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Friday, January 21, 2011

It's All About Appearances. . .

Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, late in the afternoon a crack in the clouds opened and a few heavenly rays of golden sunshine found their way into my kitchen.  They spilled across my table and beckoned to me.  I had just spent the better part of the day cleaning out my office--no small undertaking--and I decided I deserved a little break.

I snatched up my latest copy of Country Living and collapsed in my yet to be slip covered dining chair, right in front of the glass back door to get the maximum amount of sunshine.  In moments I was pouring over lovely homes, feeling as though the sunshine filling the cheery rooms on the pages was actually warming my cheek as I flipped the pages and sipped ice water through a straw.

It was, however, short lived.  The bus arrived and dumped off my adorable and very chatty daughter.  By the time I had helped her with a few things and returned to my magazine, the sunshine was gone.

Pillow available on Etsy (Butterfly wreath also on Etsy)

I have a thing about pictures.  I love to look at them--in magazines, on photography blogs--and I love to take them.  Often I get an image in my head and I must work until I capture it in a picture.  Sometimes that means setting up elaborate displays like when Lisa and I decided to throw a Harvest Party.  It wasn't really about the party, it was about taking pictures of the party setup.

White Ironstone for sale at the shop


I sometimes get so caught up in staging the things I am taking a picture of, I might get carried away and spend more time than necessary to snap a few pictures and post something on etsy.  Because really, I am trying to make an impression, sell someone a story, give them a glimpse at someone else's life--hoping they will buy into the whole package, not just the item. . .  like I do when I flip through my favorite magazines, or browse my favorite shops on etsy.

Paper garland at the shop and on Etsy


Take yesterday for instance.  Lisa and I had sewn a few aprons.  Some for the shop and some for esty.  When it came time to photograph them, I had a vision of working in my kitchen, filling a vase with flowers while wearing a cute little apron. That was easy enough.  I had some flowers, so I put them in a white pitcher and staged them next to me.

White Swiss Dot Apron (picture must have worked--I listed it last night and it sold last night!)

But then, when I put on the white and red apron, it made me think of Valentine's Day and baking a surprise for someone special. . . so I HAD to bake a cake. . . and add it to the picture.



I have sort of had a butterfly thing going.  I got hooked on some butterfly art last fall and have been waiting until now to start bringing some more into the shop.  So I added a couple candy melt butterflies to the cake--it just felt more Valentine-ish that way, without resorting to hearts.



In the end, the cake is hardly a big feature in the picture (though from this angle the lint on the floor is!).  But I think it adds something.  I am no expert on staging, by any means (or photography for that matter)--but I sure have fun doing it!  And the kids didn't care what I was doing it for if it meant they got cake with cream cheese frosting for dessert.

13 comments:

Kama said...

I totally understand the whole picture taking thing! Your aprons are adorable...and now I feel like baking a cake!

michelle said...

I love looking at pictures and I am a totally visual person! Your cake and aprons are perfect! I love that you can just bake a cake that looks so pretty and so good to eat! :) I so wish I could bake, but I will instead look at your wonderful pictures! :)

Lolo @ The Adventures of Stig and Lolo said...

Im so with you on the need for visual inspiration. And what is better than curling up and reading a bunch of catalogs and magazines? Seriously...I could do that allll day. Everyday. :)

I have to say that I am in love with my apron that you made especially for me. It makes me happy when I see it in my kitchen hanging! It just desires to be put on and cook with....love that :) Its definitely a "visual" thing. Now that red one......*sigh*

Happy Friday!

XOX

All That Jazz said...

I'm like you- I love staging photos, too! And I love looking at other people's on their blogs, I think it really makes a huge difference in their Etsy shops how things are photographed. It's the same concept as merchandising a store. I think your aprons are amazing! I have been into vintage aprons lately but really love those! And that cake is SO cute!
~michelle~

Cindy said...

Your aprons are adorable, and the photos are wonderful! Is that your bedroom? It's so pretty. May I ask what color you have on the walls, I'm pretty sure i want to paint every wall in my house that color now!
Over to your shop to check out your goodies and those aprons!...

Cindy

Amanda said...

i want that apron.... as a skirt. how do i make that happen??? ;)

xo-
amanda

www.perfectimperfection13.blogspot.com

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Seriously want a piece of that cake but the apron, way too cute!!!!
XO

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Seriously want a piece of that cake but the apron, way too cute!!!!
XO

Lolo @ The Adventures of Stig and Lolo said...

Hi there again! Just wanted to pop in and let you know I nominated your blog for an award :) Come by my blog and check it out! Hope you can play along :)

Rachel said...

love those pictures! and that apron! ahh - need it!

Blakely said...

I want that apron!! Please let me know when there are more in your Etsy store!! :)

Amanda Gail said...

You seem to have disappeared... hoping all is well with you. Miss you around these parts.

JoLynn said...

Those aprons are SO cute!! Love. And I love the little bit of kitchen I can see from the pictures too! Do you have more kitchen pictures on your blog? I will have to check! :) If not, can you please post them? I love looking for inspiration. Thanks!!

 
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