Big Purple Dreams

I went to get my allergy shots yesterday. That’s one of the little extra things I do for myself every other week. I don’t really need them…unless I want to breathe.

I took my usual route to get there but as I got closer I saw a traffic pile-up that came to a standstill just before my exit. I had one last chance to get off the freeway and take a detour so I made a split second decision and opted for Plan B.

Plan B quickly became Plans C, D, and E as I attempted to wind way back toward the allergy clinic . I’d finally locked onto Plan F and seemed to be making progress when it occurred to me that the road I had taken did not curve the way I intended to go. My mind was jumping ahead to Plans G through L when I realized…I was suddenly back at Plan A.

The road I had chosen was one I hadn’t taken in a while. I had forgotten that it would put me back on the freeway again. But while I had been wandering around, looking for alternatives, the traffic had cleared and I found myself only a few yards away from the destination I’d been aiming for in the first place.


That’s just the way life is sometimes.


When I was growing up I was always drawing something. Doodles filled the margins of my notebook paper and friends asked me to draw special things for them to put on their bulletin boards. I loved whatever we were making in art class whether it was clay pots or silver jewelry.

Then I went to college and had to choose a major. I was good, but I wasn’t THAT good I didn’t think I could compete with all those other art majors. Maybe being an artist was just a dream. I changed my major at least five times before I finally graduated with a BA in History. I haven’t done anything with that degree except put it on applications for jobs that had nothing to do with History. But each job led me to another more interesting one and each job taught me something new and brought new people into my life. As my husband completed his seminary degree and we moved on to a life in the ministry my focus was on people, making connections with others and helping in any way I could.

Now, after almost 30 years of marriage, two kids and several careers later …I’m an artist again, making things for my Etsy shop and doodling up some fun design for my friends I’ve met online and making them available in my Zazzle shop.

This one is for all my 6,000+ friends on the Big Purple Dreams message board for fans of Otalia (Olivia and Natalia) from Guiding Light. Thank you for your inspiration, your friendship, and for an unforgettable year.

    (Click on the mug to see more)

Make a personalized gift at Zazzle.

How to Photograph Reflective Ornaments

Last year when I listed my Pocket Mirror Christmas ornaments in my Etsy shop I was able to hang them on my Christmas tree to take pictures of them. I wanted to list some a little earlier this year, though, and since I don't have my Christmas tree up yet, I had to think of another way to photograph them.

I've detailed in an earlier post my creative solution to product photography with a limited budget and small living space. I started with the same basic plan to shoot in front of the glass door leading to the deck of my town house. I get good, open lighting for several hours of the day there.

I used pieces of foamboard again, standing one scored board on end and laying another one across the top. I grabbed one of my pin-back button parts and stuck it in the top board and draped the ribbon of the ornament over it, letting it hang freely, like this:



Since these ornaments are highly reflective it takes a little creative positioning to compensate for that. I've found that a strategically place black board can take care of the problem. Watch what the light is doing and how the reflection changes as you reposition this black board in front of the item you're shooting, varying the angle as necessary. Don't worry if you have to get a little of the foamboards in the picture because you can crop that out later.



I think these pictures turned out pretty well. What do you think? These ornaments were all made with Christmas print fabrics I've collected. I'll be listing these and others in my Etsy shop soon.

Sale Time!!

The Capital Region Etsy Street Team, CREST, is holding its first group sale this week, starting today, Monday, October 27, 2008. All of us live and create in the Washington, DC area. We have many talented artists and crafters offering you special deals to get your holiday shopping started right.

Please visit the following etsy shops and read their shop announcements for further sale details. You can also run a search on etsy for the tag "etsycrestsale" to view just some of the items being offered.
If you have any questions, please contact the individual shops.
Happy shopping!

____________________________________________

AlmondWorks
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off all items in my shop and a Thank you gift will be sent with each order. Attn Buyer: please mention "Crest" or "EtsyCrestSale" in "note to seller" and please wait for a revised invoice.


______________________________________________
anaramon
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
Most items will reflect 20-50% discounts!
Free pair of hair pins on orders over $25 when you write "CREST" in the notes to seller section!


______________________________________________
AngiesOthers
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off all week, wait for invoice.


______________________________________________
atelierdesigns
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off all Holiday Cards, Tags, and Stickers


______________________________________________
babus
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
20% off all items


______________________________________________
bodil0331
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off all items. Sale prices are already marked in each listing.


______________________________________________
BrigaBauble
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off select items. Free shipping on two or more items.


