We’ve been working on a total site redesign since before Christmas and the conversion is now well underway.

About a third of the pages are converted, so if you surf around you can compare the before and after. Please go take a look.

I hope you like my new logo. It’s cleaner and simpler, and at the same time, more symbolic of what we are all about.

We’ve hit a few bumps along the road. Originally we planned to have outside programmers do the technical work with us providing designs and direction.

That didn’t work out, so my DH (Bless him!) has learned how to do it himself. He just amazes me sometimes.

It is exhausting and tedious work. I wish I could help him but, because of my dyslexia, I find writing the simplest html links (like the one above that takes you to our home page) very challenging.

Besides, while he’s reprogramming, I need to continue answering reader letters, writing newsletters and my blog and creating new craft projects. We can’t let the website stagnate!

I will be forced to learn how to edit once the new pages are up – something I am already dreading. There are always minor changes to be made after publishing – typos we both missed, a turn of phrase here. Sometimes products or sources change and we need to update those.

Despite the state of flux and the uncomfortable feeling of being in transition, my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude.

Gratitude for my DH with all his talents and abilities. Gratitude that The Artful Crafter has grown to the extent that we need to upgrade the platform. Gratitude for all our readers who have propelled us forward and helped us realize the goal we set at the very beginning when we wrote our slogan:

“The Artful Crafter – Helping Crafters to Be”

Thank you for subscribing to “The Artful Crafter Digest”. As always, your comments, suggestions and questions are welcome.

Eileen

The Artsy Bloggers and Me

I was invited to join a group of artists who actively blog about their art. Artist? Moi?

Needless to say, I was flattered and practically tripped over myself to accept. Each week, those who can, post a link to something new they have done. The list is compiled and then each of us publishes it at the end of the week.

I publish mine on Sundays, which gives me a proper day of rest. Nice.

Another thing I really like is that we almost all do something different. One has promised to put up some knitting articles. We’ve had some darling crochet patterns, beautiful photo effect tutorials and stamping projects.

I am pleased to introduce my new artsy-crafty friends … Cyndi Lavin at Layers Upon Layers, Katelyn Thomas at Stamping Mad, Heather Goldsmith at A Creative Journal, Mary Emma Allen at Quilting & Patchwork, Noreen Crone-Findlay at Hankering for Yarn, and Chloe Findlay-Harder at Tangled Thread and The Creative Bride.

Come visit The Artful Crafter Blog on Sundays to see what new goodies we have to share.

What Else is New on The Artful Crafter This Month?

After ten years of crafting for profit, I have some experience Dealing with Difficult Customers. If you craft for profit, you might find my insights helpful.

Beth wrote asking how we can Find Balance between our crafting and all the other demands placed upon us. While I certainly don’t have the definitive answer, here are my ideas.

There are at least Three Methods to Mount a Cameo. Can you name them? No peeking first!

If you want to Get Your Greeting Card Designs Printed , you have several options from DIY to a large commercial print shop. This article helps you explore the various options.

Reader Letter of the Month: I LOVE THIS SITE!!

I was just tickled to get this letter at The Artful Crafter. I dream of the day when I can spend all my work time connecting with my readers, working out their craft questions, pursuing my love of digital graphics and reading nice letters like this.

“I LOVE THIS SITE!! I have been a member of another craft site for a few years now and someone had written in with your link. Oh, I have goose bumps just reading all the wonderful information. I have to get a scanner and try scanography!

Thank you, Lisa”

Thank you so much Lisa! It's a labor of love and so nice to hear from people who enjoy sharing in it.

Happy Crafting!