Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Summer Style - MISI Handmade Gift Guide

Summer is upon us. And, since there are no major holidays coming up that involve gift exchange — the best excuse we have to buy new stuff, is to help make the heat less annoying.
Luckily, there are a few items over at MISI to help make the summer more tolerable, and will add some flair to your next backyard BBQ. Check them out, and be cool.












See more Summer Style Gifts!

Monday, 17 June 2013

Apricot Jam Recipe

A delicious Apricot Jam Recipe made with fresh apricots to bring summer sunshine to the table year-round. 

Prep Time: 45 minutes 

Cook Time: 1 hour, 00 minutes 

Ingredients:

  • 2¼lbs/1 kilo fresh apricots, halved and stoned - keep the stones
  • 2¼/1 kilo sugar
  • 1 pint/ 500ml water

Preparation:

  • Cut the apricots in half and remove the stone.
  • Break a number of the stones, remove the almond, wash, dry, and keep to one side. You will need roughly 8 for each pound/450g of jam.
  • Place the sugar in a jam pan with the water and heat slowly to a gentle boil.
  • Drop the fruit into the syrup, bring to a fast boil then immediately remove the fruit and keep to one side.
  • Boil the syrup a second time as in stage 2.
  • Replace the fruit into the syrup and bring back to the boil. Cook for 15 mins.
  • Remove the fruit again, this time place into clean, warm jam jars. Add 2 almonds to each jar; the almonds add extra flavor to the jam.
  • Boil the syrup a third time then pour over the apricots in the jars. Cover with a tight fitting lid and allow to cool. The jam can be stored unopened for several months in a cool place. Once opened store in the refrigerator.
Good Luck! 

Friday, 14 June 2013

How to Photograph Clothing For Your MISI Shop

Taking good quality pictures of clothing can be tricky.  The battle to eliminate or control harsh shadows can seem endless, and soft, even lighting can be a real problem. Figuring out how best to display the clothing so it appears appealing to shoppers is also a challenge. 

Here are a variety of tips to display your clothing for great results ranging from the most basic folded display to the most professional fashion model.

1. Know your histogram

First, make sure the camera is exposing the image correctly when you take the picture. To do that, learn how to read the histogram. Every image your camera produces has one. The histogram reviews are usually off by default. The information is there, just not being displayed on the LCD monitor when you review the photo.
Refer to your user’s manual to turn it on so you can see it after each shot. What you are aiming for is an even graph across the whole spectrum, from right to left. I know that’s a little more technical than you asked for, but histograms are easy to read once you get the hang of it. They can make a big difference in how the end photo looks.
2. Minimize shadows
Shadows could be causing the waving effect you refer to. To cure that, you need to remove or move the shadows. That is done by adjusting the lighting. What you need to do is to create soft, diffused light. Think of how a cloudy day softens or eliminates the shadows. That’s what you need to do in your studio—you need to create a cloudy day.
The first step is to turn off the flash on your camera.

3. Soften your approach

Once you turn off the flash, you may need to add more light to expose the image correctly. Professionals use “soft boxes.” These are lights on stands that are covered in a very thin white nylon material. Light coming through the translucent material is softened (like light through clouds) and when it falls on the clothes, it minimizes the shadows.
Once you have good, diffused light, you can streamline your photographing operation and control the waving effect. Be sure to check the angle of the shadow while you are setting up—does it look pleasing to your eye? If it’s not looking good as you look through the LCD screen, the camera will exaggerate whatever is out of place! Take a second to move the lights if it might bring out the color better, or remove the shadow next to the raised material.
Always be looking!

4. Edit to bring out the best

Finally, as you know, photo editing software is your friend. Picasa’s “I’m feeling lucky” tool does a great job on most items. In other software programs, what this tool does is referred to as automatic adjustment, found under the editing menu.
I know the goal is to get those photos done as quickly as possible so you can move to the next phase—selling online. But please don’t forget there is a whole suite of tools in Picasa and other photo editing software designed to help bring out the best. Check out some of the other tabs, too.


