Misty Travel - Delaware Travel Agent Website Launched

Super excited to finally release Misty-Travel's new logo and website. Still in development, but up and running!

www.misty-travel.com

New website launched!

We're happy to announce the new Tom Spadea logo and website. Check it out...

www.tomspadea.com

A Shabby Chic Christmas

Alices Looking Glass has to be one of the most gorgeous Etsy shops I've stumbled upon this year. Totally feminine and beautifully crafted, this shop has everything you need for a shabby chic Christmas.

Photos by AlicesLookingGlass, used with Permission, designed by teakettica.

Swing by her shop and bath in the stunning shades of beige and light pinks. 

Nina Simone & Night Owl Tea

Blue skies, cool weather, and splendid colors means autumn is in full force. Here are just a few of my favorite things I'm enjoying in preparation for the holidays. Really digging Nina Simone's I Put a Spell on You as well as my highly caffeinated Night Owl Tea (with honey).

What inspires you this autumn?

No more Arial, Georgia, or Times New Roman!

That's right, guys - you aren't stuck with Arial or Times New Roman anymore. We've implemented font-face technology into our website which allows you to download a particular font from your server to render a webpage if the user hasn't got that font installed. This means that web designers will no longer have to adhere to a particular set of "web safe" fonts that the user has pre-installed on their computer.

Great news, right?!

Our site features Droid Serif — made by Google Android. Check it out on our site and download it for free @ Font Squirrel.
www.teakettica.com

Read more about font-face technology @ www.font-face.com.

September in Virginia

As promised, here are the photos from our vacation to VA this month. We stayed at Skyland Resort, 3750 feet up. I completely unplugged and it was oh-so-fabulous. The only source of entertainment in the evening was the mountain tap room with life bluegrass. The temperature in the mountains ranged from 50 to 85 degrees, beautiful sunrises to breathtaking sunsets. From Natural Bridge, Luray Caverns, to Shenandoah Vineyards, it was truly an awesome time.

From top left to right: View from our cabin at sunset, Luray Caverns
(dream lake), Black-Eyed Susan on Skyline Dr, View from Betsy's Rock,
Natural Bridge

Photos and layouts by teakettica

From top left to right: View from Stonyman Point, Trail at Natural Bridge,
Shenandoah Vineyards, Me and the Husband, wax figures during the tour of the
Natural Bridge Wax Museum

A trip he can't possibly refuse

This is what happens when you put Wine, Frank Cappola, and The Godfather all in one design.

Okay. This is a blatant attempt to get my husband, who isn't the biggest wine fan, on board to visit a vineyard while we're on vacation in Shenandoah Valley, VA.

So, I did what any woman would do. I created a featured design with Wine, Frank Cappola and his lovely vineyards, and pictures of The Godfather.

Now, he can't possibly refuse...

designed by teakettica

Queens Closet by Richard Cleaver

I am completely excited about this piece from the Delaware Art Museum: The Queens Closet by Richard Cleaver. I have always been a huge Tudor buff and this has got to be the coolest thing I've ever seen.

Fascinated with history this artist creates elaborate cabinets to capture the lives and secrets of historical figures. King Henry VIII, famous for beheading his wives when they failed to produce a male heir, reveals portraits of his six wives when compartments are opened.

Pictures courtesy of Debsteinberg; Designed by teakettica


Medium: Mixed media (ceramic, wood, and beads)
Creation Date: 1995

New website launch!

Delaware Real Estate Girl - New website Launch

Check it out...

www.delawarerealestategirl.com

Trip to Terrain

Terrain was so incredibly amazing I have to share with you some photos that were taken (as well as my new favorite things). As my husband would say, this place preys on women, especially the crafty, nature-loving sort. Consider me one of them... also a huge thank you to my friend Joy for getting us there in the rain.

Photos & design by teakettica

My new favorite tea cup and hand soap.

Boulder Mugs - $10 (Photo Courtesy of Terrain)

Terrace Wrapped Olive Soap (Photo Courtesy of Terrain)

Save the Whales

For my whale lover clients and friends — feeling especially inspired to save the whales by donning this amazing whale dress.

Want to help Save the Whales? Check out this Letter Writing Campaign sponsored by www.savethewhales.org.

