My new dress form

Today I drove down to an Industrial Complex near the Las Vegas Strip to a mannequin warehouse. I wanted to pick out something on which to photograph necklaces.

I have been using a necklace bust to show how necklaces drape. Necklace busts work OK for this, but they fail to give an accurate sense of scale in a photo as they come in many sizes (see photo below). I try very hard to let my customers know everything about a piece when they buy online and cannot try something on in person. A good photo is almost always the best way to convey information.

I was pretty sure that I wanted a dress form rather than a mannequin. I think it makes it easier for a woman to imagine herself wearing a piece if it is displayed on a form that doesn't look like any specific person. I will be able to dress the form to show how a certain necklace looks with a neckline or collar.

I was pleased to find that they had this one store sample that didn't match the rest of their inventory that they would sell at a discount. It meets my needs better than the ones they stock because it has more of a shoulder to help in showing scale accurately and because it's a normal size 8/10 instead of smaller like the others. It also has a removeable cover so that I can make a different cover if I like. Most others have a cover that is glued on. I am quite pleased with her.

Now I get to play with lighting and backdrops, clothing and drapes. I think I may call her Esme. Look for her in future photographs from Sue Runyon Designs.

My first (and likely last) modeling attempt ☺

I don't normally model my own jewelry or even like to take publicity photos for my business, but when Lucy of mummumscrafts, who is a fellow Etsy.com seller and makes the most wonderful mineral makeup, asked for entries of real women wearing her products, I submitted a few photos of me in her 3-in-1 "coral flush" mineral face color. I am wearing it on my cheeks and lips in the photos.

I wish the photos (and the model) were better. Photography is not my best thing and it was a glaringly hot and bright day so I photographed these in my courtyard in the shade. They turned out a little grey and don't show how truly pretty the coral flush color is.

I'm holding the camera at arm's length to take these--not the most conducive pose for natural looking shots . . .

The earrings I am modeling are available here.

Take a look at Lucy's shop: