Archive for the ‘General’ Category

We have noticed that with cameras being so readily accessible, particularly with the increase of use of cameras on mobile phones, it is so easy to reach for those close to hand rather than to pull out a proper camera that is going to give you a much better image.

From our perspective at Etched In Memories, we require your images to be of excellent quality and perfect clarity, worthy of the memories you are capturing. The recent trend however is that many people don’t seem to take into account their surrounding or positioning for photos, so the photographs seem to be poorly lit (either too dark or way overexposed). Other photos just seem to be out of focus, not framed well or badly cropped.

With the current digital technology where it is so simple to instantly view and share an image, you would think that if an image was flawed, the photographer would immediately correct it. However this seems to be no longer the case. People are capturing and sharing their images regardless of whether the lighting is so dark you can barely make out the faces, or whether there is so much movement that the image is all blurry.

As we see so many of these kind of imperfect captures being shared on social media (selfies, mirrored reflections, quick snaps at social events, family gatherings, photos of babies and children, etc) maybe we just don’t notice the imperfections anymore. When these shots come through from our customers, it is so hard to have to hear their disappointment when we tell them the image is not really suitable for engraving, especially when their image may be the only memory they have from a certain time or of a loved one.

In this day and age of digital photography where everyone is a “photographer”, we encourage you to take your instant shots as they are fun, quick and. However, periodically we recommend you take the time to pull out your better camera and take some time with your shots. Or if photography is not your thing, invest in your memories with a professional, so that you have some great photographs to regularly capture your family and life. That way when you look back over your photos, you have memories that are clear and beautiful, and of a quality that can be reproduced well to give you a gorgeous item worth displaying.

Remember, you have the opportunity to do-over your shot immediately if you haven’t got it right the first time, and let’s face it, do-overs are not a luxury you get much in life – so cherish the moment and make sure you have a memory worth keeping.

At Etched In Memories we hear many fabulous stories about dad and how special dads in general can be – for many reasons. There are a few reasons however which keep cropping up over and over (much to our surprise) and we thought we would share these with you.

1. Dad Jokes

Dads in general seem to be known for their bad sense of humour or humour which is often at the expense or embarrassment of the child (regardless of their age). Even though this is the case, for the most part – the kids seem to love their dad because or even in spite of it. They may outwardly cringe at the jokes dad makes but without them – well it just wouldn’t be the dad they know and love.

2. Protective Dads

This one is particularly true when it comes to daddy’s little girl; what girl hasn’t heard their dad make a joke about how dad has to approve of the new boyfriend beforehand or how the men have to get daddy’s permission before he wants to marry his little princess. Again cringeworthy especially as the daughter enters the dating stage but for the most part dad is especially loved because we know how much he cares. And for that we are grateful.

3. Rough and Tumble Games

When mum is away, let the games begin. Dads have a special way of allowing kids to be kids and connect with them in a way which is special and memorable. Mums might not like it but children enjoy the rough and tumble play on the floor and enjoy the thrill of the chase as dad comes barrelling down on them. And as for those tickle spots…look out!

4. Dad’s Meals

Many of you love dad for their cooking ability – and we are not talking the well balanced healthy meals that mum opts for. You guys love dad for their pancake and eggs and bacon ability – the meals that seem to create a strong and delicious bond between father and child. And seconds are always available if dad is cooking.

5. Dad’s Dress Sense

Remember when dad wore that outfit that was just totally embarrassing and even today it makes you shake your head in horror. But if you think about it long enough a smile will soon develop on your face when you remember dear old dad in ‘that outfit’. We love our dads “just because” – not because he is a trendsetter or even remotely cool (oh how we wished!).

Maybe not your top 5 list – but dads have a unique way of entering our hearts and heads without really trying. Do you have a special or memorable story about your dad?

Most of the questions that I am asked are to do with the images people want etched into their pendant or gift. While there is a lot of information on our FAQ page, I thought I’d work through them here, too.

What size photo do you need?

Any size up to A4 is suitable. Digital images should be sent in their original size (without adjustment, resizing or modification). That gives us the best chance of being able to crop or alter your image for the best results.

What quality does my photo need to be?

