New Mini Website!

This past weekend was busy for me. I was working with Rose Wilson of http://www.webdazynz.com to build a mini website for me.

Wow, what a sweetie to work with. She told me that she's been doing this since 1999. Here's an excerpt from something that she told me, that really hits home. "My tagline is 'Simply Cool Websites' because I still adhere to the same principle that a website should be simple and clean by design, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. I am a firm believer in the fact that if a site is too hard to focus on, that people will click off your website pretty quick and be on to the next one."

Yep, couldn't agree more. And one of the first comments I received on it was that they liked that it looked "organized" with my diverse style of beads.

I saw Rose's ad on www.lampworketc.com and knew the time was right. I already have a mini one with my business name, "Studio Marcy", but thought adding another one that leads to my etsy shop as well, under my own name, Marcy Lamberson, would help potential customers find me in the google search system. Rose took care of securing the url and that kind of stuff too. She'll just send me the bill to renew each year.

And the whole process was easy. Rose communicated with me so fluidly, that I knew I would get what I wanted, even if I wasn't sure at the start. For some reason, I got it in my head that I wanted the color red to star in my new site. Now I've never really had a lot of red before, but thought this was the time to test it out. (go ahead, roll your eyes here.) Some of the journey was finding a color I love that I wanted with the red. As you can see, Rose helped me find a way to use aqua, my favorite color.

She is a corporate website administrator by day and does this and lampwork at night. Someone who understands us! (and heaven knows, I sure tested that.)

So stop by and see my new mini website http://www.MarcyLamberson.com and Rose's website http://www.webdazynz.com And if you decide to try her out, please tell her I sent you.

See you tomorrow right here!

Blue Moon's Website Changes

It's been a fun couple of weeks. I've been enjoying a renewed friendship with Jim and Rose Berry of Blue Moon Glassworks of Austin, TX.

We've been working together to tweak their website and make it a little easier for customers to navigate and find their wonderful products and notice all of the fabulous classes they offer. I've been their "new set of fresh eyes".

I really like how quickly the viewer can find the important aspects of their business when reaching the website. For me, it was important to show that they take Paypal as that is mine and many other artists' major form of payment.

And if you want a little fun, click on their "Get Directions". Once that page loads, click on their little picture and it will bring you to a real view of the shop.

One of my highlights of this website is the tremendous number of photos on it. Starting on the homepage, are photos from the previous month's classes and events. Clicking on "Gallery" will take you to tons of photos from classes, and even it goes all the way back to their opening.

Check out the lampwork classes they offer. I think Stephanie Sersich's class starts this Saturday (have no idea, whether there are spaces, but call if interested), and there are so many other teachers whose classes I'd love to take as well.

So pop by and check out Blue Moon Glassworks. And while you're there, snoop around, enjoy all the photos. classes, products and other glass options.

Beaders Showcase, Have You Joined Yet?

Have you checked out Beaders Showcase yet?
http://www.BeadersShowcase.com
(You can click on the photo to enlarge the view.)

I joined last week. It is one of the growing websites that mixes all kinds beads, beadmakers, bead stringers, and everyone else in between.

This type of website to me is very helpful. I like to see what everyone is making. (and admire it) But not just to think it's pretty, but also because it also shows me trends in what jewelry makers are doing and gives me inspiration for some of my beads that I make. This website also has a lot of international members. Seeing what is done in other countries broadens my knowledge base, but also is just plain old fascinating to me too.

And who can resist a website that features video tutorials? Oh my, I'll be in heaven. For as much as I love the written word, to me, I love seeing how something is done. I hope a lot of people add more to the website's library.

Here's a screenshot of half of the home page to give you an idea of what they're about. This global website is not about marketing your work. It's about showcasing what you have and sharing with others. It's run by Jeff Pritchard and his wife, and the members even have an area for voting for planned changes. So you have a say in its direction too. Stop by for a visit and check it out.

Happy weekend to you,
Marcy

New Wonderful Website for Glass Fusers and Us Too!

A few years ago, I found http://www.glassfacts.info, which is a website dedicated to "a daily dose of glass art knowledge". I love it and still go back to read and learn more about glass.

Now, the founder of that site, Paul Tarlow, of Helios Kiln Glass Studio has started another website which looks to be equally interesting and noteworthy, http://www.fusedglass.org.

I've added a shot of his online glass tools, because these pot drops have always interested me. It seems like a great way to use up some of our shorties and stubbies of leftover rods. (if anyone does this already, please post and tell us about it1)

He also has a forum, glossary, reviews, art glass news and lots of other areas for information. I love some of the definitions and use similar ones when explaining during classes .

For the final kicker, if you join his site and post, you get your name in a hat for a drawing for 10 lbs of free Bullseye Frit. (Feel free to send it to me, if you don't use it- I'll trade you out for some glass and/or beads.) Hope you get a chance to check it out. The drawing entries end late Sunday night, so do it soon. www.fusedglass.org