Chocolate Cactus Designs

Calling all barterers - need blog help!!

Okay, so I am tired of trying to find the time (and patience!) to do this myself, so I am in need of a little barter with someone.

I am wanting to go to a blogsite and am hoping to eliminate the website all together if I can get the blog to showcase things the way I'm hoping.  :)

Do you customize blogs?  (I have a Wordpress account, so we can use that or something else - want to get away from Typepad if possible)  Are you good at taking a design and implementing it onto a blog and/or on the web?  Want something designed by me in exchange?  Great!  I am wanting something customized more than just a few color changes (ha) - something that will pull my (new) brand into it - clean, sleek yet modern and non-cluttered.

Email me and show me some blogs you have done and we can chat more about it!  Email: jodi -at- chocolatecactus.com  

I am hoping to get this started asap.  Thanks in advance!

One smokin' inbox!

Just wanted to share a screen cap of my email.  And to think I just cleared out the inbox a little over 2 weeks ago (!!!).  Now you know why I am not always able to get back immediately!  I average 100-/+ per day - the ones blurred out are just *part* of the ones I received overnight and today.  OY!  I swear I am going to hire someone to only answer emails!

Commiserate with me.... Wahhhh!

The Logo Vault is back!

So I am a little behind on getting the next round posted, but alas, here they are!

As said before, each month I will take several logo designs that I have created (that were not chosen) and place them for sale. They need good homes too, you know.  J  These are essentially concepts that were presented that clients didn't choose, but that may work for others.  While I am a huge advocate for custom design, I realize that part of my audience is photographers who are eier just starting their businesses, or ones who simply may not be able to swing the cost of a custom logo just yet. 

Here's how it works:

The design will remain intact, and after choosing the one you want, you will tell me what text to place within the design (you will change the color according to your likes). All of the logo files will come to you as they do to all my other clients. You will get two files, a layered psd file (Photoshop raster file), and an ai file (Illustrator vector file) as well as easy peasy color change instructions.

That's it! Easy! No waiting for concepts, no questionnaire to fill out. These sell for $200.

Here's the scoop - they are numbered, so if you see one you want, email me at jodi@chocolatecactus.com with the number you’re interested in to confirm availability.  They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.  When a logo is sold, I will post it on my blog to let everyone know.  J After I confirm with you that a design is still available via email, I will ask for the info you'd like in your design and will then give you the PayPal email address to submit payment to. Once received, the design files will be sent out!  Easy as pie.

Happy logo shopping!

Memorial Day MADNESS sale... 24 hours only!

I was asked to extend this, so here you go!  Special ends in 48 hours on midnight, Friday May 30th!

Yes, I must have gone mad... (grin)

For 24 hours only (ending Tuesday night at midnight), I am offering The Whole Cactus for $300 off the regular price - that's almost half!  So, for only $500, you will receive:

L O G O   D E S I G N 

(3 concepts and 2 revisions)

B U S I N E S S   C A R D   D E S I G N

(one or two sided, unique sized design at no additional cost)

And your choice of one of the following:

S T A T I O N E R Y   D  E S I G N

(letterhead/envelope combo) 

G I F T   C E R T I F I C A T E   D E S I G N

(any size) 

S P L A S H   P A G E   D E S I G N

(unlimited portals)

Just a few samples:

That's a lot of goods!  This is only open to the first TWO PEOPLE who email me, so get it while you can!

As if that wasn't enough....  All templates are HALF OFF!  Again, this will end at midnight tomorrow (Tuesday) night!

Also, the Vault logos for May are late (obviously!) due to me getting a ton of work done for my clients.  I will be releasing the new Vault (with a few carry-overs from last month) which includes a lot of new ones as well. Keep your eyes peeled!

Have a great Memorial Day and enjoy your barbeque with beer, iced tea, mixed bevs - whatever makes you happy!

And the winner is.....

