Creativity can keep you sane, right? I mean, there are many ways to spend your time and express your feelings. Some people are more social and others express themselves in other creative ways, while some people can balance both.

Here is a run down of people who have been creating stuff over the last month, including me. And… where did the month go since I last posted?? Time flies too fast!

My latest creations:

- THROUGH YOUR EYES: A website project that I worked on for the world’s only know deaf/blind triplets. It was a task that had to be done in a short period of time as the story was to be highlighted on the Dr. Phil show. The documentary is to be completed around May of this year. Harwin is behind the music. They created a song specifically for the family called “Behind Those Eyes.” The documentary is being created by James and Cory. All producer profits are going towards helping the family. So go to www.throughyoureyes.com if you want to help by purchasing the music and/or pre-ordering the documentary. Here is the Official Myspace for Through Your Eyes.

- TIPZ TIME: I also decided to give one of my websites, Tipz Time (household tips, etc.), a facelift to allow for a wider content area and a graphic color scheme that can easily be changed from purple to green or whatever I desire for each season. I still have some back pages to change out.

- STUDIO MATRIX: Another site of mine, Studio Matrix, needed to be re-invented. So I decided to update the ‘look’ and start selling some graphics again. This time I am selling website graphic headers. These are very useful to webmasters who are looking for a quick change for their website. Most of the time, the part below the header is the same… three columns, two columns, with content in certain places, but the header can be changed to give the website a facelift or the headers can be used to make a quick site. These are exclusive… meaning I only sell the header once… not like some template sites that resell the same templates or graphics to 10 or so people. These headers can be tweaked in a graphics program or the person who buys it can have a graphic designer or webmaster tweak and incorporate a ‘look’ to go with it. I am incorporating a business forum, which I should finish today. I love creating the graphics.

- ARTWORK: My scanner was being a booger and not working for a while, so I wasn’t able to scan in my funky artwork. I finally figured out what happened. The USB cord wasn’t working. I had switched out the USB cord with an older one from a previous scanner, and it is now working. So… here is my artwork, silly or funky or strange as it may be ( I just create whatever I feel like doing at the moment )

(Elvish Girl with strange eyes)

(Funky Plant)

(Eyes with Curly Lashes)

(Another Funky Plant)

(Leafy Vine Swirl)

(Willow Tree)

- EBOOKS: I have now reached page 23 of one of my first ebooks. I know, I have been lagging on it… but I am getting there!

I am not the only one who has been busy creating, my friends have been doing awesome things too! See for yourself…

- NEW SONG: Brett has created a beautiful new song called “Just My Kind”. I was in a grumpy mood much of the day when he sent it to me, but then that mood melted away while listening to his new song. His song has a wonderful melodic dreamy feel to it.

- NEW INTERVIEW: Betty from NoteworthyCrafts.com did interview for Dreamish.com. I received a message from Betty about an interesting project and the person behind it which would make for a great interview. At the time I was a little overwhelmed and since the story was inspirational and has an important message, I asked if she would like to conduct the interview and she agreed to. - Read it here

- NEW DVD: Arin and Susan of Four Eyed Monsters have created their DVD, which I anxiously await to watch. You must go and see the episodes! It is a creative and dramatic look into the filmmaking process they have had to deal with. Make sure to pre-order a dvd.

- NEW MUSIC: Eddie has recently shared a creative musician, Chris Garneauand, his new music.

- NEW INTERVIEW: Mike just posted an interesting interview about Ezel.

I think that is all for now… if I forgot someone, feel free to post what your latest creations are so I can take a look!

It has been an interesting week.

