This is a giveaway with a difference.
As those of you who follow me on twitter may know, I have decided to branch out into a bit of freelance website design and creation. I design all of my own sites… and I’ve been building websites since the bad old days of high-school in 1996, when all I used was a html code program and ftp!
My first website (yes, you are free to laugh once you’ve read this) was an X-Files fan site. You see, I was a MAD X-Files fan in my teens – I totally wanted to be Scully. (Writing this I realise that I finally have the red hair, though not the medical degree and ace FBI training).
Funnily enough, during the time that site was in existence, it got over a million hits. I had no idea at the time (and remember, this was in the 90’s, the internet was a much smaller place then!) how awesome that really was.
Anyways, website creation has been a hobby of mine since then. To tell the truth, if I’d realised it was an actual career option at school, it’s one I would have seriously considered!
What has prompted me to do this? Well, firstly I love designing websites. The thought that I could get paid to do so sends me almost faint with joy. Second, I’ve realised how many of my fellow crafters and artisans would dearly love their own website, but don’t have the technical knowledge to build one.
And so here we are. I have come up with 2 packages for website creation specifically for crafters and artisans. The Basic package is a 6 page website with an integrated Etsy mini (or the equivalent on your selling site) and a built-in blog. The E-Commerce package is a fully functioning e-commerce shopping site, with a blog included as well, where you can sell your work yourself! For an example of a Basic site I’ve built, go here. For an example of an E-Commerce site, visit Epheriell.com. I deliberately build these sites using WordPress, because once I’ve been and gone, it will be super-easy for you to maintain your site all by yourself!
You can find out more about them here over on JessicaVanDen.com.
“But Jess, I see the word ‘giveaway’ in the title?”
Yes you do, because this week I’m going to give away one of my Basic Website Packages. For Free.
(Just so you know – I normally charge $449 AUD for one of those.)
How do you win? Well, there are some requirements, and a catch.
Firstly, the catch – you can’t enter for yourself.
Yep, you read that right.
You must leave a comment nominating someone else to win this package. *Please leave a link to their Etsy/Artfire/Folksy/DaWanda shop in your comment* AND, you may nominate up to 5 people!!
I’m relying on the fact that you are part of the crazy, big, wonderful crafty online family… and that you know someone who could really use this website. Of course – there’s nothing stopping you and a friend nominating each other…
Secondly, the person nominated must be a micro-business, one-person-show-crafter (or artist!!), who already sells on Etsy/Artfire/DaWanda/Folksy (or other site that offers the equivalent to an ‘Etsy mini’ feature). From my research, I believe my prices are pretty reasonable – but I know there will be those who just can’t make that investment in their business right now. Nominate them!
Third, please understand that this prize does not include the cost of buying a domain name and paying for web hosting. I have a great hosting company to recommend to the winner, but it’s up to them to pay for it. Ballpark, it will cost them around the $100 per year mark to pay for hosting.
That’s it! Please get nominating, and I’d love it if you shared this post with those you think could benefit from it.
How will I choose the winner? I’m going to use the old Random.org. Because honestly, I reckon everyone you nominate is going to be worthy, and there is no way I could choose otherwise!
Remember to leave me a way of contacting you.. and Good Luck!
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The winner of last week’s giveaway is Donna – congrats!
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What a great idea Jess! I’ll be back 🙂
I highly recommend Jess’s services.
She’s been awesome in helping me to set up my site – and an inspiration.
Just wondering Jess, can I nominate people??
Cheers,
Tasha
Hi Tasha, firstly, thank you! Secondly, of course!! 😀
Such a kewl offer!
Your story makes me feel old. You see – I *WAS* a professional web designer in 1996. Back when I started very few people in Australia had the internet on in their homes, most didn’t know what I was talking about when I told them what I did. We didn’t even have tables in those days. I remember when the table code was first developed the browsers couldn’t see it! We would make a page, it would be invisible! lol
I gave up web design in about 2004 in favour of my art. I still do websites, but only for friends and small hobby groups.
Good luck with your new venture 🙂
Hi
Thank you so much for the incrediably generous giveaway
I would like to nominate a friend fellow designer and jewellery maker Jacquie of http://ShadeOfABonsai.etsy.com/
thank you again and I will liook forward to seeing who is the lucky duck to win
Narelle
Hi Jess!
Great prize!
