[Rainbow D. Clown]

This entire thread saddens me. It started with exactly what this forum is here for...support and gainable knowledge for the First of Mays or the seasoned clowns/performers. I guess the question of what the right ethics are when trying to share publicized information is what comes into play. I think Chance is right.
I absolutely love Balloon HQ and used to be a member (I'm a deco-twister). I had to let that membership fee lapse, so, I don't get to see as much, but, I still visit from time to time. BTW, the credit given to the designer and the credit given to the location at the site was a good plug for the site and the designer as well. I'm sure it generated an inquisitive stir. Now I'm not so sure after all of this. I'd hate to see Ralph, Balloon HQ, or Daniel be tarnished by this in anyway.
Mr. Dewey, I had the pleasure of meeting you a few years back at Joey to the World in Houston. My first ever (and only) encounter with other professionals and education. You inspired me so much from the beginning of my clown-hood through all of your books (I have more of yours than anyone elses'). You had inspired me so much up to that point that I paid for and brought 8 Jr Joeys with me from my church. What a blessing that event was for our children. I'm sure you don't remember me. We only spoke breifly, but I remember you (and the shoes I won in the raffle woo-hoo) and isn't that what counts? Isn't that what you are protecting?

I have visited site after site upon your recomendation. I have put so much forth in my own efforts due to your encouragement and simplicities. I built a business 700% due in part to your designs I learned and shared with others. You were a big reason for my success. But just because you have been such a wonderful staple in the entertainment community (soft tone, gentle approach) does not in any way mean that you are always correct. If I may, I'd like to see if you would be open to seeing this from a different perspective (I love that word perspective).

A cool balloon design has been shared on a web site. (Keep in mind the purpose of this website: for professionals and potential clients of the professionals to come and gain knowledge of skills, share accomplishments, have a portfolio available for viewing, find local artists for hire, view local artists portfolio, and communicate with others for upcoming events, jams, etc.)

It was noticed by someone from our forum (I don't even know now, so, I can't quote, I came into this a bit after it had started) and shared what a wonderful design it is. (Our forum's purpose: to support other's in our profession, to uplift, to share knowledge of skills and events, and to encourage the understanding of thinking out our crafts, Not a marketing website)

So, in keeping with the spirit of the forum, the design was shared. And all of this was included with the sharing....what the design was, who designed it, where it was found, and that it would be a cool design to do.

Sounds like a virtual Jam session to me. If someone is jamming and they had recently found a recipe posted, and said, "I found this on BHQ by Daniel, whatch this, I'll show you how" and actually duplicated it at the jam, (which is why the recipe was posted, so it could be duplicated), would it be unfair to share it? Or would you rather someone say, I can do this but I'm not going to share with you how, go to the site yourself?

Before posting recipes that we have gained knowledge of, that we want to share (like it was shared with us due to it being posted), are we to contact the authors of every book, video, column, or publication? I'm not sure if that is feasable, and I don't think I'd get many of my phone calls returned, and I know that the 8 people I trained in my business wouldn't have gotten very far, and neither would my business. It's simple really, if you don't want someone to share what you are sharing....don't share it. Don't be surprised when you actually get the compliment of wanting to continue to pass it on.

Kinda like sharing cooking recipes....I love to bake, and share recipes quite often. If I was asked how to make my Coconut Cream Pie, and let's say I had gotten the recipe from an online magazine, do I share it? Or say, go to the site yourself. I'm sorry, but I cut and paste (which is one of the few things I know how to do on a computer besides point and click). If I say I got this out of the Chocolatier' magazine's January issue, it's awesome...try it. Am I wrong for sharing what the intention of the posting actually was. (Posted for the purpose of sharing)?

Is it unethical to actually carry out the purpose of the posting, even though it wasn't done in a way that was ideal to you? Wouldn't it be more unethical to not share it to keep others from growing? Most things we learn in this business is learned from someone else. Then we take it and put our own spin on it and either perform it or teach that to someone else or both. But that's why we buy books, dvds, go to conferences, attend alley meetings, search web sites, belong to organizations and participate in forums. To grow and to share the growth process. There is nothing unethical in that.

The design was not sold, nor did any monetary gain happen due to sharing the design. So why was it wrong? Because monetary gain didn't happen? I totally understand your defense of such a wonderful, helpful, educational balloon site. However, I believe the intent in which the material was shared was overlooked, and quite honestly filled the purpose of its posting.

I have taught many people how to do your designs, then told them to buy your books because you have a simple way of explanation, and you have wonderful designs to get starters going. I wonder how many have bought because I shared your designs. I wonder how many visited BHQ because of a posting that brought about awarness to some that didn't know about it's existence.

I don't think that you being a well known contributor, Mr. Dewey, is a reason for a "public appology". If, in fact, you asked Duckie to share her individual private appology, I don't understand the reasoning for it. I also believe that if we are to confess to one another, then that is what we should do. (Confess-let others know of one's misdeeds.) And if someone feels they need to appologize to someone, then it is ok to be just between the two of them. In the same way, that if one feels they have been wronged by an individual, it is ok to go to that individual to try to straighten it out. If you had no way of getting ahold of that person individually, then I can see why a public request of information was made, but, I'm sure there was another way of going about this.

I have a lot of respect for you, Mr. Dewey, and this instance doesn't change that for me. You are still a huge staple in my growth. I have a lot of repect for the purpose of this forum too, as it has allowed me to be more personal with other professionals when I need it, and it allows me to contribute what little bit I have to contribute. It's very warm and inviting here.

I promise you, anything that is shared on this site is not in vain, but accomplishes many of the goals you, yourself have set out to see met. The love and joy of balloon art and family entertainment living on.....think about it!