Julie R. Neidlinger: Lone Prairie Art Works (via Mowser)

BREAKING NEWS

Get your custom business cards.

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You need a business card.

Or a calling card.

There are lots of sites on the web that will help you create one quickly, with a template, but then you have a business card that looks exactly like thousands of other business cards out there.

For just $85, I'll design your cards and have 250 full-color cards* professionally printed and mailed to you. Repeat orders of the same design will only cost you $45 (for 250). I'll even throw in a little extra, emailing you a low-res digital file of your business card so that you can use it for electronic purposes (such as attaching to your outgoing email).

Get a business card that matches your business. Unless you're selling cookie cutters, you don't want another cookie cutter design.

*Extra charges may apply for other available options, such as a gloss-finish and/or printing on the back of the card. If you currently do not have a business logo or "look" to work with, you may want to consider my help with professional design services. The $85 includes printing costs, and my layout and file work, not from-scratch logo design.

Labels: design, hire

Design services for every conceivable project.

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Getting things designed carefully and on purpose is important.

I can help you with that. Nothing worse than badly designed materials for a business or organization trying to get ahead. Strong visual representation is vital in this visual, electronic age.

Design services come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Some of the areas that I can assist you with your design projects include:

Logo: Creating a logo or visual look for your business, including business forms, web site, letterheads, labels, and promotional materials. Business cards, etc: Developing a coherent professional package of business cards, brochures, postcards, etc. that will reflect your business or organization the best. Finding a service provider: Locating service providers, printers and vendors that suit your needs and budget. Marketing materials: Assistance in developing marketing and advertising materials that suit your business needs and budget. Promotional items: Design and technical assistance in putting your logo on promotional items, such as pens, mugs, etc., using reputable vendors and service providers that fit your budget and needs. Marketing: Consultation and idea generation on clever and unique marketing ideas and materials that are outside of the usual "box." T-shirt design: Get your shirt designed for any event, and either work with a vendor of your choice or locate one for you. Advertisements: Have eye-catching advertisements designed for newspapers, the Yellow Pages, or other publications. You gotta have an ad that stands out!

Contact me for information on pricing. I charge by the hour for most services (plus cost of printing, etc. services), so once we figure out what we need to do to get the job done, I keep a time sheet on the entire project.

Labels: design, hire

Do you want a blog?

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I don't design full-scale web sites anymore.

I do, however, still get numerous requests for sites. Mostly from people who I know don't need anything massive and can't really afford that anyway.

I'm really big into finding ways to do things with as little expense as possible, mainly because I don't have a lot of money myself. But I'm also really big into not designing web sites from scratch and finding that I have to field emails and calls about things like "can you change the word 'the' on the main page to the word 'thee'?" each and every day.

I no longer want to sweat the small stuff. I'd rather set up something, get it all functional, and hand the reins over the the client and be done.

So, lately, I've been helping people set up blogs. This works two ways:

Setting up a blog and then turning the reigns over to you, training you to use it. Setting up a custom blog template to make your blog stand out and be unique.

Option 1 (Set up your blog): Most clients might not ask for a blog outright, but after listening to the web needs of people and what they tell me when they come asking for help, I generally find that it is the perfect tool: easily add fresh content that they can update on their own, handy links and layout, and access from any internet connection.

I basically tell a client this:

I can set you up with a blog that you won't have to pay for hosting. I can set you up with a place to store photos that you won't have to pay for, either. I can buy you a custom domain name that doesn't cost all that much in the long run, and point it to your free site. All I'll charge you is for the time I put into doing it for you, and any custom graphics or headers you want. Your expense would be the domain name (optional but preferable) and my time. That's a good deal.

So far, I've done a few:

District 10 Representative Charles Damschen The Museum at Dresden Nicaragua Resource Network - North Dakota Hampden, North Dakota
Creative Impressions

I use Wordpress in these instances because it's a little more intuitive and offers decent templates along with the static pages option; however, I'll work with any blogging platform a client wants. So, if you're not confident that you can do it yourself, I can help you set up your blog. Contact me and we'll go from there.

Option 2 ( Custom Blogger Template): I have also designed templates for people using Blogger-based blogs. Check out "Go Outside With Andrea" for an idea of what I've done. That's sort of taking the idea of "make me a blog header" one step further and decking out an entire Blogger template. I don't have the know-how to make a Wordpress template, however.

On your own: If you want to check into other ways to get online for low cost, check out:

Google Pages Artists/writers and web sites

I'll help you with any of those, too, for the same arrangement: pay me for my time.

Labels: design, hire

Get some spiffy blog duds.

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With the proliferation of blogs, and the repeated use of the accompanying templates that blog service providers offer, a lot of blogs are starting to...look alike.

I can help you stand out, either with a basic custom blog template, or a one-of-a-kind header graphic.

Because that's what you need: custom blog graphics and headers.

No really. You do. It'll make a difference. No more boring blog with default template headers.

