So very, very sad…

…when things are going SOOOOO well, to discover that another beader has decided to make their living from others’ hard, hard work.

The Etsy store “MaryT Designs” run by Mary Rabakon, is selling instructions for work not her own.  Many items are rip offs of work from Contemporary Geometric Beadwork’s various volumes, Jean Power’s gorgeous work, etc., as well as work by other artists I instantly recognized.

When you work as hard as we all do to respect others’ efforts, be original, attribute fairly, and conduct ourselves honestly it’s disheartening to see rip-off artists spit on your rights and make their income dishonestly.

I’ve been so busy on so many fronts I haven’t published for some time, but that doesn’t mean I’m not active and designing and selling; just that I’m not POSTING.  This person has never contacted me to ask permission, discuss possibilities or any other communication.  The instructions are highly exacting and, although I’m bloody well NOT going to pay for instructions just to see, I’m forced to conclude she’s either completed lifted my own instructions or painstakingly reproduced the same.  Again, that is NOT original work, lady!!!!

Does anyone else out there find this behaviour as repugnant as I do?

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Happy New Year 2014!

Wow!  Talk about starting the New Year with a bang!

Now, of course I knew this was coming up, but it’s been back-burnered in my mind for ages as it was in the polishing and publishing stages.  Imagine my surprise when I got home late yesterday evening to find a huge brown box waiting for me…from Sterling Publishing?  At first I thought it was something Kate McKinnon is sending to me but then it clicked!  OMG – Marcia DeCoster’s new book is out!!!

Tearing into the box I found my copies of “Marcia DeCoster Presents”; I’m on pages 102-105!  FOUR pages of my work showcased with some of the most interesting, talented and visionary bead artists on the planet, and included at the specific request of Marcia herself!

I am so high with delight, awe, fascination, humbled amazement, joy and gratitude…

So many delightful feelings are tumbling through my mind right now!!!  Contemporary Geometric Beadwork Volume 2 is in the final stages of preparation and will join this lovely new book, as well as Volume 1, on my bookshelf soon…

When I’ve had time to assimilate the shock and awe I’ll post more about this lovely book; oh, and I will be resuming teaching this Spring, too!…so much to tell…”see” you soon.

Happy Beadsday!

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Oh, what a beautiful day…

…it’s sunny, warm and a lightly cooling breeze constantly wafts past, perfumed with the Mountain Ash blossoms that are in abundance where I walk from my car to my office.  I have really been aware of the luscious fragrance this year; quite happily, too!  My seasonal allergies have all but obliterated my sense of smell, so the rare occasions I can distinguish something are really precious to me, and I savour them to the utmost.

I received an email from a student just yesterday, with a photograph of the piece she completed after taking my Bellybands, Wings & Horns class at That Bead Lady.  Marilyn Parker chose to keep to double layers on the outer edges, only, but used a technique I’ve only WANTED to do for a year now, and have never had time to complete.  Marilyn completed an absolutely stunningly gorgeous Interlaced Helix Bangle Variation – isn’t it magnificent?  I’m absolutely delighted to see it, and Marilyn, I cannot thank you enough for thinking to send me the photo, and for your permission to share it.  You have done a wonderful piece of wearable art that I know will be a conversation starter – and show stopper! – for many years to come.  Congratulations!

Now, isn’t this a beautiful day, indeed?

Happy Beadsday!

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