Summer Color Inspiration and a "Mini-Challenge"

There is an informal "mini-challenge" at the end of this entry!  Be sure to read on!  

In my jewelry-making, what inspires my designs most is the beads.   And I'm drawn to the beads I choose first of all because of color.  Of course there are many factors (such as what the beads are made of, their quality, texture, shape, uniqueness, etc.), but my designs tend to begin with color.

Because of this, I am always looking around me for new color combinations.   Sometimes that may come from a textile, a piece of art, or nature--anything that gets me to looking at and thinking about colors in new shades and combinations.    

Most of you know, I also have a fondness for taking macro-shots of flowers.   Over the last few weeks, I've been lucky enough to receive a lovely bouquet and collect some fresh blooms from my own garden.  

#1:  dark pink, yellow, dark purple

And I tried something new this time.  Because I couldn't seem to find a place to take the the photos that highlighted the flowers without the background of my furniture and walls, I tried photographing them in the light tent I use for my jewelry.   I thought the results were rather unexpected, the images more crisp and vibrant!

#2:  lime green, yellow, pinkish-red

#3:   periwinkle, berry, yellow, green

#4:  raspberry/fuschia, carnation pink, bright yellow, sage green

I also took some in the front living room window, where I used to do all my jewelry photography.  There is lovely light there in the summer months and a sheer curtain which serves as a nice filter.

#5:  white, soft pink, cranberry, yellow

But I'm really sharing these today, not as examples of photography, but for their color inspiration.

#6:  bright yellow, raspberry, lime

Each piece of each bouquet offers some new opportunity to combine colors that would be beautiful in jewelry design!   In addition to color combinations, the photographs suggest colors which could dominate and others which could be used in smaller quantities to accent.  

For example, without the photo above, I don't think it would occur to me to create a bracelet with yellow beads and smaller accents of deep berry and lime green...or perhaps brass beads for that center!  But it strikes me now how eye-catching that would be!

#7:   fushia, violet

What about this deep purple and pink?   More to your liking? 

Totally Informal "Mini Challenge!"

• Which color combination do you like best?  Please leave a comment!  I'm hoping you'll find one that inspires you today!

• If you do make something based on any of these color combinations, I'd be thrilled to receive a photo of your work and the number of the photo on this blog post you used as inspiration!   I'm hoping we can show your jewelry in future blog post!  (To begin this process, please leave me a comment on this blog and a way to reach you.   I'll contact you with further instructions.)

• For this "mini-challenge" you may also submit a jewelry item you have already made that fits the color combinations.

• You are NOT required to use every color listed under the photo.  Please use at least 2-3.

• To sweeten the pie, anyone who submits a photo by  July 31st, will be eligible for a give-away drawing.   I promise you something colorful as a prize!  

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Have some fun and enjoy the weekend!  I hope you find yourselves color-inspired!

~Sharyl / Sharyl's Jewelry

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i heart macro: Happy Spring in the Land of Uh-oh!

Sometimes they call Kansas the "Land of Oz."   Occasionally, they call it the "Land of Ahhs."  (That would be promotional bumper-sticker material!)    The last few years, a better name would be the "Land of Uh-Oh!"    



In the past year we have had a 

• very mild winter, 
• a very long spring,
•  a drought-filled summer, 
• a second spring,
•  a drought-filled Fall,
•  a mild winter, 
• then unexpectedly, (after the groundhog predicted an early Spring), winter ended with 2 blizzards 
• and Spring has started with another one!  

(This is what Spring is SUPPOSED  to look like!)

And here is my "Happy Spring in the Land of Uh-Oh" Edition!   :-)

Spring arrives in Kansas City!  Oh the joy of it!
This is almost as good as a privacy fence!

(I know I should have edited the dark mark on  the right side of the photo,
most likely a window sill,
but this sort of reminds me of a Japanese wood cutting
and I would lose that impression if I removed that area!  ha!)

Bit of a tree limb magnified.

The neighbor's lilac bush.

The pagoda for the "Japanese Garden" on the side of the house....

for the vining flowers...

#15:  "Icy Puzzle"

Tree in our back yard.

This one reminds me of a puzzle or perhaps stained glass!

View from our front yard looking down the street.

From inside the front window looking out--a closeup.

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Thanks for visiting!   So glad to have you all back for "i heart macro!"

Please visit the other participants at:

i heart macro

One way or another, Happy Spring to you!  

~Sharyl

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P.S.   Some sad news:

This will be the last week for "i heart macro" which has been hosted by Lori Plyler of "Studio Waterstone since April 10, 2011.  

