Macro Lens

For a while I have been wanting a Macro Lens for my camera. Utilizing depth of field is my favorite way to create interesting photos. So for Christmas I was finally able to get one and below are two test shots of my first run.

Shooting a puppy who likes to run and move was more difficult than I thought. Through some persuading with treats, I was able to get him to sit still long enough to get two shots.

The first image is the one I like best. Focusing on only the eyes, I believe it creates a sense of emotion in the puppy.

For the second image, I wanted to focus on his nose and the dappling of color on his snout. I think I was able to capture what I was looking for but still feel the first photo is more successful.

Each were shot with a 50mm lens at an aperture of f1.8 and a shutter speed of 1/60. 

Newport Aquarium

Photos from the Newport Aquarium.

Paris Book is complete!

Paris by Jenna Wade | Make Your Own Book

London Book

London by Jenna Wade | Make Your Own Book

Conservatory

     

 

City Names

I have been playing around with word names and photographs representing those words. I started with cities, Cincinnati and London. I went two different directions with these, Cincinnati has one image and London has several images.

I am still messing around with these to make sure that I get what I want.

Blog Update

So I have made a decision to split this blog into two. I wasn't really sure if I wanted to make it more a daily, in the life blog or strictly an artist blog. I am keeping this blog as my artist blog only. It will only reflect the art projects that I am currently working on. I have decided to move my daily activities and crafting whims to another blog. The address for this is http://theeccentricjournals.blogspot.com/ (fancraftic was taken - serious bummer). I have also made it one of my new years resolutions to post to that blog everyday. I will be updating this as I complete projects.

Final note! I changed the layout of this blog along with my others. I needed to freshen it up. Hope you like it! :)

-Jenna

Chain and Glass Flower Necklace

Here is the most recent necklace that I have made. I have been looking into using more chain. This necklace I designed to be a long pendant necklace. I like to dress up a plain, simple sweater. The glass flower has a hint of yellow to the petals.

Upcoming Project - Jewelry Organizer

Today I am in one of my crafty modes which means I will be neck deep in a project later on today.

There are a few projects that I want to work on. Some of my inspiration today is coming from Pinterest. I never have enough storage space for my all of my jewelry, both my personal and the jewelry I sell. So today I came across something on Pinterest that I thought would be interesting. I will be adding my own twist though. I would like to go thrifting this weekend for some old antique picture frames. I would like to rough them up a bit and then hit them with a touch of gold spray paint to give them that antique feel. Then when I am finished, I will punch out the middle of the frame and back it in wire to hang earrings from. I would also like to find some cool push pins to put into the frame so that I can hang necklaces off.

Below is an inspiration example I found from http://pistachioicecream.wordpress.com/

Glassblowing

This weekend was my first glassblowing class and I loved it!


I took the class at Neusole Glassworks. According to their homepage, "Neusole Glassworks offers a variety of solutions to all of your glass art needs - including blown, flameworked and fused glass, or a combination of the three.  Artists, designers and glass enthusiasts all come together to share, learn and grow as individuals and as a glass community"


I was able to try out glassbowing and flamework. I made a leaf pendant and a paperweight. I will post pictures when I get them back. With glassblowing, it take a week to finalize the glass so it does not break. 






Below is an example oh how I shaped my paperweight (image from google).

Purple and Metallic Beaded Necklace

This necklace comprises beads in the purple hue. It also contains metallic silver coated beads (not real silver). It is 47 inches around. (Click on the title to see it in my Etsy Shop)

Pink and Golden Beaded Necklace with Flowers

This necklace is made from Pink and Golden colored beads. It is 45 inches around. It includes faux pearls. It can be worn with once, twice or three times around the neck. It has a clasp to be able to out it on to wear it. (Click on the title to see it in my Etsy Shop)

Seth Godin : Stupid and lazy

Stupid and lazy:

(Is it that you can't do it or perhaps you don't want to do the work?)

When I was in college, I took a ton of advanced math courses, three or four of them, until one day I hit the wall. Too many dimensions, transformations and toroids for me to keep in my head. I was too stupid to do really hard math so I stopped.

Was it that I was too stupid, or did I merely decide that with my priorities, it wasn't worth the work?

Isn't it amazing that we'd rather call ourselves stupid than lazy? At least laziness is easy to fix.

People say that they are not gifted/talented/smart enough to play the trumpet/learn to code/write a book. That's crazy. Sure, it may be that they don't possess world-class talent, the sort of stuff that is one in a million. But too stupid to do something that millions and millions of people can do?

I'm not buying it. Call it as it is and live with it (or not). I'm just not willing to believe we're as stupid as we pretend to be.

by Seth Godin

Seth Godin : When is it okay to start worrying?

When is it okay to start worrying?:

A friend was waiting to hear about the results of a job interview. He hadn't heard in a while and he asked me, "how long before I should start worrying?"

Of course, the answer is, "you should never start worrying."

Worrying is not a useful output. Worrying doesn't change outcomes. Worrying ruins your day. Worrying distracts you from the work at hand. You may have fooled yourself into thinking that it's useful or unavoidable, but it's not. Now you've got one more thing to worry about.

Seth Godin

A point to add...

While I'm in this metaphorical and philosophical mood this evening, another thought occurred to me. To be able to learn to speak, we had to listen to the sounds in which to replicate.

My point being that listening had to come before speaking. Sometimes listening can be just as, if not more, important than speaking. We can be more effective in the way we speak if we listen and asses prior to saying anything. I know that I am guilty and would be wise to remember that when engaged with others.

At least this is my opinion.

A random thought...

As I am laying in bed unable to sleep, I started having some late night philosophical musings about life.

I was thinking about some of the greatest artist that have ever lived. Many of the received no recognition or support for their work throughout their lifetimes. They expressed themselves through their art because it made them happy or fulfilled or it was what they felt they needed to do. I am sure it was difficult for them to not give up and move onto something that would have been supported or "socially acceptable". Thankfully for us, they did not and their talents have influenced the world and the way we think. And maybe the reason they were not accepted had somethings not realizing the good thing until it's gone.

As for currently, I believe there are some take aways from this point. Whether or not we get recognized for the things that we do, does not mean that we should give up on our passions or beliefs. The things we do will be important. So even if our efforts go unnoticed now, they can become momentous in the future. Even if its for no one but ourselves. We have a responsibility to be the cultivate and manage our happiness. This serves as a reminder to pursue my passions to fulfill my life even when the harshest critics are disagreeing.

The disclaimer I want to add is this: That yes I believe to follow one's own hearts and passions. I also believe that there is merit to seeking advice from those trusted individuals along the way. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when it is needed.

Paris - Pont des Arts Bridge

This is the bridge in Paris where lovers lock Padlocks to seal their love and throw the keys into Seine River. It is supposed to love in your love forever.

This bridge has so many couple attaching locks that the Parisan government actually has to cut the locks off relatively often. 

This is one of my favorite pictures that I took during my Trip because of the composition and the subject matter.

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Black and White Trip Photos

Here are a few of the black and white images from my trip: