Category Archives: Reading Stuff

reading stuff: book 07.

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I just finished reading Heidi Adnum’s new photography book for crafters – and I thought it was great! This book is nicely designed and filled with up-to-date information and advice from established Etsy sellers who offer fabulous examples of the type of photographs one should aspire to create in order to show off all the hard work that has been put into the subject of the photographs, a.k.a. the product!

As I am finishing up on more and more items to sell  in my new shop at the end of this month, I am thinking a lot about what the best way would be to display them. I have seen so many amazing (and often high-priced) handmade items on Etsy that have less-than-stellar photographs, and it just does not do the item justice and does little to promote a sale. I want my photos to be interesting enough to click on when scanning through a sea of Etsy listings, but versatile enough that they can really show what the product is all about without leaving anything out.

Here’s are just a couple of examples of photographs that showcase handmade products really well:

1. Geometric Mountain Screen Printed Tote Bag by Depeapa
This tote bag is awesome all on its own, but when it’s made to look like it’s being used in real life rather than put up against a stark white background, it looks so much more inviting and real. It gives you a much better idea of what it will be like in person, too, which is so important considering that potential buyers only have the pictures and a descriptions to go off of when making the decision to purchase – they can’t touch it, feel it, or try it on.


2. Botanical Coaster Set by Rifle Paper Co.
Likewise with this one, this is a gorgeous item to begin with, but the picture is great because it really shows you what it would be like to interact with the item. It’s no wonder why Rifle Paper Co. was a constant example of great photography in the book – they have beautiful items and beautifully simple photos that show them off and keep from over-powering them so you know exactly what you’d be getting if you ordered them.


3. Clay & Leather Necklace by For Me, For You [Sold Out]
This picture is so simple, but the white circle on a wooden surface really helps this necklace to stand out amongst a sea of other items. It’s little things like this that make the item seem more unique and give it character, and when paired with a second photograph where the necklace is being worn (as it is on the site), it’s really a perfect representation of the item and the branding of the shop alike.

I could probably spend hours analyzing more shop photography, but after reading Heidi Adnum’s The Crafter’s Guide to Taking Great Photos, I think I’m just about ready to try it out on my own! I could really use a new camera, to be honest, but until then I can work on making the most out of the styling tips I’ve learned in the book. If you’re interested in getting a copy, it’s available here for less than $14.

reading stuff: book 06.

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I’m reading such a good book right now! Several blogs have recommended “The Creative Habit” by Twyla Tharp and I finally found a copy to read for myself. Twyla, a choreographer with over 35 years of working experience, presents such a smart take on what it means to be an artist and ways to enhance your creativity with exercises and new ways of thinking about things. The back cover reads:

“Being creative is not a once-in-a-while sort of thing. Being creative is an everyday thing, a job with its own routines. That’s why writers, for example, like to establish a routine for themselves. The most productive ones get started early in the morning when the phones aren’t ringing and their minds are rested and not yet polluted by other people’s words. They might set a goal-1,500 words or stay at their desk until noon-but the real secret is that they do this every day. They do not waver. After a while it becomes a habit.

This is no different for any creative individual whether it’s a painter finding his way to the easel or a medical researcher returning to the laboratory. The routine is as much a part of the creative process as the lightning bolt of inspiration (perhaps more). And it is available to everyone. If creativity is a habit, then the best creativity is a result of good work habits. They are the nuts and bolts of dreaming.“

It’s so well-designed, so easy to read, and so very interesting. The whole book is really quite good, but I especially loved the first chapter where she talks about entering a white room, a dance studio, before the start of the preparations for a big show she was about to put on. She talks about all of the things she would have to do to get ready for the show — including basically everything from coming up with the dance, choosing the music, teaching the dancers, advertising the show, etc. — and how she had no idea how she was going to do any of these things yet, she only knew that they would come to her as she went because of her vast experience in doing such a thing.

I really loved the idea that all of those decisions were already inside her, waiting to come out, and that she had complete faith that it would all come together as it had many, many times before. That really stuck with me because it made me realize that we all really can do anything we put our minds to if we just put the time and effort into it as well. We can all create something out of nothing if it enters our mind that that is what we’d like to do.

Anyhow, this book is highly recommended for more than just artists, I would say. Anyone who wants to make an art out of what they do whether it’s in their day job or as a hobby! You can get a copy of your very own right here.

reading stuff: book 03-05.

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It’s been a while since I’ve updated you on what I’ve been reading! If you remember from my post on the first book I read this year, I’m on a mission to read at least 1 book every month. It’s barely anything, I know, but I’ve got to start somewhere, right? I’m actually doing pretty well so far because I’ve made it through a total of 3 books since my last update (and I’m halfway through 3 others, but those don’t count quite yet). I will have to up my goal for next year! Here’s a quick rundown of the books I’ve been reading and what I thought about them:

Haruki Murakami is my favorite author and I can’t believe it took me so long to get around to reading one of his most famous books, Kafka on the Shore. If you’re the kind of person who prefers stories that are based in reality, this is not for you, unless your reality is very, very strange, and fish falling from the sky or having long conversations with stray cats is completely routine to you. Just like basically all of the rest of Haruki Murakami’s books (except maybe his memoir), this book blurs the lines between reality and dreams, life and the afterlife. Mysteries are presented, but only half-answered in Murakami’s dreamy signature style. Lovely read, but The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle still remains my favorite book of his.

