Steep Learning Curve

by Suzanne on January 29, 2012

With a solo exhibition looming in February I thought I’d revamp my Moonah Stand exhibition catalogue with more current work.
I really didn’t need to do this but I wanted to go through the process of learning how to make an eBook. My catalogue seemed like the perfect project.  How wrong was I!  Nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems.
I went with 2 options:  Blurb and Amazon.
Blurb iBooks are only for Apple so I don’t know how the book below will look when converted.  I can only hope it will appear similar on an iPad.  The advantage with Blurb is the option to order a hard copy.
With Amazon I have looked at previews till my eyes are blurring. The fact that eReaders can be altered to any setting means the book will look different on everybody’s Kindle no matter what I do.  Basically I went with my best previewed version.  It may not be perfect or look as slick as Blurb but all the information and photos are there. The added bonus is links to appropriate websites, as well as having a content index.
So, for better or worse, my first attempt at online publishing:

Now I’ve done all the backbreaking work I’ll be able to teach this to others.  It was one steep learning curve though!  If it was to be done commercially, you’d need a lot more time than what I had to finish this project.

For my complete blog please visit  The Laundry

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Suzanne

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by Suzanne on January 17, 2012

Generally I ask my family “what do you think?” when I finish a project and their answers are welcome but sometimes I feel it’s a bit like asking them “does this outfit look OK on me?”  I know before they reply they’ll be nothing if not diplomatic!  I take their advice on board but more often than not I ignore it.  I constantly get berated “why did you bother asking in the first place?”  A spontaneous response to a piece seen while I’m making it is much more telling.  Just like walking into a room and getting a “wow, you look nice” reaction.

The point to this waffle is to say that it’s really confronting for me to show my work to strangers and possibly worse, friends.  At the QUARC market, I feel exposed!  Thankfully, as it turned out, Friday’s market was fantastic.  How great is it to have strangers admiring my work and thinking I’ve produced something special!  Not everyone of course, but enough people were “blown away” by my display that I came home on a huge high.  This market, the Colour Code pendants were the items that generated the most interest.

Better still, I received an email from a customer who purchased at the previous market, and I quote: Just a brief note to say that I love the ring I purchased from you…and have also had a number of lovely comments about it.”  The fact that she took the time to give me this feedback, speaks volumes.  

This week to top it all off, the icing on the cake is that I have been featured again.  This time I had to answer a series of questions, another confronting activity for me.  Anyway, I did my best and the feature can be read by clicking on this link:  FORAGE.

Yes, I feel very exposed now but flattered at the same time to be approached.

For my full blog please click here:  The Laundry

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Suzanne

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Mixing Things Up

January 10, 2012

With the arts and craft market looming I decided to mix things up a little and introduce more copper to my sterling silver by turning my attention to another bell. I was tempted to leave the body of the bell matte but I really am impressed at the level of shine that can be achieved with this […]

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Kris Kringle

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In the past week my laundry time has been focused on my 11 year old son. He had a Kris Kringle at school and picked a girl’s name out of the hat.  He decided he’d like to make her a ring…”Please mum?”  It had to be in silver, of course, and I wasn’t allowed to […]

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November 17, 2011

OK, my children may never speak to me again but I just couldn’t resist putting this behind the scenes video together. With my other gorgeous model being mid exams and unavailable, I decided to offer the gig to my daughter. She’s only 13 but I had to concede that a) I was desperate and b) […]

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Exhibition Feedback

October 18, 2011

To understand my inspiration for The Moonah Stand please click on this link: My Moonah Stand Jewellery Catalogue The feedback I’ve been getting is very flattering. I think once people realised the significance of the colours (see also Colour Code) the wow factor came into play. It served to reinforce my resolve not only to document processes but the ideas […]

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Tools of Engagement

October 9, 2011

I’ve sat and criticised, then opted to observe my daughter’s fascination with what once was a big beautiful candle. For hours she’d sit and the wax would make its way all over our dining table. Her focus was picked up by her brother which, of course, led to many sibling challenges (I’m being polite).  How many times do you have […]

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Benefits

September 1, 2011

Working in the laundry definitely has some advantages!  I’m realising just how useful those pegs can be. The combination of slow curing epoxy resin (48 hours) and acrylic enamel is a dream on my pods.  

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Brooch Matters

August 26, 2011

I was sorely tempted to buy a brooch pin but I thought I’d try my hand at making one again.  The last time I did this was at Uni and I only ever made one, ouch! It seemed to me that this casting was just begging to be made into a brooch.  I tried to keep the integrity of […]

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Making My Mark

August 14, 2011

I have to thank Karen and Justin for prompting me to sort out my maker’s mark.  I managed to catch Ivan (the craftsman) just before he went on holidays and rather than have the stamp posted, I drove to Melbourne and was treated to a one-on-one how to! I really, really have to practice though! When the bank balance allows […]

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Colour Code

August 8, 2011

With the Moonah exhibition looming in September I decided to revisit my motivation for making this range. It all started because I was given a seed pod by my art teacher Deborah Brearley who advised us to go into Victoria Park and take a look, as it was all about to change.   I went back the next day […]

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Identity Crisis

July 31, 2011

So yet again, I took advice from Etsy on how to succeed in business.  The idea was to create a profile photo that connects the title of the shop The Laundry Collection, with the products being sold. All I could think of was to throw some tools into a laundry basket. Not one of my better days. […]

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Made My Day

July 25, 2011

I woke yesterday morning to find that one of my rings is featured on Kit & Caboodle. Wow! I’m flattered given the calibre of the designers who are members. Shane and the kids came in to look at the computer and saw my picture in amongst some pretty impressive designs, and yes, I could read pride on all their faces.  Big […]

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Shadow of a Doubt

July 21, 2011

I have to say my trusty DVD and CD storage boxes are coming in handy for a lot more than storing equipment. When I need a reflector or a neutral background I grab an empty box and voila! Using the box itself to prop up pieces for photos is like having an extra pair of hands. The problem […]

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Lights…Camera…Photo

July 17, 2011

My laundry has 2 work lights set up at the bench so I’m trying to utilize them without buying in extra equipment. Daylight from the windows is good but I tend to take most product photos at the end of a working day when daylight isn’t an option. I did buy one of those diffuser tents and played around […]

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My Own Worst Enemy

July 12, 2011

So like any new blogger intending to post work online I have dutifully watched and learned from many how to photograph product videos. My background as a director is of no help when it comes to camera work. I always worked with technical teams who knew their stuff. All I had to do was be clear about what I wanted. […]

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Conquered…Sort Of

June 22, 2011

I’ve had it in my head for years that I want to master a tap and die connection. Why? Well, when I was a student I had a go and I completely screwed it up. Pardon the pun! I made a brooch for a lovely lady Deborah Drearley, who’s having a hard time fighting battles […]

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The Smile

June 18, 2011

So the question was asked: “Did she like them?” as a response to my Whatever post. I thought I’d let you see for yourselves… The Reaction She got very excited over a book and a CD, but she’s been showing the rings to her friends and guarding them in her room…A good reaction I guess. The […]

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Whatever!

June 15, 2011

At midday yesterday I had an epiphany that it would be special to make my daughter a ring for her 13th Birthday. She has been eyeing off the Moonah rings, perfect. Tempted just to give her one, I told myself that 13 is a significant year and it’d be worth the effort. Her Birthday, by […]

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Slow and Steady

June 6, 2011

So my big idea to make a ring from the Moonah castings was nearly a disaster. My out of practice soldering was not a pretty sight. In frustration I tried fusing the join and it worked, although my third attempt ended in a puddle of molten silver. To top everything else off brilliantly, the rings […]

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