About Bead Copyrights and Ethics....

I hate to say this, but I have to. I am at the point of saying screw it to beading altogether as honest beaders end up being punished for a few others dishonesty. I am so tired of hearing about the copyrights and ethics as I see them everywhere in mags and online. I read them a minimum of 3-4 times a year and could almost quote it by heart. I am just feeling that because of a few....many are punished...so to speak. I understand writing up a contract, but regardless, people will figure things out on their own or find a way to steal and make money on someone elses work. That is the society we live in, unfortunately. Take the easy way out....Not all of us are dishonest and designers need to realize that.



I have seen the major bead mags guilty of publishing someone elses designs under anothers name. I would hate to see designers lose cutomers because of this. I hate that designers lose out because of a few bad seeds. I just feel it is being pushed down our throats to the extent of making honest beaders rethink beading. I also believe that there is an extent to which copyright will cover patterns and design. I have stated before, that I have seen work that I thought was one person, but it was someone else. Looks similar, but no mention of the other designer. People are doing their own thing and if it looks like someone elses, how are you going to copyright it? There will always be those who do steal and get away with it. Not all of us are as creative as others. I honestly wish I had the creative gene. I can easily make something from someones design but have a hard time designing on my own. I have tried and plan to keep trying. I am sure others do not take the time to ask permission. I appreciate what designers have to go through to design, illustrate and write a pattern. Some designers charge extra for permission to sell what they make, this is fine. Some do not charge extra, but appreciate the time it takes the beader to follow and make their design. Some have other forms of income so the designer isn't worried about the money it brings in. I ask designers for permission and the majority have been awesome about giving permission. I love to bead and make jewelry and the majority of what I make and sell is from designers patterns that I bought or asked for their permission to use. I do not wear jewelry except for my wedding ring, and a sapphire that hubby gave me. When I go out somewhere, I may slip on a necklace or bracelt, but do not wear a lot of jewelry. I bead and started beading asz a way to keep my brain from going south and to keep my mind off the physical pain I deal with daily. I no longer work and selling what I make adds a little, and I mean, a little to the finances of the household. Thankfully, before hubby lost his job because of physical reasons, I was able to build up a bead supply. I am definitely not getting rich selling what I make. I am lucky to sell what little I can. I pay a monthly fee for a website to sell my jewelry. I don't make enough selling in a year, to pay for the fee for that, so I am losing money.



I also see some designers sell "How To's" of the basics of beading. Like "How to do Peyote Stitch", "How To do RAW Stitch", etc. I taught myself how to bead in general as there are no bead classes and stores around me. Am I legally able to write up and illustrate how to do these stitches and sell them also? Or, because these other designers are already selling them, I have to get their permission first? Personally I think all the related basic stitches should be free. There are so many gray areas and have been since Day 1 of the Beader's Copyrights and Ethics issue. Designers need to think about the beader in general and realize that most are honest and the few are not.



This all being said, I am sorry if I lose beady friends, but I believe I have the right to add my say. I appreciate all the bead designers out there and respect their work. I gladly pay and/or ask permission to sell what I make.



I ask that if you do comment, to be honest, but keep it cordial. Thank you.

Our Countrys Values...God Bless America...We need those blessings, Lord!

by Dorrie Baker Shuster on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 12:22am


Has realized this country is in so much trouble. God will not bless this nation if these values we have are being taken away without allowing us to decide by voting if we want certain laws changed. I am so sure a high percentage of voters will vote on the side of values. Our country, because of the same sex marriages and relationships, adultery, murder, abortion, greed and other actions are killing us. Because I don't agree with all the listed above things and it makes me ill knowing this is going on, Can I call the ACLU and have my rights fought for? I have realized the idea that a majority vote wins and the minority vote doesn't work like that anymore. The minorities get what they want. So not fair. One person in a high school doesn't agree with having prayer and he or she brings in the ACLU to fight for putting a stop to it. So wrong.
I don't believe a homosexual is born gay or an alcoholic is born that way. These are choices these people have made. It may be due to an incident that happened in their lives, but still their choices.

Not sure how comments will go, but I am speaking my opinion and I would like it to stay clean. I have the power to delete those comments that are offensive in my opinion.

