Hints and Tips for Etsy Photo Taking

Heather of A Glimpse Of Reality was ever so kind to share her hints and tips with us on taking successful photos for your Etsy shop! To view more of Heather's blog click HERE!

A crucial benefit to sales is your item photos. They're the first thing your buyers see, and they represent you as a seller. Quality in your photos is very important and can be the deciding factor in a customer's purchase decision. Here is a list of tips that I would like to offer for anyone struggling with their product photography. I hope it can help fellow Etsians increase views and sales!

• Find your style and stick with a theme. Give your viewers something to identify you with. Try to photo items in a similar manner, as this will also make your shop look well formatted.

• Great ideas for photo backdrops are scrapbook pages, books, maps, wood, ext. However, remember to not let your backgrounds distract from your product. A good idea is to experiment with contrasting colors, and try to find ways to let your product stand out.

• Try using natural sunlight rather than bulbs (especially with jewelry). This helps bring out the accurate colors in your items.

• Use all 5 picture spots for each item you list. Experiments with different angles to show your buyers exactly what they would get from a purchase.

• If you choose to use a model, make sure the product is your focal point of the picture.

For The Nature Chic In You!

I just love this pendant. So pretty and sweet. Features a blue bird flying amongst the blooms. Medallion hangs off of a pretty silver bail. Measures 12.5 inches and circular medallion measures 1 3/4 inches. Finished off with silver plated chain and lobster clasp closure. Comes beautifully packaged in a lovely gift box for immediate gift giving or as as a treat for yourself! If you have any questions or comments please let me know, I would love to hear from you.

My Recent Listing

GOLDEN HEART

Do you want to be pretty and chic? Then this necklace is a definite must have accessory to dress up any outfit. Designed and quality hand-crafted with loving care by me Michelle Hynek. This piece was created using a pretty brass heart pendant with a lovely filigree pattern. Necklace measures 12 inches and is finished off with gold plated chain and lobster clasp closure. Comes beautifully packaged in a lovely gift box for immediate gift giving or as as a treat for yourself!

I'm so excited to mention that Rebecca of Soap Deli has been so kind as to host a giveaway for me. A pair of my beaded hoop earrings in a summery aquamist colour. Click on the banner above to visit her awesome blog for your chance to win. Good luck!

Happy Birthday Rj

Rj all smiles for her party to start!

Rj and all her Birthday guests!

Rj showing off her Birthday present!

My little sweetie Rj turned 10 this June and I wanted to spoil her silly. What better way than with a birthday party fit for a princess. I was so excited as this was the first Birthday party I had ever arranged on my own and I wanted it to be special for my little cousin. We had a day of swimming, games, crafts, cupcakes and so much more. I think she and her 9 friends had a blast as did I. What ever shall we do next year?

Featured Artist of the Month

This month's featured artist is Laura of West Hartford, Connecticut . I got a chance to interview her about her collection of lovely aprons, dish towels and market totes! Here is what she had to say...

What type of artwork do you do?
I am a textile artist. I design and create aprons, dish towels and market totes and plan on adding more in the near future.

How long have you been creating?
I have been creating for as long as I can remember.

How much time do you spend working on your craft?
I approach Curry Kay Designs as a full time job. I probably devote a minimum of 50 hours a week to it-- each week varies, but I'll spend 20 - 50 of those hours actually designing, sewing and printing.

What inspires you to create?
I love 40s - 50s vintage style, cookbooks, clothing patterns and movies. I try to combine that aesthetic with contemporary designs.

Do you have a designing process?
Most of my design process happens in my head. I'll see something that inspires me and think over it for a few hours, a few days or a few weeks. When I feel there is something tangible I doodle (I'm not the best sketch artist). From there I can create a pattern or keep working it into a screen print.

Where do you do your creating?
I'm lucky enough to secure an extra bedroom as my studio. I do my designing, sewing and other crafting there. I also took over half of our unfinished attic for my screen printing. Though in spite of all of that I'm currently spread out in my foyer (more room for yards of fabric!)

Have you always been artsy?
When I was little my mom used to let me draw on squares of bleached muslin that she would sew into pillows. That was my first foray into "textile art". I've always had my hand in some other form of sewing, scrapbooking or crafting.

Do you have another job?
I quit my full time job as an event planner to focus full time on my business. I still do event freelance work, but CKD is my primary focus.

Where do you sell your pieces?
Right now I only sell on Etsy, but I hope to secure consignment accounts and show at fairs in the future.

Do you enjoy what you do?
I LOVE what I do. It's always been a life goal of mine to work for myself, sell online and making a living from creating. It can be scary at times, but to be able to create every day is amazing!

Do you have a favorite piece in your shop?
Right now I love my Bridget apron in light green with the red cupcake. Click HERE to view.

Do you have a blog or website setup?
I do! I blog daily at www.currykaydesigns.com Curry Kay Designs... Something Lovely for Your Life.

Summer time is great for photo taking!

London Nights Earrings $18.00

Sweetheart Earrings $16.00

Beija-Flor Earrings $16.00

Athena Earrings $16.00

With the warmer weather now here it's a perfect time to get my butt outdoors and take new photos of my jewelry. I just love the way the sunshine makes my photos pop rather than taking them inside. Here's a sneak peek at my latest collection of earrings.

Let me feature you!

I am looking for Etsy shops to feature on my blog. To qualify all I ask is for you to do the following 2 steps:

1.Become my fan on my facebook fan page. Link has been posted below.
2.Share my fanpage link with your friends using your facebook status for the day or even suggest me to your friends by visiting my fanpage and clicking on suggest to friends.

Once you do that just come back here and comment that your done along with your Etsy shop url and you may be featured very soon. I am going to try and feature 2 Etsy shops a month. Any questions just post back here as well :)

Fanpage: www.sparklingtwi.com
Blog: www.sparklingtwi.blogspot.com

Sunny Yellow

Loving the colour of sunshine yellow. A definite smile on a warm June day. So bright and cheerful. I put together a treasury featuring all the happiness that yellow brings to us. Enjoy...