Working on custom orders.

I've always been a fan of creating custom orders for my customers.  I know last post I said that I love the photography part of my job the most but custom orders is a very close number 2.  Almost tied ;)

I recently had a request for a custom Nebula locket necklace.  I was really excited about this one!  I set to work and created 4 unique lockets.  I didn't realize though that the customer wanted it to be antiqued brass- not antiqued silver!  That's ok though, because they were a lot of fun to make.  So I was happy to do a handful more in brass for my customer to choose from.

I went ahead and finished the antiqued silver lockets, and am excited to add them to the shop this week.  I also was inspired to make a handful of unique OOAK rings.

Here's a peek of some of those rings and lockets!

One thing I will have to warn you of, if you start following my blog, is that it will ALWAYS be pic heavy!  I love taking the pictures, and I have the overwhelming urge to share ALL the pics.  

I am very surprised and happy with how all of these pictures turned out, the weather hasn't been the best lately.  Many days I will wake up, see a clear sky and think to myself  "Self, today is a great day for photos."  Then, within a few hours, around the time I am ready to take pictures... The sky darkens and the rain starts.

Don't get me wrong- I live in the desert and have always been a lover of a rainy day... But sitting on pieces for days on end and wanting to take pictures drives me a little batty!

A Rainy Day in the Desert - Jewelry Photography in a Rainstorm!

It was a pretty rainy morning here in the desert, which was a nice early birthday treat. It gets so hot here that when the rain comes it's more than welcomed! Only the tiniest of disappointment lingers though when it's cloudy. I have new pieces I want to photograph!

I can always wait til tomorrow I suppose but I get excited about taking the pictures.  Photographing and editing is probably my most favorite part of the process of selling my pieces on-line.  They are very pretty pieces in person, but the right photograph really makes them come 'alive' and is ultimately what sells the piece.

(Rainbow Galaxy Bubble Hairpins)

 I was sitting in the dining area, where we have a large corner window. I was watching the rain and looking at some pieces that were sitting on the table. The light that was coming in was subtle but still bright and it gave me an idea. I thought that a different lighting would create a whole different atmosphere that would be perfect for the doll eyes before me. 

(new experimental cat eyes for Ball Jointed Dolls - 24mm)

 I rolled up the blinds all the way, got a piece of handmade paper (my favorite for backgrounds) and grabbed my camera. 

(new experimental cat eyes for Ball Jointed Dolls - 18mm)

(Flaky peach-orange Ball Jointed Doll eyes - photos taken in bright light with photo cube)

 Normally, I use the photo cube in the first picture. Though, that picture was taken while I was in Florida, which explains why it's so green. My backyard here in the desert is not as photogenic. Either way, I get lots of glorious sunlight to take the photos you see in my Etsy shop: 

(some random post earrings and plugs - photos taken in bright sunny light, with photo cube)

Then in the middle of it all, this guy thinks it's a great time to crawl into my lap!

(Patrick the pit bull!  a.k.a. Cuddle Munster)

And onto the Northern Lights pieces.  These were tough.  I wanted them to work, I really did.  For some reason a lot of pieces in this line look black when the camera is close up and pointing directly at the piece.  If the piece is at an angle, it picks up the colors amazingly.  Problem is- these pieces are a different color looking at them strait on.  They shift colors when turned to the side.  I am usually able to get all color angles when using the bright natural light, as you can see here:

But in this stormy weather, the colors aren't as brilliant.  Again the colors and edges are sharper (I think the photo cube gives all of my pieces a softness in the pictures) But I can't quite capture that main color that shows when looking at them strait on. 

These will be made into small pendants, hopefully I will get some bright light this weekend to take pics!

Tomorrow is my Birthday, and oddly enough I am pretty excited about doing nothing!  

I can always wait til tomorrow I suppose but I get excited about taking the pictures. Photographing and editing is probably my most favorite part of the process of selling my pieces on-line. They are very pretty pieces in person, but the right photograph really makes them come 'alive' and is ultimately what sells the piece.