13 posts tagged “etsy”

I thought my digitial camera was incapable of taking great product photos, namely jewelry. No matter what I did, I always had to do copious amounts of editing in photoshop before I could even comfortably present them, which not only takes a lot of time, but doesn't really work. You end up messing with the color balance of the image and have say, purple shadows. It just doesn't give a very professional final product. I figured I would have to drop some serious cash in order to take some really good photos.

There is a major disadvantage to disregarding the users manual. I usually like to learn things on my own, but I never really messed with the manual settings on the camera -- to be honest I just left it on automatic thinking well, it should automatically make good photos right? But after consistently bad results even with a lightbox that I made (granted, a little better), I decided to chart unfamiliar territory.

For the record, I have a Canon Powershot A540. I have been a little iffy about it, but now that I have really seen what the thing can do I am really happy with it. The only thing I would change was the battery source. I had a Nikon SQ and loved the docking station it had using a lithium battery. I really think more electronic devices need to use rechargeable batteries like that, especially because I've been having some difficulty keeping enough charged batteries on hand. Cameras using AA batteries tend to go through them rather quickly. If you have a digital camera with some results you are less than pleased with, I recommend stepping into the world of experimentation and looking at all of the different settings you have -- especially if you have a manual setting where you can change the white balance and ISO. The best way to learn is to just start snapping photos and noting the effect the settings does to the image.

That said, I'm going to show off some photos I took! BTW, if any of these items look like something you want to have, they are for sale. Just let me know if you are interested in something. I also have *some* items listed on Etsy, but not very many at this point. I am working on putting together my website, which is almost done (save for the products that need to be added to it!), so if you're too shy to send a message, that shopping option will be available soonish.

I'm currently offering some products with my art on them in my Etsy shop. I don't usually try to get pity sales, but John and I are going through a rough spot while he has been out of work and looking for a job. If you enjoy my art, I have some pretty affordable prints, magnets and small mirrors available for purchase.

If you don't have an Etsy account, you're welcome to sign up, it's an awesome site! Or if you'd rather not bother, send me a vox PM with what you'd like and your paypal email address so I can send you an invoice. I'll also accept checks/money orders, but I won't ship your items until the money has been deposited. If you notice that any of these items are sold and have not been relisted in my shop (I relist items after they have been purchased) then send me a vox PM with your order and desired method of payment.

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The art prints are on a glossy poster paper (non-archival), but are signed, dated, and numbered on the back. Each one comes in a cello sleeve and is mailed in a sturdy white uline mailer. You can find more details about each print size and see larger photos of them on the Etsy listing here.

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These are high quality 1.25" magnets with croppings from some of my popular pieces and ACEOs. You choose five designs (while supplies last, substitution may occur to our discretion if the design you requested is out of stock). Check out the Etsy listing here!

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Choose one of five designs of these high quality pocket mirrors to keep you looking purty throughout the day. See the Etsy listing here.

I haven't posted in awhile so I thought I'd give an update. It looks as though I'm going to have to purchase another computer for home shortly, because I think my Mac has just about had it. I have done clean up after scan after disk repair, even replacing the Ethernet cord and I simply cannot figure out why my internet connection is not working. Well, it works ... I suppose, but it takes a few minutes just to load google, which we all know is a really difficult website to load, with all of it's extensive and large graphics, embedded flash, music playing shenanigans.

Perhaps it's my Ethernet port going bad, but I'm not sure about that either, because I did the speed test via my modem and my computer is *supposed* to be downloading at 215k. At any rate, I haven't really used the internet at home for quite some time now because the only way I can do that is by using John's computer, which he is typically using when we get home from work, plus after sitting at work all day on the computer, my enthusiasm for going home and sitting at the computer further is not exactly appealing. So, while I am frustrated with my Mac's performance, there isn't a huge rush to replace it quite yet.

Other than that, it looks like I may have some new horizons for my business opening up very very soon, which I am thrilled about because it may give me some consistent work week after week, though just like anything, nothing is guaranteed. At any rate, a repeat customer is definitely a sight for sore eyes so I am looking forward to it. Though we are having a world of difficulty with John's document imaging project... which is much more drama than I care to share, but if you are of the praying sort, I'd appreciate your prayers on the resolution of this matter, especially because it concerns getting paid, which we desperately need.

