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Friday, December 18, 2009
TAKING A GREAT PHOTO: TIPS TO HELP YOU

I am always on the quest for better ways to take a great photo. I am no professional photographer, but have found a few things that are useful to the average joe trying to photograph there work.

These tips are for the "point and shoot" digital camera crowd, of course if you are more advanced in your photography knowledge, then this is standard knowledge for you.

KNOW YOUR CAMERA:
That means read the manual and know the different settings and modes on your camera. There are usually preset for Scenery, Nighttime, action , and other scenarios that you can use.Yes, some models are better than others, but if doesn't matter what amount of money you spend if you can't work it when you get it home. I suggest 10Mega pixels as the minimum for a digital, some people may argue with me , which is fine, but I think this is the least you can get to take a decent photo.The mega pixel rating of a digital camera determines how much fine detail you can capture in your shots, so the higher the mega pixel, the more detail in the photo.

MACRO MODE IS YOUR FRIEND:
Most digital cameras have a macro mode. This setting is great for taking close up shots of your products like rings or smaller objects. Most of the time the macro mode is represented by a flower symbol. Just turn on macro mode (whether a switch or button on camera), then get as close to it as your camera will allow. Make sure you allow the camera to focus properly before depressing the shutter button fully.

SHAKY HANDS = SHAKY PICTURE:
Sometimes you think you are holding your camera steady only to find out after the picture is taken that you weren't. Alot of cameras now have an "auto shake" feature. This is represented on my camera with a picture of a hand with wavy lines on either side of it. When this is turned on it automatically stabilizes the picture. This is good if you are a little shaky or if you don't have a tripod. The only downside to this is that on most cameras this feature is for auto mode only, so you will not be able to manually tweak settings like Iso, brightness and etc.

WHAT THE HELL IS ISO SETTING:
The ISO setting of a camera controls it's sensitivity to light. If you're taking a photo of a still object, like jewelry, then always use a low ISO setting. It allows for a longer shutter speed and produces a cleaner image. If you're shooting a moving object, like a child in one of your items, then a higher ISO setting of say 400 would be better. Do take note, however, that a higher ISO setting gives a faster shutter speed and requires less light.

EDITING THOSE PHOTOS WHEN YOU CAN'T MAKE SENSE OF PHOTOSHOP:
No matter how great a photo you take , it will most likely be needing some sort of editing. Whether its cropping the image to make it more dynamic or fixing the light/other color problems. The most common software is photoshop, but for some people its too complicated or too expensive. They do offer a "downgraded" version called "Photoshop Elements" but there are other alternatives. The following are three good free photo editing programs

Picnik- is a web based site which makes photo editing simple. You can have Picnik "auto correct" photos for you or you can manual do it in "advanced mode". The site is free to use with registration optional and it interfaces with your Flikr account. If you plan on using it frequently, then it will probably be best so register(free) to keep track of your photos.

Picasa 3- is software from google that you download . Since this is from Google , it makes sharing your photos easier as well.

Snipshot- is free photo editing software online similar to Picnik. One of the things that makes it interesting is that you can apply effects to your photos , similar to filters in Photoshop. They do offer a "Pro Account" , for a monthly free or they do a have "2 week" free that gives you access to more tools.

Gimp-is software that you download as well. This is a little more advanced than Picnik, but very easy to use.

Aviary- is free photo editing and web tool that really is geared toward design and creation. Similar to Photoshop, it allows you to not only apply effects to your photos, but also create other designs, like that all important Store Banner. They even have tutorials on their blog on how to make an "Etsy Shop Banner" using there product. This may be good for some of you who are a little "techno challenged" but still want a nice banner. If you are looking for more photo editing options than Picnik , but are not ready for the challenge of Photoshop, then Aviary is the best bet for you.

Paint.Net-is software that you download for computers that run Windows. It edits photos with similar tools to Gimp or Photoshop .NO THIS IS NOT THE MICROSOFT PAINT PROGRAM THAT YOU FIND FREE IN YOUR WINDOWS APPLICATION. This is a little more advanced thank the Microsoft paint program as it was originally intended to replace that free program. SO though every knows I am not a fan of Microsoft Paint as a graphic design program, if you are use to using Microsoft Paint, then this may be an alternative to you.

These are just a few programs, we think it really depends on your skill level and needs as to which is better for you . We suggest that if you are unsure, try them all out and see what works best for you.
______________________________

{CREATING BETTER PHOTOS:TIPS AND RESOURCE LIST}


White Balance to Make Your Photos True to Life
Staying Sharp: Achieving Clarity and Crispness in Your Photos
The Portable Lightbox: Easy way to achieve professional photos
How-to Photograph Jewelry



*If you know of any great tips to help take a better photograph let us know!
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Helen Dardik: Orange Studio Holiday Tag Freebie



















Helen Dardik , the designer and illustrator behind the Orange Studio , is offering her lovely designs on hangtags for Christmas.
To use and download, just click on the link below , then click on the image and it will open up in its own window at a high resolution (300dpi-true size). Then copy that file ( right click, then "save as") to your computer. Punch hole in designated area and attach with spring.
You can fit 6 on a page with size that it is, but can make them smaller.

