Friday, April 30, 2010

The Stunning Designs of Carolyn Osborne





Carolyn Osborne is a fabulous artists who resides in Fircrest, Wa. She works with glass, paint, beads and more.

One of her unique and beautiful offerings, is a custom piece to commemorate the life of a passed loved one.

"Sacred Embers for the ultimate rememberance of a beloved human or pet that has passed. Go to www.sacredembers.blogspot.com for more information.

Your piece is truly one of a kind."


Carolyn also create wonderful signs and banners

Interested in viewing some of her jewelry? She will be at the Ardent Photography Open House, May 1st from noon until 6pm.

Ardent Photography Studios
6620 48th Street Ct W
University Place, wa

She is also having a Spring Sale at her studio on May 22nd and 23rd from noon until 5pm on both days.

Carolyn Osborne's Spring Sale
430 Berkley Avenue
Fircrest, WA 98466

253-566-8871

View more of her work online at www.creativeforcesbycarolyn.com
www.sacredembers.blogspot.com

Thank you,
Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Perception and Paint of Jeananne Sizemore





Want to see more? Check out her Etsy Shops Artwhims and Artwhims Paper.

If you live in the Puget Sound region come by my studio on May 1st between Noon and 6pm to see her work up close and personal.

Ardent Photography Studios
6620 48th Street Ct W
University Place, WA

253-566-6175

See the Facebook event here.

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Stunning Beauty of the Pregnant Belly





As Mother's Day approaches and I have stumbled across beautiful belly castings on Etsy, I wanted to share with you Nayomie's portraits. I loved working on these photographs.

Do you want pregnancy photographs taken? Send me an E-mail and book your session today.

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Unique Mother's Day Ideas!


Are you tired of sending the same bouquet every year but still need the convenience of online shopping? Check out Zazzle for personalized items from mugs to t-shirts and more.


Check out these shops!
Ardent Photography
Artwhims
Edition HA
KE Photo

Shop by April 28th and receive free ground shipping on all orders over $25 using code MOMDAYGROUND!

Thanks for looking,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Monday, April 26, 2010

2nd Annual Open House




Feast your eyes on some fabulous local art May 1st, 2010 between Noon and 6pm when I will be hosting my annual art exhibit at my home/studio in University Place. I will be joined by two other wonderful women artists: Jeananne Sizemore, owner of Artwhims and Carolyn Osborne owner of Creative Forces.

Come and support local artists and find the perfect piece of art to set off your personality and that gift you always wanted to give. Don't forget, Mother's Day is May 9th!

Gallery Tours will take place at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.

Ardent Photography Studios
6620 48th Street Ct W
University Place, WA 98467

Find the event on Facebook: 2nd Annual Ardent Photography Open House

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Graham Crackers


4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
6 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups graham flour
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Blend butter egg and sugar in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Stir in honey. Dissolve baking soda in the water and then stir this into the butter mixture. Stir in the salt, graham flour, and whole wheat flour until the dough holds together. If it is too tacky add more graham flour.
Dust your rolling surface with graham flour and roll the dough out to an 1/8 of an inch. Cut into square or your desired shape and move to a parchment lined cookie sheet. Puncture each cracker a few times with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes checking on them half way through. Remove the crackers from the over and carefully move to a cooling rack. They will be soft at first, but as they cool they will harden.


Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wylie Kids






Call me to book your family portrait session today!


Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Friday, April 9, 2010

The Art of an Internet Presence


For a small business, the idea of becoming visible on the Internet can be daunting. All you want is a simple yet attractive website for people to find in their search for your products or services. You look around for a web designer, but most of the companies only offer boring and unimaginative sites or want more than you make in a year. I would love to provide you with a unique website, tailored to your style and industry, for a fraction of what other companies charge. I charge less because I enjoy creating beautiful websites and stretching my creativity and your vision. Now is the time to update your image and improve your visibility. There are many ways to get people to your website, I help keep them there.


Why is Ardent Photography different than the standard website design service?
I offer completely unique websites without templates or frames. You will not see another website out there like your own. Your website will be created to emphasize your business and focus on your logo and branding. If you already have a logo, I will work with you to incorporate that image into the soul of your site, but if you haven’t got that far in your business identity yet, I would love to help you create a logo that captures the public eye and sticks in the memory of potential customers.


