Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I have so many inspiration photos of bears and dolls and art and website design I actually lose track of them!  They're in binders, on my hard drive in folders, cut from magazines, on my bulletin board, stuck in manila envelopes -- you name it.

What I need inspiration on, at this point, is getting them organized.  lol...!!   :crackup:

Re: my own bears... nowadays, I'm leaning in the direction of long skinny arms and short, wee legs.  The arms are getting longer and the legs shorter with each pattern.   I'm liking longer bodies and smaller heads, too.  Plus, I keep wanting to "perfect" eyes but I can't quite get where I want to be either by my own design, or from inspiration others provide.  I know what I want (kinda), I just can't make it happen yet.  We'll see where (if anywhere) that lands.  Sometimes, my hands just wanna do what they wanna do, no matter where my head's wanting them to go!!

US BEARS -- Good idea, in theory, about educational discounts.  You are a fountainhead of terrific and helpful information, really; thank you.  Interestingly, I actually currently have a college student at home (stepson Zack) who could buy such a bundle for me using his student ID locally.  The problem is that, even though $600 is practically free when compared to $1700, it's a lot of money when compared to $0.00, which is what I would otherwise spend for website software at this time, since I already have such software (flawed and limited as it is) available. 

To further defend my pauperism... I went to Europe last summer (Soooo pricey!  Low dollar!); just exited a huge Christmas holiday; and have a cat going in for surgery in two weeks, possibly for hemangiosarcoma (diagnosis to follow tumor removal/biopsy of tissue), which is gonna spend me out of house and home, not just for the surgery, but probably for chemo/aftercare (sigh; poor kitty.)  In short, it's just not a great time for a $600 outlay of cash when it's not a dire necessity.  However, I do accept donations, if anyone wants to buy the program FOR me.  Anyone?  Anyone?  lol... !!

NIKKEL -- I'll have to reread your suggestion about ten or more times because that's out of my area of even slight expertise, but it sounds like you may be on to something there.  Thanks for pointing out the previously unknown!

Tami, Jaina... Just plain THANKS for the kind words and feedback.  I'm pondering what to do about all this.  Maybe another resdesign, with fewer photos.  Blarg.   

Hey everyone; thanks for all the great feedback.  I appreciate it so much, you just don't know how grateful I am.  Thank you!!

A few responses:

First... I liked the last version of my site, too -- thanks to those of you who miss it -- but it was almost too elegant and sophisticated for me and my bears.  We're both more comfy/casual/rustic than that whole Tiffany-blue with white flowers site represented.  So while it was pretty, I think this one "fits" better.  But thanks for liking the other one, too!

Second... Coffee Cup.  (sigh)  I'm very ambivalent about Coffee Cup's "Visual Site Designer" which is the software I use for site design.  It's a WYSIWYG program that I got for cheap and learned years ago when I was first starting out, so it's familiar to me, thus easy to use.  And at this point, I don't have the time, money, energy, or interest to relearn a new program like DreamWeaver, which would frankly be ideal.  If I were swimming in cash, and had a week to learn it, that is.

Coffee Cup is fantastic in many ways -- you don't need to know a lick of html to use it -- but very limiting in others.  For one thing, you can't save as html.  Seriously!  It saves your files in a proprietary format (.vnu) which allows the Coffee Cup software to assemble and upload, via proprietary FTP protocol.  The fact that it does everything FOR you is great when you're starting out and don't know how to do such things for yourself.  Once your skills become more advanced, however, it becomes a disadvantage that the software has so much control, and the user so little.  I know how to hand code a little bit, and how to use an FTP client, and I'd like to be able to manipulate code directly in places, and with this software, I simply can't.  Hands tied.

Second... unlike programs like DreamWeaver or Frontpage, there is literally NO WAY to toggle between actual site appearance, and coding.  All I can ever see, at any point, while in CC VSD is the WYSIWYG "actual appearance."  The code is completely invisible.

Also, with this software, you literally can NOT use transparent files types.  Weird, weird, weird!  It doesn't accept .gifs or .pngs, at least in the version I own (I think there may be a newer version by now.)   I can only use .jpg files, so all images must be essentially "square."  If you know anything about transparent vs. non transparent files types you'll know what I'm talking about here, and how crippling this can be.  Basically, if I want an image to appear to float on a background, such as on my entry page, I have to do what US BEARS described; I literally have to load a square photo on top of a background.  Aggravating, when I know other programs would simply allow me to drop a .gif or .png into place.  Which is what I do when I work in Photoshop to create logos and graphics.

Last, the CC VSD software writes a lot of JavaScript into my coding, which I know nothing about and can't access directly anyway. 

On other notes, such as my entry photo being 96dpi -- Good catch!  I missed that, and it's just user error on my part.  I know to size my web images to 72dpi and always flatten and optimize them for web use, although I usually choose the larger file size option for greater clarity.  I like a crisp photo!  I probably forgot to flatten that image before saving it.  I'll check into that; thanks! 

