first shots with the 100mm lens

I recently got an unexpected opportunity to borrow a 100mm macro lens for free for an unspecified period of time. Some of you know that a 100mm is one of my wish list lens. For those who are curious, I'm borrowing the older (and less expensive) version. While there are so many neat possibilities for a macro lens, the biggest reason that I want one at this point is because I'm not satisfied with what either of my current lens can do in terms of product photography. The question is whether or not the 100mm is a better solution and if so, whether or not I can justify the price.

It will take a lot more than a couple days to answer that question, but I wanted to share some of my first shots with the lens. I'll continue to share input on this topic over the next couple months.

I recently got a wholesale order of earring wire that should hold me for the next couple years.

Of course I also had to cut some new earring cards to go with said earring wire and all of the new earrings that I have in the works.

I have been restocking celestial designs the past month. Right now you can purchase bracelets and earrings in four color palettes: blue, purple, purple / pink, and black / silver.

This lovely piece will finally be in the shop very shortly.

 I will take the 100mm on excursions this summer to do more extensive outdoor shooting, but I did a little outdoor shooting with it in my yard over the weekend.

 

Of course I had to try out the new lens with my kitties. These next two shots are of Apollo who is the only one of the three who will sit still long enough for me to focus manually on his face.

While I was taking the outdoor shots, the next door neighbor white kitty was watching me.

If you have a macro lens, please feel free to share your input on it in the comments!

Friday Feature: pearl jewelry

While it's not a surprise that I love colorful casual jewelry, one of my go to pieces is a single strand cream pearl necklace. All women should have that kind of staple in their wardrobes. I picked out just a few pearl pieces from Etsy that can make a simple striking statement with a wide range of spring and summer ensembles. Enjoy.

White Pearl Necklace Twisted Clusters on Silver or Gold Chain by haileyallendesigns

Silver Gray Pearl Cluster Bracelet and Earrings Set by CissyPixie

Vintage Pearl Brooch 1950's Leaf Swirl by LunaParkVintage

Pearl stud earrings, post earrings, wire wrapped jewelry, simple pearl earrings by designbygam

Double Strand Cream Ivory Pearls Powder Pink Rose Flower Bracelet / Two Strand Bridal Adjustable Pearl Bridal Bridesmaid Bracelet by LeChaim

 

Keishi Pearl Earrings Wrapped in Sterling Silver Oxidized, Handmade by aubepine

Artisan Metal Bib Necklace with White Pearls, Freshwater Pearls in Copper Metalwork Designer Statement Pendant, Wearable Art by WillOaksStudio

Do you wear pearls? Which piece here is your favorite?

Friday Feature: mixed metal jewelry

Apparently this is a good week to do a mixed metal feature because the last time I did one was this exact same week last year. Totally unplanned. I'm doing an all jewelry feature this time around. Enjoy.

Modern Brass Copper Chevron Necklace Mixed Metal by StalkingTheWildSnark

Three Initial Monogram Bracelets, Mixed Metal Bangles Bracelets Jewelry, Copper Silver Gold Handmade by FrostedWillow

 

Copper Flower Earrings Sterling Silver Dark Coppery Brown Patina Large Mixed Metal Artisan Jewelry by dreambelledesign

 

Statement Necklace Chain Mixed Metal Hardware Jewelry Industrial Eco Friendly by additionsstyle

Rustic artisan mixed metal bracelet. Oxidized copper, sterling silver. Circles. Organic handmade jewelry. Grapes & Sunshine by PoseidonsBooty

Hammered Disc Earrings - Silver Gold Copper Large Mixed Metal Earrings by TouchOfSilver

Mixed Metal Bracelet Chunky Chains Copper Crystal Cuff, Pearl & Rhinestone - Heavy Metal Music To My Eyes Bracelet by AllThingsTinsel

Also, on the subject of mixed metal, if you're interested in making a piece for yourself, I put together a mixed metal bracelet tutorial a couple years ago.

