Hey Hey, if you have read other art bead blogs this week you'll notice there is a theme.... many artists have decided to post about copyrights and what is and isn't free to take. It's a fine line to walk in the bead and art world and being the always optimistic person that I am I think people just don't know the rules. Heck, I didn't know the rules until I did some research on the topic. Here is one of my favorites so far, It's by Barbe Saint John.

I don't want to repeat what everyone else is saying so I thought I would give you a source to solve some copying issues. When I started out making beads I wanted to have textures and stamps for my work. I am always striving to have something different from any one else so I, of course, didn't want to use stamps from the store. On another note it's also illegal to use someone else's stamps in your work and resell it. Hmm...did you know that? Stamps are made for the crafter who is making gifts and projects for their friends and family. I searched and searched for stamp makers and I even tried to make some of my own. Then I came across this fabulous company called Ready Stamps. They are a non-profit group who employs people with cerebral palsy. You send in a sheet of your original drawings and they send you a sheet of rubber stamps from them. It's super cool and you can read all about it here at the Polymer Clay Express website. You can even download an order form there.

I just sent off a sheet of drawings today and of course being the impatient person I am I want them now! But they are super fast and I will have them in about a week. If you have taken one of my ceramic bead making classes, yes, this is the source. It is in the handout and I always make sure to mention the place because they are great.

So go make your own stamps! Yay! You will have original artwork that no one else will have, remember if they steal your designs they are in trouble.

Be Creative, Be different, Be you,
Jennifer