Saturday, April 27, 2013

How to Create a Watermark for Your Art in Photoshop Elements


I've had quite a few artists contact me wanting to know how to make a watermark for their art like the ones I use on my art.  Why use a watermark?  Well, there are several reasons.  One reason is that nice well meaning people often see your artwork, love it,  and want to share it on sites like Pinterest or Facebook, the problem is, they don't always think to give you credit for the art or link it back to you.  If you put a watermark on there, any of their friends or followers that see your art will know that you created it, and if you put your website on there as part of your watermark, they now know where to find you if they want to see more of your work or buy a print.  Another reason is that sometimes people find art on the Internet and they think that just because it's there online, anyone can use it for anything that they want.  According to copyright law, that's not true, but it can be hard to stop people anyway.  The next thing you know someone has grabbed your art from a Google image search and slapped it on jar candles, boxes, or a variety of other items and they're selling them on eBay or Etsy as their own creation.  If you have a watermark on there, it makes that kind of thing really hard for them to do and lets the art pirates of the world know that your art is protected by copyright.

How do I know all this?  I learned the hard way years ago, I've had both of these things happen to me.  There are still un-watermarked versions of my art floating about out there on the web, and once they're out there, they're out there!
The World card from the Upcoming Tarot deck Mystical Cats Tarot with Watermark.  

 We're just beginning to put images from my upcoming Tarot deck "Mystical Cats Tarot out there, so I needed a new watermark.  I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to show you how I do it!

Watermark Tutorial: Photoshop Elements

I use Photoshop Elements to edit my art, it's really close to the same as the full version of Photoshop, not too hard to use, and it's pretty affordable, less that a hundred bucks compared to it's big sister Photoshop (the full version) which is more like a whopping seven hundred!  I've used both and believe me, if you're just starting out, get Photoshop Elements!  I gave you step by step instructions and screenshots, because we're artists, we're visual, and a picture is worth a thousand words! Click on the images if you need to see them bigger.



  1. In Photoshop Elements open an image that you want to add a watermark to.
    Adding the text, include copyright symbol, your name and website if you have  it, or any
    other information that you feel is appropriate for the project.
  2. Select the type tool, its on the left and is just a letter "T" Pick a font that is easy to read, if there is an option to make it bold, do it.  Now type out whatever you want your watermark to say, it's a good idea to include the copyright symbol, your name, and website if you have one.   Ahh, I know, you're asking, How do I get that little © symbol? !" Here's how, hold down the ALT button and while you do type 0169 on your keyboard.  It will appear like magic! Are you on  a Mac? then hold down the Option button and then type a G.
  3. Now highlight the letters and click on the color swatch on the left hand side, it's that black square. (or whatever color your text is at the time) When you do, a window will pop up that lets you select a color, change it to 50% gray.  Make sure "Only Web Colors" is not selected and then enter the values R-128 G-128 B-128, as shown in the picture below. Click OK
    Changing the text to gray.
  4. If you want to add a logo, now is the time to do that.  If you don't want to add a logo, skip ahead to step 7.  I created a logo from one of my sketches of a cat paw shield design from the deck and filled it in with 50% gray just like the letters. Open your logo, use the magic wand tool to select it away from the white background and drag it onto your art.  
    Select the logo, click and drag using to move tool, just drop it onto the art in the window below.
  5. Now you can re size it using the move tool (the little 4 arrow thing at the top) and drag it around until you have it right where you want it. When it looks just how you want it to, click the green check mark.
    Using the move tool, you can re-size and re-position the logo.
     
