Constructive Criticism Please?

Hi Alyssa.......you didn't scare me......Lol

I've had what us Northerner's in England call a 'good mooch round' your shop. The Banner is cool. Particularly like the jar with things hanging from it. My favourite is the Owl Necklace because I love the colour.

I wasn't sure what some of the items were from the titles. Some of the photo's have a bit of problems with the backgrounds. I couldn't see the 'Broken Heart' one properly. Try using a tonal contrast. Perhaps a silver grey. The 'Doves in flight was a bit difficult to work out too.

It's really difficult to photograph jewellery as you get either a lot of reflection or not enough light. I used to photograph my jewellery on matt coloured cloth so the cloth itself didn't cast and light back and it defines the edges better.

I really like the idea of hanging ear rings from the terracotta jar. That's a good contrast and really says what you are about. I'd go with that sort of theme. It's slightly quirky and makes interesting pictures. The terracotta's earthy tones would work for most of your items.

I will give some thought to your wire work as It's bugging me how best to show it off.

Your bio & profile pic are really good and I wouldn't change them.

Still friends?

Hi I've been able to answer some of the question and I hope the comments are helpful.
1. My taste is probably best described as quirky and eclectic
2. My favourite piece was the broken heart pendant - its different and I like the design with the springy bit through the middle and the beads. I also liked all your earrings
3. Probably the bird in flight and shooting star pendants - probably because I couldn't make out the shape, it was probably a bit too abstract for my taste. I'd also worry about it snagging on clothes or me.

I liked your banner and it was interesting. The colour scheme is really nice and also from a practical side of things it was easy to read.
I liked your photo - its a nice shot and you look comfortable having your photo taken (I have a tendency to freeze when a camera comes my way )
I'll be honest about the biography bit - I never usually read these on any of the shops, especially if they are long.
Your photos are good, especially the earrings. The only thing I would say though is that a couple weren't clear what they were, especially the first bag. It would be tough to know what would help fix it though as I think part of the difficulty is that the pattern is quite busy. Possibly you could have your first picture with some plain items like college folders or something in it - that would give an idea of size and use and would also break the pattern up so you could see it was a bag and not a cushion.
Also the punk rock scarf was tricky to work out what it looked like. Maybe you cold photograph it around someones neck or on a dressmakers mannequin.
My only other suggestion was to possibly make your titles a little shorter. I like them and they are nice and imaginative but unfortunately there must be quite a small limit on the number of characters that will get shown on your front page so, again it makes it tricky to know what things are straight away.
I hope these help. Let me know if anything isn't clear - I wasn't always sure if I was explaining things very well. Good luck with the shop though

1. What is your style or taste? Do any of these items fit that style or taste?
Ah, it's hard to describe. Um, i'd say... vintage, feminine but I also like bright coloured, different things. I think the Punk Rock Scarf, and Floral Print Slouchy Purse are the closest out of those items.
2. What is your favorite item and why?
As above, the Floral Print Slouchy Purse. I realy like the fabric and the relaxes slouchyness of it^-^
3. What is your least favorite item and why?
This is a hard one :/ Probably the Stretchy Glitter and Plaid Headband. I don't like that it is nearly all denim, and think the flower looks a bit strange being to small.
4. If a certain item was something you've been looking for, how much would you pay to get it?
Keeping in mind that im a teenager, and don't have an income I think if it was 'something id been looking for' a maximum of around £15. However If i realy loved it id go higher than that.
5. Would you prefer to buy a small item and pay little shipping and a large item with no shipping, or a small item with no shipping and a large item with little shipping?
A small item with no shipping and a large item with little shipping.
6. Is my banner interesting?
I think it is, but it doesn't do all of your stock justis. It makes me think you're selling jewelry.
7. How does my photo make you feel? Intimidated? Trusting? Amused?
Trusted
8. Are the item descriptions informative enough? Convincing enough to make you interested?
Yes, i think they're informative enough, as well as friendly. You realy sell your items.
9. Do my item photos look professional? Are there any improvements that need to be made such as lighting, positioning of the item, backgrounds, item quality, need of props, etc.?
I think all of the photos of the jewelry and pendants are very profesional and make your items look great. However I would like to see the bags on someones shoulder.
10. How does my biography make you feel about me and my shop?
It makes me think, you're an honest, friendly person and makes me realy tempted to buy you're products. I love the parts where you talk about dreams, and recycling. Its also nice to know that your products are all unique.
11. Do you have any questions or comments for me that don't address the previous questions I've asked?
Nothing I can think of except goodluck and I hope this helped! Your shop looks great, very profesional with a personal touch.

