But Wait, There's MORE!!!

Sooooo, after my last two posts on the subject of blog appearance, I decided to get busy on my own. I Googled 'free blog backgrounds' and holy smokes!!! There are a zillion resources out there, folks. The ones I named are fab, but there are a plethora of providers of creative blog accessories. Just go here to get started:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=free+blog+backgrounds&aq=f&oq=

I found my new stylish damask background at The Cutest Blog on the Block - link is the blue button up there in the left hand corner. Hundreds of great free backgrounds, and custom services, too. Fun!

Paint Me A Picture...

A question came in one of the comments on my last post:

"Dear Deb,

This is not the first time you have read my mind. It seems every time I have a question in my head, I pull up this blog and there is my answer. Well, thanks again...

Also, any tips on how we can get/change/make new banners? I don't even know where to start with that...

Missy

(P.S. I finally started my own blog to go with my website, so I guess I will put these tips to good use soon!)"

Missy, thank you so much for reading my design blog, and I am so thrilled that I am able to offer ideas and resources that are helping you! Now, to answer your question, I know of a GREAT resource for blog backgrounds and banners. It's Shel's Scraps . The images you see here in this post are all Shel's designs, available for use as blog backgrounds.

There are many, many more available. And they are FREE. Yes, that's right - absolutely FREE. Go to her site http://shelsscraps.blogspot.com/ and check it out. All she asks is that you display a button in your sidebar giving her credit for the design. Like this:
It is SO amazing that someone with this kind of talent is giving it away free! She even provides you with a tutorial on her blog, to show you how to embed her deisgns in your blog template. Now how nice is that?!

On top of that, Shel has extremely reasonable pricing for creating customized blog backgrounds and banners for you. Just imagine your business name, logo, colors, and tagline translated into a professional banner and background for your blog! Easy as pie, you've got a brand image.

I know there are more designers out there, Shel is just one that I've recently discovered and I want to give her some promotion. Yes, I've used her free backgrounds (check out retreat and Poppyseeds). No, I'm not getting perks for recommending her. I like to help out other small businesses!

Another one to check out is http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/. (I checked Missy's blog today, and found that she had discovered this one!)

I create my own blog banners using my photo software. I'm not gonna' win any awards for them, but they are fun and I can change them up as I feel like it! I do work hard to make sure that my banners always reflect my brand image, though.

My current banner's 'word' image was generated at http://www.wordle.net/! I created it online, designed a custom color palette to reflect my brand image, then printed it out and scanned it into my computer to save it. Then I manipulated it in my photo program to add my DivaDeb character.

Missy, I hope this info is helpful to you and to lots of other readers!

Image Credits: All images copyright Shel's Scraps http://shelsscraps.blogspot.com/

LoGeDDy BlOg bLoG BLOg

This question arrived via email on Friday:

"Deb, I have a lovely web site with a blog linked to it. However it's starting to become challenging to keep the blog fresh. My intention was to use the blog to lure customers to the shop, not to add more to my plate. Would you please recommend some sites that might help me mix things up, like I am able to do with my merchandising? Thank you!"

Heidi
www.hihohome.com
www.hihohome.blogspot.com

Heidi, my dear, you find yourself in the same situation that so many other retailers and businesses do - trying to maximize your exposure on a dime, at the cost of your time. I think you are smart to utilize free marketing technology like a blog! I responded directly to Heidi in an email, but I thought that this subject matter was something that many of you are dealing with...so I'm sharing those ideas here.

Here are a few tips I can offer:

While it does take some time to manage, you can schedule it into your weekly planner - set it up so that you post regularly, like on Monday and Thursday morning. Then your readers will know when to expect a new post from you, and you can plan ahead with what you'll write about. Also, you can create several posts at once, and then choose the date & time that they will post in the future - this is really handy if you are expecting a schedule crush or vacation.

What should you post about? Try new products that have just come in - maybe show a photo of them peeking out of the shipping box, and announce that "they will hit the sales floor on Wednesday morning, so hurry in!". Post about close-out merchandise sales, or new seasonal product themes you are working on, maybe show a bit of the 'behind the scenes' stuff that makes retail so fun, like a stockpile of merchandise just waiting to go into your next window display.

