Beware Bloggers, Careful of Pics You Use in Your Blogs

Beware Bloggers, Careful of Pics You Use in Your Blogs. This is something that is a growing issue, and that many people everywhere on the internet need to be careful of. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone, and glad to have you here. I apologize for being late today, extremely late it appears. I have been roaming through a few blogs, news flashes with yahoo, reading on google, and etc. There is a lot out there to see, and read. I could get lost with it sometimes too. Know what I mean? 

As Pinterest became more popular, the idea of pinning things you found on the internet was a neat idea! Sometimes we see something sooo cute we want to save that picture for a reminder, or to also share in other ways with others as well. As I have always mentioned, and have it noted in my side bar, I do not mind things being shared from here. It's an honor, and a privilege when someone wants to pass along what you have shared. But, keep mind that some of the pictures and articles from here are written by me, and sometimes things come from other places that I do respectfully try to note to you the names, places, and share the links with you too.

Pictures on the internet is a very big thing. Many like to view, many like to dream, others will share, some people copy the pictures for their needs, and will wrongfully say how it is something that they did. Keep in mind there are some people who make a living with their pictures, photographers, designers, artists, and so on. They also like to be seen as the rest of us do showing our work, what we found, and the things we can do, and are capable of doing too. So, why ruin it for those who trust that far with sharing things on the internet? 

I myself am a casual blogger, and I have learned my way into blogging by watching many others, reading what others had to offer, what they did, how they did it, etc. I learned soon that sometimes a post with a picture looked rather nice, and was quite appealing too. Kind of like eye candy in a store. Gets the attention, and is appealing to read further. Over time it appeared that many would get their pictures from images at google, and within other search engines too. Yes, some would share their own pictures as well. Along with these pictures some shared where they came from, or who they belonged to. Sometimes the pictures had nothing shared with them of where they originated from. With the pictures you would see different disclaimers being noted about using images, and etc. Yet, some of these things done is still not good enough to protect ourselves with. There is so much out there to learn about the copy right laws, about the photos that are actually approved to be used at random by others that we find, about using pictures of others without approval. Then, of course, the worst of it is what can, and will come of it when someone is sued by the original owner to the picture being used. 

With Fair Use it does not matter if you:
• link back to the source noting the photographers name
• you did it innocently
• if you have a disclaimer on your site
• if you didn't claim the photo was yours
• if you remove a picture upon request from your site it still does not remove you from what charges that they can still file against you

So many more things to mention, but know that it does not release you from liability. You are violating copyright if you have not gotten a permission from the copyright holder, or using the pictures of a public domain, creative commons, etc. 

So, what to do?
1.) If you are using images from the internet without approval on your blogs and places, know that you could be violating copyrights, and could be sued for it too. The chance of this really happening is not high, but it could really happen. 

2.) Need to search for photos that are approved for use without any issues. 
• Creative Commons photos that are free to use. This means that the photo would have to be attributed to the owner, and link back to their site.
• Wikimedia Commons has some free media files that anyone can use. 
• You could always buy a subscription to a stock photo site. Some of them can be pricey, so you might want to shop around too.
• Find photos that are in the public domain that can be used.

3.) You could also take your own photos, and share the love with others too. 

4.) As always use sites like Pinterest, or even Tumblr with caution. When you pin something to sites like that you are claiming you have a legal right to that picture. If by chance the owner of the photo would come after the company for violations, you will be the responsible party. 

5.) Safest thing to do would be to assume that all pictures you see have a copyright with it. If you are not 100% sure if you can legally use it, then don't use it. Better to be safe. 

So, please protect yourselves, and also remember to respect the rights of others. I am in no way someone with a legal background, but am offering you advice from many horror stories that have been read on the internet, and stories about some reporting of these things happening to them legally. Keep in mind that this does not only apply to blogging, but also places like Facebook too. I hope that maybe this will help you think a little bit before copying that next picture, maybe sharing something you are not suppose to share, and keep in mind the rights of others too.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams this evening. It has been a pleasure as always, and I look forward to you visiting again. Take care everyone, and see you again soon.

    

Google Allowing Apostrophes Punctuation in Item Titles and Descriptions

Google Allowing Apostrophes in Item Titles and Descriptions, is it allowable, and is Google now approving it. 


Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Hope ya'll had a wonderful weekend, and that Monday was good to you also. 


We all know about that big search engine called Google. As time, months, weeks, days, and hours go by things are always changing with them. They never really hand out anything that says definitely about different rules they want you to follow. You just get everything in pieces, and pretty much learn as you go too. 