______________________________________________
DebbyAremDesigns
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
In honor of my 1st year anniversary in DebbyAremDesigns (October 30th) I'll be giving away 1 free bookmark for all orders $15 and above (one offer only per customer).
10% off total sale -not including shipping.
Please leave "etsycrestsale" in note to seller and wait for a revised invoice as prices in shop do not reflect the discount.


______________________________________________
donnapool
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
25% off all puzzle balls and photographs in my shop. Buyer's should wait for a revised invoice before paying.


______________________________________________
dottyral
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
20% off Cotton Emery Pincushions and Pincushion Rings.
Sale prices are not marked. Please put "CREST" in note to seller and wait for a revised invoice.


______________________________________________
DragonRags
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
20% off everything. Refund or wait for adjusted invoice.


_______________________________________________
erzulimojo
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off plus free shipping for two or more items.


______________________________________________
EurekaEureka
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off total sale -not including shipping.
Please leave "etsycrestsale" in note to seller and wait for a revised invoice as prices in shop do not reflect the discount.


______________________________________________
frenchroast
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off items in a special Sale section.


______________________________________________
generationsmomnbaby
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off everything.


______________________________________________
GenerationsTieDye
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off everything.


______________________________________________
GlowNGlass
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
In addition to a 15% discount for purchases over $20, I will throw in a set of "wine glass jewelry" for any purchase over $50.00. The wine glass tags are a set of fused-glass baubles to help your guests keep track of their wine stem at your party.
Please put "CREST" in note to seller and wait for a revised invoice.


______________________________________________
herbanlifestyle
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
20% off everything


______________________________________________
JellybugArtworks
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off all week. Revised invoices will be sent.


______________________________________________
katiejean
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off all items. Please leave "crestsale" in note to seller.
Items are not discounted, please wait for an updated invoice.


______________________________________________
laurenmc18
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off all purchases for the entire week! To redeem the discount, just add your LMNOProducts purchase(s) to your cart, begin the checkout process, and choose "Other" as your payment method. In the Buyer's Note box, mention that you would like to take advantage of the EtsyCREST Sale discount. I will then send a revised PayPal invoice reflecting the 15% discount.


______________________________________________
LincolnParkStudio
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
During the sale period, FREE additional painting! With every custom painting order receive an additional painting at no additional charge ($90 value)


______________________________________________
maggiesuedesigns
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
25% off all items.
Type "CREST" in the message to seller section and wait for a revised invoice.


______________________________________________
MagpieCollections
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
20% off all items(free shipping on purchase of more than $50)!!!
Please leave note to seller on message box.


______________________________________________
maryellendoran
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
Enjoy 20% off my entire collection of hand crafted sterling silver chain and gemstone jewelry.


______________________________________________
NovemberAir
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off sale on everything.
Prices will be adjusted in the listings, so there will be no waiting.


______________________________________________
Organidog
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
Purchase any variety our our organic dog treats through our Etsy shop and receive a dozen Fleas Navidad treats free. Just mention "CREST" in the "message to seller" section.


______________________________________________
OhSewUnique
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off select items. Free shipping on two or more items.


______________________________________________
penelopedesign
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off all items. Prices already adjusted in the listings, so no need to wait for a revised invoice.


______________________________________________
sararosetutus
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off of most items. Items will be tagged EtsycrestSale. The item prices reflect the sale prices for the duration of the sale. Sale items labeled EtsyCrest Sale.


______________________________________________
SudsNSuch
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% off. Wait for a revised invoice.


______________________________________________
tarabu
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10% any purchase and free shipping on two or more items, including custom orders.


______________________________________________
undefinedvillage
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
15% off entire inventory. ATC free gift with the purchase of a photographic print.


______________________________________________
UnusualFelineObjects
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
Along with 20% off everything, I offer the following to those who mention etsycrestsale in notes to seller:
- Above the $10 level, *International customers* will be given an additional 5% off. Please wait for a revised invoice and request shipping to your location before you pay and I will revise the listing for you.
- *U.S. customers* will be offered a choice of free items from my shop starting at the $10 level.
- Above the $20 level my U.S. vintage buyers will be given free insurance and delivery confirmation to go with my actual shipping. Overages will be refunded.


______________________________________________
WildHoneysuckle
Monday, October 27th through Monday, November 3rd
10-15% off of most items. Items will be tagged EtsycrestSale. The item prices refelct the sale prices for the duration of the sale. Item descriptions also indicate price reduction.