About Stacy

Web, logo and print designer in Hendersonville, NC

Good Things Come in Three’s

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Stacy

Wow! Life has been busy. They say things happen in three’s and I’m finding that to be true. Here are three great events I’d like to share…

My line of blank note cards is now available at The Fountainhead Bookstore in Hendersonville and Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville. I’m so excited to be a part of these indie bookstores/local businesses!
I just completed two new web sites. The clients were terrific to work with and I can’t wait to load the new web designs onto my portfolio page. The sites are: Raymond’s Garden Center and Minute Man Anchors and Products.
Finally, I just found out that my work has been accepted in an exhibition by the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh, NC! “Scope: the North Carolina Landscape” will be held June 3rd-23rd. Scope will feature interpretations of the varied North Carolina landscape by artists across the state. See the state through the eyes of its artists–the rolling mountains, growing downtown Raleigh skyline, sprawling salt marshes. Juried by Allie Pitcher, Curatorial Assistant, Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA. More info to come on this wonderful opportunity and honor.

Today I leave you with a video to enjoy. The singer is Adele and she will be at the Asheville Civic Center on 6/18/11.

People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Stacy

One of my favorite blogs, ArtBizBlog, by Alyson B. Stansfield is focused on the business of being an artist. She has “Deep Thought Thursdays” and this week’s blog post really spoke to me.

Alyson posted a video by Simon Sinek that got me thinking. I’ve been redesigning a “shelf-talker” for my notecard sales over and over in an attempt to relate to the viewer of my art on a deeper, more personal level. Trying to find a way to really connect and have them see me as the individual who created the art and where this creative expression came from. This video is key to answering those communication issues. After watching Simon, I believe his analysis of various business approaches is dead on, and can apply to all small business owners.

Watch the video and see if you can incorporate the concepts into your marketing. I’m betting that if done right, the viewer will be engaged, relate and understand…and then make a purchase based on a personal, shared connection, rather than only based on your skill and creativity alone. Think “why you do what you do”. Believe what you believe and others will too. So much more meaning and personal value to all—this is my goal. And I believe inplementing this with text and images on each small business web site will lead to sales based on that personal connection.

Breaking out of my comfort zone!

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Stacy

A good time was had by all at the Art Opening and the performance of “Chicago” at the Flat Rock Playhouse. As my first solo exhibit, it seemed like a herculean task to pull off—I was humbled. I wonder if most people feel that way. It’s one of those situations where it’s good that you do not know all of the logistics involved before you start. Details are key—it’s the details that add up to the final presentation.

The biggest thing I gained from this experience is a bit of wisdom and perspective. I ask myself: What were the successes of the event? What were the elements that can be improved upon? Was the opening helpful in attaining my short-term and long-term goals? This event was waaaaay out of my comfort zone but a step towards a dream, so it is important to look back and reflect. Writer Denis Waitley says:

“A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.”
I suppose breaking out of my comfort zone should be first on the list of successes, even though I did not recognize it as a goal during the process.

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I set my husband’s workshop on fire, but at least it was a small fire.

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Stacy

Yes, I may look totally relaxed, but it’s all for show.

Truth be told, things are busy, productive and the dust is flying! We have been completing the final preparations for my Art Opening at the Preview Party for Mainstay on May 22nd. It is being held prior to the performance of “Chicago” at the Flat Rock Playhouse and is also open during intermission to all who attend the play.

It’s an exciting experience to be involved with Mainstay and the Flat Rock Playhouse. During the theater’s run of Chicago, from May 18 to June 12, 25% of all sales of my work will go to Mainstay, an organization that helps victims of domestic violence in Henderson County. What better way to celebrate my first solo exhibit than to give back to the community?

Greg hard at work

Speaking of giving, my husband Greg has been hard at work completing the fine art displays and framing art work. (He even put out a tiny little fire I accidentally started in his workshop…*see reference to “flaming enthusiasm” below). Shout out to Greg: thanks for your tireless work to support my goals and dreams. You are the guy who knows how to get the job done!

Erica Allison of Allison Development Group has been leading me every step of the way. From branding to selling my art, Erica has been consistently innovative and creative. She is an incredible resource to guide any organization to where they want to be.

Isn’t it amazing how many individuals can come together to achieve a goal? I love this quote by Dale Carnegie:

“Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.”

Flaming enthusiasm=me (*occasionally, literally flaming)
Horse sense=Greg
Persistence=Erica

Those are all compliments, by the way. Five days until the big Art Opening! We will be ready and I can’t wait.

