Twisted Tuesdays - All YOU!

I had a rather frustrating experience this weekend when it was brought to my attention that a seller on Etsy was actually using one of my photos, straight from Flickr, as his avatar. I immediately contacted the seller, but had no response. Thankfully a few days later, my image was removed. And yes, it is the same shop where my dear friend Lorelei is being knocked-off. I know just what she is feeling, as I had a very similar situation this past spring with yet another Etsy seller. You should have seen those side by side shots. It just plain sucks that people feel they can borrow other people's ideas like that. Ugh.

Rather than write another long winded post about stopping copyright infringement though, I decided I want to celebrate those of you that get it. Celebrate you that know just what being inspired by means. Often times we joke that when we teach our kids things, we always tell them what they can't do and forget to tell them what they *can* do. This is a post where instead of telling you NO, I am telling you YES YES YES!! From the beginning I have said I want to you make the projects I share in tutorials! That is why I write them, right? All I ask is that you acknowledge the source with a link back to the project, or the book. If can't share a link, at least share my name. That isn't crazy talk, is it?

I didn't need to go far to find fantastic pieces of jewelry showing just what I am talking about. All of them can be found in Totally Twisted Designs Flickr group. Slowly but surely since the release of my book, Totally Twisted, the pictures have been rolling in. And I love them. Truly, I love what people are being inspired to make.

Have a gander at these goodies! (click the image to be taken to the flickr account of the maker! click their name to be taken to their website/blogs!)

Orange Dangley Earrings by Jen Judd


Calypso Fun by Sheri Tober


by Lorelei Eurto


Twist to the Max by Designs With Heart (sorry, no website available)


Necklace ReDo by Kimberly Roberts


Out Of This World by Erin Prais-Hintz


by Debbie Fowler

Now, as if that weren't enough beady goodness for one day, I have even more to share! One reader in particular has taken on a rather daunting challenge. She has decided to work her way through every project in Totally Twisted. Yeah, that is right, Molly Alexander is making every project in the book! Here are just a few of her takes on my projects so far.

Projects by Molly Alexander

I would love to do more of these posts celebrating YOU and what you are making! So, please take a second and join the Totally Twisted Designs Flickr Group. Then, run to your studio, make your favorite project, and share it with us!!