Copy vs. design

I just read this blog on copyrights and it definitely gives some food for thought...

I agree with her statement of the lines blurring. And I'll throw one more out there - what if you see something that inspires you to do something similar? Do you have to give credit to someone's idea, even if you only saw a picture of it? What if you come up with your own way of going about it, using their idea as a jumping off point?

I think beading is like movie plots in Hollywood - there are only so many plots. You can remake a classic while giving it a nod, or start with a basic outline and take it in your own directions. There are only so many ways to do vampire movies. Sure, there are a few plot twists here and there, but the inclusion of vampires has been done over and over (and will continue to be done). Same thing with romantic comedies. The couple either ends up together or doesn't. Action flicks - hero gets bad guys while car chases ensue and stuff blows up. Beading is the same way. You can use a particular device (peyote, bezel, herringbone, spiral rope, RAW, etc.) to get your point across and use colors to evoke a particular theme or mood. Pink for soft and sweet and romantic, blue for calm and restful, hematite for something a little edgier, etc. But there are only so many ways to do flowers or cuffs or chains. The interest lies in the combination of those elements, and that's what separates those who copy from those who design.

Are you a copier or a designer?