Search results (tags) for: "photography"

How-To: Brighten Your Photos with Paperama

2008-11-14T14:16:00Z

I love to see Etsy sellers sharing their skills! I caught a great Flickr photo tutorial by Etsy seller Paperama and I thought I would share her wisdom with you! Inspired by other Flickr members commenting on her beautiful photos, Paperama, responded with a handy photo-tutorial. Paperama uses Picnik, a web-based photo editing program that is very user-friendly. If you have a Flickr account you can access all your Flickr photos via Picnik, which can be convenient! If you don't use Flickr, no worries; you can upload pics from your computer very easily. Follow this tutorial to find out how to make your photos bright and professional!

Step 1

→ Go to www.picnik.com
It's a super cool free web-based photo editing service - you don't even have to register!

→ Click on "Upload a photo" and choose the file you want to edit.

Step 2

After your upload is complete it should look like this.

→ Click on Exposure

Step 3

On the top several options appear - you can just play around a bit with exposure and contrast, to see how it works. If you don't like, it just click on Reset.

If you drag the exposure to right, you'll see that the complete image is getting brighter. Dragging contrast to the right, makes your lights and darks more intense.

→ Click on the Advanced Button to open additional options.

Step 4

If you want to brighten up the background/light colors drag the highlights bar to the right.
In the Histogram box you can see how the curves change. You can also drag the shadows bar to edit the darker parts of your image.

Step 5

Use the Zoom funtion on the right bottom corner to see how the image looks close up.

→ Click OK if you're happy with the results.

Step 6

→ Click on Save & Share in the top navigation.

Here you can choose a name for your new image file and edit dimensions, as well as the file format and compression quality.

→ Click on Save Photo to download the edited image to your computer.

Thanks for sharing Paperama! What a gem you are!

Need more help with photos? Check out the Photography section of the Seller Handbook.

Seller How-To: Packaging Ideas

2008-11-12T13:00:00Z

Since I started working for Etsy I turned from a full time seller to a full time buyer. (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. I'm not shopping all the time...Sometimes I've spent all my money and I'm just adding to my favorites.) My very favorite thing about buying on Etsy is getting packages — it's like a little mini party each time, thanks to the thoughtful packaging Etsy sellers put together! Ribbons, stickers, stamps, extra little goodies, oh my. What a delight!

So, dear sellers, why not show this off in your item listings?! Use one of your photos to let your shoppers know how beautiful your handmade items (and packaging!) are! With the holidays around the corner, it's also good to let your buyers know your items will come ready for giving. I've selected a few sellers who do this already, and do it quite well. Click the items to see the gems that are hidden inside!

Want some more tips? Come check out our Packaging Workshop live in the Virtual Labs Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 5pm EST.

Cup of Rosee by jewelera, $18.50

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Calling Cards of Mysterious Ladies by charmfoundry, $18.00

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Cats Gift Wrap/Padded Envelopes by PickalaPoopa, $5

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Master of the Universe Slug by lullabylily, $11

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Orange Octopus Screenprint by LittlePaperDog, $13

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Natural Girl Earrings by handsinpockets, $6

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Slim Stacking Rings - Set of 3 by PaysonWinters, $27

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Single Ox Rox Ring-Sterling Silver by ruralabandon, $12

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slightly unsightly soap bars all wrapped up in a pretty little package by sweetpetula, $6.99

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I recently received the sweetest handmade package in the mail from kitsandcaboodles! (See the main image for this article, up there at the top.) She offered to share the template to make your own — so here it is! Just print it on a heavy duty kraft paper, cut, fold and glue!

Click to download the PDF and print your own!

Don't forget to check out the Seller Handbook - all our how-tos about running your Etsy business!

Let me know in the comments below if you've seen an item that includes a photo of the packaging!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: November 6, 2008

2008-11-06T14:08:00Z

Wow. This week has been an emotional one for everyone in the United States, and it's an exciting time to be alive. Now begins the fun time of year leading up to the holidays, filled with delicious pies (I hope to make a few this weekend! Inaugural pies!), old fashioned music, and lots of tasty smells and fuzzy sweaters.

With that in mind, more inspiration for your perusal: American photography from the last century, intriguing advertising, avant garde fashion and rugs to swim upon.

The work (and life!) of legendary photographer Berenice Abbott is the stuff dreams are made of. Her epic photos of New York were chronicled in the book Changing New York (which I now have to get my hands on), and she also did amazing portraiture. This is a woman who moved to New York in 1919 and lived at an anarchist house in Greenwich Village, then changed scenery to Paris in the 1920s while she worked for Man Ray, later returning to New York after realizing its photographic possibilities. Quite the life, this one! [Via Nothing is New]

Parisian ad illustrator Emmanuel Polanco's work is rad. [Via Black Eiffel]

I have recently become completely entranced by the photography of William Eggleston. His photography is so raw and sincere to the American experience, and it presents a compelling view into the lives of ordinary people. (His life was also pretty amazing, as evidenced by this recent article in New York Magazine.) Check out more of his photography here.