@ Sheila: Thank you for being the first to answer! You always find my posts and give so much help! =) I'll work on the jewelry photos. I know they're a bit off but it's so hard, like you said, to take photos without getting a glare. Yes, still friends! =D

@ Arty: Those pendants aren't doing too well haha, but thanks for explaining. I'll be taking photos soon hopefully with a live model, so I can clean up some of the pictures and add some new ones with everything shown on a real person. The issue with the titles is ArtFire requires a 17 character title and therefore I have to expand as much as possible, including some adjectives I wouldn't ordinarily use. I'll see if I can fix that somehow. Thank you!!

@ Ceeyra: Your answers were very helpful! About the glitter headband, it's gone. I didn't like it much to begin with and your answer pretty much tipped me over the fence on it, so I took it down. It really was very blah. The banner is only temporary. I have someone designing me a new one, but it doesn't include any items at all so I may have to find a way to remedy that. My friend agreed to model for me so I'll be taking new pictures of items on her and replacing some of the ones I have posted. New items have been made but I can't post anything until we get together for the photo shoot. On stuff like the jewelry, I'll be lowering the prices because I personally think they're too high. I still have some adjusting to do with the pricing formula I have. Thank you so much for your help!

You're welcome Alyssa

Had a thought about photographing jewellery. Try a daylight bulb and don't use direct light. Experiment with plain coloured backgrounds. Check this out http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/jewelry_photography.htm

I do use the daylight bulbs already, but I usually keep one direct and one as a fill light. I need to purchase some more fabric or paper as a background. I read a lot of the webpage and it's very interesting stuff =) My daylight bulbs don't look like theirs though lol. I might as well buy a camera with manual focus while I'm at it. Mine is a basic one.

1. What is your style or taste? Do any of these items fit that style or taste?
I'm a rock chick. So I'm into studs, buttons, all that jazz. but i'm also not picky. all of those items are lovely
2. What is your favorite item and why?
i love that black and white drawstring bag because it's different i would happily carry that around with me
3. What is your least favorite item and why?
i'm not so into the scarf. i love it. but i wouldn't wear it if you know what i mean.
4. If a certain item was something you've been looking for, how much would you pay to get it?
i'm not sure. but i know for a fact that your prices are too low!
5. Would you prefer to buy a small item and pay little shipping and a large item with no shipping, or a small item with no shipping and a large item with little shipping?
i think i'd prefer to buy a small item with no shipping and a large item with a little shipping. i would even pay a fair bit for shipping on a large item so i know it will get to me in one piece
6. Is my banner interesting?
love your banner very eye catching
7. How does my photo make you feel? Intimidated? Trusting? Amused?
your photo is perfect not to model-like but not too happy-snap. if you get me...
8. Are the item descriptions informative enough? Convincing enough to make you interested?
yes is there any way you can bold some words though? that would make it more eye catching for me.
9. Do my item photos look professional? Are there any improvements that need to be made such as lighting, positioning of the item, backgrounds, item quality, need of props, etc.?
your photos are cool they're different and not just on a white page for all of them. i actually discovered a nifty little website the other day and they said you should scan your items. obviously it doesn't work for large, bulky items but for earrings and such it works
10. How does my biography make you feel about me and my shop?
you write very well have you ever read the magazine frankie? it reminds me of that. and that's my favourite magazine so that's a compliment haha
11. Do you have any questions or comments for me that don't address the previous questions I've asked?
not particularly. i just want to thank you for helping me procrastinate

What speed of film do you use? Try a higher ASA as you will get more detail.Use a fast shutter speed with wide appature setting when you get a manual camera

@ Zelma: Thank you for your help!! I went back and increased a few prices. I don't want to over-charge though, so I honestly can't say what is reasonably priced or under-priced or what. I'm not great at comparing items either. Again, thank you! This actually made my day (I'm at work and we had the WORST guy come in and totally ruin everyone's mood--you made mine better!) =)

@ Sheila: This is the closest I could find to represent the camera I own: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/FUJIFILM+-+FinePix+12.2-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Black/9766719.p?id=1218170032428&skuId=9766719
I can't control anything but the zoom and the type of picture I'm taking (portrait, night photo, text, etc.). I usually shoot with a text setting because it picks up the details of my items really well.

Ahhh......you have a digital camera. I used to photograph my jewellery with a fully manual film camera when I was studying. That makes a bit of a difference. I'm not sure about the settings available on digital cameras....sorry I'm a dinosaur.....Lol

Had a look at the link. Have you got the 'snow' option on your camera? If you have try it out as when I've been doing snow photography there is a lot of surface glare that has to be reduced. May be worth a try.

I have a Bolex, but that's no good for pictures, only movies. =) I love film, think it's absolutely gorgeous. But I can't afford to take photos of my items with film. =(

I don't think I do have that option, but I'll check when I get home from work.