I've also had the chance to make my first round of successful lip colors and I must say they really turned out fantastic! I need to get some better product photos as that the ones I have more or less SUCK, but the product is really top notch. I have impressed and superseded my own expectations! Check it out here, ladies! And if that one is sold and I haven't relisted a new one in my shop, send me a message if you want one!

year of the pig - the finished version

I just thought I'd wrap up a few loose ends that have been sitting in my journal for a bit. The first of which would be the finished version of "Year of the Pig", alas, I am not sure if I will be putting it up for sale because when I was taking it off of the watercolor block, the white border around the piece got ripped. I suppose if I got it matted, then I could sell it... but I also have some boo-boos in it, so I'm sure that would kind of decrease the value a bit. Like, when I drew the outline over the pencil drawing, I waited a bit to erase the pencil line, but still, when I started erasing, whenever there was a dot it would smear. So, I tried to "smear" it in the direction of the line to make it look somewhat like I did it on purpose but still, it makes me a little less satisfied with it. I may do another one since I really love how the pig's colors came out, but I'm not sure. Let me know what you guys think! :)

And the second issue I wanted to resolve involves my merchandise (wheee). I have received the magnets and mirrors I discussed 2 posts ago, and they are available in my shop... yay for consumerism! So, if you enjoy both my art and enjoy functional applications then may I suggest a creo ingero pocket mirror and a set of magnets?

I'll admit, I am a little impatient with sales, but come on! Aren't these the most awesome thing you've seen all year? I'd rather have a set of these magnets and a mirror than a Louis Vuitton designer bag! Seriously!

I mean, how many LV bags do you see out there? I probably see at least 2 a day and I don't get out much since I work at home and all. Those things are like the plague. Whereas, with my art, you could actually have something unique and wonderful!

My photos aren't the best, but I should get a better camera and a lightbox or something.

Consequently, it is also available for purchase in my Etsy shop. I also have some 8x10 prints available for $20 (plus shipping) if you love it but can't afford the original!

waves of dragon - scales series

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Here's the artsit statement adapted from my Etsy listing:

I am continually honing and developing my style as an artist. One thing that has become definitively "mine" is the scales series. So far, all of my work has been largely abstract and though this may still fall under that category, "Waves of Dragon" takes one cognitive step forward.

This piece is largely conceptual, loosely based on the idea of mystical creatures and mythology. Here you find a dragon breathing fire to form the sun. The colors chosen for this piece provide a warm/cool contrast with the focal point as the dragons head. I am very inspired by japanese kiminos, which bares a testament to it's intricate patterns and rich colors that give it a textile feel.

"Waves of Dragon" features black micron pens (archival), yarka watercolors and prismacolor markers on 9x6" 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper. There is approximately 3/4" white border. Actual drawing size: 8 1/4 x 5 1/4". Though this piece is small, it is definitely a powerful presence and a treasure to own.

Let me know what you guys think... I'd be happy to hear! :)

I'm one of the many "artists" out there trying to make a buck (or three) on their "gift" (I say with quotes, because I'm no DiVinci or Picasso). Here's my latest masterpiece incorporating a bird into my "scales" series. I've been making "scales" pieces for oh, I don't know, at least a year now, and I really enjoy working with the intricate detail. I keep trying to introduce new elements to it in order to keep it fresh and challenging. This time I chose birds. Not only are birds severely trendy right now, but I've always loved them. I remember going to my uncles house on a lake in Minnesota and watching all kinds of birds, including the beautiful hummingbirds (and some squirrels) come to the bird feeders. Or, listening to the birds sing after the sun rose and I was on my way to school. Occasionally you'll come across a bird that you just want to throw a shoe at, but for the most part, they are graceful creatures (albeit a bit dirty, but what wild animal isn't? or animal PERIOD!).

bird & scales no. 2

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I took a break today from all of my webdesign projects and worked on a new wallet design. It started out as a DS case, but it was way too small. Then it hit me, it was the perfect size for a wallet! I changed the outerflap to hold some cards and an id slot, and presto! I'm still tweaking out the pattern/construction, but it's so close. Once I get it, I'll be making a dozen or so to test out in my shop. I'm pretty excited about it, because I've more or less given up on wallets. I've only made one good one, all the others came out too big or too small. Sewing is such a precise art. I really have to take great care to make it perfect, but I think I'm getting a lot better. I've seen a lot of wallets on Etsy, and I've never seen one quite like this. I could be wrong, but I think it's a pretty original design. Whoo hoo!

In other news, I got the sniffles today. I'm not full blown sick, but my nose is stuffy and I have a slight headache. I had to keep getting up to wash my hands after I blew my nose... it was quite annoying, but the less germs I spread, the faster I'll get better. When John got up today he couldn't even talk, and it sounded like he was hacking up a lung. Poor guy :(

Well, for walking up at 12:30pm, I certainly am pooped. I think I'm going to crawl under the covers and get some rest.

But before I go... happy Monday everyone!

go and conquer the world of dry lips

there's my troops!

I totally defeated the purpose of staying up for a day and a half. I slept for 14 hours today, and now it's 4am and I'm only marginally tired. I did get quite a bit of work done today, though, including making 100+ lip balms, most of which are for a wholesale order. I lined them all up and took about a million pictures in case I want to use some on a brochure or something... though come to think of it, they are all on a dark background. Ah well.

They look like little military lip balm units. haha. *hears some star wars music play in the background*