These rugs are amazing! I want to fall into them and swim around. [Via See Saw Designs]

I'm loving the work of lizarietz. Her photography, styling and fashion is totally on my list. Those layers! I covet!

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: October 23, 2008

2008-10-23T15:00:00Z

Eccentrics make the world go 'round. If not for the "out there" thoughts of a certain courageous and wacky brand of individual, a lot of great ideas would never come to fruition. With that in mind, always make sure to give new ideas a chance, or you could miss out on something really special. (Yes, I've been reading the inspirational blog mentioned below. You'll love it, too! Trust me.)

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is all inspirational messages, pagan ritual, Iowa (!), honeycomb and interiors. Onward!

Bohemia in midtown: Yes, it once was. This profile shows the artists that are desperately holding on to rent-controlled studio apartments above New York's famed Carnegie Hall. Many have lived in the building for 50+ years, and have built their own universes, like concert pianist Donald Shirley, shown above. Pretty amazing. [Via New York Magazine]

Looking for some inspiration? Do it the post-modern way and get it via Tumblr. New Resolution's many short, boxed quotes are totally refreshing. [Via design is mine]

Photographer Estelle Hanania's "Demoniac Babble" series profiles the ancient folk tradition of the "silvesterklause" in Switzerland, wherein local men get "dressed in wild, demonic outfits. They roam the landscapes from farm to farm, singing, drinking to celebrate the winter to come, and to frighten the bad spirits away." Their costumes are unlike anything I've ever seen — totally earthy and spooky. Pagan rituals, I love you!

Artist Hilary Berseth's sculptures are more than a little interactive — in fact, I'd call them collaborative. You see, he does part of the work, then bees do the rest. The resulting beeswax sculptures are the very picture of delicious. Check out the slideshow at New York Magazine. [Via For Me, For You]

Klas Fahlen's illustrations are pretty cute. [Via Design For Mankind]

A recent trip to my homeland (Iowa!) revealed a new book on my state's history. As a teen, amateur photographer Everett W. Kuntz spent his days taking photos of Ridgeway and its residents — so much so that he earned the nickname "Scoop." However, he didn't have the money to print said photos, and forgot about them after going to college. It was only sixty years later, as he lay on his deathbed, that he remembered the negatives. This virtual time capsule is "Sunday Afternoon on the Porch: Reflections of a Small Town in Iowa, 1939-1942," and the photos are incredible. Read the article here. [Via New York Times]

The Art of the Display photo pool on Flickr has many treasures waiting for you. This particular display comes came of ATLITW. Don't you just love the chairs? [Via PoppyTalk]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Etsy Holiday How-To #4: Photographing Your Items

2008-10-14T14:24:00Z

For our fourth how-to in this series, the Etsy Labs crew escapes the glare of the paparrazi just long enough to show you how to make your item photos look sharp and professional. From backdrops to cropping, learn how to make those JPEGS sparkle and shine!

And remember to stay tuned for our how-to next week!

Here are the previous ones in this series:

Etsy Holiday How-To #1: Packaging

Etsy Holiday How-To #2: Branding your Shipping Materials

Etsy Holiday How-To #3: Creating Labels and Hang-Tags

See more in the Seller Handbook!

[This video was originally published October 12, 2007. We're bringing it back for the '08 season!]

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 25, 2008

2008-09-25T14:39:00Z

It has finally happened: I'm wearing tights, a sweater and boots. Fall is here! YES! Now all is well with the world. (For today, that is.)

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is full of whimsy, Polaroids, voyeuristic kitty experiences, patterns and fabric. Read on!

The Porter Polaroid Project presents a whimsical view of New York that I've never experienced before. It's quite addictive. [Via Royal Quiet Deluxe]

If you are suffering from a lack of feline companionship and are looking for a few quick purrs, Cats I Am Near is the most amazing voyeuristic kitty experience out there. Simply put in your city or zip code, and voila! You'll know what cats are snuggling in your neck of the woods. This little kitty comes care of ClatieK on Flickr. [Via For Me, For You]

In today's heated political atmosphere, it's important to think about what came before, just to keep things in perspective. These photos from historic Democratic and Republican National Conventions past are very revealing. Suffragettes unite! [Via Nothing is New]

Looking to take in some awkward photos? Let Sexy People be your guide. This collection of terrible/beautiful photography will surely make your day. If you want to submit, you should know that they only accept studio photography. We have a soft spot for awkward photos here at the Storque — just take a look at our About Us series.

