Workshop #1 -- Show Them What You've Got!

Buffalo Etsy Team Workshop Series  #1

Show Them What You’ve Got!

Photography for the Etsy Shop Owner (and other online sellers) 

Recently the Buffalo Etsy Team held the first in a series of workshops 

for Etsy shop owners and online sellers. The focus of this workshop was product photography.

Professional Freelance photographer, Mark Busch (http://markandrewbusch.com/what-i-do/ ) presented a very interesting and informative workshop on how to take great photos with the equipment you have.

Mark began with a basic overview of photographic terminology and camera settings; not only for professional grade cameras, but for point and shoot cameras as well.

Next Mark explained to participants how to use inexpensive and often-on-hand items to improve their photos. PVC pipe, work lights with clamps, a cardboard box, white paper and aluminum foil were all put to use at various times.

  

 Mark also demonstrated how to use an inexpensive light box (found on Amazon.com)

The workshop was a great success, as you can see from the comments of the participants:

Linda

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRichardsDesign

                                                         

I’m inspired to use a light tent that I've had for a while but haven’t used.  The two lights that were clamped to the sides would be very helpful to me to give my jewelry added light.

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Suzanne

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZanieCraftsFeltedArt

I am now using the light setting on my camera to correct for the different types of available light.  I didn't even know that my camera had that function, but now that I do, I'm using it to somewhat correct for the poor lighting and different types of light conditions in our house.  

He also explained how to create a larger version of a light tent setup that used PVC pipes and a roll of craft paper.  Using that along with the light clamps on each side of the tent and above with paper to spread out the light would be very helpful with my larger felt items that might not fit in a light tent very easily (e.g. larger handbags or the felt scarves).  

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Erica

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PECollectibles

I didn't realize Amazon would be a good source to purchase a light box to take photographs.  I did and am pleased with my purchase.  

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Strix

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarbleBagelDesigns

I never thought about the type of light.  I always thought it only really mattered if it was bright enough.  Now I better understand how to compensate for lighting conditions that I’m using by changing my camera settings.

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Sarah

http://www.etsy.com/shop/OliverPlays

Since I don’t have a good camera and I used my Iphone, I was having trouble maintaining color of my fabrics.  I learned that I could take photos outside or by the window even on a cloudy day and still get a good photo.  Just by making sure that the sun is at a good position in the sky when you are shooting, you can maintain the proper color of the fabric.  Also, a cloudy day can actually work to your advantage for maintaining colors since there is a natural filter on the sun.

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Sara

http://www.etsy.com/shop/goldhawkpotteryetc

I learned that using a white paper in the back of the item can reflect back light onto the back of the item being photographed.  This helps eliminate the inevitable shadow.  I’m always trying to eliminate glare and shadows on my pottery.

The workshop was held at Creative Essence (http://www.creativeessenceshop.com) in Clarence Center, NY.  The Buffalo Etsy Team would like to thank Michele and Tammy for being wonderful hostesses.  Stop in and say hello. It’s a wonderful place to create!                                                                              

Did I really just quit my job?

I've been my own boss for about 4 weeks now.

I'm starting to get used to my demanding ways,
never being satisfied with the results, giving no recognition for a job well done, and the disregard for my personal life.

As Pete Townsend penned - "meet the new boss,
same as the old boss"

Well, it's not quite like that!! I have to say that I am honestly enjoying the first month of working for myself. I do, however, feel like there is more pressure to perform and certainly more hanging in the balance.

It's probably too early to give much insight, but I have discovered that setting up a routine has helped keep me on track so far.

Being a creature of habit, I knew in advance that I needed to create what  a "work day" would look like, before I began. It seemed it could be a little too easy to get distracted and find myself doing things other than working.

I have two objectives - making and selling my products and growing my DIY website.

With that in mind I have split my day up so the mornings are dedicated to writing new content and maintaining the web site, managing some of the social media (I took a Pinterest course that was very good and have started to work on expanding my business using it), as well as some of the administrative things related to selling my frames.

The afternoons are strictly dedicated to the workshop and creating products to sell.

I don't know how long I will be able to go before this model is disrupted, but I am expecting changes and am ready to adapt as needed. I'm not thinking about picking up any part-time work - yet. I am somewhat comfortable with what I have saved and am happy to say that the month of July has been better than expected as far as frame sales and revenue from the web site.

Next month, I will detail some of the things I did prior to leaving my old job to prepare mentally and financially for this adventure. In the mean time I recommend these two books to anyone who is on the fence about their current job:

The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?

The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

Have a great month!!
Al