brandianndesigns

wow...over 2 months since i've posted!

2009-05-19T19:58:00.005-05:00

time really flies. i'm sure no one will ever come read my blog again because i've been so neglectful. :(

but, in case you do, here's what i've been doing.

last night i sewed a new purse :) i'm so pleased with it. i made it with dish towels that i already had. don't worry. they're cute dish towels. see:

i've finished the etsy catalog that i was working on...i know, i never posted details here. maybe i'll do another one later this year - if i can find someone to help me with the photoshop grunt work. can we say BOR-ING??? anyways, it's done and off to print now so fingers crossed!

here's a photo i took for the catalog...i only photographed the cover photographs. everything else in the catalog are the sellers' own photos (not the best idea ever!)

kim...if you read this. i have a couple questions about the last few bags i've made. i can't figure out how to keep the liner from drooping when you put in a magnetic closure. any tips?

it's wednesday

2009-03-11T07:39:00.003-05:00

march 11

my birthday!

just wanted to say hi to all my readers (the 1 or 2 i have). things are falling into place (for now) when it comes to being a mom to a 19 month old and a 3 week old. it's getting easier. not so easy is the part where i find out that my husband will be working away every week - flying out on sunday night and home thursday night. boooo

but we're getting the hang of it. i've been crocheting alot lately - i like to 'do' stuff while i watch tv at night, and since i don't have a tv upstairs in my studio crocheting will just have to suffice.

quote of the day:

discipline, attitude, backbone...not available in stores

and some more pics

2009-03-09T13:36:00.001-05:00

for your viewing pleasure!

and if anyone wants to know, i took the pics! :) enjoy!

new pics

2009-03-02T12:24:00.002-06:00

busy being a mom...no time to post!

but, as a bonus for checking on me here's a couple of new pics:

and one AWESOME website:

baby as art

the first picture you see is my favorite! talk about creative use of baby + body art!

Please Welcome...

2009-02-12T08:49:00.001-06:00

Dylan Anthony Berry

born 2.12.09
5:35 am
8 lb 3 oz
19.5 in.

what a birth! my water broke at 4:15am and we got to the birthing center at 5:00 am and he was born at 5:35 am! it's 8:35 am and we're already back home with the new baby! :)

we're so proud!

want to see...

2009-01-28T07:19:00.000-06:00

the cutest kid ever? (isn't he getting big???)

we should be adding to our cute kids any day now! :)

Let's talk business cards

2009-01-07T15:50:00.012-06:00

let me first say if the pictures don't come up - just let me know, i had to host them through another site because blogger wasn't letting me upload pictures.

it's the new year (thought i missed that didn't you?) and it's time to start re-thinking things when it comes to marketing and your etsy shop. personally, i've opened a new shop where i sell premade and custom banners, avatars, business card designs, logo design...some of the same stuff i sold in my other shop, but i didn't want to bury my jewelry with graphics.

so, i'm posting an idea here for your business card designs (or i can design it for you - hint hint ;) and unique ways to use that little card.

first i spent a couple weeks figuring out the new design for my cards (funny, i can turn out a design for someone else in a couple hours, but mine - a couple WEEKS!) i wanted something unique, different, and eye catching (who doesn't?)

so, this is what i came up with:

looks odd, right? that's because my business cards will be a little labor intensive on my end, but i end up with a few different options and things i can do with them.

first, i have to cut them lengthwise:

then i cut the smaller part into half (following the faint guideline)

now, i have a small business card (about the size of a moo card and two small cards (about 3/4 inch x 1 inch).

so, i can use the business card itself as is, or i can mount it on some coordinating paper (i happen to have some awesome silver metallic paper left over from some wedding invitations i did a while back that match perfectly) but you can find paper at your local scrapbook store.

the smaller cards i plan to use as jewelry tags (maybe i'll think of other uses later) and can use them as is with a hole punched in the corner or i can put another small piece of silver paper behind and connect them with a metallic eyelet - either way i will probably run a piece of string through the hole and hang it from my necklaces and bracelets or tie it to a pair of earrings.

new logo

2008-12-30T21:16:00.001-06:00

i have a new logo :) just in time for the new year

designed by me of course. :)

what do you think?

i'm going to have a stamp made of these 'b's for my jewelry. i also have a new ring i have to photograph and post. you'll like it, i'm sure

(another!!!) new venture

2008-12-17T10:51:00.003-06:00

i opened up a shop on 1000markets.com

you can visit my shop here.

don't forget to buy something while you're there :) not enough time for christmas delivery now, but you can always get new years delivery and celebrate the new year with something beautiful and ahem...new? ;)

2 updates

2008-12-15T16:49:00.007-06:00

1) i was published in the January 2009 Bead Trends Magazine (woo hoo)

bracelet is for sale in my shop: here

bracelet:

necklace (should be available tonight after i list it):

2)i LOVE photoshop and i'm glad i'm good at it! (shameless patting self on back here) today i had an 'emergency' photoshop for a family who needs photos of their kiddos to send them out in their Christmas cards (yes, for THIS christmas). Unfortunately, the younger one just did NOT want to cooperate, so, here are my before and after images:

go me! :) come on, admit it. they're pretty good, right?

i love to learn

2008-12-10T15:37:00.001-06:00

how to do new things

like this ring:

pea pods

2008-12-02T10:05:00.002-06:00

i love pea pods - especially this one available here.

new ring...this one is in my shop!

