September 17, 2015

Micro Macrame in Blue and Orange

Micro macrame bracelets by Sherri Stokey of Knot Just Macrame.

Okay, so it's not just micro macrame jewelry done in blue and orange (sorry, Broncos fans), there's a lot more going on than that.  There's a couple shades of blue and two or three shades of orange with some copper thrown in, and a bit of bluish green...  All knotted together in an intricate pattern.  Sprinkle in a few seed beads and a copper leaf or two and poof - magic!

And to think it all started with this pile of beads and cord I pulled to do a custom order bracelet (more on that here)!


Who would think that unimposing pile of nylon cord and glass seed beads could be such a wealth of inspiration?  Okay, so maybe I get a wee bit obsessed.  One thing leads to another...  

Micro macrame bracelets in blue and orange by Sherri Stokey.

The bottom one there came first - a nice combination of all the colors.  But then I wondered what would happen if I bumped up the orange, so the top one happened.  Then I wondered what it would look like if I added even more orange, and I got this:

Micro macrame bracelet in orange and blue by Sherri Stokey.

Did you notice that I'm also experimenting with my photos?  I'm toying with the idea of opening a shop for my micro macrame jewelry on Handmade at Amazon and they have some specific requirements for product photos.  They want neutral backgrounds, preferably light, no props and no watermarks.  I have to admit, the no watermarks rule gives me a little heartburn.  As an artist, oh!  Did you see what I did there?  I'm practicing calling myself that.  (If you're wondering what that's all about, maybe you missed this post.)  

Anyway, as I was saying, as an artist, there's nothing more disheartening than having your work stolen, whether it's someone copying your ideas, distributing your tutorials or stealing your photographs to use on their sites.  I put a lot of time and effort into my work; I really do.  I have spent years perfecting my knots and developing my style.  I've spent countless hours trying color combinations and experimenting with different cords and beads.  I've researched jewelry photography and learned how to use my camera, and that's after investing a lot of my hard earned money to buy the camera in the first place.  I put me into my work, so when someone takes any part of my art for their own use without my permission, it feels almost like an assault on me.  It's personal.  

Where was I?  Oh, yeah... so if I decide to open an shop at Handmade at Amazon, I will need to retake all of my macrame jewelry photos.  *sigh*  And not only reshoot them, but restyle them.  So lately when I am taking pics to share with all of you, I'm trying out some different things.  I had a background custom printed that goes from white to gray with a gradual gradient starting midway.  I really thought I loved it, but now I'm questioning the dark shadows at the rear of the photos.  But the stark white just seems so... stark :)

Micro macrame bracelet in orange and blue with copper leaf.

Here's one of the photos I did with a plain white background:

Autumn leaf necklace by Sherri Stokey of Knot Just Macrame.

That one I quite like with the stark white.  This one, not so much:

Drunkard's Path micro macrame bracelet from Knot Just Macrame.

It's hard to keep the white from getting a dingy gray cast.  Anywho...  between experimenting with the color palette (which I like) and experimenting with product photography (which I don't like), I'm keeping busy! 

9 comments:

  1. Sherri, I like all 3 of these photos. Where are you learning this? Are you using a photo box - I have one but my pictures are not coming out like this.

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    1. Do I have a photo box LOL. I have 4 different ones and I'm debating on buying another. They all have things I like and things I don't like and I'm still searching for the "perfect" one. I still spend way too much time editing my pictures. Pearl has links to lots of helpful photography tips on The Beading Gem's Journal which are very helpful.

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    2. If you don't mind me asking, what light/photo boxes are you using? I've had my eye on one specific one but would like some opinions on what you have and the pros and cons. I hate to monopolize your comments section so here's my email, ndemore23 at gmail.com. I'd really like to hear what you've got to say. Thanks!

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  3. Hi Sherry, I would like to know what kind of cord you use and where do you find it. Currently I'm living in the UK. :) Amazing job!! Thanks in advance.

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    1. I use either c-lon or superlon (sometimes called s-lon). I use mostly the .5mm size, but I do mess with the other sizes. There is a supplier in the UK: http://www.knottingways.co.uk/macram%C3%A9-thread/c-lon/C5-3-1-0.htm Tell Hilary I sent you :)

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