studio waterstone

Studio Waterstone is currently redecorating.

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:38:12 +0000

It’s true! We’re spiffing up a bit. Thanks for your patience and please check back later.

For news and updates, join us on Facebook.

sophisms: a day in the life

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:37:00 +0000

post breakfast bath

morning nap

acknowledgment of word “outside?”

free at last. free at last. the smells! the options!

acknowledgment of word “lizard!”

post lizard elation. pre-dinner/afternoon nap.
the end.

my sketchbook

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:42:00 +0000

April showers…

Please, more April showers so that we can have lots of May flowers.

Do I hear an amen?

artist’s pouches and product photography

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:43:00 +0000

Today I’m showing off this new batch of large artist’s pouches as I discuss product photography.
First, I’m so enthusiastic about the new pouches because they hold so much and are, in my opinion, ideally sized for so many different things. I have a large one which holds all of my markers and I have another, smaller one on my wish list for holding my girlie things inside my larger tote.

Product photography – the bane of our existence, right? I have been through it all and am still in a constant state of change and attempted improvement. All of my pre-December photos were taken using a point and shoot and with the right circumstances, photos from a p&s will turn out fantastic. I have to admit, however, that since I upgraded to a Canon T2i I am able to get so much more out of my images.

What I’ve learned so far about product photography?

If possible, show the item with a model for size reference.

Notice, also, that I gave the bag center stage by making everything else black and white.

In other words, keep it simple.

Show the item in use.

Show a basic, front on shot.

Have some fun with Picasa and make a collage, using one side for the item description.
This can also be done in Powerpoint.

Combine two or more photos to create a photo collage.

Again, I’m clearly no expert. Just a girl pulling my hair out trying to get the right shot.

What’s your favorite way to see or shoot product shots?

Any tips or tricks you’d like to add?

inspire me monday

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:56:00 +0000

First off, did you think I forgot about my leather giveaway from last week? Okay, I sort of did forget what with having a sickling hanging around the house all weekend – the grown man, I think I’m at death’s door, kind of sickling. Yes, indeed I did forget the giveaway. So here tis…

The winners of the fine little bundles of eco-friendly leather scrap goodness are:

Pixiloo and Metalworks Jewelry

Congrats girls! I hope it provides you with hours of inspired leathery fun.

**************************************

And now for a little Monday inspiration

Ever stall out with blogging ideas? I sure do. Lori Anderson, a.k.a. Pretty Things a.k.a. Bead Soup Blog Party, has written this fantastic e-book called Follow the Path: Ideas and Inspiration for the Creative Blogger. Her book, which by the way, appeals to all bloggers and is not limited to the jewelry artisan, is packed fantastic prompts and inspirational photos. Head over to Lori’s blog for more information. The book can be purchased right from her blog! How easy is that?

Have yourself a beautiful, inspiration week. It’s really not so difficult.

Just jump right in.

i heart macro

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:59:00 +0000

Shots this weekend are from my most recent watercolor. One of the things I love about the art of watercolor is the interaction between the different pigments and the texture of the paper. With this I’m using Arches rough watercolor paper.

Last weeks clickable pic goes to…

Abstract Photos from Leovi
His photos blow me away every week.

***

It’s time for “I Heart Macro” slash “I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged”. Join me by blogging your up close/macro picture of the week. Grab the button* to show that you’re participating and link up here. Then be sure to visit other participants and spread the macro love.

*Instructions for grabbing a button*

Copy the code shown above. Go to your blogger and instead of using the “compose” tab, click on the “edit html” tab. Paste the code you’ve just copied. Then switch back to the “compose” tab and you’ll magically see the button! Finish your post, publish and you are done. Easy peasy.

new handbags for the shop & weekend changes

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:46:00 +0000

Shop Update Tonight at 8:00

Instead of sliding through on his way to a weekend camping trip, Jeff skidded to a halt in Atlanta with a nasty case of sinusitis. So, I’m taking care of my sweetheart this weekend and the rest of the new bags & totes will hit the shop next week along with a few coordinating iPad cases and artist’s pouches.

The bags shown below will hit the shop tonight.

vivid blue and cream ikat cotton and leather handbag

linen and leather handbag

blue and cream ikat and leather large tote

and small artist’s pouch

pale linen and leather large tote

***

On another note…

If I get brave and decide to tinker with my website and the blog heads into space this weekend, just know that I’ll be back next week for I Heart Macro. Let’s think on the bright side and imagine that everything will go brilliantly. sigh. if only.

handbag sneak peek

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Two things. First, there’s a chance I’ll be website tweaking this weekend which could affect this blog. Rest assured, things will run smoothly once set into place. In the meantime, if the blog is floating into the stratosphere, feel free to check my Facebook page for shop updates.

Second, a sneak peek at new spring/summer totes coming to the shop tomorrow evening. I have two basic styles with two different fabric choices. Two of the ikat styled bag and four in the pale linen. There will be slight variations with each bag. I’m showing you four here today.

The larger tote in blue & cream ikat styled cotton and recycled brown leather

shown with the small artist’s pouch

This larger sized tote has a wider depth (5″) to accomodate more of your goodies.

Shown here with the iPad case.

The same larger tote with a pale grayish blue, cream, and light brown linen and recycled brown leather.

While still generously sized, this tote is similar in dimensions to this sold version
and is shown with the small artist’s pouch.

The same style tote shown in linen and brown recycled leather.

As stated, I’m hoping to have the other two finished and the shop updated by tomorrow evening.

Have a restful evening, a fantastic Friday, and a wonderfully memorable weekend.

Me? My honey is in town for a long weekend. Happy Happy.

i must say – a pretty decent day

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:39:00 +0000

Allow me to preface. A cube of Dove Chocolate and a nice pair of sweats make me pretty happy at the end of the day. Shower optional. (psst…giveaway at the end of this post)

But today? Productivity and creativity abounded. Abounded!

The main part of the day I worked on spring/summer totes to go into the shop later this week.

And then…

Two books I had ordered arrived…

An Illustrated Life by Danny Gregory

and…

Mastering the Art of Fabric Pinting and Design by Laurie Wisbrun

And then…

I sat down and worked on a new sketch and watercolor.

this and that and the sketchbook

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:20:00 +0000

…Jessie and I went to a matinee this afternoon to see The Hunger Games and OMGosh. So, so good. I thought that they did a great job adapting the book. I only cried once…okay twice.

Seen it? Read it?

…Started a new sketch today that began as swirls and ended as something entirely different. I think this will be my first draft and I’ll do another sans the swirls. Loving the odd flowers and the rain – and the rain sprinklers at the top. Oh, and the border. Like that, too.

…Anyone interested in another leather scrap giveaway? Tune in Wednesday.

…I am hooked on this song. LOVE it. And the video makes me want to paint real bad.

So, what’s up with you?