I’m leading a double life. A web designer and mother by day…

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Stacy

I’m leading a double life. A web designer and mother by day—and an artist by night! Well, maybe that is a triple life, plus you add in the rock climbing…Well, you get the idea.

The degree I have in Fine art (specializing in graphic design) has been put to good use as a web designer. However, lately my inner artist has emerged and fine art has been my nightly passion. It’s such a pleasure to take out the old paint brushes and pottery tools, find the art books and just create. My focus has been on mixed media art and encaustic painting.

What is encaustic art, you ask? While I use a variety of materials, encaustic wax is the primary medium of each piece. Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, is created by colored pigments added to hot beeswax. The liquid is then applied to a surface, usually prepared wood. The word encaustic comes from Greek and means to burn in, which refers to the process of fusing the paint. Encaustic painting was practiced by Greek artists as far back as the 5th century B.C.the inspiration.

What do I love about it? Sharing a modern artistic vision with a centuries old medium. My orignial art, giclée prints and art journals can be found at Red Step Artworks and notecards of my art images are available at Fountainhead Bookstore in Hendersonville, NC.

Following is a glimpse at my portfolio. For more information, visit my fine art site: MtnArtist.com.

WLOS News 13 Feaure: Craft Corner

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Stacy

My first WLOS Craft Corner appearance was today! Very fun experience taping it with Victoria Dunkle. Three more segments are to follow shortly with other creative paper crafts you can do at home. Bet you did not know I’m a web geek and crafty, too.

Following is a link to the Bookmark Gift Craft…an embedded video is to follow shortly!

Update: Following is the second segment…

Art Marketing 101: Creative Portfolios

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Stacy

I’ve been talking and working with Erica Allison, owner of Allison Development Group.

They are a PR/Marketing firm working with small business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, chefs and people who have a great story to tell. I’m very impressed with the work Erica has done for her wide variety of clients and she is opening my eyes to new possiblities. We’ve been discussing a strategic PR and Marketing Plan for my art. I’m launching my fine art and she is kick-starting my brain to think as creatively as my paintings. I’m discovering ideas for the fine art cross-over to marketing my web design business.

I have to admit, even though I’m outgoing and talkative, I have a very hard time calling, pitching, selling and closing the deal. It’s not a matter of confidence in the quality of my work—it’s about little experience in what to say. Most of my web design clients are referred by previous clients. However, Erica sparked my interest and I came up with one way to share my work without the stress factor.

You know how much I love Moo.com. I took their products and tailored a marketing idea to help share my work with others. It’s shows my work and is a fun “leave behind” for prospective galleries and boutiques.

First, I designed a business card to coordinate with my other website, MtnArtist.com, and my fine art work. On the back, I put a place for my name, the title of the work, the medium and price. This information is necessary for juried shows, galleries or boutiques. The card can be attached to the art work—double duty out of one card!

Next is the fun part. I created a set of 5 “MiniCards” (tiny versions of a business card). Each MiniCard has a different photo of my art, so people can see a micro-portfolio. On the back of each Mini-Card is a favorite art quote (just for fun) and more contact info. All are tied together with rustic twine and a colorful bead. This micro-portfolio could be used for a tremendous variety of businesses and markets, not just fine art.

So far, feedback has been fantastic. Soon we will see if the results are as great!

Hello, E-commerce Meet…Social Networking & Appointment Scheduling

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Stacy

Wow! It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged.

Stacy Vanden Heuvel

But that is OK because I’ve been busy with family, web design (just finished The Oaks Bed and Breakfast) and launching my encaustic and mixed media art at MtnArtist.com.

More fine art has been entering my blog. The most interesting part is that the articles geared to small business are extremely relevant to the independent artist. I’ve been working on new small business e-commerce solutions and wanted to show you some of the other wonderful programs you can take advantage of.

