Blog Egage found me a great site...

I signed up for Blog Engage about a while back. It is a fairly new social bookmarking site for bloggers. It is primarily set up for bloggers to promote their blogs. The man who runs it is very helpful, friendly and works hard to make this new site a success. I highly recommend you check it out. Blog Engage

As a result of having submitted several posts from this blog, I was contacted by Crafty Tips and asked to submit my website and Etsy links. I checked out the site and it looks great! So, yes, I submitted my links. I also placed their logo link in my sidebar.

Ahh, social networking, what a wonderful thing.

Knot! News - Weekly Update

Well, I am feeling better! Still suffering a little artist's block, though.

A few weeks ago, I applied to be in a juried show sponsored by The DIY Factory. I just received email notification of my acceptance. Now, I need to send them a business card sized logo and a link for them to post on their website. So, I spent today working on logos, banners, and business cards. It was something I could manage in spite of the artist's block. It may even help trigger my creativity to turn back on. (Sometimes, this kind of thing works that way - sort of a warm-up exercise.)

I found the wonderful font (of my new header) at CoolText.com in the "Gothic" category, and downloaded it. Then, I downloaded "7-Zip", a free open source "archive application" that handles .zip files. So far, so good. ("7-Zip" link includes reviews of the application in case you are interested.) I needed it to unzip the font file I downloaded. Then, using GRSites, and Windows "Paint"; I made some logos. I made the header you see here on this blog, a header for my website, a banner for my Etsy shop, business card (photo at top right), and a business card sized ad logo to send to the DIY Factory.

I still have some work to do on the fonts and colors of this blog to match the header, but for now, I like the header. I really love the font. I did learn some things today that I will be using in the future to finalize my logo. For now, this "working" model will have to suffice.

Knot! News - Weekly Update

I have had an exciting week!

On Saturday: I was talking with a friend of mine who makes dolls. She really does some beautiful work sculpting the faces and hands, etc with polymer clay. She lives in Wimberly, Texas where they have a monthly market for antiques, crafts, etc. It is quite a popular market here in Texas. She suggested we get a booth together (for next year). I think it is a pretty good idea. We are planning to attend the next one (Sep 1) to scope it out. If I don't forget my camera, I will take photos to show you.

On Monday: Okay. Uncle. I realized that I bit off more than I could chew with Drupal. It is a wonderful cms (content management system - website builder). However, it is way to complicated for my limited skills. So I switched to WordPress. At least I understand some of how to use it. I will need to learn more about how to edit the stylesheet and layout in order to customize it, so it will still be a challenge. In the meantime, I can at least have a functioning website.

On Tuesday: After having switched to WordPress for my website, I got the site up and running. It is still in the very beginning stages, but at least it is functional.

On Wednesday: I figured out how to change the header image on the new website. I used a cool little online program called Kubrickr that I found on the WordPress help pages. WordPress has excellent documentation on how to use it.

Also on Wednesday: I struggled with figuring out how to get the shipping right with my PayPal buttons. The problem arose when I listed a couple of patterns. Patterns do not require any shipping charges. However, when I clicked on the option to override shipping charges and tested the button by adding a pattern to my cart, I noticed that PayPal was still adding shipping charges. I spent considerable time trying to solve this. I settled on adding the shipping charges to the price and leaving it at that. I am considering installing a WordPress shopping cart plug-in. I need to learn how to do the installation, so it may be next week before I get to it. Still thinking on it.

On Thursday: I found W3Schools, an online site dedicated to teaching html, css, and website development. It is very user friendly and easy to navigate. Their tutorials even have practice exercises, many of which are right there on their site. Even a non-techie like me found it quite easy to understand.

Also on Thursday: I got reviewed by Bloggeries Blog Reviews! See previous post "Bloggeries Blog Review" for more. In response to the great suggestions I received, I have added AdSense to the bottom of my sidebar. I will also be working on a few other ideas in the future.

This morning: I found a comment on my previous post that this blog is currently being featured on Big Blog Directory.

All in all, a very good week in spite of the troubles with my PayPal buttons. Now, I need a little Rest and Recreation. We are going sailing this weekend...See you when I get back!

First Day With Drupal...

...And already, I got myself in a pickle.

After the installation of Drupal at my new webhost (OpenSourceHost.com), I received an email telling me the installation was complete and all I had to do was create a new account, and I would be set to start work on my new site. All I could see was my cPanel. This panel has things like databases, email account set ups, etc, but no Drupal. I even sent in a support ticket. Those poor support staff guys! They were very patient with me, and I appreciate it a great deal. Finally, it was determined my problem was that I was looking for Drupal in my webhost account, when I should be looking for it at my KnotGypsyDesigns.com address. Viola! Then, I saw another email in my inbox with a link to go to my Drupal site! Okay. I know I'm not really stupid, but I certainly felt stupid!

So, I got the new account created, and explored some, read up in Drupal.org's handbooks, tweaked the colors, and set the site configuration to work offline. I thought setting this configuration would be a good idea as it will show a screen to the world that the site is under construction, and I could direct people here to this blog for more information and updates on progress. It was a good idea. Want to see it? Go to KnotGypsyDesigns.com.

Then I logged out. Oops. Now, I could not log back in. I just got the screen telling everyone that the site was under construction...