(1) I have been following Arin and Susan with their video blog covering of the Sundance Film Fest. They just made their film, Four Eyed Monsters, available on DVD for the first time in limited quantity. They are using what they earn from the DVD sales to help get themselves out of $80,000 in credit card debt. (I have been in CC debt and know of the stress it causes, so I know they appreciate any help you can give.) If you are interested in more info with neat episode videos about their film and where to get the DVD, go to www.foureyedmonsters.com

(2) I recently did a fun and informational TeleInterview with Stuart Tan(such a NICE, smart guy!) in which he titled the interview “Secrets of a Superstar Work-At-Home Mom”. If you are interested in listening to the interview, you can go here to “Internet Marketing Singapore“. You can also get it by signing up on my site at www.wendyshepherd.com near the bottom of the page. When you sign up there, you will also receive my internet business blog updates, which are different in nature than my family/friends blog posts. If you don’t want to sign up and really want to hear the interview and learn more about my online stuff, then just message me and I’ll get it to you some how.

*Personally, I think I giggle too much, and my husband tends to agree. I’m happy, what can I say?

(3) I have a couple copies of Jonathan Clay’s CDs that are autographed. If you are interested in getting a copy in exchange for a review about his music/songs, message me about it. The review should be about 3 or more paragraphs and will be posted on one of my websites with your name credited. This offer will be over at the end of January, 2007. You can read the interview I did with Jonathan Clay here.

(4) I have delved into homeschooling my children about mid-way through the month. We are progressing through the learning material nicely. There is always a bumpy start in the beginning, where it is hard to get my boys to focus and come out of the “holiday/timeoff” mode. We seem to be past that now.

(5) After the interview I did with Stuart, I realized again the importance of writing my ebooks/book to help others learn what I have done, answer their questions, and more importantly, provide some information and step-by-steps to help them get started. I have written a bit here and there, but this last weekend I sat down for hours upon hours writing.

(6) One last thing, I don’t watch too much television at all. There is one show that I have watched since the beginning, and that is LOST. There is something about this show that is way different than the others that keeps my interest. My oldest son watched the show with me, but I have to make sure to watch for bad scenes that wouldn’t be acceptable for him to see. I am happy to say I just found out that… LOST is coming on again starting February 3!

I just watched two season previews and a bunch of “moments” that were posted in another blog.

Here they are…

LOST Preview #1
LOST Preview #2

Moment #1
Moment #2
Moment #3
Moment #4
Moment #5
Moment #6
Moment #7
Moment #8
Moment #9
Moment #10

- Laters for now!

This week I have stopped by several small business websites and have noticed a bit of a trend. I am used to seeing the words “Small Business” and “Entrepreneur” used for the small businesses out there. Now I am noticing the words “Indie shop” and “Indie store”. I am used to that word being used with independent film and music, but not with a family owned small business or a market or mall promoting handmade products. It does seem easier to say “indie” than “entrepreneur”. I just found it quite interesting. Each time I have ever mentioned the word “indie” I always have to explain what it means to people.

What are your thoughts?

On another note, I have been trying to get caught up around the house and with my online business stuff. We also starting back with homeschooling this week. I still have to put the Christmas stuff away. I always wonder when everyone seems to get their decorations put away each year. I hope to have mine down by the 20th of January.

I have to say the one thing that really frustrates me as an affiliate is to have a merchant cancel the relationship with me before even considering what they are canceling. I bring sales to many of the affiliate programs I have joined. Yes, there are some that simply don’t work out and get no sales from my sites. Yes, there are some that make a small amount of sales with my sites over time. But, merchants shouldn’t just cancel without looking closer. Communication is key.

For the time it takes to place up links, promote the page the affiliate links are on, get those pages listed in the search engines and the traffic that gets sent to the merchant, should all be factors in whether an affiliate should be cancelled or not. Affiliates, including myself, have a lot on their plates. Affiliates are extremely busy with many, many merchants. Not to mention the day-to-day routines of website maintenance, answering site emails, coming up with new content, communicating with and publishing author articles, preparing newsletters for updates, bookkeeping, and so much more.

If you cancel an affiliate without communicating, consider yourself banned from ever getting onto that affiliate’s websites again. Many affiliates these days run more than one website, covering many different topics and categories. The frustration runs deep with doing lots of work to give a merchant exposure in exchange for NOTHING! Well… except for being cancelled. Tossed away like trash.

I have had this happen from a merchant I was making 10k a year (in sales, not commissions) with, with merchants I was making a couple of sales a year with and of course in other cases, no sales.

Merchants should care about their affiliates. If the affiliate doesn’t answer or can’t place up links right away, it is because they are busy with a lot of other tasks, including the many other merchants they deal with. Those merchants who become friends with their affiliates will have a better relationship with them. Stop signing your affiliate newsletters: “The merchant team”. Personalize and become friends with them. If you reach out and still can’t seem to contact them, and you would really like to get to know them, offer some special deals, even up front cash like an advertiser does. Buy a spot in their newsletter. Do something to gain a meaningful relationship.

Relationships are give and take. Both parties, merchants and affiliates, have to give something to keep the friendship growing. If the affiliate feels like they keep working for a merchant and get no commissions, no compensation what so ever, they aren’t going to be happy. They will search for better merchants who care about them.

Let’s wrap this by saying that affiliates will join merchant’s programs that just don’t perform for them. If there is a friendship, both sides have been trying different things to prosper. However, not all programs work, and the affiliate relationship will end. But, at least they tried! And it doesn’t necessarily mean that the friendship should end. These types of friendships can bring other networking possibilities in the future.

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Comments: 1.

10K a year and dropped?
They weren’t losing money on you I assume, so do you have a clue as to why they would cut their own income off?

Comment by Xerraire — 9/13/2006 @ 12:47 pm
2.

I have no idea why. It was a message signed by the “Affiliate Team”. They never sent a personal email during our whole relationship. They moved from one affiliate service provider to another which made me have to change out all links. After they ended the affiliate relationship, I had to remove all of the links again. That was enough. I will never place their links again. Unless they paid me at least 20k to make up for all of the hard work I did for them over the years and lack of relationship.

Comment by Wendy Shepherd — 9/13/2006 @ 1:16 pm
3.

How rude was that!!!! People like that you can definitly do with out and look at it this way it is their loss and now your free to add another grateful client!!!! Have a great weekend.
Blessings, Stephanie

Comment by Stephanie — 9/15/2006 @ 6:06 pm

Yeah, you heard it right. Time is ticking! Every day, every hour, every minute, our life here grows shorter. The last three weeks have been a blur for me, in a way. Do you ever feel that way?

I had worked on lots of ideas/work for my own business, friends and family were visiting a lot, then my kids and hubby got hit with a summer cold for a week. Last week I was slammed with some webdesign client work and tried to keep up on email. Now I am playing catchup on my own email/work. So is life with the internet in our lives, eh? and… I LOVE IT! I have no regrets because I am living life the way I want to. I am home with my family, homeschool my kids, read stories to them most nights, my husband now works part time and spends more time with our family, and life couldn’t be better. Well, a little more money would be nice, but really, I don’t care if I have tons of money or not. Just as long as we have just enough money for what we need.

With that in mind, please be patient as I try to get back to you via email if you are waiting on a reply. I am usually pretty quick with answers, but these last few weeks threw me for a loop. Geez, time flies!

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Comments: 1.

lol….geeze, Wendy, I wonder whos been keeping you hopping this week?

Comment by Mickie — 9/2/2006 @ 3:21 pm
2.

Well, I wonder. Perhaps that ‘little’ project we are both involved in will be announced to the world someday soon? Sounds like an impending birth, doesn’t it? lol

Comment by Wendy Shepherd — 9/2/2006 @ 4:27 pm
3.

gee, now we’re all left in suspense!

Comment by Xerraire — 9/2/2006 @ 10:13 pm

At first I thought it was a play on words. You know… marketing tactics to get people to read the article. But, alas, it isn’t. He really will be naked! …

LONDON -
Daniel Radcliffe will strip off his Harry Potter eyeglasses and robes for his London stage debut next year.

The 17-year-old actor, who plays the bespectacled schoolboy wizard in the Hollywood adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s novels, will star as a troubled stableboy in Peter Shaffer’s “Equus.”

