Do remember
that it is a great compliment when others strive to match their competition, imitation is a form of flattery.[/QUOTE
I honestly do not oppose nor feel violated by being copied, it is a form of flatery. I did however had someone once replicate a signature pendant, stamp it with their name and then market it. I completely stoped making it. One of my favorite pieces, I just quit. When you, as an artist choose to not only fabricate, but conceive, express and expand on a dialog, you become emotionally related to your experience. It's just courtesy to honor the origin of a design, to represent your personal expression and feed on your very own emotional relationship. That said, introducing other artist to this dialog for me is serious, for I'm responsible to adhere to certain codes of ethic and not subject my own lampworking peers to violations of their own intellectual property. So, if I'm to continue relating my peers to the art glass drip tips, boundaries must be set and a standard of quality, respect and individual creative expression must be met. It's the only way to keep your own.investments into trippy tips valuable throughout.