A clear, sharp photo with good lighting will provide the best result. We will crop and adjust your photo to suit the pendant, so please send the photo in its original size. If you are scanning your photo, please do so at a minimum of 200dpi. If you are unsure, you are welcome to email your photo to us prior to placing your order.

The clearer your image is, the clearer the etching will be. The definition is important and so is the dark and light shading.

Can you combine people from 2 different photos?

Yes, we can merge your images so that they engrave together on the one pendant. Please add an Image Merge to your shopping basket and let us know which people from your images you want merged.

People aren’t always convenient enough to be in the same place at the same time and even if they are, there is no guarantee they will both take a flattering photo. We will happily combine images so you have the memory piece you want.

Can you remove the background from my photo?

Yes, we remove the background from all photos prior to engraving. This removes any distractions in the image and puts the focus on the faces. If there is anything in the background that is significant to the memory you are preserving, please advise us at the time of order.

Backgrounds can sometimes dominate images especially if it is dark. Faces and contrasts tend to disappear into the background.

I hope that has cleared up some of your questions. Always feel free to contact us if your question has not been answered.

For you to get the best results with your personalised piece of jewellery from us, it can depend on the quality of the photograph that you have taken. As such, I thought it worthwhile to mention some simple steps for taking a good photograph. These steps are not targeted to the professional end of the scale but more towards the casual photographer that has a fairly basic digital camera.

• Take the time to read the manual for the camera and understand how the settings work. With most modern digital cameras often some of the automatic settings take a lot of the guess work out of the set up for the photograph so it can be easier and quicker to use them.
• As obvious as it sounds, make sure the lens is clean and doesn’t have any dirt or fingerprints on it. If you need to clean the lens do it properly as detailed in the manual.
• Set the white balance to the condition of the lighting. The white balance is the camera’s way for compensating for various conditions by shifting the colours in different ways. Often the auto setting works well but sometimes it can overcompensate under certain conditions so check it first.
• Try to fill the frame with your picture and not have other surrounding elements that may detract from the picture. Remember though that with most modern cameras you crop and modify with software at a later stage.
• Consider taking the picture from a different angle instead of front on. Sometimes a picture taken from a different angle can provide a better photograph.
• Make sure you are in focus and if your camera has an automatic focus feature then use it.
• Make sure you keep still when taking the photograph as even the slightest movement can result in a blurred picture. If practical, consider using a tripod.

These are just some simple tips; there are so many more that could apply depending on the type of equipment you are using as well as your ability.

Don’t forget that often the best shots can be taken when least expected so don’t always let the technique and tips get in the way of a spontaneous picture.

Merry Christmas to you.  We hope you have the opportunity to create many warm and wonderful memories this Christmas.

Enjoy your time with family and friends and have a holiday season that you can look back on and relive with happiness.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

People with Alzheimers will often lose recent experiences and memories first while long term memories, feelings and experiences still exist but can sometimes be hard to connect into.  Learning to communicate with someone with Alzheimers can be both challenging and frustrating yet you can use some simple and effective methods to achieve this.

One very effective method is through the use of photographs from the person’s past.  These photographs can relate to their younger years, significant events as well as pictures of family and friends.

Have a look through the clip below.  It is a great example of the impact using photographs can have.

It is sad to see someone you love lose their memory but isn’t it wonderful to know that you can still reach them, even if it’s through the path of long ago.

Life is a collection of stories.  It’s the tale of yesterday, today and maybe tomorrow.  You may not realise it but you are currently building up your repertoire of tales which will one day enthrall your children and grandchildren.

One of the biggest regrets most people have when they lose a friend or family member is not listening to the stories which made up that person.  You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone – a very true statement.

Stories don’t have to be adventures or epics.  More often than not the most special story is one from daily life.  It’s the little glimpse into the soul of a person and the world as they lived it.

This video is from the famous TED Talks and it’s quite funny to listen to.  It’s just one woman talking about her parents and bringing them to life in front of us.  It is the kind of story that shows love as well as humour.  It’s the kind of story that has captured a memory forever.

As you listen to this story, think about the stories around you.  They will be memories that you want to keep.  Go and spend time talking to and listening to the people you love.