My site is very image heavy and uses almost no "text," which was necessary so that I could get the look I wanted using a program which doesn't allow transparent files to overlay background images.  I think that's the problem right there.  Too many images -- period.  Poopy.  The whole reason I asked for feedback on this is that I already know -- as US BEARS also mentioned -- that once stored in my cache, my pages should load lightning fast. And they're not doing that.  Which is a puzzlement.

Maybe I need to go back to the drawing board...  Poopy again.   

Sue Ann -- No, they're not buttons per se, although they certainly do look like buttons, don't they?  I should probably change that.  Don't know how to make clickable links in my blog header.  Not even sure I can with my subscriber level at TypePad.  Thanks for asking.

And everyone, thanks for checking out my site.  Makes me wonder why the heck it loads so slowly, top to bottom, on MY computer. ???  I want it to, ya know, just pop right up onscreen -- *poof!*  Like that!

Christine, do you have DSL/high speed internet?  I'm assuming yes.  I supposedly do, too, but each page loads slowly from top to bottom when I view my site.  I thought that once the pages were in my cache they'd load quicker but they're still doing that top to bottom thing, which might indicate a problem I need to address for the sake of ALL visitors, and not just those with quick connections.

Thanks for checking back in... and for the compliments.  I'm really not trying to hit people up for kindness.  Just doing a speed check!

Hi everyone.

I recently updated my website and several people here visited and posted feedback; I really appreciate that!  Thank you!

However, I'm noticing that it loads really slowly on my computer despite the fact that I optimized all photos for web use.  And I have DSL.

I'm wondering if it loads slowly for you, too -- especially people with slower connections or even dial-up.  I know there are some out there, still, who don't have access to DSL, or can't afford it.  It's important that my site (yours too, for that matter!) loads easily for all, otherwise it's just a frustration and a headache nobody wants.

Can you please check my site again and let me know whether it loads quickly, or whether you're having to wait for pages to load top to bottom, etc?

Thanks for your help in getting me this feedback I just can't get on my own.

Shel

http://www.potbellyarts.com

Samantha -- You were already on my blog but the link by your name went to a different blog than the one you list above.  Anyway, I changed it.

Sue Ann --  :redface:  :doh:  :redface:   How did I overlook YOU, girl?  And Judi, too (whom I've also added.)  Criminies.  I remember that, way back when I first established my TypePad blog, I asked people here at TT to link exchange, and if people didn't do it proactively at that time by commenting on that thread, they didn't get listed, because I was too stinking lazy to compare lists from before and after.  Anyway, I hope you realize this was me being lazy and dumb and nothing more.  Yeesh.  (embarrassed)

Laurie -- Got you!  Thanks!

Elaine, Louise -- Thank you very much for the kind compliments, and for testing out a link or two.  It feels good.

Oh, no worries.  I can hardly keep it straight myself, seriously.  Appearances possibly to the contrary, I'm actually more a paper-and-pencil girl.  It's hard for me to get as abstract as the digital world requires without screwing up, sometimes badly.  See "Patty oversight" as example.  lol...

Patty -- See, that's what I mean about being human and making mistakes!  You're of course one of my favorite peeps anywhere and someone I know in REAL LIFE which isn't true of most of my linked friends, but somehow I missed getting you on my blogroll.  Blarg!  Thanks for speaking up; I'll get you on there right now.

And thanks for the kindness about the site.  It was a lot of work, but I like how it turned out.  It's always nice to hear others do, too...

Brenda, you're already on my blog link list.  Look under:  Brenda | duffyantiques  Thanks for the link exchange!

Like so many others, I've redone my website, finishing just last night after a long design process.  This redo is an itch I need to scratch from time to time; I think all of us artistically-inclined folk feel that same creative discontent driving our actions from time to time.  I sure do!

Anyhoos... Give my site a peek if you have a minute, and do let me know if there are any broken links.  I tested it pretty thoroughly, but I'm human, and make mistakes.  It's the most visually ambitious website design I've done to date, and I tried to work pretty without losing efficiency or ease of navigation.  I'd love your feedback.

Also... You might notice I keep my links on my blog instead of on my website.  That's because it's just plain easier to keep a blogroll up to date than a web page.  If you'd like to appear on my blogroll, please visit my blog at www.potbellyarts.typepad.com and look under BEARS to see if I've got you listed already.  If not, please post HERE at TT, in this thread, with your first name and blog address.  I'll add you to my blog, in exchange for an add of my information to your own blog or website.

Please note I prefer to add your blog address when possible but if you don't blog, I'd be happy to add your website instead.  I don't post links listing email addresses; that protects you from spam.

My info is:

Use what you like, part or all.

Thanks, all!

Idaho, that sounds right.  I knew it was something that began with "I."  You win.

I'm pretty sure I'm right about the Army (vs. Marines) thing, though; I still have the graphic on my hard drive.  So, we're tied.