I wanted to include part of a note of gratitude I left for Lori so that you will know what being involved in this activity has meant to me:

"Like everyone else involved, I'm so sorry to see "i heart macro" end. I joined about a year ago, hoping to improve the macro photography skills needed for my handmade jewelry business. There was nothing classroom-like going on here, just complete fun, lots of practice, and weekly doses of bravery until it felt natural. Though a beginner, I was welcomed into a community of some extremely talented photographers from around the world and gained some very special friends! 

I can completely understand your need to do something different though. We all come to that point if we are growing. So I thank you with all my heart and wish you the very best! You have given me and many others such a gift of your time and talent!" 

The GOOD news is that Lori will be continuing with many other artistic endeavors, and you can still find her at Studio Waterstone!      And there's still time to link up to this week's "i heart macro!"   Beautiful Spring photos abound there this week!     Let's give her a great send-off and add more! 

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Photo Credits:

Sunflower:
http://www.wpclipart.com/plants/flowers/sunflower/sunflower_styled.jpg

Spring Cartoon:
http://www.wpclipart.com/cartoon/assorted/different_cartoons/cartoon_spring.jpg

Snow Photographs:  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, March 23-24, 2013

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i heart macro: White-on-White

For more than a week, I popped on Facebook and my blog only long enough to whine about the snow we were having here!   You may have caught some of those messages.  First we got about 10-12 inches last week Thursday, a bit more over the weekend, then another 10-12 inches on this past Monday, and few more inches during the week.   I'm sure the Northerner's find me a wimp, but it's one of the biggest snow storms I remember in my ?? years living here!   And certainly the most snow I've shoveled in a week's time!

Cleaning off the driveway!   There's a bit of concrete!

A path to nowhere...

So how could I resist more snow photos for "i heart macro" this week?!    Well, I couldn't.   

Would you like to sit down on the compfy deck furniture 

and watch our backyard friends play?

(To think I emptied it of this much snow just a couple days before!)

How many of you know what this is? 

For all you trackers!  Here's another set to guess at!

Took a BUNCH of squirrel photos, but I'll limit to just one.

#7 - "Snow Bird"

Oh wait, that's our neighbor's back yard!

Now THIS ONE is ours!

And a few more snowy, icy shots!

 These are not my typical macros.   I played with the macro, zoom, and light settings to try to get the hang of taking photos of white snow against a white or gray sky!   Focusing on a blob of snow seems a bit challenging for me, actually!  

Hope you enjoyed photos from the Midwest Snow Storm 2013.  All this snow and ice is pretty, but it's also a lot of work! Here's hoping this following week includes a big melt-down! 

Stay safe and well and warm!

~Sharyl

Be sure to visit the other blogger/photographers at

"i heart macro!"

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Ramblings about Sundays, Cameras, Photography, and Weather in Kansas

"i heart macro" --   appearing each Sunday on  "Studio Waterstone"

Sundays and Photography--
What I was doing and Hope to do Again:

I meant to post these funky-Kansas weather photos on  Sunday, but well, I mean to do a lot of things that end up getting done on Day 2 or 3 rather than Day 1.   Last year I participated each Sunday in "I Heart Macro."  (I was always honored they let me beginners like me participate. There are some dynamite photographers in that group!)  Well, one Sunday I missed, then the next Sunday too, then suddenly, I was out of the habit!

I got a new camera just before the holidays, and meant to jump back in.   I not only WANT TO, but I NEED TO jump back in and learn to better use this device that IS so important to our business!   (And besides that, the group is just plain fun!)   :-)     Often I'd take closeups of flowers or other items, which is very similar to taking macro shots of jewelry, but with the benefit of natural light.    Nature and my macro setting did all the hard work for me.

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What I've recently learned:

I have been reading a bit, and experimenting with the camera, and even started using Photo Shop Elements to edit (in very basic ways) my photos.   Here is a quick lesson I learned (after I bought one) about the types of digital cameras:

(Yes, I know.   You wouldn't expect a lesson on cameras from me.   It's sort of like in high school when I got an "A+" in Driver's Ed, but was not a good driver.   Turns out the grade was determined by the written tests and the driving test was pass/fail.   I had to explain that A LOT in the beginning!   So I'm admittedly not a great photographer in practice yet, but I'm studying and learning, so here it goes....)

From what I've learned, there are basically 3 types of digital cameras:

1)  My old camera (a very basic compact digital camera) was getting pretty old.  I was still fairly happy with it except it constantly ran out of batteries, and then there was that "lens sticking" problem where it would freeze up and not only couldn't I focus, eventually I couldn't retract the lens at all!    It had a zoom lens of 4x, which was pretty nifty when we bought it 15 years ago!  ha!   But hey, it did the trick!  It had a macro setting, I could adjust the exposure, and it pretty much did the rest for me.   My biggest problem, then and now, involves lighting.

