I {heart} Photojojo and Polaroid

So first of all, I love companies that don't take themselves too seriously. This is why I <3 Photojojo. (Well that, and the fact that there name reminds me of Mojo Jojo from the Powerpuff Girls.)

Don't ask me how I first happened upon them but I am so glad I did. They have just the right mix of cool photo gadgets and quirky photography related novelties. Seriously, I don't think there is a single thing in their store that I don't want.

I recently placed my very first order with them and it finally arrived.

Yes, I ordered Polaroid film. I've been dying to try the new Impossible Project film, and I have a very special project on the horizon that it would be perfect for. (PS If you don't know the Impossible Project story, you must go check out their site. It's wonderful.)

I also ordered these fun Polaroid inspired frames. How cute are they?!

Now, I know you are probably saying to yourself, "Is that a tiny dinosaur?"

Why yes you are correct. I had that same thought when I opened my shipment and there I found this little guy. (I'm thinking of naming him Ralph.) I thought "Surely, this must be an accident. " That is until I looked at my invoice.

So #1 I love that they have the good humor to add in a tiny little toy just for kicks and #2 They actually put it on the packing list. I <3 you Photojojo!!!!!


Hey...Do you like the faux-Polaroid look to the photos. I thought it was nice touch, but then again. I'm a photo nerd! :)

Where the Hell is Matt?

A friend of mine sent this to me this, and I thought it might be good inspiration going into the weekend.

my etsy shop is open for business

One of my goals for 2011 was to open my own shop on Etsy. Actually, it was a goal for 2010, that didn't quite materialize, but this year I decided I would really try to make a go of it. So a couple of weeks ago, I bit the bullet and listed my very first item, my "couples" photo. Within a week I received notices that the photo had been placed in treasury. ( I didn't know what a treasury was at first, but from what I understand it's a theme based collection but together by other etsy members.) How exciting!

Now a couple of weeks have gone by and I'm slowly adding more items to the shop. For now it's mostly photographs, but I hope to also include some of my hand painted silks. As with some many things, it is most definitely a work in progress, but it is a start. I'm very excited to see where all this leads.

You can visit the shop by clicking here. Alternatively, you can check out the mini Etsy located on to right of this blog. Please check it out and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear your feedback.

Thank you.

A friend of mine posted this video on Facebook, and it was so cute I had to share.

Sandcastle Art

Who knew Kentucky had a Grandmaster Sand Sculptor? It must be because we have all those beaches. ;-)

I saw Damon Farmer working on this when I popped by Lexington Green last weekend. I stopped back by this evening and amazed at how quickly everything has progressed.

Check out more at Sandcastlecam.com

Aug 23 -- Win Some Loose Some

So the results came out around 3 o'clock on the Pioneer Woman Photography contest.

Sadly my photo was not chosen by Ms. Drummond as the winner, but I have to say I that if this had been judged by the audience, say like American Idol, I think I might have won. No hard feelings though. I'm just thrilled that my photo was even chosen and the feedback I have received has been amazing. The narcissistic side of me kept checking back and reading all the comments and replies to the post. I'd sit in disbelieve of all the wonderful things being said about my work. I almost felt like Sally Fields, "You like me. You really like me."

Thank you again Ree Drummond for picking me as a finalist. It was a honor.

August 20 --feeling famous

If you've looked through the past posts of this blog you already know I love this photo. I entered it in a contest on the Pioneer Woman website. PS I love Ree Drummond.

The theme of the contest is Love. I made it through the first round, and so many lovely people have said such sweet things about this little of photo of mind. It's a nice way end week.

Here's a link to the rest of today's photos. About 20 are chosen per day for a week. I'll keep you posted if I make it to the finals.

soul searching and purging

Wow. It's only the 4th of January and already 2010 is off and running. There are so many things I'm excited about that I don't know how to logically string them all together (so hang in there with me folks.)

