I am so so dissappointed

Funny that you should bring this up. There's a polymer clay bead on eBay that is clearly derived from instructions Christy Freisen had in Step-By-Step last month. Made me sad...not even an 'inspired by...." statement in the description.

------- Barbara

But isn't part of the reason for publishing a "how to" article is to teach people how you did something so that they can do it too?

I think in this case the artist is totally throwing their copyright open for others to make the same design. I don't understand how it is wrong for someone to make something from a how-to article. I have made necklaces from designs in Beadwork's latest Stringing magazine does that mean I have to forever credit Beadwork Magazine for the idea? Not that I have a problem with that but I just don't know why making something from a how-to article is bad.

- Sandy

Sandy,

I just believe in giving credit where credit is due, that's all. I wouldn't credit an entire magazine, but when I make something that is cleary a derivative work, I do state that it was inspired by a class, artist or article as appropriate. Yes, I'm offering my own spin on the idea, but it's not totally my idea (at least not in the example I'm using - I have plenty of original ideas, trust me!)

------- Barbara

Oh, I saw that too. I'm disappointed that somehow it is OK to now copy beads (a tread I have noticed on forums over the last few years). It is a bad copy, but a copy none the less.

This bead artist really does nice work and it is sad to see the copied bead.

Lara

I'm very upset about this as well. I saw Sharon at the dinner after Bead Fest and she showed me one of her more intricate beads, her new dragon, it was amazing! Sharon is so much fun, kind and wacky and incredibly talented. I think that someone trying to copy her work is a very slimey thing to do. I always do original designs. It really upsets me when my work is copied or another artist comes over to my booth and looks so closely that I know I'll see it copied at the next show I do. Some people even try to take pictures. Patti

Sharon's designs have been copied by many (especially ones like her multi piece children with the hats, cats, dogs, etc)

she teaches - people are going to "imitate " the teacher until they think of something unique themselves to make... it happens... sadly - but it happens.

My grandmother used to say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" --

the flip side-- "the buyer gets what they pay for" (i.e. get a cheaper poor knock off -- or buy a great original! )

sad -- Cheryl

Yep, I have been following the thread, and I was actually shocked to find out who it was. I don't have much to say to warrant a post there, because it's so infuriating, but I really respected this beadmaker before I realized just how much they do copy. And I am one of the people who is more laid back on the whole copying issue. If ever there was a line drawn in the copying issue sand, that beadmaker crossed it in one big flying leap. Sad.

Weeeelllll, stuff published in magazines is kind of fair game, IMO. But Sharon Peters' beads are so original and so complicated and detailed, that an attempt to copy really LOOKS like an attempt to copy.

Yes, and the clever person will learn the technique(s) and then take it in his/her own direction. It's kind of an unstated rule, that ironically enough gets stated over and over ad nauseam and some people still insist on not getting it.

I bet you gave it your own spin, though, yes?

Fran

Sharon Peters tells a funny story about the time she was accused of copying Sharon Peters.

If that doesn't suck... Lol!

Fran

in his/her own direction.<

That's what I do. I make designs from beadwork and bead and button so I can learn new techniques, and then use those techniques to make my own designs. I never sell anything that is straight from a magazine "how to" article, because it wouldn't seem right for me to make money off of someone else's design.

-Amber.

Bacchae wondered:

"But isn't part of the reason for publishing a "how to" article is to teach people how you did something so that they can do it too?"

Not the same medium, but most certainly the same concept....Handwoven and Spin-Off magazines used to have a disclaimer of sorts(haven't read them in a while so I don't know if it's still there), to the effect that the articles and projects presented were for insipration, and that direct copying was "contrary to the spirit of good craftsmanship."

I've always taken that to mean derivative work is okay (a bit more than just changing colors, IMO), and a credit would certainly be polite, at the very minimum.

In Sharon's case, she didn't teach about making that jester, and it's supposed to be a limited edition series. All the weasel in NZ did was to change colors and to render it rather poorly, IMO. It's not the first time they've done it, either. Buried in the middle of the LE thread (there's one on WC, too) is a report from one member about emails with the thief in question, who's reply was something to the effect of "tough shit, it's all fair game." That's just pathetic.

KarenS

Patti reported:

Sharon's Chinese Dragon and one of her rocket beads were accepted into the Trajectories exhibit which will be presented at The Bead Museum next year! They're really incredible!

(One of my flutters was accepted, too. Woohoo! I'm tickled to be in such awesome company.)

KarenS

You know....going out to dinner with Sharon Peters can be risky....better make sure someone knows what to do if you start choking from laughing and trying to eat at the same time.

She did make Sprite come out my nose!

Sharon Peters tells a funny story about the time she was accused of copying Sharon Peters.

If that doesn't suck... Lol! >>>>

OMG!! HOW FUNNY!

I bet she loved that..... Cheryl

oh man..I'd love to hear that story!

-Amber.

There is also a challenge on LE to make a Jester bead - of your own design. Take the word Jester, do your own research and see what you come up with. No need to copy someone elses artwork. You can be inspired by a picture, a bead, a how-to-instruction, but it's always SO much better to put a little of your own ingenuity into the project and make it better or at least different. Everytime I have ever tried to "copy" something it ends up being totally frustrating and the end product always looks horrible. It's so much easier and more fun if I study the item of inspiration, put it away and then go try to do my own thing. If you look at the copy of Sharon Peters jester, you can see the struggle the artist had in trying to copy and it shows. It just ended up being a bad copy and respect of your fellow artists is lost. Copying is a not only unethical, but it just never works. Mary

Fran replied:

Well, considering that it is a single strand of seed beads with some teardrop beads and a bit of liquid silver here and there, ah, no. I used my lampwork beads instead of the semi-precious stones they used but otherwise I loved the frosted beads and frosted, irridescent teardrop beads so much that I didn't want to change the design beyond that. That's why I wanted to do it in the first place!

I ended up making a couple more with different colours but the design from the original is pretty simple and there isn't a lot to spin.

So what do I do?

- Sandy

Sandy - I just wanted to tell you how sorry I was to see people pretty much slay you in that LE thread. You admited to being inspired, but not selling pieces which were "copied". I personally think you're doing more of a technique and not an outright copy. I wouldn't worry too much - if you're using your own voice, it's probably okay. If it makes you feel better, you might contact the author of the article and ask what they think. Or the publication itself.