Blog makeover - new about page

In my last post about this blog's makeover I wrote that I've made some changes around the pages, rearranging them, offering new contents and giving them a better look.

But, honestly, something wasn't so good in them, expecially in the "about" page.

Last sunday I was travelling by bus to work (art exibition "Museo della follia" in Catania) and I was looking at Pinterest on my smartphone, when I saw an interesting pin with this title: "How to write an epic about page for you blog".

If you click it you'll be in the collective mill blog to read the whole article!

So good and full of right considerations and suggestions!

I decided to make some changes in my about page following what the author said in that article and see what happens :)

What I did

Here's a screenshot of the upper parts of my about page before (on the left) and after (on the right):

There's a big difference!

At first glance they're different only in their look, but the most consistent work I've done is on the content.

I've completely reorganized it and divided into four sections:

• eco-friendly sewing + rural life + creativity
  It's important to start with your blog's topics at first. People need to know if your blog is for them or not, before going on exploring.
  I've understood that starting from their needs and curiosities is better than starting from you and your story. It's a  way to capture interested people, but also to be helpful and clear to readers at their first visit.
  
• where to start
  The idea is to be helpful to your readers. They don't know you so much, so offering them some directions to follow is very good.
  I've linked some blog posts I'm proud of, some I think can be useful to my readers, some other to get some informations about me.
  I think I'm going to change them here and there, to get up-to-date directions.
  
• my story
  Of course, interested readers would like something about you and your story. They would probably be curious about who you are in "real" life.
  Without being too rambling, I've tried to tell something about my story, my job, my other passions. There's a real person behind the blog!
  
• let's be friends!
  We live in a very social world. Interaction is what we look for when we write our blog posts (nobody starts a blog to act a monologue).
  So I left some ways to connect with me.

I've done a good job, I think.
Some banners, illustrations and photo help in offering a lovely view to the readers; I imagine them like people who are going in a new place for the first time: visitors need something beautiful, cozy and well organized to feel like at home. 

I've used the colors of my palette (lilac + dusty blue + some black accents) and picmonkey to make photo collages.

What I didn't

There only one thing inside that article that gave me difficulties: the suggestion "Show Them Why You’re Unique".  Uhm, well, coff coff, I'm not so sure!

What I need is some work on personal branding!
I know that I sew, I like nature, I'm doing my best to save the world, but, honestly, are these things making me unique?
I don't know.


I hope this post could be helpful to ther bloggers.
Visit my new about page and let me know what you think!
And, to help me in solving my problems with uniqueness, answer this question: where (or how) did you find your uniqueness?

Using Instagram to tell about my creative process

I've recently discovered Instagram (yes, a bit late, eheh) and immediately felt in love! It's my favourite social media and I find myself posting 1-2 photos everyday (only because I hold me to post 3 or 4 or 5).

I like that it's easy to use, quick (for busy people, too!) and with a strong sense of community inside.

You can find my profile under silvia_triv, if you like to interact or take a glance (or click on the black button on your right).

What kind of things I post?

To be honest, I've started to use Instagram to tell something about my job of tourist guide in Sicily. 

I write about it in a dedicated blog (mostly in italian with translations in english) and I use other on-line tools to spread the world with my joy and satisfaction about my job (a Pinterest board dedicated to Sicily, for exemple) and also to help tourists in some ways.
I decided to open an Instagram account as a support, but soon I started to post something else, here and there.

Now I use to post photos about:

• me in action (there's also a tag used by me and other tourist guides: #touristguideinaction) and the beautiful places when I work (a big privilege!)
• something about my life in Italy and Sicily: food, landscape, traditions, nature, events...
• my life close to nature and country
• my crafty life: materials, tools, my busy hands at the sewing machine, finished projects, parts of the creative process.

The last one is the best part of my being on Instagram.

As an artisan I think it's very important to tell people about your creative process. My customers are not buying products that are born in lifeless factories; there are very busy hands and a person behind handmade items.

People want to know who you are, how you work, what kind of materials you use, the values hidden in your small business / work ...

And (so much more important)... it's funny!

