Julie R. Neidlinger: Lone Prairie Art Works

You can read my experiences trying to learn to fly here.

Handmade and sarcastic stationery.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I'm always on the look for stationery. Letters, and the writing/sending/receiving of them, is an obsession of mine. Regular readers of this site know I frequently blog about writing letters, sending them, when I get them, and all the paraphernalia involved in making paper mail happen.

I recently stumbled across two web sites that offer some really great stationery. One is an Etsy site, which I've talked about before, and the other is called 16 Sparrows.

YourSecretAdmiral is the Etsy shop which features really cool, handmade creations. There are lots of fun notebooks and paperback books made out of envelopes and more. Etsy is filled with artists doing something similar, as far as creating really unique journals and stationery, so by all means, check out the whole site and find some cool stuff.

16 Sparrows (see their blog here) has stationery that appeals to me on many levels. For example, if I weren't doing most of my bill paying online, I would absolutely love to use the "blood money" envelopes that they have. Now, some of the designs are going to probably offend people (particularly the f**ing card series, or the Paddingken set which I like the looks of), but what kills me most is the use of graphics and design that are so staid while using words that throw it all off kilter. For example, in the mood for fake Private Detective stationery? Yep, they have it. There's even a set of sarcastic "from the desk of" stationery.

My favorite design, though, is the telegram stationery. I am also extremely appreciative of the "letter writer's alliance" stationery set (there's also a gift pack), which has a purpose that I fully agree with. I may just have to join the Letter Writers Alliance; they have a wonderful mission statement and lots of cool stuff.

To top it all off, they have free things for you right now.

Labels: links, stationery, supplies

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Calling cards.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

My first real use of a "calling card" came in the form of my high school graduation announcements. In that far bygone era (ha ha), people were still ordering and using the high-level professionally printed and embossed graduation announcements (rather than the photo-postcards that people are making today). These cards came with corner brackets cut inside to my name card inside, with a senior photo tucked behind that.

That name card was very similar to the calling cards I later found of my grandparent's and others of their generation, though I wasn't sure how those little name cards were used. It was while watching a movie that I understood how a calling card used to function. In the film, a man, who had stopped by to visit the family but found they were not at home, left a calling card with the maid so that when the family came home, they could review the cards of all those who had stopped by.

I thought that was really cool.

(And not just because a man came for a visit.)

Of course, people don't just stop by much like that anymore, and email and the telephone and answering machines have made a calling card seem a little ridiculous. And, if people leave a card now, it tends to be a business card.

I have had a gazillion business cards over the years, finally getting a new design that matches the branded look I'm going for here on this website.

But I got to thinking -- what about all the times I find myself saying "do you have a pen and paper? I'll write my email address down for you" -- times when it wasn't about business and I didn't want to seem like I was one of those perpetual networking people who were always shoving business cards and business up into every possible moment. Essentially, I wanted some kind of modern take on the calling card. Something to give the person my name and how to contact me, and not leave them with a niggling wonder if I was just trying to hit them up as a possible customer in the future instead of just being friendly.

My friend Corrine once gave me a set of The Bad Girl's Calling Cards with me promising to use them if she gave them to me (with the intention of helping me meet people, which I don't do well on my own, I admit). I do keep my word, and did use them (sort of), but some of the, messages on them made me blush, and I found myself scribbling out some of the options the card allowed the giftee to redeem. (Here's a tame sample of the calling cards.)

I decided to head on over to the website I frequent when it comes time to get business cards printed, and I chose to only put my name, email, and website address on the card. I didn't talk about what I did. I didn't put my phone number on it because I would rather give out my email address instead.

I made myself a calling card.

It's not quite as traditional as they used to be, where just the name on a piece of high-grade cardstock sufficed, but it serves the purpose I was looking for.

Links:

Get your calling cards printed for free (pay shipping only)
Hire me to design your custom calling card or business card

Labels: links, promotions, supplies

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Scribd.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I've written about Scribd before, so you can read that for the background on what it is.

I've been working on uploading all the documents that I have available on my own site into my Scribd account (since they're free here, already, but a little hard to find sometimes). I also made it so you can subscribe to my Scribd feed (even by email, if you want) so that you know when something new is added.

