How to choose the best pic for advertising a giveaway...

I'm just writing on a blog post for my other blog, presenting my newest contest/giveaway (sponsored by Bello Modo -- check out their website if you like the beads pictured here). Writing is not much of a problem, nor creating the answer form I'm trying this time (I make filters to filter out entry e-mails, but they don't work if people don't write the headline I ask them to). It's choosing what pic is the best to put at the top of the post. The one that'll attract beaders and want them to participate.

One thing you can do is ask someone else. I did that. Only problem was that among the four pics I'd singled out half of the beaders I asked preferred the first one and half wanted the second one... How much does that help? Well, it did help a bit as they confirmed they liked both my favourites. The above pic is of the photo that came in second, beaten by just one vote.



The winning pic, below featured without frame, is coincidentally also the pic I used to make a small logo for the contest. I'm using it in my sidebar, but also allowing others to use it to promote the giveaway. (Or maybe it's a very similar photo -- I took perhaps 30-40 pics in total of these beads.)



The biggest difference between the two is that the photo that came in second has more detail, you can see more of the beads, but the "winning" photo have more or less just one bead in focus -- but as the bead is in the front of the pic i "communicates" with the beholder. It makes the pic more open and inviting even if we don't get a good look at the rest of the beads. If you like green it attracts you more than the other photo where a green blurry bead unfortunately pop up in the front corner.


One thing I had problems with when shooting the beads was the colours: the erinite green and tanzanite blue works lovely together, but pairing these shiny soft beads with the matte ruby red ones was difficult. Hence why they're in the background of most of the pics. Sometimes almost missing like in the one above. While I couldn't use that pic, of cause, I felt good taking a couple of photos like that as that was what my mind was screaming: shoot the blue and green, the blue and green. When I had done that I could say "fine, now I've done that, let's get back to doing something good with all the prize beads."

Is there some sort of moral of the story here? I think it's just the one I always give people: take many pics, try different angles and ways to present the same motif. Don't give up even if it's a difficult motif. Crop the same photo in different ways to see if it enhances the picture. And if you don't know what pics to post, ask the target audience (if your friends belong to that group it can be even better).

Gears, sprockets and cogs

One thing I like about this latest fascination with steampunk is that the bead shops (and hobby shops) have begun to sell all sorts of cogs. From watch movements to imitation spoked gears. While using cogs and watch parts might be considered a cliché by the "true" steampunks that just see this mainstream fad as people "jumping on the bandwagon", I love because it's become so much easier to find pretty cog-shaped components for my jewellery. I like steampunk -- I love cogs.
One thing true steampunks dislike is the use of watch parts or cogs as single elements, not actually part of a mechanism. While I could argue that jewellery making is all about using parts in ways not originally designed for, I won't. I'll just tell you why I personally don't mind these "scattered" and lonely parts.

I grew up in the countryside. I still live in the countryside. Like all farms that's been in the family for some time (in our case, my grandfather bought our farm around 1900), you can find a slightly forgotten corner outdoors where the old machines were placed when they were no longer of any use in the farm work. When I grew up, going for treasure hunts there was one of the best things we knew. We had to climb over some wood and then fight our way through bushes and weed until we got to the good stuff. There, with the big ash trees towering over this old and forgotten place, we would pull out all sorts of things: porcelain shards, old glass bottles, wire -- but most of all the rusty remnants of all things discarded decades ago. As there were machines it of cause also included some heavy cast cogs.


So there you have it, really, the reason why I love cogs even though I mostly make more or less romantic jewellery inspired by nature. The same nature that inspired me cotained these treasures. And that is also the reason why I love rust. It's pure nostalgia.

Watch parts was "just" something I wanted to get as the size is more useful in jewellery that the large cogs I'm used to. But if I have to be honest, I do prefer cog-shaped stampings as they look more like those cogs we retrieved for our "archeological expeditions" as kids.


I think the type of "cogs" you see above are nice too even though they look more like toothed washers (known as tooth lock washer or star washer) to me... But I have seen something similar, with many more teeth, in a watch movement actually. Still looks like washers to me, though: you can tell I grew up with a dad who had a workshop filled with washers and other types of hardware rather than watches.


If I had to analyze my fondness for cogs -- which really just gained momentum as source of inspiration since I first heard of steampunk some years back and saw people using cogs as design elements -- even further they have a shape that attracts me. Not just are they shapes I remember for such different things in my childhood as treasure hunts and cartoons (Donald Duck has a way of getting stuck in big gears and watch parts, not unlike Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times). Not only do they make me think of old-fashioned machines and "the good old days", past times always being a great source of inspiration. Not just are they often made in one of my favourite metals, brass. Look at the little watch gear with four spokes that I showed in the beginning of this post. That is more or less the same shape as a bronze age sun wheel/sun cross -- just compare my cogs and gears with these bronze age pendants. Cogs are like the modern, industrialized version of a sun symbol.

