Author |
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 9:15 pm
Thanks, Eggie, Lum, Mocha, Gilda and Jujutraveldawg! So nice of you. Recuperating today--from the drive and class yesterday! Whew! I've added another client (thru Fetch)--for just a one-dayer--on May 24, which is a Saturday. The woman has one cat named Mommasita, 2 strays she feeds named Milton and Mable and has bird feeding stations she wants filled, too. Well, I guess I this means I will get reacquainted with cats, huh? (Haven't been around cats for about 25 years!) Sure hope they take to me. I left a vm message (at Fetch owner's request) for the owner--to make an appt so I can see the setup and meet the owner and the kitties. Kinda freaks me out that they are 'feral' cats. But I see they are seen by a vet, so I guess they are healthy. Also . . . my web designer, Gene, (also doing my logo) sent me some rough drafts tonight! Sharing them here for you comments. I like #1 and #2 and would like to add some color somewhere. (Gene said that himself, too.) Other than that, I think I'd like him to add a parrot or something to #1--perhaps on the nanny's head or shoulder. And perhaps change the big dog to one more like Hercky. Won't worry about the rest. I do like these alot!! #1 #2 # 3 Gene says they will be vector files rather than pixels. Which he says means they save as pdf files and that means they can be stretched to any size without losing resolution. Cool! Remember these are rough drafts only. So feel free to make comments/suggestions! I'd welcome your feedback! I need to settle on one and then give him my comments.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 9:22 pm
Uh, Juju, live and learn!!! Hee hee. I CAN teach an old dawg new tricks!
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 9:41 pm
I like the first one best! 
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Gilda
Member
08-21-2006
| Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 4:06 am
#1 is a great card..bird on the shoulder sounds like a good idea..perhaps your face on the nanny & a photo of Herkie on the card downsized of course.....also I was thinking of a pseudo name for you.... HP Poppins...LOL
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Lumbele
Moderator
07-12-2002
| Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 6:28 am
The first one, I think. Maybe a smaller dog and a rabbit or hamster (in a wheel) to indicate you'll look after just about anything, not just cats and dogs. There might not be enough room to put that bird on the nanny's shoulder, but plenty on the arm/hand holding the umbrealla.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 6:40 am
Thanks, MB, I do, too. Gilda, I love the pseudo name idea! And yes, the first is rather large for a standard logo, isn't it? Gene and I were talking about the usefulness of the second, in that just the suitcase with the name could work in small places. I still think I'd like to see one as I'd first envisioned it: with just the ruffle of the skirt and animals peeking out, with an umbrella in there somewhere. Hate to ask him to do yet another, but I would really like to see that. I think it would reduce the size of the logo somewhat and capture the essence of the 'protectiveness' I wanted to convey. We'll see, though. Still thinking. On another topic: I was bidding on an Elance article last night (Elance is the freelance writing site I use to bring in a little money. I am a "provider" (writer). "Buyers" are small business people who need sales letters, flyers, articles, proofing, editing, dotcom names, etc. Anyway, one that drew my attention was a buyer who wanted articles for his "dog niche" site. I quickly wrote a couple of articles so he could see how I handled the assignment. He sent me a message, explaining it was a dog training blog and he wanted articles about dog training. Heh. None of my dogs were really 'trained.' So I am not the best one to offer advice. (Course I can read and then write an article about anything.) The American Red Cross volunteer (who taught my Pet First Aid class) and I had done some talking while waiting for the other for class members to show, and during that conversation I learned she also does agility training. I asked her all kinds of questions about training, as I am interested in picking up anything that might help with my business. Turns out she uses the "clicker technique" and highly recommends it. So, I read up on the technique and really like the method (which uses positive reinforcement to teach your dog to learn--and you phase out the clicker by simultaneously using either hand or voice signals during training). I decided I am going to try it on the two dogs I watch--and on my hubby (minus the clicker in his case)! Hahahahaha! I'll let you know how it goes. Summarized, you reward the animal (or human) each time it (or he) does something you want to reinforce. You can use food or praise or a good scratch, etc. But typically, it is a special treat (or up to 5 types of treats) that you reserve just for training. Ones that go ga-ga for. You click each time they START to do the behavior you want--and give a reward every single time they follow through. There are lots of YouTubes (such as: http://tinyurl.com/55ypwc) out there demonstrating the approach--really cute!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 6:49 am
Hey, good idea, Lum. Makes a lot of sense. I'll give him that idea! Gotta start getting ready for my pet sitting now. Talk to you later!
