A couple of months ago I hinted at some work I was doing for the Washington State Fruit Commission. The project is now up and on their new website devoted to canning and preserving summer, Sweet Preservation. I was asked to come up with some new, inspiring ways to illustrate the resurgence of home canning, and then style the photos on the day of the shoot. I had a great time doing research and forming ideas for this project.
My one experience in home canning was years ago, before kids. I still have most of the equipment and is there really anything better than tasting homemade jam or preserved fruit in the middle of winter? There are so many uses and recipes out there, I think I need to give it another try. There are fantastic sites like Canning Across America that give you all the basic information you need to started.
One of the most creative ways I've seen preserved fruit used as gifts would have to be as wedding reception favors. I really wish I would have thought of that when I got married. More than ever, when I am given preserved fruit, and realize how special it is and the work behind it.
Several etsy artist created all kinds of labels that can be downloaded and printed onto Avery #8163 Label sheets that can be fed through an ordinary home printer.
And now, a few completely random and little known facts from the day of the shoot for this project:
*That is not champagne in that last photo. Its Sprite with a bit of beer mixed in. Which makes that "Spreer". Or "Brite".
*In the 3rd photo down, I was totally coveting that Jonathan Adler vase behind the jar (belonged to the photographer, too big to steal) and those are tiny Swarovski crystals on the label, available from my buddies at Fusion Beads here in Seattle.
*Thank you to the person on set who let us use their latte to stage that photo (2nd from top) after our Starbucks run. I certainly hope we gave it back, cause no one should have to give up their coffee.
