It's FLICKR Friday!

1. Key to My Heart Necklace, 2. Pretty Vintage Lace, 3. aqua clover dot, 4. La Barrette Collection, 5. Butterfly Kisses , 6. texture, 7. Paris Dreams notebook, 8. Sweet Marie ~ The Trims , 9. TORO dokodemo issho Namco plush doll sitting

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

An interview with Katelyn Fraser

Biography:
Katelyn Fraser is a photographer living and working in Charlottetown, PEI. A graduate of Holland College's Photography and Digital Imaging program she specializes in lifestyle portraiture and weddings. Her work has been featured in Organic Lifestyles and Panache magazines, as well as Holland College promotional materials. She has also received awards of merit from national photography organization PPOC, as well as a national award for best student portrait during her time at Holland College. Katelyn can be found most days (and nights) at her studio space in downtown Charlottetown.

BLOG: http://katelynfraserphoto.tumblr.com/
WEBSITE: http://katelynfraserphoto.com/

1. What got you interested in photography to start with?

I think the first time I ever really took note of a photograph was when I was about 11 or 12, I was at a friend's place and she and I were going through her older sister's stuff. Among other things we found this awesome photograph of her sister, it was a wide angle shot on a seamless white background and I remember thinking, "wow, this is amazing, HOW can I do this?". That sort of fueled a short photography phase that lasted a few months. The interest in photography didn't return until my late teen's when I decided to revisit my passion for the art form.



2. Your photos are always beautifully soft looking and filled with light, do
you have any tips for amateur photogs looking to achieve a similar
result? Or just your best tip in general?

Well, to achieve the "light" look I often over expose my images about 1/2 stop. I find this helps even the skin tones and bring the attention to the eyes. I think my best general tip is to take your time when photographing, it's hard to force someone to smile naturally, it's something you have to wait for. My favourite images are ones when people look natural, I want to feel like I am seeing the subject, not just a photo of the subject.



3. I heard you just moved into a new studio space - can you describe it and what you are doing there?

Yes! I am so excited about the new studio space! The space is all white with turquoise accents, I really wanted the space to match my branding and I feel that so far it does. I am lucky to have two good friends starting a furniture design service so they hooked me up with an awesome white desk, a turquoise chair, and a turquoise table. Coincidentally their new business is called Turquoise Shed, and if you hadn't heard turqoise has been named the colour of the year by Pantone. Anyways, I am getting way off topic, the space is an office and studio, so I will be using it to meet clients, work, and to do shoots. Drop me a line if you'd like to stop by for a visit, I have fancy water and organic juice!



4. Do you have any future goals for learning new skills, related to
photography or otherwise? Anything you've always been wanting to try
out?

I feel that I still have so much to learn about photography, my goal is to never be resting on my laurels. Although in the two year college course I took we learned lots about studio lighting I feel that I need to delve into it more and really refine my strobe lighting skills. Outside of photography...I really want to learn how to knit mitten thumbs, I've got the hand/wrist part down, but the thumbs are giving me trouble.




5. What kind of music gets you inspired?

My music tastes change daily, but I count Beyonce, Ingrid Michaelson, Jay-z, Kanye, Tegan and Sara, The Postal Service, Imogen Heap, Regina Spektor, Two Hours Traffic and Sufjan Stevens among my favourites.

Shabby and Sweet

Foof and Fluff for a dreary day.

Wanted: Gift Guide Curators!

Image by Isewcute on flickr.

Paper*Cakes Finds is looking for a few guest curators for the new Gift Guides. I'm sure you've noticed that the gift guides here are sorely out of date, and some never got finished! When my internet went down this project was still in the works... so unfortunately it ended up not going very far...

Anyways, I thought it might be fun to have a few guests on board to create some gift guides! Guest curators will have their guide up for one month and will get their shop or blog linked directly on the page. The guides must be maintained - that means each week going through and removing sold items and replacing them with new items. Please only apply if you are willing to do this! :)

I've decided to have anyone interested "audition" by doing up an etsy treasury poster sketch and submitting it to be via email (screen capture it and send that way pls!). My email is spikernub@hotmail.com - please put "Gift Guide" in the subject line! Curators will be picked next Monday!

So Hoppy

This post started out as being a little tribute to the happy arrival

of my very first ever Fashion Doll.

But as sometimes these things hoppen :)

it quickly evolved into a full on bunny fest!

~

I would like to pay homage to the Queen of bunnies and dolls

The BEAUTIFUL Missy of Boopsi Daisy

In her shop

there are currently 23 items tagged "bunny"

and a whopping 114 items tagged "doll"

NO-ONE, dare I say has more fun in the land of childish play.

Mrs. Daisy has more imagination in one little finger tip

than I poses in my entire being

~

You must visit her enchanted place of play and make-belief!

Shop - Flickr

Now onto the bunnies ~ lest they should all hop away!

pom pom!! :)

Some pomegranate finds for this lovely Sunday

An interview with Emily of whichgoose

Bio:

I'm a 27-year-old graphic designer who works nights at a newspaper. I've got a boyfriend, and a bird, and great parents, one sister and one niece!




1. How did you get your start on etsy? What prompted you to bring your work to this marketplace? Were you selling your products before etsy?

A friend sent me a link to Etsy pretty randomly --- and I was just amazed. I remember I stayed up super late that night just looking around and thinking of all these ideas of what I could make. I knew it was the start of something really great.

I had never sold anything I'd made before, but I've always loved creating. I paint, crochet, do collages and even do a little sewing. I'm the type of person who has about 10 different art/craft projects going at any given time.



2. Do you have a studio space in your home, or a little nook where you create? Can you describe it? What is your favorite thing about it?

I used to live in a one-room apartment, and I recently "moved on up" to my 2-roomer this year with the idea that I would have a real-life studio.

I love being organized, so I spend a lot of time going through all my supplies and thinking about my next move. I guess the best part is being surrounded by inspiration everywhere you look. It's like a concentrated little area where I am able to really visualize ideas.



3. How do you stay organized and on top of things in your busy business? Any tips for newbie etsians?

Well, really, I don't. It's a day-to-day struggle since I have a full-time job on top of Etsy. Pretty much, I make sure orders go out each day and convos are answered promptly. Everything else is pretty much a free for all of photos, descriptions and receipts.

I would suggest starting out with an "work flow" when you are just starting out. That way, you can continue in that routine as your business gradually picks up!



4. What kind of music inspires you to create?

I love Sigur Ros and Dead Can Dance --- even Enya. Just really soothing, but dramatic music. I also really love listening to books on tape while working. Something about that really helps ... I think it helps quiet the intellectual side of my brain and lets the artistic side have full control.



5. Do you have any goals related to improving your craft in the future? Or any other craft related skills you'd like to learn?

I'd really love to take a millinery class of some sort. I don't know if anything like that is really offered around me ... but it would be quite fascinating. Otherwise, maybe learning some new techniques for photography.



6. What is your most commonly used material and where do you source it? A lot of your products are made from natural elements - are you finding them outdoors on your own?

I guess the natural vines that I use as the base of my crowns are the most common material in my work. And yes! I go on little walks in a couple woods around where I live and harvest them. They are the sort of vines that grow up and around trees and tend to strangle and overtake them. I like to think I'm doing the trees a service :)

Things like the acorns and smaller sticks I collect as well. Just about everything else I collect from vintage shops, craft stores or even natural food shops.