2008-12-01T16:41:00.002-06:00

you can buy it
here

new earrings...and a ring

2008-11-28T07:53:00.003-06:00

i made an awesome ring for my best friends' birthday (which i forgot...) and haven't been able to post it here because she reads my blog. she called last night and got the ring so now i can share it with you!

i'm going to be making these for my shop as well. after i make myself one (of course) :) i have a frosted lemon quartz that's the same shape as this ring, and it's gorgeous.

i've also made some new earrings - and had to answer the question yesterday - why are your earrings so expensive? the person asking meant the sterling earrings, but i wanted to slap her (she's family, it's ok to feel that way) :) i mean seriously, i try to price my jewelry competetively, and i do NOT use cheap findings (i make my own), and i buy high quality beads. i told her if she wants cheap to buy from my $10 and under section that i feel like my prices are fair for the amount of work and quality in each piece i make. what do you think? be honest now - i promise, no slapping!!!

here are the new earrings:

smarter.com

2008-11-21T14:01:00.002-06:00

kim from CapeBags did a write up about me (and little black dresses) here on smarter.com

thanks kim! you're the best!

newest item

2008-11-19T16:39:00.002-06:00

my newest item in my shop:

i made this particular one as a custom order for someone, now i have it listed in my shop as a custom made necklace!

also, i added a $10 and under section in my shop...always trying to drum up more business! (too bad it's not working...)

ten and under

another new venture :)

2008-11-16T16:55:00.002-06:00

this is my first completed set cabochon. when i do more finished i will be selling them in my shop (unless you'd like to special order one) :)

new ring

2008-11-11T13:23:00.003-06:00

my first wide band ring

i think it turned out awesome (but i'm biased)

oxidized and hand polished made from 21 gauge sterling.

what do you think?

i will be taking custom orders for this ring soon

have you seen Saturn?

2008-11-07T10:20:00.003-06:00

well, if not, here you go:

celebrating finally having 50 items listed in my shop at once, and 340 hearts for my shop i'm offering free shipping until Sunday 11.9.08 if you put FREESHIPBLOG in your message to sellers and wait for an updated paypal invoice! now, NO EXCUSES! go shop! 48 days until Christmas.......

new everyday earrings!

2008-11-06T10:28:00.000-06:00

just listed in my shop:

48 days and counting............

i was featured!

2008-11-05T18:25:00.008-06:00

i've added some christmas photo cards to my shop, but i can do cards for any occassion. here's a sample:

i am working on some simple sterling post earrings tonight so they will be in my shop soon at a very reasonable price! go shop! christmas is only 49 days away!

have you seen???

2008-11-04T10:22:00.002-06:00

the new stuff in my shop?!?

here's a preview:

i have another new ring in the tumbler now, pictures soon!

now, GO SHOP!!!
:)

etsy front page

2008-10-24T15:25:00.002-05:00

kim

thanks so much for featuring my mother's pendant in your treasury and letting me know it made the front page!

that's so awesome!

i'm not at home so i can't show a picture of the treasury right now, but i will when i get home (wednesday)

thanks!!

more new stuff...

2008-10-14T10:35:00.000-05:00

i'm on a roll! yay me!

lately...

2008-10-10T09:21:00.002-05:00

i've started twittering. i've made a new version of my mother's necklace:

and i created a treasury this morning!

it all started with that gorgeous painting in the middle by Matthew Hamblen.

Fantastic work. Just wanted to share!

have you seen this???

2008-10-06T09:39:00.002-05:00

as i've stated before...my jewelry work is headed in a new direction. here's my latest piece:

i've listed it in my shop. it's for a custom order mother's necklace. i think it's gorgeous. i was inspired to make one for me because...duh...i'm a mom. soon to be a mom to two. i wanted one that i knew what it signified, but no one else would (unless they asked) and would just basically look cool. i think i captured that.

my silver work is coming along nicely, huh? just think - a couple weeks ago i couldn't even get solder to flow! :)

and, in shameless promoting of my own shop, don't forget...CHRISTMAS is coming!! only 80 DAYS AWAY!!! (it sounds really close like that, huh?)

whew...

2008-10-02T14:33:00.003-05:00

Ike is over. our yard is clean, everything is working, and it's back to normal - for us at least. for the thousands of people that Ike devastated, well, they're still cleaning. want to see what happened here? go look here. the pictures take a while to load (right now there are 5 pages of them) but they are shocking. and they're not email hoax fakes - i recognize alot of the businesses in many of them.

on a different note, you may have not noticed, but my shop is taking a new turn. i'm getting away from the more 'costumey' for lack of a better word, jewelry and getting more into sterling. i made my first rings on this past tuesday (no pics yet though). today i listed a new bracelet.

different than my normal stuff, but i fell in love with the stones so i had to do something with them. i also have a stack of jewelry that i've made for my shop but somehow they managed to creep their way into 'my jewelry pile' so i'm going to go through that and start listing stuff from there too. i decided just to keep the stuff i LOVE because i dont have enough ears and necks and wrists for all of it!

i sent a necklace and bracelet set (yes, set - something i never do but they requested) in to be published in the January 2009 edition of Bead Trends. it should hit newsstands in the beginning of december, so look for me! :)

that's about it for now. i'm going to try and be a better blogger...what a slacker i've been! oh, we found out what we're having yesterday - another BOY!!! :) still due in the beginning of february sometime!

i really haven't fallen off the earth.......

2008-09-23T10:09:00.005-05:00

contrary to popular belief.

life happened, a new online store happened, but most of all, hurrican Ike happened.

on september 12th hurricane ike rolled through knocking out power to 4.1 million houstonians (galvestonians, texas citians, etc). most people have power, but we are still part of the 616,000 center point customers without. we have our fingers crossed to have power restored thursday. and hopefully with power our water will return as well.

thankfully, my mom has power, running water and sewer. we have been here since last wednesday. before that on sunday we evacuated to austin for a few nights of blissful a/c and internet. (yes, internet is an absolute priority for us...sad isn't it?)

i have family and friends still without power, so we are very aware of just how lucky we really are.

so, on a different note, i am starting a new online consignment store. i am looking for consignees of all kinds. my shop, ginger & lime will carry handmade, unique, one-of-a-kind, trendy accessories for you, for him, for your babies and children, for your pets, and for your home.

if you think you fit the bill, please email me or contact me through my etsy shop for more info. in the meantime, the only items listed in the new shop are mine, so the selection is VERY poor :)

Through the Viewfinder - 1st attempt

2008-08-08T15:41:00.003-05:00

So, yesterday I stumbled upon some photos that I really liked the feel of. They were vintagey (is that a word?). I thought they were done with some post processing in photoshop, (something i do ALL THE TIME) but they WEREN'T! They were done with something called Through the Viewfinder (TtV). So, I found this blog: Russ Morris and did some reading. Today Cameron and I headed for the nearest antique store where I found a nice Kodak Brownie. I wasn't sure how great the mirror on it was because it was pretty dirty, but when i got it home and cleaned it, it looked NEW! that's good and not so good. here are some examples of a picture i took today in the backyard while cam was taking a nap (and i wasn't)

before photoshop (straight out of the camera - except the cropping):

after photoshop:

basically you take your digital camera and using a macro lens take a picture "through the viewfinder" of a vintage camera (like i said i'm using a kodak brownie, but i'm looking for a duraflex). they're cheap older cameras and your photos have the neatest feel to them. i can't wait to take some pictures of the kiddo!

oh, there's also a ton of these types of photos on flickr. i'm just getting into it, but there are people who have been doing it for a while! if you're interested i'll post more about it later!

enjoy!

no jewelry...