2) The new camera has 20x the zoom, but there are other hand-held digitals that will do even more.   That's not what I primarily use the camera for though, so no worries.   It's a nice camera with a lot of features I haven't learned to use yet.   I can use the manual setting (which I seldom do) or the Live setting (which I usually do), make a few adjustments in light and focus, and snap!    But I want to learn to use all the manual features too!    Put it on the wish-to-do list!    The lens is permanent.  It will do a lot of nifty things, but you cannot change the lens for a different specialty lens.   I admit I had no idea about that limitation or what this type of camera was called until I came across this article recently called, "Types of Digital Cameras."   And I now believe what I have falls into the category of  a "Bridge Digital Camera."

3) For those of you with DSLR cameras, all I can say is "You lucky things!"  They are known for taking the best photos, having changeable lens, and many settings you can adjust.    For some of us though, the barriers  are the expense and the learning curve.   (Still I can wish, maybe next time....)

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What I did, just for fun:

Now you often see the jewelry photos I take.  More "passable" now, but still needing a lot of improvement.   Last week though gave me an opportunity to use the camera in a way that was not typical for me.

The weather, 74 degrees F one day dropped more than 50 degrees and the next morning I awoke to a snow-covered lawn.   I grabbed my camera... Only thing was, it was ccc-oo-l-d out there!  So I stood in the warmth of my house and shot these, finally trying out that zoom rather than macro capability!

Take note, people, this is probably the only decent bird photo you'll ever see me take!

The wind was fierce!   You can see it blowing off the roof and whipping the  flag around.

No, the photo is not blurry, NATURE was blurry that day!

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What I plan to do:

These were fun, but truly, I do want to improve my macro photography. I currently have  3 things I plan to do:

1) Read my camera manual--yes, that has been suggested to me by a dear friend, and I'd say it's time I did it!

2)  I saw this ebook mentioned on a blog today (and please forgive me whoever it was!)  I bookmarked it but forget who it was endorsing it.  Anyway, her photos were fabulous!    So I think it's worth a try.   It's called "Snaptastic" from Kab's Creative Concepts and I'm linking to it so you can find out more too, if you like!

3) I have a light tent I bought last year, but know I'm  not using the proper lamps. I'm planning to research lamps, light placement, indoor vs. out door photography.   I tend to take a lot of photos in the middle of the night, so outdoors is not always an option for me.


So, you'll likely be hearing more from me about photography in the near future.  And hopefully, you'll see some difference in the quality of my photos.    And if you are willing, please continue to  share... about cameras, lighting, your preference for indoor or outdoor photography, or even wacky weather where you live!  :-)   I always love hearing from you!

~Sharyl

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P.S.  If anyone missed the last blog entry with the Give-Away announcements, please click and take a look!   The coupon ends soon!


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Low batts, Interesting Results!

***If you are looking for the Memories and Thanks Blog Hop Reveal, please click HERE.***

This is just a quick post and totally for fun.    I got a new camera right at the end of the year and I'm trying to learn to use it.  If you've followed my blog very long, you know that photography is something I've struggled with from the beginning.   I've learned a lot and have such a very long way to go.

But the other day, I was trying to take photos and for some reason couldn't get them to focus.  I don't see so well so sometimes it's hard for me to tell if a photo is blurry or I am, but these seemed really messed up even to me!    I eventually realized the battery was low and needed to be recharged.  (Duh, moment!)

In the meantime, I took these and thought I'd share!    They are so bad and yet pretty in their own way--sparkly, like snow crystals or holiday lights!

So a recharge and retake later, we have this image instead:

Fun times!  I'll keep practicing with the camera!   Hope you are having a good week!  

Sharyl

P.S.  Thank you so much for your thoughtful, warm comments on my recent posts about my Mom and jewelry.   I treasure them more than I can say!  

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Photo Credits:
   

Canon Camera photo from Best Buy page:  http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=4858281&type=product&id=1218554266379&ref=30&loc=KW-1262&s_kwcid=TC|8113|%2Bsx260%20%2Bhs||S|b|15107776719

Other photos by Sharyl, 2013.

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i heart macro: Rainy March Day 2012

You may recall that last week, I went out in the last of the rain, with a fair bit a chill, and took some nature shots.  I hadn't done that in a while and I was inspired by all those I had been seeing here!