Have you heard of Bon Bon Kakku? It's amazing! This fabric design website functions like popular T-shirt design site Threadless — simply post your design, people vote, and if it's loved, Bon Bon Kakku will produce it to sell! It's pretty rad.

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 18, 2008

2008-09-18T15:00:00Z

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is all photography. Some of the photos are pleasant reminders of autumn, others are projects to do (faux bois walls, anyone?), and some are simply examples of the wonders a camera can produce.

Read on!

If this isn't fall, I don't know what is. Photography blog Shorpy posted this adorable glimpse into autumns past. Eat that apple, baby!

Readymade has great instructions on how to produce a faux bois effect for your walls. [Via It's Knot Wood]

Don't these photos make you want to spend some time outdoors? Elisabeth Dunker makes the world a little brighter. [Via Fine Little Day]

Interested in typography? (Specifically, the bad kind.) Check out the Bad Type Flickr pool devoted to detailing all the imperfect signage and lettering out in the world. [Via Uppercase Gallery]

Anne Naumann's photography is completely and utterly stunning. Her blog, strandgut, is also pretty awesome. [Via What Possessed Me]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 11, 2008

2008-09-11T15:00:00Z

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere salutes autumn while bidding adieu to warm summer nights. The links ahead are all things that make me supremely happy—and I hope they will inspire similar emotions in you as well!

On the agenda today: The Happiest Book in the World (YES!), the oldest abandoned prison in the United States, tempting tarts and beautiful interiors. Onward!

Artist Alex Ostrowski's Happiest Book in the World is an intriguing project. According to his mission statement,

"In one way or another we are all looking for happiness. Some people even say that man's sole purpose for existence is to hunt down and capture this intangible and elusive treasure. In 2006 researchers at The University of Leicester concluded that Denmark is the happiest country in the world — this was good enough for me. In March 2008 I made the decision to visit happiness, and embarked upon a pilgrimage to find it. My experiences are presented in this book.
Only one copy exists."

As you can clearly see above, his aim is true. Have you visited happiness lately? [Via heartthrobs & villains]

James Merrell's photography is so awe-inspiring. I love the jumbled art effect in this room, and just learned that the artist behind the mysterious blue faced portraits is Vladimir Tretchikoff, sometimes referred to as Tretchiko. Mystery solved! [Via Design*Sponge]

Cannelle et Vannelle's food photography is heavenly. I haven't attempted to construct any sort of tart in this lifetime, but with results this decadent, I'll have to get on it asap. Beautiful!

Flickr photographers Curious Expeditions are mavericks, explorers and global adventurers, seeking out "the wondrous, the macabre and the obscure from around the globe." (In other words, my idea of a great time.) They recently ventured to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The prison is an ominous fortress of a building erected in 1829, which makes it the oldest penitentiary in the United States. After closing in 1970 and being abandoned for many years, it now serves as a museum. The photos are amazing.

While Fashion Week is all fine and good, sometimes it's the clothing that's worn to the shows that deserves more attention. These stylish audience members were attending the Preen show, but made statements of their own on the street outside. (Doesn't that puffy hipped dress remind you of Leanne's design on Project Runway?) [Via Refinery 29]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 4, 2008

2008-09-04T12:45:00Z

September: It's finally here! Fall is so close I can taste it.

Here's what's going on around the ol' blogosphere water cooler this week. Look for lots of interiors (romantic ones at that!), Icelandic fashionistas and multiplying girls. Onward!

This midcentury house tour is pure amazing: so bright! (P.S. It's Dave of grain edit fame's place.) [Via lola: bits and pieces]

Prepare yourself for the most romantic apartment ever. Interiors photographer Todd Selby ventured to the eccentric and charming home of Bill Gentle and Fanny Bostrum. Their entire way of life is so utterly captivating and sweet. I think I fell in love with them a little bit. [Via The Selby]

The photography of Julia Fullerton-Batten pulls me in and just won't let go. Her "School Project" photo series is eerie in a Multiplicity sort of way.

Icelandic fashionistas know what's up! These styling ladies from Reykjavik showcase the best possible juncture of fashion and function. [Via A Cup of Jo]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: August 14, 2008

2008-08-14T15:30:00Z

After a wonderful birthday with a carrot cake straight out of my mind's eye, I've been on a bit of a shopping binge. Next stop: taxidermied bat!

Here's what's shaking around the blogosphere this week.

