Photographing my Etsy images - Saint Benedict One Decade Garnet Rosary January Birthstone

As I was examining my photos for my Etsy store, as well as, watching videos on how to improve my store, I discovered that I needed to do something to improve the quality of the photos so that the customers would see the product as I saw it.  Previously, I would take each item outside into the natural light, as suggested, however, the light moves, of course, and the images were not consistent. So, I began to read about how to improve my images and found the Table Top Photo Photography Studio Lighting Light Tent Kit. It was a choice whether to make my own or purchase one premade.  I looked at many and found this one at a reasonable cost and purchased it. The premise is that you take each photo using a white background inside the tent using table top lights.  The final product is an image that is consistent, lighting is accurate, and you can replicate each image in a more precise manner.   This may seem obvious to a photography student but as a store owner who is focusing on the product, it is great to find how to make a better connection between your handmade items and your future customers.

Over a period of a week, I took ten photos (plus) of each item within my store and I am very happy with the outcome.  Now, rather than taking my items outside on a bright day, I can set up the lights on the table using the lighting tent and get more consistent photos that more closely show the details of my work.

Here is an example of the before and after photos of my Saint Benedict One Decade Garnet Rosary taken before using a tablecloth and the outdoor indirect lighting and afterward, two of my photos using the tent:

Handmade Garnet One Decade Rosary, Vintage Swarovski & Czech Beads, St. Benedict Crucifix, Devil Chasing Medal, January Birthstone, Rosary

I am super happy with the outcome.  For more examples of my photos, visit my Etsy store:
Let Our Light Shine

God Bless,
Jen

Rosary Bracelets

Every item in my Etsy store has free shipping, using USPS, through the month of

December 2017!

 If you are looking for beautiful Christmas gifts that are unique and handmade, I have items to share with you. Recently, I hand wired and added two Rosary bracelets to my Etsy store.  Both are made using the "unbreakable" rosary pattern.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/562758714/handmade-rosary-swarovski-bracelet-pink?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/576762993/handmade-rosary-swarovski-bracelet-black?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Both bracelets are made using beautiful Swarovski crystal beads and hand wired using golden brass 20 gauge wire.  

St Michael One Decade Rosary - Patron Saint of Police - Police Protection Rosary - Sale Through November 2017

 Using vintage Swarovski beads, this police protection Saint Michael One Decade Rosary has just been added to my Etsy Shop:  Let Our Light Shine. 

Most items in my shop are now on sale through November 30th, 2017.  If you are like me, you are shopping online for Christmas.  I hope you find something you would love to give as a gift in my shop.  God Bless,

Jen  

Which Social Media Sites do you use for your Etsy Store?

This post will give you a list of the social media sites that I use to promote my Etsy Store. 

Let me preface this by saying that I have had my Etsy store up for a little over a year and realized that due to the vast numbers of people who have a store on Etsy, it is important to publicize your store using social media and I have made this a major priority in recent weeks.  It is my goal to compare which social media site gives me the most clicks.  Etsy shares statistics which give you the entryway through which your visitors arrived.  This is all new to me at this posting so I will have to get back with you and share my impressions on the results.

In no particular order, the first Social Media site I use is Twitter.

My Twitter page is: https://twitter.com/LetOurLightShin

Every time I add a new item in my store, I share a link and photo on Twitter.  In the last week, I also hashtag each item with the following: #EtsySeller and #LetOurLightShine which is my Etsy store name.

The second Social Media site I use is Pinterest.

My Pinterest page is: https://www.pinterest.com/letourlightshin/

As of today, Pinterest is the social media site where I have received the most clicks into my store. So far, I have not paid for ads in Pinterest, but I do have a business account. My goal is to also add every finished item onto two boards that I have created.  I have two Pinterest Boards that directly reflect my Etsy store. 

