Learning Awesome Photography

Of late I have been yearning to learn how to use my new camera properly.  I received a Nikon D3100 DSLR camera last year for my birthday.  It is the first DSLR I've owned and seemed like a great camera to start learning.

 

Nikon D3100 

 

To date I have relied on the auto settings only because I don't know how to use the manual settings.  It is a completely foreign language!  Aperture, IOS, depth of field, and f-stops. 


But I am determined.  I love photography!  I love art and beautiful, interesting images.  And I want to capture some of those images myself.


Since receiving my camera (which I LOVE!) I have been fortunate to receive two more great lenses and a great tripod. 


Searching the Internet for "DSLR photography for beginners" brings up a slew of options.  But I really want something more than what I found.  I really wanted a at-my-own-pace course -- with assignments.  And I was looking for something that is easy to understand and teaches -- not tells - me how to take fantastic photos.


I really liked reading this course but wanted something with more practice and interactive options -  Digital Photography School


I am feeling pressure and a time crunch, however.  My niece is getting married in a few months and the bridal shower in right around the corner.  My goal is to learn and practice indoor shots to capture the shower while honing my outdoor shots for the wedding.  Tall order!


To help with the learning process, and after a visit to my local library, I found a highly recommended book with video on Amazon. 


So, to start my learning process I downloaded "How to Create Stunning Digital Photography" by Tony Northrup. 


Starting Chapter 1 I already love this book.  In the download copy I can click on videos to get more information.


Fabulous!!


Today, I am out in the field with my husband with the intention to practice what I'm learning.  This should be a lot of fun and I can't wait to share with you.


This learning process will be terrific for my Etsy shop and photographing jewelry pieces to show their best attributes.

French Robin Designs on Etsy

Cheers!

Jewelry Cleaning and Care Tips

It can be frustrating for a favorite piece of jewelry to become soiled and not know how to clean it.  Or for a lovely piece of sterling silver to tarnish and be fearful to clean it.

Sterling Silver Moroccan Inspired Hoop

 

Ice Blue Silver Rhodium and Cubic Zirconia Dangles

Here's a quick and easy guide, courtesy of Tiffany, to help care for your precious metals, semi-precious, and precious gemstones. 

Antique Silver Iolite & Citrine Dangle

 

General Care

Over time, fine jewelry can become a treasured family heirloom if it is cared for properly. Dust, pollution and daily wear all conspire to cloud the brilliance of gemstones. The surface of gold, platinum and silver jewelry can become dulled. Timeworn prongs and clasps can result in the loss of a stone or an entire piece of jewelry.

Professional cleanings are recommended as often as once a year. 

Tangerine Orange, Rhodium Silver, and Cubic Zirconia Dangles

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver, one of the most beautiful and lustrous of all metals will tarnish over time. With proper care, your silver will retain its beauty and character for many generations to come.  Other options are rhodium which protects the silver from tarnish.

The First Rule Of Silver Care

Sterling silver tarnishes, especially when exposed to salt air and products containing sulfur, such as rubber bands and some papers. However, silver that is regularly used typically needs less care.  Use or wear your silver every day.

Washing Silver

Wash silver by hand in warm water with a mild detergent. Because many food acids and gases in the air can have a corrosive effect, we suggest that you wash your silver immediately after use. To avoid spotting, it is important to dry your silver immediately after washing. 

Sapphire Blue Rhodium Silver, Cubic Zirconia Dangles

Gold, Platinum

Between professional servicing, most gold and platinum jewelry can be maintained with a non-abrasive cleaner. Examine your jewelry regularly to make sure settings are snug and clasps and joints are secure.

Avoid exposing gold jewelry to household bleach, which will quickly cause gold to discolor and possibly disintegrate.

Jewelry storage is important as well. Use a protective box, case, or tarnish-resistant pouch. Between wearings, place it back in its original case or another suitably lined box or pouch. 

Various Gemstone and Gold-Filled Bangles

Gemstones

Certain basic precautions should be taken with all of your jewelry. However, some gemstones, as outlined in this section, require special care.

Take care to protect your jewelry from impact against hard surfaces and avoid contact with abrasive surfaces. Even a diamond can chip if hit with enough force or at just the right angle. Many stones such as amethyst, emerald, kunzite, opal, pearl, peridot, tanzanite and tourmaline are very delicate and easily abraded. Enamel can also chip or scratch when struck. Gemstones can scratch other gemstones and wear away at precious metals. Therefore, avoid stacking those rings and bracelets that would be vulnerable to such abrasion. Extreme temperatures, perfumes, cosmetics, ultrasonic cleaning and household chemicals can also damage jewelry.

