Daily Favorites
Feb. 9 10
Good morning. Here are today’s favs. Up next: Found On at 10.
Sweet Photographs from Sandra of Sweet Blue
Feb. 8 10
Beautiful photographs from Sandra Arduini of Sweet Blue.
Fashion Finds: Key to my Heart
Feb. 8 10
1. The unique design of this handmade leather wallet will steal your heart – it fastens with an antique skeleton key. Wallet by Urban Heirlooms, $65.
2. Wear your love from head to toe with these super cute embellished heart flats. Rhinestone Heart Flats from Yes Style, $58.
3. This vintage-inspired red gingham dress makes a big impact with a heart-shaped cutout. The perfect dress for Valentine’s Day! Dress from Fred Flare, $54.
4. This adorable heart-print romper is perfect for lounging around the house with your sweetheart. Darling Dear Romper from Anthropologie, $98.
5. A heart-printed mini is just right for a hot date or a fun girls’ night out. Skirt from ASOS, $33.99.
6. This antiqued brass keyhole ring is a great conversation starter. Who holds the key? Ring from London Particulars, $27.
7. This soft woven scarf will keep you warm, and the pretty key design adds a whimsical touch. Scarf from Noir Defilement, $15.99.
8. A cluster of one-of-a-kind vintage heart pins on your lapel shows off your romantic side. Set of three pins from ModCloth, $14.99.
xoxo,
Lesley of 315thomas
Craft Venture: Photo makeover, part III
Feb. 8 10
Hi everyone! I’m Brenda from Phydeaux Designs, with another Craft Venture post about product photography! Last week, we talked about photography equipment. This week, let’s talk about things to avoid with your product photos.
You’ve made the most wonderful, fantastic widget on Planet Earth. Perhaps even the known Universe. Not only are your socks knocked off by your widget, but your mom thinks it’s stunning! You lovingly photograph your widget and list it for sale in your online shop, then proceed to refresh your screen for the next few hours, knowing that you will retire early with your sales from this glorious widget.
And then … less than a handful of views.
So you take another look at your fantastic photos. What can possibly be the problem? After all, your first photo is incredible! Your widget is lovingly nestled on your shag carpeting, which you vacuumed just last month!
Rule #1: unless you’re selling a floor cushion or vacuum cleaner, avoid photographing your products on the floor.
You really like Seller Susie’s widget photos, so you made your photos look exactly like hers. Well … she sells diamond widgets, photographed on someone’s beautifully manicured hands. You’re morally opposed to both diamonds and manicures. Anyway, your widgets are so beautiful, who’s going to notice your torn cuticles and broken fingernails!
Rules #2 & 3: develop your own individual photo style and include only clean and well groomed body parts in your photos.
And your lighting was so perfect! Your camera’s flash makes your widget so pretty!
Rule #4: please … no flash.
Maybe you should just pull out your sure fire trick and photograph your beloved kitty wearing your widget. Who can resist his sweet face? With the right angle, no one will notice the stitches from his surgery!
Rule #5: unless your product is for pets, avoid using your pets as your models. And if your product is for animals, be sure to include a disclaimer that the product in the photograph is not the product that your customers will receive!
I’m exaggerating! However, I have seen all of the above in product photos (not the kitty stitches, thankfully!). On nearly every venue offering handmade and vintage goods and supplies, you will find photos that range from merely mediocre to truly unfortunate. Luckily, you will also find many photos from good to truly outstanding.
Of course, there are exceptions to any rule. However, if you’re not seeing the traffic you want for your shop, take a closer look at your photos. Look at every size of your photos that your customers are able to see, from thumbnail to highest level of zoom. Since color values vary between monitors, check your photos on multiple computers, including your mobile phone browser. Ask photographers for feedback. Moreover, act on that feedback!
Next week, we’ll focus on rules to live by: best practices and styling ideas.
What other avoidance “rules” do you recommend? Which do you wish you’d known about when you first started as a seller/small business owner? Do you disagree with any of these? Changing your perspective to that of a customer, does your mind change about any of these?
Images: Echeveria Succulent by Monkeys Always Look; Fresh Floral Ring by Oh Hello Friend; Custom Tea Dress by sohomode
We Heart Matte Stevens
Feb. 8 10
If you have an affinity for mid century design, you no-doubt love, or will soon love, the illustrations of Matte Stevens. The guy has a knack for color (amongst other things)…
You can visit Matte’s shop, Matte Art, on etsy and be sure to check out his studio on Herman Miller’s blog, Lifework, as well.
Daily Favorites
Feb. 8 10
Monday morning favorites. Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend.
For more info on these items, click here to shop papernstitch.com.
Piano Playing
Feb. 5 10
That’s going to do it for this week. If you are looking for a new site to browse, I highly recommend Piano Nobile, a design studio, printshop, and workshop in Seattle, that also happens to have a great online shop.
Special Offer: Shop at Piano Nobile and get free shipping on all jewelry and textile purchases, along with free gift wrapping now through February 14th. US and Canada only. No code necessary.
Have a great weekend! See you Monday.