Designed by teakettica - credits: 

Blue whales on the surface - Credit: Dan Shapiro - NOAA, Killer Whale earrings, Whale dress

For more information on what actions you can take to help marine life, visit: www.savethewhales.org

I ♥ Tea

A little inspiration for my tea-loving friends. I love these adorable teapots from Christine Misiak and the submarine tea infuser by Scott Beale is even more awesome.

Designed by teakettica. Photos courtesy of Laughing Squid, Tea Brewery, and Dezeen.

Just a few of my favorite things

As we're getting closer and closer to buying a house, I can't help but feel inspired by modern Italian design. These are just a few of my favorite things...

• Amazing textures and patterns
• A beautiful, airy room
• Gorgeous views
• Everything green and leafy - with a modern twist
• Punchy colors

Designed by teakettica, individual photos copyrights of original artists.

New business cards!

I'm so excited! My new business cards finally arrived today. I'm really digging the rounded edges...

Website Launch for ex Dallas Cowboy, Erik Williams

teakettica is super excited to announce that e-daptive media just launched the website for ex Dallas Cowboy Erik Williams, Erik Williams Foundation, a project we had the honor to help produce.

Check it out...

www.erikwilliamsfoundation.org

Shenandoah Valley, here we come.

When I was a kid, our parents used to take us on vacation to Virginia, typically the Shenandoah Valley / Skyline Drive area. I have a ton of fond memories (including my sister and I marking our territories in the back seats of my dad's super tiny truck. It was awesome when they finally got the mini van.)

Sometime this year, the husband and I are off to revisit! I really want to share with him the awesome times had at the wax museum, Lurray Caverns, and the Natural Bridge!

Tell us about your past and future vacations! Any great plans?

Four Websites Launched in Four Days!

Holy Cow!

We've just had an uber productive week and we're happy to announce our fourth website not only launched this week, but our fourth website within four consecutive days! Our newest launch is Christiana Spine Center.

The Christiana Spine Center is a widely respected group of board-certified and fellowship-trained Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, and Orthopedic Spine surgeons serving New Castle, Cecil, Delaware and Chester counties.


Check them out!

www.christianaspinecenter.com

You've got to be kidding?!

We kid you not; we just launched a third website in three days.

Artworks & Metalworks is over 10 years old and actively promotes local artists of superb quality. Located in the quaint borough of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, they draw most of their artists from the rolling hills and villages of Southern Chester County and Northern Delaware. The mix of history, agriculture, industry, horse farms, and mushroom houses provides a hot house environment for a plethora of artists in all mediums.

Take a peek and let us know what you think!

www.art2luv.com

Launching Party!

We are jazzed to announce that e-daptive media just launched another website we helped produce, The Wilson Law Firm.  It's a launching party!

Check it out...

www.wilsonfirmllc.com

Check out the launch of Actor Jamie Johnston's Redesign, launched 6/14/10.

Actor Jamie Johnston Website Redesign

teakettica is thrilled to announce that e-daptive media just launched the redesign for Canadian Actor Jamie Johnston, www.jamiejohnston.com, a project we had the honor to help produce.

Check it out...

www.jamiejohnston.com

Vintage Beach

I love the colors wheat and teal in this vintage beach composite.

Why we present one concept instead of several

When I'm not designing for my clients, I'm talking shop with my design posse, the Motley Design Crue. One of my twitter buddies, @sarahcamp, sent us a link to an article featured on intuitivedesigns.net on why we present one initial web concept as opposed to several. It's a really good read.

We're not being lazy — honest. There is a reason why we only want to present one main design concept.

I definitely recommend you check out this article written by Naomi Niles — Hit me with your best shot: Why we present one concept instead of several.

Just a few highlights: 

1. Time and Cost Savings: We want to make sure that the website provides a good return on investment and wasting precious time and resources
2. Avoiding sub-par solutions: In our eyes, when we work on several design concepts, there is one that is always clearly the strongest solution.
3. Avoiding Frankenstein solutions:  The natural reaction is to pick and choose one thing from one concept and another thing from another and so on. This ends up creating a final solution that doesn’t have the original impact and is also not totally cohesive.

