Showing posts with label pirate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pirate. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Arrrrrrrr! Pirate tableware!

Where else have ya seen pirate tableware? I got to thinkin'... what would lady pirates set their table with? Certainly, they would have some down time at sea, occasional marronings, or boring, no-wind-in-the-sales time with nothing but blue ocean on the horizon.... they would have done some piratical crafting. Fixin' up the the galley with some traditional crossbones and such.

Here's what came out of the studio today: pirate coasters. Made of recycled wool sweaters, felted, add some wool roving needle-felted on, and a big dose of rustic embroidery. Yes, they are actually flat when you get them off the fence from the photo session. They are naturally water proof, which makes for great coasters, and they look splendid pegged on the galley wall. Sail into port and stop by AlyTheRed's Bliss Monkey Studio on etsy to purchase these wares for yerself. Arrrrr!

I've read several books about women pirates. Really fascinating! The trouble for historians is lack of real documentation on these wild women. They often passed as men to survive life at sea. Some caught women pirates were used as examples by the government, who made up a history worse in crimes than anyone could possibly accomplish in one lifetime. Or their lives weren't documented at all. Most of what we "know" about female pirates is pure fantasy. Have a little fun with it!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Craft photography


I love making my art and crafts, I love selling them, and I love the photography. It's challenging to simply show the product, when I want to be artistic and play. I usually start with a few clear shots of the product. Nice and close. Show front and back. THEN I get to make a little set for the product.

My "set" space is a window shelf in the studio. I lay out fabric and background. If you look closely in some of shots, you can see handmade paper that was created by my grandmother twenty years ago. It's textural and beautiful. I can use it under the product, or to defuse light against the window.

I love to photograph my coffee cozies outside in the backyard. I feature whatevers blooming, the holly tree, the herb bed, the grass, and for "rough pirate cuffs" I stick them right on the weathered wood of the fence. And I swear my cuffs sell better when the photo was taken on a sunny day. Feel sorry for me- remember, I live in Oregon!

Here's two spankin' new items about to go into my etsy shop. I'm enjoying some steampunk action, with background sets, old coins, treasure chest, leather glove, and pelican bones (that are about 50 years old).

The top photo is another of my new key chain cozies to keep your coffee shop punch cards, coins, and coffee cozy. But instead of taking a clear shot, this is my play photo. You won't see these "artsy" shots as the first product photo on it's etsy page, but I hope they are interesting enough for people to click on for further views.

Cheers, me mates!