The play delves into the psyche of a boy named Alan Strang who … - Read More

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Comments:    1.

:)

Well I guess naked was the next thing that was going to have to happen.
He just had to beat out of that stereotype.

Comment by Barbara (Xerraire) — 7/28/2006 @ 4:24 pm
2.

Usually, anything Harry Potter gets me curious. However, you can rest assured this is one event i will NOT be googling when the time comes!

Comment by Michael — 7/29/2006 @ 6:24 am
3.

:)
Certainly not while Mike could be googling other things.
:)

Comment by Barbara (Xerraire) — 7/29/2006 @ 8:51 pm
4.

thats crazy how did you know i googled myself naked

Comment by michael potter — 9/3/2006 @ 8:10 pm

Whether you are one who supports rebuilding in New Orleans and the surrounding area or not, there are some facts to consider…

Louisiana Is Sinking, But Why?

Larry O’Hanlon, Discovery News

July 26, 2006 — While there is no doubt southern Louisiana is sinking, experts disagree on the extent, speed and primary cause of its slow drop into the sea.

Two recent scientific studies point to two very different causes and rates of subsidence. Scientists fear the apparent contradiction might send a confusing message to policy makers, who are under pressure to make decisions now about the future of New Orleans and other coastal areas… Read More

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Comments:    1.

“experts can’t agree”
Is a phrase we hear so much of lately.
Drives me crazy.

However, one thing I know for sure.
Wise men build on a solid foundation, and the foolish take risks when they build on sinking sand. As long as the issue is questionable, seems foolish to follow through, at the risk of lives, money wasted, and who knows what else.

Comment by Barbara (Xerraire) — 7/28/2006 @ 4:23 pm

We have tried estimating when our food will expire in the refrigerator by the sell-by dates, the expiration dates, using stickers with black markers to mark when we open a package or bottle of something, etc. Still we seem to have molded, outdated, and ‘questionable’ foods in our refrigerators. With that in mind, what do you think of this new idea to keep only fresh food? … - Click Here

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Comments:    1.

What an interesting concept!

Comment by Julie — 8/2/2006 @ 10:14 am

Right now I am on a brain-dump break. I am typing this blog post while watching the film, Tristan & Isolde , for the 4th time. I sincerely love movies like this and other stories that have to do with the Medieval / Renaissance times. This movie stars Sophia Myles and James Franco who do an excellent job acting. I would love to interview them for my sites, Movie Vine and Dreamish one day.

The summer does seem sizzling hot, doesn’t it? The excessive rain hitting us in Maryland has finally subsided a bit. We have been swimming and enjoying the weather.

That doesn’t stop me from working though. But who am I to call my hobby work? lol. I tend to dive in and work on a project, and don’t come back out of it until I need a ’serious’ break. My brain usually feels numb and I can’t concentrate on the normal tasks that I am usually fast at doing. Sometimes my online friends don’t hear from me during this time. If so, it is a quick note. I really try to stay focused so that I don’t break out of a rhythm that I get into. I find that I can get a bit of a backlog of email during this time of work as well. Catching up on email is the next task I try to take care of after I ‘crash’.

So, you see, I am not perfect, but then again, what is perfect? Some email letters I receive have a tone of thinking that I am very organized. If I spent TOO much time planning and scheduling, it would take the fun out of life, working my hobbies and being creative. I do have plans. I do write them down. I do pursue my plans at a steady pace. I do use some of the charts that I create for Chart Jungle. But, plans can change depending on many factors. Sometimes I don’t need plans, I go on intuition.

One of the keys is to not give up and to be consistent working on something you LOVE to do. Just make sure you give your family lots of love in the process because they are the most important and life is so short.

What are you doing this summer? What are you doing that you love?

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Comments:    1.

Enjoy your break, Wendy.
I am certain it’s well deserved.

:)

Barb

Comment by Barbara (Xerraire) — 7/16/2006 @ 8:47 pm
2.

