How to take a photo that sells

Today is my Eye Candy Day, when I find something in Etsy, something extraordinary that is made of beads. Svetlana Dubinsky makes lots of very very nice beaded jewelry. Her pictures are also very very nice, so nice, that you cannot pass by them. For example, this picture of her earrings! Aren't they the sweetest earrings ever? :)

Swarovski crystal earrings by Svetlana Dubinsky

Autumn Gift Ideas

Autumn is coming... really? Does not feel like Autumn yet. At least here. Does it feel like it at your place?  New Irina's collection of the gift ideas will give you that feeling for sure! Thank you for the reminder, Irina! :)

Colors of Autumn curated by Irina on Etsy

(you will find a lot more finds if you visit the collection)

Charoite for an Art Nouveau pendant

This stone is charoite and it takes its name from the river Chara in Russia. This is the only place it was found. As I've heard everything that could be taken had been taken out of the mine. Funny enough I tried to buy some charoite while I was in Russia for a trip, as I thought it would be cheaper there (Australian opal and Australian chrisoprase was cheaper in Australia!). Well, Russian charoite is more expensive in Russia than anywhere else! Go figure... So I bought mine on ebay :) (the color in the picture is not quite right, it looks a bit darker here than in real life).

The shape is nice, but rather unusual. I thought it would fit an organic Art Nouveau design.

Boxes by Charles Marion Russell Buccaroos

I am adding one more gorgeous box into my virtual jewelry box collection. Another box I could not pass by :) The idea of this box is very unique. The box and lid are constructed of wooden picture frame moldings. The artist says: "The design possibilities are endless for these boxes so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a special theme in mind". So, if you like, please, don't! Here is his etsy shop.

Back to School gift ideas

What to give as a gift to a kid who is going to school soon? I did my own research. A few years from now I will need it myself too :)

A cool vintage desk or a computer table. A lamp for the table too!

• Computer table by ARTEMANOdotUS
• Antique school desk is in thejunkhaus shop
• Wooden desk by MINIATURAFR
• Cool lamp by  OBJECTSofINDUSTRY

Pencil holders for the new table!

• Pencil holder by DINDINTOYS
• Pencil holder by jaukudesign
• Leather wrap for notebook and pencils by leatherfinerwork
• Wooden desk organizer by Woodstorming

A laptop case!

• Laptop case by LittlePigeonCrafts

Vintage map and a vintage globe (perhaps the parents will be happy to receive it, more than the kids)

• Antique map by iCanvasART
• Vintage globe in86home

Bookends!

• Book ends by TabDesign

Books for the bookends!

• Vintage Charles Dickens Works in CopperAndTin
•  Wooden book rack by OldAndCold
• Printable school planner by TopsyTurvyPrintables
• School planner by NutsforPaper

Bookmarks for the books!

• Book divider byDesignAtelierArticle
• Bookmarks by JewelMango

A chalkboard:

• Wall calender by Rozemake
• Chalkboard wall decal by brownshades
• Frames chalkboard by ShugabeeLane
• Vintage chalkboard by RehabVintageLA

Don't forget a chalk pencil!

• Chalk pencil by rusticcraftdesign

Table calendar, a modern one or a vintage one.

• Vintage Russian table calendar in USSRvintage
•  Printable desk calendar by DigitalArtParis
• Printable desk calender by SkyGoodies
• Desk calender by ruffhouseart

Earphones, for studying foreign languages, of course!

• Earphones byketchupize

Backpack, a cute+functional one, or just a functional one.

• Backpack by Everlights
• Backpack by  LadyBirdesign

Autumn is coming, so, maybe, a scarf?

• Scarf by reflectionsbyds
• Scarf, fingerless gloves and a headband by Solandia

An iPhone case: a nice one, a cute one or a cool one!

• iPhone case by BasementTwentytwo
• iPhone case by iCaseBeauty
• iPhone case by JuliWine
• iPhone case by JonEicher

First Day of School cup (is there a confusion in the faces? :)

• Cups by LightedBottle

Monday Jewelry Quote

...but I tried...

Gemstone bracelet with a sterling silver clasp

and I failed... just as I was supposed to, so it's ok :)

We made the front page of Etsy!

One more time Irina proved to be an awesome treasury curator! Thank you for including my square pendant!

Sunday Interior Design Guide

Great finds for home decoration by Anna today! The color combination gives me a feeling of August, when it is still warm, but you are aware of coming Autumn. Perfection.

Discover the items from the interactive page of the Guide.

Bead Day. Elena Noel's beadwork

I could not pass by such an extraordinary work! Enjoy with me today's eye candy :)

Friday Gift Guide. Pink Dreams.

New gift guide made by Irina has arrived. It is a great idea to look for the gifts by color! Pink is a perfect color to go by when you are choosing a gift for a girl :) Not all girls like pink, mind you, so you should check that first. 

This is not the whole Gift Guide here, by the way ;) More pink gift ideas here (visit the same page if you are interested in anything you see here)