How To Take Great Auction Listing Photos

As a designer I put so much time into the detail of my creations and just assume the outfit will sell itself. NOT TRUE! I came across this article some time back and I have implemented these techniques when taking photos of my designs. Let me say I have noticed a big difference with my listings.
For more great tips be sure to check out:

http://cameras.about.com/od/cameratips/ht/auctiontips.htm

The difference between a sale or a flop, a high bid or a low bid, hinges on a great auction photo. Don't lose dollars by taking bad auction photos. You don't have to be a pro with a studio, or even have a high-end camera, to take dazzling auction photos. Here are the secrets to successful auction photography.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: About a half-hour to and hour to set up and shoot

Here's How:

1. Prepare the product. No buyer wants to bid on dirty china or toys. Clean the item, if possible, and make it presentable for the photos. Even older, antique items can probably be dusted off with a soft cloth. Do what you can to make the item itself look great, or every other step here won't matter.
2. Find a backdrop for the item. The last the you want to do is take a picture with a bunch of junk cluttering the background and distracting the eye. It is a real turn-off to buyers. You don't need to get elaborate. Use a sheet or a piece of fabric. A visit to the local fabric store could yield a few great backdrops. Look for contrast. For lighter-colored items, a black backdrop works best, and vice versa for dark objects.
3. Find a place to set the objects, be it a table, chair or even the floor. You want a place that is easy to get to on eye level. You also want to find a place that is stable and will not cause the item to move or tilt.
4. Use available light. While most cameras come with a flash, that can wash out the image while casting unpleasant shadows on the background. Soft outdoor lighting works well if the sun isn't so bright it casts shadows. You can also set lamps around the item, although you do not want to point light directly at the item. You are looking to make the item well-let without obvious shadows.
5. Get close. Don't be shy. You want to fill the frame with the object as much as possible. Bidders want to really see what they are buying. Be sure your item is also level in the frame (not tilted one way or the other).
6. Give perspective. If size is relevant to your item, be sure the photo demonstrates this. There are a few ways to do this. If it's a small item like jewelry, place a penny or a dime next to it. For larger items, you can even use a ruler or yardstick. Just look for something simple that won't detract too much from the item itself.
7. Try different angles. Shoot it from above, straight-on, profile, below or slightly on an angle. Don't be afraid to take several pictures. After all, you can delete ones you don't like. You may realize your items looks best when viewed from the side.
8. Take pictures of different parts of the product. If it's a book, open it to the title page or shoot the back. If it is china, take a photo of the inscription on the back. Since your buyers can hold the item and move it around, do that job for them.
9. Edit the photo. There are numerous photo editing software programs out there, and odds are your camera came with one. Even simply lightening a photo can make a huge difference. You can also play with other editing features. Be sure you save a copy of the original before editing, however. Also be careful not to alter the image to a point that is misleading to buyers.
10. Use multiple shots. Pick one main overall shot of the item, but also use a couple other detailed shots to assist buyers. Use two of the different perspective shots. The more buyers can see, the more likely they are to make an informed decision to bid.

Free Sewing Pattern

I came across this pattern and thought I would share. I will try and post new patterns weekly or any other cool craft I come across!

How to make a Placemat Purse
	Finished Placemat Purse Handbags are hot! With just a little effort and imagination, you can create a one-of-a-kind, portable work of art.
Transform a basic household placemat from a flat, two-dimensional table covering to a hip and imaginative fashion accessory. The wonderful thing about placemat purses is the sheer variety of materials available: ribbed cotton, vinyl, tapestry, microfiber, straw, faux leather, brocade, novelty weaves and more. Oval, rectangular and octagonal shapes create an instant variety of purse shapes to choose from.
You will need: 1 Fabric Placemat 1/2 yard of Lightweight Fabric for Lining 1/2 yard of Fusible Craft Interfacing (optional) Pair of Handbag Handles (wood, plastic, leather, etc.)
Step 1: If the placemat requires a bit more body, cut fusible interfacing to the size of the placemat, less 1/2 ” all around. Center the interfacing over the wrong side of the placemat and fuse, following manufacturer’s directions.
TIP: If you want to add even more personality, you can embellish the placemat with appliqués, beads, embroidery or rhinestones. If you are sewing on your embellishments, the best time to do this is before attaching the lining, so all any stitching on the wrong side of the placemat will be covered by the lining.
Step 2: For handle tabs, cut four pieces of lining fabric, each measuring 3” long by 1 1/2” wide. Fold each piece in thirds, lengthwise; adjust the final width of the tabs to fit through handle rings. Stitch lengthwise through all thicknesses down the center of each tab.
Step 3: Slip a tab through each handle ring; with raw edges of the tabs even, stitch across the tabs 1/2” from raw edges.
Step 4: Center each handle along the short sides of the placemat, with tabs against the wrong side of the placemat. Place tabs so that raw edges extend 1/2” in from edge of placemat. Stitch across tabs to attach them to placemat. Stitch again to reinforce.
Step 5: Cut lining fabric to the size of the placemat. Turn under 1/4” on all sides of the lining, and press in place.
TIP: To add a handy inside pocket or two, cut pocket(s) from the lining fabric, approximately 5” X 5” square. Turn under 1/2” on each side, and top stitch in place. Position the pocket on the right side of the lining as desired; sew along the sides and bottom of the pocket.
Step 6: Position the lining, right side up, over the wrong side of the placemat and covering extended edges of tabs. Stitch the lining to the placemat along all edges, close to the pressed edge of the lining. You can use either machine stitching or invisible hand stitches, depending on your preference.
Step 7 - to Create a Purse with Squared-Off Corners: Fold placemat in half, with right sides together. Sew sides with a 5/8” seam allowance. To create the width at the bottom of the purse, flatten the bottom corners, centering the side seams. Turn handbag right-side-out, and you’re ready to go!
Step 7 - to Create a Flat Purse with Pre-Bound Edges: For this style, use a placemat with pre-bound, finished edges. Fold placemat in half, with wrong sides together. Sew sides with a 1/2” to 5/8” seam allowance, depending on the width of the placemat binding, so that stitching is at the inner edge of the binding.
TIP: If desired, finish the purse with a closure of Velcro, a button and tab loop or handbag snap.

FREE admissision to Disney on your Birthday!

I just saw this article, that if you visit a Walt Disney World theme park on your BIRTHDAY in 2009 you get free admission!!! Check out the complete story!

Time to Start blogging!!!

It's no big secret that I haven't exactly been keeping up with this blog. I had been going back and forth with the idea of just using my personal blog in place of this one or continuing with this one as well. As you can guess I decided to juggle both blogs...so wish me luck! I am going to be brief today but hopefully as I get acclimated to my new life schedule I will be able to do this blog and you....the Groupies ...just!!

I would like to take a moment to announce The Giggle Girls upcoming launch!
This should be a fun launch for the Giggle Girls....but hope you buyers enjoy it at well!!

Jan. 12th will be the start of our first launch for the 2009 schedule.
Be sure to check it out!!!!

Jan. 12-31st
"Clowning around with The Giggle Girls"
Search GGDB
for great items!