a little housekeeping

So I have this idea that I would like to make enough with my creative work here that I can pay for our Internet service each month. This means that I need to make about $70 per month. So I've decided to do a little bit of housekeeping to implement a plan.
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photography stuff

I found out in my last giveaway there are actually people who would buy prints of my photos. I am open to selling prints of almost any photo that I post on this blog or on this girl, or that are found in my Daily Photo gallery.

I will start pricing as follows (cost includes shipping):

* 4x6 - $15 (2 for $25)

* 8x8 - $25 (2 for $45)

* 8x12 - $35 (2 for $60)

* other sizes will be priced on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to order a print, please email me your request, including your preferred size, a direct link to the photo (either click into the photo or right-click and copy image location), and your mailing address.

For those interested, I am still in talks and research about calendars and cards. If you find a photo you would definitely love to have in a greeting card and want to make an order, I'm willing to price it out on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE about freebies: I love to share my photos, but my business is entirely word-of-mouth. Anyone may use my photos for a desktop background so long as you tell people who took them. You can email links to my photos around so long as you give me credit for my work and send people back here. If you want to use a photo for something, just ask - like I said, I love to share, so long as you're willing to give me credit for my work! But please DO NOT make prints without my knowledge or permission. Unless you are family or a close friend (you know who you are!), please do not use or copy any photos of me or my family.
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web design stuff

It is probably obvious that I enjoy a bit of design work once in a while, whether it's template customization or customized headers. I have pretty much run off a charge system that says, "you pay me what you think it's worth."

The problem I'm running into is that I can put a LOT of time into something that someone doesn't always think is worth very much, and while I do enjoy it, I am coming to a place that I really need to set some prices and some specific ideas of what I can and will do.

I ran across a site the other day that had a wonderful fee schedule, and I decided that I needed to work one up for myself.

So from here out, my prices for Blogger blog customizations are as follows:

(Prices include the use of one image from stockXpert or my own Daily Photo gallery. Additional graphics will be priced according to stockxpert pricing.)

Basic Package (2-3 hours' work):

* Custom header
* Installation with template color matching

Cost: $50

Examples here and here.
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Mid-Level Package (3-4 hours' work):

* Custom header
* Installation with template color matching
* Coordinating button for site promotion
* Coordinating signature option

Cost: $75

Example here.
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Full Customization Package (5-10 hours' work):

* Custom header
* Custom background and template color matching
* Horizontal Navigation Bar
* Installation
* Coordinating button promoting your site
* Coordinating signature option

Cost: $120

NOTE: a 3rd column in Blogger is an additional $15.

Examples here, here, and here.
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And let's see, on a menu, they'd call these extra elements Sides:

* Custom header design (example) - $45
* Add 3rd column to Blogger blog with template modifications - $25
* Horizontal Navigation Bar (example) - $25
* Buttons (example) - starting at $15
* Signature - $15

If you are interested in any of the above, just email me, and I will let you know about how long it will be until I get to your design. When I am ready to start work, I'll send you a Paypal invoice (I have to figure this out!). I won't begin work until I receive payment in full.
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The reason I am doing this is to keep myself accountable for my time, because it is worth something to two very important people in my life. I don't have enough of it - we never do. I pour so much of myself into what I create, it is hard to put a price on it, because I just love doing it, and I love giving of myself to others. But I need to set these boundaries for myself so that I look clearly at my schedule and my energy and make a good use of my creative time so that my family time isn't taking second place because I don't know how to say no or set some limits for myself.

I guess we could look at it this way - now you actually know what I'm giving away when I do my Weekend Giveaways!