A Very Helpful Tip for Successful Photography

Ok, so here's a very useful tip that often goes unmentioned. I recently encountered this issue, and would like to share what I have learned with all of you. It is a very useful tip, so please read and take heed. Your photos will come out much better if you do as I say.

I'm not sure where you take your pics, but I personally take mine down in my studio (it may merely be a craft room, but studio is what I choose to call it) where my DIY light box is set up right in front of the window. Situated here, I have a lamp and the natural light to work with when taking pics for listings.

As the story goes, I am down there clicking away. When I find myself having to delete every other pic because #1) the little hand symbol on my camera is red if I was not holding steady and #2) cuz I can clearly see by the snapshot on my display is blurry as hell...(NOTE* this is your biggest clue).

So I'm wondering what the hell is going on as I realize that the reason my pics are blurry is because I have to pee like it's nobodies business! No wonder I can't take a decent photograph, I'm doin' the freakin' PP Dance!! Yes, like the dance my 4 year old does when he's too busy playing to take a break and relieve his bladder. Then I start to notice that my eyes were starting to water, giving a whole new spin to the phrase "I have to pee so bad my eyeballs are floating"!

Now I'm wondering how many pics I deleted that only appeared blurry because of the tears in my eyes.

Moral of the story (in case you haven't figured it out);
Empty your bladder if you venture away from nearby facilities to take your pictures.

Plan of Action;
See if I can sweet talk The Man into starting the plans for a potty room in the basement. I mean, we may not have the money, but at least we have the square footage to work with right??

Examples:

Empty Bladder= clear pics



















PP Dance photography no-no!















See what I mean??!!

Looks Like I Found It!

So, after surviving multiple Blog template failures and disappointments, I think I have finally found the one that works for me. That's not to say I won't get bored with it at some point in time. For now, I love it!

It suits me, IMHO, and I'm sure it won't wear off too soon. It has a color that I love and a style I like even more. With plenty of room for promoting myself and my fellow artisans, adding all the widgets and gadgets I could imagine, what more can I ask for.

Thank you to all who gave your honest and very helpful feedback. I really do appreciate it! Short of being able to write code and design one exactly the way I want it, I believe this new blog design may actually excite me enough to keep my blog up to date!

Til next time!
Be well and be crafty!

I need your help!

So I'm trying to find just the right layout/design for my blog. I have been through a couple and they just don't seem to be working for me. My fonts come out all screwy, and I really don't get the undefined thingy being there at the top corner of my posts. So what I need from my readers is for you to post your honest opinions and any suggestions/help you can offer. In return, the one who is the most honest and helpful will get a 30% coupon for any purchase in either of my shops and your rapid cart code posted on my blog.
Help me please! I will be so very grateful!

Item of the Day Dept. Pick of the Week Contest/Promotion

As many of you know, I am the editor for the Item of the Day dept. of www.HandmadeNews.org. Well I have started a new contest/promotion called Pick of the Week. Every week will have a new theme, there will be prizes for the winners. The main one being a 125x125 pixel ad to run for one week. You can get all of the details here.

If you have any questions or comments, I would be more than happy to help in any way I can. Simply contact me at creative@handmadenews.org.

Now get those submissions in! This will be great exposure for all involved!

Til next time,
April

The FDA's Stand on Handmade Cosmetic Products

In light of recent events and accusations against my friends and family of the Handmade Community, I have taken it upon myself to make some calls and get some questions answered myself.

After calling my local State Health Dept. and the Department of Agriculture, I was led to the FDA(Food and Drug Administration). I was told by both of the aforementioned agencies that handmade soaps, lotions, and any other form/s of cosmetics are strictly an FDA issue.

Local agencies have no stand on these products and the only stand that the FDA takes is that they neither approve nor DISAPPROVE of any cosmetic product before it goes on the market. The only stand they do take is outlined below. I was also advised that one is solely responsible if something happens to someone resulting from the use of your products.

Don't let a certain BLOGGER scare you away from making and selling what you love. I already knew all of this before I called, as I am sure most of you did. SOMEONE(You know who you are) is simply trying to scare my friends into doing what HER tainted reputation will not allow her to do.

Unfortunately for HER, I do NOT SCARE EASILY! I never have and I never will let some smoke blowing psychopathic LIAR scare me away from what I love to do. Come after me if it suits you. I will embarrass you with facts and you will feel as stupid as you are acting. Clean up your name and come back when you can act like a decent human being.

To my friends and family of the Handmade Community;
Check your info, make sure your ducks are in a nice, neat, pretty little row, and continue to do what you all love to do! CREATE, SELL, and HAVE FUN DOING IT!

From the FDA website:

FDA Authority Over Cosmetics

March 3, 2005

What does the law say about cosmetic safety and labeling?

The two most important laws pertaining to cosmetics marketed in the United States are the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA).

The FD&C Act prohibits the marketing of adulterated or misbranded cosmetics in interstate commerce. Violations of the Act involving product composition--whether they result from ingredients, contaminants, processing, packaging, or shipping and handling--cause cosmetics to be adulterated and subject to regulatory action. Under the FD&C Act, a cosmetic is adulterated if--

• "it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to users under the conditions of use prescribed in the labeling thereof, or under conditions of use as are customary and usual" [with an exception made for hair dyes];
• "it consists in whole or in part of any filthy putrid, or decomposed substance";
• "it has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health";
• "its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health"; or
• except for hair dyes, "it is, or it bears or contains, a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of section 721(a)" of the FD&C Act. (FD&C Act, sec. 601)

Improperly labeled or deceptively packaged products are considered misbranded and subject to regulatory action. Under the FD&C Act, a cosmetic is considered misbranded if--

• "its labeling is false or misleading in any particular";
• its label does not include all required information;
• the required information is not adequately prominent and conspicuous;
• "its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading";
• it is a color additive, other than a hair dye, that does not conform to applicable regulations issued under section 721 of the FD&C Act; and
• "its packaging or labeling is in violation of an applicable regulation issued pursuant to section 3 or 4 of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970." (FD&C Act, sec. 602)

In addition, under the authority of the FPLA, FDA requires an ingredient declaration to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. Cosmetics that fail to comply with the FPLA are considered misbranded under the FD&C Act.

It is important to understand that Congress passes the laws that govern the United States. To put those laws into effect, Congress authorizes certain government agencies, including FDA, to create and enforce regulations, but only as authorized under the law. A change in FDA's statutory authority over cosmetics would require Congress to change the law.

Does FDA approve cosmetics before they go on the market?

FDA's legal authority over cosmetics is different from other products regulated by the agency, such as drugs, biologics, and medical devices. Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives. However, FDA may pursue enforcement action against violative products, or against firms or individuals who violate the law.

Who is responsible for substantiating the safety of cosmetics?

Cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients before marketing. Failure to adequately substantiate the safety of a cosmetic product or its ingredients prior to marketing causes the product to be misbranded unless the following warning statement appears conspicuously on the principal display panel of the product's label:

"Warning--The safety of this product has not been determined." (21 CFR 740.10)