Copyright
In the last few weeks (actually months) I have discovered some copies of my work.
I have been avoiding bringing this up for a while because it's such a downer. The first time I made the discovery it took me a few days to get my head around it and eventually just let it go. I came to the conclusion that the reason I make things is to express and develop my feelings and ideas and copies of these are pretty pointless....... best just to focus on my own work.
Since then, there have been quite a few more discoveries of copying. Today I found identical copies of my Nodule bracelets and necklaces for sale on Etsy!
It makes me feel sad.
Addendum: Thursday 13.12.2007
Your support is very touching, thank you all.
I think it wise to let you know that I asked the Etsy seller I mentioned earlier if her ideas were original. I have been given a very reasonable and plausible explanation of her process and feel it appropriate to accept that it's possible for individuals from different cultural backgrounds to come up with the same designs independently of each other. We have both come to the conclusion that there are common archetypal design elements which are hard-wired and are expressed across different time periods and cultures.......fascinating!
This experience has been a valuable lesson in understanding why I make stuff. Is it for praise and acceptance, or to expresss my love of life and the natural world. A reminder that it's the latter. It's very important to speak one's own language.
So now we can all sleep again.