Read the full article here.

Have questions or want to get a quote? Contact me.

Lavender & Bluebells

Inspired by this hot spring: lovely photos of lavender of bluebells. Summer isn't too far off.

Photos by David Clapp, Kane Cunningham,

Another Site Launched

teakettica is happy to announce that e-daptive media just launched www.merrittservices.com, another project we had the honor to help produce.

Check it out...

www.merrittservices.com

I ♥ Retro

One of my clients asked me to do a retro-style logo and web site and my answer was heck yeah! Sometimes I think that I was born in the wrong decade because I absolutely ♥ this style.

Hatched!

After only a couple of weeks, the birds have come out to play; I can't believe how pink and fluffy they are!

Check out the previous post on the nest's discovery

I thought Easter was over?

So it just occurred to me that it's April and I STILL have the winter wreath on the front door. But wait — it gets better.

I'm one of those people who insists on putting up the Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving. By the time the holiday rolls around, my floor is covered in needles and the tree is out the door before New Years even rolls around. However, for some reason this year, I neglected to take down the wreath until just a week ago, every time we approached the front door a bird would come tearing out of it.

I was pretty sure the birds were pulling the twine from our wreath to build a nest somewhere. But wait — it gets even better.

I went to take it down, and to my surprise, a bird had built a nest directly in the wreath, tucked back in the left hand corner.

But wait — it gets even BETTER:

I guess that wreath definitely won't be coming down for a while...

Walk for MS

teakettica has registered for the National MS Society Walk Event on April 17th at the Wilmington Riverfront. I will also be there with Creative Image Associates. Please feel free to donate for the cause or come out and walk!




Why We Fight MS

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may not be able to walk when you wake up. Or that you may suddenly have impaired vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

Why I Walk

I've registered for the MS Walk because I want to do something for the people who have been diagnosed - and because I want to do everything to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease. Today, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, and with a diagnosis occurring most frequently between the ages of 20 and 50, many individuals face a lifetime filled with unpredictability.

Why You Should Sponsor Us

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will use funds collected from the MS Walk to not only support research for a cure tomorrow, but also to provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS today. Because we choose to walk for those who sometimes can't, because we choose to donate to the MS Walk, we are getting closer to the hour when no one will have to hear the words, "You have MS."

New Website Launch!

teakettica is happy to announce that e-daptive media just launched www.betterhomescontractors.com, a project we had the honor to help produce.

Check it out...
 

 www.betterhomescontractors.com

Business Cards — More Than Just Contact Information

Business cards are more than just contact information; they are a marketing piece that leaves an impression. Give me a ring to discuss just what you can do with them. 


Some great ideas:

Images Courtesy of Logo Designer Blog

See more at Logo Designer Blog: 400+ Creative Business Card Designs

1 Year Anniversary

We are totally jazzed! As of February 27, 2010, teakettica web & graphic design studio had it's very first birthday.

Thanks so much to all our clients, partners, and friends for their support and business. Here's to an exciting and creative 2010!

teakettica (pronounced tee-ket-icka) is a woman-owned business, led by Jane Clark (left), a graphic designer with over 10 years experience, a strong photography background, and a passion for tea. We specialize in website design, graphic design, and company branding.

Servicing: Elkton, Maryland (MD), Newark, Delaware (DE), Bear, Delaware (DE), Wilmington Delaware (DE), New Castle Delaware (DE)

Need a website, company branding, or graphic design work? Contact us here.

Beware of scammers

My client brought this Asian domain name scan to my attention this morning. Emails like this (bottom)certainly catch you off guard. The scammers are getting smarter and smarter.

Upon first inspection this actually appears somewhat legit, but there are a few factors that prevents me from replying - like it is:

• No company name
• web url in signature does not work
• What registrar actually researches domains in the name of company branding and turns down sales? None!

After 5 minutes more research we discovered it was definitely a scam. Take a look at the link below:
http://tim.safitech.com/2008/07/asian-domain-name-fraud-warning/

If you want to protect against scammers, talk to me or your web designer about private registration.


Here is the original email:

(If you are NOT CEO,please forward this to your CEO, because this is very urgent.)

