With my photo experiments so far, I have used natural light and flourescent daylight bulbs, colored paper and a black velvet bust. The photos taken in the natural light of my window were too dark. The photos taken on the black velvet bust were too flat looking. The photos taken on the colored paper looked too busy to me. The jewelry was getting lost in the color of the paper. Some props I used competed with the jewelry. Then I borrowed some gradient paper and did some experimenting. It is the best so far, I think. Clean and professional looking, it does not compete with the jewelry at all. In fact, it seems to make the colors of the jewelry stand out so it enhances the piece.
My “Woodland Fairy” bracelet was inspired by a stitch technique in the marvelous book, “Mastering Beadwork” by Carol Huber Cypher. Carol calls the technique “peyote-carry-one” and it is similar to a Dutch spiral in that you add an extra bead which is then not woven into on the next round. It gives more fluidity and drape than regular tubular peyote which can be pretty stiff. It also enables you to add a bead with small holes since you don’t stitch into it on the next round. I decided to use the drop beads I used in my “Woodland Fairy” necklace but I didn’t want to carry them through the whole bracelet. I think it gives the look of a textured bead in front.
What do you think?
Art and Tea 
gradient paper. what a grand idea! where do you find such stuff?
and your bracelet is beautiful. having done lots of peyote stitch in my day (before my eyes turned 50), i know what you mean about the stiffness. i do think the paper really enhances your work!
~Sue O’Kieffe
This is a gorgeous piece, Karen. And the gradient paper tip is excellent. Like Sue, I wonder here I can get some …
Thanks ladies for your kind comments about my bracelet! I borrowed the gradient paper I used in the photo but I see they sell it on the website where I got my light tent, http://www.ezcube.com. Click on the Backgrounds link. I think the black gradient is the most versatile.
-Karen
Wow. Both the jewelry and the photography look great!
Thanks!
Fabulous bracelet, Karen ! I like the peyote+1 technique. That Mastering Beadwork book is definitely on my wish list ! Your photograph is very professional looking. I’ve never heard of gradient paper, but it works very well, obviously! I’ve recently done a bit of practice photography with my digital camera and e-z cube, but am not very happy with the results so far. I downloaded my digital camera manual, which is over 200 pages! Very daunting, to say the least. I agree with you that the black velvet bust doesn’t work very well for photographing jewelry.
Keep up the beautiful work!
Thanks Dora! From my experimenting with the EZ Cube so far, I’ve learned that setting the camera’s white balance for flourescent lighting is very important. Also, the 2 lights that come as part of the kit don’t provide sufficient light. I had to slow the shutter speed way down and still needed to brighten the image in Photoshop. So, I’m going to borrow some clip on lamps to hang overhead and do some more experimenting. Stay tuned for my results!
-Karen
The bracelet is gorgeous and the colors really pop – I think you’ve found a winner!
Thanks Steph!
hi karen
what do i think??
i think its wonderful!! the gradient(?) paper makes it stand out and you can see the wonderful texture the bracelet has-nice job:)
girl you sure know your tea:)
i haven’t treated myself to a good cup in far too long!-i love earl gray-mmmm
i will rummage the cabinets hopefully i have a bag or two rolling around some where
its a perfect autumn day here in Ct. for a nice soothing cuppa:)
Thanks tammy, for visiting and for your kind comments! Earl Grey is a very popular type of tea with an interesting history. Look for a post about it sometime in the future. I hope you enjoyed your cuppa!
-Karen