Maybe this is cheating, but I actually already read this book back when I was in college. I was not very close to being able to become a freelance graphic designer at the time, however, so I was just reading it for the sake of long-term research. I felt it would be a great time for a re-read now that I’m working on starting up my own business more seriously. Not only is this book nicely designed and easy to read, but it’s super informative for anyone who is thinking about branching out on their own and becoming a freelancer – whether it’s for graphic design or illustration or both! There are lots of great tips on dealing with clients, looking for work, and preparing yourself for anything that might come your way.

This is the one of the best books you could possibly read if you’re trying to jump into the industry of graphic design and illustration. The Graphic Artists Guild breaks down almost every possible job description you could have in the field and lets you know what the standard salaries are for each job. For freelance artists, there are contracts you can use to protect yourself from unruly clients. It’s an indispensable resource and I would highly recommend that any aspiring designers or artists buy a copy of their own and hold on to it to reference for years to come – or at least until the next edition comes out!

I’ve already started on my next stack of books from the library to read this month so hopefully I will have another book update in a couple of weeks!

reading stuff: book 02.

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Yesterday I finished going through all of the pages of Christine Schmidt of the Yellow Owl Workshop’s gorgeous book, Print Workshop. If you didn’t catch my first post, I’m trying to read at least 12 books this year because even though I love reading, I have a lot of trouble making the time to do it. I’m now thinking that maybe my problem was that I didn’t choose interesting enough books to read because it’s only February and I have been on a roll! I’ve finished 3 and gotten halfway through 2 other really great books that I’ll have to share with you soon. Anyway, it’s not really about quantity but quality, right?

Print Workshop is definitely high-quality! It’s so beautiful that it made me want to smother every page. I’m one of those people who drool over fantastic book design and this one is definitely drool-worthy with bright pigments, nicely styled photographs, and ya gotta love that handwritten font.

Not only is it beautiful to look at, though, author Christine Schmidt teaches you how to make beautiful things of your own with plain things you already have around the house and a helpful guide to the massive amount of craft store supplies that are available. In the front of the book there is a briefing for people who have never been formally introduced to the concept of printing and tips & tricks for those who have already done quite a bit of printing of their own like I did in school. There were quite a few projects and printing processes that I have never thought to do or make and it was refreshingly eye-opening to realize that I can pretty much print my designs on anything I can dream of… and so can you!

Some of the cool projects that this book talks about include printing your own picnic blanket (see above), making your own stationery, creating image transfers, travel journals, mobiles, pillows, scarves, playing cards, and lots lots more. There is definitely something for everyone in here.

Did I mention it’s really pretty?

If you’d like to embark on your own printing adventure, Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt is available on Amazon starting at $9.00 or maybe you can even find it at your local library.

reading stuff: book 01.

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This year I’m making it my mission to read at least one book per month. I know it doesn’t seem like that many, but I tried to do the same last year and failed by 2 books. I mean, ideally I’d love to read hundreds, but who has the time?! So, in order to keep myself accountable and as a fun way to reflect on what I’ve read, I’ll be posting reviews on my favorites throughout 2012.

My first completed book of the year is The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin. I thought this book was absolutely awesome! I’m always looking for new (and fun) ways to make more money and have been seriously considering starting up my own online shop for a few months now. This book came out in early 2010 so it’s pretty up-to-date and has SO. MUCH. useful information on how to sell handmade items online. Not only that, but the gorgeous design and cute illustrations by Emily Martin of The Black Apple make it really fun to read.

The Handmade Marketplace Review

In the beginning, the book introduces several experts in their respective fields of online handmade selling and then little blurbs of handwritten advice appear throughout the book relating to each topic. The book starts out talking all about the importance of branding, marketing, making connections in online and offline communities, blogging, advertising and getting publicity, and eventually moves on to speak about the craft fair scene and helpful advice for selling online and offline. I’d recommend it both for people who know nothing about selling handmade AND people who think they already know everything because I think it’s so refreshing to get a reminder about all of the ways you could be improving your business in such a friendly and organized format from people who have had proven success in the field. The content is arranged in a way that still makes it interesting to read even if you’re “stuck” in a chapter on a topic you think you’ve already got covered – it’s kind of written like one big blog post, actually!

The Handmade Marketplace Review

I think the author, Kari Chapin, did a really knock-out job with the whole thing because It’s also kind of like reading a big personalized book full of advice from really awesome friends who genuinely care about you and want you to succeed at your dream. I’m really excited to look over all of my notes over the next few months as I begin to build my own online shop!

The Handmade Marketplace Review

The Handmade Marketplace is currently available on Amazon.com starting at just $7. I’ll keep you updated as things start to come along over on this end!