I, like several of my Facebook peeps, am declaring this 2010 as the year of Me. Well, what does that mean exactly? Basically, I'm starting this year by taking the time to really focus on myself for a change, not the job or the house or the dog, unless she injures herself again. I'm making this the year that I step back take a long hard look at myself and my life. The good the bad and the ugly. Try to figure out how I go to this point and figure out what direction I want to head next. I know that sounds all heavy and somewhat cryptic. It's really not.

This declaration has been a long time coming I've been tap dancing around all the issue associated with it for months, but now I want to be a bit more proactive about it. I'm starting off by taking a workshop that I'm so excited about. The name of the e-course is Unraveling. If you check out the link I don't need to explain to you why I'm drawn to it. We're just starting week one, and to be fair to Sussannah Conway I don't want to tell to much about it just yet, but I'm really excited about it.

I don't know how this is going to pan out. You may see more postings from me, or you may see less. Either way I hope to come out on the other side a better me.

-Crystal

PS Check out Sussanah's Blog, Ink on my Fingers. It's fantastic.

Add another to the blogroll

I follow somewhere around 130 different blogs. Yes, it is a bit excessive I agree, but I just can't help myself. Most are photography related. Others have to do with digital preservation and curation. Then there ones that are simply fun, like Bent Objects. A friend posted a link to this one Facebook and I was hooked. Below is a You Tube video promoting a book being released in a few weeks. I think I may have to add this to my library too.

Admittedly the initial image of the cat had me intrigued enough to press play.

Moooooooooooooooo...

Yesterday I came home excited to see a tiny package waiting in my mailbox. Now I know this looks like a big old pile of pictures when in fact they are my new business cards. I've been putting of having cards made because of my lack of formal logo and website. Finally I said to myself, "This is stupid. People are always saying 'Do you have a business card?' " I like the idea of these because they are a photo and a business card all wrapped into one.

I had become enamored with skinny mini card at a photo trade show last spring. I ordered these through and on-line company called Moo. I found out about them from another photographer's blog and when I went to their sight I was thrilled to find the skinny mini. There is just something about this shape that I'm really into right now. I am even finding myself intentionally cropping my photos to a 5x10 ratio.

With Moo the cards are sold in batches of 100 and you can have up to 100 different images. Perfect for people like me, who find choosing their favorite photo is like choosing their favorite child. They also offer a variety of products including postcards, traditional business cards, greeting cards and accessories. I just LOVE the Mosaic Frame. How clever is that? They even have pre-designed cards that are oh so cute. I know I could come up with many uses for those guys. Check out their site and enjoy. The Moo Ideas page is fantastic. Their prices are reasonable, the turn around time was nothing out of the ordinary and I do say I'm impressed with the quality of the product. And let's face it. Who wouldn't like a company named Moo? It just sounds fun. Doesn't it?

I can't wait to start handing these out so I can order more.

(moo) :-)

Photosynth

I finally found the Photosynth Inauguration Project. (Fair warning: MAC users need to download a plug-in to view it.) At first I thought it was a bit gimmicky but then I had to wonder, if this technology had been around 50 years ago, would we know if Oswald acted alone? Just something to ponder.

Be my friend

I recently discovered that Facebook has an app that will let you create a profile for your dog. The app is called "Dogbook."  You know I had to sign up for this one. 

Okay, I'm the first to admit that  I'm a dork, but I think I've reached a new level now. Actually, I think Bianka's profile will be more active than mine. Sad but true. My only concern is that my dog will out-"friend" me.

In case you're interested, they have other networks for cats, rodents, even fish. So if your guppy is wanting to join in on the on-line social network phenom, here's your chance.

Artful Blogging

Okay I'll admit that I'm new to this whole concept of a blog, but I'm trying really hard to at least do a post a week. Yesterday at Joseph-Beth (aka my happy place) I came across this magazine. I'm a big fan of the Somerset Studios other publications...they have so many now. They are all candy for creative souls like me that have thousands of art supplies just waiting for a project. I can't wait to have a day where I can sit down with a good cup of coffee read it cover to cover. I'm also longing for the day that I can make my way back into the studio and start making stuff. I won't commit to calling it art yet, but stuff will work. That day is near I can feel it!

For more info about the mag:

http://http://www.stampington.com/html/banner_artful_blogging.html