Delphine Chanet's photos provide a glimpse into the most whimsical childhood I could imagine. [Via Black Eiffel]

This look by Prada makes me oh-so-excited for fall. Lace! [Via For Me, For You]

Looking to give some tired knickknacks new life? This tutorial shows you how to make a diy mini shadow box. [Via Design*Sponge]

Stylist Tonya Goodwin can certainly make a room look amazing. Now all I want to do is collect beach detritus. [Via Aesthetic Outburst]

Looking for hair inspiration? Look to these beauties of the past. [Via Gatochy]

And finally, take pleasure in nature's small wonders. [Via Camilla Engman]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Etsy Finds: Fine Art Picks

2008-08-12T11:06:00Z

With almost 250,000 art items currently listed on Etsy, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming when searching for that perfect piece. Today's Etsy Finds from Jamieribisi will introduce you to some red hot artwork—and hopefully some new favorites for your home. Remember, bare walls are sad walls!

Sunny beach - original ACEO painting by Tina-M

Tina Mammoser of thecyclingartist and timelady can create great atmosphere and depth in ACEO size—she's just perfectly talented. ACEOs are a great way to collect art on a budget—but don't forget to check out her large paintings if your pockets are deeper! $14.

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Conformity ORIGINAL PAINTING

Michelle Daisley Moffitt knows how to fill a canvas, and this particular piece is no exception. This sculptural painting has many elements to keep your eye interested. At MDaisleyMoffitt, $445.

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02-10-07-12

Oh, to have about a dozen of these stacked on my wall! Rebecca Tolk mounts her ethereal nature photographs on barn wood frames—and you thought Holga photographs couldn't get any better! At rebeccatolk, $20.

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Squishy Man

"Squishy Man"—the title alone makes me love it, but what really gets me are the colors: so bold! Check out the rest of her portraits. By CheapThrillz, $2,000.

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Monotype, title Mambo 4 x 4, abstract

Monotypes hold a special place in my heart; they are really original paintings in disguise. This one from Martha Marshall has so many layers that I could just stare at it for hours. At colorpoetry, $40.

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False Idols Trip Ticket

I came upon this painting by chance, and I'm so happy to have found it. The twist on traditional religious paintings is so smart, and the fact that stablercake used her grandma's hymnal records as the halos might just make her a mad genius. Plus, she guarantees "at least a little badassery in every image," so you really can't go wrong. $1,500.

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Number 28 Mini Desert Ironwood, Artist Collection 1977

If you didn't know it before, you know it now: I love functional art! Leimana Pelton is conscious of the environment when creating these boxes, which makes me even more fond of them. At villagearts, $75.

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Pinocchio

These small portrait paintings by Paulina Archambault give me shivers of nostalgia. All of her paintings grab you and give you a great big hug! At artatelier, $25.

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Pink Field 2, Glimpse, Landscape Impression, Original Painting

It was extremely hard to pick just one piece of Harry Stooshinoff's for this article: I love and want them all! I own a few of his paintings and admire his brushwork and the immediacy of his paintings every chance I get. At Paintbox, $30.

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Looking for more fine art Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Art Category |Art Showcase | Art Collectors Gift Guide

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News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: August 7, 2008

2008-08-07T16:30:00Z

After a sun-filled vacation to Las Vegas, I'm back in Brooklyn and searching out trends for fall. Look for mucho fashion content in the near future! If you notice any trends, please send them my way.

This edition of News from the Craft + Style Blogosphere has Scottish ski lodges, fashion forward internet mags, royal mosaics and more. Read on!

Street style blogs' can sometimes seem so homogenous—at least when it comes to the stylish women who make repeat appearances across the blogosphere. Refinery29 recently profiled these "cyber It chicks of tomorrow," including the white-browed Emma Andersson of London, seen above.

I'm looking forward to spending some quality cabin time (QCT!) this summer. (Hopefully this winter as well.) This Scottish ski lodge, decorated by amazing interiors guru Suzy Hoodless, makes me ache for snuggly blankets and hot toddies in front of a roaring fire. [Via A Cup of Jo]

This majestic portrait of Russian Empress Yelizaveta Petrovna is from The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. However, upon closer inspection, you'll see that it's actually a super intricate mosaic. The sad thing is that the artist is unknown. So awe-inspiring. [Via Krisatomic]

wonting's blog is totally addictive. This week she posted photos of Geninne's gorgeous space, which totally matches her modern aesthetic. [Via wonting]

When fashionistas need a quick fix, they go to the internet—not a magazine—as reported in today's New York Times Style section. For me, it's all too true. Blogger Design for Mankind has just started an internet magazine called Mankind Mag, and it's pretty slick! Check out the second issue, which is totally devoted to hair.

Flickr photographers continually blow my mind. This doozy comes courtesy of Julia Galdo of miamizeiss. [Via For Me, For You]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: July 24, 2008

2008-07-24T15:40:00Z

As much as the dog days of summer make me ache for the tights, sweaters and scarves of autumn, I'm trying to remain in the present and value my lazy, Beach Boys saturated Saturdays at the shore while they're still possible. (Even if it does mean being a hot mess for four solid months.)

