I just happen to love most if not all of the jewelry I make and if I had my druthers, I'd probably not sell nary a one. But as you know the satisfaction earned from someone buying something you've made is incredibly rewarding (It also supports our bead habit...no joke...Alcoholics Anonymous ain't got nothing on us! :) ) Ok...let's go!
From everything I've heard and gathered from my beading friends over at +Auntie's Bead Chat, a light box is important to taking good photographs of our awesome products!
A Light box
So what is a light box? A light box is a device that photographers use to create soft light. There are two types light boxes in photography. The first type, also called soft boxes and chimeras, is placed directly on a light, turning the direct harsh beams into soft diffused light. The second type of light box, sometimes called a light tent, is a small white box that you can use as a set for photographing small objects. It provides a uniform white background, while the white sides allow even, diffused light to pass through.
I just did a quick Google search and light boxes can be bought most anywhere...photo stores, Amazon and probably even on eBay. But this tip is about saving money so the goal is to make your own...
Make your own Light box. This link talks your through 15 steps to create your inexpensive box using a cardboard box and white construction paper some other materials too. If you are more like me...here's a youTube video that works just as well...unfortunately (or fortunately), I was able to find one on Amazon for less than $40 (not including S&H) that included 4 color backdrops (blue, red, white and black); 2 lamps and the "box" itself. Now I just need to use the darned thing....
Can't wait to see what your amazing creations look like!
This tip ties closely with classes. In the "civilian" and "military" world, we call it professional development...I suppose for us creative types we can call it artistic or creative enhancement...IJS...
There are so many avenues to options available to us to develop our creative side--the skills and techniques--classes, books, and tutorials. This tip is about tutorials...
A tutorial is a method of transferring knowledge and may be used as a part of a learning process. More interactive and specific than a book or a lecture; a tutorial seeks to teach by example and supply the information to complete a certain task. Depending on the context a tutorial can take one of many forms, ranging from a set of instructions to complete a task to an interactive problem solving session (usually in academia).
How do I save money on tutorials? There are lots of great patterns out there--many very talented artisans! And while I'm not an advocate of taking food from someone's mouth (so to speak), in this economic environment we must all watch our pennies. Prices for tutorials vary depending on what you are making...bracelet, necklace, earrings--from $5.00 to $35.00 (the $35 tutorial is from one vendor who only sells the tutorials at the same cost of in person instruction--so it's not the norm). This can get pricey.
There are lots of sites that offer free tutorials... for all skill levels. The ones I frequent are Beads Magic; and Bead Patterns. You can also visit your favorite online bead shop and they offer free tutorials and videos as well...Auntie's Beads, Fusion Beads, and Fire Mountain Gems just to name a few. Most of these tutorials are very clear and consise and all levels should be able to follow.
Finally, I can't begin to tell you how many stitches I've learned and fantastic jewelry I've created just by watching youTube. I subscribe to as many as I can so that when the designers upload new material I'm notified. Here's one of my favorites...
Some of my other favorite channels are: Beadaholique, Auntie's Beads just to name a few...I have lots more favorites and they sure do keep me busy...
From everything I've heard and gathered from my beading friends over at +Auntie's Bead Chat, a light box is important to taking good photographs of our awesome products!