To clean diamonds, use a mild solution of six parts water to one part ammonia and apply with a soft bristle brush.

If worn often, pearls should be cleaned and restrung professionally once a year. Between cleanings, wipe pearls gently with a damp cloth.

Leather

External elements such as excessive heat or moisture can affect the overall look of your accessory. Following proper care and storage guidelines will ensure the longevity of this exceptional product. When not in use, store your item in the protective dust bag provided.

Calf And Grain Leather

Leather has inherent slight variations and imperfections, which are normal and add to the beauty of each piece. The grain leather is treated naturally, so color and texture may change over time, darkening and softening to create an elegant patina. If scuffs or bruises occur, rub the affected area with a soft, dry white cloth. 

Now wear that jewelry and look stunning!

 

Organization Tips for the Home Office - Part Two

So last week I wrote about this big project I decided to undertake.  My home office is a multi-use room -- laundry room, pantry, office (for me and my husband), pass through, storage -- could a room have more functions??!!

I could not live with the chaos in this room any longer.  It was so distracting I wasn't getting any real work done.  A purge, clean, and organization fest was in order.  However, I failed to recognize the magnitude of this project until it was too late.

We have lived in this house for 13 years.  Thirteen years of collecting and hording screws, knick knacks, CD's, cables, and junk.  That's a lot of stuff to sort through.  Oh boy.

I say all of this to explain (excuse) why the room isn't done -- like I foolishly convinced myself it would be.

I did move some of the furniture as planned but I had to make adjustments for all of the technological equipment (I forgot the network equipment -- oops).  I did get some of the organization items (calendars) hung up.  And I did remove that really ugly shelving unit.

But some items remain, like the ugly faux wood cabinet.  I haven't had the time to shop for a new bookcase to replace it.  Hopefully I can tackle that part of the project this week.

I did get my work area organized!  Yea!  I moved my desk and shelving unit, bought organization gear, and rearrange everything.  I love the results!

I bought this 4 drawer cube unit  at a local craft store to organize completed, ready-to-sell jewelry.  Each drawer is dedicated and labeled earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and bridal.  Inside the drawers the jewelry is organized by invoice number.  Above is a photo storage box for work-in-progress.  The box easily transfer to a work table.

The pretty "French" style photo boxes were found at a craft store on clearance.  They hold crystal beads for beading projects.  The beads are organized by color between dividers. 

I LOVE the glass jar on top of the boxes.  I found this at my local grocery store on clearance!!  I don't know what I will use it for but it was too pretty to pass up.

Custom labels were made using a great French border from Graphics Fairy.  These are so pretty and feminine.  Each box and drawer has a label -- no more guessing what is in the box!

The bookcase is organized with bead trays and wire (found at a discount store -- they are meant for jewelry); stringing materials in photo boxes (gotta love them); tool tray -- very easy to move to a table; 5-drawer unit for seed / tila beads; shipping supplies; and tools sorted by type.

The tools are sorted into photo boxes in categories of hammers, small tools, adhesives, and soldering supplies.

This is a great little 5-drawer inexpensive unit.  The seed beads (left in tubes) are sorted by color family

 

 

A shipping area is very important.  If I had more room a table would be dedicated to boxing and shipping.  Because I don't have that much space I organized boxes, tissue paper, and ribbon in photo boxes on one shelf.

 



I found these great bowls at a discount store.  They are perfect for business cards, earring / necklace cards, and box labels.  They are easy to reach, see when restocking is needed, and pretty.

The bookcase looks great.  Everything has a specific place, is easy to find, and looks clean (the best part)!  The bag on the left is a great example of using an object for an unintended purpose.  This is a hanging jewelry organizer (presumably for the closet).  I use this to organize chain, jump rings, earring findings, and other small objects.  It is one of my favorite organization tools.

The desk has a dedicated space for each business (I have two) and the kids.  No longer do I fumble around looking for that specific paper or note.  Work flows faster now that everything is easy to access.


The progress on the office is great.  I am so happy with the results so far.  This type of project requires flexibility (the furniture did not arrange the way anticipated), focusing on one area at a time, time, and creativity. 

I'd love to hear about some of your organization tips. 

 

Cheers -- Tammi

 

P.S. if you  have a moment visit my latest blog A Wrestler's Mom. It chronicles my first-time adventures into the world of high school wrestling.  It includes tips, recipes, and anecdotes.