2008-08-07T16:54:00.002-05:00

well, since i can't make jewelry - literally - i just don't have time. ha ha ha. everytime cameron takes a nap i want to take a nap, or just 'rest'. i just can't bring myself to drag all my stuff out to make a few pairs of earrings. part of this is because it's all thrown together in a couple of boxes and i can't find anything. i am trying to rectify this, but it goes back to the first excuse, i really, just don't have time. :)

in the meantime, i will just post about my day to day life. enthralling, right? right.

"you're going to be eating alot of hair if you keep doing that." those are words i NEVER dreamed would come out of my mouth as a mother. as in giving cameron an ice cube to keep him occupied and him throwing it on the floor, pushing it around a while (we have a lab and a cat) and then picking it up to suck on it. i never thought i'd EVER say ANYTHING like that. haha. i had to laugh at myself today when i said that.

my big venture today is popsicle making. HEALTHY popsicles. sounds gross, right? actually they're very good. and good for cameron, and me (what a bonus!) i had three fresh peaches that were past the eating stage, but perfect for smoothies or freezing, so i knew i wanted to start there. i had been reading an old post on mothering.com about popsicles, so i had some good ideas for adding good stuff to smoothies and they'd freeze great. so, 2 fresh peaches, a few spoonfuls of plain whole milk yogurt, a squeeze of honey because it was plain yogurt, and pretty tart, and 1 heaping scoop of whey protein powder. BINGO! fantastic HEALTHY smoothie - which immediately went into popsicle molds. then i made another smaller batch with the third peach, a banana, another squeeze of honey, some yogurt, and two scoops of whey protein powder (these are for me).

anyways, just wanted to share! enjoy the summer! popsicles are the only way to survive the heat!

two important things

2008-07-21T21:18:00.002-05:00

and the main reasons i haven't been adding stock to my store lately...

i'm due 2.2.9

hopefully i will be able to work on some jewelry next week!

off topic

2008-07-01T20:11:00.001-05:00

but totally worth your time.

read this and let me know what you think:

http://www.livescience.com/health/060227_happiness_keys.html

now in sterling...

2008-06-12T14:26:00.003-05:00

i made a version of the bracelet you're jealous of (come on, admit it) this time in sterling. 16 gauge. big beads. gorgeous beads. stoneymariedesign beads :) of course!

but i also learned something interesting. i thought i'd share. on encased lampwork beads the clear on the outside 'magnifies' the colors inside. that's why they really look layered. i was swimming the other day and realized that when my bracelet (yup, mine - won't be selling this one either...i hear you asking...how can she afford NOT to sell it? answer is simple - i have to have a sample to make sure everything works right, don't i? ;) ) anyways, back to what i learned. i found out that when the beads are underwater they don't look so layered. it's really cool. so i took some pictures to show you the difference. aren't i awesome. lol. not really.

above water:

under water:

can you see the difference? isn't that cool? just thought i'd share.

on a different note, voting is still in progress for the holiday cards (see my last post if you missed it) and i have my fingers crossed! i can't wait to find out!

holiday card voting begins!

2008-06-10T19:18:00.003-05:00

i'm posting this to solicit votes :)

about a month ago i entered a holiday card design contest and today the voting begins. three of my designs made the short list and if i place 1-5th place then my design will be for sale on the minted.com website for this christmas season, plus i'll win a cash prize!

here are the submissions:

http://www.minted.com/vote

my designer name is brandianndesigns and if you like my work, i'd appreciate your support! i don't know if you have to register with minted.com to vote, but it's free, and i'd be grateful!

thanks so much!

here's a preview of what you'd be voting for:

i can feel...

2008-05-30T10:16:00.004-05:00

your jealousy over my new bracelet...it's coming through quite well.

bracelet courtesy of me. beads courtesy of my wonderful hubby for mothers' day.

click on the pictures, make them bigger. check out the awesome beads. really. they're awesome. i love glass. i especially love stoneymariedesigns but not in a creepy way. in the i want to own every bead she makes kinda way.

i told you - send me beads i will make you one! :) you know you like it. it's so awesome. (hmm, i'm not proud am i?)

let's talk beads

2008-05-27T16:34:00.004-05:00

ok, remember the beads i told you about by stoneymariedesigns? i haven't received any beads that you've bought from her and mailed to me yet. hello people! don't you want to own her beads?? go on, go shop!

if you mail me beads by her, i will make you something beautiful (for a fair price)

like this gorgeous necklace i just listed in my etsy shop:

slacker alert!

2008-05-27T10:31:00.002-05:00

i have been such a slacker! i haven't posted in ages. in all honesty, i have a reason - cameron was sick all last week.. well, not really sick, but he ran a fever from tuesday - saturday. (it got up to 103.6 at one point!) there was nothing else wrong with him. we did take him to the dr. but he just confirmed what we thought. he can't find anything else wrong with him, so we just have to wait. if it hadn't gotten better by saturday, then we were going to have to do further digging.

thank goodness it was better by saturday!

on a different note, thanks to a wonderful customer of mine, my shop has been down to almost nothing so i'm working on posting some new jewelry. here's a sneak preview:

the cutest kid EVER

2008-05-12T21:55:00.001-05:00

see? i wasn't lying. he really is the cutest kid ever.

we can't believe he's ours.

mother's day

2008-05-12T18:18:00.003-05:00

happy belated mother's day everyone!