  6. Now, on the bottom right you'll now see three layers; your art background, the text layer, and your logo. Holding down the Shift key, click the logo layer and then click the text layer. Now go up to "Layer" at the top of the screen and click it, then click "Merge Layers."  Now you have just two layers, the background and the watermark you've just created!
  7. Now to make it fancy and see-through! You'll see the layers on the bottom right, make sure the text/watermark layer is highlighted in black (it should say Layer 1) and then click Layer at the top of the screen, scroll In the layer styles palette choose "Layer Style" and then "Style Settings" from the drop down menu. Now you'll see a window, click "Bevel" now you can use the slide bar to adjust the bevel until it looks great.  This step really helps your watermark stand out. when you're happy with the look, click OK at the bottom of the bevel window.
    Select Layer, Layer Style, Style Settings, then a window will pop up,
    select Bevel, then adjust it however you like.
  8. Now making sure that the watermark layer is selected look right above the layer and you'll see the Opacity bar, click the arrow and adjust how transparent your watermark is.  Just play with it until it looks good, you want it to be able to be seen while not distracting from the art too much.  You'll find that you might want to adjust the opacity differently for each piece of art.
    A close up of the watermark
  9. Congratulations!  You just made an awesome looking watermark!  Now you need to save it.  Delete the art layer (Don't worry, we'll bring it back!) Just left click on the layer to the right. and select "Delete Layer" now grab the Crop tool from the left side and crop around just the watermark. Got to "file" "save as" and save it where you know you can find it again and title it something like "watermark" so it will be easy to find.  Be sure to choose the format Photoshop (*.PSD;*.PDD) this will keep it on a transparent layer and make it easy to drag and drop onto anything you want to put it on.
    Remove the art layer for now, crop and save as a transparency, PSD file.
    Now you can use it again and again!
  10. Now open your art again, and using the move tool grab the watermark and drag it right onto the art.  You can move it around, and even re-size it using the move tool.  Once you're happy go up to Layer at the top and click "Flatten Image"  Then save your art as a JPG.  I usually name it by the title with the word "web" at the end so that I know it's the version with the watermark. For this image I called it TheWorldWeb.jpg
I hope you find this tutorial useful as a way to protect your art online and direct fans back to your website!

Happy Art and Blessings!



Friday, April 26, 2013

Llewellyn's Spell A Day: Lilac Faerie Beauty Spell


Oh the lilacs are in bloom, it's spring, and it's Friday and Beltane is just around the corner! What a great time for some faerie beauty magic!  Today's spell in the 2013 Llewellyn's Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac is one that I wrote, it's a spell using a flower that's very much loved by faerie kind and my favorite flower (if I had to pick a favorite) the lilac.  This is a spell to call upon the Queen of the Fae to assist you in bringing your inner beauty out so that it shines for all to see.
Photo by Mickie Mueller

I hope you enjoy it, here's the link for the spell on the Llewellyn Spell-A-Day website!  Enjoy!

Lilac Faerie Beauty Spell By Mickie Mueller
Spell Date:  Friday, April 26, 2013
Color of the day:  Coral
Incense of the day:  Cypress
Call upon the queen of the Fae to bring out your inner beauty with this lovely lilac spell.
If the lilacs are in bloom in your area, place fresh Click here for the rest of this spell...

Llewellyn's Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac, this is a great Almanac
full of spells from many of their writers, I read it all the time and
collect them year after year! Click here for more details!

I hope you enjoyed the spell.  If you love the faerie art at the top of the page or want to work more magic with Tatiana, we have lots of faerie art in my official Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio

Light a candle in honor of Queen Tatiana, beautiful decor for you home!
Get yours here!
Please drop me a comment below on my old wooden art table and let me know how you liked the spell!

Brightest Blessings,

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Free Healing Candle Labels and Spells


Hi Dears,

Sometimes life is just hard.  This spring has been particularly difficult for many, and really for all of us, as we have seen political battles, human rights showdowns, natural disasters, misplaced hate, rage and anger.  A school shooting of unthinkable proportions in New Town started off our year and then we all watched two tragedies unfold in Boston at the Marathon and then just shortly after in Texas when a fertilizer plant exploded.  And of course we have to remember that it's not just here in the U.S., no, there are many parts of the world where oppression, abuse, and large scale violence are commonplace.  In all of the grief that we have all witnessed and felt, we have to remember something very important, even in the midst of some very bad things going on in the world, the power of good is still stronger.  The power of healing can move mountains.
All these candles use the labels from this free Candle Label and Spell  PDF. The link to download
this set is below.
Goddess Statue in this photo designed by Abby Willowroot

