Here I go again....

Okay, so here goes nothing, or hopefully something. On a whim I decided to do yet another craft festival. Yes, even after the complete and utter failures of the few Bluegrass festivals I did over the summer.

What am I thinking?? Well, I guess I'm hoping that this time will be different. I'll spend the next 2 days in complete and utter panic, frantically trying to prepare my best presentation and my best products.

Wish me luck! I'll post pics of my set up and let you all know if it goes any better this time around.

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