my husband is AWESOME! he bought me the best beads from StoneyMarie Designs. what?!? you've never heard of her beads? well, shame on you! go there. buy beads. send these beads to me as well (see previous post). here are my new favorite earrings:

i will take pictures of all the beads i got for mother's date later this week.

also, i took some new pictures of the kid this evening. i will post them soon. you will be jealous. he's so adorable!

on a side note, the bread i made was awesome! 4 ingredients. no kneading. i will post the recipe this week as well!

have a great evening!

the kid, some flowers and tint

2008-05-08T08:00:00.003-05:00

first the kid. THIS would be the reason we call him 'fluffy head' it's apparently the new fashion. we can't make his hair lay down. i'm hoping as it gets longer the weight of it will make it lay down. poor little guy. he will never be able to have short hair unless he wants it to stick straight up. hopefully mohawks will be in fashion when he gets big! two cowlicks - whoda thunk it?

second, some zinnias from my garden. only two today - there are a bunch of flowers though. all colors.

third, we had our windows tinted in our living room yesterday. unfortunately, they need scaffolding to reach our second story windows so they will do that next week. in the meantime i wanted to take a picture so we'd remember how bright it actually was in there. so hot in the summer that watching tv between 2pm and 6pm is a joke and i could seriously cook dinner on the slate flooring. if i wanted to eat dog hair with my dinner... ;) they say the tint should knock out about 70% of the heat and glare coming through the windows. 70% that's a bunch!

eye candy

2008-05-06T16:12:00.004-05:00

the new definition:

with a dose of glorious green gaudiness on top:

obviously i got my new beads from BlackRiverBeads. they're awesome. (green gaudy beads not from blackriverbeads)

go there. buy beads! then send them to me! ;)

so,

2008-05-05T09:15:00.003-05:00

here's that baby picture i was talking about from my last post. the one with the socks on the ears and pants on his head? tee he he. everyone says he will hate me one day for this picture.

oh well, at least at that time i will still be able to laugh at the picture! and you also get a bonus picture today:

that's the hat my mom made for him last winter! it's so adorable. too bad it's too small for him already. that, and it's summer here now. that kinda puts a damper on the hat wearing until november - maybe december.

i bought some new supplies this week. there's this neat blog that i read all the time for inspiration. she does great work. well. come to find out she has started selling supplies too! visit her shop at AdobeSupplies and tell her brandi sentcha. she's on vacation right now though, so if you do order anything - be patient!

that's about it. i got the supplies from her 2 days after i ordered them. talk about fast shipping! also, i ordered some lampwork beads. they're like tiny sculptures...but i probably won't be selling any jewelry with them...i'm stingy. and they're awesome. see:

that's about it for now. maybe i'll post some pictures of stuff i actually made soon. i did make a pair of earrings...

and we have company flying in thursday until monday so you may not hear from me for a while...don't be suprised! have a great week, and if i don't talk to you before then - Happy Mother's Day!

i've been

2008-04-30T07:12:00.003-05:00

pretty neglectful just lately haven't i? in my attempt to keep a little cleaner/more organized house my craft falls by the wayside because i don't have an office or studio of my own. i normally work in the breakfast nook or in the living room, but that always makes for a bit of a mess. and according to my husband little bits of wire all over the floor are unforgiving to sensitive soles. those of you who know me would think that second line is a joke...cleaner/more organized house. i have a kid a dog...if it's not spit up on it's covered in dog hair and most of it gets both treatments! so, now i'll share a pic of my doggie:

and in case you need a laugh today:

tee he he. my husband hates that picture, but me on the other hand, i think it's HILArious. but then again i am the one that put socks and pants on my kids head just for a chuckle. maybe i'll share that picture another day.

until then i'm going to sit here at the table and think about the fact that i really need to go take a shower, but i don't feel like it. i have a few blogs i need to catch up on and hey, that's important, right?

woooo hoooooo

2008-04-27T15:42:00.002-05:00

i made the front page of etsy today! i went online to see what was going on and to my suprise, my brittany earrings were front and center! that's so awesome!

see, i have proof!! :

even cuter

2008-04-17T08:19:00.002-05:00

i decided to bump the froggie picture down with an even cuter picture.

he is totally worth not getting more than 5 hours sleep straight since he was born! and not for the next umpteen years!

evolution of art

2008-04-12T06:10:00.009-05:00

first off, i have this cute little froggie picture i took the other day and wanted to share. isn't he so cute?

second, let's talk about the evolution of art. in my case, right now, jewelry. so, i saw this bracelet that was added on etsy the other day. Spiny Knotted... by LeiDesign and i was immediately drawn to it.

She notes the originator of the pattern she used for the bracelet in the description, Stephanie Sersich, so, off i go to find out more about this lady and her book that taught LeiDesign to make this gorgeous and tactile bracelet. I found Stephanie's website and read through everything I could find - her work is posted on alot of websites and she teaches classes so alot of people mentioned her on their blogs. well, me being the person i am, i decided i HAD to have her book. i had to see what this "special technique" was that LeiDesign learned from Stephanie's book and executed so beautifully in her bracelet.

so off to amazon i go, and barnes and noble.com, and ebay, did i mention that i'm cheap? a penny pincher? i found stephanie's book on buy.com and since i used my google checkout i got $10 off the book, so with 2 day UPS shipping i still only paid like $16 for the book. that's WAY under the $22.95 price. I got the book on wednesday and let me say...woohoo. but also let me say, had I seen the book first and not the bracelet by LeiDesign, i might not have bought it. anyways, i flipped quickly through it to the page with the how-to for the bracelet i had seen. i was shocked (it's really easy). i've done macrame before so i found the bracelet pattern very simple - but the drawings and the step-by-step how to's were fantastic. she even shows you how to add more thread when you run out - something that is very important.

so, i was going to make the bracelet as the pattern indicates, but i don't have any waxed linen thread or any pearl cotton. i could go to the store, yes, but cameron was sleeping and i had to wait for him to get up so in the meantime i started brainstorming how could i execute this bracelet with items i have on hand. my first thought was yarn, but that seemed more like a practice bracelet to me, you know? so my second thought was, of course, wire.

i started toying around with my copper wire. i had a couple practice runs and a little trial and error, and this is the bracelet i came up with. i don't know if i will list it in my shop. i really like it. it fits nicely :)

macrame with wire was definitely not the easiest thing i've ever done. i have sore index fingers on both hands. i can see if i make more of these wire bracelets i will develop a callus. but i think it's awesome. now, i will probably make a few bracelets out of twine (it will definitely be easier on my hands) but i just wanted to share my new endeavour with you special people, my blog readers. :) i was hesitant to post these pictures, because i don't want someone to 'steal' my idea, but i figure anyone with integrity will take my ideas and do exactly as i've done with Stephanie's - let it evolve.

let's talk wholesale

2008-04-10T06:09:00.002-05:00

ok, not really talk, read.

i found a great blog here:

Part I
Part II

thanks qbranchltd for so much info!!

photoshop highlights - before and after

2008-04-09T06:17:00.003-05:00

it was suggested to me by a wonderful reader of my blog (and there aren't many of you!) that i should do photoshop before and afters and maybe i could help some etsians along the way. i thought about her suggestion (thanks kim!) and have decided to do exactly what she suggested. today i have worked on the cubecone's photos. she makes flower arrangements for tiny spaces (cubicles, apartments, hospitals) for places where a large arrangement isn't feasible. these wonderful creations can be hung with nothing more than a straight pin! i think that's pretty incredible.

unfortunately, the photos cubecone has doesn't always showcase the items as well as they could. a couple of them were a tad dark and the blue flowers were a good idea, but i found the background extremely distracting. i have tried to take the photos she already has in her shop and highlight her items just a little better. let me know what you think!

neep help with your photos? drop me a line (etsy@brandianndesigns.com) or leave a comment and i will do what i can to help!

more pictures...to be listed for sale soon

2008-04-02T15:39:00.003-05:00

i went on monday to the botanical gardens not far from my house and got some great pictures (if i do say so myself :) ) i ordered a few today from my printer and will be listing them soon! here's a sneak peak:

and my favorite one:

and don't forget to check out my shop for new jewelry!

also

2008-03-31T08:41:00.005-05:00

what do you think about these for greeting cards? i will post before and afters again.

fine art greeting cards

2008-03-29T00:56:00.003-05:00

how do you feel about fine art greeting cards? i'm thinking of taking some of my photos and making greeting (blank inside) cards out of them to sell in my shop. what do you think?

which one do you like better?

before

after

photoshop

2008-03-28T04:44:00.004-05:00

so, i did ask around in the forums about offering up my photo skills to those etsy sellers in need, but i think it would be more of a hassle than it's worth for shipping etc. plus, the items are my responsibility while they are here...and being shipped back and forth. so, scratch that.

what about if i offer my photoshop skills for your photos? i see on etsy people have listed photo retouching from $2 and up. i would be interested in doing bulk for people. if the photos are in focus generally i can snazz them up (is snazz a word? i know jazz is, but snazz?) in no time flat. just an idea.

kim from CapeBags mentioned to me about doing photoshop before and afters here in my blog and sent me a seller that needed a little help. i have convo'd her to see if she minds if i use her photos. i have them edited and ready to go we're just waiting on here. so the blog is taking yet another turn...it won't be long now! until then i guess i could leave you with a few of my own before and afters. or rather pre and post-editing photos. i will use my latest listing - the copper bracelet so you can see what my photos look like straight out of the camera and then after i edit them.

after seeing these i realize my photos are a little dark sometimes...i will have to work on that. :)

contest

2008-03-26T20:50:00.003-05:00

so, i'm entering this contest for save the date designs. i have three couples photos to choose from and i can submit three designs. i get a few basics about each couple and then have free reign with the design.

i wanted to share my designs and get feedback from my readers to see what you all think. i only have two done so far. and i did the special effects on the laurice and alex save the date in photoshop - please feel free to critique away! i would LOVE to win! do you think the definition on the second save the date is out of place? their theme is funky fonts, libraries and east asian flair (i skipped the asian flair - i could just see too many cliches...)

just thought i'd share

2008-03-24T14:14:00.002-05:00

an interesting photo article. well, two:

Table Top Photography 101 with Professional Photographer Christopher Gentile courtesy of icraft.ca

and

another blog you should read: Robert Socha Photography he has some great info about photography and DOF and aperture, etc. he went into much more detail than i did. maybe it will help!

also, about the first article - it mentions maybe finding a photographer who is willing to photograph your work for you within your budget. this is a novel idea. i could offer this service to people if they're interested? what do you guys think? should i offer up my talents for those of you who would like to utilize them?

the newest addition

2008-03-24T07:44:00.002-05:00

to my etsy shop!

just a little fun-guy!

i'm not sure what to write about for the next photography post. do you guys have any ideas? anything you need help with in particular?

oh my gosh!

2008-03-20T08:29:00.002-05:00

aren't these the most adorable baby booties you've EVER seen?!?

the crochet pattern is available for sale in sylver's shop on etsy.

i am trying to convince myself that if i bought the pattern and made them for my son that my husband wouldn't notice that they look alot like little girl shoes...

they're just so stinking cute!!!

new on etsy

2008-03-18T11:29:00.002-05:00

last fall i planted (i use that term loosely - i scattered) texas wildflower seeds and they started sprouting immediately. they've been blooming pretty good so yesterday it was overcast here and i headed out with my macro lens in tow to get some new pics.

here they are! i've only listed three on etsy so far. not sure how well they're going to do as none of my photography (other than the art blowout ones) have sold at all. :( i dont know why other than because it's been a while since i've listed any photos. hopefully things will start to pick up in the photo department.

basic photography 101 - composition

2008-03-17T07:35:00.010-05:00

our third lesson is on composition.

creating an interesting photo is one way to get, and keep new buyers. an interesting photo isn't just what the picture is of, but how the photo was set up and taken. sound complicated? don't worry. it's really very simple.

the simplest way to create an interesting photo is to follow the rule of thirds. now, since i know you didn't just bail, jump ship, leave my blog right in the middle of the lesson, to go read that link (and if you did...hmmm) so let me explain how the rule of thirds works.

imagine two sets of lines horizontally and vertically in your photo frame (where, you say) here, let me show you:

these lines divide your photo into thirds vertically and horizontally. along these lines and where they intersect especially is ideal placement for the subject of your photos to achieve interest in your photos. now, this article is obviously not for people who don't follow rules...this is for people who are looking to increase their views, and subsequently sales in their etsy (or any other) shop. along with the rule of thirds we have backgrounds to think about when photographing items for sale.

let me show you (my pictures) good examples of the use of the rule of thirds. and remember - that first pic on your listing will show as square. so, why don't you crop that first one down to a square so you can see what it will look like? make sure it's still interesting. don't just upload any old picture of the item. (and i'm sure that the any old picture will be in focus and have good depth of field...) :) you can still use the rule of thirds and have a square image.

ok, get it? also, an interesting angle doesn't hurt - try looking at something and photographing it from eye level from time to time. you might be pleasantly suprised.

i think you might get it now...and if you don't...now is the time to read that article i posted earlier :) one of my biggest disappointments is seeing a beautiful item that someone didn't showcase to it's highest potential. i know that it is because alot of people think they don't have the know-how to take a good picture - they just throw the bag, earrings, etc on the floor, carpet, etc and snap away. never thinking about the composition of the image and normally squaring the product up in the dead center of the frame. i know it's because people don't know...but, now you are empowered with the know! NO MORE pictures of purses, earrings, etc sitting in the middle of the picture all boring-like.

i look at many different items on etsy and one of my favorites is bags and purses. i love them. and i am so disappointed so many times to see what could potentially be a gorgeous bag flopped down on the floor and photographed. or hung from a hook on the back of a door. or...or... and let's not get into the distracting backgrounds. i dont know how many times i've skipped over listings because i couldn't tell from the tiny image what the purse looked like. so, i've contacted a couple etsy sellers whose photos caught my eye and they've allowed me to use their photos on my blog for the purpose of this lesson! so, make sure you click on their links and go to their shops!

i dont make purses or bags, but since it's something i like to look at online, let me pass along a few 'guides' for photographing them.

1) stuff them with something. those plastic bags that are filling our landfills, bubble wrap, an old blanket, packing peanuts...anything. fill out the bottoms of them just like if they were filled with actual 'purse stuff'
2) do not (at least not for that oh so important first picture) take the photo squared up to the front of the bag. turn it a little. take the photo from the end looking down the bag. (see examples)
3) make sure you take photos of the inside of the bags. the pockets, the lining, put something in the pockets if you want to show the scale of them. (take out the filler for this :) )
4) don't - i mean DO NOT - take your items photograph on anything that might be distracting. no chairs with slatted backs, no patterned carpet, no tacky floral sheets you're using as couch covers (hehe). two words (ok, four) white fleece (or black fleece) it's cheap, and it makes a great backdrop for photos. it will absorb light and make a good background without being shiny in photos. (3-4 yards should cover most anything you want to photograph)

so, if i were going to photograph a purse, i'd do it like this: get said purse that i dutifully stuffed with something so it's not just sitting there all floppy-like. also get said fleece. now, go to your dining room table (any table that's taller than your item) a chair might work, sofa, bed, anything that gets good light. you want to 'drape' the fleece off the item you're working with (table, sofa, etc) and onto the floor smoothing out *most* of the wrinkles. i know it's not possible to get them all out. now, sit the bag - at an angle of course! on the fleece in front of the table, sofa, etc... then i'd take the picture. you might have to get on your knees to take the photo, you might have to lay down on your stomach. you can try the flash on the camera, but be careful it doesn't throw a huge shadow back behind your item. oh, one more thing. if your bag (or whatever) has a white background, please, DO NOT photograph it on white. it gets lost. it's not interesting. even with the best use of rule of thirds, depth of field and focus...it's BORING!

so, now i've told everyone how to photograph a bag (when i make jewelry - hehe) i'm going to show you items from etsy sellers who've photographed their bags very well.

JMCraftworks

TTPeasAndCarrots

Pay attention to her use of backgrounds in sarahjanedesigns shop. she photographs her bags very well and they really 'pop' against the backgrounds. i know, she didn't use a white or black background, but once you get the hang of it you can use color too! (tee he he)

and i really like the way alamodestuff has showcased this particular bag.

ok, enough rambling. i hope you understand... if you don't, that's what the comments are for!

and one more

2008-03-12T19:16:00.001-05:00

one more necklace...

more new stuff

2008-03-12T14:22:00.005-05:00

i will be listing these today and tomorrow on etsy. :) the handful of you who read my blog get to see them first!

enjoy!

oh, and the next photography lesson will be on composition. i will start working on it today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

2008-03-11T07:46:00.002-05:00

today is my birthday!

i will give a 'special prize' (could be a freebie, could be a coupon for my store, could be a couple of different things) to the first person to correctly guess my age!

go me! go me! go me!

now if i could just get a decent nights' sleep i wouldn't feel so darn old! :)

new favorite picture

2008-03-10T09:58:00.002-05:00

i took this earlier this morning while i was trying to photograph some cardinals out in our yard. the bird photos were a bust, but this...this turned out fantastic (if i do say so myself)

this is the first time i've gotten a good picture of the color of his eyes...

isn't he precious? (don't all moms say that?)

basic photography 101 - depth of field

2008-03-09T20:40:00.017-05:00

welcome to the second lesson in basic photography 101.

depth of field (dof) goes hand in hand with focus, which was our first lesson. you will see many sellers on etsy who use depth of field to their advantage. i will show a few as example in a minute. first off let me explain what depth of field is and how it works.

dof is the blurry areas around (front and back) the main focal point of the photograph. sometimes these areas are just a little bit blurry, barely noticeable, and sometimes they are extremely out of focus. DoF is your aperture value (f/2, f/2.8, f/3.5, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22). the aperture controlls the lens opening on your camera. the smaller the number the larger the opening (and the smaller the depth of field) the larger the number the smaller the opening (and the larger the depth of field). when photographing with a large DoF (f/5.6 and smaller) then you will need a faster shutter speed to compensate. if you aren't shooting in manual mode then you won't need to worry about it.

controlling DoF is pretty simple. if you want a small DoF (alot of blurry spots and very small focal plane) then you need to be much closer to your subject. if you want a large Dof (most or all of the photo in focus) then you need to be farther away.

the following three pictures are examples of DoF. keep an eye on the shiny silver eyelet. it was the focal point for all three photos.

f/2.8

f/5.6

f/11

since i have a macro lens i can achieve much greater DoF than your standard point and shoot digital. normally i do not photograph jewelry with this much DoF i just used it as an example for this article. normally i have my camera set to f/5.6 with my shutter speed adjusted to match. (obviously i take photographs in manual mode, we will get into this in a later lesson).

well, i'm not sure where else to go with this lesson on DoF. I will leave you with links to a few etsy sellers who use DoF to their advantage.