Here is a list of “Ten Programs You Need to Check Out” to make your precious time more effective and efficient:

Adobe ConnectNow—Start web conferencing with one click. Share your screen. See the participants. Use a whiteboard, chat, and share notes. It’s almost like being there.
FreshBooks Online Invoicing—Focus on what you love to do by using this easy program to send email (or snail mail) estimates, invoices, accept payments online and it integrates with Quickbooks and lots of other software programs.
Mail Chimp Email Marketing—Email marketing that integrates with your social networking …and you can have a FREE account.
MatCutter.com—You create the art, they’ll cut the mats. Easy to navigate site for all artists who want to present their work in a very professional way.
Moo.com Creative Print—When they say ‘we love to print’, they really mean it. The most creative solutions for business cards, postcards and stickers. Especially for people who think outside the box (or for people who wish they did.)
Screenr.com Screencasts—You can create web-based screencasts (no software to download), embed them on your site, post them to YouTube and more. (I’ve got one on MtnWebs.com for my clients, “WordPress Intro Screencast“. Getting ready to add one to MtnArtist.com about my work.
Setster—Amazing! Innovative calendar not only converts web traffic to appointments 24 hours a day, it accepts payments and promotes your services over every social media outlet. Just set your available hours and let site visitors/clients schedule appointments. *see below
Skype Video Calls and IM—In addition to instant messaging, I have it set up so my work number actually calls Skype on my computer. There is an email notification if you miss a call, voicemail, call forwarding and the ability to create a contact list.
Wise Stamp Email Signatures—No one listens to me on this one, but it’s fantastic. WiseStamp Email Appsenable users to bring functionality in every email they send. Check out the Apps gallery where you’ll find 14 social, fun and serious apps. Send all your social networking and even an rss feed of your blog through your email!
Wufoo Online Form Builder—Not just any contact form for you! The form builder helps you create contact forms, online surveys, and invitations so you can collect the data, registrations and even online payments you need without writing a single line of code.

Many of these innovative small business solutions integrate with one another so you can import or export contacts to target new contacts or retain current clients.

I use EVERY ONE of these fantastic business solutions on my web design site, my fine art site or website’s that I design for clients. So, they have been personally tested and I only have rave reviews to report.

I’d also like to introduce you to a wonderful blog: ArtBizBlog: For the Business of Being an Artist by Alyson B. Stanfield. She’s got tons of great posts about the business side of art. Check out this one: 5 minute Self-Promotion Tasks. Great for anyone that gets totally overwhelmed and says “I just don’t have the time to deal with that Twitter thing.” Again, her blogs apply not only to artists but almost all small business owners.

*Psst…Hey, have you noticed the red button on our web page? Have you seen what happens when you click on it? Give it a try! We’ll have to warn you though, you may be in for a surprise! It’s my time wrapped up in a great package and presented to you for your ease and convenience to get a hold of me anytime. Give it a Setster a try

Web Design and the Geek Sensibility

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Stacy

It takes a special combination of computer geek sensibility and creative ability to be a web designer, web developer or graphic designer these days. In fact, there’s an article on a new website to be launched in February by Dave Abrams, TheMarySue.com, targeting the widely underserved: female geeks.

“TheMarySue.com will feature content on topics such as video games, comics and women in technology, and will be curated from a female geek perspective.
“A lot of it is going to be, ‘here are the cool things on the Internet,’ but it’s from the sensibility of women who are really knowledgeable about the tech and geek world,” MSNBC’s Abrams said in a phone interview.

OK…I’m NOT on board with this. Video games and comics? Come on.

Code and technical know-how as well as combining color, symmetry and balance on using cutting edge software are what it takes to be a great web developer or website designer. The ability to communicate while helping the viewer navigate the website is the end goal of every graphic element. Whether it is a male or female web developer does not factor in. While I appreciate the effort to provide the latest geek information for the nerdy requirements of my profession, I object to the rest of their perspective on the subject of female geeks.

Susana Polo (obviously a female) will be editor of TheMarySue.com. She has said she’s excited about carving out a new space for women on the Web. However, I see her as taking us a step backwards.

“One of the things you want to do as a girl geek is you just want to play with the boys; you want to be part of that culture,” said Polo, who currently writes for Geekosystem. “I think there’s value in having our own space.”
“She explained by phone that the name of the site is an ironic twist on the Mary Sue character in fan fiction. A Mary Sue is typically a beautiful female character who represents a standard of perfection that’s impossible to live up to.”

If that is not the most condescending, ridiculous statement toward female web designers, I don’t know what is. Ugh, the images of perfection girls are fed, even in jest. While I embrace my female geek sensibility, I do not feel excluded from any aspect of gathering design information, participating in web forums, or the geek community in general. Being a female in a male environment can be a plus and fascinating, as well.

