Ellyloo's lampwork jewelry glass blog!

[ellyloo]

Hello! I make my own glass art ("Lampwork") beads, and sell them to jewelry designers for their own creations. I can also make and sell jewelry with my own beads.
I recently revamped my site, and have a word press/e-commerce site. I"m pretty excited about it, and check stats on it almost every day!!

First things first: The e-commerce part of the site is a bit weird, and doesn't work right--that needs tweaking.

Ultimately, I'd love to post blogs, and talk about a piece I made and say "and by the way... you can purchase this very thing right here.".

I wanted a static front page for introduction... and I hope navigation to the rest is easy for people...but I'm not sure it is. I'm open to suggestions on how to have people get to know my site better. I was thinking of putting directions on how to order somewhere besides the sidebar...

I'm not keen on the side bar besides the slide show, it looks pretty drab.
I like the dark theme--the pictures POP.

Okay. Having said that:
EllyLoo Creations

Please be gentle, it's my first well done personal/business site!

[bethin2301]

I think this looks really cool! Both the layout and the way the page is made, makes it very easy to navigate, and there is something about the pic you have when you first enter your site. Keep up the good work!

[sadiessay-so]

I like your layout - and your main page is very eye grabbing.

I think you're on the right path. You should add a blog, when you're ready, and get involved in Entrecard and other networks to help get traffic to your site. Networking with others who are in the craft blog niche will really help drive people to your site.

You've got some really neat stuff! You're really talented!

[ellyloo]

Okay, but.. there *is * a blog... under the categories. a few posts already!
Every time I blog, I categorize them, but with the static front page, the blog isn't right *there*.

However, I see the problem... it's not immediately visible.
but I didn't want the blog first thing.. no one would know it was a craft/shopping whatever site.

Perhaps that's the best though? New content right smack dab at the front?

[ellyloo]

Okay, so i rearranged things, I got the feeling people were only seeing my front page and the slide show and not thinking there was any more to it.

First think you'll see is my blog now.
I"ll have to think about how to generate sales. (number one, put things in my etsy store, and a paypal button somewhere)

Now I just have to think of interesting things to blog about.
I"ve been lookin at my stats, and I might echo what most of the searches are for. (a LOT want tutorials, how to, what is...etc...)

[ianpeatey]

I like the site, great pictures and interesting content (even for me who is not interested in this jewelry at all!) ... I didn't see it before so can't comment on the changes.

A couple of suggestions though. Maybe get one of your pictures incorporated into the banner .. as it is, it's a bit plain with just the text.

I'd also get the 'available to buy' a bit more prominent. It's a bit lost up there at the top and might be better with some banner in the sidebar .. your own ad!

[ellyloo]

GREAT ideas, and both on my wishlist!
First, thanks!!

2nd, I've been wondering how I can do those things.
It's Wordpress, and i'm not a wiz.

can a banner be made for a wordpress site? Where would I 'stick' it?
Can I change the of the links up there? make it red or something?
I'll have to ask the guy who set me up.

Thank you a lot, everything I'm getting echoes my own vision for my site, which means I'm on the right track!

[ianpeatey]

Wordpress is very flexible (much more so if it's self hosted - which it seems to be) so I'm sure the answer to your question is 'yes'. I'm not expert enough to tell you how to do it but the guy who set you up will for sure know what to do.

[ellyloo]

he's hosting it too, I'm in Toronto, he's in ... somewhere else.
I've already asked him, so we'll see! There should be some sort of 'ad' widget or something I can add to my sidebar... I'd also like to have my youtube video permanently at eyelevel rather than scrolling with the blog I put it in.

[OfficeSupplyGeek]

Im jealous, I really like that theme, just couldnt get it to work well for my blog.