• First Board: Let Our Light Shine: Rosaries and Chaplets
• Second Board: Let Our Light Shine - Christian Gifts

The third Social Media site I use is Facebook:

My Facebook business page is: https://www.facebook.com/letourlightshineUSA/

Last week Facebook offered to give me $30 in ads if I would pay anything.  So I paid one dollar and got $31 worth of ads.  I'm not sure I will do it again any time soon because I got 3,000 clicks on Facebook but NONE on my store.  Many said they liked my Facebook photo of my item, (the ad was one item in my store), but no one actually clicked on the link which would take them to my store. So, I'm still thinking about this one.... No more ads with Facebook for now.

The fourth Social Media page is: Instagram:

My Instagram page is: https://www.instagram.com/letourlightshineUSA/

I have added a few clicks with Instagram and I can honestly say it is the site that I've spent the least amount of time on as of today. 

My goal for the month of November is to really research how to share on all of these sites and see which one gives me the most feedback.  Whichever one that is, will get most of my attention as I work on my Social Media with Let Our Light Shine!

On a store note...

I added this five decade rosary this week and it is beautiful.  It is all Swarovski crystals and they are vintage.  I also added this Swarovski vintage one decade rosary.  Also gorgeous! Please take a look and if it interests you, please click over to my Etsy store.

Bye for now... and God Bless! Remember... prayer is everything!

Jen :-)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/455417200/handmade-vintage-swarovski-rare?ref=shop_home_feat_4

https://www.etsy.com/listing/568414335/handmade-swarovski-vintage-blue-beads?ref=listing-shop-header-0

New Czech Alabaster Opal AB Fired Polished Beads * Vintage Swarovski Beads * Five Decade Rosary * Stainless Steel Wire

New Five Decade Rosary - Czech Alabaster Opal Beads - Swarovski Vintage AB Clear

I am really pleased with my new white AB Czech beads and the way they look with the Swarovski vintage beads from my collection.  It is a great blend of the vintage and the new!

If anyone questions the value of stainless steel in a rosary, they would know how strong it is by the callouses on my hands.  When you are bending the wire, it takes added strength so it leaves its mark on the palms of my hands afterward.  However, knowing that the rosary will last a lifetime gives me great pleasure.  So, if you are unsure about which rosary wire to use, stainless steel is a great option because it is amazingly strong, yet light in weight.  It will continue to look the same for years to come. Anything will break if used inappropriately, but if used as it is made to be used, it will last for years and years.  My thought is that it would make a wonderful wedding gift which should look exactly the same when the couple is celebrating their 75th Anniversary!

Please check out this latest rosary on my Etsy site from my online shop: Let Our Light Shine!

 

Rosary, Necklace, and Ready to Ship

Today, I continued to photograph more of my Etsy store items in natural light.  Even though I love my photographs previously posted on a beautiful satin cloth, I decided to change my theme to natural wood, tile, and natural lighting.

This first image is a beautiful five decade rosary which is wire wrapped and handmade using vintage beads.

#101

The second image is a new necklace which I've just added to the Etsy store today.  It is wire wrapped using brass wire and vintage beads 6mm clear Swarovski crystals . 

#162

When someone purchases an item from my Etsy store, I place the item in a draw string pouch, and place it in a gift box with a cross on the cover. The above necklace is used in the image below as an example.

Vintage Bead Swarovski Chess Round Crystal Rosary

This beautiful rosary has some of my most favorite beads.  They are vintage Chessboard Swarovski beads.  They are clear in color but pick up many rainbow colors due to their multiple facets hitting the light.

This week, my focus is photography.  A new set of photographs will be added each day until all items have been photographed in natural light.  The natural light shows the beautiful colors of the vintage crystals.  I hope you enjoy these updated photos from my online store as we move closer to Easter. 

New Coral & Brass Five Decade Rosary and Two New Bracelets

Tonight, I have added two new bracelets and a unique, lightweight 5 Decade Rosary.  

The bracelets are made using the "unbreakable" wire wrapping technique and is my favorite design. I believe the bracelets are very feminine and beautiful with the Swarovski vintage beads wrapped with golden brass wire.  