Sterling Silver Forged Sticks with Hammered Half Domes byasymetry

Tying The Knot save the date byInvitaPaperStudio

and fabulous examples here:

The Colors byreyaveltman

another necklace

2008-03-09T17:40:00.006-05:00

so, i'm still working on a few things here and there. i will be posting new earrings tonight, but in the meantime, here is the second necklace i've made. i made it with a 'freebie' bead from BelleBeads and i had every intention of selling it, but i've changed my mind. i really love it, so i guess i will be making another one with different beads to sell :)

just wanted to share:

and this necklace was totally inspired by anna-karin's cradle necklace here.

and no, i've haven't forgotten. i'm writing the next article! :) blogger was down yesterday when i wanted to post so it had to wait a little while. this afternoon while i was photographing my necklace and new earrings to list i did a couple photos for the article too.

me, in a treasury?

2008-03-06T16:08:00.003-06:00

thanks kim! you're so awesome

visit kims shop here: CapeBags

and see here for proof!

basic photography 101 - focus

2008-03-05T15:49:00.001-06:00

hello, welcome!

i'm starting a new direction for my blog. i want to help people! in this new beginning i will be focusing (no pun intended) on photography basics and featuring etsy sellers who have great photography, along with what makes that particular photo (or photos) great. all of this for my wonderful friends on Etsy. If you've stumbled on my blog for some other reason, that's great! these helpful hints can help you too, just remember my main agenda here is to help other etsy sellers.

today's lesson: focus, focus, focus

do i need to say it again? FOCUS!

say it with me now - F-O- ok, i'm sure you get the point now

i would have to say that without a doubt focus is the number one most important aspect of taking photographs. you can have every other aspect right and if your focus is well, out of focus, then the photo is useless (unless you're into fine art photography and your intention was for it to be out of focus...if this applies to you, then stop reading here :) )

as for the other 99.9% of us who just want to take better pictures let's get moving along now. there are a couple other things that go hand in hand with focus - like depth of field and exposure, but those i'm saving for a later post so i can elaborate on them without getting off topic here.

so, how do you tell if your photo is in focus? well, for starters, look at it. i mean seriously - LOOK. is the item you're trying to sell sharp? is the photo a little shaky? is one part in focus but the rest isn't? let's address these things. i will be using my own personal photos for this lesson today.

first off, is the item you're trying to sell sharp? what i mean is. is it a little blurry? is there something distracting about the photo? a blurry spot that bothers you? this is the beauty of digital photography - the delete key and the ability to take another photo. your photos tell a story about your item. customers can't touch your merchandise, they can't smell it, they can't hold it. you have to do your best to photograph it in the very best way possible so they can fall in love with it and buy it!

here is an example of a few different pair of earrings i've photographed:

these small pictures are deceiving. if you click on the images you will see that all three of them are out of focus. not by much - but just enough to really matter. what you say? they look in focus in the small image, so can't i just use them? NO. you can't. your sellers don't just look at the small images. they click on them. they make them bigger. they will see that it's out of focus. this could be off putting to some buyers. i mean, you, as a seller, can't take the time to make certain your photo is in focus??? then how do i know, as a buyer, that you took the time to make sure your item was crafted carefully - no loose beads, no frayed edges, etc etc?

enough about how important in focus images are. now, i will give you a couple of pointers for how i focus my images. let me say that i have a dSLR and a standard digital point and shoot. so i know that my methods work with either camera. i photograph in manual mode, no flash, natural light only (unless i'm using the flash as a fill - more on that later), and i use the center focus on my camera.

that means that i set my camera's auto focus to Center-Weight - not Multi-Zone. center-weight means that when you push the button down half way to focus on your subject it focuses on the center of the image. now, the idea here is to NOT center every image (again, more on that later) so what you do is press the shutter half way down, focus on whatever you are photographing, then without moving your camera much at all, simply recompose your image and finish the photograph. now, keep in mind, any changes you make toward or away from your subject will affect the focus, but you can move left, right, and even up and down very carefully while maintaining focus. it takes practice. use an apple. orange. book. whatever. just practice. make sense?

i think maybe that's enough for today. any questions? comment here and i will get back to them. i'm not sure what the next lesson will be yet - we'll see where this gets us!

branching out

2008-03-04T15:40:00.003-06:00

so, i'm attempting to branch out from just earrings to necklaces, and maybe a bracelet here and there. while i'm at it i wanted to also 'punch' up my photos. i mean, i'm a photographer. what am i missing in my jewelry pictures? i think a little pizzaz maybe? i'm not sure. heck, maybe i'm not missing anything, i just think i am.

i'm dying to be featured in someone's treasury, but...alas, nothing.

so, here's my latest attempt at "pizzaz" and a necklace. all in one! :)

and check back often, because i have a few ideas rolling around in my head about where to take this blog. a) do i want to feature other sellers (my favorites) or b) do i want to feature sellers with great photographs and use them as inspiration to upgrade my photos and write tips for other sellers?

i think maybe option b...

still pondering this. any ideas?

ART BLOWOUT

2008-02-29T08:49:00.002-06:00

so, i'm having an art blowout on etsy. i found a bunch of pictures that i matted for a show i did a while back and they're just sitting around here going to waste, so i'm selling for more than 50% less than what i sold them for at the show.

i figure my loss is your gain! i will be adding more pictures throughout today and tomorrow! check back often!

i'm it!

2008-02-25T08:54:00.003-06:00

i've been tagged. misti from MDK jewelry designs tagged me. i love misti's style and she's from texas like me! but she's a little farther north (ok, alot farther).

so, here are 7 facts about me:

1) i'm a mom to a 7 month old little boy. he's fantastic (even when i don't get much sleep!) and he's starting to crawl, sit up, and got his first 2 teeth at 4 1/2 months!

2) i'm on the computer WAY too much. i google random things, crawl through etsy, and play in photoshop/lightroom. i could spend the entire day doing those things alone.

3) i love jodi piccoult. her book, my sisters keeper, is going to be a movie soon

4) i'm tired of the presidential debate. already.

5) i can't get to grips with trying to get a business going/cleaning the house/cooking/ and raising a kid. it seems like i can never finish one thing.

6) i hate going to the post office now that i have a baby. i wish the post office would come to me.

7) i hate cleaning the toilet.

7a) ok, there's only supposed to be 7, but i'm guessing you've figured out from my 7 that really there should only be one for me. 1) i have a baby :)

i'm tagging Kim from CapeBags. she makes great bags and is working on a special one as we speak. her writing will crack you up!

new earrings

2008-02-22T11:17:00.003-06:00

i am always busy making earrings to post in my etsy shop, but a while back i begged - i mean BEGGED Breezy from Harvest Beads to split up her Sands of Rhun set for me (i only wanted a pair - for me, for earrings). She said she doesn't like to split up sets. :( So, when her next newsletter went out, i asked again. bah, nothing. so, then the third newsletter went out, and poof! she had made me my very own set! woo-hoo. i jumped right on them.

so, here is what they looked like before...

and now...

they're so awesome! it took me a while to figure out a way to dangle them that a)wouldn't distract from the beads and b) wouldn't be too long for me i think i found a happy medium.

Thanks Breezy!

another feature

2008-02-19T23:44:00.003-06:00

today has been a good day. seems like i must be doing something right. i had record breaking sales AND i got featured on Kim from CapeBags blog.

see? here:

such kind words kim had for me, and don't tell her, but i don't plan on raising prices just yet ;)

learning new things

2008-02-18T13:25:00.003-06:00

well, week before last was my mom's birthday, so this year my sisters and i went in together to buy her a beginning lampworking class. something she'd never buy for herself. and to treat myself to an early birthday present for the big 3-0 i went too. :) what a class! and what a class :( i want a torch! and a kiln! and my own space! oh well. for now i'll have to settle for making wire wrapped rings, earrings, and doing a little metalsmithing (beginning) here and there. i also have to find somewhere to put my work up for consignment. so, i guess that's my task for the week. along with cleaning the house, going to the grocery store, taking care of cameron... oh, who am i kidding? i guess it's my task until i get it done. i still have to figure out how to juggle cooking, cleaning, working out, a husband, a kiddo, oh, and making jewelry! i'm trying.

here's my favorite picture right now. taken last week during peaches for dinner.

what a cutie, right?

50 hearts!

2008-02-16T14:07:00.001-06:00

So, I just opened my store a little over a month ago and already I have 50 hearts! Not many, by alot of standards, but alot by mine!

Take a look!

green fire agate

2008-02-13T19:19:00.002-06:00

so, i bought this green fire agate from amy lynne's bead market with every intention of making earrings to sell in my shop on etsy. much to my amazement, when i got the beads in the mail there was NO WAY i could part with them! they're gorgeous. so, i made earrings - for me :) and bought more agate today so i could make earrings to sell as well. i thought i'd share them. here they are. the first picture is in the sun intentionally - the agate absolutely glistens in the sunlight. they look like glass beads, but they're agate.

first custom order

2008-02-12T18:41:00.000-06:00

So, last night I got my first "etsy" custom order from someone who doesn't know me. :) While I was trying to figure out just how to package these little beauties (i usually package them where you can't see the earrings, you have to open the package) I had an actual *lightbulb* moment. I mean big BRIGHT shining lightbulb. I knew my customer ordered these earrings for her wedding party therefore she wanted to be able to see them and touch them before she gave them to her bridesmaids.

This is my lightbulb (keep in mind i already had a stash of these beauties from choosing paint for a new house - and the desire to try and be a little "greener"):

treasury time!

2008-02-07T09:58:00.000-06:00

i have been waiting so long to get to do a treasury on Etsy. I finally got one this morning!!

brandianndesigns treasury on etsy

i decided to feature items out of my favorites that 'go with brown' :) check it out!

etsy shop update

2008-02-05T09:09:00.001-06:00

so, i'm going to be adding some new items to my shop soon, but you get the special preview here! i am following a new line of thinking (for me) and starting a different style of earring (we don't all like the same thing do we?)

here you go!

i will add these items to my etsy shop here either tonight or thursday night. for the first person to purchase one of these items and mention that they read this post, i will throw in a special gift!

photo upgrade

2008-01-30T11:06:00.000-06:00

so, i decided that some of my work isn't showcased very well because of the rather unflattering photos that i had posted of them - and this must be why they aren't selling...right?

so i've redone quite a few pictures and here are some after and befores:

what do you think? better?

and the kudos keep rolling...

2008-01-30T10:46:00.001-06:00

elizabeth from keys and memories is featuring one of my photos on her blog too! it's so great to know that other artists appreciate your work! look for yourself:

and visit her shop here

how awesome is this?

2008-01-30T07:59:00.000-06:00

So, i've had a blog for all of one day...and an etsy site for not that long (since dec. 27, 07) and i've already been featured on another artists' blog! look here:

isn't that great? you can visit Bre's blog at coochooloodesigns or her etsy site here

i'm so stoked!

2008-01-29T21:43:00.000-06:00

so, after creating this blog i went back over to etsy to list some more earrings for sale. i listed a bunch earlier today, but since the buyers normally work during the day i decided to save some for this evening too. i listed my favorite pair and POOF! they disappeared (along with a second pair) how awesome is that!

here are/were my favs that went to someone who will hopefully love them as much as i do:

2008-01-29T20:08:00.000-06:00

So, this is pretty much what I've spent my evenings doing lately (and the occassional naptime). I am working so hard at filling out my etsy shop so my customers have a variety to choose from. I have also been trying to build up stock so I can sell my work at some botique shops around here.