Hopefully, as the vision for TheMarySue.com develops, it will become a valuable hub and community for techy women, nerdy web designers, geeky developers and more. One that contributes to a tech knowledge base as a whole and not devalue the role of us female geeks in an unintended, “humorous” way. I’m also interested in how much they comment on social networking and women in technology (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) in relation to the web and tech world.

I’d like to share the artistic side of this female tech geek. Here is a sample of some of my latest fine art. They are created with encaustic wax, acrylic paint, ink, Japanese paper and a few other things. Who knows— hopefully you may see them around Hendersonville or Asheville some day. Enjoy.

[portfolio_slideshow]

Fine Art and Web Design Inspiration

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Stacy

Took a break from MtnWebs, web design projects and WordPress (a rare occurrence). We went to the National Gallery of Art in DCand saw works by Renior, Picasso, Monet, Rodin (my favorite), Cassatt, Van Gogh, Degas and more. Also, walked through the Sculpture Garden and saw a Calder and Lichtenstein. It was breathtaking and I’m so glad my sons got to see the paintings and sculpture in person.

All media are inspirations for web design. Encaustic painting is my newest artistic endeavor. I have a Bachelor of Fine Art from Auburn University, but did not learn encaustic painting while there. It could be explained as painting with heated wax, yet the creative possibilities are endless. You can include unique Japanese paper, image transfers, text, texture and any mixed media you can come up with. Encaustic involves a good sense of design and a huge sense adventure. Can’t wait to get started!

Visit Encaustic Art

Two illustrators that are inspiring to me are James Noel Smith and Laura Coyle (who is also an amazing Jazz singer). They have very different techniques—individualism expressed through visual art. Check them out. Some of my other inspirations are: Savion Glover, Auguste Rodin, Édouard Vuillard, Vincent van Gogh, Daylilies, Isadora Duncan, W. H. Auden, Maya Angelou, Yo-Yo Ma, Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and Calexico.

Also, be sure to watch this following video, Boy with a Coin.” Stunning…

Design in art: Various elements in the creative flux…

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Stacy

“Design in art, is a recognition of the relation between various things, various elements in the creative flux. You can’t invent a design. You recognize it, in the fourth dimension. That is, with your blood and your bones, as well as with your eyes.”—D H Lawrence

Dobry den (Good day in Czech)

Greg and I just returned to Hendersonville, NC from an incredible trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. Never could I have imagined the beauty that was constantly, almost nonchalantly displayed at every corner, in every building. It seemed like millions of cobblestones lead me to marvels that somehow survived what history had dealt them.

People have asked me what my favorite parts of the trip were. That’s a tough question. The very Gothic Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague was an awe-inspiring place of worship and symbol of holiness and faith. Also, the majestic Charles Bridge that crosses Vltava river in Prague. It was commissioned by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1357 and has seen the good and bad of eras of history in that area.

In contrast, the The Lennon Wall is a totally different creative inspiration. Once a normal wall, since the 1980′s it has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles songs. In 1988, the wall was a source of irritation for the communist regime. Young Czechs would write complaints on the wall and this led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on the Charles Bridge (mentioned above). Now, the wall symbolize love and peace.

In the midst of all this history are remarkable contemporary bronze statues sprinkled throughout parks and courtyards in the city. The clean, rounded lines contrast with the intricate tangle of vines, patterns and seemingly hundreds of visual layers carved into the historic buildings (even each door, window, and every other structural element). Some of the contemporary works are comments on modern life.

English author, poet, playwright, essayist and critic, D H Lawrence created works that represent the dehumanizing effects of modernity and industrialization. In Prague, sculptures with the same theme are placed next to a building that was built before the 1500′s. And this contrast works. One gives you a rest from the other. Let’s you appreciate the properties of all with out personal saturation or having to “choose” which art you want to experience in such a large city.

There are artistic treats and surprises around each turn in Prague. These surprises and their contrasting styles have re-opened my eyes to the design possibilities in all medium. The chaos vs. balance even translates to web and graphic design. Contrast can create visual drama and an experience clients cannot turn away from. Why not take the risk?

P.S. No rock climbing pictures of Stacy this trip—foot still broken. Greg climbed in the Czech Republic near Poland, though. I’ll have to wait the broken foot heals and stick with the incredible climbing near Hendersonville and Asheville.

Nashledanou (Good bye..for now)

Why WordPress CMS is the new Platform of Choice

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Stacy

I ran across a post on Squidoo by Mark at Pixelrage.net called WordPress CMS Using WP as a Website Builder. His blog has an incredible amount of valuable web info that will clarify the benefits of WordPress CMS vs. other options. Following are excerpts from a post of his. I condensed/edited it to fit my small business client’s interests…and, of course, I included a humorous video at the end, just because. So, here’s to you Mark.

