New Year, New Photos

Last year for me was a year of making, this year I think it's going to be the year of photography!

I felt I needed to give my etsy shop a bit of attention. It's has always taken rather a back seat, up until now I've always prioritised doing events and fairs.

 I thought I'd begin by looking at the photographs I had. I really didn't like my napkin photographs, these were the weakest images I had out of all my product shots. The table that I had used as a background had looked very orange and even after I had edited the photos I wasn't happy with them. I did some research and looked for images in magazines and on the internet for inspiration.

I have some lovely wooden crates that I use to display my products when I do an event, so I thought I'd try using those. I also wanted to try and take overhead shots but I don't have the right sort of tripod, but I thought I'd see what I could do. I have found using natural light is the best, so I need to  use a slow shutter speed, hence I use a tripod.

So here are the results of the first photo shoot! I just used some rosemary from the garden and natural string to add interest to the image.

Then these are from the second photo shoot. Then I thought of adding a simple sprig of gypsophila to the place setting.

Then I tried adding a couple of bay leaves behind a small sprig of gypsophila. See the images in my etsy shop here

I think my napkins work really well when they are mixed and matched together, especially the china blue range. So I also photograph a couple of combinations.

I am very excited to announce that some Chez Beccy products are now available on the

 Country Living General Store

Why not take a peek!

UK Handmade have a fabulous winter brochure out now 

with loads of gorgeous handmade presents ideas. 

I'm very pleased 

that my Christmas Napkins also feature.

Aprons and tea towels are also now available from my online shop

I set up my Chez Beccy stand last weekend at the Vesey Rooms in Bampton. I have my Aprons, Tea Towels, Napkins, Lavender Hearts and Cards for sale.

 I went back today to see how it looked with everyone elses things. 

Lesley Williams has some lovely pottery, her mugs are gorgeous.

Lovely chopping boards from Tuula of Stikdesign.

And homemade chutney from Ann-Margret, just lovely the spotty green covers!

and of course plenty of Downton Abbey souvenirs!!!

My latest advert for my Christmas range.

My new range of Christmas cards.

Oooh I do love a bit of gold glitter!

I love Christmas, I always get so excited and now the clocks have changed its really winter so I can start planning with gusto! I love thinking about the entertaining that I want to do and organise the food menus, think about what and when to decorate. I even have a special notebook where I write my menu plans, shopping list and top tips. Its actually good to look back on as well to see what I cooked and for how many people! And this year I'm going to be wearing my new Christmas Apron!

So I've been loving making my Christmas Aprons, Tea Towels and Napkins ready for the Christmas Craft show season! My first one is a my nephew's school with several others in the following few weekends.

My Christmas Aprons and Tea Towels are ready

I've also made up gift sets, complete with gift tag to write your message on and mini peg to attach to your gift!

just the napkins to make now!

So I've been busy preparing for my first craft stall. Only 2 weeks away now.

I've designed my price labels.

Made up some bags of loose lavender.

And I've been working out the layout of my stall.

Just a bit of time now to make some extra stock, incase I sell loads!

Have decided my towel rail looks pretty good as it is. I can get 2 rows of tea towels and a row of napkins on it. So I think it will work well standing on a table at a craft fair. Just need to make some price labels now.

I bought some pretty blue and white bowls yesterday. I wanted to display them nicely on my dresser but it was so full of stuff you couldn't see them! So I've had a big tidy up and I'm really pleased with the results. I've also put some parsley in a jam jar to add a bit of greenery. It always makes me feel so happy when I tidy up. I don't know why I don't do it more!

Now I'm off to make some Aprons. So I should have some to show you next time!

This week I've been making some more napkins.  I've been really inspired by the amazing photography on the decor 8 and designsponge.com blogs. So I've tried to take some better more interesting photographs.

I went to a lovely market yesterday which was selling homemade cakes and bread. They all looked so delicious I bought some. They turned out to be extremely useful too!!

The whole range of Chez Beccy napkins.

Now I'm going to make a nice cup of tea and eat one of these amazing looking rock cakes! I've been drooling over them for too long!!!!