In the last two years I have been blessed with more requests for website and blog designs than this one woman design team can manage. Until cloning becomes a viable possibility, I’ve decided to occasionally showcase other trusted and talented WordPress designers I have known or come to know.
My VERY FIRST WordPress designer to showcase is Jessica of Very Designs. Jessica and I have been friends for nearly a decade now and have spent many a night hammering out design details, offering constructive criticism on each other’s work, and at times, working through projects together.
At Blogher ’07 Jessica and I wrote and taught a lab segment, “Taking your Blog to the Next Level”; many bloggers followed our steps to move from their web-hosted blogs to self-hosted WordPress blogs. In the last 3 years countless OMSH readers have “Ditched Their Blogging Training Wheels” using this same course.
A talented designer, Jessica creates templates for websites, blogs and shopping carts. In addition, she can boast a skill I have to hire out for – original illustrations. Jessica is an artist and her design work often includes custom digital illustrations.
And?
She’s absolutely, 100% adorable.
If you’re looking for fresh, custom illustrations, website designs, or a WordPress blog theme, consider Jessica at Very Designs.
11 Comments
Natalie VV
I want to go to there :: The Next Level!
BeachMama
Look how sweet you are, not enough people share the wealth so to speak. Jessica seems equally as talented as you are. Will you be doing another Blogher presentation this year?
Lisa
Very Designs is a very lovely website and I really like her fresh, modern approach to her designs.
Laurie
Great stuff! Question? When ever I click one of your links, it totally redirects me to a new page/site. For instance, what if when I click on Sonlight–it would actually open a new tab and leave your site on the original tab??
OMSH
Laurie, I purposely do not add “_blank” target tags to my links because I personally think it lacks “netiquette”.
I don’t like it when I run into that experience on others’ sites – it is as if the site owner is trying to control my experience by making choices for me I should be allowed to make for myself.
I want to allow people to make their own choice. A simple “right click” (PC) or “ctrl click” (Mac) will allow you (or any other visitor) to open a link in a new tab. The choice is yours! :)
Laurie
Thanks for the info! I didn’t realize that I had so much control :) You are very helpful!
Stephanie
I love the design you’ve done on ThePioneerWoman.com! I am new to setting up a WordPress blog (I’m in the process of migrating from Blogger). I’d like to know what plugin you’re using for the slideshow she has running showing her current posts.
Thanks!
Ellen (CountryWifeCityMom)
Very Fresh looks! And it’s great that you are supporting another woman’s business. We need to stick together!
QUESTION: When you did Ree Drummond’s PW site, did you create the art work or use clip art?
Jessica IS absolutely adorable.
Olga Oliver
I need educating. What is the difference in web site and blogging site? I am a writer working on my first novel and have learned that I need a site. However, I keep putting off getting into the process, but know I must. Would appreciate knowing what the differences are in the two sites.
Many thanks.
Olga Oliver
OMSH
Olga – Good question! There are few static personal websites these days because people publish (change their content) daily, weekly, or monthly. They want an easier interface (platform) to make changes and have them self-publish without having to learn html or hire a webmaster.
A blog is an online journal – it “publishes” posts you write on a regular basis and it allows you to easily categorize and archive them.
A website may be built on a blogging platform, but when the word website is used to mean “static” – it means the content rarely changes.
If you are going to write about your writing process (or anything else) on a regular basis…you need a blog. :)
Olga Oliver
OMSH – thanks for your informative reply. I looked into your portfolio – beautiful work. Love the Buttercup Farm.
Thanks again.
Olga