Congratulations KELLY ELLISON!! You are the big winner! :o) And congrats to Terry McCaig as well as she receives a gift voucher of $100 to use towards any design service I offer, plus a free set of templates!

Thanks to all you for the amazing heartfelt entries - I was touched by every single one of them. If I had a few more brains and about 3 more sets of hands, I would have taken every one of you!

Remember, I am going to try to hold a contest like this once every couple of months, so keep your eyes peeled!

Fly me to the moon

...or not!

Just a reminder that I will be flying out Friday (tomorrow) afternoon for a business trip as mentioned in an earlier post. Because of this, I will be unavailable tomorrow and will not have access to email. All emails will be answered on Monday.

I am working today, so I am trying to get as much done as I can before leaving (files sent, emails, etc.).

Thanks much!

Know someone who's worthy of a logo?

Okay, so something else new created from my worn little brain...

Periodically, I will hold this contest to allow folks to vote for someone to receive a pro bono (read: FREE) logo.

Do you know someone who needs a new logo? Someone who just started their business maybe? Someone who is in desperate need of an identity overhaul? Vote for them, and they may just win, and you could get lucky, too!

How it works:

- Leave a comment stating who you believe is worthy of a logo, and most importantly WHY. Doesn't have to be a sappy story, just tell me why! Let's keep it fairly short.

- Be sure to include YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! Sorry, but those without email addresses will not be included.

- When the winner is chosen by a random drawing (www.random.org), you will be contacted. I need to hear back from you within 2 days, or it will go to someone else using a random drawing.

- The person that nominated the winner will also receive some goods. They will receive one FREE set of templates, as well as a $100 gift voucher to use on any design service I offer (logos, business cards, blog header, splash pages, etc., etc.).

- You may not nominate yourself! Let's keep with the spirit of giving folks. :o)

- A person cannot be nominated more than once - let's keep it fair! Any duplicate entries will be deleted.

Do it fast - this contest will stop accepting entries on Monday, May 12th! Winner will be chosen Tuesday, May 13th.

Rules and all that jazz:

Winner will receive 2 concepts and 3 revisions based off the questionnaire sent to them. They will receive their logo in both layered Photoshop .psd and also the vector (Illustrator) .ai file.

Winner agrees to all terms and policies as stated on my site.

Gift voucher presented to the nominating person does not have to be used, but if used, must be within 30 days of contest end.

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Whew! It has been a crazy busy few weeks for me. As always, you all are keeping me on my toes (which is a good thing!). I am finishing a lot of things up this week, so if you are expecting something from me, you just may have it in your inbox before the weeks end.

Also, I am not going to be in the office Friday due to a business trip I'm taking. Which brings me to...

Some changes will likely take place starting next week. Fewer clients per month mostly, so that I can dedicate more time to each client, and also to other ventures. Chocolate Cactus isn't going anywhere, so don't worry!

Another change is my offering consulting services. Over the years, I have been asked by numerous clients and friends if I would offer these types of services geared towards marketing and branding their photography businesses. The answer (after years of thinking on it) is yes! As most services offered, this will be on a VERY limited basis (2 clients per month). These include (but certainly aren't limited to): helping with business name creation, consulting on branding and identity creation and implementation, marketing that new brand, etc. For more information, feel free to email me.

So there's my quickie update! More later; Illustrator beckons.... :o)

Just a little reminder

Just a quick reminder that as it states on my site, please allow up to 2-3 business days to receive email replies. While I try to reply right away, or even the same day, it's not always possible due to the extremely high volume I receive daily. My email response times have been a little slower than usual (and I appreciate your patience), but know that I WILL reply. Also, my business hours are Monday-Friday, 9-5 (I do not work weekends unless trying to make deadlines).

Thanks for taking note!

Jodi

All templates - buy one, get one FREE

For the next 48 hours, buy any set of templates, get the second set FREE! (Equal or lesser value) Actions ARE included!