Easiest Pillow EVER!

I have been out on my own, or "On the Lam" (I am not a fugitive), for many years now, let's say about 12 years. Honestly, those first couple years of "adult" life do feel like you're running from something, running from who you know yourself to be, and then you come full circle back to where you were. Right?

Why is this relevant? What does it have to do with throw pillows?

Well, this might sound gross, but many of the throw pillows laying around my home are from those early days. They have traveled with me from one apartment to the next, acting as tiny accents in my tiny spaces. Now I am married and live in a house, and I am sick and tired of these pillows.

This is not really a tutorial, just a photo documentary of parts my process.

I learned from this great lady at No. 29 Design. Her tutorial was the easiest I have tried, and the most intuitive for a rookie like myself. Also, envelope pillows perfect if you are new to sewing; dealing with a zipper can be really frustrating ;).

I found some fabric that I like. 

This one is really nice, it almost feels like a linen, and I love the print. 

Again, on No. 29 Design, the how-to steps are quite easy...

And here it is! 

How To Blog

This is how I feed today...because I am blogging.

Goodness, blogging is difficult. Maybe that's a sign that I have a supreme brilliance that hasn't been released, just kidding. :) Today I was fishing threw some of my Pins...on my board..."My Ateliér", and finally decided to read some blogging advice. 

Thanks to Jeff at http://goinswriter.com, it's beginning to make more sense. Here Jeff explains how to narrow down by establishing these three pieces:

 Subject -> Theme -> Objective

We thought we would share with you our journey of discovery - what is our blogging purpose?

SUBJECT

• What are we passionate about?

our business, making small business work, our home, living by faith

• In what topic do we have expertise or a desire to learn?

design, home decor/room arrangement, education, woodworking, small business, family, budget, patience, trust...

• What could I write about for a year without running out of ideas or energy?

using personal anecdotes....how to make a house a home

Jeff encourages you to pick one, and only one subject. 

We chose "making your house a home", it ties to The Honey Shack as well.

Madeleine L'Engle

THEME

• How can I break this subject down into its various components?

Home decor, Organization, DIY, Where to Buy, Capturing a Look, Cleaning Tips, Budget Friendly Design, Rearranging what you have, etc. 

• What do I want to concentrate on?

This part I am still working on. It's something related to using what you have, minimizing the "stuff" and making your home a place of peace and rest. 

• Is there a specific manner in which I want to attack this issue? What will my writing “voice” be? (e.g. Humorous, sarcastic, practical, anecdotal, etc.)

When I was a writing teacher the anecdotes were what always moved me most. I suppose anecdotal would be best, as long as I don't carry on too much :). 

Specific manner...does it have to be intentional?

Tips

OBJECTIVE

• What do I want to accomplish with my writing?

We want to connect to people and inspire.

• What impression do I want to leave?

We want to leave an impression of humility, that we are vulnerable, real people. 

• What’s my goal? How do I measure it?

We want to bless you, our readers...

Photo This

Photography - not such a tricky task.

When we first started our Etsy shop, photography did not seem thaaaat important. As long as we had photos of our items we were good. Boy were we wrong! Photography has been the key, it is actually more important that the product itself (well, initially at least). 

It was April, 2012 (our shop had only been opened for about three legitimate months). Suddenly we were getting these random sales - back to back, and we couldn't explain why. Well, here is why:

This photo...

Within a weekend, this photo was published in an Etsy newsletter and the Food in Jars blog. We were total rookies, and had no idea what any of this meant. And the funniest thing, we had no idea how we even got this photo to look so good. 

(If I were to post the other photos taken in the same photo shoot you would laugh. Trust me, our good friends that run Degno di Nota on Etsy have been with us all along; and have seen the growth, and have laughed with us, a lot.) 

White Background

Really, there are a few essential things that we believe will help your photos, because they have really helped us! And neither of us are professional photographers - nor did we go to art school (yet).

1.  Create a "white background" - this is much easier than photoshop (unless you're a pro).

• Go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some hardboard - we bought two sheets and then cut them into 4 pieces (two larger and two smaller).
• Paint them white

2. Photograph indoors in a space where there is natural light (overcast days work even better).                                        

Macro Setting

3. Use your camera's macro setting (whether you have a DSLR or a point and shoot, this setting really helps to capture and define details). 

4. Take a variation of photos that describe your product

• Close up - show details and craftsmanship 
• Distant - show the entire product
• Solitary - just the product, no props
• Staged - your product shown in use - with props

5. Mix up the background. As the white background looks clean, professional, and vibrant, it is good to experiment with a textured and colored background as well. This will give your shop a more "colorful" feel - if that's what you are going for. This also helps your customers understand how they might use the product.

6. Just remember, your brand is what is most important. Consider the props you use, and the colors, the lighting, does it describe and support your brand?

Solitary - Distant

Staged - Distant (the caddy is being advertised)

Etsy published on their blog more great ideas for improving your photography and why it is so important:

"How to Make Your Photos Publicity-Ready"

Just a few shops we recommend looking at for photography ideas:

Small items -> Reclaimer

People/Fashion -> Naftul

Building a Brand -> Illuminated Perfume

Pretty Things -> For Such A Time Designs

And that's about it for now. If you have other ideas or want to share what has worked for you, please leave a comment!

Hurd&Honey