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, April 25, 2008 - 3:01 am
Hmmmm, I wonder if that "clicker technique" was what got this little guy doing his routine? It's a hoot! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txq_BogA1NM&NR=1 mouse agility II my clever little mouse "brain storm" on a very difficult course.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Friday, April 25, 2008 - 10:55 pm
How adorable, Bisc! Loved it. Bet they did, but man, oh man, that must have taken forever for him to know which barrier to move to next. Amazing! (Uh, did you notice the little poopies all over the table? Ugh!) I emailed Gene about my concerns about the logo. After looking at it, I knew it wasn't what I was after. Too heavy. Too formal. As a result, rather cold. I want it to feel warm and friendly. Plus the other issues I already mentioned--didn't care for the dog silhouette (too fierce); need a bird; and need another animal (mouse sniffing, gerbil in wheel, goldfish in bowl, or something). I logged onto Elance and went to the graphic artists section, and wow! I invited 15 artist to give me a bid on creating a logo for me. I did share this with Gene, attaching several logos to give him a better idea of what I was after--and asking him if he could do that. I suggested that if he couldn't readily do that, I wouldn't adjust his price (downward), but perhaps using a graphic artist would free him up to concentrate solely on the web design, etc. Anyway, wanted to share some of the artwork and bids (for 3 concepts--1 of which will be to carry out my idea (noted above); my selection of 1 with the right to revisions; ownership of art; and files provided--in resizable formats--for the media I need.) I got bids from $50 (so far) all the way up to $385. I'll share some of their existing work from their portfolios here because it is amazing! (Placing it here is helping me decide. I have 5 more days to decide. And I don't HAVE to go through with it--nothing forces me to do so. But I'd sure like to use one of these artists! 1.    Goodup/Fireinspiration-China: $129 for 4 concepts 2.  From 7StarStudio-Russia: $139 for 5 concepts 3.   BrandOne-India: no response yet 4.
  ClassicReappear-China: $150 for 5 concepts 5.   Crea8iveDesign-United Arab Republic: no response yet 6.
   Guy Smalley-North Carolina--my favorite, but the most expensive: $385 for 3 concepts (he bases it on the number of figures in the graphic and the multiple uses plus lettering. Perhaps if I cut out one animal, I can afford him. Here's more of his work, which I think is fabulous:
   7.  Clockwork Studios-Argentina: no response yet. And do NOT ask me what kind of company that last logo represents. I have no idea! LOL! I like these a lot, too, because the images are clean and sharp. 8.   DarceyJane-DarknessFallsDesigns-Oregon: no response yet 9.   Enyotic-Canada: no response yet 10.   estroili-roodlecat-Florida: no response yet. Very cute! I like the dogs with attitude! 11.   FyreDesign-Indiana: $175 for 3 concepts. These really pop, don't they? 12.   KohlDesigns-Virginia: no response yet 13.   LBGraphics-Canada: no response yet. This gal is really talented, too. Love her work. 14.   Stanbury-Great Britain: $168 for 3 concepts. I think this artist is my second favorite. 15.  WebDesignsGuru-India: $85 for 4-6 concepts! Wow. This one's a bargain, I think. 16.   Dezainer2002-DiscountDesigning-Pakistan: no response yet 17.   Logocat-Massachusetts: $130--3 concepts 18.   Panjisuh-Indonesia: $199--4 concepts. 19.  Joyce Clarkson-Diverse Design Studio-PA: no response yet. Only problem I have is that I don't see a logo format. 20.   silverstonecis-South Africa: no response yet 21.   Steve Soto-California: $198- 3 concepts 22.   Visual Persuasion-Indiana: $125 for 3 concepts. Cool, huh? This is fun!!!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Friday, April 25, 2008 - 11:16 pm
Oh, the reason there are more than 15 (the number I invited to bid) is that I didn't close it off to other bidders. So some of these came in on their own to bid on the job. The $50 one didn't have anything to show that he could handle what I am looking for. Really nice guy, though. There were a couple others like that, too.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 8:27 am
Clockwork Studios bid came in at $150. Nothing more from rest yet.
