Saturday, September 13, 2014

.com fun in a small world

Welcome, new readers!  Thank you for joining us.

I've had some down time lately.  Temporarily banned from my work table and bored to death, I decided to update Bliss Miniatures's online presence.  It began pleasantly enough and without issue.  Flickr, Etsy, Blogger, hey, no big deal.  Little changes here and there and ta daaa, sites were refreshed.  Then, there was my website...

Unless one is a programmer or coder, of which I am neither, building a website is a pain in the a$$ for a do-it yourself-er.  Domain hosts, web hosts, DNS, email, carts, gateways, yikes.  The first time around, I managed to secure services and create the site after some sleepless nights.  Unfortunately, the few available templates were too conservative and it wasn't technically possible, for me anyway, to fashion any of them into what I had envisioned.  Conundrum!  PIA!!  I had too much on my plate at the time and foolishly let the trial period with my host lapse.  Making changes at that point would not have been feasible.  My inner perfectionist never ceased to be annoyed!  I got lazy and didn't fully utilize the site; it was virtually ignored for three long years.

New and improved :^)
Out with the old!

This time, more knowledgeable of everything, except of course, coding (no time to learn!), my hunt for appealing templates led me to Weebly.  It was to be the best choice for me, albeit with a few minor drawbacks.  So what, no web host offers everything for a reasonable cost.  There was a learning curve, but freedom to design and tweak to my heart's content!  Bells and whistles :^)  Coding optional :^)  I really enjoyed the opportunity to turn an almost blank slate into my site.  If I can do it, anyone can.

The shop shelves are pretty bare at the moment but I will commence stocking up in the near future.  Please visit at your convenience...

Speaking of the Internet, our world has become a smaller place because of it.  A year ago, I requested help in this post with identifying the artist who turned the beautiful bowl, left photo (initials LM etched on the underside).  I now know that LM is Lars Mikkelsen, proprietor of Built In Wood at Etsy!   He builds fine, collectible miniature furniture, primarily in the craftsman style.  His exotic wood turnings are thin-walled and beautifully detailed.  I stumbled on his store completely by chance when I spied a listing for a bowl similar to mine.  We were in contact and voilà, mystery solved!  It was amazing to learn of the background of my bowl, made about 15 years ago, from the turner himself.

Thanks for reading...wishing all a happy new season, fall or spring, wherever you may be!

12 comments:

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    1. Learning from mistakes :^) Crazy, huh - at least I can laugh about it now. Definitely wasn't amusing then, lol

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  2. The canvio is magnificent. I also have to make a change on my website, I need it too.

    His work as always perfect and beatiful.

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    1. Thanks, Teresa! So much stress with the first site. This time was fun and will be easier to change. Wish I had a magic button - click once and finished :^)

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  3. Hi Alison! I also had problems with blogger (just like many bloggers now): no readers list, so I try to catch up with updates...... I also am not a miracle regarding making websites changes and so on ;)!
    Yes, I've read about your question of the maker of this bowl last year, I do remember me. It is great that you've refound the artist, the miniature world is small ;)!! This bowl IS an amazing artwork to see and made by a great artist :).
    I hope you feel better now? Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Hi Ilona! When I first began with miniatures, I didn't think of the computer work involved. Everyone at my house is not helpful either, lol! Always something to learn about or fix but I suppose it's a good thing. Brain work out :^)
      I was really surprised to discover it was Lars! He is a kind man, retired now and happily making mini furniture. The question was posted a year ago - good memory, glad you remember!
      Feeling better, thank you ♥ Hugs back, Alison

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  4. Hey Alison, I just love, love, love your new website! I especially like the Flickr link. It's so colorfully vibrant and certainly showcases your brilliant work. Now I am embarrassed by my website maintenance, or lack thereof.

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn :^) Silly you, don't be embarrassed! Your site is fine. The old website bugged me. And it would have remained if I didn't have this time on my hands. I looked at it the other week and couldn't stand it any longer, lol.

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  5. The new site is gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing what graces it next.

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    1. Thanks, Anna! The going is slow but I'm working on it :^) Will try to live up to the site and not disappoint!

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  6. The new design on the website looks great! Since my husband is programming computers and websites as a living, I never learn anything about computers nowadays, I just ask him... =) Lucky for me, because code seem very hard.. Hope you get to do the website you want, without having to learn code or hard-to-understand-things =)
    Happy new season to you too =)
    Hannah

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    1. Thanks, Hannah! My husband managed IT for a bank and my sons can code but they are busy with their own activities so I can only rely on me! I can write some code but not enough. Very lucky to have found Weebly - easy for me to manage and update the website myself :^)

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