With that said, here's what's kickin' around the blogosphere this week. Endless summer ahead!

So, in addition to making really cool stuff, somethingshidinghere basically has the most adorable, stylish, huge, bright, amazing loft on Earth, and I covet it like nobody's business. Check it out for yourself on Design*Sponge. (Spoiler alert: there is a porch swing, so you'll probably be crying tears of envy in the very near future, as well as planning a complete revamp of your own space. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

Kotama Bouabane's melting words series is a heartbreaking testament to being true to your emotions, even if the method is completely ephemeral (and happens to be made of ice). [Via heartthrobs & villains]

Tabbouleh is so summer. Doesn't this just look insanely delicious? Try it with quinoa instead of bulghur, and check out the recipe over at the Food Network. [Via Angry Chicken]

Whenever I go to the newstand to indulge my magazine fetish, I long for all of the international magazines, but don't really long for the hefty price tags. ($12 for a magazine is not my thing.) That's where Jed Root comes in. Technically, the site is for photographers, stylists and make-up artists to network professionally. For the casual fashion browser such as myself, it's an amazing (and free!) photo resource of all the inspiring fashion spreads I don't usually get to see. (Until I get my Vogue Nippon subscription, that is.) This particular spread is pure summer vibe heaven. [Via Neon Polish]

Amy Stein's photography is so gripping and desolate. This particular series, stranded, consists of photos of people in limbo on the roadside. Her other series are also unbelievable, specifically the women and guns collection. Doesn't this photo have such a seriously Diane Arbus vibe? Love it.

Stockholm Fashion Week looks pretty rad. (Also, is it just me, or is looking at fashion for next spring/summer kind of bizarre? However, it's great inspiration for this season.) The ladies of Swedish line Minimarket have some killer silhouettes — so tailored, plus totally wearable. Wish I was there! [Via Refinery29]

This — well, this is just a reason to look a little closer in your day to day life. Aw. [Via Faces In Places]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Etsy Finds: Baron von Milan

2008-07-24T10:26:00Z

This picture inspires me. jenniferdennispotter is able to show the world as we (hopefully!) all once saw it as children. The toy tableaus she creates are entirely convincing, and the drama between the knight errant and the stack of books is very real. There is something even a little bit quixotic about this knight attacking the aged documents, but literary allusions aside, these pictures are fantastic and stand on their own as little masterpieces.

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Gotta Travel On: PhotoAmerica's Roadtrip Across the U.S.

2008-07-03T16:00:00Z

This July 4th, whether you're grilling in Iowa or watching fireworks over Central Park, you will inevitably reflect on the nation, and of course, how the American spirit fuels the handmade lifestyle. Photographer, Mary Haggerty aka PhotoAmerica, spends her time roadtripping and then documenting the many faces of this country, from beauty queens to cowboys. Three of Mary's American Journal Photographs were selected by the curators of the Smithsonian Museums for the public art collection at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, and she was named Best Emerging Artist by The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Mary's work probes deep (really deep, her old Jeep had 222,000 miles on it!) into the heart of America.

My greatest fear is having a boring life.

There were some things in my life I didn’t want to miss. So, I decided to take a road trip to visit small towns, their fairs and festivals and meet some very interesting people along the way. I was determined to meet Miss Crustacean, The Button Man, and the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. I wanted to see the world’s largest pumpkin, the Wigwam Village, and Vollis Simpson’s windmill field. I wanted to experience the World Grits Festival, the Penguin Plunge and a 450 mile tag sale. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

[Miss Crustacean by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

With my camera and tape recorder packed and my bag full of rolls of black and white film, I went out on the road and collected these stories, real stories of the best of the American spirit from the heart of America.

I have been a photojournalist for many years, and I have met a lot of interesting people this way. While working on assignments from news editors, I thought to myself: “What do I find interesting? Who would I like to meet and tell stories about?” This is why I began my five year project of documenting small town America. I am fortunate that people have let me into their lives during my travels and I am happy to be able to tell their stories with black and white photographs. Their portraits and my book are the result of this wonderful American road trip.

Punsutawney, PA was a my first stop, a memorable town to visit on Groundhog Day. I was told many stories by the men in top hats, the members of the groundhog club. I even got to touch the famous Phil. I also met a couple who got married by the mayor of Punxsutawney in the town hall with their bridesmaids dressed in groundhog costumes.

When I visited Twinsburg, Ohio on a weekend in August, I was seeing double. It was Twins Days, the annual gathering for thousands of twins. I was lucky to see a twins parade and twins' talent contest. I talked to a lot of twins and found they have a very special bond. I was sad by the end of the weekend that I didn’t have a twin.

