These people are losers... pass it on!
There is a company called Forever Silvers whose entire inventory consists of metal bead and component designs that were stolen from other artists. They have blatantly made copies of the work of different artists, claiming it as their own. And by copies I mean they purchased the original beads, made casts of the original pieces and then made replicas to sell. It doesn't get much sleazier than that.
DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THESE PEOPLE. Please. And while you're at it feel free to pass this info along on your blogs, in letters to the editors of your favorite beading magazines and the organizers of various bead shows and conventions. Let them know that by knowingly allowing unethical sellers to advertise, sell or be represented by their publications or shows they become an accessory to perpetuating illegal behavior (and that their names will be plastered all over the blogosphere ad nauseum, and that ain't pretty) .
For more information directly from one of the artists, Cynthia of Green Girl Studios, see her blog here. And please pass this information along to any and all. The beading community is a strong and mouthy one so let's all do it proud and shout it from the roof tops!
DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THESE PEOPLE. Please. And while you're at it feel free to pass this info along on your blogs, in letters to the editors of your favorite beading magazines and the organizers of various bead shows and conventions. Let them know that by knowingly allowing unethical sellers to advertise, sell or be represented by their publications or shows they become an accessory to perpetuating illegal behavior (and that their names will be plastered all over the blogosphere ad nauseum, and that ain't pretty) .
For more information directly from one of the artists, Cynthia of Green Girl Studios, see her blog here. And please pass this information along to any and all. The beading community is a strong and mouthy one so let's all do it proud and shout it from the roof tops!
Comments
We have the power to say NO to evil-doers! Not only does this make surviving in a hard economy harder, but it hurts the soul to know that the work you're making is being stolen. You feel completely violated.
The audacious part is that the owner of Forever Silvers is doing this knowingly and maliciously, even though she's been confronted in the past by customers and vendors.
This has to stop!
I am so glad that there is not only an outrage but a show of support for our artisan friends. That is why I like to buy direct from the artists. I am putting on my first gallery exhibit this summer, and I plan to feature artist beads in each and every piece I make (that is inspired by the 2D works of local artists!). Thanks for sharing, Nancy! Enjoy the day! Erin
BTW I love, love, love the Marie pendant and the seahorse, I have the same exact ones in real gold (seahorse) and gold tone I think (Marie)...I may mold them too, if you don't mind. :) I know the seahorse is 30 years old but am not sure if the Marie is vintage or only about 10 years old. I don't think I have the courage to cut off her head. You are so funny!!!
Maybe it's me, but I think it's a big faux pas and tacky to be so uninspired and unoriginal.
But, like I said, I can make my own original work...I do the molding strictly for fun and I NEVER PROFIT from others work. That is still stealing, even if the peeps are dead, IMHO.
I really appreciate your work Andrew, all original, no molded copies of others labor. I agree; it IS tacky. My hat is off to you dear man!!!
Wow. I'm not quite sure what I have done that deserves your incredibly insulting and rude comments. You went from loving my work so much that you wanted to copy it to accusing me of stealing the work of dead people. And all of this from a total stranger and on my own blog!
While I certainly don't feel the need to defend the way I work I DO feel the need to educate you a bit. There is a big different between copying the work of an original artist who is working today, and making molds of designs that are in the public domain. When something is in the public domain that means that no one owns the rights to that design. Any button or stamping that I may use for making molds falls into that category. Yes, those are designs that were created by someone else. And while you seem to think it is stealing to interpret their designs in my own way I view it quite the opposite. My love of antique design is no secret and I have never taken the credit for anything that I have made a mold from. I decided a long time ago to work in this style (which, incidentally, represents only a portion of my body of work - I work in many styles) as a tribute to a particular era and style - drawing attention to it by recreating work, in my own voice, that would otherwise be lost to history.
If it bothers your conscious to make "molded copies of others labor" then by all means, don't do it. But while you are at it, don't copy my original idea of molding something and making a clay version of it. I am happy to inspire others, for sure, but just because I used an image that is in the public domain does NOT mean that what I have created from it is there also. That is called copying.
Please think twice before you decide to insult someone's way of working on their own personal blog. I would never do such a thing to you so please afford me the same courtesy.