Thursday, 13 June 2013

10 Tips to Write Great Handmade Jewelry Descriptions

Your handmade jewelry descriptions have to persuade someone that your jewelry is worth buying... And just making a list of materials just doesn't go very far. That's why spending time to hone your description is so important to your ultimate longterm success.
Here are some tips for making those product descriptions more likely to make the sale.
Tip #1: Think of the Title as a Headline
A great description has to first catch your readers attention. Make sure the title of your product is something that catches the eye and makes someone want to read further. You'll want your title to be both descriptive and representative, and not vague and "artsy". Remember, your title won't always be seen with the photo of your work. In search engine listing for example, the title and brief description is all the reader will see. Artsy titles will appeal to the reader more when they actually see the item on your product page.
Here are some examples
  • "The Perfect Mother's Day Bracelet" is a much better title than "Crystal Bracelet".
  • "A Summer Bracelet for Lazy Casual Evenings Out" is better than "Summer Shades".

Tip #2: Benefits are More Important Than Features
Focus your description on benefits (what's in it for me?) first before the features.
A quick overview of features vs. benefits. 
What's a feature? A feature is a descriptor.
Here are some examples:
* Handmade, one of a kind piece
* Sterling silver components
* 16" long.
What's a benefit? The benefit is what that feature does for your customer.
To know what benefit to emphasize, you'll need to know your customer. What are they like? What is important to them? Are they looking for a feeling or experience? Do they need admiration and status? Or are they more concerned with getting something that doesn't break easily?
Here are some examples of benefits:
  • One of a kind There is non other like it in the world (Feeling unique is an emotional benefit that's important to lots of people)
  • Sterling silver Real silver is a luxury and we all need to be pampered sometimes, don't we? (Feeling pampered is sought after by many)
  • 16" long the perfect length for showing off a V-neck and to highlight the face. (Feeling attractive is a strong emotional desire that could be a benefit of your jewelry item.)
  • Strong Chain Links Durable and long lasting, and won't break when a baby pulls on it (Logical benefit)

Tip #3: Include Emotional Benefits and Logical Benefits
People buy for emotional needs, but rationalize with logical benefits so it's a good idea to hit on both. A good rule of thumb is to include 3 emotional benefits and 2 logical ones.
Examples of emotional needs:
  • Feeling loved
  • Feeling attractive
  • Feeling caring or nurturing
  • Feeling altruistic (this is a good one if a portion of your sale goes to charity)
  • Feeling spiritual
  • Feeling intelligent
  • Feeling unique

Examples of logical benefits:
  • Solves a problem (for example if it's a great gift solution for Mother's Day)
  • Money saving (like free shipping or a coupon savings)

Tip #4: Write Conversationally.
Throw out whatever you learned in school. No one wants to read formal, stilted descriptions full of self-important big words. Don't write a dissertation, and you're not making a legal argument either. Write like you speak, and you are much more likely to engage your reader.
Tip #5: Speak Directly to Your Reader
Here's a trick: Pretend you are talking to your best friend. One person only. If it sounds like you're having a chat with a friend, you'll build trust and likability, which ultimately is what will tips the scales for making your sale.
Tip #6: Use "You" instead of "I"
The sweetest word to a reader (other than the person's own name!) is the word "You".
So instead of talk about yourself and what you like about your product, talk about what the product will do for them.
For example...
"You'll feel like the Belle of the Ball on your wedding day"
is infinitely better than
"I created this necklace to suit the bride who wants to be the Belle of the Ball on her wedding day".
Tip #7: Stories are a Jewelry Seller's Best Friend
People often buy handmade jewelry so they can feel wise or insightful and you, believe it or not, YOU are often the biggest selling point especially is your work is very distinctive and unique, or if you yourself are distinctive and unique.
Depending on your market, you'll want to make decisions about what types of stories to tell.
Here are some jewelry story ideas:
  • How you came to be inspired for a piece
  • What funny thing happened that made you think to make this handmade necklace
  • The story behind an interesting found component
  • How one coincidence became a necklace.