Who would have known the most popular blogging platform would become the best Content Management System (CMS)? WordPress CMS is quickly taking the place of cumbersome ineffective CMS.

A WordPress CMS Mission Statement

“To replace my ineffective, sluggish, outdated, unreliable Content Management System with WordPress CMS.” But, why?

You may have a Content Management System like Joomla—which is great if you have to manage a LARGE site or need particular functionality. But I’ve discovered that most of my small business clients do not have oodles of time to learn how to be a developer, learn how to program or tweak code.

The best solution is WordPress CMS. It’s NOT a blogging platform. It’s a Web 2.0 CMS. Here’s why—super stable & bug-free framework and admin panel made for “those less comfortable on the computer”— potential for extreme greatness!

WordPress CMS: It Has What You Want from a Content Management System!

Think about all of the things you want out of a CMS:
It works: It’s always nice to know that your website won’t unexpectedly disappear for no apparent reason.
Easy to use: It’s easy enough for the beginner, and robust enough for the hardcore website modifier. You don’t need an IT degree to use it!
Cost effective: WordPress CMS is open-source, with themes and plugins galore, to make your web site unique and stand-out among the crowd.
Quick Loading: WordPress is as clean as a whistle, in terms of its hard coding. Only the necessities are in its framework. You have a site that puts minimal strain on your server, no matter how big your site gets!
Search engine friendly: You get to choose how your URL’s look – name your categories and pages accordingly, and benefit as search engines reward you for doing so! Laugh as your competitors suffer with their CMS’s dynamic URL structure. Link your pages together with tags, and you have an advanced internal linking hierarchy in place.
Modern-day technology: Enjoy your out-of-the-box RSS feed capabilities and get your site integrated with Feedburner.com, so that your visitors can keep coming back for more, in style. Make things easier to find with built-in tags and categories capabilities.
It gets updated: Unlike other development teams that take months (or more than a year!) to update their software, WordPress is updated regularly. Bugs and vulnerabilities take extreme precedence and are patched up immediately.
Expandable [for the future]: WordPress isn’t going anywhere…except upward! It’s the most “safe” platform you can choose, as its developers are not a bunch of kids working in some basement only to disappear someday, but an actual, reputable company with funding behind it. The forums are going strong, and you can get WordPress help on virtually any message board for webmasters or WordPressTV!

See ya’ll next time!

My brother was killed by a drunk driver 1 year ago—No web resources in my post today.

Posted on July 17, 2010 by Stacy

Brett and Jake at Skytop Apple Orchard, Hendersonville

Brett D. Johnson • 3/18/72-7/17/09

My brother was killed by a drunk driver 1 year ago today. No small business web resources or anything about websites or entrepreneurship in my blog post today, sorry. But I’d be greatly honored if you read my dedication to him…

This was the year of the firsts. It seems like there was a big first about every 3 months: the first Christmas without Brett, his birthday, Amy and his wedding anniversary. And then there are the small, daily firsts, like “Brett would really love the stars out tonight.” On every first, I was silent and listened until something came to me that brought peace, soothing the confusion and pain.

Of course, the first anniversary of his death upset me the most and I’ve been crying for a month. I now realize God has been sending me quiet embraces—guiding me each time to a heartfelt solution.

Brett and I both loved nature and belonged outside, in the woods.

My favorite memory of us as children is sitting with our feet in the creek under the dogwood tree in our back yard. Filling up buckets of water, building dams with rocks, and catching salamanders under the shade of green leaves. He was a kind and gentle boy who became a kind and thoughtful man—he appreciated all of nature’s gifts.

: Cooling my feet in a stream today

: Stones we added to the place dedicated to Brett behind me

: Thinking about childhood memories

: Greg at the stones

Today I sent Brett a message in a bottle. Not in the ocean or a river—I placed it in the ground of a majestic place Greg and I love to hike and climb. Greg and I stacked stones on top like people at Mt. Everest do to honor their loved ones who have died. Other climbers (that I had never met) added stones and offered to place more in honor of Brett every time they hike there. Grief is universal.

Since the message is at the base of a granite mountain, Greg says it is now a 250 ft. monument to my brother. That really made me smile…classic Greg thought. In my message to Brett, I included a poem expressing raw sadness at the loss of a love. I guess I just want Brett to know he is missed and always will be so loved.

