I’m excited to have just reached the landmark of having now built and designed 100 websites, by launching my latest site for Writer and Poet Ali Seegar.
I became a website builder and designer in 2010, when I cut my teeth on an eCommerce website called baffie, taking initial instruction from my husband Colin Usher, who has been involved with the web since the web began! Since then, I have continued to learn and grow on the job, and can now boast being a specialist in WordPress websites for creative self employed businesses and small companies.
I love my job as I get to look at beautiful images and work with like minded individuals all day long. Having started my professional life as an artist and luddite (!), I’m able to explain things simply and in a language my clients can understand, breaking the work into bite sized tasks, so they don’t feel overwhelmed by the (often daunting) challenge of how best to organise and present their work.
When I first met Julia at her wonderful writing retreat Studio Faire, I knew immediately she would be the right person to solve my dilemma of wanting to combine two different websites – one for my children’s novels, the other for my author profile – into a fresh modern site. By integrating my favourite colours with the font and illustrations from my children’s books she has managed to capture the essence of my personality as well as cleverly highlighting my various writing styles.
Working with Julia was simple and professional from our first conversation to her congratulatory email to say the site had gone live. I would highly recommended Julia’s work to anyone who is looking for help with a new website.
Julia from a magic far-away place managed to nurture my techno spirit into action…it was at times for me quite challenging… Slowly but surely through email, with clear direction, realistic deadlines and an abundance of patience Julia has designed and delivered a new lovely spanking clean and dandy website.
I came to this project all upset and stressed about my website but it’s been beyond easy, and I have you to thank for that! It’s like I handed you a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of a black puddle and you waved your magic wand and voila – a gorgeous website! I’m over the moon with it.
I’ve had the privilege of creating three very special sites for artists, now deceased. Working with their descendants, I created significant archival websites for Bill Scott, Milton Hebald and Tom Hutcheson. Three artists who I admire greatly and feel privileged to have been asked to create these tributes to their life and works.
In addition to the many artists, writers, musicians and creative organisations, I’ve been excited to work with Museums and Heritage Highland on their Highland Pictish Trail site, as well as with a number of health specialists (massage therapists, a chiropractor, a pilates instructor, a mental health nurse and storyteller and a life coach) and a gardener, marquee company and Christmas Tree grower!
Though I live in France, the majority of my clients live in the UK, America or Canada, and I thoroughly enjoy having this international connection, with chatting made simple through zoom and email. I really feel I get to know my clients during the process and long term friendships are formed. I do provide a training package once the site goes live, but many people choose to maintain my input, paying me a small annual retainer for regular health checks and updates. Who wants to be bothered with that when they could be spending time doing what they love the most instead?
To the past 100, I say a huge thank you to all of you have put their trust in me to design a website for you, which reflects your character and your work. Stay in touch!
To the future 100, I look forward to continuing to be contacted by fascinating and genuinely lovely people, interested in working with me to share their portfolios with the world.
THE FULL RUNDOWN
(It’s been 12 years…so some of these sites may not be quite as I left them! The grey ones no longer exist)
WEBSITES FOR ARTISTS, MAKERS, WRITERS & MUSICIANS
Alison Bell
Alistair Hall
Allan Watson
Allison Kingsbury
Amanda Adam
Andrea Geile
Anne Ryland
Bill Scott – Archival Website
Caroline Boyle
Catharine Davison
Catherine Sargeant
Christine Sloman
Christine Sparks
Christopher Wood
Claire Beattie
Constance Sommer
Davy Forsyth
Debbie Lee
Deborah Whitney
Diana Savova
Emma Buckmaster
Fiona Hutchison (2016 & redesign 2021)
Gemma Coyle
Ingrid Bell
Jane McKeating
Janet Melrose
Janine Partington
Jenny Pope
Joanna Kessel
Jude Nixon
Julia Douglas
Julia Gardiner
Julie Weaverling
Kenneth Dingwall
Kenneth Spence
Kevin Dagg
Kirsty Lorenz
Leena Nammari
Lillian Sizemore
Lorna Fraser
Maria Hayes
Marion Thomson (2014 & redesign 2021)
Matthew Draper
Milton Hebald – Archival Website
Morag Thomson Merriman
Olivia Irvine
Peter Selgin
Philippa Johnston
Philippa Sibert
Robbie Bushe
Ruth Thomas
Samantha Clark
Sarah Wyatt
Soosan Danesh
Su Grierson
Susan Bryson
Susan Castle
Susan Elsley (2016 & redesign 2023)
Tina Vanderwerf
Tom Hutcheson – Archival Website
Wendy Rolt
CREATIVE ORGANISATIONS
Art is Hell
Artist Book Group
Baffie
Barefooted Weaver
Central Scotland School of Jewellery
Cupar Arts Festival
Edinburgh Lace Course
Fife Dunfermline Printmakers Workshop
Jamieson & Gordon Ltd
Mariette Marty Architect
North Light Arts
Ruth Paton Theatre Designer
Serving House Books
Society of Scottish Artists
Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition
Sonic Bothy
The Sunshine Kitchen
Tony Marsh Photography (2015 & redesign 2020)
Under the Wing
Yellow Broom Product
WEBSITES FOR OTHERS
Angela Hahn – Massage Therapist
Anita Sauvage – Coach
Carers of West Lothian
Highland Pictish Trail
Jessica Wilson – Mental Health Nurse & Storyteller
Katie Bulmer – Chiropracter
Kirsty Harte – Pilates
Netherraw Forestry Ltd
Paul Church – Gardener
Purvis Marquees
Right on the Left
Sophie Snow – Massage Therapist
Steiner Teacher Training
Vivre in France
83 Agency