Image Overload Remedy

Do you ever have times when you're so overwhelmed by all the ideas swirling around in your head that it actually paralyzes you into doing nothing at all? What is the cure for visual overload of great, fantastic stuff all of which you want to try your hand at making right this red hot minute?

divinely charming item from havenvintage on Etsy

I guess the key would be to detach, breathe, enjoy a zen moment and just go do something creative. It can be as simple as making a place card holder from some wire and an old door knob. It could also mean simply working on one of the many half finished projects sitting on my craft table.

30 Days of Beauty and Romance

Over the next 30 days expect to see images of beauty and romance in celebration of Valentine's Day. I'll be showcasing items like this digital collage available for purchase from Gallery Cat on Etsy.

faded rose digital collage

You'll find free tutorials, templates, images and just downright beautiful photos that are sure to inspire and possibly make you drool for days! Enjoy!

Note: Image associated with this post remains the copyrighted, intellectual property of Cat Bechman and Gallery Cat.

Vintage Dress Form Freebie

You may have seen this vintage dress form image around Etsy if you have done any kind of search on the vintage dress form key words.

vintage dress form free for your use

I'm giving it to you for free and by the way, have you checked out Wikimedia Commons yet? I just had to let the secret out so don't pay for something you can get for free!

vintage dress form digital collage print

Anyway, I may have previously posted something similar but the above digital dress form collage is just one of the many ways you can alter this vintage dress form and make it truly your own unique creation. Enjoy!

Altered Matchbox Art

Did you ever think that an altered matchbox could actually take on the look of a museum quality piece of art? Here it is direct from Finland.

"Letters to You" matchbox art by Kaija

The artist is Kaija of Etsy store paperiaarre which offers a very nice selection of handmade books and other artistic paper items.

"Letters to You" matchbox art sold April 2011

I think what appeals to me the most about the work is its simplistic, understated elegance. The artist also offers something else with these treasures, letters to you written in another language. How magical is that?

Note: Images associated with this post remain the intellectual, copyrighted property of Kaija and paperiaarre. 

Kama Sutra Acquiescence

My latest Etsy treasury is filled with symbolism that express ideas. The presence of your imagination is required in order to achieve the full climactic effect. Enjoy!

Photography 101: How to Make a Light Box I

Etsy seller Leanna of Seams Victorian was kind enough to provide me with instructions on how to construct a light box. Since I happen to like her product photographs, I thought it would be worth trying this out on my own product shots.

foam boards found at Michael's craft store

There are some items you will need before you begin so I'll go through the supply list today and give you the opportunity to gather your materials before I bore you to tears trying to spit this all out in one article.

um . . . I suppose the English side would have been nice

What you will need:

• Foam core boards in a size that meets your subject height requirements
• Transparent duct tape - my local Home Depot had never even heard of this. I actually found a roll at the Container Store - who knew!
• Clip on lamp with reflector cup around the bulb. I have no idea what the reflector cup is but I imagine the lamp I found will work just fine
• CFL daylight bulbs of the highest wattage you can find
• Optional: mirror panels for reflecting light

daylight bulbs 27 watts but looks like 100

Home Depot had a display so that you could compare how your normal incandescent bulbs stack up against a daylight bulb. WOW! I had no idea just how much of a difference there is in the yellow cast factor of the former! (say that 3 times fast)

clip on lamp found at Home Depot

I'm not sure how well the lamp will work but that's the whole point of experimentation right? The next article will post Saturday where I will unveil the construction of my light box and expand on how I put it together. Happy shopping!

Introducing Photography 101

Since opening my Etsy store I've been beaten over the head with the importance of taking good photographs. Nobody wants to buy something that looks like complete crap right?

see Carnivale Venezia on Etsy

Since you may be interested in selling your work (emphasis on the YOUR part :) you could benefit from my vast photography wisdom. Haha! Well, not really. I'm a complete amateur but I'm getting better. It's all a process of trial and error.

see Audrey Hepburn free standing paper art doll on Etsy

If you missed my first post on photography you might want to start with the Photography Lighting Tutorial. Some parts of this work and some parts still need tweaking at least for me. You will need to discover what works best for you with the tools you have.

The Etiquette of Blanc de Noir

WOW! I can hardly believe it's December 1 already and we're full speed ahead into the Christmas season. I posted this treasury list yesterday and thought it was so beautiful that I am posting it here in case you missed it.

There are some incredibly elegant yet affordable finds in this black and white collection plus some extravagant gems (literally!) that I could not resist including. I hope you will enjoy the visual treat!

Spicin' it up on a Sultry New Orleans Evening

Enjoy the eye candy!

Living the Shabby Chic Cottage Life

I've always wanted to live the shabby chic cottage life and now I feel like I'm beginning to move toward that end. Look what I found! Is this not the picture of shabby chic loveliness?!

shabby chic shelf purchased from cottagehomedecor on Etsy

Linda arranged this photograph so beautifully and made it look so appealing! I thought it would make a fantastic prop for my dolls and add that shabby chic cottage yumminess to my own photos. Yaaay!

altered vintage books to add cottage charm

I don't have the worlds most inspiring craft space at the moment so of course I purchased this stack of books as well. I'm now on the hunt for a ceramic creamer and some crochet doilies. Haha! Be sure to visit Linda at Cottage Home Decor for more items like these.

Note: Images associated with this post remain the copyrighted, intellectual property of Linda Smith and Cottage Home Decor.

The Intrigues of Seam Binding

Have you ever come across something you weren't looking for, have never used in your life and would have led a full, happy life without ever laying eyes on it but now that you have seen it, it's a must have?

hand dyed and crinkled seam binding

In an effort to dress up my packing on the dress form dolls I went looking for some freebies I could include and discovered seam binding. While the name speaks for itself, it never would have occurred to me that this could be used as a craft supply.

clothes pins for wrapping trims around

It comes packaged so prettily that I was hooked with the fervor of an addict! There is certainly no shortage of sellers on Etsy willing to sell you piles of this stuff at a very reasonable price however, one seller did stand out.

pretty vintage lace

The 5$ French Market on Etsy has some beautiful, beautiful items that will make perfect accents for packaging with my dress form dolls. Not only is their presentation elegant but they are willing to make custom orders for you. Be sure to stop by for a peek. You'll fall in love!

Note: All images associated with this post remain the copyrighted, intellectual property of 5$ French Market.

Etsy TAGT Treasury Team

If you are an Etsy seller you probably yearn to be one of the proud members featured on the coveted Etsy home page. That kind of showing is like the holy grail of Esty selling.

I recently joined the TAGT Treasury Team and am having the time of my life creating and being featured in treasuries that consistently make page 1 (not to be confused with the Etsy home page) of the treasury listings. Watch for me to land on the home page one day.



TAGT is not for everyone. It's a lot of work. Although the team leaders have set standards for who can become a member, they've done a top notch job of organizing a committed group of sellers. For me, the rewards have far outweighed the effort!