While I and probably most other people don't consciously find cogs and gears pretty because they look like the archetypical sun symbol -- nor were they designed to look like that -- I think there might be something of an underlying positive feeling about the shape that can attract people to it. It's a shape that can symbolize industrialism, but when it's made of brass people can be nostalgic and associate it with old times rather than modern industry. The prongs (and spokes if it has any of those) on the cogs also makes a simple but interesting shape: something more is happening than if it were just a plain circle or washer. The design is basically the same, but can vary from the most simple to something very ornate: there's something for everyone, regardless of what styles we like.


BTW, that enamelled spoked gear (by C-Koop Beads) you can see two of the pics above is destined to become a part of a flower. An echo of the nature-meets-culture that a rusted cog enveloped in weeds is -- inspired by the treasure hunts -- and also a way to show that the cog shape can be so much more than just a gear when used in jewellery.

Bead blog recap weeks 32-33

I began blogging after my regular schedule already last week, but never got around to write an English recap last weekend so here's a forthnight of blog posts from Manekis Pärlblogg. From metal clay to buttons.


New clay from PMC
PMC is launching PMC Pro, a stronger silver clay. Unlike the other clays this one will be .900, i.e. have less silver than sterling. While some are looking forward to it, others are less than thrilled aout a clay that can't be sold as real silver in some countries and require firing in carbon.

Metal clay
Metal clays are become popular since PMC silver clay was first created in 1990's Japan. Now you can find clays in silver, gold, bronze, copper and steel on the market.

Inchies for beaders
Inchies are 1x1" work of arts often made by collage and fiber/quilt artists. But beaders and jewellery makers could also find inspiration in this fun format, whether making art charms or bead embroideries.

Different ways to protect metal
This is an issue that arises every now and then on forums: how to keep metal from oxidizing. And how to protect a patina. Products to use for this includes waxes, jade oil, Tenaris, shellac and lacquers.

Mixed packages of beading wire
What does Beadalon, SoftFlex and BeadSmith have in common? They sell variety packs of flexible beading wire. Each pack consists of three mini spools of beading wire in different colours or dimensions. Perfect if you want to test a new wire or just want to get some colour inspiration.

Allergies -- not just nickel
Nickel in jewellery is well-known to cause allergy, but if you get an allergic reaction from your jewellery it doesn't necessarily mean that the jewellery maker isn't following the nickel directive. Other metals and materials can also induce allergic reactions.

Think dimensionally
Making a piece of beadwork or jewellery more dimensional makes it more attractive and it can even look more well-designed. Flat beadwork doesn't have to be plain and sometimes 2D is the best way to go, but have you tried to add dimensional detail to your work to see how it can enhance it? Are you creating a painting or a sculpture?

Wire gauges
Not least in the US, wire is measured in G (gauge). But did you also know that there are more than one gauge scale? In chain maille instructions for example, you can often find both AWG and SWG mentioned. Links to different charts and converters.

Tunisian crochet with beads
It's not just crochet that can be beaded, you can also add beads to tunisian crochet (krokning). Includes links to websites teaching tunisian crochet basics (without beads).

Pearl lights
Pearl light is a variation on the pearlcoated glass bead. Instead of using an alabaster white bead as a base, clear beads are used. This makes it possible for light to go through the bead and give these beads something of a glow and a more light, transparent feel than regular glass pearls have.

Liquorice allsorts beads
The British seems to like their allsorts: several UK bead shops sell polymer clay beads in the shape of these popular liquourice sweets.

Finger knitting -- for adults too!
Finger knitting, or finger crochet as it's also known, is not just for kids. Beaded or not, you can use these fun-to-make cords in your jewellery. The technique is similar to that of using a knitting nancy, though working with your fingers the cords get looser.

Enamel -- not just vitreous
For many, enamel is synonymous with vitreous enamel, coloured glass powder fused onto metal using heat. But the word enamel is often used for many different types of materials, ranging from coloured epoxy resin and embossing powder to lacquers (metal paint).

Button as charm
A charming button made from a metal loop and a round wooden bead triggers the imagination: why not use it as a charm and not have the hazzle of adding headpins to drilled wooden beads?

Reinventing the wheel -- or at least a tyre

I bought these two gunmetal "cog" beads thinking they looked like drums in a belt and pulley system. Thought I might use them suspended with some sort of belt (perhaps even a möbius belt for added "authenticity". But so far I haven't used them as I couldn't decide on a functioning design. Yesterday I flipped through some old jewellery-making mags and thought I'd abandon that whole idea and istead use it for another type of kinetic jewellery -- I so want to make some kinetic jewellery -- inspired by the rolling pendant in Jean Whittington's project Masterpiece in Motion.

