Photoshop Elements Continued...The Healing Brush...WOW!!

Okay, so there is no surprises as to what I've been doing since last night. Well, other than having to get up out of my warm bed this morning and head to work, then drive home in the fresh fallen snow, I'm back at playing with my new Photoshop Elements software. I promise I won't post about this cool technology every night, but I just had to share my newest finding. 

Unless the 2.0 version called this something else, I don't ever remember repairing a photo as easy as I did today with a cool tool called The Healing Brush!  I'm pretty sure there was a tool that I've used to "try" to touch up a photo, but never this easy!!

Below is an old photo of me and my brother, that I've hated for the longest time because of the apparent tear in the photo. It's very obvious that it's worn and had been folded, and the white from the photo paper was showing through.

Well, with the click of a bandage, literally, and selection of a brush, all I had to do was slide that baby down the crak and WHALA!!!.......

It's not perfect, but now it just looks like his t-shirt underneath is all bunched up..you know boys are always slobs!...hee hee hee.  Did you notice the edge of my dress?  The healer even copied the tweed..how cool is that??....then with the click of my auto enhance....

 

we're the bright and perfect pair!

And, by the way, I found a cool book at Amazon called Photoshop Elements 9: The Missing Manual, by Barbara Brundage.  I downloaded it into my Kindle software and it's walking me through this program like a charm.  

Unveiling in Elements 9.0

Learning is giving me a headache!....

There's nothing like having to learn something over again that you almost had mastered.  You know that feeling you get when you feel like a big dummy?  Your head starts throbbing from all the new?  Well, that's the feeling I have tonight as I sit here looking at my computer screen.  I just started working with Adobe Photoshop 9.0, and WOW... quite a few things have definitely changed including the location of things!  You see, I previously had a 2.0 version...yes...that was 7 versions ago, and would probably still be using it, if I could get into my computer that crashed this summer! 



New is good though, because there appears to be soooo many cool new features, but the problem I'm finding is there is no users manual readily available. When learning something like this, I need a hands on manual to look through, mark up and make notes. I guess I'm about to learn two new things - the newer version and how to study a different way.    

The first cool thing I did notice was that the auto enhance feature is a lot smarter than the 2.0 version.  With just two clicks of the mouse I went from this boring blurred photo:

to this bright and sharper version.........



Maybe I'll get the chance to entertain  with other great features as I learn how to do some new cool things with photos.  Next to my Nikon camera, Adobe is the next best thing when it comes to photography!  

What have you learned new lately?

Unveiling with new technology,

Be Profitable in Your Jewelry Business...

Five short years ago, I decided to start my own jewelry business. Having zero knowledge of anything beyond making one pattern of a bracelet and some very simple earrings, I was pretty much on my own. I had done direct sales before, so I wasn't totally lost in the business arena, but I was clueless on how to run a jewelry business, let alone a successful one. I really can't remember how I ran across this particular website 5 years ago, but it has probably been my most used resource for starting and continuing to run my business today.

The Home Jewelry Business Success Resource operated by Rena Klingenberg is probably one of the THE most used web resources for people wanting to start their own jewelry business. Rena like other great leaders in the world recognizes that she doesn't have the answers to everything, although she knows quite a lot, has created this wonderful website, chocked full of valuable information from her knowledge as a business owner and designer as well as other business owners around the world, and her site has become a huge success!

When you visit Home Jewelry Business Success Resource, (we'll call it BSR for now), what you'll find is a mini operated Small Jewelry Business Administration, is what I like to call it. There is information on everything from how to start your business, to pricing, to taking photos, to building websites, starting blogs and the list goes on and on, literally on the left side of the page.

Rena also has a newsletter that comes out twice a month, that is a must receive for anyone in the business, plus, you'll receive USEFUL mini tips all month long from she and other readers. I emphasize useful because there is always some tid bit of information I can use. Rena's mailings are probably the longest running correspondence I've ever elected to receive! AND, I'm not finished...then there's the Jewelry Business Blog, where you'll find tutorials, and photos, e-books and so much more!

Rena has truly been an inspiration to me in my business and starting my own blog. Not only is she a wonderful writer and teacher, but she's also a very talented jewelry designer. If you're thinking about starting your own jewelry business or need help with the one you have, I strongly encourage you to visit BSR, bookmark it, sign up for the newsletters and read often.

If you're familiar with Rena's site, I'd love for you to leave your comments about how her resources have helped you!

Unveiling and sharing,

Teaching what I know..Over, Under, Pull it Through

One of the things I enjoy most about making jewelry is teaching others how to make it. Whether it be the simplest technique to twisting wire. This weekend I had the opportunity to show my Meet Up Group how to make crochet necklaces with beads. If you'll remember, the last class, didn't go so well for me with the nemo thread, so we've upgraded to silk thread. A tad bit thicker and a lot easier to work with for me. I posted a necklace that I made after that class, and this past weekend, I shared that technique with the ladies.
It's always fun to watch and listen to how the ladies react to the different techniques. Saturday there was less talking than usual, as they had to count stitches in between beads. When we're doing chain maille, lets just say there's usually a lot of (^%)*&^*& going on. But we always have a great time and we've built some great friendships through out meetings.

A few finished in the alloted time, but those who didn't left with instructions and will hopefully be sporting their finsihed necklace next month. Below are some of the projects worked on.
If you have a craft that you enjoy making, try sharing a few techniques with some friends or strangers through a class or Meet Up Group. It makes for great fun and builds good friendships.

Unveiling and teaching,
Dee

One Vision Inspiring Many...