My friend Blake Octavian Blair and I got to talking about the world’s events that have unfolded this spring.  I'm a Reiki Master and so is Blake, he also does a lot of Shamanic healing work too and studies Druidry with OBOD. We met online as so many people do these days, and found that we have a lot of things in common, we also are both contributors to the Llewellyn annuals and spend a decent amount of time writing about ways that people can improve their lives exploring the magical aspects of spirituality.  During the discussion we talked about how much it helps both of us to be able to send positive energy to world events.  It's the one thing that we can do as healers to contribute to the world.  It's also a great coping mechanism for those of us who tend to take these kind of events deeply to heart, and let's face it, that's a lot of us that do just that, I bet, Dear Reader, you do too!  Blake had seen some of my printable candle labels I make from my art and so Blake sent me a text one day suggesting that I create a candle label that people could use to send healing for all these current events that have hurt our hearts so deeply.  It was brilliant! Along with Blake's input, single label became a sheet of candle labels,  and we each wrote a spell to go along with them too with love and compassion for humankind.
Working the Healing altar Spell written by Blake Octavian Blair, included with
the Healing Candles and Spells PDF

In that spirit, it was also decided to share it freely with anyone and everyone who has the desire to send positive energy into the world.  We also decided to make the sheet non-specific to the current events and people in need of healing during this tumultuous spring, because there would always be events, places and people in need of healing energy.  In this way, this candle sheet and these spells may be used today and on into the future whenever you or others have need.  For safety, be sure to use the labels only on jar candles, or jar candle holders; never affix a candle label to the wax candle itself, as it could catch on fire.  Also burn your candles according to the candle instructions and never leave a burning candle unattended.  Use these spells as they are written, or as inspiration for creating your own spell for sending healing into the world.


For the Free PDF, click here to download! with our compliments from Blake Octavian Blair and Mickie Mueller

We both hope you enjoy these candle labels and spells for years to come.  Feel free to share them with anyone you like, please join us in sending healing energy to those who need it most, as often as you like.

For more on Blake Octavian Blair visit his website: http://www.blakeoctavianblair.com/
To see more of my art visit my website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio

I also have a YouTube channel where I share more free printables, spells, witchy tips, and other tidbits for living your magical life at: https://www.youtube.com/c/mickiemuellerstudio

Please drop a comment below and let us know how you used your candle labels and spells!

Brightest Blessings,



Friday, April 12, 2013

Send Love Rippling Out Spell, Llewellyn Spell-A -Day

Today's entry in the Llewellyn's Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac is my spell for sending love rippling out into every aspect of your life!  It's quite a simple meditation spell, but when I field tested this one, it actually delivered some wonderfully positive results.  You see what you send out, really does return to you in the most lovely ways!
I did this spell this morning at my old wooden art table.
I added a pink candle to my lotus candle holder, some lavender,
a globe, and my little Quan Yin statue, the Goddess of compassion.
How will you get creative with this spell?

Llewellyn's Witches' Spell-A-Day
Send Love Rippling Out -by Mickie Mueller

Spell Date:  Friday, April 12, 2013
Color of the day:  Pink
Incense of the day:  Alder
"We think of love spells as being personal, but the power of love can be a catalyst for positive change in the world. Find a quiet place to sit, and...Click here for the whole spell on Llewellyns website

There are many more kinds of love in the world that romantic love, love for all mankind is the focus of this spell.  I personally just got a new granddaughter the other day so working this spell is easy for me right now because I'm all full of fuzzy happy thoughts.
Feeling the love!!  Me-Maw Mickie and Riley June!

Sometimes the best time to do this spell might be when you're not really feeling the love so much.  When life seems to be getting you down, sending love rippling out can be more of a challenge, but if you can make it work, the results will ripple back and change your perspective, and after all, being happy is often just a matter of perspective.

This fairy garden flag is full of love, find yours in my Etsy shop:  click here
I hope you'll try this spell today and that it brings you a great feeling of love and a connection with everything around you.

If you try it, please drop me a comment below and let me know both how it felt during the meditation and if some love rippled back your way as a result!

Blessings,