How to structure posts: One or two great photos and two short paragraphs of text is best. (I am a very wordy gal so I often write long posts...I try to break them up into short paragraphs and sentences so they don't look too intimidating to read!) I also like blogs that offer captions under each photo, because I want to see the image and then read what it's about. But that's a personal preference! If you do use more than a few photos in one post, shrink them to small size. Viewers can click on them to enlarge, and it requires less scrolling to read a post.

Make sure you offer links in your blog - link to blogs you read and enjoy, and that you feel will inspire your customers. It's all about reciprocity, so leave comments on blogs you read, too - say you've added their blog to your blog links. People will visit!

Allow comments on your blog - this is a great way to get feedback on what you are offering, as well as building that customer relationship. You can have them emailed to your regular address, so that you can moderate them if necessary. While I really dislike getting snarky comments from anonymous posters, I've found that they are few and far between. And restricting anonymous comments also restricts users of other blog platforms, so it makes it frustrating for them to leave a comment on your blog. Not a good thing!

Promote your blog in your shop:
*Place signs in the window displays and at the cashwrap saying 'Visit our blog at hihohome' to let everyone know it's there. Even when your shop is closed, this info should be visible in your windows.

*Make small drop-in cards for each bag, and have new biz cards made with the blog address on it. (VistaPrint.com is easy, fast, and inexpensive!)

In all ads you place, even text ads, give the blog address. People are more likely to check out your blog than your website - web sites seem like a sales pitch, blogs are a conversation. That's a good way to remember how to approach it! Once at your blog, they'll see what you are all about - make sure you have a link from your blog to your web site, so they can easily go there.

Create a banner for your blog that reflects your business web page design, brand image, and logo. Your goal is to impart your business image and your own personal style. This is one venue where business HAS to be personal, as well as professional! You can change up the banner seasonally or at a whim - just make sure you always keep your brand image in mind. Same colors, typeface, logo, etc.

There are a few resources I can recommend to help you learn more:

http://www.freshblogtips.com/ Colleen of Fresh Vintage interviews business women about their blogs, offers hints & tips for maximizing your blog's impact & technology, and unearths info about the newest blogging strategies & widgets.

All of these sites/blogs provide tips for enhancing & maximizing your blog's appearance & impact:

http://www.toprankblog.com/2006/06/25-tips-for-marketing-your-blog/

http://www.dailyblogtips.com/

http://womensblog.score.org/

I wish you much success, Heidi!

Changing our Christmas

While I haven't heard Elvis croon "I'll hahahave a bluuuue Christmas..." yet this season, I know that the clock is ticking. I watched the big box stores swap their layouts almost as soon as the last trick-or-treater had stepped off the porch. I'm just hoping that more of them will be singing the praises of a "green" Christmas this year.

What, you ask, would that actually mean?

Well here's my wish list:
1. Don't Buy at All (i.e. Make)
2. Buy Green
3. Buy Fair Trade

First off, let's get the first complaint about green retail out of the way - You can't buy your way out of our environmental situation! This is true, I agree, but, BUT, understand that we as a nation of consumers have been cruising along with little concern for what our purchases actually mean for way too long. People of course can just not buy anything, non-consumption is a very green thing to do. Not an easy thing, but definitely if you take a year off from Christmas you are doing a positive thing for your carbon footprint. Instead of buying something, you can also make your gifts. Give photos you've taken, or if you are crafty, paint some pottery or create something from re-used materials. If you aren't so crafty or strapped for time - donate in your loved one's name at OXFAM or at one of our many needy charities like Metropolitan Ministries.

However, If you are going to buy, then buy green. I encourage us all to consider how powerful a decision we wield this time a year. We get to buy, make, invent, paint, whatever we want for those close to us as an expression of our care for them and as a reflection of our values only once a year. So before we all just take the year off, let's consider that. If I buy my little brother a shirt, he might wear it. If I buy him an organic shirt, he might change how he thinks about organics and buy one for himself. This is how grassroots change works - one little step at a time.

Besides just buying green, there also many wonderful fair trade options for gifts. If I buy my mom a necklace from the mall she will certainly like it (or pretend to for my benefit), but what if I buy one from a fair trade artisan? Then she can know that whether she wears the necklace or not, the money for it went to help those that really need it and they were paid fairly for it!

