Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in.

Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in.
Al Pacino, The Godfather III

The Godfather I and II are on my list of all-time favorite movies. But I do love this quote from Godfather III. Even Silvio mimics the scene in The Sopranos (best TV series ever). Gosh, you are learning so much about me! But this post isn’t about my favorite movies and tv shows … it’s about building websites, believe or not.

Hey, where you been?

For the past 3 years, I’ve been on sabbatical from the web design field, except for managing a few low maintenance accounts. For the first year out, I focused on my freelance writing, which I continue to do. At the same time I began developing my own eCommerce websites: ScruffyPuppy.com, SchnauzerGear.com, Recovery-Gifts.com . Strangely enough, many people, after visiting my new online stores, would repeatedly to ask me “How much would you charge to make me one of those?”

For three years, my answer was always the same: I don’t do that anymore.

It’s such an odd feeling to say no. Especially when it basically means “No. I don’t want your money.” I mean, who says that? To my great surprise, people don’t like to take no for an answer, and they just kept right on asking. Eventually, they pulled me back in.

So, this year, I finally decided to stop saying NO. And I’ll be working on a new eCommerce site for a local design firm. I also will be welcoming back an old client, whose site I designed years ago. I’m flattered and pleased that this company returned and asked me to work for them again. I’m also glad about it, because the previous company slapped their company name on the credits for my design work! We’ll fix that, right quick, won’t we? I also have makeovers in the works to a few sites I designed several years ago. Time for a new look!

As you can see, it didn’t take long to get pulled back in. And I’m thrilled about it. I just love this stuff. Watch for lots of updates, over the next few months, about websites I’m working on.

On March 3, 1998, I officially launched my first website: Uno Mas Down Syndrome Online, an online support group. My original intent was that it would become a local support group for the Temecula Valley, but it quickly started attracting participants worldwide. Today, the website celebrates a decade online! And also marks ten years since my entry into the world of html. The site has undergone three transformations since the original design, two of which you can see here.

Happy Birthday, Uno Mas!


Uno Mas style at 5 years.

Most of my own websites serve as a testing ground for CMS (content management systems), shopping carts, and payment processing options. I’ve settled on a few favorite systems and now feel able to incorporate the software into sites that I build for my clients.

The Yorkie Gear website uses a CMS combined with a beautifully simple checkout. The combination is perfect for clients who want to update their own websites, and/or want to sell a limited number of products. It’s also perfect for businesses that already have a merchant account and would like to process credit card orders manually through their own terminal each day.

Have you visited the Farmer’s Market at the Temecula Promenade Mall? Be sure to keep an eye out for the Scruffy Puppy booth. Stop by and say hello. You’ll get a chance to see the exceptional quality of wonderful dog-lover gifts, up close and personal.

Here is a photo of our first effort at setting up a booth. It was a learning experience, to say the least. We learned we needed more tables, better displays, and a lot more endurance. The day was exhausting, but lots of fun. We plan to set up shop there every other Wednesday, so be sure and check our calendar … and then come on down and introduce yourself!

These 3 and 6 piece gift sets are currently available in 10 popular breeds:
Black Labrador
Beagle
Boxer
Chihuahua
Dachshund
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Scottish Terrier
Shih Tzu
Yorkie
The gift sets come packed in holiday tissue, ready for wrapping as one great gift, or use the items to fill up a stocking for the dog lover on your list. Add a few treats and scratch that name off your long list.
Larger gifts can also be ordered on Scruffy-Puppy.com, such as many fun doormats. One popular version is our “Home of the Loyal and Spoiled” breed specific line. This is a nice big gift to unwrap, but shipping is very affordable. ($6.50 via USPS Priority Mail).
More gift suggestions to come. Stay tuned … and don’t forget to gift a little something to your vet, dog groomer and pet sitter. I know just the place to find the right thing: www.ScruffyPuppy.com !

One of my favorite items is a beautiful 5-charm, silver-plated keychain, available in over 30 dog breeds. These unique keychains are so cool! They resemble a charm bracelet, with 4 dog lover charms plus a specific dog charm of your favorite breed.

Of course, I also carry each of those breeds in a Sterling Silver Charm for your charm bracelet. These charms are a substantial 7 grams of solid Sterling and are fully crafted in 3D … none of those puny, flat one-sided charms here. The back of the charm looks like the back of a dog. I also expect to be adding some handsome Pewter Dog Breed KeyRings for those who would like something less girly!

Scruffy Puppy can be found at www.ScruffyPuppy.com