Is it OK?

Is it OK to use a design you saw someone else do in a magazine, online or anywhere? Do you need to state the designer if you do? Can you sell that design?

Sure it's alright to copy a design you find and make one for yourself. People do that all the time. They'll do it to try a new technique, play with color etc. But is it ethical to then sell the design? Even if you use different beads or colors? A lot of people seem to be very torn about this topic. I am too.

Sure I look through magazines and I love to see what others create online. I even like going to the stores to see what I can make for myself. But, my style is basic stringing. Not much to that. For basic stringing, it's all in the color palate, stones, and findings used that makes a design what it is. For me to go and literally copy a design it would be to use the same stones, in the same colors, and use the same findings and that is an exact copy. Would I sell that? Nope!

Is it OK to take the basic pattern and change the stones and colors and sell that? I'm curious what you all think. Leave a comment and let me know.

Looking to be Interviewed?

I am starting a new interview segment here!

If you own your own website, design, create and sell your own products and are interested, please contact me. I have done many interviews on my other blog which have generated a lot of traffic. I am getting new questions ready and will hopefully be starting soon~with your help.

Once your interview is posted, I will send you an email with your link attached and you can view the post as well as link to it from your blog and/or website.

Looking forward to hearing from you.....;)

Time to Journal for Business

Do you remember when Oprah had suggested keeping a journal to write down your thoughts and feelings for 5 minutes or so at the end of everyday? I know it was years ago. But do you? I know she said to write down positive things and when you referenced back you would get all warm and fuzzy. Didn't work for me. I must not have been a positive person back then.

Then I tried it with writing down all of my thoughts When I was planning my wedding I filled up several notebooks with more than 5 minutes worth of writing almost everyday (I got so frustrated~but it turned out to be the best!). Since beginning my own business online, I've kept a journal (to keep me on track). I have been keeping journals on and off for over 12 years. It truly helps me keep things in perspective. It also helps when there are issues I just can't discuss with others who are not knowledgeable on what I need to talk about. Sure, I use a journal for ideas too, but I have a separate one for that. It's mostly for getting things off my mind. A write-it-and-forget-it type of attitude.

To start a journal is really inexpensive and easy to do. All you need to start is a notebook (college ruled works best~more lines per page~lol) and something to write with. A few moments here and there every-so-often and you are on your way. If you haven't tried it yet, I strongly suggest you do.

Do you keep a journal? Does it help you?