Topic I seen come up in Etsy recently was about if the apostrophies are allowed in our item titles. I enjoy when people share what they know, what they have learned, and also can show where they also got their information from to confirm it too. As long as everyone plays nice, gets along, and they are no bad feelings about the discussions, and opinions shared. 


Anyway, it use to be that Google did not allow different punctuations within your titles for your listings. They also did not approve of it within your item descriptions, and if you did use it you would see some sort of symbol used in replacement by Google. With your titles it was always felt that those were extra spaces to use for letters, and to put towards more keywords if you could with your titles. Also, when searches in general were done how many people actually use punctuations with the keywords and phrases they are searching, right?


I spent a little time last researching in Google about this, and what they had to say for rules of this issue. Will they allow the use of apostrophes, and punctuation, or not. It looks like it is acceptable with some things to use the punctuations necessary for some of your titles. Google announced that they will no longer ignore certain punctuation marks.

‘ (apostrophe)
. (full stop/period)
, (comma)
: (colon) – however the colon that is a piece of the large intestine currently outranks the punctuation mark of the same name
; (semicolon)
# (number sign)
% (percent sign)
@ (at sign)
^ (caret)
( ) { } [ ] (bracket) – parentheses, brackets and curly brackets are all combined into the same search result
~ (tilde)
| (vertical bar)
“ (quotation marks)
< (less-than sign)
> (greater-than sign)
$ (dollar sign)
! (exclamation point)
& (ampersand)
_ (underscore)
- (minus sign)
+ (plus sign)
= (equals sign)
\ (backslash)
/ (slash) – however, guitarist Slash currently outranks the punctuation mark of the forward slash

This is nice to know, and hopefully helpful to those of you who need to use it. Google has no character limit to what they read, but they do limit to what they will display with your titles. General rule is that there is a maximum 70 character limit which includes spaces in the item titles. I myself like to use the spacing I am allowed for keywords, keyword phrases, and words that would be popular in searches for items that I offer. 

Thanks for stopping by to share your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope this tid bit of information was helpful to some of you with inquiring minds. Have a wonderful day, and come back to visit again soon. 

Reuse Repurpose Upcycle Items of Vintage Good or Bad

Reuse Repurpose Upcycle Items of Vintage Good or Bad, What do you think?


Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and hope all are having a wonderful day! Many things we do with repurposing, upcycling, reusing, saving landfills, avoiding garbage throwing, etc sometimes will stir up a few mixed feelings, and thoughts with it. 


Over time I have watched how it has been growing with using vintage items to refurbish, repurpose, upcycle, reuse, reimagine, and all of that good stuff. Now, some of those vintage pieces that get used is because they do need a face lift of their own. Some are being saved from the dumps, garbage, and landfills. Other vintage pieces are used because they might have a minor flaw, sometimes the items have not sold over a very long time and the room is needed, maybe they are a lonely piece from a set, and then there are some items that have no flaws, but have had a glorious life. The owners sometimes feels that they would like to show the item in an updated form that fits more with the times of today. I know that whatever the reason may be there are vintage items, and pieces that are being used with repurposing, upcycling, reusing, and etc. 


As you use some of these pieces please keep in mind that there are some who feel strongly about how they should not be used in this way. They feel it not to be right, and vintage items should be used in crafting of sorts. A long time ago I once seen a comment made about how repurposing will be the end of all antiques. 


Over time there have been ways to preserve items that have been come damaged of sorts, and greatly loved over the years too. So, why not make them into something wonderful since they have already seen their glory days. Sometimes taking something old, and making it new again in another way is appealing to some of the collectors of today also. Keep in mind that sometimes "antiques" reminds some of their grandmothers things, and that just is not the In Style for the younger generation of today. When being open minded about things it can be understood how some feel that vintage items are being destroyed by doing these things too. 

I myself LOVE antiques, I Love things old, I so adore things with a past, I very much enjoy learning about older pieces, and hearing some of the stories that follow them. Unfortunately, some of these pieces would not fit into our home, with our decor, and the way that we like things. 

Over time I have watched those who love vintage, and antiques. I have seen others who so enjoy repurposing some of these kind of pieces too. I have also seen some be upset over the crafting of these pieces as well. Like anything else there will always be the pros, and cons to things of what we do. I can understand all the feelings that would be involved with this issue. 

So, what do you think? How do you feel about this? Please remember everyone, no fighting about this, you are very welcome to share, and also keep in mind that everyone has their own opinions to things. There is no right, or wrong. Just some good people who like to share. 