Ask those that have you on their list to give something handmade this year or to donate a gift in your name to your favorite charity. The holidays are a great chance to show those we love that we can make a difference. Instead of crowding the tree with gadgets that will eventually crowd the landfill, let's push a little wave of hope out into the universe when we gather this year.

Joyful Holiday Displays

I was in downtown Snohomish yesterday morning, completing the new setup in our antique space at Faded Elegance. (See more on our retreat design blog). Mr Deb met me for lunch, and we stolled down the sidewalks to the Snohomish Bakery.

On the way, we passed Joyworks, where I saw the darling sweater snowman in the window, shown above. Jana's done yet another great window display... so I had to go in and ask her if she'd mind if I took a photo and shared it with you here. She said of course I could, so I took the shot! I also took a few more of all of her great windows - Joyworks is known for both the huge assorment of products they carry AND their fabulous windows. Take a peek!




Jana, thanks for the OK! You've done a marvelous job this year.
Visit the Joyworks blog here to see some of their wonderful interior displays, too!

Playing House

MaryBeth sent me a link to her blog so she could share photos of a FABulous display prop that she and her family created. It's a little playhouse, used as a backdrop for a booth at a recent show MaryBeth's daughter Megan was in.

As you can see from the photo above, it does a great job of catching the eye in the midst of visual chaos. The white interior is a perfect backdrop for the colorful yet small items displayed in the booth. And I just adore the playful pink stripes!

The Playhouse is simple but effective, so do go and visit MaryBeth's blog to see photos of the process. I also love that this is made from styro - it's light, easy to transport, goes together in a snap, and stores flat. Thats what perfect display props do - do the job and get outta' the way when it's done!

This reminds me of the setup that Rosanna did for the gift show a few years ago - check out this post for photos.

Megan (aka Princess Lasertron!) has built a business creating & selling funderful artsy things like felt corsages and button flower bouquets. Check out her blog! This past weekend, she was a vendor at the Silver Bella event in Omaha. Silver Bella is the brainchild of designer extraordinaire Teresa McFayden, and you can see from the first photo that there were many beautiful products to see in the marketplace.

Having props and display fixtures that transport easily and set up fast is a huge bonus for those who sell at shows. Flat-pack props mean you can fit in more bins of product, as well....after all, selling is the goal.

Green Gifts

Are you thinking about your Christmas list yet? If so, think about giving green, sustainable and/or fair trade this year. There is a new study about the ice caps melting at an alarming rate, and in these economic conditions we need to think a little more before we buy. Please see the comment below from the scientists at NOAA:

The Arctic ice cap is melting faster than scientists had expected and will shrink 40 percent by 2050 in most regions, with grim consequences for polar bears, walruses and other marine animals, according to government researchers.

There is something that you and I can do--give the gifts that give back. Green gifts are out there and green no longer means expensive. We have quite a few green gifts that are not only affordable, but attractive and stylish.


One of my favorite things we have is Aster and Sage--a company that is making personal accessories made from recycled plastic bottles--really! They make purses, pillows, small ipod/camera bags and much more!


New ornaments are always appropriate for the host/hostess of the local holiday party. Make sure that they are green and/or fair trade. These ornaments are beautiful hand-
made items sold through Ten Thousand Villages. From carved birds to newspaper angels (repurposed newsprint) you can find your perfect new bauble for the tree!
There are many new green items on the market that you can feel good about giving this year. Also stop by Tampa Street Market to see more green gift ideas and shop local!

Shopping Local

Charles and I have lived in OSH for almost 4 years! We have lived in many different places through the years, including overseas, and some of those places were more beautiful, more pedestrian friendly, and I could go on, but no other place has afforded us the friendships we have made in Seminole Heights! The people in OSH are nice, welcoming and down right friendly. It is almost like stepping back in time, a kinder gentler place, where warm baked pies are delivered to your door. Although no pies have found their way to my door, many cupcakes and bottles of wine have crossed the threshold!
OK--enough of the mushy stuff!
Getting to the point, I live in Seminole Heights and I own a business here. I love the neighborhood and do everything I can to support it. I try and shop in the neighborhood. Buying local is a green ideal that I love supporting. I like the idea of knowing the owner and being recognized when I come in . On the other side of the counter, I like seeing my neighbors and friends walk into my shop. It is a CHEERS kind of place where everyone should know your name. I know Karen and Keith at Karen's Place, Adrian and Emily at Seminole Heights Antiques, All the girls at Nickos Diner, Elizabeth at Bungalow Bistro and Forever Beautiful, Scooter at Cappy's and all the wait and cook staff, Chris at Sign Art Group, Eric from Eric Krause Designs, Sherry and Robert at Sherry's Yesterdaze, Anthony at Vivant House...and I could go on!!
Unfortunately, Steff @ Tampa Antiquarian Books is leaving SH--we will miss her! Also Mike from Merino's has closed his doors and Barbara from Silver Linings is saying goodbye and closing her doors. I will miss going to all of these places and the drive home will look a little different with vacant buildings as scenery. The better our businesses do, the better our market. Keeping local businesses afloat keeps your local market from depreciating even more.
I would love to see all of you more, but I am asking everyone to think about the businesses in the neighborhood next time you go out. Lets keep our local economy healthy and green!

O Christmas Tree

In the midst of moving my home and business last week, I installed the holiday merchandise displays at Columbia Winery. We did things a BIT differently this year...

For the past five years that I have been handling the visual merchandising for Columbia, installing the wonderland of Christmas merchandise, props, and decorations has been a massive undertaking. It has taken my crew of five fab chicks three full days to install merchandise displays & holiday decor in the facility. Due to many changes over the past year, there was no decor to install and a very limited amount of product to display. In four hours, three of us had it done! If there was ever a good time for this to be the case, this year was it. I have a lot on my plate right now.

Even with lots of changes, the focus in the shop remains on the wine. Holiday gifts and entertaining/decorating items are kept to a minimum. Making an impact with the displays is still possible, using effective placement within the space to maximize lighting and accessibility, plus use of a few unique props. Rather than go with anything remotely 'normal' or 'Christmassy', I chose to go with a contemporary holiday style that fits the brand image and customer demographic of this business.

On the left side of the shop, the more elegant items are displayed. The round table holds an ivory, sage, and gold theme. The longer table behind it holds a crystal, silver, and dark brown theme. Farther back in the space, there are displays of copper & glass items, and green ceramic & wood products. These are everyday items, but the colors work well when seen with the holiday merchandise up front. These combinations don't fight with each other visually, so a customers' eye travels all through the space and sees everything.

You see some stylized trees in each setup - I created those for each of the themes of product ordered. They fit well with the facility decor, don't overwhelm the products, and add a bit of sparkle and holiday cheer.

The gold trees sit on several clear vases that are filled with ornaments and topped with a gold charger. It's an easy way to get variances in height to add interest.

Here the trees are placed on top of large baskets and a fixture, to lift the white color up. It was important to add the white to this theme to express a holiday mood.

On the right side of the shop, the displays feature products that are a bit more whimsical and definitely more colorful. The sightline allows you to see them all from the entry doors, so the color story is carried through the whole space.

Not seen in this photo are two other displays, holding everyday merchandise & food products. They also include various shades of red, green, and yellow, adding to the whole look of the shop this season. Not to mention that it isn't necessary - or even preferred - to add holiday merchandise or props to EVERY display in the shop. Some neutrality is needed, and the color connection provides continuity.

Another pair of trees in red & white candystriped tinsel set off this display of snowmen and candy cane products.

This tree is a bit rustic, a bit industrial, with several tiers of greenery. It's a great way to display ornaments, even tho these basic balls are more for decor than for sale.

So, have you figured out the trees yet?

Cheap tinsel garland wrapped around..... (wait for it)....Tomato cages. Less than half an hour to make each one. About fifteen minutes to make the tiered green one, cause two of those tiers are wreaths. Oh yeah, I was alllllll about decorating the DIVADeb way: Fast. Cheap. Easy.TM

And I'm back to moving......

Our New Space

Exposed brick wall, high ceilings, concrete floors--this place really fits us.
As you can see in the picture, we still carry steel top tables and wood and steel benches, but we also added new lines of eco-friendly and sustainable gifts and home decor. We have pillows and personal accessories made from recycled water bottles, stainless steel cold beverage bottles, garden art made from steel and repurposed items, elephant dung paper products, eco-greeting cards and holiday cards and graphic bags that fit in your pocket for ease of use! Our telephone wire baskets are going like crazy and are all fair trade!
We have had a lot of our customers come back and it is really great to see everyone. We love having the business back in Seminole Heights and we look forward to growing our business here!