I've been knocking myself out copying other people's merchandise on and off this blog for months now (see Leather Tassel Earrings tutorial, for example). And I was right in the middle of copying this Lucky Brand necklace (Leather? Fringe? You're shocked that I like this, right?) when I came across this:
I'm a chronic worry wart, and this instantly made me feel bad. Is what I'm doing wrong? As a writer (and human being), I'm sensitive to plagiarism. Just like I wouldn't Xerox a painting, is it wrong of me to try to recreate a necklace or a blouse?
After much deliberation, dudes, it's just not. It's more about inspiration and encouragement. And saving dough. I cannot paint or draw to save my life, but if I can make a necklace or a blouse and if I have the time and resources and desire, I should. Not to mention it's a thrill to recreate something that I may have once though completely unattainable or unaffordable. Anthropologie Smanthropologie. It's all just stuff. Stuff that someone somewhere made. I can make stuff too. Maybe one day, if I make enough of other people's stuff, I'll start to come up with my own stuff. For now, recreating other people's stuff is enough. It's all OK.
I wholeheartedly agree with this quote from Jim Jarmusch, which in the interest of full disclosure I poached from Jessie Baylin's tumblr (which is divine):
"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said, 'It's not where you take things from - it's where you take them to.'"
In other words, I'm COPYing Jarmusch's sentiment and I'm opening a NEW window and I'm starting from there.
(That said, you best believe that Lucky-inspired necklace will be showing up on this blog soon.)
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| Source: Life as an Artistpreneur |
After much deliberation, dudes, it's just not. It's more about inspiration and encouragement. And saving dough. I cannot paint or draw to save my life, but if I can make a necklace or a blouse and if I have the time and resources and desire, I should. Not to mention it's a thrill to recreate something that I may have once though completely unattainable or unaffordable. Anthropologie Smanthropologie. It's all just stuff. Stuff that someone somewhere made. I can make stuff too. Maybe one day, if I make enough of other people's stuff, I'll start to come up with my own stuff. For now, recreating other people's stuff is enough. It's all OK.
I wholeheartedly agree with this quote from Jim Jarmusch, which in the interest of full disclosure I poached from Jessie Baylin's tumblr (which is divine):
"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said, 'It's not where you take things from - it's where you take them to.'"
In other words, I'm COPYing Jarmusch's sentiment and I'm opening a NEW window and I'm starting from there.
(That said, you best believe that Lucky-inspired necklace will be showing up on this blog soon.)
