Amy Abatangle

Just finished mock-ups for a couple of content aggregators, All My Horoscopes and Scary Paranormal Videos. Both are just at the Photoshop stage, but I thought it might be interesting to share them early in the design process.

I will have to do the CSS and image slicing once more of the content is finalized, but it’s fun to already have a sense of what the sites are going to look like. It was also fun to work on such disparate sites right after each other. The feel couldn’t be more different. :)

I admit that I’ve spent entirely too much time on Facebook over the past year, but I’ve finally found a way to turn that to my advantage. I just finished a couple of contract jobs for Facebook app companies; one is a gaming outfit, and the other is a gift-sharing application provider. I did some creative copywriting for both of them. It was fun, but very challenging. Trying to write punchy, concise, attention-grabbing content without sounding repetitive is difficult. I enjoyed the process and am looking forward to more (paid) social media work in the future.

I’ve been working on a number of creative projects recently. In addition to my amigurumi crochet blog and store, I have also started selling jewelry that I’ve been making. I started making jewelry when I was in junior high and high school, then set it aside until about 2003 when I began making a few items for myself and for friends. I recently picked up the hobby again and am greatly enjoying it.

My line, Left Bank, is carried by Coupa Cosas in Palo Alto, CA and Renegade Handmade in Chicago. It’s a fun mix of vintage and modern elements. You can see my portfolio on my blog.

After finishing a couple of freelance projects, I had the opportunity to do a logo for my sister’s new handmade jewelry business, Jane & Josephine. She has a great post on her blog with pictures from each step of the design process. You can see all of the comps that I gave her, as well as the final product.

Check out her portfolio as well; prices are available upon request from Jane & Josephine.

The most difficult part of any freelance business is client relations; it’s also the basis for success. If you’re a freelancer, you’ve spent a lot of time trying to woo clients and keep them happy. You’ve probably also dealt with clients who’ve taken advantage of that desire, intentionally or not. Here are ten things that I’ve learned over the years sitting on both sides of the conference table that may help you play nice  and run a tight business.

10. Always Use Protection
Most everyone enters into business relationships with good intentions. Along the way, however, things can get complicated. The best protection is a comprehensive contract and adequate insurance. For a freelancer, this can be as simple as running a sample contract (check professional associations or online legal sites) past an attorney to customize it for you and adding to your existing insurance policy to cover business liability. There are a number of companies that specialize in insuring small business owners, so look around to find a competitive rate.

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