I was a bit horrified when I saw this article in my feed reader this morning. No…”horrified” doesn’t even come close to explaining how I felt. If nothing else, it’s taught me to exercise caution about where I get my supplies from in this copyright-protection-happy world.
I have a friend who has considered making glass beads, and when he does, I’m looking forward to incorporating them into my own work. I love being able to search for the right beads and wires for any project. They’re supplies; that’s what they’re there for. It’s expected that someone will buy the supplies and create something with them. In this age of hobbyists-turned-businesspeople, it’s even expected that these supplies will end up resold as part of something the crafter made.
Can you imagine if you honestly had to license rather than purchase your materials? How would it change the face of designing, of crafting?
Perhaps we each as artists need to consider why we create. I know that discussion has already started in Canada, but it will be interesting to see how this all settles.