I've made the blog header images at

The Rural Bus Route* Go Outside With Andrea* One Thing I Know Views from the Road Yearning for God Faith in Community

All have headers I designed and drew/painted specifically for the blog at the blog owner's request and specs.

Need something to make your blog stand out? I can help you with the graphics, providing you, when it's all said and done, with high-resolution graphics that you can use on your blog and even on mugs or shirts when your blog gets hugely popular down the road.

Really.

Contact me for information and pricing. Let me know your ideas and we'll work from there.

* These two blogs are using my copyrighted cartoon characters, and have limited usage rights. I still maintain the copyright and ownership for these cartoon characters. Please read my copyright information page.

Labels: hire

In need of a teacher.

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If you're looking for someone to teach a class for an after-school program, a special group meeting, community education, or artist-in-residence type classes, I can help.

Teaching is something I've done quite a bit of, whether it is teaching art to all ages or talking about writing and design. I am comfortable teaching students of all ages, though some of the classes listed below have limitations as to the kind of student that would be interested. I have taught adults and kindergarteners, one-session classes and classes that stretched over a month. I have taught after school, in the school, and in the evenings.

Most classes below are flexible in both the depth and scope as well as time. I will work with you make the class fit your group or schedule. Teaching fees available upon request on a case-by-case basis.

Possible art classes:

Denatured books Collage art Acrylic techniques Powdered graphite drawings (an additive and subtractive method) Book-making Natural paper-making (using actual plants found locally) Making a living as an artist (tips, suggestions, discussion, real-life scenarios, copyrights, warnings, ideas, hypotheticals, etc.)

Possible art history classes:

Introduction to art history, various periods Show connection between movies, popular culture and art history Introduction to architecture through art history

Possible writing classes:

Writing out of the box: an evening or set of classes filled with fun writing prompts and activities that help people write differently than they have before. Guerilla writing: an evening or set of classes with challenging writing exercises and timed projects that do not allow students to fall back in their comfort zone but instead, force them to not worry about creating "good" writing and just write. Visual writing: using visual prompts and unique exercises to promote creative writing Writing for the world: How to write for the internet, whether on a blog or website

Possible blogging classes:

Introduction to what blogging is The history of blogging and "famous" moments in blog history (Fisk, Frisch, etc.) Introduction to various blogging formats Learn what to do and what not to do when writing for a world audience on your blog The different kinds of blogs (political, personal, etc.) How to set up a blog for little to no cost The unwritten rules of the blogosphere (linking, permalinks, comments, hat tips, quoting, etc.) The terms of the blogosphere (fisking, jumping the shark, sock puppet, etc.) What not to do Discussion on theories or problems in blogging (comment policies, responsibility for what is published on your blog, spam, plagiarism, blogging from or about the workplace, etc.)

Possible web site classes:

Introduction to the basics (domain names, hosts, servers, nameservers, fair pricing, etc.) Design software and methods Web sites that offer useful services for free or low cost (automatic design or templates, photo storage, forums, guestbooks, etc.) What your web site should have (for artists, for writers, for businesses, for personal sites, etc.) What to watch out for and keep in mind How to keep your web site from growing stagnant How to attract search engines Discussion on the value of good design and easy navigation What to know about ecommerce and the options available (PayPal, merchant accounts, shopping carts, other services)

Possible design classes:

Newsletter design, both print and electronic. Web site basics Web site promotions (keep customers coming to your website) Logo design do's and don'ts Unusual marketing ideas Advertisement creation, do's and don'ts Creating a buzz to draw customers Tips on tying all design and professional look together (cohesiveness between web site, newsletter, brochures, product tags, forms, business cards, ads, etc.) to create "your look" What you need and what you don't (based on what kind of business) Finding affordable ways to print business cards, brochures, etc.

In the meantime? There's plenty of online instruction right here, for free. With downloads. Check it out.

Labels: hire, teach

Let's generate some content.

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I can come up with content.

This is a world of information and content and news. You need content for your newsletter or web site? I can help.

This web site would be my main example of my content-creating abilities. I've also worked as a newspaper reporter and feature writer for three years, and have experience in conducting interviews and writing press releases and articles of that nature.

Services available, for a fee, include:

Provide content for your newsletter or other publication. Write press releases for businesses, special events, non-profits and more. Write articles on various topics including, but not limited to: arts, crafts, North Dakota, humor, essays, women, Christianity, blogging, et. al. Conduct interviews and write materials for you to publish or use for other purposes.

Pricing:

Hourly fee: $35 (minimum, one hour; time sheet provided to you) Other services: Quotes available upon request

Labels: hire

So you want to self-publish something.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

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I think that's great.

And, if you need help with the cover of your self-published book so that it doesn't scream "self-published" and looks like a serious book, I can help. I've mainly worked with Lulu.com, but I can whip together a front or back or wrap-around cover to meed the specs of whatever printer you're working with.

This can be accomplished either by using graphics and clip art, or having me actually draw or paint or photograph an image specifically commissioned for your book.

Let's have a look.