I spent a calm afternoon with Vollis Simpson, a windmill artist, in his workshop and in his field of tall whirly gigs in Lucama, NC waiting for the wind. He told me “people come by here when it’s not windy and they ask me to turn them on.” Then a storm blew in, and the wind picked up and everything started spinning and turning!

I met six charming women who were competing in a pageant for the title of Mrs. Hell Hole at the Hell Hole swamp festival. This festival in Jamestown, SC is where they celebrate their moonshine making heritage.

I met another crowned queen, Miss Crustacean, on her parade float at the Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, MD. I spent the afternoon here watching the blue crab races.

While I stood freezing wrapped in a coat and hat, I witnessed hundreds of people running into the cold ocean on New Year’s Day at Mackerel Cove in Jamestown, RI. They call it the Penguin Plunge.

[Penguin Plunge by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

I met a ten-year-old boy whose pride was growing a 900 pound pumpkin which he was showing off at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off in Goffstown, NH.

I saw many parades, including the Baby Parade with its tiny participants, a 93 year old tradition in Ocean City, NJ.

I spent a day with Dalton Stevens, The Button Man, and he showed me his hearse he’s covered in 600,000 buttons. We talked about his insomnia, the late nights he spends in his garage with buttons and glue, and the buttoned coffin he keeps in the back of his hearse.

[The Button Man by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

I stayed in the Wigwam Village Motel in Cave City, KY, a real piece of Americana from road trips past. I have also been to visit Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ where I climbed a staircase in her back leg up to a large room where you can look out her eyeball and see the Atlantic Ocean.

The road has a lot of great stories to tell. Oh yes, there are still many things I want to do!

It’s summertime, so get off the highway, ramble away from the city, drive to the places marked in small letters on your Rand McNally, and see what you can find.

Mary has received grants for this project from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and the Durham Arts Council. You, too, can be a patron of the arts, by helping to sponsor Mary's next road trip, and preserve the American culture found in small towns across the nation.

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: June 19, 2008

2008-06-19T14:19:00Z

After quite the productive Renegade weekend (though rain soaked in many moments), I'm glad to be back in the swing of things. This edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere indulges my summer camp fancies, eco fashion ideas, models of Parisian infrastructure and some beautifully photographed picnics.

Read on!

I recently discovered photo blog Sew Kewl. So many great photos from the past! This collection makes me think of summer camp and being on vacation. If only...

Style Bubble brought Pia Stanchina to my attention. This student at Central Saint Martin's is taking the fashion world by storm with her eco and sustainable fashions. So delicate and fairylike!

Metro Pop Magazine has a great photo spread entitled Let Them Eat Cake. Very lush and dreamy, with summer picnics and such. [Via the very inspirational Moldy Doily]

Loving these shades of brown. [Via Oh Joy!]

Stickers and Donuts did a great round up of prints at Brooklyn's Renegade Craft Fair. I love this print by sycamorestreetpress. The Smiths lyrics and the Ohio outline are a nice touch.

You have to check out these photos! The Paris Traveler reports that Gerard Brion has constructed an intricate (15 years in the making!) replica of Paris from "baby food jars, soup cans, and old cinder blocks." Eco, crazy, beautiful. [Via Craft Zine]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Fresh Shops: johnmurphy

2008-06-19T13:34:00Z

I had the pleasure of meeting John Murphy at the Brooklyn Flea, a flea market that takes place every Sunday in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, where he was selling his photography in the most colorful of frames. I immediately recognized his work, as I had been eyeing it on Etsy for weeks before our run in.

There was quite a buzz around his booth at the flea market, and when I checked out his Etsy shop later that week I was astounded to find that he had not yet had one sale.

I have set a goal for myself that once I get my apartment shaped up into a clean, organized living space rather than the messy, cluttered work studio it has become, I am going to treat myself to a colorful work of art by the very talented JohnMurphy.

I don't quite know what has gotten into me lately, but it feels strange to admit that I'm in love with his work, and it doesn't even have a moustache! Shocking!

See more Fresh Shops and say hey to a new seller!

Etsy Finds: Lomo, Holga and More

2008-06-11T08:39:00Z

It seems like me and my digital camera are attached at the hip (or face) lately. In college, I loved film and amassed an amazing collection of every plastic camera I could get my hands on; I have bought over two dozen Polaroid Colorpack cameras and given them as gifts over the years, and we used my half-broken Squareshooter to take the first About Us photos. Now, it's pretty much straight from the camera and right onto Flickr, and that's that.

There's something about blistering summer afternoons that make me pine for my Instamatic 126s and Polaroids and Dianas that are still crammed in my parents' attic. Maybe it's because bright sunlight combined with a cheap lens always gave weirdly transformative and beautiful results. I went looking on Etsy for Holga and Lomography, and this is what I found:

Summer - Fine Art Photograph

Lomo lends itself very well to summer beach photography. Bright, bright sunshine and rippling water give such great results. By sfjamiejones, $30.

