Thursday, September 10, 2015

Online site builders and plans

Choosing one online site builder isn't easy. I collected information from several site builders so I can pick one, but so far I haven’t made my mind. I have a small site created on Yola many years ago. It’s kind of just a portfolio and résumé. So it works. But now I need another product. I am tight on budget or I would ask a professional to do it! Am I wrong? Can these online site builders do the trick? Probably they will. But for the moment I’m experiencing a lot of boredom every time I sit in front of computer. So I really need something that’s not expensive and that’s easy to use. Most of these site builders offer a free base with the option to upgrade to an advanced premium option so we can try it and get the feel of it. It’s good but it will take me time. Again, more time spent in front of the computer. But I can’t have it all, can I? Many site builders advertise as free. But you know the thing. Nothing is free in this world. So, where are the hidden costs? I also don’t have a credit card. I can ask a friend to do it but I rather have the possibility to use Paypal. I also have to consider fulfilling payment on a monthly or yearly basis; this will allow me to save some money. So it all starts with the question money!! And then the user friendly appeal. Currently I am not in the mood for high learning curves. So I need to pick a builder that’s straightforward in use, “Drag and Drop” technology is just what I want. Just give me widgets I can edit, move and resize! Widgets’ functionalities are amazing. If you’re old enough you’ll remember the time when there were no widgets! It’s the difference between a desert and a garden, really! I think I can put some extra effort in what concerns getting nice images so I can create a nice theme for it. But probably there will be a nice palette of colors available already and professional themes tailored to fit my needs. Usually I go for “keep it simple” rule and this time it will not be different. Another thing that’s important is to get a site where SEO configuration is easy because your site must be found on the net. If your site does not rank well in search engines you are done, your business is done. I have to edit title tags, meta tags and so in an easy way. To consolidate my online presence I also need to use social media networks so the site needs to be social media integrated. I want to be able to publish to other sites and integrate Twitter, Facebook and G+ in a comfortable way, that sort of thing. And at last I have to think about the responsiveness of my site because everyone is using smart phones and tablets. And the list continues. But these are my immediate thoughts. The print screens are very helpful also. Have you any experience with any of these site builders you want to share?

https://www.yola.com/pricing

https://www.squarespace.com/login

http://www.wix.com/


http://www.webstarts.com/pricing


http://www.webs.com/plans
https://www.websitebuilder.com/compare
https://www.sitey.com/compare

https://www.ehost.com/

- a web hosting service
- lots of templates
-free domain

https://www.ideahost.com/

- good editor
- good price
- lots of templates

https://www.sitebuilder.com/

- allows you to choose a free domain, a free template and use their editor for free. 
- ease-of-use editor, drag and drop system, 
- lots of templates

http://www.weebly.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Cindy ordered a counterfeit pillow cover from Amazon Marketplace!



Please, watch Cindy Bendel's review of a counterfeit pillow cover she purchased from the Amazon Marketplace. She does a side-by-side comparison to the real thing. 


Her message is avoid counterfeits on Amazon by buying on Print On Demand Sites - Zazzle, Red Bubble, Society 6, Fine Art America. Support the original artists for these designs and receive a better quality product."

The author of this painting had no idea her work had been pulled out of a POD site. Her beautiful pillow is 50% cheaper and low quality when sold on Amazon. 

I sell my illustrations on POD and had several stolen also. Please, sign the petition:




"Amazon.com provides the opportunity for businesses to sell products in their marketplace. According to the "Important Information for International Sellers", a seller has to agree that the sale and delivery of the product will not violate the intellectual property rights of others (e.g. the product manufacturer). This has not stopped numerous overseas businesses from stealing artwork and designs for Print On Demand companies like Zazzle and Society 6. For example, thousands of images for pillows and phone cases have been extracted from the websites of these POD companies. They then take these images and produce products for sale at a fraction of its normal selling price. In addition they use these stolen images to market their product listings. They are doing this without permission or license of the artist as well as the POD company. And because of the poor image quality the customer receives an inferior product. It's a lose-lose situation for both artists and customers.