Pricing:

Front cover only, using stock photos/clip art (flat rate): $45 Front and back cover, using stock photos/clip art (flat rate): $80 Front and back cover, using commissioned original art for front: $175 Promotional materials for your book (digital files only; you will take them to your printer): $100 Hourly fee for additional services: $35 (minimum, one hour, time sheet provided to you) Other services: Quotes available upon request

I won't proofread, typeset, or format the main body of the book for upload. But, I can help you with the graphics and placing the ISBN bar code that you may have, and even some interior graphics. I can do that. Contact me and we'll work something out.

If you're looking to set up a basic informational web site, or even your very own author web site, read here.

However, if what you really need is some direction in how to go about getting your book published or finding a company that'll do it for you, or just any direction at all, here are a few links that may help you:

Various printers and service providers Links for writers Links for photographers (there's a section on places to print books and albums)

Labels: design, hire

Licensed use of art and photography.

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I'm no "professional" photographer, but I know how to aim and point the machine. I will go ahead and call myself a professional artist, however. Regardless of my status, I have some images at my disposal that you might want to use.

I have a few photos online you can look at. You can check out my art (and other items) here. You can buy prints of my art and photography at ImageKind. Many of the original art pieces are still available for sale, as well.

However, if you're looking more at a one-time use or licensing option of my images, that is a possibility. If you see something you'd like to use on your site or for some illustrative purpose, I may be able to work with you. For a fee, of course. So far, I've had clients who were licensed to use my art and photographs on:

Decorative Lamps Personalized items (tins, mousepads, coasters, etc.) Newspaper advertisements Cover for a thesis paper Web sites Posters

If you have an idea of something you'd like to do with my art or photos, contact me and I'll see what I can do. We can discuss pricing and options then. Also, please read my copyright page. Very important.

Labels: hire

Web site design.

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Yes, I did design, make, and upload this LonePrairie site. All graphics are mine. I can do a little minor designing.

Periodically, I'm asked to make a web site. These are my answers to that request:

I used to help people design web sites, back when the internet was still young and I could hold my own with the basic HTML code. As it is now, with sites heading into web 2.0, I'm not qualified for the complexity most people are looking for.
I have problems with my hands and I do, actually, despite appearances, try to limit my computer time so that my hands don't give me problems. Web site design ends up being a tremendous amount of "stupid hands, just work why don't you?! clickety clickety mouse clickety" and so I generally decline large and arduous and pretty much all requests.
I have helped set up sites for a few groups using Wordpress (North Dakota NRN, Museum at Dresden, Hampden, etc.). This is not, technically, design. It is merely helping people get started on something so that they can manage it for themselves. I now lean this way and work to persuade people to do it so that, once it is up and running and I've showed them how to use the system, they can take the baby home and feed it an not have to contact me for updates and bother me any more. It is fully their site and in their control. It is also a great way for these non-profit groups to get a site up with low cost that very much serves their purpose. This, I can help you with, possibly. I do expect to be compensated for the time I put in setting it up and teaching you.

I can help you make some web site graphics. I won't do it for free.

As always, contact me with your request and we'll see if I am able to help you or not.

Labels: design, hire

Dog portraits.

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I often receive requests about doing dog portraits. I have done many such portraits. However, I have found it necessary to make certain that customers are aware of my style and that if they are looking for realistic portraits I'm probably not the artist to work with. As you can tell by my work on my web site, I use lots of color and the over all feel of the piece is free and a bit wild. An example of a portrait I did, based on a photograph, can be seen here.

If, knowing what my style is and what the outcome is likely to be, you are still interested in a commission, here's what you'd need to know:

1. My paintings or drawings are done on heavy paper.

2. I ship them via USPS unframed with no mat.

3. I charge for all art work based on the size of the piece.

22" x 15" and under - $80 22" x 30" down to 22" x 15 - $160 44" x 30 down to 22" x 30" - $320

4. I also charge an additional $20 for commissioned pieces. There is also a shipping and handling charge of $10.

5. I'll need a good photo to work from. It can be mailed or emailed. I will send it back to you if it is an original or you request that it be sent back.

6. If you have any special requests, I'll take them into consideration (For example, I made a painting that had a lot of yellow in it for a customer who had a yellow living room).

7. Most customers pay me up front before I start. I only require that I be paid at least half of the total, and then when finished, the other half be sent. I will mail the art out once I've been completely paid.

8. I'll need to know when you need the painting by so I can schedule my work accordingly.

The general process is as follows:

A customer sends me a photo or photos. I get started on the painting. I email a photo of the finished painting to the customer. Once in a while, a customer wants a few small changes and I try to make the changes to the best of my ability. I email a second photo if I made adjustments to the painting. The final payment (if not already made) is mailed or sent via PayPal or Google Checkout. I ship out the painting.

If you have other questions, you can email me or check out my order information page.

Labels: hire

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BREAKING NEWS

Get your custom business cards.

Design services for every conceivable project.

Do you want a blog?

Get some spiffy blog duds.

In need of a teacher.

Let's generate some content.

So you want to self-publish something.

Licensed use of art and photography.

Web site design.

Dog portraits.

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