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Hidden, 8 x 8 print

You have to check out Unravelling's whole shop. I had a really difficult time choosing, but finally settled on this sweet and secretive landscape, $35.

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Oranges 8x8

I love the composition here. By bymegan, $25.

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Paysages de Tortaria 7.

There is something about film that catches the light in ways digital never can. By InmostLight, $20.

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cuniculus (rabbit), print of original photograph

I happen to believe the combination of selling vintage stuff and then dressing up in vintage stuff and taking fun photos of people with animal heads is just....awesome. By vintagevice, $25.

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Romance Isn't Dead

Beautiful, dusky (and romantic!) print by SaintKitten, $25.

P.S. "Saint Kitten" is the best username ever.

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Original Signed Photo Boab Tree Australia Holga/Lomo

I want to be wherever this tree is, sitting under it with a book. By artdecadence, $8.

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I'm In Love Through The Viewfinder Photo Print

This is such a neat technique; it was too hard to pass up. Plus, the image is so adorable. By ScarletBeautiful2, $8.

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Rainbow Crackhouse - Fine Art HOLGA Print

This photograph exists solely to make all of us in Brooklyn sad that our crackhouses do not look like beautiful carnivalesque toy castles. I am bummed. By stoopidgerl, $25.

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How-to Photograph Jewelry: Get the Basics with Vadjutka

2008-06-04T14:43:00Z

vadjutka.etsy.com recently submitted a piece on Hungarian traditional and contemporary crafts for the Etsy World Tour series. Turns out she has worked as a professional photojournalist. She now sells her jewelry on Etsy, and so she has some crucial tips for jewelry sellers who want to take great photos of their items. Read on, sellers, for more on exposure, background, angles, and more....

I think most jewelry makers have faced this problem at least once: how to take a good photo and how to style that photo to make the most of an item. In the next few paragraphs I'll try to sum up the practices I learned as a photojournalist — which could be useful for photographing still subjects like jewelry.

1. Light: Sharp vs. Smooth Shadows
There you are, with a beautiful piece of jewelry, ready to take some photos and list it in your shop. Right before you push the button on your camera, there are a few things that might be good to consider: for example, the angle of the light coming from outside (or inside), and the shadow it casts on your item. Some may like sharp lines, others may like smooth. For those who belong to the first group, natural light it is best, and it is useful to take pictures around noon, when the sun is high. Those who prefer smooth lines should shoot in the morning or after 4 pm.

Sharp, defined shadows:
.
[Dangle earrings by fantcastle]

[Crown necklace by spicychocolate ]

Smooth, diffused shadows:

[earrings by shimmerglassjewelry]

[Mushroom ring by ctseibels]

Of course, most of us don't have time to wait for the perfect sunlight to arrive. What can we do if we only have time to shoot in the early evening, when the light is not so bright, but we don't want an underexposed grey picture as a result? We shall use the flash, but not directly — and ever so carefully! Using flash directly makes very bright white spots on the picture, because the light of the flash is not diffused to different directions. So either we can put a smaller white plastic card on the flash to diffuse light, or if it is not possible, cover the flash with a white tissue. It will result a brighter picture but without the distracting, overexposed bright spots.

2. Correcting the photometer
If your camera allows you to adjust it manually, don't be afraid to use it. At first it might seem a bit difficult, but one can learn it quite quickly. There are two main "numbers" we have to deal with: the shutter speed (the duration of time the shutter is opened) — its values are marked with 1/125, 1/60, 1/30 etc. — and the F-stop (the amount of light coming into the camera’s aperture) — its values are marked with numbers like 2,2, 2,8, 3,5, 5,6 etc.

Don't panic about having to measure these values manually, as the photometer built into the camera does it for us. Though built-in photometers react quickly — my photometer measures on nine different spots — at the end of the measuring process we get an average number. This means that if we do not correct the measurement a little bit, we might get a photo with over or underexposed spots.

If we want the darker spots to be more detailed, we have to add a bit more light: either with a lower f-stop or with a lower shutter-speed. Consequently, we do the opposite in case of overexposed spots — for example, when taking photos of a white, glittering or very bright jewelry, we add one or one-and-half to the measured values of the photometer, which means higher numbers of f-number and shutter-speed.

[measured by photometer and altered values, photo by vadjutka.etsy.com]

If we sit in a quite dark room, and all f-stops are gone (which means that the shutter is opened to its maximum size), we still have opportunities by letting in more light with an even lower shutter speed number. As far as I know, most people can make a sharp picture with the maximum value 1/30 of a second for shutter speed; below that, photos become blurred. So if the picture requires longer than that, we should use a tripod...or stabilize our hands on a sturdy object (in extreme situations it can be our knees, as well), hold back breathing, and shoot!