First though, it seemed dark out and the camera didn't want to focus.   Then my batteries ran out.   So I came in the house, changed batteries, went back out in the rain, and by then it was really getting chilly.   It was even darker and I still had trouble focusing the camera, got these few shots, came in, then the lens got stuck.  UGH--not a happy macro camper!   So things are on the right track again, and here are my photos from LAST  week.   


I took a couple of shots under similar almost-too-dark conditions Sat. evening, but I think those will need to wait for next week!  Ha!   (I'm either behind or a week ahead, depending on how you look at things!)

North side of the tree, perhaps?

Think these will be my daylilies...

...and iris.

I transplanted flowers from various parts of my yard

into a new garden space last year, 

so I'm just looking at the sprouts and guessing this year!

Oops!

Yes, another attempt at a shade garden 

under the tall old trees in our yard!

Limbs happen!

#12:   "Little Bud that Could"

I can't believe I ever got this bud, 

but look how gray the sky is getting!

I shot it over and over and over again, 

until it finally focused.  

Then I took 2 shots to be sure, 

but they are nearly identical.

Finally, signs that spring has sprung 

in my little piece of the world!   

Next week I'll show you what else has sprung!  :-)

I have a funny feeling others may be thinking of Spring too.

Let's pop on over to Studio Waterstone to see!

Click here for more "I heart Macro"

Thanks for stopping by!  


Sharyl / Sharyl's Jewelry

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Image Credits:


Rain cloud:  http://www.wpclipart.com/weather/BW/.cache/rain_heavy.png


Camera:  http://www.wpclipart.com/camera/.cache/camera_pictogram.png

Jewelry Photography: Year One in Review

In my last post before Macro Sunday, I mentioned I planned to give you some comparison photographs of the same items taken at different times and settings.   I could give you multitudes of examples, some worse than others, but I'll try to stick to a few of varying degrees of worseness... worsestness... worsenisity!  (I know, I was an English major once!)


Spoiler Alert:

• If you are the kind of person who loves really bad movies, this is for you.

• If really bad movies make you want to close your eyes during the bad parts, better close them now.  There are no moving pictures here, but some photos will be "scary bad," "laughably bad," or just plain old "bad, bad."

Here goes...

At the beginning of the year, I was just starting up, 

with a plan to sell wholesale to local businesses.

These were pendants I had just tagged before taking out.

The photo was just for my benefit.

I look at that and think "Not too bad."

"WHAT?" you are thinking?

Well, I know that the 

 other 8 photos looked like variations of this....

(I warned you this might be scary!)

From that same "photo shoot"

comes this bracelet that 
I've photographed many, many times.  
I never had that posted anywhere, thank goodness...
well I guess until now.)

Let's try this one for a comparison.

''

My son so did not approve of this one!

I took several of bracelets this way...

until he insisted I stop...

thank goodness!

Can you imagine how proud I was when I got to this stage?!

Goodness, it was pretty much in focus, 

showed some sparkle and shine,

and if there was a bit of a blue hue about it,

at least it went nice with the blue bracelet!

So, better focus, brighter color and sparkle, 

but it's still going to need another go on another surface...

So many tries and still not quite right.

I'm going to make this next one short and sweet.

When I first started, I tried photographing 

against a variety of fabrics. 

(Typically just one fabric per photo--  

I can't imagine why this one had 3!

This is SO bad!)

Not to mention that the silver wire looks gold.

Even on the wrinkled fabric,

an improvement?

True colors at least!

And the last set for today...

Another "no brainer" really.

Early photo.

It really does happen to be on blue fabric this time!

It just doesn't scream, "Buy me!"

And two new ones below...

...which I hope look more appealing!

Thanks for reading another chapter of "Sharyl's Photography Horror Story!"  I could continue with more of these, but enough fun at my expense for a little while!  Ha!  :-)    Something different next time.   

See you then!   --Sharyl

P.S.  A few notes:

• Please do feel free to comment on any of these photos.  I can "take it!"  :-)   Your suggestions were very helpful last time!

• I loaded new jewelry into the studio last night, some for Valentine's Day, some just for fun!   Also started a new "On Sale Now!" section.

We're getting there on Facebook!  As of tonight, we have 16 out of the 25 needed "Likes."  I realize not everyone is on Facebook and not everyone may care to "like" the page, not a problem.  But I do want to offer a "Thank you" if yours is one of those "likes!"  And thanks to each of you for the shows of support you offer in so many different ways!  All the best to all of you!


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Image Credit:


Thermometer: http://www.wpclipart.com/weather/weather_instruments/thermometer/thermometer_rising/.cache/thermometer_07.png