I’d like to nominate my friend Narelle from Ruby Victoria Printmaking and Letterpress. She is a fellow Tasmanian and a very talented artist who sells on Etsy, Made It, markets and shops.
Here is a link to her Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/rubyvictoria
I would like to nominate Deb from Two Cheeky Monkeys/DSPDavey, who I personally don’t know but am impressed at the amount of time and effort she puts into her shop and online self and think she deserves something like this.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dspdavey
I nominate Cloud and Ky from voodoorabbit – because Cloud’s had a hard time lately and it would be good for her to win something nice, that helps her business.
HI Jess!! What a fantastic giveaway!! I would like to nominate a fellow Brisstylette, the lovely Belinda from Sybella Boutique.
Jess, I would like to nominate the wonderful Kellie Christie to win. She makes the most gorgeous jewellery from vintage buttons!! Check out her work here: http://www.madeit.com.au/kelliechristie
Jess, I love Kellie Christie’s work. It funky and unique. http://www.madeit.com.au/kelliechristie
I’d like to nominate Kellie Christie too! She’s an independant jewellery designer and she works really hard to promote her brand … I think a website would really help her out.
Great comp by the way ~ I hope it brings lots of traffic to your site 🙂
Kellie’s link is: http://www.madeit.com.au/kelliechristie
I’m jumping on the Kellie Christie bandwagon. Her quirky jewellery is absolutely stunning and I think a professional website would be the icing on the cake to help her promote her brand.
Find Kellie here… http://www.madeit.com.au/kelliechristie
Sorry Jess, here is the link to Sybella Boutique http://www.etsy.com/shop/SybellaBoutique
Hi Jess, I’d like to nominate Miriam Bain from Bubba Chenille and The Handmade Expo. She is passionate about handmade goodness and along with her Etsy shop, has taken the step of starting a handmade only market for South East Queensland. I think she’d be a grand recipient of your fabulous giveaway. Lisa x
bubba chenille on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/bubbachenille
I would like to nominate Ange @ http://www.angelene.etsy.com – her work is truly beautiful & amazingly detailed. To top it off, Ange is ace. Even if she is a bogan 😛
Thanks for the great opportunity Jess and ofcourse Lisa for putting me in for this. In turn I would like to pop Lisa in from cute as buttons also. Here is her etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/cuteasbuttonsdesigns
Thanks and good luck to everyone.
Oh P.S, I forgot to mention that Lisa designs the most gorgeous appliques for T shirts and bath accessories for little ones, She is also a beautiful , beautiful person, a lovely friend to me and my daughters and an awesome stallholder at The Handmade Expo Market ! Go Lisa !
Jess, this is such an amazing giveaway! I would love to nominate Julie, of http://julieblanchette.etsy.com – I love her work, it is so amazing and I think her store is an undiscovered gem. Oh, and Julie is just so sweet, encouraging and funny too!
What a great prize to win. You’re such a clever girl. I would like to nominate
Verity from http://www.etsy.com/shop/Joiedetea Her teas are awesome and she is so passionate about what she does.
I’d like to nominate Vickie of http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelflyt
Vickie sells simple, yet stunning jewellery (of which I am proud to own a few pieces!) And she always bowls me over with her beautiful photography
I’d love to nominate the super sweet Samone from http://RedLetterStudio.etsy.com – she creates beautiful stationery and makes up custom designs too. I think she’d really appreciate this prize 🙂
Jess! how super generous of you!
and Mich is such a sweetheart for nominating me – so sweet she is that I would like to nominate her right back pretty please?! her store is very cute, and I own a gorgeous pair of earrings from Mich
http://www.etsy.com/shop/michvanetta
she works super hard on her business, plus has two little ones and still fits in markets as well!! I think she deserves such a generous prize for sure!
Wow just read you can nominate up to 5 people so I would like to 2nd a nomination for deb http://www.etsy.com/shop/dspdavey I have been so encouraged by her and she is just blossoming in her work.
Okay, I am going to have to nominate a few more people since I am allowed 5, he he.
I would also love to nominate Rach of MissIsa (http://missisaau.etsy.com) for her cute creations and because she is so encouraging to others.
What a generous giveaway Jess! All the best in your newest venture!
I’d like to nominate the talented Gem of http://www.etsy.com/shop/faeriegem
I hope I am not too late to nominate Vicki of Redeem Designs (http://redeemdesigns.etsy.com) for her amazing upcycled creations.