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

Merry Christmas!

I found this as I was thumbing through quotes for today and thought I would share because it speaks to me about giving items to our loved ones that are handmade by an artist.  Artistry comes in many forms.  Each rosary, chaplet, or Christian jewelry that I make is designed by me and I feel this poster speaks from the heart....

It is less than a week until Christmas. It's time to slow down the work in our shops and focus even more time on our families and friends as we celebrate the birth of Christ, our families, and the love we share for one another.  

Praying that this year brings each of us closer to God, praying more daily, thanking Him more for all of our many blessings, and listening to Him in the stillness of our prayers. 

God Bless you all! Merry Christmas!!

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

Christian Women's Bracelets

Christian Jewelry?

I looked around at some of the Christian Jewelry available from commercial stores and never found exactly what I was looking for so I decided to make my own.  I wanted a bracelet that was beautiful, yet represented our Christian faith. 

Matthew 10:33  King James Version (KJV)

³³ But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

The two bracelets below are both made with vintage Swarovski crystal beads. The first is a turquoise crystal beaded bracelet on silver wire with a silver cross charm.  The second is a one decade rosary bracelet also made with Swarovski crystal beads, brass wire and crucifix.

Both completely different in design, yet symbolizing our faith, prayers and our focus on the cross.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/558513915/womens-bracelet-handmade-wire-wrapped?ref=shop_home_active_13

https://www.etsy.com/listing/480660605/one-decade-rosary-bracelet-handmade?ref=shop_home_feat_1

In the near future, Etsy is going to add gift wrapping options within our Etsy stores during checkout.  I have all of my supplies ready so I'm excited to begin with this newest feature. 

**As always, no animal products are used in any of my store items or packaging. **

Five Decade Rosary - Light Blue

Happy Palm Sunday, everyone!

I'm photographing my Etsy store items in natural light.  It is a long labor of love.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/455287730/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts?ref=shop_home_active_5

#102

Five Decade Rosaries - Vintage Beads

https://www.etsy.com/listing/456361936/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-amber?ref=shop_home_feat_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/456005170/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-swarovski?ref=shop_home_feat_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/455774736/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-pink?ref=related-1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/472021775/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-chaplet?ref=shop_home_feat_4

https://www.etsy.com/listing/463164448/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-red?ref=shop_home_active_18

I am very proud of my Five Decade Rosaries. I have included five, of my Five Decade Rosaries on Etsy, above.  Each one was designed using vintage beads and is so beautiful.  I have a hard time deciding which is my favorite.  Each rosary requires 59 beads.  When using vintage beads, it is sometimes difficult to find 53 beads which are the exact design shape and size.  So, for instance on the green rosaries pictured, each of the ten decade beads are unique in that section, but all have a matching color and size. Some rosaries would be next to impossible to duplicate because the vintage beads are no longer available.  

If you have any suggestions about what you would like to see on my LetOurLightShine.us site in the way of rosaries, Christian jewelry, etc., please send me a note or leave me a comment.  I would love to hear from you.

If you do not know how to say the rosary, here is a link from EWTN with a tutorial: 
https://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/maryd5.htm

On a personal note, things are beginning to get back to normal for me after the hurricane. I still have my privacy fence lying on the ground in the backyard but all of my dogs are safe inside a smaller fence close to the back of my house.  I'm thankful that I put up the small fence for my small dogs since I used to worry about them sliding under the larger fence through a hole created by a opossum or raccoon.  All of the dogs, big or small, stay within the smaller fence.  

As a Christian vegan, there are no animal products used in any of the items sold on my site.  
God Bless,
Jen  :-)

“And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” —Genesis 1:30

Prayer in Troubled Times & A New Item in my Etsy Store

Tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of 9/11.  You can't help but think about how lives were changed in moments, never to be the same again.  My heart breaks as I listen to the stories from that day in 2001 and know the heartache that will never go away for so many families and loved ones.

Yesterday, I watched a red-tailed hawk swoop down into my back yard and pick up a beautiful dove that I had been feeding at my bird feeders for weeks.  It was enjoying the sun and picking up fallen seeds. It's life was gone in an instant.  I was not happy to have witnessed this part of nature, but felt like I witnessed it for a reason. When I think about tragedy or loss of life, all life, I am again sure of how important prayer is in our daily lives.  

Last night, I looked for an app to begin a prayer journal.  There were all kinds of apps for prayer journals... one that you could share your prayer requests all over the world.  Others, like the one I chose, was to create a list of prayers that you alone would monitor and remember to pray for each day.  I like the fact that you can list your prayer requests and at times be able to see how your prayers were answered.  I know that won't always be the case but sometimes it will be possible.  Most of the time, I pray for ongoing requests that include health and safety for all of those that I love. There have been occasions where I have prayed in life threatening situations and the person made it through to continue their life. He doesn't always answer as we choose but I believe He always hears us and knows the desires of our heart.  

On a lighter note, in a few days, I'm going to share a new item in my Etsy store.  I look forward to sharing these newly designed items with you.