Pictures, Pictures and More Pictures

One of the biggest challenges that i have had with my Etsy shop is taking good pictures. I don't know how many ways that i have tried to get them clear & attractive. Now, i'm not a photographer - by any means. I get excited when any picture turns out ok....let alone REALLY good. I've tried almost every setting on my camera. I've tried making myself a light box. I can honestly say that it takes time & experience to get it right. I've invested a LOT of time. The one thing i that learned is that NATURAL LIGHT is the best light. So if you don't have a place inside that provides the best natural light, then it's time to bite the bullet & head outside. I loaded up a tote & a medium box & called hubby upstairs to carry it all down.


When we moved in to our home, we were very happy that it had a fenced in backyard for Naphie, out basset hound.

Now, i'm thankful for the fence. It provides a rustic background & considering that most of my items are to be hung, it provides a great background. The backyard is surrounded by trees, so i get a great combo of sunlight & shade.....plenty of NATURAL LIGHT.


I took a bunch of pictures & still have a bunch to go. What do you all think.  Here are some befores & afters.

I haven't gotten all the cropping, etc. done yet. That's on my list after i finish & post this. But i am so excited for the new look & hopefully, will be able to get the rest of my pictures done soon. I would love to hear your feedback.

www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com

I'd also love to hear your photography tips. Be sure to leave your comments below.....


{{{Hugs}}} & prayers for all of you!!!


<>< 


P.S. Ok.Grrrrrrrrrrr. Now i'm having trouble with the picture resolution......TO BE CONTINUED.....

Still Learning......

I have spent a lot of time researching & trying different ideas to improve my ifrogcraft business. But the biggest lesson that i have learned so far, is DON'T SPREAD YOURSELF TOO THIN!


I have had my Etsy shop up since April 2008. One thing that i had known, is that you have to get your product out there. That's "Selling 101". In my research, i came across many other sellers who listed on several sites besides Etsy.....ArtFire, Zibbet, Ebay, Facebook etc. And that's awesome if it works for you. I think for products that are replenishable, such as candles, lotions, food products, makeup, etc. But for me, listing & keeping track on 3 different selling venues, has become, not only tedious, but totally unprofitable, & just a royal pain in the tush.=)  So, that's why i have decided to focus totally on Etsy. The time it took me to try to keep things organized on 3 venues, i could have spent creating in the studio & that's the BEST part of my job.

I also found a post from Entrepreneur Chic today that i think can help all of us to stay a bit more organized.

 

I do hope you will read the entire post. She shares excellent advice in "Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Work-at-Home Productivity".  

http://www.entrepreneurchic.com/top-10-ways-to-boost-your-work-at-home-productivity/ 

I have recently discovered her blog & felt that this blog hit home to me in what i'm trying to achieve. I'm still digging into her different posts, but already, i feel renewed inspiration.  (And have my "to do lists" ready for the week. =)

On my Etsy shop, i am also having a Blow Out Clearance Sale on some discontinued items.

  www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com

Feel free to stop by & do a little shopping. =) Until next week remember, God loves you & so do i. <><


 

I have to learn to write things down!!! I took yesterday off to spend time with our son Eli as he starts back to school tomorrow. I had some ideas for this weeks blog, but they are all gone now. So, i've been sitting here way to long looking for inspiration. I can spell W-R-I-T-E-R-'S B-L-O-C-K. (tee hee)

And as life would have it, as i wrote the preceding paragraph, i remembered a post i saw on Facebook today from Cafe Boulet.......for this awesome Victorian Woods Personal Organizer. When i saw it, the fabric really caught my eye!

  Maybe it was the richness of the fall colors. Or maybe it was that my subconscious was telling me that i should have written my ideas down. Who knows?! I just know that i liked it. What an awesome product for organizing or for a student going back to school. And if you need one a little more business-like......

There are many to choose from as well as checkbook covers & Cafe Boulet's specialty....coffee cozies!

Perfect! Enjoy a cup of coffee, while your making your lists!

www.CafeBoulet.etsy.com 

So, even though, i'm not organized, i keep trying. But i also remember.....

Until next week, i hope you will all remember that. Some of us do not have organization as one of our strengths, but then none of us are perfect, but we all can be forgiven. <><

The Heat Is On......

Hi everyone! I hope & pray that you all had a good week. It was pretty uneventful here this past week. The weather was even so good that we had the AC shut off & the windows open part of the time. But this week is a different story. It's hot!!! It's humid!!! I love my air conditioner. =)

This week i want to give a shout out for SOCCER BOY! This 11 year old young man has taken on a big responsibility. He has set up a shop on Etsy to sell stamped tags & cards for a fundraiser. His soccer team is going on a Missions Trip to Mexico to build a house. I don't know this young man personally, but i am very proud of the work he is doing.  Here are just a few examples of his creations.....

And my favorite of all ----

Imagine that! Me liking the frog! Actually, there were some frog note cards the other day listed which i hope to get before the end of the month. After all, the shop intro says if you see a stamp that you like & want it on a different item, to just send a convo (message) & he'll set up a reserved listing just for you.

www.soccerboy.etsy.com

Also....Soccer Boy is having a contest!!!

"For every new fan who posts who sent them, I will enter the person who referred them into a drawing. No limit to how many times you can be entered!

I will keep a list under my discussion tab and then I will do a drawing next Sunday August 15, 2010 at 5PM PST.
...............
The winner will receive a set of 24 assorted mini Thank you cards!"

 So be sure to stop by Soccer Boy's Facebook Fan Page, click on the "like" button & post that ifrogcrafts/Karalee Gross sent you.  

  http://www.facebook.com/#!/SoccerBoy.etsy

Guess that's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. See you next week! <><

Do unto others......