I went to Drupal.org and searched the forums. I found a thread that had been posted last year, but with the same problem. I tried the suggestion (to go to www.example.com/?q=user), to no avail. I posted, asking for help. Today, I received an answer. It was the same suggestion that had previously been given. I normally use FireFox browser, so I swallowed my indignation and used Internet Explorer as it has no cookies for my site. I even cleared its cache. No go. Finally, after a few more posts, someone suggested I type my domain name instead of "example.com". Duh. In my defense, the instructions did not say whether to substitute my domain for "example.com" or not, but it did say to type "user" as is (not to substitute username). So, my untechnical mind just assumed to type it all as is.

I have learned something! I am off to a stumbling start, but I am off...

Progress on New KnotGypsy Designs.com Site

Yes, it is official. I have decided to leave this blog right here on Blogger.

As I have told you, I am moving KnotGypsy Designs.com to a new host. (OpenSourceHost.com) My domain has propogated there, and I have had them install Drupal .

I have begun to study how to use Drupal to build my new site. And, I have played around in it a little this evening. Because it is so flexible, and comprehensive; there is quite a bit to learn. I have already had to use a support ticket to figure something out. The support staff at OpenSourceHose were quick to respond, and very patient with me.

I don't know how long it will take me to get a basic site up. I don't even know how to guess at this point. I will keep you updated.

Now, I need to give my brain a rest...

KnotGypsy Designs Links

Well, I signed up for hosting at OpenSourceHost. I have deleted the old website. I have changed the nameserver of my domain. Now I wait for my new webhost account to be activated. They tell me it will take 24-48 hours.

I just realized, duh, that I can link my guestbook, FAQ, and Workshop forum to this blog. So that is what I have done. I put them in the link list "KnotGypsy Designs Links on my sidebar. Once I get the new site up and running, I will create new ones (without the ads) and transfer all the posts and other info from the current ones to the new ones.

Hey, this might even be fun! I need to believe this...

I Do Believe I Found the Solution!

After I published my previous post, I followed up on checking into Zen Cart. I clicked on some web hosts that feature Zen Cart.

I found OpenSourceHost . I checked them out and I really like what I saw. They support all kinds of open source applications like Zen Cart, WordPress, and Drupal . I also found Open Source CMS. where you can test drive demos of all these applications!

Drupal seems to offer everything I wanted in Zen Cart and WordPress put together and more. So, I don't see where I could go wrong with Drupal. It does seem to be a system that will grow with me. In fact, I am not sure I will ever grow into it.

OpenSourceHost is reasonably priced, and the reviews I found confirm that OpenSourceHost provides excellent support. Their site has plenty sources of help from video tutorials to FAQ and support tickets. They even install the applications of your choice for free! Too good to be true? I plan on finding out.

I do have a lot to learn, but with all the resources that I found there, I do believe I can do it.

First, I will be bringing some content over here from my current KnotGypsyDesigns.com site. Then I will dismantle it. I have already saved the comments, etc from my forum, and my guestbook. (Yes, Drupal has forum and guestbook modules - I can have everything!)

Then, I will begin the building process. I have collected some background textures and am working on finalizing my banner and logo. I hope to be able to customize my style sheets and really make a nice site.

Thanks everyone, for your patience during this process, I think we will all be happier when it is done.

I've Been Thinking...

Yes, I know it is dangerous, but I've been thinking.

First, I have been thinking of my eCrater Shop. I have only gotten some views; and not many at that. I had hoped to get better exposure from it, but alas, it has to be promoted itself. Well, eCrater is fine, but I love Etsy. So, I will keep my Etsy shop, and phase out my eCrater shop. After all, I only need one shop to promote.

Second, I have been thinking of my website. It is near time to sign up for paid hosting. (I want to get rid of those ads.) Now, Bravenet, my current host is great in a lot of ways, but I found something I think is better for me and my needs. NearlyFreeSpeech.net seems to have what I am looking for. They are a no frills host, so I have a lot to learn about them and ...

...I found WordPress. They host free blogs using their blogging software. I love their software! It not only has the normal blogging functions, you can also create static pages. You don't have to use their hosting service, the software is downloadable.

I really want to create one website with my blog, and some static pages for my ShowCase, WorkShop, Materials, etc. I have loved Blogger, and will keep it for my personal blog. I just want to consolidate my KnotGypsy blog and website, and this seems the best plan for me.

This will take some time, as I have a lot to learn about installing it on a hosting service, etc. I am hoping within the next couple of months, I will get this accomplished. I know, I have undergone rebuilding before. It must seem that I am fickle. Please remember that when I started this in January, I knew practically nothing of the internet. I had no idea of what is out here. It has all been a learning experience. I really think this will be the one I stick with. Really.

Third, I continue to receive feedback that my prices are too low. Actually I agree. My strategy has been to price low until people get to know me and the quality work I do. Perhaps this strategy was good, perhaps not. I have been told that when people see prices too low, they do not value the item. That they think it is no good. Well, I take pains to design my jewelry to be durable as well as beautiful. Maybe it is time to raise the prices. I have begun inching some of them up already.

News: I have completed the photography on "Waves" and should have the tutorial done by the weekend. As long as Murphy does not notice me and cause something to go wrong.

I better get back to work on the tutorial for now...