Scribd is an odd place. There are all kinds of crazy documents on there... One thing I like about Scribd is the ability to embed documents into a web site in a way that is less excessive than the behemoth that is Adobe Reader. Scribd uses something called iPaper, and it's pretty cool. Scribd's blog seems to feature different ways people are using iPaper. They also have an app for Facebook, though it's done in a way to appeal to teachers/students.

I'd be curious to know if any of my readers have an account, or what they think of Scribd. In particular, I'd like to hear thoughts on concepts of information sharing, copyright issues, and so on.

Labels: free stuff, internet, links, promotions

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Success with Etsy.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 1 comments link this post

My friend has a store on Etsy, the web site that features handmade and original items of all kinds. I have a few items on Etsy myself, though I haven't made the decision to jump fully over to Etsy. I haven't decided the ifs and hows of keeping a store on my site versus having it on Etsy. Or, if I should move all of my "craft" type items to Etsy and maintain my art gallery on my site.

I've written about Etsy on this blog before, albeit briefly. Its low listing prices and great help with graphics, stores, marketing, and forums (plus a public forum where people list things they need someone to make for them) make it something akin to a huge art fair.

Regardless, Etsy is a favorite place of mine to visit and shop. And, for some, it has really been a path to online, home-based success. An article in the Minot Daily News (April 14, 2008) featured Jenna Lou Dauer. She makes absolutely fabulous purses and wallets and sells them (with great success) on Etsy.

Check out Jenna's store. She has great taste in fabrics, colors, and design. She's also begun to gather attention on other sites. Jenna Lou also has her own blog, and is part of a Minnesota group of artisans tied into Etsy.

Personally, I prefer the higher-priced handmade, not-from-sweatshop stuff. I've gotten a few purses from Yukiko Sato for the simple reason that they are delightfully made and very unique. I've gotten a purse to give as a gift from Amani Ya Juu, a company that features African women and helps them earn a living making really great purses. As I go through my closets and work at remaking and reusing clothing, I realize how the cheapness of things has contributed to not only excessive consumerism and greed, but the abuse of the people in countries forced to make things for so little pay. A $40 purse might be more than the similar $15 purse at Target, but I can promise that when you buy it from a person and make a connection to the person who made it, you're less likely to just toss it away next season.

And so, I encourage you to shop Etsy, and sell on Etsy. If you really want something unique and not cookie-cutter common, that's the place to go.

Labels: internet, links, marketing, selling

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After two months, I'm back.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I'm going to writers' group today. I haven't been there for a while, and I don't know that I'll keep going every meeting (gas is expensive and it's a long drive). However, a friend decided to try out a meeting and I thought it would be good for me to get back into the loop.

It's going to be strange; our group has significantly changed since I was last there.

I don't have a lot of writing to bring, though, with all the blogging I do, it's not as if I don't write regularly. However, I did come up with a little something that I thought I would share with the group. It's a very basic listing of web sites they might find useful as writers. You can see the page I'll be passing around here (PDF).

Labels: links, writer's group, writing

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Hello, green monster.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I look at blogs like these and I weep with envy:

I mean, just look at the sketchbook slide show! Aaargh!

Labels: art, links

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Postcrossing.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

In light of a recent post about post cards on this blog, and my excessive mentions on all of my blogs about how I love getting mail, the importance of handwritten letters and notes, etc. -- Postcrossing.com looks intriguing.

Essentially, Postcrossing lets people exchange post cards from around the world. Not electronic post cards, but the real thing. It keeps track of sending and receiving via post card ID numbers, almost like some giant chain letter (except it isn't) where you send out at random and receive at random. You register sent and received post cards in your account. Personal information is kept private to a degree, and each person is sent/assigned an address to send the post card to via email.

Postcrossing is...kind of like the non-heartbreaking more-private version of Post Secret, maybe. You can read more about it on the FAQ page at Postcrossing.

My sister Jacqui was the one who sent me the link, neither of us having yet tried it. At first I was thinking how I hate to start another account on another site with good intentions only to let it dwindle and die. But still...

It looks fun, so I've signed up and asked for the first address.

Labels: internet, links

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Remember me? Of course I do.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

Granted, maybe you like poems about toilet paper, grouse, and soap dispensers. I can certainly handle those topics.

On the off chance, though, that you're not interested in reading poems that contain phrases like "bifurcated garment" -- you're in luck.

I'm taking this opportunity to send you to Meg's blog, a young woman who, pre-college, was in the writers' group I am in. She sent me one of those "do you remember me?" kind of emails I even still get once in while from students I taught back in my art teacher days, filling me in on some of the great travel, education and writing opportunities she's gotten to take part in. She has poetry and travelogues and photos on her blog.

None of which, as far as I can tell, talk about getting a bloody nose in the winter, which was my topic du jour just a short while back.

I always appreciate such emails from students or young people I've had the opportunity to get to know, as long as they don't say anything like "hey, remember me you horrible art teacher who ruined me on art for the rest of my life? I was the one who keyed your car."

Stuff like that? Not so swell.

Anyway, check out her blog and stop back to see what she's writing. We can all use readers, we writers.

Labels: links, poetry, writer's group

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Associated Content for freelance writers.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 1 comments link this post

In the past, I'd occasionally run into a few articles on the Associated Content (AC) web site during random searches for information. I decided to check it out and see what AC really was, in terms of its purpose and how it would be useful to writers.

At first glance, I wondered if it were similar to citizen journalist web sites like Now Public or NewsVine. It doesn't appear to be exactly like that, however, in regards to content. Essentially, AC is a web site for freelance writers to ply their trade and possibly make a little money. AC also accepts video and audio. Though there is obviously news-worthy content (like the citizen journalist sites), there are also informative articles in a similar vein to those that you might find in a topical magazine.

In general, the average article on AC seems to bring in about $5-6. It might not seem like a lot, but if you are a blogger, consider what your average blog post brings in -- nothing. AC has a kind of Google Adsense feel to it in that you also receive money for page views and other various programs. This is likely why, as I touch on in the next paragraph, people write for search engine optimization (SEO), and why there are accusations of key-word mining.

I've seen discussion of both sides on the web, with some people saying it is merely a trick to put out key-word-laden content with some sort of connection to Google, and nothing more. Some have referred to it as little more than a pay-for-blogging site which, essentially, does the same thing: tries to grab Google searches. For supposedly being design for that, if that be the case, I have to admit it doesn't do a great job in as much as the searches I've done on Google. I have only fallen upon a few articles in past searches, nowhere near the amount of a successful "mining" web site. Admittedly, in nearly every unofficial how-to article that talks about promoting your AC content, the idea to load your writing with key words seems to be paramount. That could be just traditional SEO advice given for any writing on the web, however.

I went and set up my own free account just yesterday, and though I don't have anything there quite yet, the setup process was easy. I'm still familiarizing myself with the web site and the methods AC uses to both put out calls for work on certain subjects as well as let people supply material and articles on topics of their own choosing. I'm curious to know if this is just a gimmick or if it works.

UPDATE: The submission process for my first article was easy, but in no way random. There were opportunities for links, bylines, categorization, highlight quotes, etc. All materials are supposedly reviewed, so my article is not available yet. In my account and content areas, however, I see that I can track how each article performs (views, payment, etc.)

Promote your AC content:

Links:

UPDATE: My first article was accepted for exclusive, up-front payment for around $4. I decided to resubmit and try for performance payments, instead. I may not make as much money off of the article, but the idea (which reminds me of Google Adsense) suggests that there is the possibility there to earn more than the $4. In the AC email that announced the article was accepted for that payment, it said that it could earn more money off of performance payments. I decided to take that option, instead, and see how it would compare in the long run.

Labels: links, writing

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Close your year write.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 3 comments link this post

New Year's Resolutions never appealed to me. They seemed arrogant, as if, by trying to water-witch the upcoming year, I could determine, on the first day, the changes I needed to make in my life for the 364 days that were about to happen. How should I know what the new year will require of me, and what changes I need to make now to be ready for that?

I suppose the general idea is to look at the previous year and see what changes you need to make. The New Year's marker is really just random. Personally, I find more success and less pressure on making life changes if I do them throughout the year, not associating them with any holiday, special moment, or life marker. Just randomly, maybe on a Sunday in May, think "today, I need to start stretching and exercising a bit more."

Starting a new year with a list of massive life changes is a horrible way to go. Change is hard. One thing at a time, spaced throughout the year so that the change becomes normal before adding another change, is much more realistic and doesn't leave me, at least, feeling like a failure when some changes don't take right away. Since there was no major moment when I deemed it necessary to establish this change, I don't catch myself thinking "oh well, I'll try again next year" but instead, I think "well, I guess I'll give it a try tomorrow."

