Oh No!!!

All the blog photos are gone!!! Because of an issue with my picassa account, all the pictures on this blog were lost. Bear with me the next few weeks as I try to correct the issues

Introducing CaptiveEmbroidery

Crocheted Lion

Crocheted Frog

Introduce yourself:

Hi! I'm De'Anna Hubbard owner, and primary artesan of Captive Embroidery and Crafts. 

Where Can we find you online:

ArtFire at http://captiveembroidery.artfire.com 

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CapEmbCrafts

Twitter at http://twitter.com/Cap_Emb_Crafts

My Blog at http://capemb.blogspot.com

Pinterest at  http://pinterest.com/capembcrafts/ 

What you make or sell?

Oh such a variety of things. My primary line is machine embroidery, and I embroider on whatever tickles me. I also do crochet, I have a cute line of animal purses that I've started making recently. My husband and I join forces to make PVD marshmallow shooters, and I'm working on a line of cool hand painted shooters. My son has started making paracord bracelets and keychains that I'll be listing soon. I do some fun stuff with Duck brand duct tape. And I'm launching a line of fabric covered mouse pads.

What got you interested in your craft?

That depends on which one. My grandmother, whom I was named after, taught me to crochet when I was little and I've always loved it. My mom got me into the machine embroidery, and I find it fascinating. Being able to take an idea or drawing and turn it into a design, program the machine and watch it stitch out is so exciting. It's a real kick when it comes out right the first time, but usually there are 2 or 3 test stitches before the design stitches out just right. 

Do you have other crafts you don't sell?

I don't think there is anything I wouldn't be willing to sell, but there are things I've made that I have never had available for sale. Besides the custom orders I made a crocheted shawl, with a huge purple and silver butterfly crocheted right into it. Took me so many hours I knew I couldn't sell it for anything I'd be happy with, so it went to my cousin as a graduation present instead. I do a lot of sewing for family (sweaters for the dogs, fleece pants, baby robes, whatever) and have never tried to sell any of that stuff.

What inspires you to create?

The world, my family, my dogs, things I see online, things I wish existed, just about anything. Sometimes a chain of thought that starts in one place will end up in an unusual place with a crafty idea. I never know where the next bit of inspiration will come from. 

What keeps you from getting into a creative rut?

The variety of crafts I do. When I get into a rut on one thing, I just do something completely different for a while. Then I can go back and it;s new and exciting again.

What makes your work different?

Nearly everything I make is one of a kind. I don't make 10 of 20 of the same exact thing and list them. I make one, and I make it with care and attention to detail. Because of the variety of crafts that I'm into, I have an eclectic mix of things that can appeal to a wide range of people. It may not all be listed yet, but once it is, there will be quite a selection of things to choose from.

Editing Images with Different Backgrounds

Getting crisp clear pictures are always key to selling online, a picture is worth a 1000 words. The computer may not see them but your customers do. Keywords and descriptions get you found but once the customer is in your shop, it's all on you. I've talked about ways to get good pictures before but let's go over some of the basics.

You want an in focus picture that shows off your item to its best. This means using the macro setting on your camera, getting lighting that is soft or diffused.An easy way to do this is using 2 or 3 desk lamps surrounding your items. Then you need to use some photo editing - no matter how good a shot you are, you always going to have to do some editing. For other tutorials on taking pictures, check here.

Recently I have been trying to add some more interesting, non-white or gray backgrounds.

My biggest issue was how to fix the white balance. White balance means making sure  your whites look white. Once the white is fixed, all the other colors are fixed as well, since your photo editor removes the cast. I liked the idea of wood for this dragon. It finally dawned on me to add a little piece of white paper in the corner as a control. Duh why did this take so long to do.

Now use the macro setting with the flash off and take lots of pictures - if you are new at this take more and use a tripod. Do different angles, closer, further, move the lights, but take a lot of pictures. After many, many shots I decided on this one. I came in too close for some, not allowing enough cropping or the paper showed. I uploaded pictures, then went back to take more.

All that work paid off. I was actually able to edit this picture in just 4 steps. The tools I used can be found in most free editors, GIMP, Picassa, even the editor on Photobucket but I invested in PaintShop Pro X4. Right now it is $49 dollars; originally it was $79. I found it very easy to use and got much better editing.

This is the original, it actually doesn't look too bad but after 30 shots, I'd hope something was right. I got a piece of the white in there, actually if you look at it, is is kind of pink. I kept going in too close- I was leaving no room for cropping. As long as you use a large enough image (say 1200x1600) further back isn't a problem, you can always crop.

I'd say the same about light. It is better to wind up a little dark before editing than too bright. You can always brighten it up.

Before I do anything else, I correct the white balance by clicking on the white paper. Already the colors are looking better. The dragon is more green, the wood looks deeper.

Then I brighten up the picture the picture up a bit. It's important to note, even if you pictures turn out dark, they should be evenly dark. I used little from every angle, from sides and below his head. You may need to juggle the lights around a little. I took some pictures with just the light from above and even after all the fixes, it still doesn't looks 

Now it's time to crop and bring this dragon front and center. Of course I cropped out the white paper and where the wood ends but even more importantly I cropped him to a square. On Artfire your thumbnail shots are all squares. The first shot is used in the thumbnail so while other shots don't have to be square, that first does so browsers will see this and want to look at more. Even if your item doesn't fit in a square, like a something tall and narrow. Try adding more background on the sides and if you need to crop even crop a little from the edges. Try to pull back a little to add that space in the original image.

The biggest mistakes I see when looking at listings are:

• Item isn't cropped at all, so the item itself is too small
• Picture is too dark
• Out of focus
• Color is not right

Except for out of focus, all of these can be fixed. Unfortunately buyers don't know often don't know if colors are off until they buy something or if your item has different colors in different pictures. 

Now you give it a try.Even if you don't take new pictures and just fix the color in older pictures.

Meet RMB Designs

Royal Holiday Party Neckalce By RMBSesigns

Almost Bollywood Necklace by RMBDEsigns

Introduce yourself:
Hello there! I'm Rosalind Brinson, Owner/Artist of RMBDesigns on Artfire

Where Can we find you online:
Take your pick: Facebook(RMBDesigns), or Twitter (@RMBDesigns)
I also have a blog: Rosalindsstudio.wordpress.com

What you make or sell?
Beaded jewelry and gifts for men and women. Each piece is one of a kind. My motto is "Fun, Funky, Affordable".

What got you interested in your craft?
It began as a hobby five years ago. I was looking for something fun that didn't break the bank. After flipping through some beading magazines I figured "why not try?" Then came the earrings as gifts for co-workers, then patients began to ask for items, then the business grew from there.


Do you have other crafts you don't sell?
I'm working on some beaded boxes. Still figuring out the process, so they are not ready for sale yet.


What inspires you to create?
Oh boy good question! My mother's garden is the main source, especially for colors. Patterns on a bridal gown or material will spark an idea. Even broken jewelry prods me to re-purpose them.


What keeps you from getting into a creative rut?
Every few days I step away from the beads. The focus shifts to marketing, blogging, and the mundane organizing of the receipts. Then I'm ready to jump back in.


What makes your work different?
I emphasize "funky". Either a color scheme that normally wouldn't work, or a finding used in an non-traditional way. When I shop for focal pieces, the goal is to visit the most eclectic vendors first, then pick up the basics to create the foundations. If I'm not bored making it, then my customer won't be bored wearing/using it.