DOWNLOAD LINK


photo and design courtesy of Helen Dardik of The Orange Studio
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Sunday, December 13, 2009
ONE OF THE WEIRDEST COMBOS CREATED!

As I was perusing the web, looking for something, I came across this...Peanut Butter & Jelly Mac and Cheese!....yes, that is what I said!. The lovelies over at Merriment Design created (and won recognition for this this peanut-butter-infused creamy cheddar cheese sauce topped with crunchy grape jelly breadcrumb crust which placed 4th out of 19 chefs who were contestants in the sMACdown Charity Mac and Cheese Competition benefiting the Organic School Project Organization. Although alot of people may and do think this combination is weird, that is what they said about cheese on a slice of apple pie or a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. It really is for those who like a salty sweet combination, so for those of you who are adventurous enough to try this, here is the recipe.










{Peanut Butter Mac and Cheese Ingredients:
}
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter (for macaroni)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (for cheese sauce)
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup half-and-half
4 tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter
2-8oz bricks of sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded
2-8oz bricks of mild white cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt to taste
Enough butter to butter your baking pan










Make the peanut butter mac and cheese

__________________________________
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook 7 minutes or until al dente. Drain and cool immediately with cold water. Return to a pot.

Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to keep lumps from forming. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer, whisking often, until the mixture is smooth, about 10 minutes. Stir in 4 cups of cheese until melted. Stir in the peanut butter; feel free to use a bit less or a bit more according to how subtle or strong you’d like it to be (NOTE: I used a blend of mild and sharp cheddar cheeses so if you’re using more mild cheeses use a bit less and if you’re using more sharp cheeses use a bit more). Season with salt to taste.










Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the macaroni to coat. Add the cheese sauce to the macaroni, stir well.
















Pour macaroni into a greased 3-quart baking dish and top with jelly breadcrumb topping (see recipe below). Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until hot and bubbly.











Grape jelly crunchy breadcrumb topping

4-5 cups fresh homemade bread crumbs (see directions below)
4-8 tbsp butter (depending on your taste)
1/4 cup grape jelly


















Place bread piece/slices on an ungreased baking sheet in a single layer to dry out. Bake in a 300F oven for 10-15 minutes; turn them over about halfway so they dry evenly. Remove from oven and let cool. Tear dried bread into smaller pieces and place in your food processor; chop into course breadcrumbs.










Melt butter in a medium, deep skillet. Add breadcrumbs and toast just until lightly brown. Add in grape jelly, allow to melt, and stir to coat. Continue to toast until starts to get crunchy. Remove from heat and set aside. Put on top of mac and cheese before baking.


photos and recipe courtesy of Merriment Design
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Saturday, December 5, 2009
ETSY BUSINESS TOOLS: YOU MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF

It amazes me sometimes, when I talk to sellers and mention a new tool or some promotion going on , to only find out that they have no idea what I am talking about . Or they just haven't signed up for the company updates. As as seller you want to do everything you can to promote and make your business profitable. I don't know about you, but I am waiting for the day when my smiling mug is featured on teh "Quit Your Day Job".Also I already have my "FU" speech prepared for my boss, lol....no really, I am going out in a blaze of glory!
So there are several tools which I think are helpful , some you may have heard of or are using and some you maybe are on the fence about or don't know how to use.

ESellersAds: One of the newest on the block and very nice. The idea behind ESellerAds is that your customers should be able to shop anywhere and buy your products on Etsy.We actually use it (you can see our add in our blog side bar). They are touted as being a "step up from etsy minis", it links directly to your shop, comes in different sizes which is better than that standard etsy mini and doesn't carry the logo. Just go to site, put in your username/shop name and they generate the add for you. To keep it, just put in your email address and they send you the html code to put on any of your websites, social media or etc. No signup required.

Cr8tivity-is a very interesting site as it is a mixture of Google Analytics and Craft Cult and Etsy Mini. Once you put in your shop ID, your head appears at the top and you can choose between several buttons, from your own "company widget" (like the etsy mini) to hearts by item and also "Shop Statistics" that is broken down into easy to read pie charts. For those of you confused about how to use Google Analytics, this may be a way to "ease" yourself into it. Just remember it does not take the place of Google Analytics.
One button that is very good is the "Shop Helper". This tool makes either a single Product Flyer or a Multi Product Flyer. The flyer maker is a PDF download that contains your shop banner, images and information about of your product that you can print and use as a marketing material. All of the items in your shop are in the drop down menu, so all you have to do is select an Etsy Listing ID and click on the download button you can even put your own info in or just use what is in the ad. This nifty little tool is great for line sheets for your press kit or wholesale sheets. Go ahead and try it out!

