Giving thanks + holiday SALE = smiles

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and Christmas is just around the corner! In the spirit of giving thanks, I would especially like to thank my friends, family, and fans for their continued support and encouragement of my etsy shop! I couldn't have done it without you... I could go on, but this is not an Oscar acceptance speech.

So, here's the big announcement -- get a jump start on your holiday shopping with the first ever SALE at jz designs sf!!



What: jz designs sf Holiday SALE

When: Wednesday, November 25th thru Monday November 30th (11:59 PM PDT)

Details:

• 10% off entire shop + FREE shipping! No codes necessary; discount will be credited back to your paypal account after payment is received
  
  
• Applicable to stock on hand ONLY
• NOT applicable for special orders and no substitutions
• NOT to be combined with any other offers

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and happy shopping! :)

a fine tooth comb

I found a really good article recently about becoming a better seller on etsy:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/ 14827232/Secrets-of-Savvy- Etsy-Sellers

The author of the article, Julie, has a really good blog that I've been following called "on the dot":
http://onthedotcreations.typepad.com/onthedotcreations/

She also launched a new blog recently for etsy sellers:
http://onthedotcreations.typepad.com/fine_tooth_comb/

As Julie suggested, I've been auditing my product photos with a fine tooth comb, and I've been keeping busy with re-photographing (yet again!) the listed items. So far, I've finished all the earrings, necklaces, and now working on the rings. I'm trying to remind myself everyday that my etsy site is a work in progress and NOT a race to the finish.

Custom Bridal Order

Yikes, October is almost over and I'm behind again on updating my blog! :(

I'm sad summer is over, and now I'm looking forward to spring and summer again. Fall and winter are not exactly my favorite time of year because I don't like being cold. However, there are things that I look forward to in the cold season -- a thick hand knitted sweater (preferably alpaca), cool boots (Ugg, Frye, Hunter), and hot cocoa (Godiva Dark Chocolate Cocoa) in a latte bowl.


Anyway, so far this month I finished my first custom bridal order -- hooray! A customer in New York really liked the Fanny Earrings (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32569865), but request a gold version with a orange stone instead for her bridesmaids. I chose carnelians because it's a lovely translucent stone with a range of orange tones.

Here are the finished products from my flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63951483@N00/sets/72157622540805213/

As a result of this custom order, I've added a new "Weddings" section in my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6086079&section_id=6459204

Hooray!

Richard Avedon at SFMoMA

I finally made to the Richard Avedon exhibit at SFMoMA last week, and it's absolutely amazing! The only thing that I remember from Photo History class at SJSU that he worked for Harpers Bazaar, but I had not seen much of his work until the show:
http://www.sfmoma.org/exhibitions/384

The thing I admire the most about Richard Avedon's portraits is how he captured everyone, celebrity or not, with such simplicity and stunning beauty! Here's one of my favorites:


The Fab Four: John, Paul, George, and Ringo.


Also memorable is Avedon's series "In the American West":

http://www.richardavedon.com/#s=18&a=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&p=7&at=0

My favorite the portrait of "Juan Patricio Lobato" (image #19 of 26); which I should have taken a photo of, but didn't cos the gallery was a little crowded at the time.

This is by far one of the best photo exhibits that I've ever seen, and one of the few that I'm planning to go see again!

I also got to finally see the new rooftop garden at the MoMA (pictured below).


Also, slightly off topic, I noticed this window display at the Marc by Marc Jacobs store (at the corner of Fillmore and Sacramento) yesterday, and was highly amused by it.



Anyway, be sure to check out the Richard Avedon exhibit at SFMoMA (now through 11.29.09)!

I've a rep to protect!

Sorry I've been slacking on keeping up with this blog. I finally finished remodeling my etsy listings photos by re-shooting 60+ items on a brand new background of my Cavallini Papers & Co 2008 Paris Calendar. The new background is working so much better than shooting on a white background with natural lighting, and it requires less editing time in photoshop!

The Murray attempted to assist me with my re-shoots but he turned out to be an incompetent photo assistant. I've got photographic proof!

Here's the Murray chewing on the set! Bad, that is not in the job description!



Sleeping on the job...


Trying to steal the merchandise... Good help is so hard to find!



The Murray should just keep his day job as supermodel Baron Murray von Furenberg!



All joking aside, I'm really happy with the new photos! After all, I have a rep to protect as a graduate of SJSU BFA Photography Program! I tried to apply the lessons I learn in studio lighting class. We had a "tenting" assignment; which is one of the most difficult shoot I had to do. So, not to get too geeky, but photographing shiny object such as jewelry requires a special set that is build to literally surround the object in a tent; otherwise cameras and other nearby items will be reflected in the shiny object (think chrome tea kettle). Does that made sense? I'm not good at explaining technical things sometimes. Anyway, I hope I've made Prof. Helprin proud... RIP.

* Kona Ring featured in photos above:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30045760

Panda Face Ring

Here's a photo of my new Panda Face Ring, a recent purchase from a fellow etsy seller, featuring the Murray. He tried to eat the ring a couple of times when I placed it in front of him -- I bet he thinks everything we have belongs to him.

Panda Face Ring available on etsy, by Steppie:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29253966

Outtakes from Murray and Panda Face Ring photo session:

The Waffle Man

On most Wednesdays, I make a pilgrimage to the Civic Center area to visit my favorite Waffle Man. It's authentic Belgium waffles, FRESHLY made with love by wonderful man inside of a most adorable truck/bus! Airy yet dense -- sweet -- heavenly! Stop by if you're ever in the area -- your tummy will be grateful!


I heart the Waffle Man:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/waffle-mania-truck-san-francisco