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams today everyone, and wishing you all a wonderful day. Take care, and see you again soon. 

How Many Pictures is Enough to Use and Show

How Many Pictures is Enough to show with all that we do online?

Hi there, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams. Gonna bring up a simple topic today for ya'll. Many of us do online sales, have websites, work with blogs, and for the most part we are trying to sell our goods that we have to offer. Along with us offering different products for all to buy we include pictures with our listings. A question that gets asked sometimes is How Many Pictures is Enough?

Some people only like to do one picture, and feel it to be enough. Sometimes some sellers can offer too many pictures that you can get lost in when viewing. Better yet, too many pictures and they all start to look alike too. 

With each venue we use to sell our products with they all have a different amount that is allowed with our listings. Ecrater allows up to 10 pictures, Artfire allows up to 10 pictures, Ebay has changed and is allowing up to 12 pictures free, Etsy allows up to 5 pictures. These are ones I am familiar with, and do know that there are other venues out there used by many others too. 

For many of my products that are vintage I like to show all possible pictures that I can. Main view of an item, top, bottom, both sides if they are different, makers mark, any flaws that are visible, sometimes pictures with some possible uses to help customers consider some things, and etc. For items I repurpose upcycle I like to show all pictures possible which sometimes can include the before picture of how things looked too. When I do pictures I try to remember the customer.....they are not there to see it in person, feel it, smell it, look it all over, etc. Also, sometimes pictures can explain more of what our words cannot tell too. So, if I can use up to 10 - 12 pictures I try very hard to fill them all up. Sometimes I find that only being able to use 5 at Etsy is difficult because I think I need to show more. Then, again, only having to show 5 is sometimes enough too. 

Each item is different, each seller is different, each person has their own feelings of what should, and should not be done. But, you as a customer, what do you like to see? Do too many pictures get used sometimes in your opinion. Perhaps sometimes there are not enough pictures shown for your shopping purposes. Would love to hear some opinions with this. Share with us all what you like to do, and why you do it. 

Remember everyone, there is no right or wrong to things I talk about here. Much of it is opinions, and sometimes I share how things should be, or what research does show us. So, go ahead and share with us all here. Keep it clean, no one be nasty, and please remember everyone does have their own opinions that they are allowed to. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams today everyone. Take care, have a wonderful day, and see you again soon. 

Glass Bell Cloche Dome Decorative Home Decor

Glass Cloche Decorative Home Decor

Glass Bell Cloche Green Anchor Hocking Vase Pink Flowers

Glass Cloche Candle Holder Repurposed Vintage Inspired



Glass Bell Cloche Dome Decorative Home Decor of today, and times past. Above you are seeing pictures of some Glass Cloches that I have repurposed, and are being offered in my shops. 

The first one at the top is the first Glass Cloche I had repurposed, and upcycled. This piece has sold with my shop at Etsy too. I used a glass fish bowl, or candy bowl. Added a upcycled ceramic knob with some pink ribbon, white lace, and with the drinking glass had added some rose decals to give a little bit more character with this. 

The second picture is a glass vase that was altered by turning it over, and adding a small mini candle holder at top for the knob. Inside the glass cloche is an Anchor Hocking Forest Green mini vase with some pink flowers that have been added.  This item is still available with my shop at Etsy also.

The last picture is a Glass Cloche made from a Vintage Trimont Candle Holder as the base, the glass is also from a wired candle holder, and soft pastel bouquet was done by Me, and added to the mini terra pot with a soft gold accent around the pot. You can see more pictures, and details for this item with my shop at Etsy as well.

Now, some people might ask what is a Cloche? The word cloche is french for bell. Cloche jars had originally been hand blown jars that were used to protect plants from the cold, and from the frost too. You may also find them referred to these as well:
• Bell instrument like with music. The restaurant bell shaped cover used for plate of food to keep it warm. Also, a dome clay shaped oven used for baking the single loafs of bread.
• The Cloche Hat which is a close fitting hat that women worn by flappers in the 20s.
• Row Covering which was a row of coverings protecting plants from those cold temperatures.

Basically, the Cloche was, and still is a rage in home decor. You will find websites that sell these different Cloche pieces, and some of them can be quite spendy too. To save cost you will find many crafters who have made these same pieces for a smaller cost. I myself enjoy making cloches, and then offering them to others to enjoy with my shop at Etsy, or also with my shop at Artfire too. I have viewed other crafters who have really made some beautiful pieces using vintage glass, or whatever pieces that they could find from Thrift Stores, and Yard Sales too. 

