Necklace Photos on the Website

So, based on MY preferences as a customer (which I mentioned in last night’s blog), I have changed the look of my website a bit. Small changes can take a LOT of time.

I changed my necklaces thumbnails to all show the piece as worn. Yes, in some photos that makes it hard to tell precisely what the piece looks like, but I want the necklace section to be somewhat uniform and I feel what a necklace looks like on is one of the most important views possible.

A necklace can look fabulous as a bunch of beads all wadded up on a reflective surface taken with a great camera and an odd angle… but if I’m going to be wearing the thing, I’d like to see what it looks like when worn. Sometimes things just don’t do well once they are put into action… they were better as a piece of photo art. Know what I mean?

Anyway, here's the finished product.

And wow… I actually have to do some stuff then go to bed… getting up at 5am tomorrow… so my plans to blog more will have to wait (heard that before?).

Okay, have a great weekend and I’ll try to check in again before Monday.

TTYL!


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Things to do and not do when posting jewelry photos

LISTING PHOTOS

So… as a customer, here’s what I want to see:

A website that loads fairly quickly. This usually means small photos of the pieces (thumbnails images) that I can click on if I see something I want to get more info on and larger pictures of.

I *think* I’m more attracted to some sort of uniformity (although still THIS side of a mass-produced look) in the listings. Similar size thumbnails, similar background color(s), similar settings (all thumbnails of necklaces on model or on flat display… not a mix), similar distance from object (all pendants should either be close up or distance shot… not a mix).

I know I’m not fond of “stuff” in the photo along with the item. On occasion, I even find myself having to DISCERN what in the photo is the item for sale. Ugh! No leaves, no books, no cats, etc. Very rarely, a photo works well with something simple and innocuous that serves a purpose… like leaning a bracelet against a large, smooth rock in order to show a particular angle… or draping a necklace half over a plain square (like a box) in order to show the draped effect. Those photos, however, should NOT be the thumbnails. They should only be on the individual listing itself and used WITH the other (standard) photos of the item.

Same thing for colored backgrounds. Sometimes they really make a piece pop… but that should only be a photo within the listing… not the thumbnail photo.

You must have some contrast. I see too many jewelry photos where the piece on display blends in horribly with the backdrop. This is a hard one to explain, but it’s like trying to read teal text on a royal blue background. It’s just NOT happy-making.

Now, just so you don’t think I’m being overly critical, let me add that I see a TON of absolutely fantastic photos. I’m in awe.

I’m only mentioning these other things because they are among the things I want to work on and change within my own store. (Stay tuned for upcoming changes.)

Oh, speaking of changes… if you buy something from my shop, that’s one less item I have to change. :-) Send me a note and I’ll give you a promotion code for 10% off your entire order (good until March 31st).


HOCKEY

Tomorrow morning Gabe leaves for Valencia again. This weekend is the State Championships for them.

Saturday and Sunday I’ll be in Vacaville watching Monica’s team at the NorCal Championship games.


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Just chit chat

Took Gabe to practice last night and decided to waste the first of my three hours there window shopping.

I pulled into the plaza parking lot, saw two clothing stores, a Michael’s, and an Orchard Supply Hardware store. I opted for the hardware store. :-)

I understand my reasoning for that, but it got me to wondering why I have always liked wandering around hardware stores looking at all the cool stuff. Shrug

Anyway, I picked up a small bag of brass washers and a small bag of brass nails. I’ll show you if I make anything with them.

I want to work. It’s bugging me that I’ve had no time at home. The ONE TIME I had a few hours (yesterday between work and taking Gabe to practice), the kids wanted to play tennis. Sigh…

Well, starting tomorrow after work I’ll have some “me” time. I’d better be prepared. Nothing worse than finally having time to work and then not knowing where to start. I hope I have enough energy to get the metal clay out. That’s a more involved project than beading. Or… maybe I should finish up that Toni Lutman necklace I started awhile ago (and forgot about… out of sight, out of mind).

Anyway… gotta go… I look forward to more creating and more blogging in my near future. :-)


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Nothing New to Report

I just spent a lot of today (and yesterday) deep in thought.

That usually means a change is coming on.

I also revisited some of my previous work and picked out four pieces I'd like to use for inspiration if I get a chance to create this week.

So, since I have nothing to say this evening, I'll just leave you with of the usual...


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see more Lolcats and funny pictures

3 New Necklaces, Free Tutorial for Paper Ornament Balls, Featured Artist Amber Van Meter

So we’re off to Vacaville around noon today. That’s the last regular season game for Monica’s team.

Not fond of daylight savings time. Ugh!

Nonetheless, I got the new stuff listed.


NEW JEWELRY

Three necklaces, all very much fitting the Going Green Jewelry idea (using beads I’ve been hoarding for years). Click a pic for more info.








PAPER BALLS

I’d like to try making these. Here’s a couple free online tutorials for making these geodesic paper ornament balls (click on a photo for instructions).






FEATURED ARTIST

Today I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite Lampwork artists (and a person who exudes warm fuzzies).

Her name is Amber Van Meter and here’s some of her work…







Here’s her website: Naos Glass.

I wish I could buy everything she makes. It’s all so FABULOUS!


Okay, gotta start the day. See you later!