Make sure you check out the giveaway I am doing over at eNVe Designs blog to win one of my green onyx suspension necklaces. This style of necklace is super comfortable and easy to wear. It also comes in labradorite , aquamarine and alluminum.
Giveaway ends on June 30th so HURRY UP! Win your Sleepy Moon necklace today... or uh on June 30th. :)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Photography and Business Tips
Here is a great couple of pointers that really made me think and will probably help keep me on track and stay true to my self and my art. Even though they are for photography they can definitely be used for any business.
What Every Aspiring Photographer Should Know, by Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai
I get asked all the time, during workshops, in e-mails, in private messages, what words of wisdom I would give to a new and aspiring photographer. Here’s my answer.
- Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don’t look outward for your style; look inward.
- Know your stuff. Luck is a nice thing, but a terrifying thing to rely on. It’s like money; you only have it when you don’t need it.
- Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a consensus.
- Say no. Say it often. It may be difficult, but you owe it to yourself and your clients. Turn down jobs that don’t fit you, say no to overbooking yourself. You are no good to anyone when you’re stressed and anxious.
- Learn to say “I’m a photographer” out loud with a straight face. If you can’t say it and believe it, you can’t expect anyone else to, either.
- You cannot specialize in everything.
- You don’t have to go into business just because people tell you you should! And you don’t have to be full time and making an executive income to be successful. If you decide you want to be in business, set your limits before you begin.
- Know your style before you hang out your shingle. If you don’t, your clients will dictate your style to you. That makes you nothing more than a picture taker. Changing your style later will force you to start all over again, and that’s tough.
- Accept critique, but don’t apply it blindly. Just because someone said it does not make it so. Critiques are opinions, nothing more. Consider the advice, consider the perspective of the advice giver, consider your style and what you want to convey in your work. Implement only what makes sense to implement. That doesn’t not make you ungrateful, it makes you independent.
- Leave room for yourself to grow and evolve. It may seem like a good idea to call your business “Precious Chubby Tootsies”….but what happens when you decide you love to photograph seniors? Or boudoir?
- Remember that if your work looks like everyone else’s, there’s no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless you’re cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as “the cheaper photographer”.
- Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated.
- It’s easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you’ve got. Buying stuff is a convenient and expensive distraction. You need a decent camera, a decent lens, and a light meter. Until you can use those tools consistently and masterfully, don’t spend another dime. Spend money on equipment ONLY when you’ve outgrown your current equipment and you’re being limited by it. There are no magic bullets.
- Learn that people photography is about people, not about photography. Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection.
- Never forget why you started taking pictures in the first place. Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself. Never let your technique upstage your subject.
- Never compare your journey with someone else’s. It’s a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never “arrive”. No one ever does.
- Embrace frustration. It pushes you to learn and grow, broadens your horizons and lights a fire under you when your work has gone cold. Nothing is more dangerous to an artist than complacence.
(I originally found this on the Etsy forums) Read it there.
What Every Aspiring Photographer Should Know, by Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai
I get asked all the time, during workshops, in e-mails, in private messages, what words of wisdom I would give to a new and aspiring photographer. Here’s my answer.
- Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don’t look outward for your style; look inward.
- Know your stuff. Luck is a nice thing, but a terrifying thing to rely on. It’s like money; you only have it when you don’t need it.
- Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a consensus.
- Say no. Say it often. It may be difficult, but you owe it to yourself and your clients. Turn down jobs that don’t fit you, say no to overbooking yourself. You are no good to anyone when you’re stressed and anxious.
- Learn to say “I’m a photographer” out loud with a straight face. If you can’t say it and believe it, you can’t expect anyone else to, either.
- You cannot specialize in everything.
- You don’t have to go into business just because people tell you you should! And you don’t have to be full time and making an executive income to be successful. If you decide you want to be in business, set your limits before you begin.
- Know your style before you hang out your shingle. If you don’t, your clients will dictate your style to you. That makes you nothing more than a picture taker. Changing your style later will force you to start all over again, and that’s tough.
- Accept critique, but don’t apply it blindly. Just because someone said it does not make it so. Critiques are opinions, nothing more. Consider the advice, consider the perspective of the advice giver, consider your style and what you want to convey in your work. Implement only what makes sense to implement. That doesn’t not make you ungrateful, it makes you independent.
- Leave room for yourself to grow and evolve. It may seem like a good idea to call your business “Precious Chubby Tootsies”….but what happens when you decide you love to photograph seniors? Or boudoir?
- Remember that if your work looks like everyone else’s, there’s no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless you’re cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as “the cheaper photographer”.
- Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated.
- It’s easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you’ve got. Buying stuff is a convenient and expensive distraction. You need a decent camera, a decent lens, and a light meter. Until you can use those tools consistently and masterfully, don’t spend another dime. Spend money on equipment ONLY when you’ve outgrown your current equipment and you’re being limited by it. There are no magic bullets.
- Learn that people photography is about people, not about photography. Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection.
- Never forget why you started taking pictures in the first place. Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself. Never let your technique upstage your subject.
- Never compare your journey with someone else’s. It’s a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never “arrive”. No one ever does.
- Embrace frustration. It pushes you to learn and grow, broadens your horizons and lights a fire under you when your work has gone cold. Nothing is more dangerous to an artist than complacence.
(I originally found this on the Etsy forums) Read it there.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Iceland Hot Springs
After making the earrings above they instantly reminded me of the hot springs in Iceland. With the light blue glow and the dark black rocks my earrings almost resemble the hot springs to a T. The hot spring pictured below is called Blue Lagoon so that is where the name for these earrings came from.
