A few Changes

I'm really happy with the blog design from New Shop Designs! It isn't a monumental change, since everyone that knows me knows that I really hate change, but it is definitely a nice update. Someone asked if it is expensive to work with a graphic designer. There are actually a lot of very reasonable designers out there that do this kind of thing on the side or who are just getting started so their prices are pretty reasonable. When I first had Crystal make my logo, banner, and business card design almost a year ago her prices were so low I felt like I was taking advantage of her. I actually sent her a scarf to appease my guilt and because I enjoyed working with her so much.

The above pic is from her portfolio and shows my designs in the cream and white. I obviously preferred the cream and have stuck with that. Since then she's tweaked a few things for me here and there and now made the blog template. She set it all up for me in 3 columns and took care of getting all my gadgets and widgets in place. I moved a few things around but that was about it. I love the new signature with my name and headings with the yarn ball as well. She and my husband both think the yarn ball heading is a bit busy but I like it and since it is my blog my vote is the one that counts. She also set up my domain name directed to the blog for $15 a year. I will probably have her help me design a website in the future. I don't know when but it is something to work towards.

I also added a Read More About Me post to the side by following Timothy Adam Designs directions for making the most of your profile here. If his blog isn't on your favorite list yet it really should be. He is one Etsy blogger that has a high page rank and readership. I also updated my favorite posts from the past list down below. The one thing that got lost in the transition is my blog roll list. If you would like to be on my list and trade links please just let me know. I'll be restarting the list later today.

Under Construction

To anyone wandering into the blog this weekend there is going to be lots of construction going on. I have signed over my blog design to the willing and able hands of my graphic designer New Shop Designs. I love saying "my graphic designer". It makes me feel so professional. She is completely remodeling the digs, but it will stay consistent with my shop look and everything. She started one of our conversations with "I know you don't like change, so how about...". It's nice to work with someone that already gets you.

I've left you some eye candy above from OriginalsbyLauren's shop. They are a set of two hunky potholders. Yes, I just used the word hunky. I can tell you with 100% certainty that none of the construction guys working on my office suite right now look like this.

I am going to save my blog post on backlinks and blog directories for next week. I'm still doing some research and I'd rather wait until things settle around here to add serious content. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Subjective Beauty Giveaway!

I've been thinking a lot lately about where the blog is going. I'll be talking about this more this week but one of the first things I had decided was that I had earned the right to my own custom blog design. When I started I wasn't sure that I would stick with it so I just went with one of the free templates available on blogger. I have definitely outgrown it and want something that reflects me and the shop better. I came across a great contest today when entrecard dropping for a free deluxe blog design by Subjective Beauty Designs. She has made a number of the blog designs I see on a regular basis and I would be thrilled as punch to have her work with me. You can find all about the contest on Punky Monkey's blog, who recently got a full facelift from Subjective Beauty and is hosting the contest. Here is what you get:
Here is what my Custom Blog Designs come with:Custom Template (2 or 3 columns)Custom Header (the sky is the limit)Custom backgroundNavigation image (unlimited links)Unlimited sidebar imagesSocial buttons (Twitter, Facebook, BlogHer, Feed, etc.)Hosting space via my serverButton for linking (150x150)Post signatureEmail imagePost dividerFavicon (bookmark icon)Flash animated greeting messageInstallation*Rollover effects per request.

Custom Blog Designs and giveaways

I got a nice surprise last week when Diana from Custom Blog Designs told me I was her Visitor of the Week. That meant I got a free graphic from her of my choice. I asked her to make me a blinking ad box. I had just recently had some work done by NewShop that I was happy with but I hadn't thought I would need a blinking ad. I decided after seeing them on my site that they really were more eye-catching than the standard ones, so I was wanting one. She took the ad I had already and added other images to it to make it blink. I am thrilled with how it came out. For some reason it won't let me post the blinking ad on here but you can see it on the margin of her site, under visitor of the week, and I'll be using it in some Project Wonderful ads this week.


I am in awe of graphic designers. I am truly clueless to how it all works. She has some great prices on her blog designs including a basic blog makeover for $45. You really can't beat that. This week is her 1 year shop birthday so it is the perfect time to pay her a visit since she is having a giveaway and other promotions going on all week long.

Solsisters Studio is also having a great giveaway this week. She is giving away a $40 custom handbag like the one shown here or any other design of your choice. To enter you just have to sign up for her new newsletter. I have totally coveted her gorgeous designs and bright fabrics she uses for awhile so I would be thrilled to win!

100th Post and New Shop Designs

Let me start off by saying that this is my 100th post. I just like to acknowledge the milestones. I never thought I'd get into this blogging thing as much as I have but I'm excited and ready to go for another 100 this year. I think it is appropriate to be making some updates on my shop look now. Anyone that knows me knows that I hate change. I have been at my current job for over 4 years and to me it is still the "new job." My husband and I are definitely creatures of habit which is one of the things that makes us so compatible. But a few times a year I like to spice things up with my look and will get my hair highlighted or something along those lines.

I had a graphic designer make my banner and avatar for me last year and I was very happy with it. But I had gotten a wild hair that I wanted some change recently but couldn't track her down. She had changed her shop name and is now going by New Shop Design on Etsy. I didn't really want anything dramatic done to my banner since I was still happy with the look but I wanted a few new pictures added including one of my wire bracelets to be more reflective of my current work. I also wanted some new avatars as options. I had her add my shop name to the one I was currently using and make me one with a bracelet that I'll use in the warmer months. I had her make a new button that I can use on entrecard and project wonderful that is infinitely more clickable than the one before. I am loving how it came out and it will hopefully make my ad campaigns more successful. And she made me a twitter background that is a reflection of my shop and will tie my twitter page back to my overall look. I know consistency is important in building a presence on-line and I'm hoping this will help me to be more recognizable. I'm debating about what I'm going to do about my 1000 Markets shop and tying it in, but that's a whole other post.

Her prices are very reasonable and for the cost of a trim I feel like a brand new woman. It's great to know how to reach her again so I can have her make updates for me whenever I get the inspiration. She is so patient with me and my needs. I'm not good at describing what it is I want but I'm really good at telling her what I don't like, so she usually ends up having to make a number of revisions with no complaints I might add. If your looking for a new look you should totally check out her shop, she has a package that will give your all the tools you need to get started.