The philosophical side of me

I was browsing some handcrafted jewellery websites and came across one which had a note on the sidebar informing people that all the work featured had been lovingly and painstakingly crafted by her and that she doesn't take kindly to anyone breaking the seventh commandment. In case you don't know, that's the one that says "thou shalt not steal".

As I recall, this is not the first time she has had to post such warnings in her blogshop and it's always puzzled me that someone who is so obviously successful in what she does can be so insecure.

I suppose she means people stealing her design ideas but then again, how many ways can you manipulate the design of a pair of earrings, bracelet or necklace? It's just a bunch of stones or glass or whatever medium wired together and hung on a chain or hook.

The difference, I think, lies in the colour combination, use of materials, quality of materials and craftsmanship.

But at the end of the day, what does it matter? As a crafter myself, I am only concerned that the piece I make is liked well enough for it to be sold. By the time someone else copies the design, I would have already moved on to more new designs and probably sold them already.

Perhaps she is being considerate to the person who has bought her jewellery. Perhaps she wants the buyer to have an exclusive item, one which 10 other women don't also own.

But then again, given the quality of her stones, her stuff is really cheap. I suppose she makes them out of love for the craft but if you really want to protect your buyer, copyright the design and sue the hell out of the person who steals your design ideas. That comes at a cost which will have to be borne by the customer.

So when you think about it, the customer who pays a pittance for something of good quality should not complain about 10 other women buying similar items from someone else.

Truth be told, I browse lots of crafted jewellery websites, some of which are really innovative and creative, in my humble opinion. This is the only one I know of that posts warnings like this. What I'm wondering is... is it really necessary? Or is it insecurity and vanity disguised as indignation and righteousness?

I don't think I would be caught up in the egocentric mindset of warning people away from copying my designs, especially if they're not particularly groundbreaking or revolutionary. It's crafting jewellery, not designing a Spyker, for goodness' sake. And beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. As long as it looks pretty to me, I'm happy. And I'm even happier when people like it enough to buy it.

So I say, copy on if you like my design so much. I judge you not and might even be flattered. After all, imitation is the best form of flattery, no?

And last but not least, I don't take kindly to people who quote the bible, yet fail to appreciate the value of tolerance, forgiveness and mercy; traits that are at the very core of Christianity.