Copyright and trademark issues can get a bit complicated especially when you may want to try and capture or display a memory.  Be it a photograph, a piece of writing, a musical composition, an image, art work or other types of work, the copyright and trademark laws apply.  While there are some exceptions, in general copyright is created the moment something original is created and relates to anything published or unpublished and or used publically or privately.  As such, you don’t need to formally register the piece of work for it to be copyrighted because you as the creator or author already own the rights.  With trademarks you do need to formally register them as it may be a logo, picture or image that the owner has created and wants to protect other people from using it.

The main rights you have when you have copyright and trademark ownership are:

• The ability to show, broadcast and publish the work including on the internet.
• Able to reproduce and copy the work.
• Distribute, sell, lend or charge a fee for use of the work.
• Able to adapt, perform and communicate the work.

Importantly, the reason we need copyright and trademark law is to protect the rightful owner.  In some cases the owner may have invested vast sums of money to create the work and as the owner, that person must have the rights to control how it is used – whether it through making money through sales, licensing or any other means that the person deems necessary.  If the copyright or trademark owner doesn’t have this protection then it is quite unfair for other people to derive benefit when they don’t have the rights for the use of the work.  Hence, the need for copyright and trademark laws to be enforced.  In addition, if the copyright and trademark laws are breached then punishment, fines and other costs can be significant.

At Etched in Memories we are often asked to copy or reproduce items, images and photographs that are not owned by the person requesting our services.  These images may have been obtained from a magazine, internet or any other printed or digital publication and as such we will not reproduce it.

Should you be able to supply a written form of permission from the holder of copyright/trademark/licence of your desired image (and include contact details of that person) then it may be possible to use your images, pending contact with that person or organisation.

This is a link to our terms and conditions and the main part in relation to copyright is as follows:

13) Etched In Memories^® complies with all copyright and reproduction laws.  We reserve the right to refuse any order requesting us to ignore those laws.

· Logos, trademarks and other copyrighted material will only be engraved if they belong to you or you have permission from the company and/or owner of that material. Any request for reproduction should be accompanied by a written letter of permission, including contact details for the company/owner and a sample of the image being approved.

· Alternatively, where an image has been purchased in digital format, please show proof of purchase and any documentation that shows the purchase allows reproduction.

· Some examples of material covered by these laws include (but are not limited to) famous logos (eg Coca-Cola), celebrity images, watermarked images, images found on the internet and images taken by a professional photographer.

· Licenced material will not be engraved under any circumstances.

We do understand it is disappointing, especially when great ideas are presented to suit niche interests or hard to buy for people.  However, to reproduce such material (those carrying copyright, trademark or licence) without permission from the owner is illegal.

We are very thankful for your loyalty over the years. We pride ourselves on producing personalised keepsakes that you will treasure forever. We want to let you know that as of 1 June there will be small price increase on our products.

Over the years since our last increase, the price of the pendants and equipment we use has gone up. We have been absorbing any additional costs incurred in the past years but now we have to raise our prices. We prefer to continue bringing you quality pendants and engraving rather than create keepsakes which might cost less, but don’t look as good.

Your treasured memories need to last forever so you can relax, knowing that we will continue to bring you our quality products and excellent service. The image that is etched in your memories will be captured perfectly in one of our keepsake pieces.

We would be very happy to accept your order if you’d like to place one before the 1 June.

A recent order made me think about a new and different way to preserve memories. Preserving your child’s artwork as an engraved pendant is not only unique but holds that memory of your child forever.

The piece of artwork may relate to a specific time in your child’s life or even be linked to a specific event such as a birthday or other celebration. Throughout kindergarten and primary school your child is sure to have painted or drawn some unique images of friends, activities or even something from their imagination. Often they are bright, colourful and from a loving parents perspective, quite artistic. Importantly, they are also likely to be special to your child at the time.

My children each have their own special ways of drawing. When I look at a painting I can tell who has painted it just from looking at the characters. There is a certain way of painting a smile or the hands that identifies the artist as clearly as a thumbprint. Wouldn’t it be lovely if the work could last forever?

Often as they grow these memories are lost and forgotten so instead of losing them, why not preserve them forever with our range of pendants? How unique and special would that be?