3 posts tagged “jewelry”

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 just got back from the Art in the Yard show -- not sure if I've mentioned it on here yet, but it was a bit of a last minute event. Still, I had plenty of stock on hand and didn't have to do too much to get ready for it. Unlike other shows I've done I actually made some money... not stop the presses, I'm a millionaire amount, but definitely enough to make it worthwhile and not bitter. I know, it's just way too easy to be bitter, but really, I had a good time, it was nice to get out of the house and mingle with people that share some common interests. But hey, I guess getting showered with compliments is always good to uplift someone's spirit even without money involved.

People kept asking me if I participated at the Grandma Party, to which I gave them a puzzled look and said no at first. Apparently it was earlier today, and my jewelry and art would be perfect for it. I'll have to try it next year I guess! I've always wanted to do more shows but usually a fee is required and if it's outdoors you have to have a tent and etc, so I haven't put a lot of effort into finding them, I tried a few and totally bombed. Though if I was really honest with myself, my things have definitely gotten better, and the crowd tonight was much more in tune with what I'm selling, whereas my other ventures were mostly older people -- which is great, but my things just didn't catch their eye. I'm just sorry I didn't know about the Grandma party previously, otherwise I would have SO done it!

Now I just need to get my website up for this stuff...sigh. It seems like I'm always working on some website or another for my own projects, but really, I should get working on that ASAP. Especially now that I have some interest accumulating -- I definitely need to strike while the iron is hot (because this entry really needed at least one cliche).
 

This is a small sample of what I was working on earlier. Right now I'm starting to go through the process of writing up the descriptions and listing them on Etsy. I'm pretty happy with the way the photos came out. I wasn't sure how I was going to display the earrings, when I remembered these japanese figurines that John's uncle gave to me (it wasn't so much as a gift as him just trying to get rid of some things). Anyhow, I think it turned out quite nicely with my wooden necklace display and brown fabric.

I am also in LOVE with these style necklaces. They are so versitle. You just swing one over and around the other and  position it to whatever length you want. No clasps, just beautiful wooden beads with accents hanging from each end. I just *love* these wooden beads, especially with silver. It's just so... classy. I usually make funky jewelry, but every now and then a girl has to have a business side.

I haven't gone to Joann's yet. I'll probably go after I list a few things and grab a bite to eat. If I don't eat something, I'm going to start falling asleep, which we can't have, now can we?

Moooooving on! :)