Tip #8 Offer a Guarantee
You should always offer some kind of guarantee to increase your customer's comfort level and trust. The guarantee is up to you, but the sales increase is significant for people who offer guarantees, and you might be surprised to know that refund requests are about the same (or even less!) for those that are up front with their guarantee so it only makes sense to offer one.
Tip #9 Tell Your Reader What to Do Next
People are indecisive creatures. It's been proven time and again in sales tests that telling people to buy increases the likelihood that they will. That's why you often see "buy now" or "add to cart" on buttons. So be sure you tell people what to do next at the end of your description. This might be simple as saying click the "add to cart" button to place your order now.
Tip #10 Make it Easy to Buy
Finally, don't make your prospect jump through hoops. The less complicated it is to place an order the better. Try to make it as easy as possible with one click order buttons, and don't ask people for more information than you need. The easier it is to buy, the more sales you'll see.
Do you have any handmade jewelry description tips or a comment? Share yours by adding a comment at the bottom of this article.

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

MISI Father's Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day is fast approaching and it’s time to honor Dad for all the gray hairs you’ve given him over the years. Check out our gift guide, full of options that will make Dad feel like a King!





























Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Turn Wine Bottles into Tumblers - Tutorial

You knew you’d been saving all those wine bottles for a reason! With this in-depth tutorial, we’re pumped to show you how to turn old wine bottles into gorgeous new tumblers. Not only are these green (both in color and in eco-ness), they make a great gift for the holidays and are an instant conversation piece.
This tutorial is definitely on the more advanced end of the spectrum, and requires a few tools you may not be familiar with. As long as you follow the steps you can definitely make it happen, but feel free to shoot questions our way via the comments below.

Materials:
- wine bottles with parallel sides
- bottle cutter
- rags or towels
- large pot + potholder
- candle
- 2-3 sheets of dry or wet sandpaper ranging from medium (~150) to fine (~300-400)
- 1 sheet of craft-foam
- safety mask & goggles (not necessary if using sandpaper)

Steps:
- First thing to do is remove those labels. We find the easiest way is to gently boil the bottles in a large stockpot. Be sure to keep them submerged. As soon as the water bubbles for about a minute, you’re ready to peel.

- Without emptying the bottle, use a potholder to hold the neck and peel the label off. (Pro tip: Thick labels are way easier to peel off than thin ones.)


- Now, it’s time to start cutting your bottle! Bottle cutters don’t actually cut , they just give bottles a nice straight score line. Firm, consistent pressure is best. A nice even score is better than a deep one. Smearing a little oil or grease along the area you’re cutting definitely helps.

- Get a pot filled with ice-cold water ready. Now, use a candle to heat the scoreline without actually touching the glass to the flame. Spin and heat the entire line.


- When the scoreline is nice and hot, immediately dunk it in the ice-cold water. Within a second, you’ll hear a faint crack or pop. (Pop goes the tumbler!)

- Gently lift the bottle out and check that it is cracked all the way around. Wiggle the two halves apart and there you have it! Tumbler success!




-On a flat surface, lay a piece of craft foam with your sandpaper on top. Wear goggles to protect your eyes and sand the top of the glass to smooth it over. We recommend starting with medium-grit paper and sand in circular or linear motions. Consistent pressure is best, and not too hard.
- When you’re satisfied with the edge, switch to fine or extra-fine grit paper and buff the edge with gently pressure. Periodically wipe the edge with a damp rag as you work during both stages.
- Sand a bit on the inside and outside edge to create a subtle bevel, and you’re done!

Happy Crafting! :)
source: brit.co

Monday, 10 June 2013

6 Crafts You Can Easily Do With Buttons

Buttons pull us together day after day, fastening our skirts, cinching our cuffs, closing our jackets. And yet their indispensability often goes unnoticed until we discover one missing.

How things have changed. In centuries past, buttons were stars of the fashion world. "They were worn as jewelry," says Jacquie Hatton, president of the Friends of the Keep Homestead Museum in Monson, Massachusetts, which has one of the largest button collections on display in the country. "People clipped them off worn clothing to pass down as valuables," adds her daughter, Moira Hatton, another enthusiast. Carefully preserved in tins or boxes for reuse, these family heirlooms now turn up at flea markets and antiques stores and are picked over by shrewd collectors. You can buy a box of them for a few dollars, though a single beauty can cost several thousand.