It's a clear violation of the terms of agreement. Many artists have complained to Amazon and have gone through their infringement reporting process. Amazon has removed some listings but refuses to take down the rest. Instead of merely having a checkbox that states they agree not to violate intellectual property rights, there has to be a more active vetting process for these sellers. Perhaps a manufacturing application similar to Etsy where a seller has to explain their process in detail and get approval before selling. This is just one idea, there may be better ones out there. But Amazon needs to step in and do something, the current process is not working!! It's too easy for stores to shut down and open another at the drop of a hat. Going after them is like playing whack-a-mole. As a customer of Amazon I'd like to think they have the customer's interest at heart as well as the artist. By removing these egregious product listings they would improve their marketplace and make it a better shopping experience. Customers want to trust the website they're buying from and be assured they're not getting poor quality knock-offs. Please do something about this Amazon!

On behalf of all artists and designers who sell online I am making this petition. As for myself, I have an autistic five year old son that requires a lot of care. Selling my art and designs online has provided a way for me to make an income and pay for my son's extensive medical care and therapy costs. Intellectual property theft of my work only jeopardizes that. What is going on at Amazon provides a vehicle to promote theft as there are few consequences for these thieves. Please join me in voicing our concerns to Amazon to institute a change. Thank you!"


Cindy Bendel



Saturday, May 16, 2015

What makes a design good or bad?

Ultimately, good graphic design will inspire responses and clearly communicate visual information. Read some simple but good advice on how to avoid 8 common pitfalls of design from Shutterstock blog!

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Monday, March 2, 2015

Are you a tetrachromat? I know now that I am.


I found this on LinkedinIt's interesting! Well, I can see the 39 stripes. I am a tetrachromat. And no,I really don't get upset by the yellow color, there is a yellow shirt in my wardrobe. It was a gift. It's not my favorite. I don't like to dress in yellow! I just wish my eyes were in better condition than they are, no matter how many colors I can spot in the test! Last November I started with a new pair of eyeglasses and I am still adapting!
"Given the sudden interest for the color of dresses and vision, here some of the fascinating findings we did recently.
The color nuances we see depend on the number and distribution of cones (=color receptors) in our eye. You can check this rainbow: how many color nuances do you count?
You see less than 20 color nuances: you are a dichromats, like dogs, which means you have 2 types of cones only. You are likely to wear black, beige, and blue. 25% of the population is dichromat.
You see between 20 and 32 color nuances: you are a trichromat, you have 3 types of cones (in the purple/blue, green and red area). You enjoy different colors as you can appreciate them. 50% of the population is trichromat.
You see between 33 and 39 colors: you are a tetrachromat, like bees, and have 4 types of cones (in the purple/blue, green, red plus yellow area). You are irritated by yellow, so this color will be nowhere to be found in your wardrobe. 25% of the population is tetrachromat.
You see more than 39 color nuances: come on, you are making up things! there are only 39 different colors in the test and probably only 35 are properly translated by your computer screen anyway :)
It is highly probable that people who have an additional 4th cone do not get tricked by blue/black or white/gold dresses, no matter the background light. "
Sources: Diana Derval, The Right Sensory Mix: Targeting Consumer Product Development Scientifically, Springer 2010

3 Doodler, it's a kind of magic!



It's just like a pen that draws 3D objects in the air. Working in a similar way to a glue gun, 3Doodler 2.0 melts plastic filament in its body and extrudes the liquid from its tip. The plastic cools quickly, solidifying in the air and creating a stable structure! It's a kind of magic, right?!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Go green on St. Patrick's Day!

How are you going to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

March 17th 2015 is the day Irish celebrate the patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. He was the one who converted the pagans to Christianity. The celebration has spread to become a worldwide event. Lots of Irish descendants live in America. St. Patrick's Day has become a cultural celebration in America and across the world.  Irish and non-Irish alike join the party! And you? Will you celebrate it?

May the Irish hills caress you;
may her lakes and rivers bless you;
may the luck of the Irish enfold you;
may the blessings of St Patrick behold you

Go muirní cnoic na hÉireann thú.
Go mbeannaí a lochanna agus a haibhneacha thú.
Go dtimpeallaí an ádh Eireannach thú.
Go bhféacha tú beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Phádraig



(Irish sayings, proverbs and prayers for St. Patrick's Day here!)


