Photographing Jewelry... on the cheap!

For those who are just passing through, you may think my setup looks a little wonky... for those who also make jewelry, you know the time consumed, frustrations involved, and the lengths we go to to get a good pic of our work and can probably relate. :D

Just for the heck of it, I thought I'd post a pic of my current photo shoot set up. This was recently inspired by a lady who goes by SC Steph on the SJA forums. (Her works can be found HERE and HERE) Maybe her idea will inspire others as well (who may not already be a member of SJA and haven't seen all the helpful hints there) to also strive to take better pics of their work.

She recently posted a thread about how she used a chafing dish stand and tissue paper (the gift wrapping kind) to form a photo box. Being that I don't have a chafing dish (and I'm too cheap to go buy one LOL) I substituted a small wrought iron magazine stand (magazine rack removed) that I turned upside down for mine. :D I wrapped the tissue paper (wrinkled on purpose for texture) around the outside, suspended fishing line from the bottom braces, positioned it to catch the morning light from the left and a lamp with a natural lighting light bulb on the right, set up my camera and voila! What's that old saying... Necessity is the Mother of all invention? :D

Kinda innovative if I do say so myself... thanks for the inspiration Steph! Works quite well for my needs, even if it DOES look a little wonky.

Teal Trendsetters

I've always loved all shades of teal, and with these earrings I've captured my most favorite shade-- dark, deep, and mysterious.

15mm lamp work glass coin/lentil shaped foiled beads encased top and bottom with scalloped copper bead caps that I've custom formed to fit the shape of the glass, 3mm round copper beads, and the best of the best in fresh, clear 4mm bicone crystal beads-- Swarovski crystal. All this lusciousness is hand wrapped on ball tipped head pins and suspended from handcrafted 20g copper ear wires which have been carefully filed smooth on the ends for comfortable insertion and wear. Ear wires measure approx. 1/2 inch, total length of earrings is right at 1 1/2 inches, a perfect length for most preferences.

I can visualize these earrings being worn both casually with denim, and with those famously sparkly Swarovskis they can also easily be dressed up with many of today's trendy styles. They are just feminine enough to even go with many vintage fashions as well. Soooo versatile!

**Please note that I will happily substitute the current ear wires for others of different material if you prefer a different look or are concerned with allergy issues. I have hypoallergenic (silver colored, free of charge), or I can oxidize (darken) either silver filled ($1 more) or even solid sterling silver ear wires to better match the copper for a mere $3 more. Just be sure to make a note of it when you contact me to purchase. :)

If you are interested in purchasing, you can shoot me an email via the email address listed above or the link in my profile.

Icy chic!

Oh. My. Gosh. I've surprised my own self in being brave enough to break out my GOLD FILLED supplies! I've been chicken for quite a while, for fear of using my "good stuff" and goofing it all up, thus wasting it... but I think I did rather well, if I do say so myself. :D

I stuck to a simple design with these earrings. I've featured ultra icy, uber clear 10mm faceted rondelle glass beads, round GF beads, and tiny scalloped GF bead caps for that extra finishing touch. GF curb link chain that flashes light when in motion. All that bling is suspended from simple yet flirty handcrafted 20g GF ear wires that measure approx. 3/4 inch, filed on the end for comfortable insertion. Total length of earrings from top curve of ear wire to bottom of rondelle is a bold 2 1/4 inches. I tumbled the earrings for several hours for the utmost strength, smoothness and shine!

I'm telling ya, I can visualize these surprisingly lightweight earrings going with all spectrums of style, and I'm enamored with how clear these glass beads are, they remind me of super clear ice and they catch the light beautifully.

These stunners are bold enough for an evening outing, yet simple enough for the office. Dramatic enough for the bold, still yet refined enough for the sophisticated. Whomever wears these, I'd be willing to bet these will be their "go to" earrings... they'll go with everything.

If you are interested in purchasing, please go to my Etsy shop at madebymidnight.etsy.com .