What other services does Ardent Photography provide?
• Website maintenance
• Head shots
• Copy writing
• Business card design
• Pamphlet creation
• Portfolio photography (people and merchandise)

Examples of my work: www.spiraldragonfly.com and www.bobspropertysolutions.com.


Need help with a logo for a new venture or just jazzing up your current style? I can help with that too. Let’s dust off the old and spring into a new vision.

Business Solutions

Check out more articles in the April edition of the Keen Observer.

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Photography 101: Children


My two younger children welcoming there new baby sister. This is by no means a perfect picture, but it does capture the very different personalities of these three kids.



Capturing photographs of children is an athletic task, especially if you want them in a good mood. The studio photographer has props and gimmicks available at the instant the child turns to fussing and tears, though the gimmicks to not always do the trick. Often parents have a better approach, since they are a familiar entity. In the end, kids do not like to sit still. Sometimes you can get one shot done, but then they want to move and wiggle. My opinion, let them move and wiggle. Follow your kids around when they are playing and capture them in the essence of childhood. Sometimes you will need to call their attention to you so that their faces will be visible, but most kids can be convinced to enjoy being in front of the camera. This is especially true in today's digital world where "Can I see?" is a common phrase.





Still, there is always the one who hates the camera, or at least wants to appear that way. Whether it is because they are "too old" to smile, or because they are having a bad day, sometimes it is easier to convince them to smile, if they see what they look like when they don't. Again, the wonders of the digital age.


This photograph is my oldest. She had developed the habit of frowning for the camera. I am not the most cheerful subject either, but the grandparents had requested up-to-date pictures of the grandkids (sometimes we fall into the whole cobblers kids have no shoes scenerio). I told her she was scowling at me not smiling. I then showed her the face she was making and she decided that this was not the face she wanted captured.


This is the second picture. The smile is genuine and beautiful.



This is my edit.



In order to find her smile, I didn't have to convince her she was beautiful, or make her laugh, I just had to convince her not to sabotage the picture. You know your kids best. Don't try to create the perfect picture, just take the photograph and you will have the best representation of your kids to hang on your wall.

If you want professional portraits to go along with your now wonderful snap shots, E-mail me at sarah@ardentphotography.com to schedule a family portrait session or just a session for your kids.

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Footprints: Greater Tacoma Artists Guild


We are a group of artists dedicated to helping each other grow in business and creative opportunities. From photographers to sewers, candle makers to jewelry artists, painters and more we gather to share and spread the word of all things handmade, to leave our mark on those who see and love our art.


I have been a member of the Etsy community for almost two years now. Though I have been a member of EtsyRain for a large portion of that time, I do not have the desire nor capabilities to get up to the Seattle area for events and meetings. In an effort to bring the Etsy community to the Tacoma area, Jeananne Sizemore (artwhims.etsy.com) and I have organized Footprints: Greater Tacoma Artists Guild. We want to give local artisans who sell their wares on Etsy assistance with their businesses and their craft, as well as provide local opportunities in the form of craft shows and festivals.


Are you an Etsy artist in the Tacoma area (or willing to travel here for monthly meetings and events)?

Please contact either Jeananne Sizemore (artwhims.etsy.com) or me, Sarah McTernen (smcternen.etsy.com). Share with us one of your favorite items in your Etsy shop and why you would like to join our team.

Links:
Facebook Fan Page

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen

Monday, April 5, 2010

Happy Half Birthday All You Scorpios



April is half birthday month for Scorpios so I decided to make my Etsy Promotion all about the creepy arachnid.


1. Scorpion - VonChandler

2. Scorpio Astrology Tarot Sculpture - odesignstudio

3. Real Scorpion Strike a Pose Stinger - Reabutterflygifts

4. Astrology Soap Scorpio organic and handmade - saukmountain

5. Zodiac Night Light Scorpio - BlueTurtleCrafts

6. Scorpio Rising Carnelian and Jasper Necklace - gypsyeye


Thank you,
Sarah McTernen
smcternen.etsy.com

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Tacoma Fulcrum Gallery Looking for Young Artists



The Fulcrum Gallery in downtown Tacoma is putting together an exhibit for this summer pairing new artists (ages 13-19) with displaying, promonant artists called "Here and Now". If you know of a young artist who could use the exposure and would relish the experiance of being diplayed in a brick and mortor art gallery here is the submission requierments. Submissions must be sent in by May 1, 2010.

Fulcrum Gallery
1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
Thurs, Fri & Sat 12-6 pm
T 253 250 0520


Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com