The One Dollar Photo Studio

Pictures are the bane of many sellers listing process. Finding the right background color, the right amount of light, and keeping it all organized can be quite a chore.

Frustrated with other light box tutorials that left me with washed out pictures and a big box to store, I wandered around the dollar store one afternoon and found the perfect solution to my needs.

The dollar price included the following;

• 1 20 inch X 30 inch Piece of White Foam Board ( Office Supplies)
• 1 Adjustable Utility Blade ( Hardware)
• 1 Roll Packaging Tape ( Office Supplies)
• 1 Yard Stick (Office Supplies)
• I Package Assorted Color Construction Paper (Toys or Office Supplies)

Honestly, I spent a buck. I had everything but the foam board already at my house. If you need to buy EVERYTHING, you'll need 5 bucks.

MAKE THE BOX

1. Measure and cut the foam board along the 30 inch side. I cut mine 7 inches into the board, so i had a 7 by 30 inch rectangle of foam board. I used the adjustable utility blade and the yard stick.
2. Cut a 7 by 7 inch square off the end of the rectangle you just cut ( or the amount equal to the width of your cut rectangle) This will be the bottom of your studio. Cut the remaining rectangle to 14 inches long 7 inches wide.
   
3. This next part is tricky. you need to adjust your blade to just a bit LESS than the thickness of your foam board. Mine is 1/4 inch, so I made the blade depth just less than 1/4 inch. Next measure in 7 inches on the foam board ( so it's split in half) and cut the board, being careful not to cut ONE side of paper on the board. You now have a "V" of 2 attached 7 inch foam board squares.
4. You MIGHT need an extra set of hands for this part. I was able to do it myself, but my tape looks icky. Thank goodness it's on the part of the box you don't see. Cut and attach two 7 inch pieces of packaging tape to the bottom square. Try to make them centered as best you can, so half of the edge is left out. Now, carefully bend the 2 attached squares to a 90 degree angle and set them on the bottom. carefully fold the tape up to secure the "sides" to the bottom.
   

DONE!

BACKGROUNDS

Using the utility blade and yard stick, cut one of each color of construction paper into 7 by 7 inch squares. i like to do 3 of each color so I can "line" the box with color if I need to take a picture of a larger item.

You're done! To store it, set the paper squares inside the box and set it come place out of the way.

To use it, take it to a sunny window, a well lit part of your house, or even outside. lay out the pieces of paper that compliment your item, stage the shot, and photograph.

Voila!

A perfect place to take the perfect picture.

Using Etsy Search Effectively

As a regular Etsy Seller and Buyer, I browse the forums on a daily basis.

One of the common concerns I see from Sellers and Buyers is that "Search is Broken"

In my experience, it is not. You just need to know how to use it.

Etsy search states clearly how their search engine works.

They also offer the searcher a pretty large list of "tips" to aid in finding what they need via search.

From Etsy

• Add more words to narrow it down
ex: who it's for, color, material, category
• NOT eliminates words
• "Quotes" searches for phrases in items: tags and titles
• Narrow your search with items: tags only
• Broaden your search with items: tags, titles and descriptions
• Find sellers: sellers: usernames
• Sort by price or date listed

Using these tips, I am able to find almost EXACTLY what I am looking for using search.

A common concern is the "bleed" of vintage and supplies. This is VERY easy to remedy; Simple include the terms "not vintage" and "not supplies" in your search terms.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. tag abuse, user error and misunderstanding of the tag system by sellers can lead to search results that do not belong.

This does NOT mean Search is broken. It means someone is using the wrong tag to describe their items, or possibly using separate words that match but may be unrelated.

For example, if a fabric is called "blue glass" it may come up in my search results. This does not mean search is broken. I asked it to find the terms "blue glass"

Try using quotes to refine your search if you find a bleed over from similar but unrelated tags.

If you find an item that is a clear tag abuse offender (say a red baby blanket in the above search) Use the "report this item to Etsy" link, and move on to the next item.

Remember, Vintage and Supplies ARE allowed, but they must be tagged appropriately, and in the appropriate primary category. If you see an Item that is abusing tags, such as commercial beads in the “jewelery” main category, report it to Etsy.

Etsy Search Help Guide

Happy searching!

(Originally Published on Qassia )