I hope you like the newest rosary that I added this evening.  I wanted to make a rosary that was light in weight and used a light vintage bead for those who want to carry a rosary with little weight so that the rosary was very light in your hand.  

I hope you take a look at these new items in Let Our Light Shine.

NEW ITEMS

https://www.etsy.com/listing/475337070/bracelet-handmade-vintage-beads?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/475294946/handmade-rosary-five-decade-rosary-coral?ref=listing-shop-header-2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/488812449/bracelet-handmade-vintage-beads?ref=listing-shop-header-1

New items added often.
God Bless,
Jen

Rosaries and a Chaplet

Today I added a beautiful purple Czech glass five decade rosary to my collection in my Etsy store. I loved the centerpiece and St. Benedict Italian silver crucifix.  Each of the purple Czech beads are vintage and are a light lilac purple.  In addition, I have added fire polished darker purple Our Father beads which add to the beauty of this Catholic Rosary.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/488387251/rosary-handmade-5-decade-rosary-catholic?ref=shop_home_active_3

I also completed a One Decade Rosary using fire polished red vintage beads with "unbreakable" wire wrapping technique and a Swarovski 5000 vintage bead as the Our Father bead. The centerpiece is Divine Mercy on one side and Our Lady of Fatima on the reverse side.  The centerpiece and crucifix are made with Italian silver.  The wire is 22 gauge silver plate over copper.  It's perfect for your pocket or purse.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/488396935/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-red-fire?ref=listing-shop-header-0

The third item I added today is a St. Teresa de Avila Chaplet using Light Turquoise Swarovski 5000 round vintage beads. The wire is 20 gauge silver plated over copper and the medal and St. Benedict crucifix is made of Italian silver.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/474896358/handmade-st-teresa-de-avila-chaplet?ref=listing-shop-header-1

I love all of these new rosaries and chaplets! 

Hope you enjoy my new additional items to my Etsy store.  Today, all were made with Silver.  Hope you enjoy!!

God Bless,

Jen

One Decade Rosary Bracelet - FREE SHIPPING! & Orphan Squirrel Rescue

After a family weekend, I returned to work today to finish a One Decade Rosary Bracelet.  I've wanted to add one to my shop for a while and also wanted to add the feature of two areas to connect the clasp, so it would make the bracelet two sizes, depending on where you attach the handmade clasp.  If you like it, please take a look at this one decade rosary bracelet with additional photos: 

http://www.letourlightshine.us/listing/480660605/bracelet-handmade-light-blue-beads

My other announcement today is that everything in my shop has free shipping!  Today is the first day of fall so to celebrate that new beginning of cooler weather, I have added Free Shipping to all of the items in my store.  

***If you would like to know about new items in my store and special event sales, please sign up with your email address. ***

On a personal note, as I mentioned in recent posts, I am a major animal lover!  I love my pets and also wildlife.  I recently found a squirrel's nest in my mother's yard that was blown down by major winds we were having during a tropical system.  It was the largest squirrel that I've ever seen in a nest and it was alone. I would have left it for its mother to find, but there were several cats waiting for me to walk away so I had no choice but to take it with me.  Plus, the storm was actively in progress. Fortunately, I found a local woman who ran a certified rescue facility and we dropped the little one off with her, along with a new cage and a donation.  Due to the week of stormy weather, she was taking care of over 70 baby squirrels! Amazing!

Bye for now... God Bless! Jen 

In God’s future kingdom, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the goat … the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together … and a little child shall lead them … They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:6-9.

Rosaries - Extra Strong

Making rosaries is something you do from your heart.  For me, it is more of a calling than a business.  However, you have to pay for your supplies so that is where the "business" facet comes in.  My goal is to sell enough rosaries to buy more supplies and continue to create these beautiful building blocks to prayer.  As a retired teacher, I'm not trying to make a living with my rosaries.  I hope to let a little light shine through each one.  

