Photography!

When you create etched copper components, lampwork beads, clay beads and jewelry you either go to shows to sell your wares or you open an online shop. If you don't your house gets really full of your handcrafted necklaces, bracelets and earrings!

 I don't like to travel too far from my own bed so I have an online store on Etsy: MiyaBeads. It's easy, convenient and I like it. It is hard to sell jewelry online, though, because people want to see it up close and personal. And folks want components to make their own. But I SO enjoy designing jewelry that I will continue.

That's where photography comes in. To sell jewelry you have to have excellent photos that create a mood for your shop. It has been a constant learning experience for me. I am always trying to improve my photos. I always listen to friends when they talk about their cameras and I like the camera I use now. It has macro capability and I get clear photos. I edit with a free program -Irfanview, because it's easy peasy, works really well - and is FREE!

For me the problem is the background. I have a photo booth that was gifted to me by a friend. I love the light in it. It is a white box and I want a natural background so I made wood squares to fit inside on the bottom and the back.

I have decided the color of stain is a bit too cool and I want to take the wood back out and stain it again with some warmer tones. So, I hope that works. I have decided the petrified wood rock has got to go. It is natural but I think it's the wrong color. Next!

I found a fabulous cast iron hand that looks vintage. It was white but that's no problem. I spray painted it with brown metallic paint. Then I over-sprayed it with matte black paint. I didn't cover the brown completely because I want a bit of an antique look- not one solid color.

I'm happy with that. I think it has a good look to put necklaces and bracelets on to photograph. I'm also thinking of getting a 2 inch thickness of a small tree trunk that has  darkened with age to photograph copper on. Another thought is to use a piece of bark. I'll have to play with that idea before launching it.

One thing I believe above all else that I have learned from viewing other jewelry photography - you need a consistent look for all your photographs. So, ever onward to get that consistent look I want for my Etsy store! Any ideas?