Keeping up with the Jones's

This post may not be about crafting and jewelry making completely. But, what it can relate to is why, even in crafting, we try to keep up with our peers. For instance, I recently caught myself trying to re-create something I found in a magazine. Imagine that. I know no one has tried that before! Just kidding. Anyway, I though to myself, why am I doing this? It was a lovely piece. That was not the issue. I just could not bring myself to copy someone else's hard work and creativity. I am not trying to compete with the likes of magazine entries. I just want to have my own style. And isn't that true for all artists? Why on earth ,then, do they have these glorious patterns in them for you to copy? I ask you this. If I make something from this pattern. And I love it,wear it or give to my Aunt Jeannie who loves jewelry as much as I do. Does this make me a copy cat? Or am I purgering this person's work? I have no idea. The thought of creating a complete copy of something,because, of course it's pretty, is just wrong. Somehow. Not sure how, but it is none the less. So, I ask again. Why do they put these glorious, wonderous,easy to follow instruction, patterns in Magazines? Good question I think.