Is there a special food to prepare on March 17th? Every March I see a lot of Irish St. Patrick recipes on blogs and Pinterest. This time I decided to learn what's the main dish for the occasion. After a search I found an interesting site called European Cuisines.  I was surprised to discover that "there's no particular food that's important to Saint Patrick's Day as it's celebrated in Ireland. Over here, the celebration itself is what matters. And it can safely be said that an overwhelming majority of the locals will not be eating corned beef and cabbage. " There's lot of interesting information in this site, like What do Irish people eat. I am not fond of cooking but from time to time I like to try recipes from other countries. It looks like various forms of soda bread are popular throughout Ireland. Bread is a undisputed thing. Never met a person that dislikes bread!Maybe I will try it because it's different from the usual bread I eat. I also enjoyed the Irish Coffee Cake recipe so I am providing the link for you. And if you're fond of Irish Coffee I also found the original recipe here

PART I
  
PART II
  

Happy St Paddys Day Leprechaun Ladies Tee by MainstreetShirt
Find other Happy st paddys day T-Shirts at zazzle.com

INVITATIONS to get St.Patrick Day's celebration on the move! Forget all about 50 shades of grey. On St.Patrick's Day all persons bear all shades of green! Throwing an Irish-themed party it just means going green. Use decorations like green streamers or green light bulbs in your lamps, get some green helium balloons and shamrock-shaped paper decorations on your house! But, first, have a look at St.Patrick Day's invitations from Zazzle! Here's 28 unique designs, from traditional to modern. Pick your favorite because it's about time to invite some people to join you on March 17th's celebration!
Craft Beer St. Patrick's Day Invite
Craft Beer St. Patrick's Day Invite by origamiprints
See other Craft Invitations at zazzle
Vintage St. Patrick's Day Party Invitations!
Vintage St. Patrick's Day Party Invitations! by golden_oldies
Check out more St partick's day Invitations at Zazzle
Poster Style St. Patrick's Day Party Invitation
Poster Style St. Patrick's Day Party Invitation by McBooboo
Shop for Leprechaun party Invitations online at Zazzle.com
Fun Leprechaun Badge St. Patrick's Day Invitations
Fun Leprechaun Badge St. Patrick's Day Invitations by artofmairin
Look at more Saint patrick Invitations at zazzle
Happy St Patrick Day Custom Announcement
Happy St Patrick Day Custom Announcement by noboringwhite
See more Saint patricks day Invitations at zazzle.com
Happy St Patrick Day Custom Announcements
Happy St Patrick Day Custom Announcements by noboringwhite
Look at other Saint patricks day Invitations at zazzle.com
St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Skull: Shenanigans Card
St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Skull: Shenanigans Card by irishskulls
View Skull and shamrock Invitations online at zazzle
Poster Style St. Patrick's Day Party Invitation
Poster Style St. Patrick's Day Party Invitation by McBooboo
Browse Leprechaun party Invitations online at Zazzle.com
St. Patrick's Day Invitation - SRF
St. Patrick's Day Invitation - SRF by sharonrhea
Look at more St patrick's day Invitations at zazzle
St. Patrick's Day Birthday Bash Watercolor Cards
St. Patrick's Day Birthday Bash Watercolor Cards by thepapershoppe
Browse more St patrick's day Invitations at Zazzle
Cool Lucky Ink Clover Announcements
Cool Lucky Ink Clover Announcements by silvianeto
Look at Irish Invitations online at Zazzle.com
Lucky Floral Clovers Personalized Invite
Lucky Floral Clovers Personalized Invite by silvianeto
Browse Irish Invitations online at Zazzle.com
Irish Lucky Coffee Cup painting Invitations
Irish Lucky Coffee Cup painting Invitations by noietnao
Look at other Shamrock Invitations at zazzle.com
Look at other Ireland st patty's day clover Invitations at zazzle.com


GO GREEN ON ST.PATRICK DAY WITH COOL TEE SHIRTS FROM ZAZZLE 

St. Patrick's Day - as you may know by now - is a cultural and religious holiday named in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick used a shamrock as a metaphor for the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Then his parishioners began wearing shamrocks to his church services. The wearing of the green on St. Patrick's Day represents spring, shamrocks and Ireland, a very green island. St. Patrick's Day t-shirts have been a common article of clothing to wear on this occasion! Here's my selection of Zazzle St.Patrick Day's tshirts! Have a look!
Irish Tuxedo T-shirt
Irish Tuxedo T-shirt by NSKINY
Look at more Funny st patricks day T-Shirts at zazzle
Irish Princess Tshirts
Irish Princess Tshirts by OfficeGangsta
Create your own printed tee shirts online at Zazzle.
Irish You Were Beer Tee Shirt
Irish You Were Beer Tee Shirt by stpatricksgifts
View other Alcohol T-Shirts at Zazzle.com
I See Drunk People Tees
I See Drunk People Tees by CyKosis
View St patricks day T-Shirts online at zazzle

PLATES for the party table or for St. Patrick Day's home decoration?


