Ethical Question -- Connie Fox

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.combuybeads (BeckiBead) :

]Does anyone know if it is OK to sell work that looks like ]hers?

i don't know who originated that clasp - but i've seen it on all kinds of jewelry, from all kinds of people.

I was just going to "say" that vj. I saw that clasp in a museum catalog a couple of years ago...and I believe it is in Making Wire Jewelry, and even in one of the Design Originals leaflets.

There are really only so many things that can be done with wire, and it's been around for quite some time LOL!

Don't you just love Connie? I know for a fact that the clasp is used by many artists. I bought a wire worked bracelet from Carol Nicholson of CJ Creations, who used that clasp design. She is the one who introduced me to Connie's site so that I could learn to do the clasp myself. Don't you just love beady people?

-- Margie

bracelets for Christmas<

LOL!! Actually, I don't believe Connie Fox *invented* that clasp - I'm pretty sure a coiled clasp like that was in one of my Wire Artist Jeweller mags a LOOOOOOONG time ago!

Carol in SLC My newest creation (11/24):

I've been taught a similar clasp in two different wire-wrapping classes, so it's apparently out there in public domain one way or another. And honestly, it's a logical offshoot from making coiled charms so it's kind of inevitable.

-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs

Store:

Well, first of all I love and admire Connie's work. The way she puts her designs together is just amazing. Now, as far as the clasp being public domain, I was making that clasp nearly 20 years ago when I was designing and selling jewelry to a chain of stores in California called "Beadazzled", only in copper. I made bangles with African trade beads and wire wrapped around a copper base then accented it with brass wire wrapped in places. I sold them wholesale to Beadazzled. If I were to make those today, someone might think I copied the idea from Connie. I was also using the "clasp" design as earrings, both upright and upside down with a bead hanging from it. Now that I'm back to making some jewelry, I have thought about reviving that earring design.

I'm not going to get into the ethics of copying or the perception of copying, but just because someone is the first to become "known" for a design, does not mean they were the first (or only one) to come up with it. :->.

Mary Ann

"I was making that clasp nearly 20 years ago when I was designing and selling jewelry to a chain of stores in California called "Beadazzled","

Ha! My husband just reminded me it was 30 years ago, not 20. He, ever carefully , reminded me I was 48, not 38. Yikes! When did I get that old?? :->

Mary Ann

I'm thinking I had seen it before also, as a tutorial in one of the jewlery magazines actually, but she is rather famous for using it, so I wanted to ask the question first.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

Mary Ann -- thanks for that perspective. I have used coils also, at the bottom of wires in place of a head pin, but not a clasp like that. I appreciate all who weighed in. Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

And how bruised did he get for reminding you? If I said something like to my wife I'd end up in traction. She intends to maintain her age the same way Jack Benny did (perpetually 30-somehting) Val

Mary Ann: I have been saying for years that I am 27. A couple of weeks ago, I was working with some third graders who were interested in how old I am. Without even thinking, I said "27". One of the little boys looked me right in the eye, didn't blink, didn't even take a breath and said..."REALLY? I would've thought you were in your 40's!" What a blow, because I am, of course in my 40's, but it always hurts to be reminded!!! LOL!

Lisa

LOL!! Actually, I don't believe Connie Fox *invented* that clasp - I'm pretty sure a coiled clasp like that was in one of my Wire Artist Jeweller mags a LOOOOOOONG time ago! >

Not to be mentione d- that it was used centuries ago.... by much older civilizations - like way back in the Bronze AGE! .ROTFL

or this massive and amazing Bronze Age Bracelet lots more no doubt... but I have a paper I should be writing! LOLCheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

Believe me, he has learned to say these things from a safe distance :->. No bruises this time, but he did exit rather hastily muttering something about candy and flowers!

Oh, that little boy has a LOT to learn before he starts dating :->.

OK, I guess I knew that coils have been around. I had not seen anyone but her use it as a clasp -- thought that was unusual. No longer worried about this. Just trying to get the technique right now, LOL.

Gotta say, though, that auction really bothered me because it was not only copied her style but the exact name she uses for that style. Too many coincidences are usually just that, IMO.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

ROFL How thoughtful of him.

Is he enjoying sleeping on your couch? :)

Anyway, why not email Connie and ask her what she thinks? I doubt she's under the impression that she was the first inventor of the spiral clasp.

Someone out there is probably hopping mad because they were the "first" to use Bali and lampwork and Swarovskis in a bracelet, and everyone else stole their trademark look.

LOL! I would've thought that, at that age, all grownups look the same!

For a while I was adding 5 years to my age, because I figured I'd rather have people going "DAMN she's hot for 37!".