I do think, however, that reflecting on the year that has just passed is of utmost importance. Perhaps our focus on the new year is just another example of people wanting to toss away the old (and possibly painful or disappointing) and rest in the hope of something new. That old year, though, has a way of affecting the new, and I had better learn from it.

So, for those of you who can relate to my way of thinking about the new and old year, and for those of you interested in writing, I have a couple of ideas for you.

I recently read in a book about a writing assignment that an adult education teacher gave her class. Essentially, she had them write about themselves, but the essence of the assignment was: I am. I found that particularly intriguing. It wasn't a listing of events, family, abilities, or what I wasn't. Instead, a simple statement of being, a bold question: I am.

Who am I?

From my burgeoning collection of blank journals, I selected one and have inked inside the cover: I am. I may not fill up the journal this year. Perhaps I'll do this again at the close of 2008. Perhaps I'll keep this journal as a yearly collection of who I believed I was, starting at age 33.

If such an assignment is not to your liking, I am also intrigued by the Six-Word Memoir Contest, and how I could take that idea -- brief, succinct, summation -- and look at my life or the past year. A friend had emailed me the link to the Memoir Contest, and my first thought was one of relief at the sever reduction in word count. Too often memoirs become bloated and filled with writing about the lives around us in an effort to not address the idea of "I am." Six words doesn't allow for a lot of writerly dilly-dallying.

"I hope I can be clever," I emailed my friend back, both in response and as a possible memoir of mine.

So, for the ending of 2007, for those so inclined towards writing, two possible ways to end your year "write."

"I Am"

I handled this assignment by breaking up my writing so that each paragraph started with an "I am" statement, followed by concise sentences that fleshed it out. For example, I have for one of the statements: "I am happier with fewer voices in my life." It sounds like I'm not writing about myself, but in the rest of the paragraph, I try to determine why this is, and what it is about me that makes it true. Another statement I've written is "I am unable to walk away." (Which could also fit for the six-word memoir project below.)
I'd encourage you to keep a specific journal for this project, and do it again at the close of the years ahead. I have a feeling I'm going to learn an awful lot about myself as I read who I thought I was each year.
You could also write this as a more typical memoir, as long as it remains about truly discovering the answer to the statement of "I am" instead of writing about those around you. They aren't you; don't let them define or determine who you are. Write about the "I am."

Six-Word Memoir

Either write one, or a short series, of six-word summations. Check out this website for ideas on how other people handled it.
Think of other ways to apply the six-word limitation in thinking about your year. For example, six words to describe your professional life. Six words to talk about your relationships. Six words for your family. See what starts to transpire, and jot them all down. Do you see a pattern? Are you leaning towards humor, negativity, or writing it straight?

Labels: links, writing

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Quiz: How not to respond.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

If an artist throws you, also an artist or apparent patron of the arts, a link, how should you respond?

a) Thanks for the link!

b) Thanks for the link...I appreciate it. There's an error in your post, though. Just thought I'd let you know. But thanks for the link!

c) I saw that you linked to my post. Thanks! I like your site.

d) Respond like "Scatt" did in the comments in this earlier post of mine.

I'm fairly unimpressed with this person, though I have decided to leave the post and link as is for the benefit of fellow artists and readers who may still be interested in the materials available. I don't generally delete or alter posts beyond an "update" notation out of a kind of preservation of the archives, or, at least, not appearing dishonest.

I'd recommend, in the future, that if you run a site and for some reason find the need to "reprimand" the person giving you a link, rethink that course of action. I'm not sure why a person sees a battle where there is none, nor why they chose to dump on another person's benign web site.

Scatt will no longer have comments published on this blog. And for any other readers or web site owners looking to nit-pick, please visit my other blog, in which I regularly rip new ones, quite well, for whoever would like it to be done.

Labels: art life, links

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An art review of childish things.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

My friend sent me a link to a review of a Minneapolis art show.

The review is quite a read. One of a the reviewer being unimpressed with the show. What caught my eye (and the reason behind the sending of the link to me) is the little stuffed creation at the top of the page.

It's cute.

In my reply email thanking her for the link, I briefly mentioned my own foray into the world of plushies and bizarre "toys" that grown-ups are more attracted to than kids.

"I'm not a good sewer. That puts some sand in the developmental and final product gears. Bah."