Strong rosaries aren't something that everyone looks for in a rosary. A rosary can be delicate looking, yet strong.  That is what I've learned about making some of my rosaries with stainless steel wire.  The reason I know this wire is the strongest is because when I make a rosary out of 20 gauge stainless steel wire, the proof is on my hands.  Due to the strength of the wire and the strength you need to turn the wire into the loops you need in your rosary, you create a callus on several places within your hands.  When I first started making stainless steel rosaries, I noticed that my hands were no longer smooth on the inside.  I decided it was proof that these rosaries are extra strong. 

An example of a stainless steel rosary that I have in my shop is below.  Under normal use, it would be next to impossible to break the wire on this rosary.  

The beads that I use are vintage beads because I like the fact that they are difficult to find and it makes my rosaries unique.  Each of us, that make rosaries, try and make our own set of characteristics that make our store stand out.  For me, the vintage beads make each rosary or chaplet so much fun to make and an heirloom treasure.  

Matthew 5:16
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Rosary - Handmade - Catholic Gifts - Red - Crystal Vintage Beads - Swarovski beads - Miraculous Medal Centerpiece - Made in USA - Gifts

The Perfect Gift

If you are like me, you are always on the lookout for a special gift ...the perfect gift. 

Years ago, when I was looking for a rosary for a special occasion, I would look at the Christian or Catholic Gift Store.  Even though they would have several to choose from, my eyes would always be drawn to the crystal bead rosaries. They were not the Swarovski crystals but were usually Czech glass. I always found something beautiful but in the back of my mind, I was always looking for something more striking and full of color. 

I begin collecting beads from the 50s and 60s with my mom.  She had several necklaces made with beautiful crystal beads that my father had given her for a special occasion. These were made of Swarovski crystals.  Admiring her beads, we began looking for Austrian crystal beads in second hand shops.  When we would find a set of crystal beads, we would add it to our collection. The collection of beads grew but with having young children, teaching full time, and other responsibilities, the collection of beads remained stored away with other art and craft items. 

This year, when looking through my beads, I began thinking about using the crystals and other vintage beads to make rosaries.  Having had previous jewelry making experience, I knew the technique in making wire rosaries. Something just kept nudging me to get started.

One morning, I woke up and the first thought through my mind was to make the rosaries and name my store Let Your Light Shine. When I investigated this name, I found it was taken in online terms.  Having felt led to name my store along the lines of the verse Matthew 5:16 and many other verses in the Bible that encourage us to let our light's shine, I decided to change the YOUR to OUR and that is why I named my rosary store and purchase the domain name (website) LetOurLightShine.us.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/456361936/rosary-handmade-catholic-gift-amber?ref=shop_home_active_3

Once I felt this strong direction to create this online store, I knew why I had collected and saved these beads from so many years ago.  

As I design each rosary, I look through all of the boxes of beads and match the beads that I feel are made for the next design.  To me, each design is a work of art.  Each rosary is unique in that I don't order matching sets of beads, which is great for someone else,  but I only use the wide assortment of vintage beads of my own, to mix and match until I find the perfect design.  Even if I ran out of my own collection of beads, which won't be for a long time, I would continue to purchase vintage beads because I feel like this is what I'm suppose to be doing to Let Our (My) Light Shine.  Its my gift.

Every person looking for a rosary has an eye for something special.  My goal is not to get rich or mass produce a design.  My goal is to create a unique rosary that will be an heirloom in your family or a loved one's family.  The money I make will be used to buy more supplies to make more rosaries. It is my prayer that my rosaries will be an inspiration to you or someone special to pray more and focus more on the power of prayer in your life. 

