So Much Going On

Grad school starts in a week and I'm still trying to figure out where I can sell my jewelry in the area. I've already got it at O.A.K., but I'm not so sure it's really selling. Cambridge has a few of it's own artists' cooperatives, though, so I'm thinking of applying to some of those, including the Cambridge Artists' Cooperative, and Sign of the Dove.

Wish me luck. With the cost of grad school, I could use the extra income...

On top of that, I moved about a month ago, and, while I love the apartment, we still don't have a working doorbell, and the washing machine just broke again. It's not the landlords' fault that things are breaking, but I do wish they'd take care of the issues more quickly.

Clear your workspace, clear your mind

I finally had a chance to clean things up around here this weekend. I recovered my corkboard in white and my brother helped me rehang it on one of the doors -- it's perfect for keeping my jewelry visible, accessible, and out of the way of my lightbox:

I can't decide if it surprised at how much or how little space it takes up...

But...

With all the jewelry hanging...

My lightbox seems so clean!There had been jewelry laying everywhere, and it was hard to get a clean picture because of everything in the way. I'm so excited to have an uncluttered workspace.

My brother also helped me figure out a few things with this camera. My pictures have been coming out a little bit yellow tinged. I knew I needed to adjust the white balance but didn't know how to do that on this camera. Of course, my brother did. I can't wait to try it out!

More pics (hopefully) coming soon.

Pictures? Yeah, we've got those

Alright, here are the first of the pictures taken with the new macro lens. The light box is better, but still needs some work; the pictures are still coming out a little too yellow:

Silver Hoops with Black Beads

This is after some fixing up in Photoshop.

A few more:

Small Silver Hoops with Purple Glass

Silver Hoops with Pink Opal

Triple Brass Drops with Keshi Pearls

So, how do they look?

A little warning, people

If you're going to set up a lightbox on a folding table, be very careful. I was in the middle of taking some pics today, when the table decided to start collapsing in on itself. Not a pretty occurrence when said table is piled high with lamps, lightbox, jewelry, and props. I got it back up and into place, but I hope that doesn't happen again.

Still no sign of the camera cable.

Ready for your close up?

Got the new macro lens a few days ago and have been playing around with it. Installation was easy and the pictures are coming out wonderfully so far.

Now I just need to find the cable so I can get the new pics on my computer.

Standby for updates.

I hope...

I never thought about how much my personal life affects my creativity and professional life.

It seems that I go through cycles with my creativity and jewelry making. I've been working on some new earrings recently, but before that hadn't made more than a couple pairs in four or five months. The new earrings are all hoops (both large and small) hung from ear wires with various stone and/or glass beads. I seem to have developed a preference for faceted briolettes and teardrops, and have been experimenting with wire wrapping, which makes the earring so much more interesting. I'll take pictures as soon as I get my new macro lens, which apparently shipped today (about a week after I bought and paid for it -- I'm not thrilled about that). I'm excited to see the difference it makes with my photos, though!

Right, back to the jewelry. I suppose I just haven't felt very inspired lately. I like some of the new earrings I've made, but I'm in a bit of a funk. In August, I broke up with my boyfriend of almost two years and moved from Nashville back home to Boston. Ending the relationship was the right thing to do, but it hurt more than a little that he already had a new girlfriend within a couple months of our relationship ending. On top of that, I'm currently living with my parents. It's just a temporary situation while I apply to graduate programs, but I feel a bit like a loser living with mom and dad at almost 24 years old -- especially since I lived on my own in Los Angeles for a year after graduating college. I've been dating on and off, which is frustrating. I met a neighbor in early December and we seemed to hit it off. We've spent some time together since then, but he's sending out some very mixed signals, which isn't surprising since he was engaged until his ex-fiancee broke things off last July. I think I'm sending out mixed signals myself. I'm so scared of rejection and getting hurt (as I think he is, too) that I'm acting too casual and it's coming off as platonic or disinterested. What's worse is that he and I get along really really well. We read the same books, have very similar political and religious beliefs, both love to travel, and can talk easily about almost everything. The first time we went out, we sat for two hours after the bill had been paid just talking. I haven't given up, but things are slow, and I need to learn how to voice my feelings, even if it means risking someone being upset with me.

So yes, my personal life definitely affects the flow of my creativity and my drive to do well. I'm glad I have a few good friends in Boston, but my closest friends are all still in Los Angeles. Maybe it's time to take a little trip to visit them all.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

I ordered a new macro lens for my camera today. I've gotten tired of having terrible pictures because I can't zoom in close enough and focus at the same time. It's actually a set of three stackable lenses (1x, 2x, and 4x) plus the adapter. At least they make macro lenses for my camera, still! It's a Canon PowerShot A80; they haven't been made in almost 5 years, but it's still a decent camera. The problem is, the camera is only worth about $25-50 at this point, and the lenses cost $40 including shipping. Ah well.

I know my lightbox needs some work, too, but that's easier to fix. I need a more opaque back and better top lighting. Everything right now is coming out with too much backlight, which looks even worse. Hopefully this will fix the problems.