A new store site

Two weeks ago my son put together a new store site for myself ( https://twistedcoppertop.com ) and a natural skin care crafter named So Fresh Products (https://sofreshproducts.com).  I've been having a ball setting it all up and trying to make it look attractive.
It all started with a conversation at the local pub after work on a Friday night.  Sitting next to a very nice lady who just so happened to need a storefront to market her homemade skin care products.  She said "I need", I said "so do I" and Tyler said "I can do that and it might be fun".  So now Tyler has a business that can get us little crafters, inventors, or the guy that just wants to get a web page out there for a reasonable cost (https://fromthe.blue).

But back to the Twisted Copper Top store.  The hardest thing is trying to get the photos just right.  Clear, interesting and that show off the jewelry that I have been making as of late.  I must have spent hours trying different angles, stages, and camera filters.  I even tried the scanner to see if they looked better.

scanned picture

I tried 2 different cameras, my phone and discovered that the best was my little old (20 years?) instant camera on the food setting took what I thought were the best photos.  Days playing with different props, and lighting, keeping a record of what I was doing.

using an old crock pot as a prop

Finally to find a simple solution in a glass pitcher, a lot of tissue paper, and a bright sunny location.  These were a few of the photos that ended up in the web store.

I liked the background

nice and clear

It was interesting to find out how much time and effort it takes to manage and upkeep a simple web store front, almost a full time job.  With no distractions; I miss people dropping by and visiting and the communication that you have in a real store front.  But the nice thing about this is that I can do it from anywhere and the adventure is about to begin.

In the middle of all this renovating, we (my son and I) also decided to do a bit of purging.  A bit turned into a bit more and and a bit more again.  It felt great once it started and became easier as the purge went.  Things that had been stored in cupboards, closets, and under beds for the past years ...... gone.  Every Sunday for the past 2 months Tyler and I took 2 carts to the Salvation Army (thank goodness it is only 3 blocks away) twice.  Between Sundays I would have the 2 carts filled again.  

A lot of my fabric went to the Century House and to the Trout Lake Community Center and believe it or not I have just 2 boxes left of my favorites left.  No more hording a stash that I am never going to get to.  Over 10 boxes to a good home where they can get used.

Terry at 16 years 

The other big purge was my photos.  Having 11 photo albums that I couldn't remember the last time I took out to look at; I sat, had a cup (many over the weeks) and scanned all of my old photos, by date, into the computer.  It was a awesome thing to do.  I'd forgotten a lot of things and places and people over the years.  I was so nice to remember everything.  Some a little sad but the majority was fun, laughter, and good friends.  

Terry's rock garden in the making 1999

I was a little worried about throwing out all the originals but after thinking about it.... I never looked at them and at least this way I can put them as my screen saver and smile and enjoy them on a regular basis.  And just think 11 binders (2 more boxes) out the door.  I remember at 16 being able to throw everything into the old Chevy II, including the cat and off I would go.  I am so looking forward to being a gypsy again.  But maybe not in a Chevy II this time. lol