Expert-led Creative Classes

You guys, I have a great opportunity for you to check out. FREE!



Have you guys checked out Bluprint yet?  No?  What are you waiting for, go now and explore Bluprint for FREE during their Get Started Event.

Ready to go from “I wish I could” to “look what I did!”? You have until the 12th of October, they’re unlocking thousands of expert-led creative classes, plus projects, recipes, patterns and more to help you do just that. Explore 20+ categories, from quilting and knitting to art and more, and dive into all sides of your creativity. Everything’s FREE during our Get Started Event, on now! 

Mobile Photography

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Mobile Photography: Perfect Photos in Your Pocket

During this time of year, we tend to snap many photos of people we that we love, places we visit, seasonal decorations or just beautiful scenes for blogging and social media.  Sometimes I don't carry my DSL with me and so I am left to shoot pictures with my phone.  The problem?  Sometimes the photos are not as crisp as I'd like them to be.  Do you ever have that problem?  

On my phone, the photos look great, but when I load them to my computer, they're terrible.  So here is a solution, Craftsy!  They are currently offering a course on how to make the most of your smartphone camera, whether Android™ or iPhone® and to go beyond basic settings, take impressive photographs and add incredible post-production effects.  Most photo opportunities don't wait for you to grab your camera — so reach in your pocket and get great results regardless!   Doesn't that sound great?  

Perhaps you know of someone that would enjoy taking a class with Craftsy and if you do, how about offering the class as a gift!  You will enjoy taking any course since it is set to go at your own pace.  

Drop by the Craftsy site by clicking the links on this post and learn more about their classes and prepare for awesome pictures on your phone. 

Enjoy!

Product Photography at Home

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. This is not a paid post.

 

     When I started my crafting hobby five years ago, I decided to sell the items I made by hand on
Etsy, but  I knew absolutely nothing about photography, branding and everything else that came along with the business.

     I look back at my first photographed items and wonder what in the world was I doing?  They are
dark, with shadows and uninteresting.  It took me a while to learn how to photograph products
on my own, taking a long time to actually get it, but what I have discovered is that I can learn quite a lot from the photography classes offered at Craftsy.  I have taken a class and have learned a great deal already.  One of the many classes offered there is the Product Photography at Home class.  For someone who knew nothing about aperture and shutter speed, I have come a long way.

     There is so much to learn and gain from the classes offered there. I am very happy with the classes and the best part is that I can go at my own pace.  A busy momma can only do so much right?

     I am in love with everything Craftsy offers because they have classes for all kinds of craft such as cooking, baking, sewing, painting, woodwork, watercolors, crocheting and so much more; the list goes on.  They have just added several new classes to their site with many to choose from depending on your interest.

     As to the photography portion, it helps with my Etsy shop, my blog and my personal photos. You will learn that light becomes your best friend when shooting.  I do most of my photography outside when it's nice and bright, avoiding direct light to my pieces.

     If you like, drop by Craftsy and check out the classes that are being offered.  I hope that you find one suitable for you.  Thank you for stopping by.

How to Add & Sell a Pattern on Craftsy

(This post contains affiliate links which means I will be compensated if you purchase after clicking these links.)



Hello friends!  Today I'm excited to show those of you who love to sew or make patterns, how you may add AND sell your pattern on Craftsy.  I have posted about Craftsy & their wonderful classes and sources in the past.  In addition to wonderful online courses and craft supplies, Craftsy also has an independent online pattern store that lets anyone upload and sell downloadable e-patterns with no fee!  

How do you add a pattern to Craftsy and start your pattern store? It’s easy! 

1. Make sure you have a Paypal account. All pattern transactions happen through Paypal, and Craftsy requires that you have a Student, Premier, or Business account in order to sell patterns.

2. Put your pattern in .pdf format. You can’t upload any patterns to the online pattern store unless they’re a .pdf file format, so if they’re currently saved as a Word doc, .jpg, or other file format, you must convert it to a .pdf before you upload it to Craftsy.

3. Include a photo. All patterns must have at least one photo to accompany them, but you can add up to five photos. Colorful, interesting photos tend to work the best for catching our members’ eyes!

4. Fill out the pattern description. Craftsy will ask you some basic questions around your pattern making it easier for Craftsy folk to find your pattern and know what your pattern is for. Make sure you have info about your pattern handy for this step. 

For more information on how to sell a pattern through Craftsy, or to get started, visit Craftsy today!

What is Craftsy You Ask?

What is Craftsy? Craftsy is a worldwide craft community offering online classes. It also has a pattern marketplace where independent designers can sell their patterns; a supplies shop with great deals on yarn, fabric, and class kits; and a project section where members share pictures of their latest craft successes. With over two million members and counting, Free Classes at Craftsy has something for just about everyone, in categories ranging from quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, photography, cooking, and more. Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Craftsy Class Before filming even begins, hours are spent determining what content will be covered in each class, and how to best teach specific techniques to the camera. Instructors work with an instructional designer to create an in-depth outline of each lesson, and decide how to best prepare props or “step-outs” that show what your project should like at different steps. Instead of a scripted class, instructors follow their outlines on camera to create an authentic and engaging teaching experience.  Most Craftsy classes are filmed in one of five Craftsy studios in Denver, CO, assuring that every part of the production process goes off without a hitch. They fly in instructors from all over the world to spend several days filming, then spend several weeks turning hours of footage into a two to three hour class experience that has been watched, rewatched, and reviewed by industry experts. The final result is an HD-quality video that takes you in-depth into specific topics in any given craft category- from cooking and fine art to sewing and knitting.  What is the Craftsy experience?  Free Classes at Craftsy are designed to have all the benefits of an in-person class, with none of the drawbacks. Available online and on-demand, you always have world-class instructors at the tip of your fingers. You can retake the class as many times as you want, and the 30-second repeat feature allows you to watch the same section over and over again until you get every technique just right.  Watching a Craftsy class is like having a first-row seat with some of the best instructors in the world. Even better, classes have a 100% money-back guarantee.  Try online learning today with a free mini-class from Craftsy! Choose from 23 Free Classes at Craftsy ranging from drawing and painting to sewing and quilting, from knitting to cake decorating and more.   I enrolled in the Professional Family Portraits Class and the first session alone was so helpful, I can't wait to watch the other sessions. That class is free, so you should take advantage of the opportunity now if you haven't yet.