Funeral Blues by W. H. Auden (1907-1973)

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone.
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling in the sky the message He is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policeman wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever, I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun.
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Will we ever understand why he was killed? I don’t think so. But I do know he was my brother and I love him and that is forever. If you have gone through anything like this, my heart goes out to you, no matter who or where you are. If you drink and drive…stop. A good man has been killed and I lost my only sibling.

After all this has been said, I believe there will be the peace of his presence every time we add a new stone to our special place in the forest.

How Google’s Keyword Tool Can Point You Toward Profits by Entrepreneur.com

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Stacy

: Image via CrunchBase

How Google’s Keyword Tool Can Point You Toward Profits - Entrepreneur.com.

Great article I wanted to pass along to give small business owners more information for their website search engine optimization —SEO.

Climbing “Good Intentions”

Posted on July 5, 2010 by Stacy

I climbed “Good Intentions” in Pisgah Forest (NC) this weekend, a new route for me. Removed gear after my husband’s lead and rappelled down (around 8 stories, I believe).

There was one tricky part, where I was beating the heck out of a piece of gear to remove it and I caught myself thinking about a movie called “Nemo” and singing in my head…

Dory (a blue tang fish):Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills when life gets you down, know what you got to do?
Marlin (a clown fish):I don’t want to know. -Just keep swimming.

Dory singing…
Dory, the singing blue tang from "Nemo"
~Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming
~What do we do? We swim, swim…

Marlin: Dory, no singing.
Dory sings: ~Ho ho ho ho ho ho~I love to swim~When you want to swim~
Marlin: See, I’m going to get stuck now with that song.

For those of you with children, you may recognize that as a song Dory sings in “Nemo.”

For everyone else, I know it seems silly to sing a song about swimming as you are climbing up granite, but it works. Feel free to insert your own words and give it a try. It’s just all just about persistence.

Climbing provides a good balance for the design work I do. I love to design web sites (especially WordPress CMS sites), logos and print work. Since I also love doing anything active outside, it evens out the time I spend glued to the computer.

Following is a quote (a little more Zen than Dory) that touches upon a personal goal: to help find balance with the rock climbing, creative designing, computer geek, wife and most importantly, Mom of 3, that I am.

“Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything – even mountains, rivers, plants and trees – should be your teacher.”
—Morihei Ueshiba

Mayday…Mayday! Calling Tech Support

Posted on July 4, 2010 by Stacy

Been on hold a lot the past month. GoDaddy probably started a personal file on me.

“Uh, oh…it’s that MtnChick again. It’s your turn to talk to her, Dude.”

But I do give them glowing recommendations on their customer service surveys. Maybe that makes up for it…maybe. I have to say I love their quick upload option for WordPress CMS and Joomla programming. Saves lots of time that I can spend on other elements of the web site design.

My wicked funny friend, Todd Sharpe of Engage Inc., forwarded me the best comment on tech support I’ve seen.

Website Marketing Turnoffs – Entrepreneur.com

Posted on July 4, 2010 by Stacy

: Image by turtlemom4bacon via Flickr

Happy Independence Day, Everyone!

This article is interesting and a quick way to evaluate your own site. The Entrepreneur.com article mentions posting to Digg and Delicious. I’d also like to add Stumble Upon to the list of places I like to post blog entries. Check it out…

Website Marketing Turnoffs – Entrepreneur.com.

I’ve always wanted to quote Nietzsche.

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Stacy

Nietzsche was (is) so controversial, yet this quote seems pretty straight-forward. He may have been a genius and had a subtle interpretation of philosophy…or maybe he was just crazy. But he had an appreciation of a metaphor and irony—today I can really relate to that. Let’s hope he’s right about this one…

“On the mountains of truth, you can never climb in vain.”

I’ve been reflecting on the past year: letting go of idealistic assumptions, holding onto sweet memories and learning about true friendship. The reason I’m reflecting in July is because my younger (and only) brother, Brett, was killed by a drunk driver on July 17th, 2009. He left behind a wonderful wife and sweet, young son. The accident was during the day, near his home, a violent flash in time that he could not escape. Posting personal information is not something I’ve done on my blog, but this month is different.

I am so blessed to live in the mountains that I love and in which I find restoration, truth and peace. Mountain quotes keep crossing my path—poignant metaphors for a year that has been so, well, horrible.

