Ripping is an issue I used to deal with a lot while I was skinning. It wasn't always my work being ripped, but also the work of many of my on-line skinning friends. Regardless of whose work it was it still hit pretty hard.

Until recently, I didn't think I had to deal with it quite as much with my jewelry designs.

I don't mind it when someone is inspired by one of my own designs to create something of their own. However, in those cases, a simple acknowledgment would be nice. I've even created works based on techniques created by other jewelry artisans.

What I do mind is when someone attempts to outright copy one of my designs and passes it off as one of their own. That is one of the worst kinds of theft imaginable, in my opinion.