Jewellery Photography

When I did the 100 day goal last year I asked the group for feedback on the photos on my Etsy page. I love doing my pictures with nature backgrounds but seeing most jewellery is photographed against a white background was worried that whilst I thought it suited it might not be seen that way by others. Luckily the generally consensus was that people really liked the backgrounds (thought I was told to be careful not to use colours which overpowered the pieces). I did however also get some other fab feedback from a buyers point of view asking that I included a picture of the piece in the box it will arrive in and one of it being worn so they can imagine what it will look like. I've therefore enlisted one of my beautiful stepdaughters as my model and keep making her model my jewellery whenever she happens to come home to visit (which sadly isn't so often) and obviously if the weather allows (which also isn't very often). 

I even got a couple done whilst in Sweden (thought I for some reason didn't bring all my pieces with me, which I blame the stress beforehand for). 

 

I think she got feed up fairly quickly when we did it in Sweden, after all there are more fun things to do than to stand around taking pictures of jewellery in the snow. 

Atleast the last time it was nice and sunny outside so a lot more fun. 

I also found out that my other stepdaughter is an amazing photographer, I'm quite good at setting the scene but no so much with the actual workings of a camera and how to make it do what I want, like focus (if my dad realised he would be very disappointed) , she on the other hand gets beautiful sharp pictures so I might need to convince her to take over the photography for me with me just setting them up (and then I can share some of her pictures with you) :)

I'm back! Well, sort of :)

Sorry for going quiet (yet again) but life decided to do a number on me (doesn't it always) so blogging fell completely to the wayside, and in some parts my jewellery has also had to pay the price.

I did do some Christmas markets but then ended up with some house issues (where I rent changed owners) and ended up having to not do more markets and then it was home to Sweden for Christmas and New Years which was lovely, but horrible timing. 
Original house issue was a big increase in rent which due to my storage also increasing in price meant I had to take on more hours at work from January (working full time which haven't left much time for jewellery making) and get rid of my storage. To start it was just due to be until end of March however now it looks like the new owner is planning to throw us all out (I rent a room in a house) so I will need to find a new place to rent. Therefore when asked if I could go up to 8 hours 4 days a week from April until August I (after endless hours of thinking, fretting and discussing with my partner) said yes.

Due to finishing the work I originally did overtime for and Easter coming up I will get a couple of extra days off before I start the extra time again in April so besides the bits I have to do (hang out with family) I am looking forward on catching up on all things jewellery related. Thought there will likely also be a lot of house viewing which does dampen my enthusiasm slightly.

I was very stressed about it all especially as it's really hard to rent an unfurnished room in this area, but am now feeling a lot more chilled out about the whole thing. I think in part due to my partner who is being very supportive and my wonderful work colleagues who all make me feel that things will be OK (and in fact could be far worse) and the rest is likely just due to not being able to be that worried about something for so long without having a nervous breakdown, hence my brain has just gone 'that's enough'. I will try to update once I got a new place

The 100 Day Goal

I am still alive and still working on my jewellery. It's been a couple of paid months now on my reduced working hours and I must admit it's hard, however I am still managing. To help get me focused I have just signed up for the 100 day goal which is being arranged by the Business Bakery and I must admit I'm finding it great so far (only on the fourth day)  http://www.thebusinessbakery.com.au/the-100-day-goal-were-doing-it-again/
I'm currently trying to get some Christmas Markets booked and so far got one confirmed but will share details about that closer to the date.

Reading Arts Week

This week has been very busy and also very hot, like extremely hot for the UK. I'm trying really hard to not complain as we don't really get enough sun and it's nice to have some, but when you are as pale as me and suffer from RA, extreme heat is not your friend. Reason I've been busy is because I only came back from Sweden on Sunday and due to having a late flight and Sunday buses being few and far in between I wasn't in bed until around 1am and then had to be at work in the morning. Following that I have been (and am until tomorrow afternoon) in the Reading Arts week exhibition (as mentioned previously) and had the preview to go to Monday evening. Since then I've worked and prepared for Sundays workshop as well as volunteering for one day (Thursday) at the exhibition. Together with seeing family and catching up with friends. In fact I've only just sat down for the evening and I just (well likely 20 min from now as not yet posted this) taken a cake out of the oven which I've baked for tomorrows skill share day. So all in all it's been a good kind of busy. Extra so as I've spent a fair amount of the time on jewellery based things.
I didn't bring a camera to the preview on Monday but popped in to rearrange my pieces on Wednesday so took the chance to take a bunch of pictures of the art being shown which I thought I'd post.

Creative Skill Share Day

During Reading Art week there is a range of events being planned by different organisations across town. One of these is a Skill share day on at The Rising Sun Arts Centre the 5 July. The day will be full of different workshops and any proceeds will go to support the centre. If you are anywhere near I really recommend you go as the day should be a lot of fun and each individual workshop doesn't cost a lot (some are even free). I am running a bracelet making workshop between 12-14 (which only cost £5) but am definitely planning to try some of the other ones out myself. 

Reading Art Week

Reading Art Week is an exhibition going on between the 29 June to 5 July in Reading. I've applied and found out last week that I got in!
Must admit that I am very exited. If around do come and check it out, the event will run across Reading, with the Arts Week Exhibition being held at The 3B's in the Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading.

These are the pieces I will be showing:

Those summer nights

Aware I've not been updating for ages but I've not just given up or anything, no indeed, things have been happening. To start with the temp job I started in January which was as a HR Administrator at University of Reading has just turned into a permanent part time job, giving me more time to work on my jewellery. The new shift pattern has only just started so I don't yet know if I can live on the decrease in income but at least I am giving my jewellery a fair shot as I decided I would do this year. The job itself is nice and the team I work with is great so I really hope it will all work out.

Currently I am home in Sweden celebrating Midsummer and trying to get a new jewellery display together to use when selling. My idea is to make it look a bit Scandinavian to show where the inspiration comes from. However finding cloths that are appropriate is harder than I thought. I am also trying to work more on getting myself out there as I've made a lot of new pieces lately but not worked on selling them  or anything so guess I need to move onto that. Being home gives me some time to look at stuff like that (and writing blog posts) so guess that's a good thing :)

To end the post here are some pictures I've taken from down by the river where my parents live and from the midsummer celebrations we had.