LINKS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutter_speed

3. Go closer! - Making a photo essay
When I was in photography school, my teacher always asked me: “What do you want to say with these distant pictures? Go closer!” Luckily enough, we can get close quite easily when shooting jewelry, thus easily fulfilling what my teacher always wanted: one close-up picture showing details of the item, and one "big picture," showing the whole item its environment, or on a model. We should also take some photos from different angles: what does the item look like from the back, or from the sides? It is like telling a story, except in pictures and not in words.

[by yasminbochi]

[by lesthings]

[by juliery]

4. Background: patterns vs. white
An important part of telling the story of your jewelry in pictures is the background of the photo. Browsing Etsy, we can find a few main types of backgrounds: plain white, solid color backgrounds, and non-white, patterned backgrounds — usually with flowers, shapes or letters. The plain white background has an advantage: it is easier to photograph, and easier to take in visually. Using white as background has one more advantage: it intensifies the light, so it can help in taking photos of a darker item. We can use a plain white sheet for photography — that is what I do, or a white box (see here for a how-to).

An example of a white box:

[photo by panyizsuzsi.etsy.com]

white backgrounds:

[fabric necklace by fabricfarrago]

[polymer pendant necklace by jkollmann]

[ring by KelbelleDesigns]

The advantage of a non-white background is that a good background adds a special meaning and an atmosphere to the jewelry, thus creating its own little world. Make sure to consider the look and feel of your shop as a whole. Ask yourself, "Does this background work with the overall branding and image I want for my work? Will my target buyers relate to it?"

non-white backgrounds:

[ring by pocketfullofpoesy]

[Cherry Drop earrings by nicoleleeartistry]

[necklace by TheHandOfFatima]

These are just some general tips. Within these constraints, the photographer can really get creative and best of all — let the jewelry shine as the center of attention.

Here's a link to other photo how-tos on the Storque. Add any of your favorite tips in the comments below!

Etsy Finds: A Little Vacation for Mom

2008-05-10T14:00:00Z

In honor of Mother's Day (tomorrow!), I thought it'd be fun to ask my own Mom what she would pick if she could feature any item on Etsy. There's nothing my parents like more than travelling, so I wasn't really surprised when she chose this gorgeous photograph by Shutterstitch as her favorite thing on Etsy right now. It's completely her style, and she said right away how much it reminded her of a family vacation we took to France a few years ago.

Since sending my Mom on a much-deserved European mini-vacation this month is out of the question, this print would be a perfect way to let her know I'm thinking of her and I love her (even if she's terrible at reading French road maps). Now she can look at it, and think of our silly family adventures and dream of being somewhere more exciting and picturesque than central New Jersey. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

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Fresh Shops: markrouttphotography

2008-05-08T11:37:00Z

This Fresh Shop discovery is actually for my best friend's mother. She grew up on the Jersey Shore, and was transplanted to California many moons ago. This is a fact that I often forget unless she's visiting the East Coast, or unless she's had a glass of wine or two. Then the Joisey girl within makes an appearance. There is a part of her that will always be at the Shore. And it has decided that the best way to achieve this is through various representations of lighthouses. Many of them. In every room of her house. So when I found markrouttphotography's shop, I immediately thought of her. So, Mrs. K, this one's for you.

Can you tell us a little about the people behind markrouttphotography? Who are you and what makes you tick?
My name is Mark Routt and I am a fine art photographer and artist living and working near Washington DC. I am the creator of markrouttphotography here on Etsy. I am not however the sole force behind this endeavor. Much of that credit goes to my amazing family and friends. In particular, I wish to thank my mom (sssugarbears) and fiance (christianes) for all their support and encouragement. They are the true reasons for my success. Happy Mother’s Day to you both!

I love art! I’ve loved art since I was five years old and have wanted to become an artist ever since. I love drawing, painting, and taking pictures. I am very fortunate to be making a living creating art.

What inspires you as a creative person?
Working with and viewing the work of other creative people is my greatest source of inspiration. I love going to the art museums in Washington DC and New York City. I’m inspired by the natural world, music and movies, and by great architecture. A great source of recent inspiration are the arts and crafts I find on Etsy.

How do you like Etsy so far?
I really like Etsy — ok, I love it! My family would say I’m addicted to it. I love its creative and functional design. I really appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that goes into it. I like the community it’s creating and the quality of artists it attracts. I discover new talent everyday. Thanks to Nache at creativeroute for turning me onto Etsy.

Curious about other Fresh Shops on Etsy? Check out the series!