The Tricky Terrain of Copyright

Recently I read an article in Bead & Button that opened my eyes.  I would love a design from the magazine or another book or online, I would make that design and I would add it to my inventory of things to sell at craft shows.  I really didn't think I was doing any harm by this.  It's not like I was taking credit for the design, I would tell people where it came from.

But then I read an article in the new issue of Bead & Button (issue #113) and I guess I wasn't the only one to have a change of heart. (Check that out here)  I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm sorry to all the designers I've inadvertently done this to.  There's really no way for me to take back the pieces that are already gone or go back in time and not do this in the first place.  However, I can make changes as of now and for the future.  So that is the plan.  I will no longer sell pieces that are designed by another person.  The only work I will be selling is of my own design.

For me, this means a complete overhaul of what I have done and rethinking where I want my beading to go.  I'm going to take this as a challenge to better my own beadwork and design strength to create an entirely new line of pieces.  Here is what I've decided on.  Geek Beads.  I am a total nerd at heart and that is where I will let my heart go in my beadwork.  Here's a couple examples of what I mean:

My favorite mythological creature (and future overlord) Cthulhu:

Also on my radar is my favorite comic book character Batman:

And, although I am not as versed in this geekery as I will be someday soon, the Star Trek Commander's Pin:

These designs are completely original to me.  I have spent the time to design them in my head, on paper and then with beads.  As for the rest of my collection/inventory that I am no longer selling?  I've decided to start giving pieces away as gifts to my friends so I don't have to worry about any copyright issues.

Once again, I just want to say to all of the designers that I have done this to, I am sorry.  I still love the beadwork you create and it will not stop me from making pieces for myself or a few family and friends as gifts, but I will no longer hurt your work by selling it.

Mostly Settled

Well, I have been absent for quite some time now due to moving into the new house.  I will reward your patience with some pictures of the new place and some new beady treasures as soon as I charge my camera (So beady treasures will probably be tomorrow since I have to locate the charger first!)  Hubby and I are now the proud owners of a bi-level 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house.

First up is the kitchen, since it is the most lived-in room in any house:

Then right next to the kitchen is the upstairs living room:

The master bedroom:

The downstairs living room bar area:

The downstairs living room theater area:

The guest bedroom:

And last but not least, my own wonderful beading office:

I have not painted any of the rooms yet but that is my next step.  I will have more beady goodness for you all soon, now that I am able to get back into my normal flow.

Long absence....my apologies!

Hello again everyone!  I have been absent far too long, I will do my best not to do this again.  I have not been up to much jewelry lately, as hubby and I are moving and I have two craft shows, a concert and work to go to.  As you can imagine, we've been perpetually busy.  We close on our current house at the end of October and will close on the new house 2 weeks later.  In the meantime, we will be staying with the in-laws who will also be housing almost all of our belongings.  I will most likely not have too many updates between now and getting into the new house.  Until then, my friends!

Ornaments Galore!

Well I seem to be in the right mood to make an abundance of ornaments lately because here are a few more!
A small silver and gold ornament:

An extra large ornament containing white, silver and blue:

A netted ornament using Diane Fitzgerald's netted egg as the base:

I've also gotten a couple of custom orders already as well! Here's one in jewel tones for Hubby's aunt:

And one for one of my best friends, inspired by a peacock feather, to wear in her amazing dreads during the holidays!

TTFN Folks!

Xmastime? Really?!

Well, no, but it IS time for me to get ready for my fall Christmas Craft Shows, so the ornaments have begun!  Here is the first one I've done so far

And because I wasn't sure if I liked it all white or not, here is the same beaded section, but on a blue ornament:

Then I decided to make a more Christmas-like one with more red & green in it:

And that's all I have for ornaments so far, but I realize I've neglected all of you so I felt you needed an update anyway!  I will definitely post more of my Holiday items as I make them for all of you lovely people to see!

Til next time!

The Housing of Beads

Hello friends!  It's been awhile since I last posted and I apologize.  Hubby and I finally have our house on the market so it's been a crazy few weeks!  Here is a quick peek at our current cozy cottage, not enough space anymore, but perfect for a starter home or older couple!

And just for comparison, this is what it looked like when we moved in 6 years ago:

On to other things then, I've made a bit of jewelry lately but not nearly as much as I would have liked.

I had to tweak the pattern a touch to make it work without the right beads, but I finished a couple versions of Mikki Ferrugiaro's pattern Pave ring:

Then I did the spiral star of hers as well:

I was playing around with the pattern and was asked by a good friend of mine to make a small beaded piece for her hair, since she has dreads.  This is what came out of that:

After that, I received a copy of Mikki's Honeycube pattern and couldn't wait for the beads I ordered to arrive!

I whipped up a version of a new bracelet from Bead & Button:

And finally, I was just playing around with Mikki's honeycube pattern to come up with these beaded beads that I put together:

I'm working on a few other things at the moment, but nothing is quite done yet so I'll have to leave you all in suspense for now!

Anime and Beading

This past weekend I went to my first ever Anime Convention, AniMinneapolis.  I love to dress up and truth be told, I am a giant geek.  I had a great time and met some very cool people.  I went with my best friend/sister Caroline and it was a blast.  Here's a few pics from the weekend:

This is me meeting Inuyasha, my very first anime love.

This was the Final Fantasy Photoshoot:

A Crossplay (Meaning a girl dressed up as a male character or vice versa) Rurouni Kenshin, my favorite anime of all time:

We also met Captain America and Harry Potter & Draco Malfoy!

Now, I'm sure you're wondering, but where are all the beads?  Well, there weren't any there, but I did look into getting a booth there next year, and doing marketed pieces toward anime!  So I'll let you know what happens with that.
  As far as what I've been working on lately...

A new project from Beadwork:

Two versions of Wicked Weave by Mikki Ferrugiaro (you can find more of her stuff here )

I also got Mikki's Pineapple Lace pattern and had to try it out in my go-to colors:

I also got Mikki's Dark Secret Key Pattern and immediately fell in love with it!

I also made another of her Shuriken stars:

Also, I started this one awhile ago and finally got around to finishing it, Rachel Nelson-Smith's Fly Me To The Moon necklace:

That's what I've got for now, until next time, everyone!  Happy 4th of July!