Polymer Clay...and more...: using a technique as 'your own'

using a technique as 'your own'

There has been a lot of talk around the polymer world as of late about teaching someone else's technique as your own. Granted that once you 'publish' an article on a technique or project, it belongs to the world. I don't have a problem with fellow artists learning a technique and even making pieces to sell. I do think there is a problem when an artist blatantly takes someone else's technique and TEACHES it as their own. Two very important friends of mine are dealing with this presently. I think that the very important fact here is that the contract for this conference clearly states that classes should NOT be based on a technique already published in an article. I have been the biggest fan of Bead and Button Magazine and Show, but find that this situation makes me think less of it! It would have been a dream of mine to teach at Bead and Button Show, but now to find out that there are polymer classes being taught that are techniques totally stolen from my friends! I realize that the polymer community is a very small part of the Bead and Button Show. But this is a big thing to us. I am proud of Dorothy and Donna for standing up for themselves. It may have not made a big thump to the B & B Show, but at least we know. Honestly, it would still be a dream of mine to teach at B & B Show. I hope that taking this stand won't hurt any future chances I may have, but I felt it was necessary to voice my opinion.