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Country BearsOk, now I am sooooo not technically minded, and as I'm having problems getting a website built, I wondered, can you have a blog without a website?? Is this even more difficult to do? Would a blog suffice without a website? How do you get a blog, is there a blog shop somewhere....??!! :crackup: :crackup:
Oh no, I can hear you all groaning!! :crackup: :crackup: I just need somewhere to point potential collectors rather than a 'website coming soon' page!!
Please help!! 
:hug: ANY ideas, thoughts and advice greatly appreciated as always.... 
:pray:
Wilmslow CheshireHi Clare,
I have just started a blog and dont have a web site.The blog was quite easy to do and I am not very computer literate but I dont really know either if it is enough or not. Have a look at Blogger.com .I know there was a long post on this subject recently if you look back,
hugs,
Louise
Dearest Clare, 
Start a Blog already!! It's easy for even a techno ding-a-ling like me to do! I think part of the reason so many artists blog is that it's a free form (depending on the Blog site) of promoting their work. It's a peek into an artist's studio and life that a collector wouldn't normally get to see. The bonus is linking to other blogs.....artist and otherwise. It's generating interest from people who don't know about bears and the bear industry.
I went for a free site. www.blogger.com It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that say, Typepad, has but I don't need all the bells and whistles. I'm all about pictures and text. I like pretty pictures!! I don't prefer sites that have a bunch of distractions. I have too much running around in my brain as it is. Viewing a Blog with too much going on is sensory overload for me. But hey, that's just me.....and we all know I'm a little, shall we say, out there.
All that said, just think, if you had a Blog you could at least present pictures of your work for people to see. They can contact you from there!!
Warmest bear hug, :hug:
Aleta
P.S. You can cancel your Blog at any time too! Although, if you're paying a fee for posting, you'll still be liable for the fee.....I think. 
Wild Thyme OriginalsOh, yes, yes, yes, Clare! Seriously.. JUST DO IT! It's really pretty easy! To borrow an appropraite phrase from Miss Aleta, I'm a techno ding-a-ling too!!!!! You can do this, if I can! I went with Wordpress, just beacause it seemed to make the most sense to me... but I think, at the "free" level, they are all pretty similar. I don't have a website either! well, I have Picturetrail, but that is so not a real website. You can peek at my blog by clicking the link under my avatar. It took maybe 10 minutes for me to set it up, and only a couple of minutes per post.
Let us know when you've set yours up... I'd love to see!
Kim Basta
Country BearsOh!! This will be ideal!! Thank you so very much to you both.....I've been wondering what to do for the best. I am very grateful!! :hug: :hug: :hug:
Country BearsOooh Kim, we must have been posting at the same time, thank you sweety!! I'm off to look right now, will be back with news!! :hug: :hug:
Country BearsOk, very basic for a moment but here we go.......
Newcastle, OntarioOMGosh Clare - it's that simple to set up? It looks lovely. I've been thinking about it too, as I love to write. Hmmmmmm!
hugs
Brenda
Country BearsHi Brenda
It was a breeze!! I only got stuck with what to write but I think I was really in shock as it was soooo easy!! It's ideal for me, I'm so pleased, it's really made my day!! :dance: :dance:
You should, I would love to read your blog!! :hug: :hug:
I do!!!
I totally love it. I get a LOT of hits through my flickr account that link to my blog. I've been selling directly from my blog. It's so easy to set up and cheap, less than $10 a month. No need to wait around for a webmaster to update. It's the perfect fit for me.
Past Time BearsWhoa, Clare . . . you got your blog going in record time! Fantastic! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Wilmslow CheshireWell done,
Had a look and left you a message !!
Louise
Well done Clare - I took a look at your blog and your work is great.
One day, I might have a go at doing one.
Hugs
Carolyn
Wild Thyme OriginalsAwesome Clare! 
Kim Basta
BrisbaneI've been thinking about it too....must have a closer look soon!!!
ps...well done Clare!!! 
Great blog, Clare! I've added you to my own blog's links area.
Clare that is brilliant, clever, clever you. You have done a great job there. I must admit I hadn't heard of blogs until about a month ago and have been pondering about it - like would I be able to handle it (just about managing to up-date my website properly), would I have time for the extra hours on the computer, what would I say on it. Might get around to it some time. But well done you.
Warm wishes
Pauline
Apple Dumpling DesignsWonderful blog Clare....
Apple Dumpling DesignsSo....I'm back...
I've thought about the whole blog thing for awhile now and have considered it myself....even mentioned it in private to both Shelli and Aleta...who both said...DO IT...big surprise, huh?
But back to Clare's original question...do you think you need both?
Would a blog suffice without a website?
The reason I ask is because Daphne has been so gracious in updating my website that she created for me because I have yet to purchase software to do it myself...mainly because I have to get OLD software for my dino computer....OR buy a NEW computer to purchase NEW software...that and I just can't spend the time needed for the learning curve...but if blogging is as simple as you all say...perhaps it's a better option for ME. I wouldn't give up my website but turn it into a scrapbook and direct available section to "MY BLOG" which I could more easily update with new stuff...too complicated?
Thoughts ladies....
P.S.
Wild Thyme OriginalsOh, I think that WOULD work Shantell!
I was really worried about the possibility of people leaving weird, or inappropriate, or Viagra advertisements ( :crackup: ) on my blog... Wordpress has a system that "catches" all the spammed comments BEFORE they ever show up. They've already caught 24 for me... mostly about private part enlargements and, of course... Viagra! When someone posts a comment to me (that's NOT a spam thing) it asks me if I'd like to post it or not. So, if someone started writing awful things on my blog, I guess I could just choose NOT to post those comments.
I bet that the other blog sites have something similar to avoid this kind of thing as well. This is the one that Wordpress runs...
Kim Basta
