like a writing for my web site some day. ;)

~~snipped~~

This is exactly how I feel, too. ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

I had this happen to me. I make "little flower necklaces". I gave one to Sooz and one to Kevin's assistant when I was visited a couple years ago. Melissa copied and posted a (poor) copy here, with giving credit or anything like that. Actually, I'm still not sure how I feel.

I think the first thing you have to determine is whether her beads are a copy of yours, or whether they incorporate your idea of the visible fetus. (The visible insides of living things has been done since primitive times). I'd be inclined to think that if it's inspired by your bead and it acknowledges that, gives your name as "creator" so to speak, it should be OK.

Will she be selling them in competition with you? If they aren't good, it hurts the products reputation. If they're well done they hurt your sales. But if she sells them locally, or gives them as presents, and she acknowledges you, there should be no conflict.

Tina

Yes, that phrase is the kicker. Does "poor imitation" mean she's copying, or is it just a self-depreciating euphemism.

Tina

You aren't a hypocrite at all! When it comes to copying, there is a fine line. And that fine line is damn hard to see. :) And it's in different places for different people. LOL

I'm not sure why people think it's "nice that they asked". (Not picking on you Roxan - others have said so, too.) I would never, *ever* email another bead artist and ask to copy their design for sale. It's really unprofessional. It surprises me that people are commending that person for asking. And the tone of the email was almost too nice. Sugary sweet.

Jerri's interpretation of the pregnant goddess is very unique. If the other person wants to make a pregnant goddess, but uses a different interpretation, that's one thing. Email her and say "I'd like to make pregnant goddesses, but they are different than yours, are you okay with this?" That email would be nice, but unnecessary because the beads would end up being different, even though the idea was the same. But it seems to me that the other lampworker wants to imitate - completely copy. See that fine line? No?

Kalera, you rock. If I were Jerri, I'd be asking to copy (LOL!) that word for word to email back to that person. :)

Point!!

I replied that way because she could have just done it and no one would have ever known, most likely, unless she went into marketing them or selling them. But she didn't. Some artists don't have a problem with it and she wouldn't know if Jerri were one unless she asked.

I know the whole copying thing gives me the shivers because I, myself, couldn't/wouldn't knowingly do it either. But not everyone thinks that way and I'd much rather have someone ask me instead of just going and doing it.

The thing about them asking is, you can say no, and people who DO ask will usually heed that.

Yes, I see this -- and I totally agree. Like, "Hey, I like your husband -- is it okay if I borrow him for a sleepover?"

Things that aren't ethical aren't ethical, not matter how nice the request is.

~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

Sheee-it, anybody who wants to can copy it, change key points to fit their situation, and use it freely without crediting me! I hereby declare it public domain.

Which reminds me, I was thinking about starting a "copy this" challenge on one of the forums. How fun would that be? And the first person to post a pic of their copy would get to make a bead for the next "copy this" challenge.

-Kalera

On Thu, 13 May 2004 20:19:11 -0400, Kalera Stratton wrote (in message ):

That would be wonderful, but what about those of us who don't make beads? If you don't mind me copying your idea :-) I will come up with a list of a couple of common items and see what folks do with them.

I have a couple of wonderful things I can put up as prizes. Hmm. Have to work on this for a little bit, and I'll get back to the group. I can get a couple of impartial judges, too.

Kathy N-V

Totally! What fun!

-Kalera

What a great idea.

Tina

"Kalera Stratt> Which reminds me, I was thinking about starting a "copy this" challenge

I'd be up for this!