Cameo's Designs » A Bit about myself

It started when my Dad gave me his old camera. From there I developed a passion for photography and it wasn't long before I discovered that what I liked best about photography was the creative aspect. I started out designing books using photos and I realized that this is what I want to do. I adore the personal, the unique, the one of a kind. Creating these books is all that and more. It is more then just plunking down images and publishing - there is a start, a middle and a finish. There is a story for each photo, for each event, for each moment captured. All of this can be captured in a book.

To create one for you I need the following

- the photos of course, of a good quality for printing. About 300 dpi or more.

- commentary - I need the details. For a wedding book, for example, I would like to know the colour scheme as this is incorporated into the design, the music so I can add lyrics to pages, if you wrote your own vows, any speeches there were super special - anything of this sort would be incorporated throughout the design of the book. For memoirs, again the photos, have family members add paragraphs they would like added, hobbies of the one that the book is centered on, favourites - this way I can tell their story. You get the idea.

I also found that I enjoy creating beadwork, I love painting - everything - nothing is safe if I have come up with an idea. I cannot draw so my artwork is more on the abstract side and I love the tables that I have done. Boxes, vases, jars, coat racks - I have tried so many ideas and had so much fun in the creation.

Creativity is an ever expanding addiction I am finding and I am always trying something new. I get the greatest satisfaction selling my items and knowing that they have a home with someone who will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

There is a misconception about home made items and some seem to think they should be cheap and I can make that myself! Of course you probably could if you have any creativity, unaware of the costs and time put into each creation. For example - my suncatchers and purse charms. To make one you need Fireline or equivalent ($21.00 for a spool) and you cannot simply buy just enough to make the suncatcher, so you need to purchase the entire spool. The beads can cost anywhere from $5.00 a string to $12 or more (amethyst is $21 for a string) The findings, closures, o rings, spacers and charms can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 for each container, because again, you cannot purchase just what you require for one purse charm. Peyote bracelets - the beads alone are about $6 or more per vial, many are several colours - and some of the bracelets can take up to 15 hours or more to complete depending on the pattern.

I simply wish to point this out so that when you are looking at homemade creations, just what has gone into them and to understand the pricing. You are supporting individuals and not rich corporations and much care has gone into our creations. Anyone who has $150 can go buy a pair of Nikes that many others have, or you can buy something no one else or very few have - there are many reasons for buying homemade.