Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Halloween!!

  I love Halloween! It is one of my favorite holidays! Just because it is pure fun. I like the spooky, creepy and getting to dress up.  Also Shhh ... stealing candy from my kids ;). 

 I have so many great accessories in my shop that are GREAT for Halloween! But not to worry brains to fangs will not be leaving my shop when Halloween is over! Just keep your eyes peeled Funky, Unique NEW Jewelry for the holidays!
Halloween Jewelry!


Neverland Jewelry

Christmas Jewelry Coming Soon!



 





If you are a facebook FAN you have seen the Horror/Scifi Movie Survival Tips if you not you have missed out! But no worries I'll share them with you here to, because they might save your life! =D
Also Facebook FANs can receive 20% off through Oct. 31st! (Only 5 day left to use the code!)
Become a FAN of Neverland Jewelry on Facebook!

★ IMPORTANT USE THIS INFO IF YOUR EVER FIND YOURSELF IN A HORROR MOVIE! ★  

1. If you can't outrun the monster, outrun your friends.
2. Always use a long stick to verify if something is dead. Not your face!
3. Don't say "Hello" and walk towards the noise.
4. Even if the monster/creature/maniac chasing you seems to be walking...DON'T stop running, because they are always right behind you!
5. When running from a monster, Never wear high heels!
6. All monsters CAN be killed...Just don't forget that some were dead to begin with.
7. If the friend you are walking with suddenly vanishes...Calling his name loudly will only attract trouble!
8. If you find a green container that looks like it fell out of the sky and says *secret* and *military* on it. Don't open it. 

9. Matter of fact forget you ever saw it and leave the state that night
10. If what you are fighting is infectious...Don't open your mouth when you slash it!
11. Remember that everything is a weapon when fighting for your life. Even parts of the friend you just outran.
and one I have not put on FB yet!
12. When your friends say you should split up to find *something* remind them that splitting up always winds up with somebody split up. 

13. Never swim alone, at night, naked. 

14. Never make fun of the Nerd, Geek or Socially Awkward because they will have their revenge!

15.  Kids love dinosaurs, Unfortunately dinosaurs love kids too.

16.  If the static in the TV is talking to you, Don't talk back.

17. If you engineer a super-virus, Also engineer an unbreakable test tube.

14. Never make fun of fairies, They aren't as cute when they swarm.

15. If you can see bits of flesh caught in it's teeth, You're standing too close!

16. Remember that everything is a weapon when fighting for your life. Even parts of the friend you just outran.

17.  Remember that everything is a weapon when fighting for your life. Even parts of the friend you just outran.

I hope you have a Fun FANTASTIC Halloween! And be SAFE!


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Eye love my kids!

I love my kids! I have 2 boys and 1 girl. They are the most fantastic little people you will ever meet! They are one of my greatest inspirations for the jewelry I make! They are just so fun and creative. My most recent creation idea came from my 2 wonderful boys. My oldest came to me and said mommy "I saw this monster that holds his eyes in his hands. Do you think you could make an eye?" I thought about for like 2 seconds and said "Oh yeah, I can do that!".
  So as I got started making eyes. (of course I had to make it in their eye color. =D) So as I am making the eyes and my boys have picked out which eye was theirs. My youngest kept asking me about when he could hold it. I kept telling him after I cook it. (I make all my creations from polymer clay which need to be baked to harden). So during the process I had to break for some errands. While we are out and about my youngest who is 3 yrs old kept telling people "Mommy is cooking my eye ball!" Ugh! It was so funny... As I tried to explain to strangers he means an eye I made out of clay. I still got the look of... "Eye out of clay??" It made for a very entertaining day!
  My little guy got his green eye.  However you will not see that green eye photographed, because for the 10 mins I gave it to him so he could show everyone it was lost.( Now he does NOT wear my jewelry but thought what would he the harm in letting go around the house to show his brother and sister and daddy. Ha... I won't be doing that again either.)
   So for your enjoyment from the mind of my little man "Eye See You!" Necklace, Earrings and Ring!
 Eye See You Necklace!