I can let my followers look at my prewashed fabrics drying on my balcony's cords (always prewash your fabrics!!!):

Prima di iniziare a cucire devi prelavare le stoffe. Questa, comprata ieri, è stesa ad asciugare in attesa di diventare una borsa. Before sewing, fabric need to be prewashed. Bought this fabric yesterday and washed today. Now it's drying, waiting to become a bag. #creativeprocess #behindthescenes #sewingprojects #sewingprocess #fabricaddiction #bagmaking #ikeafabric #crafty #cucito #cucire #stoffe #stoffeikea #processocreativo #fabric

Una foto pubblicata da silvia triv (@silvia_triv) in data: 14 Mag 2016 alle ore 10:06 PDT

They can browse into my thread spools, so colorful:

#tools on my desk: thread, rulers, scissors, notebook. Sulla mia scrivania oggi, vicino alla macchina da cucire. #creativedesk #behindthescenes #craftysunday #craftingabag #craftytable #craftydesk #sewingtools #strumenticucito #cucirechepassione

Una foto pubblicata da silvia triv (@silvia_triv) in data: 26 Giu 2016 alle ore 09:58 PDT

I can show them how I use my handmade paper patterns to draw the cut line on fabrics...
... or my hands during a very hard step of bag making (inner zippers!!!) ...
... the finished items ...
... or even the 100% recycled packages I usually arrange (I do my best for the planet, you know!)...

Ready to cut some #recycled upholstery fabric to make bags with! Happiness!!! Felicità è... un'oretta libera per tagliare del damasco di recupero per farci presto delle nuove borse! #bagmaking #creativeprocess #behindthescenes #inthestudio #cucireborse #stoffariciclo #stoffariciclata #upcycledsewing #upcycledsupplies #borsariciclata

Una foto pubblicata da silvia triv (@silvia_triv) in data: 21 Giu 2016 alle ore 06:46 PDT

Bag making. Installing an inner zipper my way. Sto cucendo una borsa e sono tutta presa dal mio personalissimo modo di inserire una cerniera nascosta alla sommità della borsa. E, si, non sembra, ma mi diverto :) #bagmaking #bagdesign #creativeprocess #behindthescenes #inthestudio #sewingprocess #sewingprojects #sewingtips #etsy #etsyitaliateam #cucireborse #borsefatteamano #procedimento #craftysunday

Una foto pubblicata da silvia triv (@silvia_triv) in data: 22 Mag 2016 alle ore 07:43 PDT

Just finished! Same mix of recycled and organic fabrics for: - moleskine cover - wallet for girls Appena finiti! Ho usato lo stesso mix di stoffe di riciclo e bio per: - copertina per Moleskine - borsellino #etsy #etsyitaliateam #etsyseller #etsyshop #ecofriendlysewing #ecofriendlyshop #ecofriendlyaccessories #moleskinemania #moleskineaddicted #moleskinecover #moleskinecase #portafoglioragazza #borsellino #borsellinodonna #regaloecologico #negozioecologico

Una foto pubblicata da silvia triv (@silvia_triv) in data: 24 Giu 2016 alle ore 06:24 PDT

100% #recycled #packaging. I'm going to shop this to Singapore and all is recycled ... paper, ribbon, plastic wrap and yellow envelope! #savetheplanet !!! Packaging 100% riciclato per un ordine che se ne va a Singapore. Tutto è stato recuperato, la carta velina, il nastro, la busta di plastica e quella gialla. Qui si fa del nostro meglio per salvare il pianeta!!! #etsy #etsyseller #etsyshop #etsyitaliateam #packagingidea #packagingideas #packagingtips #ecofriendlyshop #pacchetti #dietrolequinte #behindthescenes #ecologico #riciclocreativo #packagingriciclato

Una foto pubblicata da silvia triv (@silvia_triv) in data: 16 Giu 2016 alle ore 03:32 PDT

Isn't it great?
Love it!

I'm a 100% Instagram enthusiast!

If you like, you can click on the images of this post to give them an earth or to follow me or to leave a comment. All these things will be really appreciated!

If you want to join this "creative process posting", take photos of you at work, or of your materials / supplies, don't forget the most interesting steps of your work and add one of the tags I use: #creativeprocess , #behindthescenes , #inthestudio (all of them, or the one you like best).

Do you post on Instagram to tell about your creative/artistic process?
Do you think it's important in some ways?
What are your favourite things to post on Instagram? 
Let me know! I'm sure I can improve my Instagram experience thanks to your comments!

Blog makeover! Oh, yes!

After my complaint I decided for a blog makeover!

Yes, I love tooooo much to have a special little space to write in, to share my adventures in self-expression, to tell the world something about my steps into the sewing world and my inclinations for nature, country life and creativity in general. 
I didn't like the idea to give up.

