(or lack of them)
Monday! What a long weekend it was for me. Not terrible, but with some difficult moments for sure. Hope others fared better than I did.
Due to having my sets broken up by selling them individually at the Open Studios a few weekends ago I have needed to retake some square magnet photos. Heck, who am I kidding I have been needing to take photos of all sorts of products like these for ages. And yesterday I finally had a sunny day where I had time and my camera battery was actually not dead when I went to take them. I got magnets and mirrorsand quite a few shots. But still not everything.
For awhile I was trying to be like Kate And take pictures in my inexpensive light tent and then use Photoshop to give them a pure white background. I could do a fairly good job, but not even close to what she seems to do with ease. I've decided that spending the time fighting with my slow running copy of Photoshop Elements to get inferior photos could be better spent elsewhere. Like creating new work! Or quality time with my daughter and husband. Lots of things are better than Photoshop. Goes to prove that I was right not to listen to people that tried to push me into studying Graphic Design because there were lots of jobs (mid 90's) so it was practical. Guess what, lots of people listened to that advice.
So here I am with photos using my original backdrop, wood! It is much easier and I like how it looks and how it reinforces that these are made from actual woodblock prints and are not printed out from a computer.
The blee is sleeping and I have finished my morning tea and Wallaby yogurt, time for me to shower or something productive.
Showing posts with label kateblack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kateblack. Show all posts
Monday, October 22, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Be more square!
Hey girls and boys! Yesterday was another rough one for me but after I thought it couldn't get any worse it didn't get any worse it got better. Why and how? Because my husband came home bearing a package from Kate Black containing the square magnets I have been wanting more of for months now. I only got one set the last time and I knew that I needed more right away. This is just the first set, each set of two magnets is original and one of a kind. On Flickr you can see this not so great photo of them all spread out, feel free to reserve any by making a note or contacting me. Jon really likes these square magnets and was interested in me getting a machine to make them myself until I showed him about how much they go for. Kate, your square magnet making business is safe! I really like how the woodgrain shows through.
I got a little extra something from Kate too, but I am going to keep that to myself for now. You will have to be patient and wait until Monday.
We have an appointment with the midwife this morning. Should be interesting. I'm ready to have this baby out, Jon on the other hand wants her to stay inside. Easy for him to say since he isn't the one suffering. Though after the shower and after the photographer from the Boston Globe comes on Monday to take my picture would be good for me. Also, him getting over his cold first would be nice. But really the idea of going another 19 days is pretty horrifying to me. Especially after another night of hell, which is what last night was for me. I didn't have the baby pushing up on my lungs and I thought I was doing pretty good when I went to sleep. Then I woke up with this acid cough and ended up puking. And even then the acid feeling didn't go away. I was up most of the night with it. The idea of actually carrying this baby longer than the 40 weeks has me screaming for mercy. I think I would be begging to be induced if I was even a day late.
I got a little extra something from Kate too, but I am going to keep that to myself for now. You will have to be patient and wait until Monday.
We have an appointment with the midwife this morning. Should be interesting. I'm ready to have this baby out, Jon on the other hand wants her to stay inside. Easy for him to say since he isn't the one suffering. Though after the shower and after the photographer from the Boston Globe comes on Monday to take my picture would be good for me. Also, him getting over his cold first would be nice. But really the idea of going another 19 days is pretty horrifying to me. Especially after another night of hell, which is what last night was for me. I didn't have the baby pushing up on my lungs and I thought I was doing pretty good when I went to sleep. Then I woke up with this acid cough and ended up puking. And even then the acid feeling didn't go away. I was up most of the night with it. The idea of actually carrying this baby longer than the 40 weeks has me screaming for mercy. I think I would be begging to be induced if I was even a day late.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Lightbox - Help!
Hi guys! Unexpectedly I am back today. I was planning on taking the day off blogging but I need your help. You see I got a lightbox yesterday and I used it for the first time today and I am getting mixed results with it.
First off I have no idea how to get the pure white background that some sellers manage to get. I have been using sunlight as my light source so maybe I need some sort of heavy duty lamp? I don't know. I don't think the photos look bad at all, but having that pure white would be nice.
My second dilemma is that I kind of miss the old background. Here is a revised listing with lightbox photographed images. The original photos were the worst I had so I made sure to update this one first. Now here is a listing that didn't use a no lightbox and has a block of wood as a backdrop. As much as I am drawn to getting the pure white background I do think the woodgrain pattern is beautiful and appropriate for my mirrors. Maybe I should try taking some shots tomorrow with the woodblock placed in the lightbox?
My final question has to do with what type of shot the first shot should be in the listing. Head on or at an interesting angle. Most mirrors on Etsy are shown head on for the first shot. The photos Kate took for me are head on. So I am leaning towards head on first with angle shots following.
