Lark Crafts

Here are images that illustrate some of the most basic and most common mistakes in jewelry photography and image editing. Though these were created for a presentation three years ago, the issues are just as relevant today.

Note: We manipulated images from our own books to illustrate the following points. No jewelry was harmed in the creation of these photos.

The photo on the left has a good exposure. The top right image is too dark, and the bottom right image is too light. Some images can be lightened or darkened by the printer, but not all. It is always better that the original image has the correct exposure.

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We’re launching a brand new Facebook page for Lark Jewelry & Beading. Please click here to “Like” the new page and to join our community, and please pass along word of the new page on your Facebook and Twitter feeds and other electronic media.

We’re excited about having vibrant, interactive conversation and community on the new Lark Jewelry & Beading page, and we welcome and encourage your participation. Post photos and videos, and let us know about the work you’re doing and the work you’re seeing in the world.

For Facebookers currently in the Lark Jewelry group: We’ll parallel post on the new page and the current Lark Jewelry group until early March, and then put the group in hibernation, at least until we discern how Facebook’s functionalities will continue to evolve.

Please join us!

We’re on to installment number eight of our celebration of Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge. And today’s post is another one that includes a giveaway of a copy of the book! ANYA is the winner! To enter for a chance to win a copy of Twelve by Twelve, leave a comment on this post by 11 p.m. EST on March 2, 2011. Any comment will do, but we’d love to hear about any quilting projects you’re working on, or what part of the interviews so far has inspired you. We’ll randomly select a winner and announce the results on March 3. Click here for the official rules.

For anyone that didn’t already know: Each day for twelve (business) days, we’re interviewing one of the talented quilt artists who contributed to Twelve by Twelve. For more information on the book, click here. For more information on the Twelves, or to join them on their current group challenge, visit their website.

Today’s Guest: Terry Grant

Location: near Portland, Oregon

How do you describe your own quilting? Has being part of the Twelves group changed your perspective on your own work?

I describe my work as mostly pictorial. I discovered that the small format we worked with suited me very well. There is something very appealing to me in focusing in on a small part of what could perhaps be a larger picture. It is contemplative and forces one to consider the small details that might be overlooked in a larger piece.

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The fall fashions are here, and the various Fashion Weeks around the world inspire me to make something new. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to look through my fabric stash and see which of my favorite looks I could replicate by using material I already have. Want to see what I came up with?

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It’s day number seven of our celebration of Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge! For those of you just joining us, each day for twelve (business) days, we’re interviewing one of the talented quilt artists who contributed to the book. For more information on the book, click here. For more information on the Twelves, or to join them on their current group challenge, visit their website.

Today’s Guest: Helen Conway

Location: Merseyside, United Kingdom

How do you describe your own quilting? Has being part of the Twelves group changed your perspective on your own work?

I started quilting in  2006 and have moved gradually from saying ‘I make quilts’ to ‘I am a quilter’ to ‘I’m a quilter and I do sort of textile art kind of stuff’ to ‘I make art quilts’ to ‘I am an art quilter’. The group has been the sole reason I have made that shift in my perception of myself. The acceptance both from the group and from readers of the blog of my work has given me the confidence not just to call what I do art ( which for some reasons seems to be a word carrying more import than a ‘hobby). It has also helped me to understand the importance to me of quilt art to me

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Sherry Serafini’s Sensational Bead Embroidery will release to stores from our warehouse in the next couple of weeks. I’m TOO excited about it, though, so much so that I can’t wait those days to do this very special giveaway to celebrate:

Lark Jewelry & Beading is giving away all four books in the Beadweaving Master Class series: Diane Fitzgerald’s Shaped Beadwork, Marcia DeCoster’s Beaded Opulence, Laura McCabe’s Embellished Beadweaving, and the brand new Sherry Serafini’s Sensational Bead Embroidery. These inspirational and best-selling books, wonderful and essential titles for your jewelry and beading libraries from leading bead master teachers, are all signed by their authors, too!

How to enter for a chance to win this fantastic bundle of signed books? It’s easy: Leave a comment on this post by 9 p.m. EST on Monday, February 28.

Any post will do, but how about this: Tell us what topics you’d like to see Lark tackling in our beading and jewelry books, or tell us the names of favorite designers you’d like to see become favorite authors! One winner will be selected at random and announced on Thursday, March 3. Click here for the official rules.

I know what you’re thinking: “I bet they’ll do another giveaway in the fall when two more new titles in the Beadweaving Master Class series — books by Rachel Nelson-Smith and Maggie Meister — are released.” You’re probably right, too, and then it might happen again next year when beading books come out from the magical Sabine Lippert and Sonoko Nozue. (And yes, I’m pleased to announce new books are in the works from Diane Fitzgerald and Marcia DeCoster, too, PLUS Jamie Cloud Eakin’s Dimensional Bead Embroidery is due out this fall!) But don’t let my redundancy and lack of imagination stop you: simply enter each and every giveaway for your chance to win some great books!

And don’t forget to browse around the websites and blogs of all these wonderful jewelry designers:

• Diane Fitzgerald
• Marcia DeCoster
• Laura McCabe
• Sherry Serafini
• Jamie Cloud Eakin
• Maggie Meister
• Rachel Nelson-Smith
• Sabine Lippert

We’re on to the second week of our celebration of Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge. For those of you just joining us, each day for twelve (business) days, we’re interviewing one of the talented quilt artists who contributed to the book. For more information on the book, click here. For more information on the Twelves, or to join them on their current group challenge, visit their website.

Today’s Guest: Deborah Boschert

Location: Crofton, Maryland

How do you describe your own quilting? Has being part of the Twelves group changed your perspective on your own work?

I’m happy to tell people that I’m a fiber artist. I usually add that I “create collages with fabric and stitching.” I think that suggests a different image in their mind than “quilt.” In the three years we’ve worked on the Twelve by Twelve challenge, I’ve really grown artistically. I have a set of techniques, colors and imagery that I use regularly and these elements give my work its own personality. In addition, being a part of such a talented, supportive, inspiring and enthusiastic group of artists has dramatically changed my perspective. It’s given me confidence and motivation! I think we are all thrilled to call ourselves “authors” and we are so proud of the new book!

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Every Friday evening, I post a set of project instructions.

icones tumble from an armature that resembles the roofline of a pagoda. These dangles were designed for the book Contemporary Bead & Wire Jewelry by the talented Rachel Dow. Rachel has designed projects for a whole slew of books including Bead Love, Beading with Crystals and Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects. She also spins yarn and is a certified PMC instructor.

Get the instructions for making these beauties–named Temple Earrings–by clicking here.