So I've rolled up my sleeves and started a very big work. 
A lot of things to change, a lot of aspects to consider and to re-think.

This is what I've done

• I've made a new banner by myself!
  I was still in love with the one Francesca made for me almost 5 years ago, but it wasn't representing me after some important steps done in my creative journey. 
  I'm not very skilled with graphic design, but I realized something I like with very simple tools: Picmonkey collage tool and Microsoft Word.
  Oh, yes. 
  The banner includes written words about the key subjects of this blog (eco-friendly sewing, rural life and creativity) and a selection of photos from my little word. 
  It speaks about me because it's simple.
• I've re-organized the right column, also adding some useful things like a contact form and social media buttons (you can find them at HopefulHoney blog).
• The pages are new! New contents and photos, but (so important) I've added a page about tutorials and free stuff.
• New palette! I decided for the couple light avio blue + light cyclamen.
  Do you like it? It speakes about my personality (I'm quiet, not noisy) and my love for all is nature inspired (I was thinking about flowers and water, when I picked up them).
• New fonts! not only Verdana, but also Copse in different "sizes" for all the titles. And la Belle Aurore in the banner, because I've used it for my shop and it works well.
• I've learned how to center dates and titles in all posts and I love the result!
• I've added some suggestions for further readings at the bottom of every single post thanks to Linkwithin.

How I did?

You probably know I'm not very skilled in web design and other geeky things.

But I love when I can learn new things to make by myself.

So I've read a lot (a lot!) of tutorials on line and followed them.

Simple :)

Simple doesn't mean easy.

I've had some difficulties here and there, but I succeded after some attemps.

Now I'd like to know how to add some buttons at the end of the posts (you know... for sharing the content on google+, facebook or other social medias). I can do it!

And now?

I'm going to work on content.

I have to clear my mind about what to share here in my blog.

I can't simply think to speak about me and my creative journey when I have something interesting (in my opinion) to say.

It doesn't work.

I'd like this blog will be useful to other people.

What do you think? Your opinion is very welcome!

Please, let me know if you like the new look of the blog! Your opinion is very important to me!

You can write a comment also to leave a critique (negative, too, it's not a problem) or suggestions and new ideas!

Your comments are fuel for this blog!

To blog or not to blog?

To blog or not to blog?

This is the (oh so hard) question!

Weeks and weeks passed from my last post. 

No words written here since September 2015. 

Oh, yes, I worked a lot (as a teacher and tourist guide). It meant less free time. But I want to be honest with you, as usual: some time ago my blog started to bother me. 

No authentic comments by readers, but a lot of spam instead.

No more people who like my posts or decide to follow me.

Well, you know, nobody starts a blog to act a monologue. 

So I've abandoned it with a strong sense of failure in me, although I miss this precious little space of self-expression.

I started to ask me what is wrong with this blog and why people ignore it.

I couldn't find an answer. 

I was blind.

Then I started a new blog. 

A professional one. It is a support for my new job (tourist guide in Sicily, Italy). It's here.

Since being a tourist guide is my dream job (I'm not happy to be a teacher) and I wanted to have a beautiful and successfull blog, I've spent a lot of time reading websites and blogs with posts about blogging, personal branding, social media strategy, SEO and all the things a blogger should know before opening his/her personal space.

So I've understood: MadameRenard blog is really an awful place.

Its flaws?

Here is a list:

- not perfect english (this probably annoy readers)

- no idea about SEO's rules

- random contents about me, me and me... without interactions with other people

- no plans about what I want to communicate with people

- no idea about who my ideal readers are and what they would like to find here

- a very bad look, improvised in colours and graphic

And much more!

I've been so candid to think that I could simply write here and there, be honest and put some photos among the sentences to have audience.

Blogs don't work in this way. Now I know it!

And now? What to do? 

I miss this place where I can share with the world my creative journey and I feel like I need to go on writing.

But I have to refresh everything here!

A lot of work is waiting for me in case I'll decide to use this blog again!

A lot of questions are knocking on my mind... who are my readers? what they like to read? what colours and fonts are the best for my contents? italian, english, bilingual? where can I have a new banner? new pages under the banner? go on here on blogger or start a new blog on wordpress?

What do you think?

Have you answers or advices for me?

Please, leave me a comment, don't let me alone.