Love me or leave me. I am grateful I have God and values on my side. I am safe in the knowledge that when I die, I will be with Jesus. How can what the Bible teaches, be a bad thing. It teaches right from wrong. It teaches pure agape love. Life lessons abound. It teaches so much.

Those of you who know me from my church years, please comment here. We are supposed to let everyone know who God is and what he is about.

My opinion about our rights and freedoms and the news and other such things

by Dorrie Baker Shuster on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 11:47am


Just thinking here...Why are a lot of people blaming just the republicans for what is wrong with this country. I have put my thoughts out there about the government before and have been unfriended due to that. I also posted my Christian beliefs and have been basically told that I am a hater because I am not "tolerant". Tolerance, in my humble opinion, is the lazy way out. I believe in fighting for what I believe in. My hubby, father, father-in-law, brothers-in-law are some of those who served this country so I have the rights I do. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in the right to bear arms. I believe life begins at the moment of conception. I believe marriage is a unity between a man and a woman. I believe this country was founded by men who wanted God to guide this country. I believe that God blesses the country that keeps Him in the forefront.
I also need to add that disciplining your children is not bad. There is discipline and there is abuse. Most people with common sense know the difference. I was spanked as were my 7 siblings. We all turned out okay and none of us have committed any crimes as our parents cared enough to correct us and teach us right from wrong. Also, it is a parents responsibility to know where their children are at night and during the day. If you are a working parent, make them call you and make sure they aren't hanging out on street corners at night. If your child is not doing their homework, it is your fault for not checking it. I think it is wrong that children are taught in our schools to report their parents for a spanking even if it is just disciplinary. It is not child abuse when you spank a child for running across a street without looking both ways. I am sure a lot of you like the time out method, but I do not think it corrects all behavior. God made our butts a fatty place and I think is the perfect spot for a swat. I asked a policeman about the law in one town I lived in and he said that 2 swats on the bottom is discipline, any more is abuse. I agree with that and parents need to step up and control their children. I have 2 wonderful kids that have a work ethic and morals and know right from wrong.

If my friends here don't agree with me, that is fine. If you want to unfriend me for my beliefs, go ahead, because then that tells me that you didn't value my opinion as I valued yours. A true friend allows the others to have their own beliefs and idealsWhy can some democrats here say what they want and stay friends, but me, as a republican, is basically told that I am wrong and...here it comes.....DELETE Dorrie!

The news media has a lot to do with how things are run in this country. I watch MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, HLN and form an opinion after checking them all. One person who deleted me "assumed" that I just watch Fox news and I don't. Some are quick to blame others and not put the responsibility where it belongs. One example of the news media messing with our heads was the whole shooting thing in Arizona. The media was very quick to blame Palin, when the dems were just as guilty with bullseyes on their maps. The idiot that did the shooting is to blame. Wake up people and read and research political things before placing blame where it does not belong. I am sure I will probably be unfriended once again, but at this point, I say "Whatever". You weren't really a friend. I am allowed to have my own opinions also.
I will sit and wait to see how many friends I lose and you know what, if I do lose some, that is okay. I still have risen above what anyone thinks about me....

A FaceBook posting that got me deleted as a friend...

My name is Dorrie. I was deleted from a "friends" list on Facebook as we couldn't agree on an issue. I am so glad I saved the info as I knew it wouldn't be welcomed. I consider myself to be a little psychic, but not majorly. Somehow I knew it would cause a stir, so I was saving it as I went. I am going to post the whole "conversation" with names, except mine, deleted. I would love to hear your opinions and tell me how I handled it. Here goes... ((Just so you know, the spelling errors and grammar mistakes are as written by both of us.))


Letter to Sarah Palin.
From R**** on Facebook.
R****:You (meaning Sarah) as a Christian should know how much power words have, but you choose to ignore your own faith and principles. You are in denial as to your part in the vile language which you and other from the right use all the time.

You had the opportunity to call for a toning down of this uncivil behavior but you chose to miss this opportunity, a real leader knows when to except responsibility for what they have created and move on. You choose to blame those who call you out for what you have created. No one has said you caused this terrible event, but your words insights those who just need an excuse to cause harm to others and you give it to them.

Wake up Miss Palin, and do the right thing, I still hold out hope that you have it in you to call forth the best within yourself. Be a real leader and call forth the best in others from the right by denouncing this kind of behavior.

((The following was deleted first))
Dorrie: I disagree, R****.  "a real leader knows when to except responsibility for what they have created and move on." Quote from you.

She is not at fault for this and not in denial. Both sides spew rhetoric that people with common sense know are just words. The Democrats are just as guilty for spewing violent rhetoric. I was on one site that had quotes from both sides and Obama was as bad as the rest.

http://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/did-barack-obamas-violent-rhetoric-inspire-mass-murder-in-arizona/

** Obama: “They Bring a Knife…We Bring a Gun”
** Obama to His Followers: “Get in Their Faces!”
** Obama on ACORN Mobs: “I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!”
** Obama to His Mercenary Army: “Hit Back Twice As Hard”
** Obama on the private sector: “We talk to these folks… so I know whose ass to kick.“
** Obama to voters: Republican victory would mean “hand to hand combat”
** Obama to lib supporters: “It’s time to Fight for it.”
** Obama to Latino supporters: “Punish your enemies.”
** Obama to democrats: “I’m itching for a fight.”

All have said things that sounded violent. The news stations want you to believe what they say, but I have learned until all the facts are in, to ignore most of what they say. Also the news medias gave this guy what he wanted. A voice. And his 15 minutes of shocking fame.
I just want you to see the real truth.

R****: Sorry there is a huge difference from having someone on your website in the cross hairs of a gun then saying you are up to a fight. I just want everyone on every side to tone it done. I stand by what I have written.

J****: Good work R****. I support your views. SP is the last thing America needs.

R****: Thanks J**, too many only get there information from Fox news which is very sad.

((The following was deleted next))
Dorrie: Well, I have seen MSNBC, Fox News and CNN. Sorry that you felt my opinion wasn’t worthy enough to stay. I get the feeling that the truth hurts and my opinion was my opinion. I stand by what I had written. Both sides are at fault, but in the end, it was that idiot's decision to shoot. Some are listening to the news that only report the side of the left. Not fair, but that is how I feel.

R****: If it was the truth, I would have found it worthy to stay up but it is the far right that are the worst offender of this hate language. From bill boards with bullet holes in it to promote Rush Limbaugh's radio show in Arizonian to the crap that Glen Beck spews every night that is rarely ever backed by facts and when confronted about the miss statements will not retract them. This is not a real news network but a mouth piece for the nuts on the fringe of the far right.

((The following was deleted))
Dorrie: So I am a nut for what I believe. That is just rude. I take it my opinions don't count. Thank you so much! All I can say is, believe what you want. Democrats are not the angels you want to believe they are. The immoralities of what is being allowed, from abortion to same sex marriages, are killing this great nation. I think I have said enough.

Dorrie: I suppose if I would have agreed with you, it would have been considered worthy, but because I do not, it gets deleted.

R****: I never said your were a nut, you said that. I never asked you to comment on my page. You chose to put this up. If you don't like what is here, just don't comment anymore. I suppose you hate gay people as well, so much for tolerance and unconditional love. I don't dislike you just what you stand for but I respect that you have a view which is very different from mine and I will leave it at that.

((Then this below was deleted))
Dorrie: I don't hate gays. I hate that they are sinning. God tells us love the sinner, hate the sin. I am not very tolerant when it comes to ruining this country. I am a Christian.
Quote from you > "This is not a real news network but a mouth piece for the nuts on the fringe of the far right." I suppose all the other news stations have nothing but praise for all the democrats.
I am on the right and morals side. Maybe I am on the fringe.

At this point, the original post disappeared as did her name from my "Friends" List. I have a couple other posts I have written and will put in a blog soon, very soon.

Hey!!! I'm back!!!