Thanks for letting me unload these questions. At the very least the lightbox helps me get good shots easier. But boy did getting the top shots hurt because I had to stand on the sofa and that hurt my poor hips, knees and ankles bad. I took as many as I could before I had to stop and hobble away. Ouchie!
Have a great weekend everybody.
First off I have no idea how to get the pure white background that some sellers manage to get. I have been using sunlight as my light source so maybe I need some sort of heavy duty lamp? I don't know. I don't think the photos look bad at all, but having that pure white would be nice.
My second dilemma is that I kind of miss the old background. Here is a revised listing with lightbox photographed images. The original photos were the worst I had so I made sure to update this one first. Now here is a listing that didn't use a no lightbox and has a block of wood as a backdrop. As much as I am drawn to getting the pure white background I do think the woodgrain pattern is beautiful and appropriate for my mirrors. Maybe I should try taking some shots tomorrow with the woodblock placed in the lightbox?
My final question has to do with what type of shot the first shot should be in the listing. Head on or at an interesting angle. Most mirrors on Etsy are shown head on for the first shot. The photos Kate took for me are head on. So I am leaning towards head on first with angle shots following.
Thanks for letting me unload these questions. At the very least the lightbox helps me get good shots easier. But boy did getting the top shots hurt because I had to stand on the sofa and that hurt my poor hips, knees and ankles bad. I took as many as I could before I had to stop and hobble away. Ouchie!
Have a great weekend everybody.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
hi everyone... for the first time this year I am having a Saturday Night Special Sale
also known as the cat bite sent me to the doctor sale! hah!.
Just remember to write SNS in the message to seller section and I will send a new invoice if needed. Sale ends at 6am Sunday morning.
Spend $10 or more and get either a free ACEO of my choice or a free reproduction print of your choice.
If you spend under $10 I am offering free shipping to all. Domestic and International!
Everything is available in my shop.
I have a bunch of new pieces in my shop and coming to my shop in the next couple of weeks including this kick ass set of one of a kind coasters! The post man did indeed ring today and after jumping up and down and clapping a couple of times I am now the proud owner of these and many more goodies to come. I also have a bunch of pocket mirrors that I would love to start listing. But the sun has been a no show all day and I can't get good pictures. But they (and more) are all available. All of these new products come from originals and not computer printed out reproductions.
also known as the cat bite sent me to the doctor sale! hah!.
Just remember to write SNS in the message to seller section and I will send a new invoice if needed. Sale ends at 6am Sunday morning.
Spend $10 or more and get either a free ACEO of my choice or a free reproduction print of your choice.
If you spend under $10 I am offering free shipping to all. Domestic and International!
Everything is available in my shop.
I have a bunch of new pieces in my shop and coming to my shop in the next couple of weeks including this kick ass set of one of a kind coasters! The post man did indeed ring today and after jumping up and down and clapping a couple of times I am now the proud owner of these and many more goodies to come. I also have a bunch of pocket mirrors that I would love to start listing. But the sun has been a no show all day and I can't get good pictures. But they (and more) are all available. All of these new products come from originals and not computer printed out reproductions.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Good morning! I hope everybody has a wonderful Friday to start off a great weekend with good weather.
Unfortunatly I have to go to the doctor in a couple of hours to have a cat bite looked at. It is really looking like it may be infected even though I cleaned it off right away with soap and water and then with peroxide later. Kitty has been following me around looking for love but honestly I am so ticked that I don't want anything to do with him for awhile. It really seriously hurt. I was crying so he bit my arm. I was supposed to be heading to NYC today but instead I will be at the doctors. I don't even think I will be able to go next weekend for the Etsy second annivsary party. If I can find a place to stay maybe but I just don't know how up for travel I am at this point in the pregnancy. Especially if I have to take the bus.
Back to what inspired this post. That would be this piece pictured above that I found while wandering around on Flickr last night makes me want to pick up my Gocco and give it a shot. While I see many wonderful Gocco images they have a certain designerly style that really doesn't mesh well with my own style. I'm intimidated by the Gocco to be quite honest. Silkscreening was the only print method in college that I didn't take to. But when I found a used Gocco for a ridiculously low price around my birthday I just couldn't resist.
After I get a few important things done if I have the energy I may just give Gocco another go. My stuff will never be this cute but I like this piece and am inspired by it. Funny how a piece that has so little in common with my work can find a way to inspire me to find my own way to make a certain technique work.
It isn't very likely but since she mailed them on Wednesday there is a possibility that I may get my goodies from Kate in the mail today. Sometimes things from NY come pretty fast. But it is more likely that I will get them tomorrow or Monday.