Eye Ball and Chain Earrings!












 Eye See You Ring!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

My "Keep it Simple" Photos!

   I've been a photographer for 12 years. I graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado with a degree in photography. Most of what was taught was commercial photography. We used elaborate set ups, many lights, studios and complicated 4x5 cameras. It was grueling and very difficult. Even with all this FANTASTIC equipment I learned that your photo could still come out looking like junk. Since then, I have found some of the best photos can be taken with the easiest setups and simple equipment.
   I am a natural light photographer. I feel I have less to fight with to get just the right photo so I want to share with you my simple set up. Maybe it can help you. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
   Before I show you the set ups I want to let you in on a couple of things. I use a Canon 40D SLR camera and most of the time I photograph using a 5.6 depth of field with my shutter speed varying. I would suggest some sort of photo software program to help brighten up your photos and make any other touch ups if needed. You do not need a camera like mine to take a good quality photo, just the patience to see what works best for you.
 This first set up I did upstairs in my house.

I use printer paper as the background, and a piece of paper to bounce light back into my shadows. I use a white vase to hang my jewelry. I like to keep it simple. I feel it's the best way to show off my jewelry. Find what works for you. I suggest first and foremost KEEP IT SIMPLE!! (This is the set up I use in the afternoon and the one I feel like I get the best results from.)


I NEVER use direct sun light or a flash- it could wash everything out. My jewelry would have a lot of shine and there would be icky shadows to deal with.  So you might need to wait until a time of day your camera will not need to use a flash. It's not until about 12:30 pm that I can use this spot for photos. I use the blinds in the window to control how much light comes in.They basically work as a soft box.











Bouncing light off another piece of paper helps lighten the shadows. This means there will not be such a difference between the highlights and shadows. The first photo is without the light being bounced. The second photo that piece of paper has been added. It doesn't completely get rid of shadows but it helps them be less harsh.


This is the set up for the jewelry that I just photograph on the paper. I do still use the paper to bounce the light. It's just not in the photo. =D


















This photo of my Ninja necklace was taken using the 1st set up, but it doesn't have all the control I like. I still have to do some work in Photoshop afterwards. I use levels to brighten up the photo, selective color to take out any weird colors I think are there, and increase the vibrancy to make any colors pop if they need it.

















This is my 2nd set up. I can use this one from 8 am to about 11 am. This is not my fave but it works in a pinch. I use the same set up.
(yes that is a spiderman chair under there =D)

















Once again I use my blinds to create the soft box affect.


















The cherries were taken using the 2nd set up. I still do the same editing in Photoshop afterwards.

















Well there you have my "Keep it Simple" set up. I hope you have enjoyed this and maybe learned something you didn't know before. If you have any questions please ask me! I would love to share what I know.
                                                                Amanda

Friday, September 10, 2010

FUN for your hair!

If your like me I can never figure out what to do with my hair. We have a love hate relationship =D. So I thought why not just figure out something fun to put IN my hair. Maybe that way no one will notice I have no idea what to do with my hair. So I have come up with some really cute, fun, funky hair Barrettes!
So for those feeling a little devious how about some little red horns.















                Red Horn Barrettes
You can add a little fantasy to your every day with white marbled horns.


















White Horns Barrettes

A Cute Halloween accessory or if your just feeling a little witchy.


















Mini Witch Hat Barrette
Show your Brains and have everyone you pass will be doing a double- take (they really will. Trust me!) with the Brain Barrette.















Show your Brains Barrette
Or for the Zombie lover Show your Zombie Brains!













Show your Zombie Brains Barrette 
I know everyone has different hair so with these pieces of head art you can pick your clip size.

I hope you'll find these Funky Barrettes can help tame your wild mane.  I hope to have more to share with you soon!