Tara Shenson over at KMTGraphic Designs had a vision when she started her blog to help other Etsy shops succeed. But little did she know that her great posts were going to be such an inspiration to so many others outside the Etsy realm. Tara is a blogger, Etsy Shop Seller, writer and an awesome Graphic Designer. She made my banners and avatars that I posted a while back and her business and our friendship has grown ever since. I can give her an idea and she makes it happen, just wait til you see what she did for me recently in the coming weeks!

Anyway, on Tara's blog you will find great, useful and instructional information about any and everything you ever wanted to do to run a business online. She gives out information on how to work the social network, take photographs, open a shop, advertising, how to utilize Facebook and Twitter, monetizing and even how to write a press release and so much more. While her blog may be targeted to the Etsy environment, her posts have provided me with so much useful information, I've been using it with my own business.

Visit Tara at KMT Graphic Design and work your business the right way! Her featured article today is Photography. You can also find Tara on Etsy at BeauMonde Fashion, where she has just opened up a Vintage clothing shop.

Unveiling,
Dee

Christmas in April - Coolest Gift Ever!!

Okay, well maybe not EVER...but I have to say, a Christmas present that was given to me two years ago is pretty high on my cool list tonight!

I received a very thoughtful gift two years ago from my cousin. I thought it was pretty neat then, having a child and all, but didn't really know how to use it, and I actually wasn't taking a lot of photos at the time. As I am certain, I'm not the only one who does this, but I kept moving it from one place to the next until it was absent from view, hence absent from my things to do list. This past week, while de-cluttering, thanks to Darryl over at Cluttercasts I found it. NOoooooo, I'm not giving it away.... but wanted to share with you my new toy on a hook. It's a mini Digital Photo Viewer. I can hook it to my purse, briefcase, belt or put it in my pocket, or even hang it from my keyring.
Now, some of you may not have figured out why this is so cool for me personally, while the penny has probably already dropped for the rest. You see, for me....It's a like a non-talking business card, a hanging billboard, a portable website, a store front slide show...its a Portable Portfolio for my jewelry! I only wished I'd uploaded photos two years ago. If you only knew how many people have asked me, about seeing other pieces of my work, while out and now I don't have to carry around a mini photo album! This little viewer measures 1 1/2 x 2 1/8 inches, has slide show viewing or viewing by the click, charges by USB cable, and holds up to 60 images. I can update and change photos as often as I like, and it's quick and easy.

It feels like Christmas in April!
Dee
www.runakojewelry.com

The Art of Doing Business online

Every since I launched my online business back in July, I've been continuously learning the do's, dont's and must's of having an online shop. I've also learned that there is an awful lot I don't know;but, there are some terrific people online who are willing to share the tips and tricks of running and online shop.

Recently, as I've been signing up for competitions and trying to do some link exchanging, and advertising, I've learned that I need what are called banners and avatars. Sounds like a science fiction character or scene right? Well, banners and avatars are used for marketing your business online, when you can't talk for yourself. It's another way of showing off your products, logo and business name, especially if you have an online shop, or thinking of opening up a shop in one of the craft communities, or even on ebay!


I had the pleasure of networking with Tara of KMT Graphic Designs. Tara does customized banners, avatars and backgrounds for website businesses. Tara says that "a professional graphic design can transform your small start up store into a recognized brand in the eyes of your buyers."


So, She took me on as a client along with all of my silly questions and innocense. It wasn't until she was just about finished that I finally got up the nerve to ask.."I get the banner thingy, but what exactly is an avatar?"...you see, I also learned that Tara is very patient with newbies. Basically, its the square image you see below, and most people use it on social networksites as their profile image....duhh, I got it! So, previously where I had been just using an image of my jewelry or my boring photo, I can now replace with a snapshot of my business that includes, name, logo and jewelry photos! How cool is that? Very cool to someone new to learning the ropes around the internet marketing.

In case you haven't figured it out, all the graphics floating around this post were designed by KMT. So, if you're in the market for a graphics package for your online business, check out KMT Graphice Designs site and look around. Contact her with any questions you have. She's a great communicator and will answer anything you need to make your final business decision. Turn around is very quick, I had samples back in less than 12 hours! Tara will work with you and listen to your ideas or vision and customize a package just right for you. Right now, until May, they are offering 25% off banner purchases to anyone who follows her blog at KMT Grahics Design Blog. What are you waiting for?

I love my new graphics, leave me a note and tell me what you think!

Unveiling another layer,
Dee

Lights, Camera....Freeze???

When I'm shopping online, the one thing I'm looking for are clear photos of whatever it is I'm purchasing, especially jewelry. I hate visiting an online shop and not being able to see the details of the pieces. (click photo for close up)

When I first started putting pictures online to show of my work, it didn't take me long to figure out that there was actually an art to photographing jewelry, not that I'm an expert by far, but I'm a lot better at it than when I first started out. I wish I had taken photos along the way, of the different set ups I've used, just to provide a chronological story of my progression. I've gone from buckets, to Tupperware, to scanners, to outside, to you name it. I won't even mention how many types of light bulbs I've experimented with.

The current photos on my shop were taken in a light tent that I built from cardboard, but it was way too big and not very portable, so it had to go! Of course that left me with only one option of buying a new toy, what else was there to do? I had my eye on the flexible type in the photo to the right, so I purchased this recently from Ritz Camera shop, and I took my first couple of pictures today...I'm liking it! Its portable, and light and I can hide it when I'm done. The key to taking good photos of jewelry is to diffuse the light, capture all the colors and be able to zoom in for close up shots that will capture the details of the piece. I'm really looking forward to playing around more with my new set up, and Photoshop and hopefully, getting even better pictures especially of metals and pearls.

Pictures is just one important factor when starting an online business, leave me a comment and let me know what other things you look for when shopping on line. I'm looking forward to hearing and possibly adding some of your suggestions to my own shop.

Unveiling the detail,
Dee