 Dear CEO,

We are the department of Asian Domain registration service in china, have something to confirm with you. We formally received an application on February 22. 2010,one company which self-styled "Fed Investments Co., Ltd" were applying to register "yourdomainname" as Network Brand and following domain names:

yourdomainname.asia
yourdomainname.cn
yourdomainname.com.cn
yourdomainname.com.hk
yourdomainname.com.tw
yourdomainname.hk
yourdomainname.in
yourdomainname.net.cn
yourdomainname.org.cn
yourdomainname.tw

 After our initial checking, we found the brand name were similar to yours, so we need to check with you whether you has authorized that company to register these names. If you authorized this, we will finish the registration at once. If you did not authorize, please let us know within 7 workdays, so that we will handle this issue better. Out of the time limit we will unconditionally finish the registration for "Fed Investments Co., Ltd".

Best Regards,

Nicholas Lee

Senior Consultant

Room520,Unit A,International Shoes City,No.1775 CaoAnRoad,Jiading District,Shanghai,China

 Postal Code: 201824

Tel : +86-21-69106-991
Fax : +86-21-69106-670

P Please consider the environment before you print this e-mail.

Anthem Blue Cross Raising Rates Up to 39%

We hear all the time about rising health care costs, but this really takes the cake.

I believe in free enterprise. Everyone has the right to make a profit. However, to raise rates this high in a time of financial turmoil should be no more legal than the price of goods raising in a time of crisis. (Think Katrina)

Blue Cross has just announced that it's immediately raising premiums charged to hundreds of thousands of individual customers by as much as 39% -- even though their parent company's profits soared to a record $4.7 billion last year.

Even worse, the insurer has so far refused to explain why they're increasing their rates, and warned that they might do so again this year without warning. I wonder how the CEO can sleep at night raising rates this high in a time of financial turmoil.

The Obama administration is demanding answers from Anthem Blue Cross, and Congress has opened an investigation. But Blue Cross is only going to respond if this story becomes a major public-relations problem for them.

So it's time to turn up the heat. I just signed a petition calling for an explanation from Blue Cross -- will you join me? Click here to sign the Anthem Blue Cross Petition.

Thanks!

-teakettica

Designers! Get over your hate of IE

I get into this a lot. Is Internet Explorer terrible? Truthfully, it's irrelevant — it's the #1 browser.

I get into debates on whether or not it's even the #1 browser. I say yes, according to Wikipedia and a lot of other sources. Some swear by w3schools.com, like my twitter buddy @pissmeoffand, (after all, it does come up #1 on Google. coincidence... probably not), but if you look in the fine print, it states: These statistics are based on W3Schools users.

Wikipedia takes the data from 6 reliable stat services. There is a discrepancy between the two sites, but honestly, I'm more inclined to go with the majority on this one, and all say that IE leads by quite a bit. Some designers are down right shocked that IE is the #1 browser. Why? It's been that way for over 5 years and Windows is still the best selling OS out there, of which IE is packaged.

So, it's probable that w3schools.com stats don't match the others because a lot of developers do in fact hate IE. Again, totally moot.

But, for the sake of conversation, let's assume w3schools.com is right and that IE is the #2 browser.

If you're a front or back end developer, and you don't design for the #2 browser, and yes, I've seen sites simply not work at all, you're alienating almost 40% of users. This isn't good for your client's SEO and their users certainly can't get their information. Of course, if you're targeting designers and you know that most of them are on Firefox, you may be able to get away without optimizing for IE.

Honestly, it's a mistake either way. If you hate IE, get over it. This is business; it's not personal. Design for your client's target audience and be sure your design can be viewed decently across all the major browsers.

Happy designing!

Simplify

Here are a few of my favorite quotes of all time, from Henry David Thoreau:

"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend."
~ Henry David Thoreau

"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something."
~ Henry David Thoreau

"Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify."
~ Henry David Thoreau

I think the last one is my favorite of all time, and absolutely applies to design of all types.

Simplify.

New website launched: Interiors Revisited, servicing areas in and around Newark and Wilmington Delaware

We launched a new website today for an interior design company, Interiors Revisited. It was such a pleasure!

www.interiorsrevisited.com

With matching business cards to boot!