“The development of an imagined piece into an actual piece is a progression of decreasing possibilities, as each step in execution reduces future options by converting one–and only one–possibility into a reality. Finally, at some point or another, the piece could not be other than it is, and it is done.”
Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Discussions around copyright infringement of jewelry designs usually center on intellectual property rights. It’s a pressing question for anyone who lives by creation. But besides the fact that copyright infringement can be a very expensive pastime if a maker copies the work of an artist who is aggressive about protecting his or her designs, what’s also important—and never discussed–is that the design world loses the imitator’s unique artistic voice. Continue reading