I have been neglecting my Online Store. As I mentioned earlier this year, I am currently using the free version of Big Cartel, which means I can only list five items at a time. And because I took time off for the studio renovation, my inventory was too low to add anything new. But not anymore! I've been producing pots at an alarming rate, both for the Online Store and for my upcoming summer festivals. 

My current strategy for the Online Store is to list five items that (1) I usually have in stock, (2) can quickly be made to order if they are not in stock, and (3) have been requested by customers. Check out the selection now! goodelephant.bigcartel.com

You might have caught a glimpse of this in the pictures of my new studio. I built a new photo stand. My old one was fine, but it was much bigger than necessary. And my old Flotone backdrop had quite a few scratches. Not to mention I once spilled melted wax on it while trying to shoot lit candles. It was time for a new one!

A photo stand does not need to be expensive. Mine starts with a card table, which I already owned (was once part of my art festival display, glad I found a new use for it). I fashioned three pieces of white foam core into the side and back walls, held together with packaging tape. The Flotone backdrop is taped to the back foam core wall, and to the table. A simple piece of white fabric acts as the diffuser. It is secured across the top of the foam core walls with binder clips. Two cheap light fixtures hang from the ceiling, with two nice 5500K florescent light bulbs. 

 
Here's how it looks in action:

 
And here's the photo I just took:

 
Ahhhh ... so nice that I didn't have to photoshop out the scratches and the wax stains!