Sorry all. Been a while since I posted. Almost forgot I had a blog going. I do want to apologize for an ad on my page that popped up and that offended me. If you saw it, I am sorry. It asks if your husband is gay. Trust me, I don't appreciate that and am working on finding out how to remove it. Please bear with me at this time.
Now on to other stuff... Not much happening here on my end. Still beading and have been reading a lot also. Into the Nicholas Sparks book right now, like "The Notebook", "Nights in Rodanthe", "Message in a Bottle", etc. One of my favorite movies is "The Notebook", and the book was good also. However, with Sparks writing, I think because I am reading one right after the other, he has a tendency to repeat certain aspects. I find that to be a cop out. C'mon Nick, think of something new....
My sister, her hubby and son have kicked in and finally got our bathroom finished, 6 years after hubby started work on it. No more plastic duct taped to the wall. No more vise grips to turn on the shower, a sink that doesn't leak and actual faucet handles that don't cut your hand. I love my new bathroom. So clean and white. We do need to get dusting done here in the living and dining room. I am not one that enjoys housework, but because my hubby has been keeping the place picked up and vacuumed, I suppose I should help.
We went to vist our older daughter and her family this past weekend and it had been quite some time since we have een there and the boys have really grown. They are all getting taller and thinning out, losing some of the baby fat. The baby is already walking and turns a year at the end of March. I hate that they grow so fast. I do like that we can joke with them and have fun visiting them. The older 2 are in school, so that gives my daughter a bit of a break in the daytime.
My youngest daughter has just gotten a promotion with Home Depot and will be doing HR for them closer to her home and that will help her big time financially. However, when she called to tell me, she started crying as she knew she had to leave her friends behind in the store she worked before. I told her she has a phone and internet and can stay in touch that way. I love the technology out there as I can see new pics of everyone and talk whenever I want to. She'll be okay...
 Had to deal with a few dental issues also. Had a back tooth pulled that broke and wasn't salvageable. Had another one break that was fixable and then a regular cavity filled that, thankfully, didn't break. I used to work as an assistant to my dentist, so each visit can be fun. Problem is he always says something funny when his hands in my mouth and I crack up and he says they need to get serious, but doesn't happen, LOL My appointments always end up longer than normal. Luckily the appointment schedule allows for a bit of fun.
One thing that really ticked me off, was our pastor came to visit, first time in a year, not to see how we were doing, but to see if Mike wanted to be in the choir for the Easter Cantata this year. It just really bothered me that it was all about what the pastor wanted, not what we may have needed. Arrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are definitely going to find a new church family.
Anyway, outside of a recent snowstorm, I have nothing more to write about for now. We have probably a foot of snow at this point and it is still snowing. Not loving the fact that I will have to get out in it sooner or later, but it is pretty.
Till the next time..............

Christmas shopping is DONE!!! WooHoo!!!

Well now, I finally have all my Christmas shopping done. I kept to my list for the most part, but hubby added a couple things, so.....Anyway...the mall wasn't very busy, thank goodness. With Mike and I both physically limited, when there are a lot of people and things are hectic, we tire out quickly and easily.
I wore my Use the Muse Contest necklace and received a few compliments. The pics are here...I didn't win the contest, but you know, it doesn't matter as I feel I made a beautiful piece of jewelry. Any and all comments on it are appreciated. I plan to put it up for sale in the near future and hope someone likes it and buys it. I will also get the rest of my pieces listed into my ArtFire store when things settle after the holidays. I can't just let them all sit around gathering dust. Will let everyone know when I do this.
After all the shopping, Mike and I stopped in at our daughter;s home and visited with her and the grandsons. She made an awesome rigatoni lasagna and it was delicious. The boys were their normal busy playful selves and I love to see them. We will head back down on Christmas day as long as the weather is good. Expecting snow and ice, but hoping for the best. It is an hour and 15 minute drive, but so worth seeing the family. My younger daughter is planning to come home for Christmas and I can't wait.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!!

What is your favorite part about the USE THE MUSE Contest experience?

Hello once again. Wow, 2 blogs in 2 days. I must be on a roll. Actually, I want to make sure I entered the giveaway correctly from the Use the Muse page. What did I enjoy about the "Use the Muse III" contest? I enjoyed everything. The beads supplied with the kit. The colors, the "Muse" itself. I enjoyed the challenge that made me realize that I can design and create my own piece of art. I am impatiently waiting the "Big Reveal" and can't wait to see all the entries. Contest number 4 will be out soon and I plan to enter that also, if things go well for us financially.
For today, I think I will end this blog, but yo never know, aybe I will be back to write some more.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!!!!