Tis done!

business card, originally uploaded by gilfling.

Well it has been a struggle but I have finally got there (almost). It took most of the bank holiday weekend whilst the weather was sunny and gorgeous....but four days later I have my 'almost' completed website. Re-named, re-branded, more re-presentative of me (ha see what I did there!) Ok so I am clearly in need of some good fresh air as I have spent far too long in doors!

So here it is!! http://www.gillianleesmith.com/index.htm .

And in honour of it's launch - TODAY!!! (you may even be the first person to view it if you hop on over there now) I am hosting a celebratory give-away (this is not announced on the website as it is exclusive to you - the faithful few who still read my blog after all this time and my irregular posting habits!!)

All I ask is that you hop on over there, have a wee scout about, and return here and leave an HONEST critique. The lay-out is hopefully quite simple and this was a look I wanted. Originally when thinking about my website I thought I wanted all the bells and whistles but now I realise that I want the work to stand out and my persona as an artist. This is my professional site after all! If you hunt around you will even find a wee photo of me (ever elusive and not much photographed so this is a real find!!)

I am soon to be adding an online shop to it which will sell my prints and the occassional accessory and the even rarer dolls - so there won't be a link to my etsy store from there but the link will remain here on this blog. I am also contemplating adding a 'professional blog' to it with up and coming news but will still probably keep this one going for 'other' stuff.

So -

1) THE PRIZE - a print of your choice - you can see the full range of my prints on this page (click on the thumbnail for larger image and title of print)
2) WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? Hop on over to the website at http://www.gillianleesmith.com/index.htm - have a wee look around, come back to my blog and leave a comment, a critique, a word of wisdom - also make sure to name the print that you would like should you be the winner (and also make sure to leave your email so that I can contact you) - or of course you can leave me a message in the 'contact' section of the website
3) CLOSING DATE - I am going to leave this up for a while - till Monday 8th of June infact - so get your comments in before then - on this or any blog posts I do before that date and then I shall pick a number at random and announce it here on Monday 8th June! Once the winner is picked I can contact you for you name and address.

How easy can it be!!

Oh and above is my work in progress design for my new business cards. It feels so good to be finally getting rid of the Gilfling's Designs title - this was a name I picked for my business in the days when I thought I would be making costumes for a living - it will unfortunatley be remaining here on my blog and on my etsy shops for the forseeable future unless I really decide to start afresh but that just seems a bridge too far at the moment.

Cheerio for now!!

PS - I have various bits of news - just not enough time to get to it all on here but I shall in good time!

PPS - Thank you so much for your comments and good wishes regarding my impending move - and also on my blog post regarding reproduction prints - I am so sorry I have been bad at replying but as ever I appreciate your feedback! I will also have new work to show you soon - I am slightly paralysed at the moment by that fact that we move (house and my workspace) in just over 3 weeks - hence the reason for using this time to get ontop of 'all the other' jobs such as website, gallery and wholesale catalogue and marketing (all jobs I have been putting off forever and a day!) so that as soon as I get into the new space my brain and thoughts will be free to get making and creating again!

Comments

[sabrina]

i love your work and the new site is wonderful,(easy to work thru),congratulations!
if i were to win i would so like to have the print of "feeling empty inside".

[Su]

Congratulations on your new website.

It is very easy to navigate, simple to follow, and looks very good, with clean lines and relaxing colours.

There are two things, one of the pictures "Hermoine" isn't working for me. I can see her details and the link only. Also, just a personal thing, but the front pages pictures of each menu item, maybe you could centre them, they feel a little to the menu side...just my aesthetics.

And if I "win"...one of my favourite prints is "The Chambers Within"...

Many thanks and good luck with all...

[tricia scott]

hi gillian, i am a bit of a lurker here but i wanted to chime in today to let you know how much i love the new website. i agree with the comments above-the colors are soothing and the site was easy to move through.
your portfolio is stunning! and this feels silly to write but i really really connected with the first paragraph of your artist's statement. i must have read it through 4 or 5 times delighting in every word. :)
one question---what does c.v stand for?

[Michala (kayla coo)]

Gillian, I think your website is beautiful and I love the embossed design like an old book.
The only thing I would add is the size of prints or dolls but if your linking with your shop I guess you would find out that info there.
If I was lucky enough to win I would choose your print "The Chambers Within"
All the best
Michala

[Lora Hart]

Hello Dear Gillian! Congratulations on such a lovely new website! And it was sooo nice to get to see the pretty face that goes with the pretty artwork that I lust after. I never win anything so I won't say what I'd like to add to my collection. And besides... who could choose between them?!

Hope the site brings you all you dreamt and more.
L ~

[Roseanna Bogley]

Hi Gillian,
Your art is amazing...the face of your art doll tells a story, I love that.
The Chambers Within has caught my breath away...
I will be back often to see your beautiful, talented, inspiring work.

[sue]

love the website, can't wait to pick your brains about it, as i;m thinking of doing one for me! xxx enjoy southwell xxx

[waterrose]

Your new website is lovely! Clean and easy to navigate. I love the new look of your marketing materials and this blog. I haven't had a chance to stop by in a while...and was pleasantly surprised! Hugs to you!