There's A Giveaway At The End Of This Post

You know, I love holidays just like any other person, but I hate when Tuesday acts like Monday. It's unnatural and puts my whole week in a weird spin. No matter how I hard I try, the week is just off. Anyway, I tried to do myself a favor by simply posting the Instructable yesterday, but I think it just further contributed to yesterday not feeling like a week day. The folks over at Instructables have again spoiled me by choosing to feature my tutorial. I think that this one will ultimately get far less attention as it really doesn't teach all that much new nor is it complicated and interesting looking like the mask, but I do like to throw these out every once in a while and keep interest in tatting growing outside the established community.

I have not worked any more on the gloves as I've had my hands full with other projects demanding more immediate attention. Okay, maybe not demanding, more like actually having destinations in mind. I spent much of the weekend sewing sequins on an other mask, this time, I think I found the sweet spot for the person who requested it. This one will take a trip and I'll let it's destination and purpose remain a mystery so I can talk about it later.

Ooh, now a story. So, I was checking out my google alerts for tatted jewelry when I stumbled upon a blog and I read the entry and I commented nicely in regards to the content and it appears that I must have not been polite enough to warrant the publishing of said comment, so I shall share here. It was in regards to why people publish free patterns and then do not want you selling pieces made with them. I've heard opinions on this subject most recently during the copycat scandal that of course went well beyond just that. Basically what I said there was: I give out patterns because I believe most people who seek out free patterns are not trying to make money with them. They are trying build their skills, make gifts for themselves and others and simply enjoy the pastime. I knit, I look for free patterns, I don't sell those things, that's not why I knit. It's not *why* I tat either, but I've managed to make this my only income, so you'd see why I wouldn't want to hurt that. I think I was naive when I offered patterns of things I was trying to sell, but when I started selling on etsy there was not a single solitary tatter selling there...not one. It is of course rapidly becoming a crowded market and I would not have guessed that just a few years ago.

Anyway, the blog post also referred to coming up with a ring design all by themselves and that they didn't think anyone could claim the design as it was too simple. I mention this because it seems an odd succession of statements, almost as if they were justifying or defending themselves. This might be because while they may have indeed independently come up with the design as many others may have, I did too, last November when I made and listed the ring. Look, I'm not mad here. I have long accepted that with limited elements simple pieces are going to be created, discovered, designed by multiple sources independent of others. There are things I 'created', then subsequently saw in a book from the turn of the century. Here, I am not naive. It is what you do with the elements that makes a piece original. I just worry when folks get defensive like this while also condemning people for not wanting to freely share with no conditions. Everyone is entitled to their opinion on the subject and I doubt I'll change any minds here, but I think this is why so many creators pull their heads into their shells and do not share techniques, hoarding their knowledge. They believe their ideas do in fact belong to them...not the world, it's sad, but I don't blame them.

Sorry to be such a downer and all, just needed some venting and that's what a blog is for right? I did mention another surprise, but again it is not ready to be unveiled, but I do have one last thing for the day...a giveaway. It's not mine, but you can win one of my Quadra bracelets. Choklit of Adornments for Tarts is having a fabulous tiered giveaway that only starts with my bracelet and continues on to gift certificates for her gorgeous silk and beaded beauties. I've had the pleasure of seeing her work in person and it is simply divine and elegant. So head over to her blog and enter to win. The more people who enter, the more prizes there are to be had.