blog help Archives - Studio Katie

22 Blogging Resources

I know a few people who have recently started a blog (My Sister, Taylor, has an awesome new blog called This Memorable Life.) so I thought I’d make a list of a few good resources for bloggers.

Even if you’re not all that new to blogging, you still might learn something new. 🙂

I know not all of my readers are bloggers, but do you have a blog? Leave me a link in the comments and I’ll stop by. 🙂

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The Importance of Good Photography

You may not realize it when you first start a blog, or handmade business, but photography is a big part of the job.

Why is photography so important?
Think about it. When you browse other blogs, what does their photography look like? If the photos are good you probably enjoy looking at them. If they are underexposed, blurry or just bad composition, they aren’t as nice to look at.
You want good photos for your blog. Especially if you’re doing a tutorial, or selling products. People can’t follow your tutorial if the pictures are really bad. And they might be interested in your product except that in your picture the lighting is low and the colors don’t show your product good.

Here are a couple of simple tips to improve your blog photography. These are meant for taking photos of your art, products, etc.

The 2 most important things (to me.) are a good natural light source and a white background.

I’m lucky enough to have a window right beside my desk, so I usually have a lot of light. (unless it’s cloudy or raining. ) I can tell you that natural light (sunshine!) is way way better than the lights inside your home. The lighting of your pictures are so much better if you have natural light. No windows? Go outside!

If what you’re photographing is small, a sheet of printer paper would work for a simple white background. If it’s larger, say a 12″x12″ scrapbook layout, I use a piece of white foamboard. (which I bought at HobbyLobby)

(My messy desk. I’ve got everything I need: Sharpies, cheese nips, a cup of tea, and my laptop! Please ignore the sock monkey….I’m not sure what he’s doing. LOL)

See the difference the white background makes below? The wood texture of my desk is cool, but it takes away from my tag, while the white background makes the colors pop more and looks more professional.

Good photography skills are also a good skill to have for more then just blogging! By practicing your camera skills you will also get better shots of things that aren’t craft related. Like family, or camping pictures, etc.

I shoot with a Canon Rebel T3, and I highly recommend a DSLR camera (I could tell that my pictures were better quality as soon as I upgraded my point and shoot to a DSLR.)

But don’t think that just because you don’t have a fancy camera you can’t get decent pictures. Sure, they might not be quite as great quality as a DSLR, but with good natural light, and a white background, you can get good pictures even with a smart phone!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips. I’m not a pro photographer, these are just a few things I’ve learned while trying to improve my camera skills.

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Easy Typography Art DIY

I recently found a site that you can type a quote into and it will turn it into typography art for you. It’s called Recite This.

It’s way easy, all you have to do is type your quote into the little box, choose a background, and click “Create”.

It will give you the option of downloading the image to your computer, which you could then print out and hang as art on your walls!

Other options are to post to Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, or email it to a friend. How cute would it be to write a sweet note, choose a fun background and email it to a friend?

Here are a few that I did in like 5 seconds. It’s really that easy to make some typography art even if you’re not a graphic design artist!

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35 Ways To Be Creative

Instead of thinking “I’m only going to spend a couple of minutes surfing pinterest and blogs looking for a neat project before going to my studio to craft” and then spending the next hour pinning things without ever stepping into your studio.

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with pinterest, actually I love it and have pinned more then 1800 pins. However I sometimes spend too much time on there. Here are 35 New techniques, Projects and Ideas to stay creative:

So, let’s start the new year with a bang get off pinterest for just a few minutes and actually work on a project or try a new technique.

1. Try a new technique. Maybe you’re great at sewing, but you need a little inspiration. Try doing something slightly different, like altering a premade hoodie using your fabric stash.

2. Have an outdated dictionary or encyclopedia sitting on your bookshelf? Jump start your creativeness and give the book a new life as an art journal.

3. Add glitter to ordinary object around the house. Everything is more inspiring with glitter.

4. Don’t quite feel inspired enough to work on a big project? Try something small, like doodling or zentangling. Check out TanglePatterns for a ton of patterns to doodle.

5. Get out of the house. Go to a park with your sketch book and write down ideas or sketch what you see.

6. Play around in photoshop, Adding fun effects to your photos.

7. Try your hand at stamp carving. You can get the supplies at most craft stores.

8. Raid your kids coloring book stash.

9. Get up way early (earlier than normal) and do a small project. You might be surprised how creative you are still half asleep. 😉

10. Try Needle Felting. (something I’d like to do.)

11. How about a year long project? Have you ever done Project 365?

12. Or what about Project Life?

13. Try covering one of your walls in Instagram photos.

14. Use up a little bit of your washi tape stash.

15. Visit a museum. A science museum, an art museum. You’re bound to find some inspiration there.

16. Be inspired by a challenge blog.

17. Take an online class.

18. Never tried sewing? Learn a few basic stitches.

19. Or learn some embroidery basics.

20. Be green with a reusable tote. But first, Embellish it.

21. Try your hand at Wood Burning.

22. Turn your handwriting into a font. (Also something I’d like to do)

23. Play with crayons and paint.

24. Art Journal everyday.

25. Play with your sharpies and Make your own “Washi Tape”

26. Submit to a magazine.

27. Join a design team.

28. Go buy the fun-pack of Sharpies. So. Many. Colors. How can you not be inspired by that??

29. Redesign your Blog.

30. Take your camera out for a walk. Photograph things you see.

31. Carry a notebook everywhere. Whenever you have a good idea- write it down!

32. Clean you studio/craft space. It’s not very inspiring to work in a mess.

33. Use some of those pictures you’re always taking on your phone and create a piece of Instasgram art.

34. Make and send a card to your best friend. Get some inspiration on my Cute Card pinterest board.

35. Consider purchasing prompts, like Kam’s 365 ideas for blog posts, scrapbooks and art journal pages.

(I am writing this list as much for me as I am you, as I am guilty as charged for spending too much time looking for inspiration instead of making things.)

What do you do to be creative?