Cloches do have many uses. They can be very pretty, and can also be paired with many different things making a variety of different looks. Cloches are great for adorning mantles, counters, tables, some knick knack shelves, using floral arrangements or maybe a single flower, maybe show some precious photos in them or on them, show some seashells, ornaments, nests and birds, and so many possibilities. The pieces can be very versatile, and adorn any room in the home with all that you can do for your displays with them. 

Yes, I admit to liking Cloches, and having fun repurposing pieces into them too. I also adore some of the cheese tray Cloches by painting them, and adding some little touches of character with those too. Sorry, I could carry on with this, but do need to find a landing place with this. 

Thanks so very much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. I am happy to see you visiting, stopping by, and finding Me too. Don't be afraid to leave a comment, or add to this topic if you wish. Have a wonderful day, and come back to visit again soon.

  

Reuse Repurpose Recycle Upcycle Discarded Treasures

Reuse Repurpose Recycle Upcycle Discarded Treasures by using bits, and pieces of the past with present, and making something new. Giving things a new life!


Me, Myself, and I along with many others spend time roaming the internet, reading things, learning things, and etc. Along the way with all of this we also will find people who are creative, people showing what they have made, showing what they do, some show how they do it, and so on. Over time this has become a yearning with me to do things by reusing, repurposing, and upcycling items. For me to do this it is relaxing, and it is fun being able to put some of my thoughts and ideas into something too. I enjoy the smile that comes to my face, and hopefully you will smile with some of it too. 


I have googled some of these more common words used by everyone to give an idea of definitions to some of those popular words we use. 


•Reuse - whatever the purpose, you basically reuse the item for the same purpose more than one time


•Repurpose - take an item and reuse it for something else (repurpose it) before it goes through any breakdown, and reformation. For example a shirt that is being used to make a handbag, or maybe a shopping bag. Maybe using a metal pipe for some kind of sculpture. Use something in a new way.


•Upcycle - this is familiar to recycle in which you take something, and rework it into a new form for a continued use. The main difference is that you are not altering its form back into its components for reuse. 


•Recycle - return material to a previous stage of cyclic process; converting waste to a reusable material. Example of a recycled box that is broken down, and made into a new cardboard. Another is plastic is melted down, and melted into a new plastic.


I know, sometimes it gets confusing. How we use the words, and explain them also means something too. 


I hope this minor explanations for some of these popular words has helped you in some way. I know it gets confusing. Heck, I sometimes find myself there too. I have commented before that is you are not able to reuse items as they are why not repurpose them, or upcycle them to make something that puts a smile to your face, and also with others too. 


Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! Have a wonderful day, enjoy all that you are doing, and come back to visit again soon. If you have something to add that would be great! Please do as all are Welcome.

Repurposing Dressers and Things From Home

Repurposed Dresser Draws

Repurposed Crib into Desk Working Area

Repurposed Dresser into a Kitchen Island, How cool is that!

Dresser Repurposed Into Bench







Repurposing Dressers and Things From Home. How Cool is this?! Just in case you haven't noticed, I just love things that have been repurposed, and upcycled! The things you can do, the creativeness, preserving of what we already have, and the money that we can save too. Wow! What transformations that can be done.

Apologizing real quickly to ya'll. I know, I know...falling a bit behind here today, and this post was not early morning ready like I usually schedule. Bear with me please. Just time of year, slacking off a bit, and some long term ongoing health stuff too. Not to worry, still here, just a bit slower lately. 

I love to go into Google, or even Bing and Yahoo to research about repurposing, and upcycling different items. Sometimes I get my own ideas from seeing what others have done, or it actually makes me look at items in my home in a different way. Oh, yeah, when I go out thrifting my head swarms with all the yummy things I find, and also with all the possibilities that some pieces hold too. Sometimes it does take much at all to transform a piece. A lil bit of cutting, a lil bit of gluing, a lil bit of paint, maybe adding this to that, and endless fun possibilities to dress our homes with. 

Do you have a big project that you have worked on lately? Maybe you have something special that you have done, and are willing to share with all of us here. Would love to hear from you, and have you share with us.  Don't forget that you can find some creative pieces at Artfire, and also with Etsy too. Also, you can find some things with Ecrater as well. Now, time for me to get back to picture taking, and working on some gluing pieces of my own today. Wish Me luck!:)

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams today. I appreciate all who visit, and find me. Take care, have a wonderful day, and see you again soon! Till the next time my blogging friends.....Happy Repurposing and Upcycling!:) Have fun creating!:)