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Lumbele
Moderator
07-12-2002
| Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 11:04 am
HP, I like the whimsy and humour of the 6, 8, 9, and 10 artists. Probably doesn't help, just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 12:11 pm
Thanks, Lum. That's exactly what I want! 
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 12:23 pm
HP, # 14 is my fave. I like the poochie with the spectacles very much, and Moosie Moose just pops! (Stanbury England)
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 12:40 pm
I love them, too, MB. I so envy everyone's talent!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, May 05, 2008 - 8:44 pm
First draft concept logos from (1) Gene (my son's friend) who is also working on my website--he produced two; and (2) Etiziano (actually, his name is Vitaly) from the Ukraine ($50). 1.  2. I told Gene I liked the one with the striped leggings. And I asked him to fix the name (add "The") and make the dog look a little more like Hercky--border-collie-ish. I asked Vitaly to have the cat and bird smile a little and to have the nanny more than just representational. So both are in progress/refinement. I am very, very busy, which is why I haven't visited. I have 3 more pet sitting clients. Finished up 3 writing assignments for Elance and am working on another. My life is atwirl. Champing at the bit to drop Fetch and start my own business. Waiting for those logos so I can print up what I need to market properly.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, May 05, 2008 - 8:56 pm
I whittled Guy Smalley's bid way down ($175) by asking for just the single concept that I had described carried out. I agreed to rough sketch concept (only) for preliminary approval. So his is coming, soon, too. Final graphic artist I hired (couldn't resist) was Stanbury, the one MB and I liked from Great Britain. So I will have exactly what I want at the end, I'm sure.
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Lumbele
Moderator
07-12-2002
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 6:31 am
HP, I like the nanny, fishbowl and umbrella w/its positioning on the top left one best so far, but prefer the position of the animals and the lettering of the right one. The tiziano I find okay, but blah in comparison.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 6:35 am
Lol I like #1.
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Lumbele
Moderator
07-12-2002
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 6:56 am
P.S. When I first saw it, the "dog" (in top examples) looked like a scrawny miniature porkbelly pig to me. Maybe send the guy some dog pix?
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 7:10 am
Yay for Stanbury! LOL. Can't wait to see what those will look like. Also I like the striped-legs one best too. Great minds, and all that, eh HP? LOL @ the fishbowl on top of the umbrella.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 7:53 am
Thanks, Lum, Mocha and MB for your thoughts and support! Yes, Lum, I sent Gene some photos--at his request. (I thought the dog looked like a minnie hippo myself. Heh.) I also sent some to Guy Smalley and Stanbury (Jane is my contact there)--to help them, as well. Yup, MB. I'm with you! Okay gotta run! Btw, a firm doing a focus group on behalf of Wachovia Bank called me and asked me to participate in one on the evening of the 20th. I get paid $200, so I said, "Yes!" Every bit helps, huh?
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 10:50 am
Lucky you HP, I do focus groups all the time, and they usually pay around 50-75 bucks. Rarely 100, and never 200. So I'd say you really scored bigtime. 
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 11:59 am
I'm back from pet sitting. Well, I didn't know that, MB. Guess I did score! It's from 8-10 pm on the 20th in Phila--run by the Schlessinger Associates. Perhaps the hour and the firm and location has something to do with it.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 12:39 pm
How does one get into the focus group pool? That sounds like a great part-time filler for somebody who doesn't want to be tied to a job.
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