Kids seem to like normal, cute toys. Grown-up women seem to prefer the bizarre "toys" that I've made. It's a curiousity to me. Perhaps it all ties into a recent book on grown-ups, but I'm not so sure it's that easy. I like the strange-looking creations myself (which is why I make them). I also make them with "mouths" so that they can sit on desks and hold pencils or candy or business cards, two plushies I know for a fact are serving just such a purpose. The Neglectable Pets each come with a story, and people seem to get a kick out of the stories and "personalities." So, story and function, all in piece of squishy, soft, sewed fun.

Yes, it's a curiosity to me.

As is the show that this reviewer panned.

Labels: art, links

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Sketchbook examples online.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 4 comments link this post

I found a great site that listed an incredible amount of sketchbooks that you can view online, from well-known artists to artists like myself.

The first thing I noticed was that my name did, indeed, have a listing there, though the link is for an old page that no longer exists. My new sketchbook repository is found here. The second thing I noticed was that I didn't have a red dot next to my name, which meant it wasn't considered a "highly recommended link."

After getting done pouting, I checked out some of these sketchbook links. A few were dead links, but many were good.

I really needed that kick in the pants. I need to be sketching more. Nothing deep here, in this post, beyond a "I need to be sketching more."

Related links:

Artist's sketchbooks

UPDATE: Please read here for further discussion regarding the comments below.

Labels: art life, journals, links, sketchbooks

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Links for photographers.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 1 comments link this post

I haven't done a post on photography links, because though I enjoy photography, I don't consider myself a "photographer." However, with digital cameras and all the available online print/process options, if you even have a beginner's eye for a good shot, you could almost consider yourself a photographer. I hope this is a useful post, whether you're just into having fun, sharing photos with family or friends, or are thinking of making a business of your photography.

Print Orders with ROES:
One thing I think any photographer who is serious about getting prints, selling prints, or offering their photographs in any commercial form should look for is a Remote Order Entry System (ROES) from their online supplier. This allows them to crop, rotate, and generally prepare their photographic orders on their own computer, uploading the complete order when ready. The software runs on Java, and can be used on any computer. You don't have to be online to get all of your photography orders ready, but you download a simple, free bit of software from the online retailer and go from there.

iprintfromhome.com (My personal favorite, and what I use. The quality is spectacular.)
Nations Photo Lab

Photo Storage/Print Sites for General Use:
There's no real reason not to have an account online where you can store and print photos, sharing them with family, friends or even the general public. Some of the sites listed below have free options, with paid upgrades. Others offer only paid accounts. All are easy to use and most let you take your uploaded prints and customize them. You can make Christmas cards, calendars, and even books from your photos with just a few clicks.

Albums, Books, Prints, Sites:
These sites let you make high-quality full-color books or albums out of your photos. Some even let you make your books available for sale online. There is a fine line here between these "photo-only" sites and self-publishing. Cross that line! Get your photos in a book!

Cards (Holiday, Greeting, Corporate), Announcements:
Most of the links to sights that offer print services also offer various photo cards. The sites in this section specialize in it.

Put Your Photos On Stuff Sites:
It's easy to put your photos on T-shirts, mugs, stickers, containers -- anything. And these sites will help you do it.

Professional Photographer Sites:
These are sites that host photos and offer things like online proofing, print services, automated software, help for getting your photography business online, and more. They are meant for photographers who are serious about their commercial business. (See the list below; there is some overlap here, between the general professional and the event professional.)

For Event or Other Specialized Photographers

One-Click Wedding
Spitfire Photo
Citizen Image
BackPrint
ImageQuix
PhotoConnect
Blish (could be used to sell stock photography)
Digital Railroad (stock photography)
PhotoShelter

How-To and Help Sites

Photo Secrets (The article on setting up a photo storefront is particularly useful.)
Photo Secrets Links (Find links on albums, postcards, photo sharing, laws, tips, classes -- links on everything)
Photo Secrets: Online Courses and Downloads

As always, if you have good links or want to be added, email me and I'll consider it. Or, include them in the comments section below. Andrew Hudson's Photo Secrets is a site where I found many links, though I had compiled some of these earlier for another web site. I'd recommend a visit there for a lot of great resources. If you're into photography, that's the place you should start.

Labels: art, links, photography

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Pens and stationery.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 3 comments link this post

I was asked, in the comments section of an earlier post, what I might recommend for stationery and pens. Since this sounds like the beginnings of a serious letter writer, I decided to do a quick blog post and throw out a few links.