Now, this is where I tend to get undecided: I've got two different ideas for the same supplies -- and I don't have any extras! If I make the one thing, I can't make the other. (Right now I'm having this exact problem with a few brass flowers as well...) As the pulley system idea came first and would utilize both beads, I opted to test that first. As I didn't have anything else to use as a makeshift belt just to see how it'd look with the wheel-like beads, I pulled out my box with rubber o-rings that dad gave me.

This is when something happens. I soon abandon my "design test" as I see something new in the beads when they are surrounded by the o-rings. They aren't drums, they are wheel rims. Add rubber and I've got a tyre. How could I not see that before? Not even when arranging the first pic I took of these beads (see top photo above), which I did days and weeks earlier. Now rims are all I can see.

My first wheel is the small one, made from the 10 mm bead and with only one rubber ring. It looks a bit like a fat bicycle wheel, the kind you have on children's bikes (but with a car's rim). Or perhaps something from an old-fashioned narrow-wheeled car (or tractor). For the larger 12 mm bead I use two rings so they'll cover the width of the recessed surface between the raised edges. That also looks a bit more like a car tyre as the rubber looks "flatter". But with a groove in the middle where the two rings meet -- can I call that part of the tread pattern?


So... I'm not very fond of cars, don't even have a driver's licence, but I seem to have accidentally "invented" a wheel. But perhaps it's no surprise, given I'm used to seeing tyres and rims in my dad's workshop. And have seen that since I was a kid. So the shape, feel, weight, smell etc of these is something I know very well.

Think I've stumbled upon something I could sell as jewellery for the guys (and the not as many female "petrol heads")? Not on photo, but I did string the larger wheel on a cord just to see what it'd look like as a pendant and I think it was kind of nice. At least if you like cars.

My poor dragon!

I decided to change the pic that goes with my Blogger profile today. Eventhough it means my sweet little blue dragon will no longer accompany any comments I make on other Blogspot blogs or show up in the FriendsConnect grids. Or anywhere else you might see Blogge profile photos. Not sure which of the pics I'll keep as my profile pic, but I thought my dragon deserved this post. He's been with me for several years by now. First as a forum avatar and then as my Blogger profile.

Blue isn't my colour (though I think black and blue is a cool colour combo). The reason I began using this pic was probably the work I put in to it. No, I didn't draw it. It's actually an engraved shots glass to begin with. I saw a photo of it at an auction site and stole the pic, saving it on my computer knowing I couldn't afford those pretty glasses. Then I began manipulating the pic quite a lot to get to this stage (you really can't see it's a photo of a glass, can you?). If you know why I'm so fond of Photoshop Elements, this is one of the reasons. A lot of work, but I was very pleased with the result.

What am I using instead? If you don't want to check out my Blogger profile you can see the new "avatar" below. It's a manipulated version of a photo I'll show you some day soon. Hrmp, the "paper grain effect" was probably a bad call... The pic probably says more about my jewellery styles than the dragon, though. Regardsless of the bad choice of effect filter.

Oh darn...

Beading on a budget has its drawbacks (as I think most beaders will agree). I many times get ideas that are too expensive to realise. Often while working on something else, which means that I not only get distracted but that I just have to try my new idea. But most of the time I don't have the right supplies at home -- it's always like that, isn't it? -- and then there are those times when I also realise that I can't really order the stuff I need either. That's rather frustrating...

What's even more frustrating is when it happens during a period of creative baisse. When I feel unproductive it's not the greatest feeling in the world to know that I could be doing something if I just had the right stuff. Of cause I know that this is the case with most things in life: we can't always have or afford to buy the things we want. And sometimes that can turn out to be a good thing as it forces us to think outside the box and to come up with alternative ways -- which in the end can lead to a result that's even better than the initial idea. I do try to find other ways many times and it does work out well, but when you're in that state of flow and just felt you've come up with the greatest idea ever (or something more humble) it still feels frustrating. You keep thinking "if only I had those things..."

The last time it happened was during one of my attempts to finish my barn swallow necklace (as pictured above). Got an idea -- just to realise I'd have to adquire a gazillion leaf charms and just as many headpins and bead caps. (Ok, a little less than a gazillion, I like the simple style.) And even then I wouldn't be sure it'd work out well. So it'd be a gamble to buy the supplies, if I had the cash. And as I don't sell my jewellery I'd never recoup the cost either. Jewellery making and beading are expensive hobbies sometimes.


(OK, I hear some of you say "you should start selling your jewellery, then you'd be able to afford more of the supplies you need/want!" Well... I know you're right. It's just... You know...)

Prizes to be won at the Perle4U blog

Simone at the Perle4U blog is celebrating soon reaching 80 000 visitors and as a thank you she'll be handing out three prizes to the lucky winners of her giveaway. For a chance to win a surprise bead package (one big, one small) or a free pattern, check out her blog post. Last day to participate is this Thursday, August 19.

Perle4U sells beads as well as bead patterns in German and English. Check out the website at www.perle4u.de.