Beautiful isn't it!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Creativity After Dark
I am in love with gemstones and metal and the things that I can make with them!
Have you ever had those moments where you lock your self in your studio and stay up till dawn just making things? Those are the best! And it seems that I am the most inspired in the middle of the night. Who knows why… maybe its the quiet. Maybe it's the sole fact that I can't be disturbed. While staying up all night poses some problems of tiredness and fatigue in the morning when my two year old wakes up I still love doing it. Here are some pieces that I made after sun went down!
Have you ever had those moments where you lock your self in your studio and stay up till dawn just making things? Those are the best! And it seems that I am the most inspired in the middle of the night. Who knows why… maybe its the quiet. Maybe it's the sole fact that I can't be disturbed. While staying up all night poses some problems of tiredness and fatigue in the morning when my two year old wakes up I still love doing it. Here are some pieces that I made after sun went down!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Handmade Comfort and Style
Everyone needs that piece of clothing in their wardrobe that can be worn with just about anything. I love shopping on Etsy for gifts and of course things for my self. I want to share that experience with you so I have put together some cute outfits below. All from Etsy!
In this picture... Sleepy Moon Elliptic necklace in sterling silver. This necklace is a great little everyday necklace for the woman on the go. You can literally fly out the door with out thinking because it is going to match anything you are wearing. Art Affect Everyday Pencil Skirt is the perfect staple piece for your wardrobe. I can't tell you how many times I have thrown on a simple pencil skirt with my shirt either tucked in or loose. It looks great!
In this picture... Conscious Clothing Striped Hemp Racerback Cowl Dress This dress looks super comphy and I can't live without a dress like this. They are easy to wear and can be paired with leggings, a belt or even jacket for a whole new look. Be Something New Brown Leather Flower Headband This head band is super cute while still being neutral with the browns and light blues. I bought my first headband on Etsy and I am hooked. I am especially excited to have it for the summer because it will be so easy to keep my hair out of my face in the hot weather!
In this picture... Sleepy Moon Elliptic necklace in sterling silver. This necklace is a great little everyday necklace for the woman on the go. You can literally fly out the door with out thinking because it is going to match anything you are wearing. Art Affect Everyday Pencil Skirt is the perfect staple piece for your wardrobe. I can't tell you how many times I have thrown on a simple pencil skirt with my shirt either tucked in or loose. It looks great!
In this picture... Conscious Clothing Striped Hemp Racerback Cowl Dress This dress looks super comphy and I can't live without a dress like this. They are easy to wear and can be paired with leggings, a belt or even jacket for a whole new look. Be Something New Brown Leather Flower Headband This head band is super cute while still being neutral with the browns and light blues. I bought my first headband on Etsy and I am hooked. I am especially excited to have it for the summer because it will be so easy to keep my hair out of my face in the hot weather!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Summer on a Rainbow
This is one of my latest and most favourite treasury's I am have made lately. It was so much fun searching for items of these colours and being able to mix them up and put them together in a nice clean looking treasury. Check it out in T East.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Little Red Tricycle
I just wanted to share my sons awesome new bike!! It is a classic red tricycle like the ones most of us probably had when we were little. Personally I can't even remember my tricycle. haha can you? ...Isn't he cute on it. My favourite part of the bike is the double deker riding platforms?? ( I can't think of anything else to call them). I like them because my son can give me rides!!! And then I can help steer because it is especially tipsy if you go fast around a corner. We got going pretty fast down a hill out side my house it was like being a little kid again. :)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sleepy Moon Review and Giveaway
The Simply Stacie blog contacted me about a month ago and asked if I wanted to be part of spring bring over on her blog. Spring Bling is where she does a whole bunch of reviews and giveaways all about jewellery!!Today my review and giveaway just went up and I want you to have the chance to enter. I am giving away the pink chalcedony necklace pictured above. Enter Now! You can also enter all the other giveaways she has up when you are done.
Over on the Simply Stacie blog she is also doing a review on this Labradorite Suspension Necklace pictured above.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Perfect Friday Night Earrings
If I were to pick the perfect earrings for a Friday night out it would have to be these earrings I named "Night Life". They are made with several labradorite gemstones and if you are familiar with labradorite you know how it flashes and dances with the light.I love these earrings for a night out because they have just the right amount of sparkle and shine to them. The gems remind me of the lights in a club or even the stars in the sky. The handmade (by me) ear wires are also long enough that you can jump up and down or dance your heart out without them falling out.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
A Cagey Bee
I love my new Where the Wild Things Are print by Kris of A Cagey Bee. This is a picture of it hanging in my son's room!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Penelope Brown, Screen Printed Art
Natasha McHardy is a local Vancouver Artist that I had the pleasure to sit beside at the Portobello West art and fashion market this past Sunday. Natasha was such nice company that day I thought I would share some of her art with all of you!
Natasha's paintings are actually screen printed which gives them a super sleek look and clean finish. She had a wide verity of paintings in every colour at the show, but I have to say my favourite was a two tone pink and green painting of two parakeets. She also has some fabulous robot paintings. I like that her art is appealing to all ages. It is the kind of gift you can give to a child and they will cherish it even when they grow up.You can connect with Natasha of Penelope Brown here...
Etsy
Website
And don't forget to check out this cool video of Natasha's screen printing process...
Penelope Brown from Penelope Brown on Vimeo.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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