You can take buttons out of their familiar sartorial context to showcase them on clocks, bowls and pictures or converted into a colorful necklace, bouquet and pins. You'll never take another button for granted.

Stick your button collection around a balloon (and importantly) to each other. Then simply pop the balloon, clear up the mess and you've got yourself a bowl.

Glue, buttons, cardboard and a bit of artistic ingenuity and you'll have yourself a great sign for your bedroom door (assuming you use the first letter of your first name). Stick it in a frame for best results.

Poke a hole through the center of the lid. Refer to the dial template to position the button hour markers. Affix buttons with multipurpose cement. To assemble mechanism, follow manufacturer's instructions.

Thread the buttons onto a felt House flower, making sure to keep excess string on the backside of the flower. This excess thread gets tied around a skewer stick, securing the flower to the front of the stick. A glue dot can help hold it in place. You can place your flowers in something prettier than a pop can, but better add flour or sand in the bottom first to help keep your skewer sticks from swinging around.

Lay out your design on the napkin, arranging the buttons in place then sew on the buttons. Using the disappearing-ink fabric pen, lightly mark out the leaf or stem of the fruit or vegetable. Stitch along the pen marks, using embroidery floss and a classic chainstitch or a stem stitch. To make a stem stitch working from left to right, make standard, slightly slanted stitches along the line, keeping the thread below the needle. For leaves, use a satin stitch, making straight (not slanted) stitches, each touching the next, across the width of the leaf.

Look through your collection of antique and vintage buttons and pick out some of the prettiest. Attach the buttons to bobby pins with a few stitches and secure them with super glue.

And If you don't have buttons, look for Supplies on MISI.

Happy Crafting! :)






Friday, 7 June 2013

Weird and Wonderful - MISI 's Gift Guide

We all expect the usual gifts, whether it be on our birthdays, Christmas or any other celebration. So it's a brilliant feeling when you unwrap the box and it turns out to be something quirky! Why not treat someone to that feeling soon with one of our Weird and Wonderful Gifts?

1. Porcelain Mug with Fingers - This piece of contemporary kitchenware is sure to impress each time you have a dinner party or even high tea!
 2. Red Meow Ring - Catch everyone's eyes with this cute and edgy, stainless steel cat ring!
3. USB Flash Drive with Lego Minifigure - A flash drive is a flash drive, right?  Well, maybe not if you’re a massive LEGO fan! It can store up to 4gb of data.
4. Quirky Skeleton Stud Earrings - Dare to wear these eerie skull earrings? They are perfect for halloween - or any occasion where a wardrobe needs a little dose of creepy kitsch! 
5. Vintage Garrard Record Player Clocks - An ideal gift for the music lovers in your life or fan of unusual vintage furniture!
6. Cloud Brooch - A sweet but stormy (!) cloud brooch! Enjoy this funny brooch each time you walk about, on your clothes or bags.

Thursday, 6 June 2013

Father's Day Gift: Typography Printable Glasses

Make and wear these geeky typography glasses on Father’s Day – wouldn’t it just be a great way for kids to show their love?! I’m sure you have other geeky items to borrow from dad’s wardrobe to complete the look. ^ ^
The blank template can be used for any color you like, but everyone loves this classic black geek glasses look. Red or neon color glasses will look cool as well!



Step 1. Print the template and cut it out. Trace it onto a sturdy cardboard of your favorite color. Cut the lines carefully with a craft knife.
Step 2. Fold the tabs and glue on the arms.

That’s it!

You can also fold them and pop them into an envelope with a message (a little tag with a message tied on) to use as a Father’s Day card.



Not feeling crafty? Check our Father's Day Gift Guide!


Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Handpainted Summer Sneakers

A beautiful and super fun craft to do with your kid!













Materials:
- Paint Smock
- Craft Paint
- Mugs
- White Canvas Sneakers
- Sharpie
- Paint Brushes

Steps:
-Add the paint to mugs and then watered them down a little bit.
-Put a paint brush in each color so there is no mixing of brushes in different colors.
-When they dry, color a part of them black with a sharpie. 
-Add polka dots if you want.

Of course you can add your personal touch or inspire from the following:















Happy Painting! :)