Announcement of website expansion

Dearest Readers,

The rumors are true, jannypie crafts will soon be growing! After almost 3 years of blissful blogging, I have the need to expand my blog to maximize my offerings to readers. First thing to know is:

You don't have to do anything right now!

I'm letting you know now so that you can follow the changes and know when it is allllll ready for you!

Next thing to know is, my site will now be called Indiefinable Creations, but I will be keeping my Jannypie profile as the author.

/ in' de. fīne'. able / : (adj) independent of a single definition or style
: (n) one who is indefinable.

Indiefinable Creations finally embraces my wide ranges of styles, creations and interests. Rather than denying all that I can do and focusing on one area to be successful, I'm accepting it, identifying it, naming it. Maybe visitors will be confused and leave. But maybe we'll all be surprised and find out that other people have varying interests too, and stay to discover. (I'm hoping it's the second one.)
So, what's happening:

• Making the move to Wordpress. Many of the best features from my blog are getting lost in the archives, so I wanted the ability to bring the brightest stars up front for new visitors to find, and for regulars to access.
• Complete tutorial pages. A few of my tutorials are spread out across posts, and some are shorties that ended up being more popular than I had expected. These will brought all together, be easier to follow, and I'm adding some great features to make them really pop!
• Category sections will organize content. Because of my wide variety of creations and styles, I'll be bringing much better organization to my content. You'll be easily able to go straight to Crafts, Blog Design, Downloads, Resources, etc.
• Posts can be sorted by style, in addition to category, such as Cutesy, Grungy, Geeky.
• More stuff for you to look at: the new site will have much more content, with About Me sections, portfolios, top lists of resources that I use online, and more.
• I'm offering new services as well, packages for the non-internet-savvy based on blog and small business setup, design, optimization and use.
• Inspiration and community sections to highlight my favorites around the web and support my communities.
• A wealth of indie favorites, including handmade artists (locally and online), Columbus businesses, grassroots podcasts and authors, websites and maybe even products.
  

So there are some features for you to read and get excited about while I'm working, and I'm hoping that the support you all have given for so long will help me make this transition. I'm nervous (of course) but the way things have been coming together is really making me more confident that these changes are going to bring a lot of good stuff your way. Truly!

Moving to Wordpress is taking a long time because I'm making sure everything is done right (plus, it's a royal pain in the badunkadunk to customize!). In the mean time, feel free to visit and bookmark the site:

http://indiefinable.com

Special Note: Prior to launching the site, I'll be offering a preview to members who sign up for the email newsletter, which will include a free gift in exchange for completing a visitor feedback survey. So add your email if you are interested!

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Reader input on a painting

I have been painting these beautiful salvaged windows from a farm near my hometown, first by cleaning them well and then painting garden scenes on the panes. They inspire me to paint scenes I myself would love to see outside my windows. Fields of wildflowers are a happy vision and so filled with peace and the breath of nature, don't you agree?



I also love to leave the frames as naturally worn as I found them, and only add elements that enhance the original antiquing, rather than refinishing them as new.



On this window, I purposefully painted the garden scene and left the rest of the window panes clear, because I like the idea of it staying true to it's "window" origins. If it is hung outside, it would harmonize with the surroundings, and if hung inside, blend with the decor. However, in a few past pieces, I painted in the entire glass area:





I noticed that the windows with filled-in panes, that feel more "art" than "window", drew much more attention and praise from others.

I wondered if maybe people like having the whole window completed, perhaps it makes them feel it is a more finished piece? Maybe people don't like the thought of seeing anything through the window, and would prefer one solid creation? Hm.... I've been pondering and have not been able to think of an answer!

What do you think about these windows? Does one appeal to you more than the other? Why do you think that might be so? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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OHIO ROCKS Tote bag

I know not all of you readers are from Ohio, but I have a great amount of love and pride for this state. I have lived in many places, in particular with family in Boston, and while I enjoy and appreciate they had to offer, nothing feels like home.

Columbus, in particular, is growing and developing a wide-spread, talented pool of young professionals and independent arts scene. From the state level to the individual, a lot of attention is being given to grow our state. So, when you hear wild acclaim in the future about the things Ohio has to offer-- I'll totally say I told you so!

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Custom designed Save the Date

I have been working with an Etsy client recently who has made custom orders an absolute joy! She knows what she wants, colors and a few reference photos, and said she likes my style so go for it. It is so much fun to work for someone with your same tastes, and have the freedom to make something they like just as much as you do! Her great communication and friendly demeanor are icing on the cake :)

Here are 3 Save the Date designs I created as another custom order from her:

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Hi friends!

I just wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You!" to my readers and the feedback they have sent! Your comments are so important, they really inspire me to keep working and finding new challenges.

I aslo loved visiting your blogs that you sent- such talent! It is a reminder why blogging is so much fun, reading about other people's passions, interesting lives, and the little moments that make us appreciate life.

I'll be adding your blogs to my blogroll and your comments to a "feedback&praise" section, both of which will be coming soon. Thank you all again!

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DIY felt Valentine pet collar

Don't forget your pets on Valentine's Day! Make this simple felt dog or cat collar to give your furry friend a sign of your love. Or use it to deliver a love note to your spouse or loved ones. I've included an easy tutorial as a free downloadable PDF file, feel free to make it any share it!

Use embossed felt and Valentine scrapbooking elements to make a simple but touching pet tag. Add it to a pretty ribbon and close with a snap, and it is all ready!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
"Puppy Love" DIY Valentine Pet Collar


If YOU make a Valentine pet collar, leave a link to your blog so we can all see what you made!

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Do you enjoy jannypie creations?

Have you purchased one of my handmade creations?

Did you try any of my projects from the blog, or enjoyed seeing the ones posted?

Please leave a comment or send an email if you have, and your feedback may be featured as my blog and services expand!

jannypie143@yahoo.com

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Handmade greeting cards

Here is an easy way to combine cleaning and crafting. While filling out my 2010 calendar last week, I was reminded how bad I am at sending cards for birthdays and special events. I recalled my stash of store bought "blank cards" that I keep to send, but just felt uninspired by them. Then I had an idea, and took my old unused greeting cards, and remade them into fun, unique ones (that I hopefully will remember to send?) It was a great way to reuse cards I already had, use up some extra scrapbooking materials, and stay organized for the year. I've paper clipped them inside each month in my calendar, so I can just fill them out and send!

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Clearance Sale on my Etsy

I am cleaning out my inventory, check out my Sale section and get a deal!

Etsy Buy Handmade jannypie

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