Being My Own Model

I alway see such nice photos on etsy and bonanzle. These are the sites where I sell my product.

The photos that I love have models showcasing the product.

I felt that some of my items needed that touch, so I searched my mind for the perfect model. I have a niece who is absolutely beautiful and she was my #1 choice. But, alas, asking a young, vibrant girl to give up her time to model her aunt's product produced no results. In her favor, she does work hard - two jobs! In fact no one wanted to actually do it, not for love or money! Actually, not much money was offered, mostly just the chance at fame on the internet!

On to plan B. I could try to do it. I have never felt photogenic, in fact I hate having my picture taken. My photographer (my husband) sighed and tried to get out of the job. I had to trust that he could focus the camera. Doesn't sound to good for plan B!!

So, one morning, with the makeup and curling iron ready and waiting, I primped for my photo shoot. When I felt ready, I found my photographer, up to his elbows in dirt, pulling weeds in the garden.

We were very stiff at first. Me with my gut sucked in and him asking how to turn the camera on. We took many pictures with the hope of getting one that was OK. Fat chance.

Days later we were having a bit more fun with this project. I loosend up and he was more familar with the camera. We joked like we were on a real photo shoot, with him telling me "To work it, Baby."

I still feel that there is much room for improvement, but it is a fun expierence!

Hope you give it a try. And don't worry about knobby knees, wrinkles, age spots or thin hair, that's what photoshop is for!

WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?

In most of the interviews that I read of etsy sellers, there is one question that scares the heck out of me. "Where does your inspiration come from?" The answers given are usually very good and really make you want to look at the seller's work.

My inspiration is a concept that totally baffles me. Even when I ask myself "Where did that come from?", my mind is a blank.

Many times when I purchase beads and things, it is on a whim, an impulse buy. It may sit in my stash for a long time without any recognition of it's real potential. I have been known to find a bag of product, months later, tucked away in a cabinet. Oh yea - let me make something with this! I'm inspired.

Other times "inspirations" come on me like a hurricane in Florida. I'm sitting around wondering what to make and the greatest idea comes to me. I'll make wedding jewelry. I'll do a whole line with this idea. I run out and replenish my pearl and crystal supplies. I scour the bridal magazines for "inspiration". Finally my creation, a new necklace is born. I'm on my way! Cool! Now to make the earrings.

As I dig thru my stash, looking for a silver bead for the new wedding earrings, I find this great piece of turquoise that I purchased last May. Wow, why didn't I make something with that? It's beautiful and with some coral and black colored beads it would be fabulous.

Where are those black beads that I purchased in the fall?

I push the pearls and crystals off to the side of my work bench. I drag out my bin of black beads. I search thru the little plastic bags which I use to "organize" my beads. I find the right bead. Now where did I put the turquoise? It's definitely mixed in somewhere with these pearls and crystals.

So when I do my first interview as a seller, I'm just going to lie when they ask me where my inspiration comes from. I'll tell the interviewer "I put on my CD of ocean sounds and I close my eyes and think of the nature of things. I see the blue of the bluebirds, the browns of the owls, the reds of the roses and it inspires me to make beautiful jewelry." I won't mention the cluttered work space. And I won't admit that what started out as pearl earrings ended up being a Southwest turquoise necklace.