Pens
I do enjoy an old-fashioned ink-dip pen with a good nib. The key is, of course, the nib. If the nib is cheap or rough, it cuts into the paper and sprays ink. I'm less worried about the look of the barrel as long as the nib is good.

Fountain pens are the next best thing. They do save you the trouble of the constant dipping into the ink well. My first fountain pen was in high school, a cheap plastic pink and purple A&W SizzleStix. It had ink cartridges and wrote very nicely, considering the price. I had a handful of pens that were my grandfathers, the older kind with a rubber ink bladder inside that filled with ink using a suction-draw method. Most of these, however, had aged to a point where the ink bladder was cracked.

During college, I picked up a few other fountain-type pens that were around the same low-price range. I like the Pilot Varsity, though I found the tip created a little wider line than I cared for. However, the ink flow was smooth. This pen, once the ink is gone, is thrown away. It is not refillable. I graduated up to the Berol Fontaine pen, and preferred it to the Pilot Varsity. The Fontaine had an extremely smooth writing quality about it -- very nice. It seems, though, that Berol has stopped making them despite the pen being very popular. I might be wrong, but I stopped seeing them in stores. It came in a number of great colors. It, too, was a disposable fountain pen. I only have a few left and am loathe to use them up. The Pilot Varsity is readily available online and in most stores that carry pens. It is still a good pen.

My first "serious" pen was a Lamy, compliments of an exchange student from Germany. She had one, I fell in love with it, so she sent me one and included a refillable cartridge that worked on a similar suction action but used a hard, plastic tube instead. I often use Pelikan ink with this pen. Lamy pens are a little more expensive than the SizzleStix, but very affordable once you start seeing the price of serious fountain pens, which start to hit the hundreds of dollars mark. Pelikan also makes some very nice pens of various price ranges.

I also have a Parker fountain pen that I picked up at WalMart. It's a good pen, though I always feel like either the pen or tip is just slightly bulky and I don't get the fine control I want. This pen uses ink cartridges.

When I'm not using a fountain pen, the pen I use -- and I have a well-stocked supply of them on hand as I use them up, so I must be serious about this pen -- is the fairly cheap but fine-writing Pentel Needle Tip Energel Liquid Gel Rollerball Pen (.5 mm tip). Might seem boring...but I've tried a lot of different pens off the rack and this is the one I keep coming back to. No complaints whatsoever. Fine line, smooth writing, fast-dry ink. All around good. I often use it for sketching when I don't want to drag around a lot of art materials.

My only suggestion with fountain pens is to use them often, or the ink will dry and clog in the tips. If you have a simple ink-dip pen, the tip is easily removed and cleaned. More extensive tips are a bit more challenging. I find that it's best if I store my pens (which are of the cheaper variety and not the $100+ type) tip-down in a vertical pen holder. Then the ink is ready to go. This would be a bad idea, though, if you have a faulty pen which leaks or pools ink. Writing with a fountain pen is a bit different than a ballpoint pen. (It's much better.)

Where to find pens:

Find on Ebay
A Pen Lover's Paradise
Lamy pens (USA)
Fahrney's Pens
Bittner Fine Pens (for serious pen lovers with money to burn)
Pilot Pens
Colorado Pens
Gold Spot
Parker Pens and Pencils

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Internet business success: No free lunch. Really.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

My first rule of thumb when it comes to any product or service that someone is trying to sell me in regards to the internet is: before I pay you anything, let me do some research of my own.

I don't know how many times I've gotten enticements in the mail or my email that sell programs and seminars and all kinds of fabulous tools for the low low price of $Too Much. Gimmicks, offers, freebies -- all to entice me to spend my money making someone else's business a success. There are so many free and low cost services and information available on the web that it is foolish to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for someone to collect it and print it out for you at a seminar.

Up front, let me say that very

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Handmade and sarcastic stationery.

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Calling cards.

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Scribd.

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Success with Etsy.

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After two months, I'm back.

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Hello, green monster.

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Postcrossing.

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Remember me? Of course I do.

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Associated Content for freelance writers.

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Close your year write.

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Quiz: How not to respond.

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An art review of childish things.

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Sketchbook examples online.

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Links for photographers.

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Pens and stationery.

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Internet business success: No free lunch. Really.