Pulp Sushi

Show some *Bling* with your Java

You all know about Fred Flare right? Sometimes their shop comes up with the wittiest things, it drives me insane! Like this great coffee cup.  It comes in silver too if you aren't too keen on gold (like myself).

SHOP TALK 

I don't know how I feel about this, I guess I shouldn't care, it happens to everyone.  I just discovered that someone who has purchased some of my pinup girl buttons is turning them around and reselling them but they're attaching them to a bow and felt heart making a brooch out of them.  Whatever right? I mean they pay their money, they can do what they want with them but I don't sell the buttons as supplies, I want people to wear them. I guess there's nothing I can do about that once they are out of my hands.

Flickr Faves & Craft Stylish & Indie Parade

So much to share I do not know where to begin!!!

First, I was pleasantly surprised and happy to see my Sushi Roll Necklace on the front page of Indie Parade.

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On my new quest to finding non-Etsy forums to promote, I learned last night at the monthly {NewNew} team meeting about a new publication and website called Craft Stylish.

I did not hesitate to set up an account. I know, there's SO many sites to join I can't keep track of what username and password is for what! Do I already have an account there? ACK!!! I guess I just like the newness of Craft Stylish, oh the opportunities!

It's also time for another set of Flickr Faves!!!!

I need a break!!!

I just decided to take a much needed break from the Etsy messageboards.  It's starting to really annoy me over there.  Although I always believed that the Promo's forum was my main source of business, I just gotta stop and explore other options.   I need to take advantage of places like IndiePublic and We Love Etsy. I already feel like I do a lot of promoting on MySpace and Flickr and of course my blog, so please do not suggest those places to me. 

Are there any other places I can promote my goods? I advertise through Project Wonderful and I am planning to buy two spots in magazines (one online and one print).  The thought of joining any more social networking sites is going to make my brain ooze out of my ears.

So yeah, no more Etsy messageboards for a bit.  Who knows maybe that'll help business? Stranger things have happened.  I'm just gonna stare at these Betsey Johnson shoes and wonder where I can wear these...outside of the bedroom that is. ;)

Etsy Swap Meeting

Talking
Originally uploaded by joannetracydesigns

Last night I headed out to Brooklyn to attend a swap with my fellow {NewNew} team members. It was at Joannetracydesigns home which was the envy to everyone, it was a gorgeous space.

I brought some stuff I purchased ages ago that never ended up using (ie: ribbon, jewelry string, cardstock) and I left with a bunch of neat beads courtesy of BrooklynSoul and an earring display! Not to mention the yummy cookies and good company. There were a whole bunch of us there and I could plug them all but it's easier to just check out the team blog and see the talent there.

Oh yeah, that's me in the black sweater, always dressed in black it seems. The lady I'm speaking to is also named Marilyn. Her shop is Vyphuisdesigns, she makes children's clothes.

More photo updates

Once again I decided to retake some photos of some items in my shop. I have two sushi necklaces that I am just crazy about and I've received good feedback from them, but the images were...I don't know....

BOOORRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNG!!

It wasn't fair, how could I do this to them? I previously talked about the use of natural light for shooting your items, but how about adding props?

Nothing too crazy, just something to give it a little more personality, a reflection of who you are and how your mind works.  Don't be afraid to take a step outside of the box.

Etsy Lesson Learned

One of the things that comes up regularly at the Etsy forums is how to take good pictures of your items.  How do you take close ups without it being blurry, how do you make the lighting work?  We all know how important it is to have the best image of your item posted for sale.  Recently I posted a pair of earrings and I just was NOT happy with the way it looked, observe:

This was taken at night in my bedroom at an art desk using the overhead lamp connected to the desk.  There was MUCH photoshopping done to make the white background look not so yellow.  I didn't use a flash because it made the blue beads glow.  A lot of "curve" adjustments were made and I still wasn't happy with the buttery look.  So I decided to retake them...

Much better don't you think? What a difference night and day make. The newer pictures were taken Saturday afternoon, also in my bedroom but beside the window. It was a very sunny day so I kept the blinds shut (not open, don't want TOO much sunlight) but the natural light was still pretty good.  Once again, no flash used.  A little tweeking in Photoshop with the brightness but not too much.  So don't be afraid to experiment with natural light. Even if it is a cloudy day, sometimes overcast daylight can make colors look even richer. 

Oh by the way, these earrings are listed here in case you're interested. :)