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.