Glad to know that between the two of us, we can make up an almost intact memory bank.  lol...  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

Do let me know if you find her.  I've been wanting to say hello and have several times done just what you're doing now, except the asking TTers part.

I use Firefox and have a huge, wide monitor.  It looks great on my screen.

Awesomesauce, Maria!  You deserve to be thrilled!

I want to say that JoAnne Harnden has gone into local politics!  I recall her talking about that at some point, and then when I did a search to find her, myself, a while back, I saw her name mentioned in political arenas in her area (Indiana, maybe... ?)  I have one of her darling mini bears, collected during my earliest days of bearmaking, and she and I were friendly; I even made her an "Army mom" graphic a while back so she could shout with pride that her son was of service. 

Nice lady.

Good luck finding her and if you manage to get an addy or site URL for her, would you mind sharing it please?  Even if you feel you need to via PM, I'd love to say hi.

Looks great to me, too, Daphne.  Nice custom template!  I like it a lot.

I updated your link on my blog (I still had your original there). 

Thanks for having me, on yours!

Ooh, I love that banner, and what a great idea, Paula!  I'll pop over now to join...   

Cute!!

Amy! :(

Your situation reminds me of that cynical old adage, "No good deed ever goes unpunished." 

I'm so sorry to hear about your injuries and Scott's, and I really hope he's out of pain and on the road to an obstacle-free recovery quick as lightning.

Seriously, though... you guys are heros.  There's a special place in heaven for folks like you...

Get well soon, both of you.  You're in my thoughts.

Awesomesauce!  Love it!  Just now registered (although I made a few booboos, rushing thru it; sorry!  Look for my email. lol...)

Thanks for doing this for our industry.  I know how much work this must have been because I do my own website and this is a million times more layered and complex.  Seriously, bravo and thanks.

You know, upon closer inspection of your original picture, danceswithteddybears, I think you can see exactly what I mean.  Hmmm...

Raccoons are the spawn of Satan.  See photo, below.

Once upon a time, I had them coming in and out of my doggie door, leaving footprints on my countertops, where my babies (now teenagers) ate their meals.  One of them once stared me down at 4a.m.  Lolling slowly side to side, its swollen, overfed torso swaying to a crazed cadence only the raccoon could discern, it eyed me drunkenly, contemplating its next rabid meal.  Its beady, glowing eyes shot daggers of malice across the four feet that separated us in the thick blanket of darkness. 

I bolted upright and made myself huge; I yelled and demanded, "Get out, evil demon thing!" (not really, lol...).  Eventually, it turned and loped away, ever so slowwwwwwwwwwwly, shooting me the stink eye over its hackle-raised shoulder as it left. 

When it finally exited the doggie door, I rushed to blockade hell's portal; the passage through which it had entered and left my home.  My efforts complete, I turned toward the safety of my bedroom, but then froze, terrorized, terrified, in my tracks.  Lucifer's furry, masked child lay in wait, a mere two feet from me, only the thin panes of our French door separating me from its crusty talons and razor-sharp, flesh-hungry teeth.  Still and silent, it peered at me through thin windows in a quiet rage, its eyes glowing madly, all the evil in the world seeping dangerously from its sockets like diseased, putrid, liquid waste.  The cold fury of its frothy-mouthed death wish passed over me, and I was chilled to my very core. 

Yes, that's exactly what happened.   :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

I'd have to second every last thing Paula said.  I agree with her take on this subject completely.

NO!  Don't TOOT on Lisa's cute creations!  That's icky!  lol...

Lisa, you're covered in awesomesauce.  I'm so tickled for you that you're being featured so prominently in what looks to be another great Stampington publication.  You rock star, you. 

Huge congratulations!!!

HehHeh, Daphners, you make me smile.  

Hey, we're on the same side.  I'm DROWNING this holiday season, more than ever before.  Why is that?  Maybe I'm just less equipped to handle things; entirely possible.  Maybe things actually get harder.  I dunno.  All I know is you're so right; it's a tough, tough time to get something as important and persnickety as a contest application into gear at this time of year.  Yer preaching to the choir, girlfriend!  LaLaLa!

That's why I was saying, above, that if the REALITY is that artists really struggle with the December/January timeframe, and it seems to be the case this this is at least for some the reality of things, then it would be nice if the contest sponsors could work around that struggle and move the contest deadlines elsewhere.  Not just for the artists' benefit, but for their own, too; they'd likely see increased participation, especially after word got out after year one. 

I'm just concerned that the complicating factors -- with which I have zero personal experience, mind you; this is all guesswork and conjecture -- make it seem likely that this deadline shift, in a big way (like early summer, versus midwinter) would be very difficult.  IDEX, co-existence beside the doll shows, and so on make it important for everything to fit together just so.  Unless the sponsors are interested in entirely reinventing that wheel, I'm afraid it might be an uphill battle.  I'm not trying to be a party pooper; just aiming for realism.

Sending you some soothing huggles and virtual chocolate for your stress.  I'm making some warm chocolate chip cookies tonight, for mine, myself.