Friday, July 6, 2007
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
History of Lampworking
Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the history of lampworking, from ancient times to the present:
"History of Art Glass Lampworking" by Robert A. Mickelsen
"History of Art Glass Lampworking" by Robert A. Mickelsen
Tutorials for Photography and Photoshop
Here is a link to some great lampworking tutorials: Evan and Dawn's Tutorials
I recommend "The $5.00 Photo Studio." Though I don't use Evan's exact type of photo setup, it's a great tutorial for anyone wanting to set up something simple and inexpensive. I learned a lot during the second part of the tutorial, where Evan walks you through editing a photo in Photoshop.
Sarah Hornik's Photoshop tutorial, combined with Evan's, will teach you almost everything you would need to know about photographing and Photoshopping your bead pictures.
If you want a more detailed description of how to set up a small photo studio, complete with diagrams and discussions about lighting and background set-ups, visit this website: Building an in-house photo studio.
Here's a photo of a bead I've just put up on Etsy:
I recommend "The $5.00 Photo Studio." Though I don't use Evan's exact type of photo setup, it's a great tutorial for anyone wanting to set up something simple and inexpensive. I learned a lot during the second part of the tutorial, where Evan walks you through editing a photo in Photoshop.
Sarah Hornik's Photoshop tutorial, combined with Evan's, will teach you almost everything you would need to know about photographing and Photoshopping your bead pictures.
If you want a more detailed description of how to set up a small photo studio, complete with diagrams and discussions about lighting and background set-ups, visit this website: Building an in-house photo studio.
Here's a photo of a bead I've just put up on Etsy:
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Obstacles: The Learning Opportunity
This past week I've been consumed with finding new equipment for my studio. I'm still working on getting a new digital camera and new parts for the kiln controller. So, still no beadmaking... instead I've been engrossed in technical manuals and on-line product searches.
In the meantime I've borrowed my daughter's digital camera to photograph my beads. She's out of town on vacation for three weeks, but just so happened to forget her digital camera in the car before she boarded the plane. Bad luck for her... good luck for me! :) She's so generous and loves Mom so much, she's letting me use it for a few days and then I'm going to mail it to her.
All was dandy for a day while I used her camera, until one of my three professional photoflood bulbs burnt out! They can literally last for years with occasional use, but mine had to choose this week to go. And I didn't have a back-up bulb. Hah!
I crumpled into depression for an hour, then decided I'd try taking a photo in lower light using only my two remaining bulbs. You know, I actually liked the results! In fact, I think I'll use two bulbs from now on.
The things we learn from adversity, wow!
Here's an example of a photo taken with my daughter's camera (Sony Cyber-shot 7.2MP) and two photoflood bulbs. The bead is for sale in my Etsy shop:
I really like the Sony Cyber-shot after having the opportunity to use it. It's gotten great reviews. I've ordered one for myself, along with four new photoflood bulbs!
Have a great day everyone!
In the meantime I've borrowed my daughter's digital camera to photograph my beads. She's out of town on vacation for three weeks, but just so happened to forget her digital camera in the car before she boarded the plane. Bad luck for her... good luck for me! :) She's so generous and loves Mom so much, she's letting me use it for a few days and then I'm going to mail it to her.
All was dandy for a day while I used her camera, until one of my three professional photoflood bulbs burnt out! They can literally last for years with occasional use, but mine had to choose this week to go. And I didn't have a back-up bulb. Hah!
I crumpled into depression for an hour, then decided I'd try taking a photo in lower light using only my two remaining bulbs. You know, I actually liked the results! In fact, I think I'll use two bulbs from now on.
The things we learn from adversity, wow!
Here's an example of a photo taken with my daughter's camera (Sony Cyber-shot 7.2MP) and two photoflood bulbs. The bead is for sale in my Etsy shop:
I really like the Sony Cyber-shot after having the opportunity to use it. It's gotten great reviews. I've ordered one for myself, along with four new photoflood bulbs!
Have a great day everyone!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Too bad, so sad!
Yesterday I had both my kiln and my digital camera conk out on me. At first my kiln died, so I went to get my handyman sweetheart to fix it. He'd done such a great job changing out the relay in the controller a few months ago.
As he was taking out parts and changing around wires, I decided to take a picture of him in action. When I went to take the picture, the LCD view screen on the back of my camera was black. I could still take a picture, but I couldn't see what I was taking a picture of! Unless I used the viewfinder, which is practically useless on a point-and-shoot anyway.
After getting some wires and parts fixed up on the controller (obviously I have no idea about this kind of stuff), he went to plug it back in and give it a try. Out went all the lights. I did know that was not a good sign!
I'm going to need a new controller for my kiln, and a new digital camera. If any of you are astrology buffs, you can lament with me about Mercury retrograde. Of course the positive side is that I get new tools for my business and soon I'll be back and brighter than ever. Another positive aspect is that I will be spending more time blogging and working on my website. I still have plenty of photos to work on and upload.
Here is a photo of my Toaster kiln made by Brian Kirkvliet and the Paragon controller (which is the small box on the left).
I'm sure that grand things are on the horizon. Have a great day everyone!
As he was taking out parts and changing around wires, I decided to take a picture of him in action. When I went to take the picture, the LCD view screen on the back of my camera was black. I could still take a picture, but I couldn't see what I was taking a picture of! Unless I used the viewfinder, which is practically useless on a point-and-shoot anyway.
After getting some wires and parts fixed up on the controller (obviously I have no idea about this kind of stuff), he went to plug it back in and give it a try. Out went all the lights. I did know that was not a good sign!
I'm going to need a new controller for my kiln, and a new digital camera. If any of you are astrology buffs, you can lament with me about Mercury retrograde. Of course the positive side is that I get new tools for my business and soon I'll be back and brighter than ever. Another positive aspect is that I will be spending more time blogging and working on my website. I still have plenty of photos to work on and upload.
Here is a photo of my Toaster kiln made by Brian Kirkvliet and the Paragon controller (which is the small box on the left).
I'm sure that grand things are on the horizon. Have a great day everyone!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Teal and Purple Beads
I've just listed these beads in my Etsy shop. They were made with CIM glass and some Effetre. The colors are the same as the set I have up on eBay right now called "Summer Rain," only with this bead set I didn't use any silver foil.
Here's a photo:
Here's a photo:
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