I've been looking forward to writing this blog all week. Then i was reminded this morning that "working together makes us stronger." That is so true in so many aspects of life. That is why i do a feature a day on Facebook, to hopefully bring more traffic to the featured shop, as well as mine. That is why i participate in #LINKLOVE#. We help others as well as ourselves. I have met so many wonderful supporters on FB, that i can't begin to show my full appreciation. So to all my friends & fans/likers....thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I love you all.

Ok...enough mushy stuff.....LOL!....on with this week's blog.....

This week's shout out goes to Yvette Newman. I got to know Yvette when i discovered her Fan Page on FB....  
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Consultant-Discovery-Toys-Inc/111737025520228#!/pages/PrideJoy-Gift-Basketsfeaturing-Discovery-Toys/210058102087?ref=ts

http://myprideandjoygiftbaskets.yolasite.com/preschool.php

The first of last month, she had a post asking for fliers, business cards, etc. from other businesses to be included in Mommy Bags & distributed at summer camps in her area. She gives others a chance for more exposure of their business, through her business.  Also, when you visit her website, you'll not only find wonderful Gift Baskets featuring Discovery Toys, but product reviews & give aways.

She is also a creative soul. =) She makes adorable diaper cakes, wreaths & party favors. Visit Touch of Magic Diaper Cakes and More 

 And more than diaper cakes, check out the Kitchen & Gifts Odds & Ends. So much to choose from for many occasions. 

Thank you Yvette for giving others the opportunity to share their businesses.

Well July is over & yes, i will admit that Christmas in closer than we think. I'll begin listing Christmas items in my Etsy shop soon, so thought i'd give you a sneak peak.....

More will be revealed at www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com & each listing will be announced on the ifrogcrafts fan page. Looking forward to seeing you there!

www.facebook.com/ifrogcrafts 

Until next time, i pray that you all have a  great week!<><

Thank God for Kids

Last week, i showed you my Halloween in July. I only received other Halloween links from one other person, but they are so cute. ( Not the links, but what they linked to. tee hee.) Cuddle Hugs offers a wide variety of Infant and Toddler Shoes, Tutus, Clothes & Accessories for your little Sweet Pea! including these adorable Lil' Pumpkin & Candy Corn Cuteness tutus for Halloween.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28565161/candy-corn-cuteness-the-tutu-darling-an

 

 

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28565161/candy-corn-cuteness-the-tutu-darling

Stop by this Etsy shop & i'm sure you'll find something for your little Princess.  wwwcuddlehugs.etsy.com 


My next order of business is something i'm very proud of. For awhile now, i've been looking for where i wanted to give my tithes & offerings. One of the things that i have loved about Facebook, is that i have reconnected with so many wonderful friends. One of my classmates, who was a very close friend of mine in high school, is now in Shell, Ecuador & she runs a home for abandoned, abused & special needs children....Casa de Fe. Shortly after we reconnected, Jhony came to Casa de Fe, in need of serious surgery. When i saw his picture, i fell in love with his smile. He has stayed in my prayers, as have the children & staff of Casa de Fe.  The other day, Patti, my friend posted a wonderful video about Casa de Fe. I saw Jhony in that video  & how he's grown so much. He still has that wonderful smile that radiates so much love. It was there & then that i realized...that is where my tithes & offerings need to go. My sales are very low right now, but i'm sure that whatever i can send will be appreciated. But no matter what the amount, a portion of ALL sales from ifrog crafts will go to Casa de Fe in Shell, Ecuador. For more information on this wonderful place & the work they do, please visit their website.

http://lacasadefe.org/

Or stop by thier Casa De Fe Prayer Page on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=156324529179&ref=ts

That wraps things up for this time. Next week, i will be featuring a great lady who uses her business to promote others. Stay tuned.....

What a Day for a Daydream.....

Yes it is a day for a daydream....or at least to veg on the couch. It's rainy & dark & suppose to be nasty all day. And for most of the afternoon, i will be on the couch, but with laptop at hands. This is part of my new schedule for Monday. Writing my blog & catching up on computer work plus, by staying downstairs on the couch, i can do laundry at the same time. Again....thanks to all who gave me great input on my scheduling. =)
I have used my new Sharpie Oil Base Paint Markers. As stated last week, i purchased  a black fine tip & a black medium at Michael's.

GOOD RESULTS:

<><   It didn't take very long for the paint to get to the tip & ready to use.

<><   It was very easy to use & went smoothly onto the product.

<><   Dried quickly to the touch.

<><   Used on top of paint (as i would usually use it) there was no bleeding. The color was vivid.

BAD RESULTS:

<><   It did bleed on non treated unfinished wood. I did kind of expect this & i don't normally use a paint pen this way, but just wanted to see for sure if it would or not.

UNKNOWN RESULTS - ONLY TIME WILL TELL.....

<><   Whether the paint pen will glob & become hard to use.

<><   Whether the paint will fade. It does claim to be fade resistant

All in all, i did really like the was the pen performed & will be completing my set of them. At Michael's, my total purchase for both pens, plus tax, was $7 - $8. I've spent a little time in price checking & have found a much better price on U.S.Art Supply.  http://www.usartsupply.com/sharpie/default.aspx . 

Extra Fine & Fine $1.85

Medium $1.96

Bold $2.66

On a different note...a lot of friends are doing Christmas in July promotions this month. I will get there pretty soon, but before Christmas is Halloween. So my promotions are for.....

 HALLOWEEN IN JULY

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ifrogcrafts?section_id=5457821


So, here's my request this week, if you have some Halloween items to promote, please leave your link(s) in the comment section. Until next week, it might be July, but i  always hope that all your pumpkins will be great!