The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Ice Ice Druzy”:“This is great. The druzy always puts a piece over the top.…” read »
on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:“Thank you Peggy and Laud for the wonderful comments. Yes they are Laud, or peanut shaped.…” read »
on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:“Stunning! To me the design looks more Indian (as in India) because it has such richness.…” read »
- on “Recycled Coral Flower RIng”:
“Wonderful design. I'm very fond of the elements, too, especially carnelian. Great job!…” read »
on “Leftovers”:“These colors are very rich. I love the matte finish on those black beads. That gives…” read »
- on “ORANGE BRACELET”:
“You definitely have a way with the sari silk. I'm trying to figure out how that…” read »
- on “Recycled Coral Flower RIng”:
“I am so glad you started sharing your work. This is amazing.…” read »
on “Recycled Coral Flower RIng”:“Gorgeous. Welcome to the gallery…” read »
- on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:
“Great design Who doesn't love turquoise
…” read » - on “Recycled Coral Flower RIng”:
“This is extremely cool! I love the look of asymetrical flower necklaces.and this one is a…” read »
- on “Recycled Coral Flower RIng”:
“Spectacular! Wanda you out did your self. A choice peace of art.…” read »
on “Plum Orchard”:“Fabulous design - - and I loved the description of your inspiration and the details of…” read »
- on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:
“Thank you all for the lovely comments.
…” read » 
on “Recycled Coral Flower RIng”:“Omigosh Wanda.... I do not have the words to adequately express just how awesome this peace…” read »
on “Violets”:“Maybe this will work. http://fusionbeadsblog.com/2013/05/02/announcing-all-new-swarovski-elements-crystal-color-blends/…” read »
- on “Amazon Blues”:
“Very pretty and organic look here. I like the light/dark pattern,and the little splash of bright…” read »
- on “ORANGE BRACELET”:
“Just beautiful. What a great mix of materials. those chunky Carnelian are nice and juicy.
…” read » - on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:
“Yes..I agree with Granny. Professional is the perfect word. It has such nice balance.So many different…” read »
- on “Ocean Fantasy”:
“Your bracelet is just so absolutely awesome. I would love to learn how to do…” read »
- on “Pearl and Crystal Cluster”:
“Beadinggma, Start with a nice chain. Each link in this is 6mmx5mm. Wire wrap three to…” read »
- on “Plum Orchard”:
“I am speechless. How lovely in every respect.…” read »
- on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:
“You've done an exquisite job on this - like already said, the colors, the bead mix,…” read »
- on “Leftovers”:
“This is gorgeous. Sometimes using leftovers can give you the best pieces!…” read »
- on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:
“Love this combination. Very nice looking piece.…” read »
- on “Violets”:
“Y'know, I went looking for that Swarovski color combo and couldn't find it. Anyone have a…” read »
- on “Ocean Fantasy”:
“Thanks for adding that pic. I love the pink and green sea glass. What an awesome…” read »
- on “Violets”:
“Just exquisite. I agree with Rootware about the color combo. I've also seen the new Swarovski…” read »
- on “Pearl and Crystal Cluster”:
“All I can say is wow!! That is a lot of work. It's just stunning!…” read »
on “Ocean Fantasy”:“Hi Deb I have just added the other side…” read »
on “Dragonfly for Kathy”:“I'm brand new to this sight and this is the first "eye candy" that really caught…” read »
- on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:
“Love that pendant! Great design altogether.…” read »
- on “Leftovers”:
“Gorgeous design! Love the gold with the deep rich colors.…” read »
- on “Southwest coral and turquoise”:
“Love this, colors, beads, focal overall design is fabulous!!! Well done!…” read »
A little bit goes a long way...
About this design:
I wanted to encourage everyone that with just a couple seconds of work on your photographs, you CAN make them look good. I use the free gimp program (linux version of Photoshop). While I am always aiming to take better pictures, until I get there, I can fix them. This series of 3 pictures shows you how simple it is. First, you see the original in the 2nd picture, see how dark it is? Even as a contributing artisan, I still judge the item by the picture first. SOOO important. The third is the auto white balance feature, but it looks kinda cartoony, now doesn't it? So, I play with the color balance, upping the lightness level a touch, and removing some of the contrast, and voila, we have picture number 1. While not a magazine worthy picture, it is still passable. And that's it, really. Oh, and it took me under 2 minutes to do, too! So until you learn to become a pro at taking pics, you can still show off your pieces to their best advantage, after all, you guys do GREAT WORK! And I want to see it in all its glory. :) I rearranged the pics, so you might look at it, see it's important, isn't it?
Components:
multipleAdditional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Upload your photo to your computer |
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Step 2: Open it using your preferred photo editing software |
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Step 3: Use the auto white balance feature (look under help if you can't find it), in GIMP, it's under colors, side bar to Auto. |
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Step 4: Using the Color Balance feature, smooth out the picture to your liking, I upped the lightness level, and lowered the contrast level. |
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Step 5: Keep taking pictures, eventually you'll get it to where you don't really have to play with them, try upping the exposure to +.5 or +1 if your pics always come out too dark. Keep it up, b/c I want to see all those great pieces! |
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Jul 23, 2010 at 3:51 pm #
FaeryGoth Chick says:Thanks for the info! Taking good pictures is always hard…
On Jul 23, 2010 at 4:04 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:First (before I forget…) — what a great necklace — very lovely!
Second — Thanks so much for the info on improving our photos!!! It is soooooo hard to get them right sometimes and your tips will help us a lot! Thanks again!!!
On Jul 23, 2010 at 5:13 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:Great tips!!! SLS
On Jul 23, 2010 at 6:10 pm #
sunny chick says:Moonbell, thank you for the fabulous tips! Great necklace, by the way!
On Jul 23, 2010 at 10:09 pm #
Chicky Bear-Tara says:Great tips and a beautiful necklace. Thanks!
On Jul 23, 2010 at 11:07 pm #
Canadian chicky karen says:Beautiful necklace Moonbell!!! Thanks for sharing the info on picture taking!!
On Jul 24, 2010 at 10:04 am #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:Great tips love your picture Karen!
On Jul 24, 2010 at 11:32 am #
Daisy Chick - Dawn says:Pretty necklace and thank for the tip I sometimes need help!
On Sep 04, 2011 at 8:35 pm #
Batticat says:Love the necklace, sort or Egyptian-looking. I would like to make a similar one with the royal blue and some matte gold seed beads. I need something not too difficult, since I am still learning and rather slow. What size beads did you use? Thank you
On Aug 25, 2012 at 6:37 am #
Ex pert says:Good info however I’m not sure if you’re show off the bracelet or cat.
Can’t see enough detail in the bracelet.
On Sep 07, 2012 at 4:18 pm #
Rose R says:WOW!!! I truly love this suggestion. Thank you and have a great day
On Feb 05, 2013 at 11:16 am #
L Triplett says:Like the ideal of free shipping. I’ll be back.