Back from Paris!

Well I’m back in the lovely York now, it’s been an amazing two weeks I have enjoyed it so much and havnt stopped! My favourite things that I did in Paris were:

• National History Museum, just beautiful grounds and the zoo is fab
• Centre of Pompidou, saw amazing works by Kandinsky and Klee!!
• The Louvre, obviously amazing but the outside grounds and the funky pyramid glass statues are gorgeous
• Wondering around all the pretty streets, walking along the river and seeing the Notre dame and other pretty buildings.

So that’s my favourite things that I did but obviously everyone is different and likes different things etc.

I’m quite glad I’m going back because I havnt been able to do anything crafty in TWO WEEKS. I am actually getting withdrawals now because I normally sew everyday. I don’t know what other people do? On the evening like what do you do when you havnt got any crafts to do???

I’ve got five orders from etsy to make, a bag to send, and two people have requested some handmade curtains for me to make so I’m gonna get straight into the orders. I’ve been updating my SEO on my etsy site so hopefully that will help as well.

Kind of want to make other animals but not sure which ones? What are you favourite cushions in my shop and what would you like to see more of?

Bye bye bloggers!!

6 steps to improving your photography

Whether you run a blog or an online Etsy store, good photography can really help you and your crafty creations get noticed online.What’s more, you can achieve great results with a regular camera. Claire Gillo explains how

Capture your makes with a compact camera

You’ll need:

Compact Camera

Wooden surface

Large window (natural light)

Craft items to photograph

Step 1

Step 1 Set up your shoot next to a window. We want to use natural light, so around midday is good time as the light is at its best. Find a nice background to frame your subject. A wooden surface works well – we used the side of a toy chest and its lid.

Step 2

Step 2 Next arrange your subject and/or props. Try not to over-prop the shot and choose items and/or colours that complement each other.

 

Step 3

Step 3 Some compact cameras only shoot in a fully automatic mode (if so, skip to Step 5). If your camera can shoot in a part-manual mode put it into the Aperture priority mode (this is often marked as A or Av) as this controls the depth of field in the lens.

Step 4

Step 4 Set the Aperture (depth of field) to the widest setting. This is the smallest number it can go to, and on our camera it’s f/3.5. Using a wide aperture helps blur the background while keeping the foreground object sharp. This creates a softer and ‘dreamier’ image.

Step 5

Step 5 You could also enhance the shot with a photo filter effect. We used the Film Simulation Astia/Soft effect; check your camera manual to see what yours can do. Next, shoot from a low angle, isolating the object/s. Avoid distracting background elements.

Step 6

Step 6 Ensure the focus point stays sharp on the main subject matter. Think about the direction of the main light source. Use faint shadows to give the object/s definition but watch out for heavy casting ones. Once you’re happy, upload it to your blog!

Running an on-line shop

Running an online shop from Alsace – FrenchEntrée.com.

 

Really good story from a woman who earns her living selling antiques on ETSY! 🙂 Would love to do this!! Im moving to France soon(hopefully) with my family this time.. not on my own! So i am looking for jobs or ways to earn money…

 

Any Ideas??

🙂 xx

Where to buy fabric

Really good blog!

Craft Schmaft

It’s no secret that I have a fabric addiction. “Stash Therapy” is my favourite for of retail. Not surprisingly, quite a few peeps have asked me where I buy fabric, here’s the round up to feed your budding obsession.   There are two options when buying fabric ; online (cheaper, very convenient) or instore (more tactile).  I do both. If you’re matching colours or looking for drape in a fabric this really has to be  done in the flesh.  But those designer threads (Liberty, Amy Butler, Kokka) that you fall in love with can be bought with a click for a much cheaper price.

Online

Kelani Fabric 

I love Kelani Fabric (they also stock my wares) are based in Victoria, Australia. They have the best range of Australian designers like Aunty Cookie, Kristen Doran, Ink & Spindle. They go beyond the average quilting fabric offering home décor weight, voiles…

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