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For The Designers.. FAQS, BEADING LINKS AND OTHER INFO:
Photography help: I frequently get emails asking how I take my pictures. It takes lots of the three P's. Practice, Patience and Perserverence. It took me a good year or more to get the pictures the way I wanted them. I use a Digital Canon PowerShot, but any good digital camera will work great if you just know how to use it and change the settings for the environment. I always have it on macro and always have it set on the correct lighting I am using. I use a light tent (can be found on Ebay or google for vendors), and I attach lights to the sides and on top. I put a white cloth and piece of clear glass I took out of a picture frame to set my jewelry on. Use your imagination and your own unique additions to your pictures. You pictures will establish your personality. Try black glass or grey...try an acrylic riser. That is what I did to find out what works best for me. If you're still having trouble, check out your local community college for a quick photography class.
Once I get a few shots I like uploaded to my computer, I then crop, add contrast, lighten, frame and add my logo to finish the picture. You can use any photoshop software that you are comfortable with.
**Special note to fellow designers** Due to the large amount of emails that I receive daily requesting information about my suppliers, I have decided to post here. I have searched all over to find components, beads, findings and gemstones to make my jewelry unique. I have spent many hours driving to shows and meeting with vendors as well as searching the internet and making numerous phone calls to find suppliers. I have been in the business for over 5 years and I have found that the best way to purchase is in person at the bead shows. You are able to look, feel and discuss pricing, which is something you can't do on the internet. I choose most of my items in person, but some purchases do have to be made via the internet. Please take note of the suppliers I list as I just cannot continue to answer all of the emails requesting specific information. If you don't find what you are looking for at one of these vendors, then try using an internet search engine to find out where a local bead show is located and/or a vendor to supply what you are looking for. Hand picked items are always best and you can be as selective as I am if you go to the shows.
Thank you for all of your emails with such wonderful comments. I appreciate them and am not trying to be ungrateful, just don't have any time to design if all I do is answer emails!! :)
Bali Beads: http://www.jewelweaver.com/ http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/ http://www.agrainofsand.com/ http://www.sweetcreek.com/
Components and Findings: http://www.auntiesbeads.com/ http://www.riogrande.com/ http://www.enchantedbeads.com/ http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/
Thai Hilltribe Silver: http://www.asiacharisma.com/ http://www.ebay.com/ (do a search) many found there and the prices are competitive.
Gemstones: http://www.astralbeads.com/ http://www.firemountaingems.com/ http://www.migem.com/ and Ebay.
Swarovski Crystals: http://www.astralbeads.com/ http://www.riogrande.com/ http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/ and Ebay.
Some of these websites are "wholesale" which will require a tax id number and/or a minimum purchase.
Many items can be found on http://www.ebay.com/ but I highly suggest you check out your local bead shows and stores as you can find anything there and meet the vendors personally. Most of these vendors require a minimum purchase and/or a tax identification number and faxed copy. If you see a particular bead on my site that you just have to have, I may have some extra in stock and will be glad to sell to you. Check out my Beads and More page for overstock and specials.
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