Coincidentally, literally climbing mountains has become a hobby of mine. My husband and a friend taught me Traditional climbing/Trad climbing: a style of rock climbing in which a climber or group of climbers places all gear required to protect against falls (cams, etc.), and removes it when a passage is complete.

Important parts of trad climbing are a strong focus on exploration and a strict dedication to leaving nature unblemished. To be honest, the focus part is what I’m all about right now. Focusing intensely on the moment while learning to scale granite, nothing else in my head but strategy and the resolution to keep climbing. So far, climbing routes on-sight (ground up, no prior knowledge of the route) by using a different approach each time has been key. It’s equally as creative as web and graphic design, and provides a physical and mental challenge that somehow releases me.

Rock climbing confirms my mental and physical strength. Hopefully, soon the strength and determination I possess while climbing will match what I have to will myself to do everyday. Is there a point in climbing towards truth? Time and I will sort out the climbing metaphors.

5 Tips for Better Search Engine Optimization with WordPress

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Stacy

5 Tips for Better Search Engine Optimization with WordPress written by McBuzz.com. Love his blog. He offers a pdf of his presention at WordCamp Vancouver. The basics are keywords, keywords and…keywords. But you probably already knew that.

WordCamp is something I just discovered…

WordCamp is a conference that focuses on everything WordPress. WordCamps are informal, community-organized events that are put together by WordPress users like you. Everyone from casual users to core developers participate, share ideas, and get to know each other. WordCamps are open to WordPress.com and WordPress.org users alike.

So, I can’t make the one in on July 24th in Nigeria, but who knows. I’d like to try to make another because it sounds like, well, fun. WordCamps include sessions on how to use WordPress more effectively, beginning plugin and theme development, advanced techniques, security, etc. They seem to be in the spirit of the open-source programming community: open to all, easy to access and affordable.

10 Awesome Ways to Integrate Twitter With Your Website

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Stacy

: Image via Wikipedia

Web developers with social media savvy are in hot demand. Imagine what it would be like to promise your clients a web presence that is fully integrated…read more via 10 Awesome Ways to Integrate Twitter With Your Website.

But let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

Definition of Twitterverse, according to the Urban Dictionary:

1. The cyberspace are of twitter. This naturally extends beyond Twitter.com to anywhere you can twitter, which includes cell phones. Example: “Wow, I think Ashton is the most popular person in the whole twitterverse!”

I have to admit…I was slow to incorporate Twitter into my web universe. Who has the time to deal with one more thing? But one person online said “If Facebook is considered addictive, then twitter is like crack.” OK, a little harsh, but totally true. I have discovered the value for me is linking my twitterverse to other social media. When I blog, it goes to Twiiter. My Tweet shows up on my Facebook page. It’s automatically updated on my LinkedIn profile—all this with barely any effort. Bwah, ha, ha!!

Not many people who are building their first presence on the web realize the potential. And you can’t take the approach that “if you will build it they will come.” The web site is up, the tweet is out or the Facebook page is set up. So…where are the people?

Have you given viewers a reason to follow you on Twitter, Facebook or your site? Monthly specials, a forum, free advise and building your reputation as an expert in the field?

Expect your social media and web site to be an integral working part of your business. Publicize your site, Facebook page and Twitter name at every point of contact: invoices, emails, business cards, letterhead, bumper stickers and magnets, your voice mail…Everywhere. It’s called viral marketing for a reason. So jump in, send that first Tweet and see what happens.

P.S. Posting the photo of Ashton Kutcher instead of the Twitter logo was a much better idea, don’t you think?

Death of the 5-Page Website – creating a small business website – Entrepreneur.com

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Stacy

Death of the 5-Page Website – creating a small business website – Entrepreneur.com.

Great article on small business web sites. On how a business owner should invest in Function, Not Pages—and how a CMS (Content Management System) gives you the flexibility to do just that.

Blogging About Small Business

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Stacy

First, I have to share this stunning video The Honorary Title-”Stay Away” from the album “Scream and Light Up the Sky”. Love the visuals and expression. Love the message and the song—I’m kinda spell-bound.

Now on to the web and small business topic I intended to talk about. Found an article on the Chromatic blog called:

9 Reasons Blogs are Great for SEO

They go on to say…

“While blogging is not the answer for all websites, it can greatly benefit the majority of sites and businesses regardless of industry. If your website struggles to have the impact for your business that you would like it to have, take a look at what a blog can do for your website’s search engine optimization (SEO).”

