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Monday 8 August 2011

Props and Partner

"Props and Partner", sounds like a cool name for a Hollywood based business. Doesn't it?!

Anyway, first let's talk about props. I am not much for using them in my own photography of my jewelry. It is not that I dislike them in general. On the contrary I really like when others use them. But for my own things I often appreciate just the piece on it's own being nicely placed on a surface. And then I try to create an interesting composition. It does happen I use props. When I happen to have something suitable, and it helps to tell something. It also happens I feel I miss a suitable prop for a piece, and then I think I should build up a bigger "library" of props for different needs.

This morning after breakfast I walked in to our living room to open the back door and let in the fresh air. Guess what I suddenly saw?! Some pretty cool props for jewelry photography! They were just standing there on a stool leaning against the wall. They were not there yesterday daytime I tell you. So, what are they? Well, of course they are laser swords! Isn't that obvious! Anyone with children into Star Wars can see that instantly. Wooden branches painted with metallic blue-turqouise kind of semi-transparant paint. Oooohhhhhhh! Pretty! So I want to borrow them, and try them out directly. What piece could I use? Oh I have this semi-finished necklace, that I started a couple of days ago, but haven't finished yet, coz I haven't decided how long I want it to be.

So ... what do you think? Nice prop? Nice necklace? How long should it be? Any opinions on the design?

Important update:
My kids just got home from school, and they told me about the props. Of course they are not laser swords at all. Anyone with kids who are into Star Wars can see that ... ;-)
"They are wooden swords perfectly made to brake other sticks or branches if you are in a wooden stick fight or war. Their names are Hogo and Bogo." Well there you go. Sorry for misleading you at first.

And now over to the partner bit. My Bead Soup Blog Partner's name is Susie Hibdon, with the blog Vintage Susie & Wings. I only checked her out very briefly so far. I need a bit more time for a more proper presentation of Susie. Her blog is about not only her jewelry. When I scanned through it I saw a lot of what I believe is called "Americana", so I suppose I will learn a lot about that too. However, my instant impression is that she has this wonderful hippiesh approach to life. Right down my own alley. Now - I don't know - possibly a lot of people don't associate hippie with something positive. It depends of course on from which angle you are looking. For me it means liberal values, an openess to differences, casual attitude to general "musts", and so on. I need to explain a lot more of what I mean of course, but this is not the right time or place for that discussion. Susie Hibdon seems like a nice lady I would easily get on with. Here's a few of her designs.
She has this quote on her blog. Wise words! That's how I try to live my life.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Mark Twain

10 comments:

steufel said...

I would make it really, really long. I love those funky long pieces. And the prop is cool! And I'm with you regarding the hippiesh approch to life - right down my alley too:-)

Malin de Koning said...

Ok Stefanie, I think you're right about the necklace, so that's what I'll do then. Very long! I like it! Great! Thanks!

Angel Whisperer said...

hej Malin,
kollade på din partner förut (o min förståss)
vilket fantastiskt kollage du gjort av hennes grejor sååå vackert.+ fina ord du hittat där !! skall blogg om min partner sen när jag orkar...(lite skruttig efter matförgiftning av KAKOR från cafe :( ) jag fick en lampworkare vilket jag hoppades på :) dina blogginlägg är alltid så trevliga och proffsiga
kram B

TesoriTrovati said...

I love those blue branches! And the fact that they have names is even more fun. I think that this Bead Soup will be pretty awesome. I have to go and find out who my partner is.
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Heidi Post said...

I love those sticks! They are great props indeed. And I'm with Stefanie -- definitely make that necklace long. And it could always be doubled if you wanted it shorter :)

Looks like you got a good partner. Congrats! I can't wait to see what y'all do.

Rebecca said...

Very long I think too! And I love those branches. Hippyish approach to life I think is very positive and totally my outlook too! X

VS said...

Hey Friend...
I'm the Hippie vintagesusie & your Bead Soup Partner!!!! Yippppeeee...I'm so excited to have found you & can't wait for us to begin to make "SOUP"!!!
I will email you with my address & then you can send me yours back & then I shall carefully & magically prepare your ingredients. What shall I send this Swedish Goddess??? My mind is spinning thinkin of the possibilities!!!!
Big Hugs,
Susie

Elysian Studios said...

Love the props! I would have associated them with Star Wars too- how beautiful that they have names, though! Looks like you have a great bead soup partner! Cant wait to see how you two collaborate!

Eleanor Snare said...

Great partner and looks like you'll have a lot of fun in the swap :)

I like the branches but I also really like the way you photograph your work: simple and to the point, without detracting from the piece and with well-chosen backgrounds to compliment it. Maybe the metallic finish is a little bit too reflective for jewellery photography?

Elly

CraftyHope said...

As I was reading your post I started off by thinking that I don't use props. . .but as I actually think I guess I do. I've got a few cups and a few books that I throw in from time to time.
I love your stick, sword, thingies. The shade of them is just lovely. What I love even more is that they have NAMES! How awesome is that?!