using props in jewelry photography

Not that i'm an expert, but I thought I'd share my recent discovery of how cool it can be to include props in photographing your jewelry designs. I made this ring using a vintage flower cabochon and copper filigree ring base. I was thinking of how to showcase it in the best way and my mind stumbled across this pretty teacup... I decided to try it out with the ring on my finger. I took it on my front porch after it rained which makes for a good lighting situation, and you can see the wet wood in the background. I'm excited about the outcome and about trying out more options in the near future. sophia ring available HERE

my top etsy picks! first edition!

Welcome to the first edition of my TOP ETSY PICKS! I'm going to start posting every week or so to feature my favorite items/gift ideas. Support handmade! Click on the image to see a larger view.

these are the shops featured in order of appearance from left to right, all clickable:
www.JoannasPhotography.etsy.com
www.sweetheartsinner.etsy.com
www.lindylou2.etsy.com
www.toybreaker.etsy.com
www.stevester.etsy.com
www.carambatack.etsy.com
www.redrubyrose.etsy.com
www.frostingcouture.etsy.com
www.whatyoumacallits.etsy.com
www.PrettyRaccoon.etsy.com
www.ArtsNcharms.etsy.com
www.fromthehipcreations.etsy.com
www.BindMe.etsy.com
www.ItsAllAboutThePrint.etsy.com
www.dreamy1.etsy.com
www.JacqleenBleu.etsy.com

lovely lockets

I just listed some awesome locket earrings, HERE, in my new Earring Emporium shop.

They remind me of Molly Ringwald's style in Pretty In Pink!

collage art

I've been wanting to get into collages more for a while now. I have plans to create tin boxes, magnets and more with resin coated collage images. I created these using Photoshop. Copyright, 2008, La Belle Savage Designs.

new

~aquamarine~
It's an asymmetrical style necklace made with... of course... vintage re-purposed embellishments. The fantastic aquamarine and rhinestone focal on the side is an earring my Mom picked up for me at a yardsale. The chains and rhinestone beads(1940s) are from my Grandmother's stash. I added aqua pearls, silver czech crystal beads with sterling silver caps, an aqua and silver handmade Murano glass bead and a shimmering vitrial jewel cabochon surrounded by silver "roping".

my babies are leaving the nest....

Aha! For those of you who are artists, you may know that some of your pieces feel like your babies... yesterday I sold two more of my nicest necklaces, to the lovely buyer of Couture Charms. Now, I better get to work making more!

three words!

I was just posting in a forum on Etsy, and was very moved by what someone said! (and also am having fun with my new screen capture tool! :)

nouveau pearls

I've had this beautiful art nouveau style silver stamping for so long... I finally decided to add some simple pearls to compliment it in an elegant way. It's an asymmetrical piece, so the focus is on the side...which is my favorite style these days! It's 21 inches long, with pearls that are handwrapped together, going all the way up around the neck.

buried treasury blog

WooHoo! Featured in the Buried Treasury Blog today... showcasing Etsy shops... in the Jewelry Lovers(HOT) section, HERE, check it out! Fellow Etsians, you can be featured too!

appletini!

Sometimes things are created more easily than others... this piece kind of made itself! I named it Appletini because I can just imagine some trendy chica wearing it with her cocktail dress during cocktail hour :) The gold swirl beads and textured chain come from my Grandmother's stash of beads from the days when she worked for the Vogue jewelry company in the 50s. I like the chunky architecture of it.

frosting couture-check her out!

I just discovered this awesome new shop on Etsy, HERE. I love her beautiful silk ribbon necklaces that double as headbands!
♥Frosting Couture♥
...and look at this gorgeous model!....
she was also sweet enough to write about me, here... you never know who you're going to meet when posting in the Etsy forums!

vote! vote! vote!

This is my favorite quote from Barack Obama..."Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." As the time draws closer for us to choose our next president, it is my sincere hope that everyone will do the right thing and vote for Obama.