Friday, January 15, 2010

Blog Pretty-fying

Ok, I know a bunch of you have a whole bunch of fancy gadgets on your blogs. How sad is it that I know HTML and can make graphics but I can't figure out how to make my blog pretty? I mean, take my horribly out of date portfolio site for instance (only the painting link works if you are curious about some of my other work). Who wrote the (ridiculously) simple code? Me. Who created all the graphics? Oh yeah, me.

Why can't I make my blog pretty? Someone help me!

9 comments:

Jayme said...

usually it costs more money for you to "pritify" your blog using a program like blogger. the best you could do is change the layout

Musicalhouses said...

there are tons of things you can do to prettify your blog without any money! you can get a new template (just google and many sites will turn up..requires time and energy to sift through to get one you want though), and you can also include widgets once you've got your template installed. it takes a bit of time cos youve got to find the right template and customize it, and then you have to search for the widgets you want (such as toolbars or buttons etc) and then you have to put them in your page too, but the end result is all worth it :)

Jeweled Thumb said...

@Jayme: Thanks for your thoughts. Something tells me there are definitely ways to customize since there is the option to change the HTML - I just want to see what's out there before I go messing around with anything.

Jeweled Thumb said...

@musicalhouses: Did I mention you're awesome? Yeah, I googled already but wasn't sure if all the sites were reputable and/or said "free templates" but then sold your info to someone, ya know? Do you have a particular site that you use and like? I certainly don't mind messing around with the settings and adding widgets and stuff. That sounds fun. =)

G. said...

Honey, the easiest way is just to change your template! I went through A TON before I finally settled on my current template (I think my readers were becoming frustrated because I swear there was a period a while back when I was changing it on a weekly basis).

When looking for a free template (I'd never pay for a ready-made template, btw--I would only pay for one that was being custom-made for me, but that's just me) my best advice is to look at the blogs you like and scroll down to the bottom of their homepage to see where they got theirs. That's a great way to start. Also, when you google free blogger templates, try to stick with the sites that have made "top ten lists" by trusted how-to blogs. They seem to be the most reputable. Also, I've never used a free template site that has required registration (I know there are some out there but there are PLENTY that don't), if that's a concern. Good luck!

Jayme said...

Ah i just assumed it was like wordpress, which if you are using there website (aka sitename.wordpress)you have to pay for all those extras. My suggestion would be to use a basic template and than change the colors (you can find html tutorials on the web) and even with out any previous knowladge you can make your site awsome.

Jeweled Thumb said...

@Recessionista!: That's a great idea to look at the bottom of blogs! I went sifting around this afternoon before company came and gosh, there are so freaking many out there! Hopefully the changes won't annoy you guys too much. =)

Jeweled Thumb said...

@ Jayme: Oh wow, I had no idea about word press! Glad I picked blogger. =)

The Beauty Bargainista said...

Hey Girl! I actually work full time as a graphic artist and I specialize in blogs...http://expressivestylegraphics.blogspot.com

however, if you want, you can contact me and I can send you to several places that offer free blog layouts that are really chic, or if you want to spend a little $$, I can always help! :) Good luck!!!

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