Statsy: is another tracker similar to Craft Cult but has some other features such as "The Locator" which you put a listing # in (the 8 digit number above the "add to cart" button on the right side of your item) and it tells you on which page and what place it is. There is also the "Biggest Fan" where you can see who hearts your items the most (good if you want to offer your stalker a little private discount), The "Featurator" , which you put in your email address and anytime you are featured it will notify you, so no more searching and googling your shop name.

Craft Cult: Everyone is familar with, tracks your hearts, features and treasury mentions. Its a standard if you have a shop.

Where Am I: by EtsyHacks shows where your shop is ranked when a user types in a tag. Just put in the tag that you have labeled one of your items with and then put in your username and it will show you where you are ranked. The only downside is that it only searches the first 25 pages. So if you do not show up, then that means that you are not in the first 25 pages of search.

SoopSee: Turns your etsy site into a website. This is good for those who are web design challenged, and an easy cheaper alternative to the involvement and coding an actual website requires. The pros are that it is free, incorporates your existing blogs , etsy site and some photos sites together.The downside are the templates are not that extensive and that you have to manually update it, like you would a blog or website, no auto setting.

Craft Weasel: Is another common site, but there are a couple of things that are good with this site. If you are confused by Google Analytics and just need everything simplified, this is a good alternative. Under "Shop Stat" you can put your shop name and it breaks down, with a bar graph by day, the views and tags. Also, it gives you a list of most tags used and searched for in your shop by day. Another great feature is the "Tag Finder" , if you have ever had a problem finding the right tag for your item, just put in the main descriptive word like "knitted scarf" and it gives you all the tags associated with that...neat huh? No more guessing and pulling tags out of your backside. There are also other great features there as well.

Sellit: Is similar to EsellerAds, but you need to register. The Pro is that you can do this for more than just etsy, works with other selling sites. The downside is that there is only one large rectangular size for the ad

Yammi Handmade: Sounds crazy but is a cute little tool for not only states, but buttons to display your hearts , sales and other little things that you can place on your blog or other social media sites.....This is just one of them


Etsy Front Pagers: If you been on the front page and would like a nice screen shot to promote or for your press page, then this group pool from Flikr has every screen shot of the Etsy Front Page for you. You can also check to see if you have made front page or a treasury by typing in your shop name in the search bar.

Website Grader: Ever wondered how you stack up to the competition, this site gives you marketing info for your site , products and tags. It is free, you just put in the URL of the site you want and it gives you your grade out of 100 then goes into detail about your SEO. Also gives you a feature to put in your competitors url to see how you compare. Great tool to see where you may need improvement.

Etsy Tag Fractal: Lets you put in a tag and all shops that are tagged with that name come up.

Social Mention: is not an official etsy tool , but really is a great business tool. Like "Goggling " your company name , this site lets you input your website or company name and any place your name comes up in the world wide web appears with a link to view it. It is seperated by catagories, like Blogs, Network, News and more. But you should just check "All" to pick up everything.

There of course are other Etsy Developers, just go to link for a list of the Featured Etsy Developers

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT PART TWO OF THIS POST:
ETSY BUSINESS TOOLS YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF : PART 2
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Friday, December 4, 2009
The Orange Studio: Helen Dardik  Freebie

We are generally not a review blog, but when I came across The Orange Studio, I just had to share.
Helen Dardik , the designer and illustrator behind the Orange Studio creates unique and colorful illustrations...I would say whimsical, but I don't think that it does justice to her style.
According to her bio , after spending several years in Siberia ( of all places) and then later Israel, she began working as a freelance illustrator and later graphic designer.
If her work looks familiar to you, that is because in addition to selling her art at her store The Orange Studio (based out of Canada) she has also done work for Nick Jr Magazine, the Boston Globe, American Girl , Hallmark and several major publishing companies.

In addition to illustrations , she also has paintings, patterns and toys! Of course her prints are less expensive and available at approx $25USD with her paintings going for much larger price at $400. But now in appreciation for her fans, she has made these bookplates with her lovely illustrations available for download( for personal use only) so you can get a little piece of her illustrations in the ongoing recession.

{Helen Dardik BookPlate Freebie}










































To use and download, just click on the link below , then clock on the image and it will open up in its own window at a high resolution (300dpi-true size). Then copy that file ( right click, then "save as") to your computer.

DOWNLOAD LINK



photo and design courtesy of Helen Dardik of The Orange Studio

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Thursday, December 3, 2009
AND THE BUSINESS CARD GIVEAWAY  WINNER IS......................


Due to the holidays we postponed announcing the winner of our giveaway.Thank you to all who entered out "Business Card Giveaway! We had a nice response and thank everyone who took to the time to enter. So without further ado and with the help of Random.Org, the winner is.....(drum roll please)


Lizzy Peas

The winner will be emailed to for with info. Check back soon for the next giveaway! And don't forget to check out our shop Gramkin Paper Studio for this item and more!
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