Do you ever wear mixed metal jewelry pieces?

Friday Feature: resin bangles

I don't own any resin bangles, but obviously that needs to change in the near future because there are some awesome options out there.

Size Small Botanical Resin Bangle. Petite Contemporary Resin Bracelet. Forget Me Nots Real Flowers. Gift for Her, Gardener, Nature Lover by SpottedDogAsheville

Seashell Resin Bangle Bracelet Medium Cuff OOAK nautical summer beach eco friendly jewelry by daimblond

Heather eco resin faceted bangle by RosellaResin

Blue Bracelet, Blue Butterflies in Clear Resin Bangle, Animal Bracelet, Botanical Jewelry by sisicata

Resin Bangle - Eco Resin Jewelry - Daisy Chain Yellow Summer Bracelet - Handmade Eco Friendly Nature Jewelry by LostForestJewellry

Elegant Silver Flakes Clear Resin Bangle Bracelet - Wedding Bridal Bridesmaid Jewelry Gift by Resinholique

Blue and white button in resin bangle by madebydaisy

Which one is your favorite?

2013 Christmas designs

One of the toughest part about shows is keeping inventory stocked because you never know what will and won't sell from year to year and even show to show.

I had no idea that my Christmas designs, both new and old, would do so well this year.

But it's been keeping me busy this month. That's a good thing.

As many of you know, one of the things that I love about my customers if that they come up with some of the best ideas for new designs.

I hadn't made button dangle earrings in this style with Christmas colors before, but I had a customer at a show who wanted earrings with silver bells to match the coordinating bracelet. So here they are, in both silver and gold.

All of the designs featured in this post are available in the jewelry shop. As always if you have any questions about anything or are interested in a custom order, please don't hesitate to ask.

What have you been working on lately?

Friday Feature: dagger jewelry

In honor of one of my newest pieces, I decided to search for dagger jewelry on Etsy this week for the first time in ages. Enjoy.

Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Dagger Fringed - Green Red Purple by randomcreative

Agni Fire & Gold Earrings by AMermaidHeart

Rainbow colorful soutache earrings, turquoise, red, orange, yellow, leaf, dagger beads, swarovski crystals for summer by agtesa

Daggers bracelet, Czech glass daggers, Tangerine bracelet, orange dagger braelet, brass finish by CHARMATIONS

Geometrical Green Spike Earring Fiber Jewelry Long Earrings by LavenderField

Bad Girl dagger necklace with colorful separators by FlirtyBJewelryDesign

fall jewelry highlights

Before everyone has completely geared up for holiday designs, I thought that I'd highlight some of the fall items in my Etsy shop. I have some classic pieces that I've made over the last few years and some newest pieces that I've added or restocked this past month. Click on the photos to check out the listings.

Of course I had to make a fall version of my dagger design.

I haven't been able to keep this earring style in stock...ever, but I have a handful of these leaf earrings available.

Keep it simple with some button earrings. I also have a pair with brown and orange available right here.

You know how much I love leaves. I had to make a leaf charm set.

I hope that this stunning statement piece will find a home one of these days.

I have had a crazy number of requests for my fall leaf bracelet this year. I still have a couple in stock, too, for those with smaller wrists.

For those of you who are looking for something a little brighter, this one is for you.

I can't believe that it took me so long to make a fall rock garden bracelet. This is my newest edition to my rock garden series. A winter version will also be available soon.

I finally restocked this best selling item this month. I have made a dozen or so of these over the past few years.

This button bracelet has also been ridiculously popular. The original version had brown. As I no longer have any more four hole brown buttons in this size, I switched things up with some yellow.

I will be listing this final fall piece for 2012 later this month. You can reserve it now if you like.

Grab free shipping on any of these pieces with code FREESHIP.

Who else has been working on fall designs this year? Feel free to share product and blog post links.

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