It’s very hot here in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada too. Humidex today 41 C.
No pools close & Lake is not fit for swimming. I’m glad you’re enjoying your time with your kids because I know September comes pretty fast. Another month & 1/2 & I’m back to work too. I’ll say bye for now. Talk soon.

Lorraine

Comment by Lorraine — 7/17/2006 @ 7:54 am

Did you get what you wanted for Christmas (or Hanukkah, etc.)? If not, what was it that you wanted? Will you buy what you wanted for yourself now that Christmas is over?
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Comments:    1.

I guess you could say I got what I wanted…. A few months ago while watching TV I saw a commercial for the contraption that stores plastic containers and lids in a circular device that spins. I thought outloud “how resourcful” and “I’m chocked someone from Tupperware hasn’t thought of this by now. Then a few months later the traveling As Seen on TV Store was in the Pentagon and I wandered in to waste a little time at lunch and I saw the “plastic storage thingy”. That night I told my husband all about it and my thoughts… now I’m the proud owner of the “as seen on tv plastic storage thingy”.

Comment by Jenn — 12/28/2005 @ 1:49 pm
2.

Yes indeed! Hubby and the boys bought me jewelry! I am not a big jewel wearer but it had been over 5 years since I got any so they all splurged on me….they have great taste and I am set for another 5-ish years!

Comment by Donnette Nelson — 12/28/2005 @ 7:55 pm
3.

Yes I did… and if I wasn’t given it, I bought it with all the wonderful gift cards I was given.

Comment by Lee — 12/29/2005 @ 1:40 am
4.

Yes

My 20 yo daughter became engaged and my 22 yo son went back to improve his results for year 12 and obtained the second highest level - OP2. Best presents you could wish for - that and absolutely gorgeous diamond earings from my darling husband.

Comment by Penny — 12/31/2005 @ 2:35 am
5.

Yes, what more could a dad ask for than have all his children,(without fighting!!!) at the holidays. I did not see them on Christmas day, but had them the two days before and it was perfect.

Comment by Gary Waller, II — 12/31/2005 @ 12:10 pm
6.

:)

Oddly enough, even after blogging an entire wish list from amazon, not one item on there was given to me.

However, I did receive a LOT of wonderful, thoughtful gifts, and worked very hard to give my children and family a nice Xerraire Christmas too.

Barb
:)

Comment by Barbara (Xerraire) — 12/31/2005 @ 1:28 pm
7.

I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas and then some. My 14 yo daughter surprised me by having her favourite piece of Japanese artwork that she had painted a few months back she swore she’d never give away, framed and she gave it to me. It now adorns the wall right beside my computer desk and reminds everyday just how much she means to me. It sure is beautiful.

Then, to top it off. My husband how hates shopping for me, surprised me with four beautifully framed pictures done by Greg Olsen. They were strangley familiar. When I inquired where he found them, he gave me a cheeky little boy grin and told me they came from my 1998 Greg Olsen calendar that I had bought for the purpose of doing just that many many years ago.

So, that was my Christmas. My house is now filled with delightful works of art that will reflect the love and true meaning of Christmas and will do so all year round for the rest of my life.

Pal

Comment by Pal — 1/2/2006 @ 10:53 pm
8.

I’ve tried to live a life of teaching by example. It hasn’t always been easy. This year my young adult daughters have all learned to live within their budgets. I requested for Christmas and my birthday that they find ways to give classy, creative, non-budget burning gifts. If all they had to spare was twenty dollars to use for purchasing all gifts, then so be it. As each of use opened our gifts to discover emotional letters, poems, cookies, handmade jewelry, and regifted items that were desired all year long, each of us had wetness dripping from eyelashes. No one appeared disappointed. My grandsons jumped for joy with mile wide smiles as they opened presents containing underwear, socks, and educational gifts. We all enjoyed the experience. WHO COULD HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER GIFT!?!

An additional benefit experienced by all was that none of us used credit cards. All of the gifts have been paid for in full leaving the opening of January, 2006 bank and credits statement actually a pleasure.

Comment by James Hazelton — 1/5/2006 @ 12:12 pm