Monday, June 21, 2010

Soren playing with the Peach Tree earrings

I have to be really careful about what earrings I wear! My 11 month old (happy birthday, Soren!) has just discovered that they make a really nice sound when they are fiddled with. Here are some blurry pictures (sorry) that I took of Soren. I will have to switch to studs from now on (could be worse)














Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Finally! A decent looking banner!

When I first joined Etsy as Designs by Ros, I did my homework.... learning how to upload an item, how to write a great product description, and so on. The very first thing that I did was make up a banner (I had read on the Etsy forum that it was very important to have a banner).

Having absolutely no idea what I wanted the banner to look like, I took my camera outside, in direct sunlight (all of you who know anything about photography will probably agree that it's very difficult to take clear pictures in direct sunlight) and took a picture of a bunch of beads on a neutral-colored tile... with the flash on the camera (yikes!). I threw on a "Designs by Ros" logo and was finished with it.

When I opened Scottishlilyjewelry on Etsy, I was making (and remaking) jewelry, and retaking my photos, I started to contemplate what I wanted and took my time with the banner. My thoughts were: have to have pictures of my jewelry, the new and improved logo, and hot pink (as that's the color on my business cards) somewhere on the banner.

Here's what I came up with:
www.etsy.com/shop/scottishlilyjewelry

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Beads, beads, beads!!


I'm always on the look out for new and amazing beads; be it semiprecious or lampwork glass. I usually have colors in mind, but sometimes I just can't help myself and pick amazing beads that have nothing to do with my current seasonal color scheme (an example would be the Earth Collection hammered earrings).
I have found such amazing artists and suppliers on Etsy, and try to shop there as often as possible to support my fellow sellers. I also really enjoy going to my local bead stores and chatting it up with the wonderful ladies there (free advice and jewelry tips, too!). In the Bay Area I go to House of Beads in Walnut Creek and Beaded Bliss in Danville.
Whenever I go to either of these two places I feel like a kid in a candy store and always walk out with more that what I originally went in for.... I may have to take another trip tomorrow!