They are absolutely on target with their 9 reasons. I hope all my clients read this article because it’s great information to consider now or to file away for a little later. I strongly encourage blogs, but have not been as successful and convincing as I’d like to be—to impress the possibilities of a blog for any industry. Why not establish yourself as a great source of information and share what leads to success? All while improving your web site’s SEO and making the Search Engine’s happy with fresh content. This eloquent article covers all the points and I will be passing along this indispensable link. Chromatic knows what they are blogging about.

A Whirlwind Tour of WordPress Goodness

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Stacy

OK, I have to admit…my pulse raced and my heart filled with joy when I discovered WordPress.tv. Yes, I am flying my freak flag and telling you about the best thing that I’ve found since Waffle Cone Overload ice cream.

WordPress.tv is a vast, visual collection of everything you could possibly want to know about the world’s greatest CMS. You can refer to it for answers to anything you need to know about WordPress. When I stumble across videos that will help my clients learn to manage their new web sites, I will definitely post them here. Have a look at their introduction…

Buzzword Bingo!

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Stacy

: Image via CrunchBase

Moo.com, is a really creative company that produces print products such as business cards and postcards. I just ordered more business cards from them (they call them greetings for meetings) made with 100% recycled and recyclable paper. I love them and highly recommend them to all clients and friends. They have some great resources and ideas for small businesses.

Every Moo business card order comes in a recycled brown box with a “Buzzword Bingo” card. It has 12 terms such as “facetime”, “mission critical”, “paradigm shift”, “blue sky”, “synergistic”, and the high scoring magic word…”monetize!”

According to Moo, the idea is to take the card to your next meeting and tick off each buzzword as you hear it. When the magic “monetize!” word is heard, shout “awesome!” and high-five your closest colleague or client.

If, by chance, none of these words are mentioned, Moo says to please accept their hearty congratulations. “It sounds like the company you’ve been working for is all about blue sky thinking—which is a real paradigm shift…” I’m pretty sure Dilbert plays Buzzword Bingo, too.

Hilarious video, but a little PG-13:

WorkHappy.net: Killer Resources for Entrepreneurs

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Stacy

I discovered a really interesting web site from Stanford University’s Entrepreneurship Corner. A collection of short, potent videos and pod-casts by very well-known, successful entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerburg, Larry Page and Michael Dell, as well as some less well-known, but still inspiring and successful entrepreneurs. They’ve been doing this for a few years, and new additions are added regularly. Why is it great? Because it’s bite-sized nuggets of inspirational goodness and expertise that we all need.

But even better…it lead me to a very fun and informative blog site called WorkHappy.net. LOVE it. It is self-described as “a labor of love for fellow entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, freelancers, consultants, lone wolves whathaveyou.”

BTW, want to make your own screen casts and screen recordings for your Twitter followers? Check out Screenr to create ready-to-tweet screencasts. Nothing to download, works with PC or Mac and it’s FREEEEE! Haven’t made one yet, but I’m going to give it a try.

About Stacy

“Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.”

I’m leading a double life. A web designer and mother by day—and an artist by night! Well, maybe that is a triple life, plus you add in the rock climbing…Well, you get the idea.

I’ve been talking and working with Erica Allison, owner of Allison Development Group.

Wow! It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged.

Here is a list of “Ten Programs You Need to Check Out” to make your precious time more effective and efficient:

I use EVERY ONE of these fantastic business solutions on my web design site, my fine art site or website’s that I design for clients. So, they have been personally tested and I only have rave reviews to report.

Dobry den (Good day in Czech)

Nashledanou (Good bye..for now)

Who would have known the most popular blogging platform would become the best Content Management System (CMS)? WordPress CMS is quickly taking the place of cumbersome ineffective CMS.

A WordPress CMS Mission Statement

“To replace my ineffective, sluggish, outdated, unreliable Content Management System with WordPress CMS.” But, why?

WordPress CMS: It Has What You Want from a Content Management System!

See ya’ll next time!

Brett and I both loved nature and belonged outside, in the woods.

Funeral Blues by W. H. Auden (1907-1973)

After all this has been said, I believe there will be the peace of his presence every time we add a new stone to our special place in the forest.

Aside from making you smile, what does this really mean for your small business?

Dory singing…

~Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming

~What do we do? We swim, swim…

Hi. I’m Stacy from MtnWebs.com.

Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting so get on your way.

~ Dr. Suess