Rarely A Morning Without Product Photography

New Line Exquisite Little Tags 4Pk Multi Event

Photographing my first pack of 4 Events tags to list today. This is a good place to shoot because of the large window. You can see that I use several lamps. I also have the ceiling light on. The light to the left is a torchiere floor lamp, so I have the top light on too. It's a 3-way and I have it at the highest setting. The middle lamp is a tabletop Ott light, which provides true-color lighting. I have been using Styrofoam sheets as a base, because they are so white, and show off my products so well. They also provide some texture to the background, adding interest to an otherwise flat white surface.

Artsy Craftery Design Studio 4Pk of tags for a variety of events.

I have space now to create a light box out of a cardboard box and white paper, but haven't gotten around to it. Sometimes, I also go outside to photograph, but it's better not to do so in sunlight. Low sunlight or overcast days are suggested by photography professionals, but I don't like photographing in that type of light. It would probably be good to use a flash in those cases.

Product photography; the dreaded and hated task! I do enjoy it though, which is why I take too many photos for my listings. I've got to settle on 4-5 standard photographic arrangements, so that I can salvage a few more minutes of time to create. The work of the creative weary never ends; and neither does the satisfaction!

 LTC

Papier Mache How To: Tissue Sculpting

Papier Mache How To: Napkin Rings

Deciding to sculpt tissue paper peppers, to adhere to my papier mache napkin rings, was a little frightening.  I wasn't sure I could make them close enough to the same size or shape.  They didn't need to be identical, but I wanted them to be somewhat uniform.

I tore equal strips of tissue paper from the colors I wanted.  I decided on the size by imagining the feel of forming the pepper shapes.  I could then feel approximately how much wet tissue I would need.

Using the same water and glue mixture that I used to make the
rings, I covered the strips, one at a time.  When I felt that they were moist enough to form shapes, I lightly pressed them into pepper forms.  I pressed each form onto a ring, lightly pressing along the sides to make a good seal with the curved surface.

When all rings had a pepper, I worked with them until they closely resembled each other.  Some I had to alter their angle.  Others I had to elongate or shorten.  To one I had to add an additional tiny strip of tissue, along the length on top of it, until I was satisfied with it's form.

All in all, I am happy with the results.  Next I attach the green stems.  They will probably be tissue paper too. 

Papier Mache How To: Base Coating

Papier Mache How To

Base coating paper mache is the next to the best part.

I used gloss acrylic paint, rather than matte, because I am going to leave some of my white base coat showing in my painted design.  You can also use gesso, which is a favorite of some.  Though I am going to use a clear sealer I preferred my white coat to appear finished.

I gave these napkin rings three coats of the paint, allowing them to dry between each one.


I also alternated brushing left to right, and top to bottom, in order to completely cover the newsprint.

I had to take extra time and care to paint the rims of these papier mache circles.

Now that I've drawn the peppers onto each ring in my papier mache project, I will be designing and painting on my design.  The colors will coordinate with my hand embroidered napkins.

Bookmark: Recycled Envelope Corner

Being alone is one way to jumpstart your creativity.

I am finishing up my mini journal Alone In The Woods.... This is it's bookmark, cut from an envelope corner and designed with markers, colored pencils and correction pen.

Recycle those junk envelopes!