I Flickr

Opened a Flickr account yesterday. Was surprisingly painless! Hopefully this is a sign of my increasing ability to know what I'm doing. It could have had something to do with reading the instructions carefully though . . .

Just photos also on Folksy right now but give it time . . .

Butterflies and fallen trees

I saw a butterfly today . . .

And, not exactly winter cheer but certainly some brightness and colour, I took some photos of a fallen tree, dead for a couple of years and felled by a gust of wind too strong for its withered rootball.



Wonderful textures (and I do love texture!) and amazing to see, up close, the life within and upon the tree.





I'd have taken a photo of the butterfly but, in December, I really wasn't expecting to see one!

Folksy result!

Things have gone well on Folksy. I've sold far more than I expected to in far shorter a space of time. Well, let's face it, I did suspect I might not sell anything at all. But, so far (and probably all that will be sold before next year. Assuming anything sells next year . . . ) I've sold five items to four buyers. Yes, someone even wanted two pieces of jewellery which left me feeling just ever so slightly chuffed!

So, if nothing else, I've covered the cost of listing although probably not the hours it's taken me, as I've found it very consuming of time; taking photos, getting them the right size (after finding out how to get them the right size), working out just how the listing works, then going back and doing it properly, then making right what went wrong and I didn't notice had gone wrong etc. But, that aside, it is a nice buzz when someone actually likes your work enough to part with money for it, and even nicer when you find out they really like it when they receive it too! I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get over jewellery-related low self-esteem . . .

I've been experimenting with backgrounds and props with my photography, making the most of the sun when it came out on Saturday after spending what felt like a brief eternity sulking behind grey clouds. I'm quite pleased with the results and that I got out of my 'comfort zone' and tried something new. It may not seem dramatic but different coloured pebbles seem to have made a big difference to the way the silver looks, even if it's just to me!



I also used the elegant hand/arm prop:



I messed around with a black background as well but it dulled the clarity of the silver and meant the texture of it was lost so unless I learn a little more about cameras and perhaps have a better quality one at my disposal, I might well steer clear of that idea for now. The first photo is, obviously, on a black background. The second is, again obviously, not.





See what I mean?


But this (and Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, writing cards - all of which seems to have taken at least twice as long as it ever has before this year) has meant that actually making the jewellery, you know, taking bits of silver and then fashioning attractive items from them, has been sitting on the back burner, feeling a bit neglected and wondering if I've forgotten it.

I've not. I've got plans for the new year, have been looking through notes, letting ideas formulate and percolate . . . although I must try and remember that just because I've made something once doesn't mean I can't make it again. It'll never be exactly the same, handmade jewellery - made by me anyway! - just doesn't work like that, so I know when I find a design I like I can revisit it, even develop and adapt it. But I always seem to find the urge to try something new just a little too tempting . . . Perhaps a New Year's resolution is in order.

More items listed . . . and a first Folksy sale!

I've listed a few more pieces on Folksy today, although not as many as I would have done as I needed to take some more photos and the weather has bee so dull and abysmal that the natural light just isn't up to it. Must make one of those handy white boxes I've read about . . . although I don't know how much that'll help with the light. Hmm.

But some more listings anyway.

And my first Folksy sale came on Thursday, just before I was heading out to my silversmithing class! One of my leaf pendants, which always attract attention.



I've another finished and one, a smaller one, as a work in progress but nearly done. I've also a tiny one nearly finished, and some potential tiny ones to create. They're all individual which can make them tough to part with . . .

But I've listed one of my silver ladies



and if I can part with them then I can part with anything!

Progress is slow right now though, with Christmas shopping seeming to take several years to finish . . .

Photos sorted! Big sigh of relief . . .

Yes, my photos are looking a lot better now. Phew.

Many thanks to a couple of fellow Folksians who were generous with time and expertise in helping me figure out just what I was doing wrong. It was kind of obvious really. Ahem. But these things often are.

Anyway, check out the wonderful shops of Paperleaf and Random Hamster, both of whom are true stars and sell lovely stuff too!

More listed

More items listed now. A bit tricky getting the hang of the cropping of photos. And I'm not happy with the quality of the photos I'm using anyway, although some seem better than others.

Hmm.

I've had a go at sorting things out but it's not gone too well. Or rather, I haven't been able to get the results I want. Google is all fine and dandy when you know exactly the right words to use . . . !

The shop is open!

Well, just.

I've got one item up so far although I'm hoping the first one is the trickiest to do!

Have a look-see here if you fancy:

http://www.folksy.com/shops/silvermoss