13

The Third Eye

by Lynda Carson.
(Spring Valley, California USA)

I have gotten in the habit of photographing each of the jewelry pieces I make. Not my favorite thing to do, but I have gotten better at it. I do this for several reasons. It’s a record of what I’ve made, not for posterity, but so I can go back and refer to the piece if I get a request for the same or similar design. Of course, some get posted on my blog or on the web, like this jewelry gallery.

But, I also found the camera to be a useful Third Eye. On several occasions, the lens has caught a flaw that I didn’t see, even after numerous checks of the finished work. Could be an error in design, an imperfect bead, or in the case of these wire wrapped earrings…a crossed wire. Each time, I get to make a decision as a designer and business owner…live with it or fix it.
And I’m grateful for the watchful eye.

Lynda Carson
Fresh Baked Designs

Comments:

Nice earrings
by: Anonymous

I like the simplicity of these earrings and the colors that you used.

Beautiful
by: Nancy

I like your earrings a lot, the colourcombination is very beautiful. It’s nice to read how you use photography to work on your pieces. I recognise that, thanks for sharing!

Works for me too
by: Sharon

I sell almost exclusively on-line and inspect my jewelry carefully prior to photographing it. Yet, after years of designing and creating jewelry, every once in awhile, I find a flaw in a photo that I missed on the actual piece. Your advice is excellent, even for artists that don’t sell on line.

catching flaws
by: Barbara

I use photographs all the time to spot the tiny flaws. It’s amazing how they show up — in fact, ALL I will see are the flaws.

Also you can use a mirror. This is an old artist’s/painter’s trick. By holding the item up to yourself and looking at the reversed image in a mirror, any overall design and balance flaws will immediately jump out at you. In fact, looking at the necklace in a mirror to catch flaws will work every time, whereas looking at the necklace on someone else won’t: you’ll “know” something’s not quite right, but you won’t be able to see it or figure it out.

Barbara
www.barbaramacdougall.com
www.artefaccio.deviantart.com
www.artefaccio.blogspot.com
www.etsy.com/shop/artefaccio

Great tip!
by: Rena

This is such a great and easy way to double-check things! Thanks for sharing this tip.

Also, I love the earrings.

Another look…
by: Tricia – Bead Booty

Interesting…I’ve found the same thing! When I photograph my pieces for sale in my Etsy shop I’m able to pick out little flaws or flubs that I didn’t notice as I was creating. It’s as if the camera is another person viewing your jewelry from a different point of view. Taking photos of your finished work is a great way to be sure you’ve achieved your desired look.