Unfortunatly I have to go to the doctor in a couple of hours to have a cat bite looked at. It is really looking like it may be infected even though I cleaned it off right away with soap and water and then with peroxide later. Kitty has been following me around looking for love but honestly I am so ticked that I don't want anything to do with him for awhile. It really seriously hurt. I was crying so he bit my arm. I was supposed to be heading to NYC today but instead I will be at the doctors. I don't even think I will be able to go next weekend for the Etsy second annivsary party. If I can find a place to stay maybe but I just don't know how up for travel I am at this point in the pregnancy. Especially if I have to take the bus.
Back to what inspired this post. That would be this piece pictured above that I found while wandering around on Flickr last night makes me want to pick up my Gocco and give it a shot. While I see many wonderful Gocco images they have a certain designerly style that really doesn't mesh well with my own style. I'm intimidated by the Gocco to be quite honest. Silkscreening was the only print method in college that I didn't take to. But when I found a used Gocco for a ridiculously low price around my birthday I just couldn't resist.
After I get a few important things done if I have the energy I may just give Gocco another go. My stuff will never be this cute but I like this piece and am inspired by it. Funny how a piece that has so little in common with my work can find a way to inspire me to find my own way to make a certain technique work.
It isn't very likely but since she mailed them on Wednesday there is a possibility that I may get my goodies from Kate in the mail today. Sometimes things from NY come pretty fast. But it is more likely that I will get them tomorrow or Monday.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
These are coming and so many more goodies made by Kate Black with her button machines of many sizes. All of them are made using real artwork that either didn't work out or work that I made especially for this purpose on scraps of paper that were too small for anything else. Go upcyling!I would have loved to make them myself but I trusted her artistic eye and she didn't let me down. Not only do they look great but she took great photographs of them as well! Expect all sorts of goodies to be coming into my Etsy shop starting next week. If only I had asked for more square magnets. I guess I will have to make some more oopsie prints so I can get more of them! I can't wait for these puppies to arrive! I may have to squeal when I open the box.
I feel a bit better after sleeping many hours last night. There was a jackhammer going outside the bedroom this morning but that didn't keep me from sleeping. It woke me up and annoyed me but I was able to tune it out and go back to sleep. Little blee woke up kicking and that didn't stop me from sleeping either. I'm going to eat something and then finish cleaning off my desk while I still have the energy to do so.
While I still don't know what is going to happen this weekend I haven't given up hope that I will be able to go to New York. I just have to see how I feel today and decide at the end of the day.
I feel a bit better after sleeping many hours last night. There was a jackhammer going outside the bedroom this morning but that didn't keep me from sleeping. It woke me up and annoyed me but I was able to tune it out and go back to sleep. Little blee woke up kicking and that didn't stop me from sleeping either. I'm going to eat something and then finish cleaning off my desk while I still have the energy to do so.
While I still don't know what is going to happen this weekend I haven't given up hope that I will be able to go to New York. I just have to see how I feel today and decide at the end of the day.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
After days of rain the sun is out and everybody in the house is feeling it. Especially the dog apparently!
I'm hoping that the sun is also out in Brooklyn now because yesterday Kate finished making my one of a kind mirrors, big magnets and some other nifty items but it was so grey she couldn't get any good photographs of them.
Speaking of good photographs I was hoping to snap a picture of the Tea Noir that arrived yesterday but my camera batteries are dead and have to be charged. Yay for her living in the same state as me I got my tea faaaaast! I will be enjoying iced Lychee tea again very soon. It looks and smells wonderful.
I finally updated this blog so not only does it no longer look quite so shabby but I also updated my links on it. Now people that I respect like Jennifer Gordon,Jenn Schmitt, and
Tamara Shea are finally getting linked to! I'm trying to keep my links more artsy than craftsy. Tamara makes jewelry sure, but she makes block printed jewelry so I had to include her! I'm still tinkering with how I want it to look. Anything big missing?
I'm hoping that the sun is also out in Brooklyn now because yesterday Kate finished making my one of a kind mirrors, big magnets and some other nifty items but it was so grey she couldn't get any good photographs of them.
Speaking of good photographs I was hoping to snap a picture of the Tea Noir that arrived yesterday but my camera batteries are dead and have to be charged. Yay for her living in the same state as me I got my tea faaaaast! I will be enjoying iced Lychee tea again very soon. It looks and smells wonderful.
I finally updated this blog so not only does it no longer look quite so shabby but I also updated my links on it. Now people that I respect like Jennifer Gordon,Jenn Schmitt, and
Tamara Shea are finally getting linked to! I'm trying to keep my links more artsy than craftsy. Tamara makes jewelry sure, but she makes block printed jewelry so I had to include her! I'm still tinkering with how I want it to look. Anything big missing?
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