Kansas City Shopping Trip

InStyle Magazine (and a coupon!)

Bellalulu is IN November's InStyle magazine.  Wow, I can't believe it.  Printed in the magazine is a coupon code for 20% off, and I wanted to make sure and share that with you.  Use code STYLE20 for 20% off for a limited time only. 
If you are bored at the checkout lane, look for InStyle Magazine (page 272) with my friend Halle Barry on the front.  Okay, she's not really my friend, but hey, we're in the same magazine! 

FAUX fun.

Isn't FAUX fun?
A year or so ago, I came across my first Osa Johnson book at my local Flea Market.  It was I Married Adventure, and it has a faux tiger cover.  I had to have it!  Since then, I've collected a couple more (as seen above and here).  They make great photography props.  And I love them.

She also has a book called Four Years in Paradise with a faux giraffe cover, and it is equally wonderful.

Etsy has a great selection of faux deer:

1. cartbeforethehorse's cloth sculpture deer.  2. oelwein's pink antler tea towel
3. manafkamina's crochet deer head  4. and I loved these faux deer head souvenirs I sold not long ago

What is your favorite faux find?

How 4 little old bunsen burners became famous...

Almost a year ago, I sold these 4 old bunsen burners.  It wasn't a typical sale though.  The customer wanted me to overnight them.  My husband was standing near when I was reading that request.  Really?  Someone wants some old bunsen burners, and wants them overnighted?  He got a chuckle out of that. 
Well, as I convo'ed back and forth with the customer, I realized they were headed somewhere pretty neat.  To Universal City, CA.  To the set of CSI.  For Ted Danson's character's office. 

And that's exactly where they ended up (squint really hard and follow the arrow)...they're famous!  Hi there Ted!  I feel like we know each other now, you know, kind of like how I know Harrison Ford. 

Happy 4th!

Isn't she a doll? A very sweet customer purchased this old red, white and blue baton from the shop for his daughter to use in a parade. Her outfit is just darling, and I'm so glad the baton went to such a perfect home! I do love red, white and blue, don't you? All of the items below are still available in here! Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

READY, SET, GO!
Take 20% all items in the shop with code JUNE20

Photography...Who me?

How is it possible that I am writing a post about photography?
Well, after several Etsy convos asking about my photography and complimenting my photography...here goes!

First of all, I didn't start off this way. It has taken the time, learning, experience and the right camera. Honestly, I am embarrassed to look back at some of my first pictures for my shop. I soon learned how very important it is on Etsy to have really good pictures of your items. It makes a HUGE difference. Even now, I am not 100% happy with all of my pictures. There is still room for improvement.

What kind of camera do I use? Canon EOS Rebel XS

How did I learn to use it? Ashley Ann Campbell's SnapShop. I learned A TON in one Saturday at Ashley's house. Before that, I always had my camera on the automatic mode. I learned how to shoot manually, and what all of those little buttons (as seen above) on the camera mean and what they do.

I am SO blessed to live in the same area as Ashley and was able to take this class at her (amazing, fun, creative ideas everywhere) house. However, she is now offering her class online. In fact, you can sign up now for the next class- it starts September 5th.

One of the many tips that I learned at the SnapShop was to *not* have the item you are photographing be perfectly in the center. It just looks more interesting if the item is slightly to the left or right of center.
What else? Well, I get A LOT of practice. Since I am adding at least one item to the shop everyday, I take a lot of pictures. This has forced me to figure out what time of day offers the best lighting. I talk almost all of my pictures in my youngest daughter's room. It has very pale aqua blue walls, and that seems to work well. And the surface? It's a simple white table from Pottery Barn Kids...also borrowed from my daughters.

And speaking of my daughters, sometimes they help me with my pictures. They love it, and I have to admit, those little hands are pretty cute!