Sunday, April 25, 2010

NEW Blog Look ... and Camera Experiments

I decided it was time for a change in the look of my blog.  I wanted a somewhat vintage-y feel, but not frou-frou.   What do you think??  The last header/banner was done by my sweet friend Heather of A Cherished Life, and I truly loved it.  But even Heather changed her blog look recently (go check out how cute it is!), and I felt the need for a change also.  Especially in light of the fact that I'm STILL working madly behind the scenes to get my Etsy (or Ebay listings or additional Blog pages) up and running soon.  I have so much vintage lace, potassium-permanganate-dyed ("golden") laces, trim, fabric, and other vintage linens and goodies to sell....    


A couple weeks ago I mentioned that we'd gotten a new camera.  It's a more powerful Fuji (a Finepix S1500 for what it's worth) and has 10 megapixels instead of my old 2 mp Fuji.  But I can't seem to get great pictures out of it. I know, I know.... it's the operator, not the camera, LOL!!!   So, I am experimenting.  Sooner or later I'm going to have to break down and read the manual that DH finally unburied found last weekend (long story....)  


In the meantime, I'm making lace/ribbon spools to sell.  These templates were bought from an Etsy seller named From the Craft Room  that Pat Winter recommended.  




I purchased for download two different styles - the Edwardian Lady that comes in two sizes and the basic floral spool.   As I experiment with which lace looks good on what (am I being too anal?), I'm finding that I may need to try to design even wider ones myself......  So that's what started me on the experimentation yesterday that led to (1) me FINALLY getting into Photoshop to begin learning it, and (2) my blog redesign.    


And some of the lace I'm winding on old clothespins.  The lace is glued on those; they're just to be used as a cute decoration.  I hope to sell them in my Farmer's Market booth.  


But I digress..... (yes, I know.  I'm going around in circles).    Isn't the lace lovely on that spool??  BUT, I need to put some "Crazy by Design" information on it somewhere.  A sticker on the back of the spool? Or on the plastic packaging (aaaack!) that this will inevitably have to go in??  Should I use tissue paper instead??


How do other (environmentally-conscious-wannabe) sellers do this??   




And then there are the lace motifs.  I'll figure out something to package those, but what I'm really concerned about is PHOTOGRAPHING them.  The potassium permanganate yields a beautifully golden, shiny sheen on nice rayon venice (or schiffli) lace.  But my pictures make them look ... tarnished?  green?  I've tried different backgrounds, but need more experimentation.  Different  lighting?  Super-Macro??  How about a Fairy Godmother (who is a photographer on the side?)



So, I'm back to my little world.  Sweating the small stuff, occasionally taking breaks to stitch, drink margaritas coffee, and shop.  Oh, and work (at the Farm, dearie).  Housework??  I hired a housekeeper last week to help me with spring cleaning.  I'm good for a month week or so now....


Tomorrow:  my weekend estate sale finds!!
Cathy

9 comments:

  1. I love your new look Cathy!

    As for the photos, my camera has a function where you can change the way the light is perceived, and there is a tungsten setting, which seems to give a more 'blueish' light, and truer colour in some cases.Or try Auto white balance.

    Use a white background always if you are going to be selling, and add is disclaimer about monitors making colours look different

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  2. Hello Cathy, I love your new blog look. It looks wonderful. Good luck with your new adventures with your etsy shop. Maybe oneday I will get brave and do this too. Hugs Judy

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  3. Oh Cathy, how beautiful! I love the new look of your blog!

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  4. Love your new decor! And congrats on your lovely work being in CQ Magazine Online now out:

    http://cqmagonline.com/vol09iss2/articles/990/index.shtml

    Bev

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  5. The new blog layout is really gorgeous!

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  6. Hi, Cathy...
    I love your New Blog Look. Of course I like anything Victorian and the picture of the woman is just that. You are better with camera than me. Very nice pictures.

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  7. I love the new look for the blog. Very appealing.

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  8. Cathy, I love your new look! I also like you lace spools, they are very charming.

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  9. Your new look is great Cathy! It fits so perfectly with your vintage goodies. Your lace holders are wonderful - such treasures!
    Hugs,
    Kerry

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