St Patrick's Day Plate
St Patrick's Day Plate by Jamlanddesigns
Check out more St patrick's day Plates at Zazzle
Celtic Knot Shamrock 7 Inch Paper Plate
Celtic Knot Shamrock 7 Inch Paper Plate by mazireland
Find other Celtic knot Paper Plates at zazzle.com
Kiss Me I'm Irish Funny Leprechaun 7 Inch Paper Plate
Kiss Me I'm Irish Funny Leprechaun 7 Inch Paper Plate by mazireland
Browse Kiss me i'm irish Paper Plates online at Zazzle.com
Lucky Charm Pot of Gold 9 Inch Paper Plate
Lucky Charm Pot of Gold 9 Inch Paper Plate by mazireland
Check out other Ireland Paper Plates at zazzle.com
Green Shamrocks Seamless Design Porcelain Plates
Green Shamrocks Seamless Design Porcelain Plates by Redgeez_Corner
Find other Clover st patrick Porcelain Plate at zazzle.com
Happy St Patrick Day Party Plate
Happy St Patrick Day Party Plate by noboringwhite
See other Saint patricks day Plates at zazzle
Irish Leprechaun Dinner Plate
Irish Leprechaun Dinner Plate by designs4you
Browse Green Plates online at Zazzle.com
NAPKINS to make you St. Patrick Day table more festive!A cool way to decorate your St.Patrick Day's table is to get some decorated napkins from Zazzle! Have a look at my selection!
Green Clover All Over Wedding Paper Napkins
Green Clover All Over Wedding Paper Napkins by dlgray
Check out Green Paper Napkins online at zazzle
Pot Of Gold St.Patricks Day Badge Standard Cocktail Napkin
Pot Of Gold St.Patricks Day Badge Standard Cocktail Napkin by JunkyDotCom
Browse more St patricks day Paper Napkins at Zazzle
STEINS FOR ST. PATRICK DAY - INSTANT IRISH, JUST ADD BEER! Ireland is famous for the whiskey, liquers and, of course, Guinness, a beer like no other! In America green beer seems to be as famous. A bit silly, ok, but life hasn't to be serious all the time! One drop of green food coloring into a beer mug, add beer. That's it!  Here's a selection of fun and cute Zazzle steins you can buy to celebrate the day! You must learn two Irish toasts to go with it:Érin go Bráugh (phonetic English approximation of the Irish Gaelic "Éirinn go brách", meaning, Free Ireland) and Sláinte (Cheers).
Happy St Patrick's Day Mugs
Happy St Patrick's Day Mugs by NativeSon01
Browse more St patrick's day Mugs at Zazzle
St. Patrick's Day Treasure Mugs
St. Patrick's Day Treasure Mugs by Kakigori
See other Treasure Mugs at zazzle
St. Patrick's Day Fresh Beer Mug
St. Patrick's Day Fresh Beer Mug by Kakigori
Check out more Fresh beer Mugs at Zazzle
St. Patrick's Day Irish Flag Mug
St. Patrick's Day Irish Flag Mug by Kakigori
Create unique photo mugs online at zazzle.com
Lucky Irish Stein Coffee Mugs
Lucky Irish Stein Coffee Mugs by HellaGorgeous
Shop for Anime Mugs online at Zazzle.com
Instant Irish Stein Mugs
Instant Irish Stein Mugs by mazireland
Create unique custom cups at Zazzle.
St. Patrick on a Mug
St. Patrick on a Mug by lawino
Check out more St patrick Mugs at Zazzle
I See Drunk People Mug
I See Drunk People Mug by CyKosis
Get the best in mug printing from Zazzle.
Saint Patrick's Day, Clovers - Green Black Coffee Mug
Saint Patrick's Day, Clovers - Green Black Coffee Mug by sitnica
Design unique personalized mugs for kids online at zazzle.com


LOOKING FOR A ST.PATRICK'S DAY GIFT?
Check my 100  St. Patrick Day's gifts list!
Mugs
Neck Ties
Pillows
Scarfs
Jackets
IPhone covers...
...and more!

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