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Quotes about the Rosary

The Rosary is the Bible on a String. Fr. Ronan Murphy

Gold Crystal One Decade Rosary - Vintage Beads

The Rosary is my favorite prayer. St. Pope John Paul II

The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary. St. Francis de Sales

If I had an army to say the Rosary, I could conquer the world. Pope Pius IX

The Rosary is the Weapon.  St. Pio

The Rosary is a prayer both so humble and simple and a theologically rich in Biblical content.  I bed you  to pray it.  St. John Paul II

Continue to pray the Rosary every day. Our Lady of Fatima to Sister Lucia

The Rosary is a school for learning true Christian perfection.  Pope John XXIII

Prayer for Animals - St. Francis of Assisi

Prayer that may be said on the medal of St. Francis:

God Our Heavenly Father, You created the world to serve humanity's needs and to lead them to You. By our own fault we have lost the beautiful relationship which we once had with all your creation. Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You we will also restore it with all Your creation. Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You and to treat them with respect for they are Your creation. We pray for all animals who are suffering as a result of our neglect. May the order You originally established be once again restored to the whole world through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary, the prayers of St. Francis and the merits of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You now and forever. Amen. 

Saint Francis of Assisi

St. Francis - Chaplet handmade with vintage amber glass beads

What is an "unbreakable wire" rosary?

This rosary is made using an "unbreakable wire" technique.  The idea is to put each section of the rosary together in such a way that each loop is intertwined with the previous loop.  You actually make the bead section with wire that has been wrapped on each side; keeping the bead in place and without leaving any closures that may open.  The beads are still subject to break so you still need to be careful with your rosary because even if the beads don't break, they could scratch. 

I also use key-chain links on the centerpiece and crucifix so that they do not fall off accidentally.  You have to really focus on what you are doing as you make this rosary because if you are like me, and get distracted once in a while, you have completed the loop, wrapped the wire and forgotten to add the next link... so you have to cut it apart and do that whole section over again.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/459543576/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts?ref=shop_home_active_1

Many people love to carry the one decade rosary since it has 11 beads, rather than 59.  It fits in the palm of your hand or around your wrist with the remainder in your hand.  

Many of my rosaries are made out of stainless steel.  The purpose is to be the strongest, yet lightweight, rosary possible.  Stainless steel does not tarnish and will look the same many years from now.  

Another unique feature of this one decade rosary is that it is made using a flat shaped wire.  If you look at the photos closely, you will see that the wire is more flat and curves beautifully around each post.  

Each rosary that I make has at least one vintage crystal bead.  I love the colors and shapes of these beautiful beads and most of my Our Father beads are made with crystals.  The decade beads are vintage glass or smaller crystal beads.  

If you would like to see more information on this particular one decade rosary or others I have in my shop, please click on the link below the photo.  Each rosary is unique and no two are exactly alike.

Remember to pray every day because prayer can move mountains.

God Bless!  Jen

Catholic Gifts

Catholic Gifts at Let Our Light Shine

As I continue to build my Etsy storefront, I am continuing to learn how to get my items seen by those customers who will be looking for my items.  You can make the most beautiful products and be super proud of your work and excited to share, but without an audience, your work is virtually in a room all by itself... waiting to be found.  

I have a growing number of beautiful rosaries that I have handmade.  I have made these rosaries and chaplets from a collection of beads that I collected in the 80s and 90s.  Most of my beads were from jewelry that was purchased twenty to thirty years earlier and so, using these beads, my rosaries are unique and usually one of a kind. 

The most important thing that I learned today concerning my work was that I have to identify my audience.   Even though this may seem like obvious information; putting a name to your customers, you now have words that they can search in a search engine, so they can find you.  I guess you could say you are creating a trail for them to follow... to find your artwork.. in my case, my rosaries.

I consider myself an artist.  My focus is on the piece of artwork that I am making.  The rosary is my artwork.  In the past, I have sold my work at art shows and through friends.  Now, I want to share my rosaries with a group of customers all over the world.  I have to make my store in a way that customers will find me... using Etsy search but also through other search engines, such as Google.

Today, I made sure that I added key search words in the title of each item.  Hopefully, it will bring those of you who are looking for Catholic Gifts to my store.

Thanks for stopping by.  God Bless!

Jen