Resources
PennyCharmer Website Resources
On this page, I plan to list the resources I use, have used and am considering using in the future! It’s currently in-progress but will include links to the resources when finished.
Resources I’m Currently Using:
Website Hosting:
I’ve been with HostGator for a couple of years now, and built my first offsite Zazzle store with this hosting plan a little over a year ago (it’s currently Feb 2015). HostGator has some really good “How-to” type documentation for beginners, and provides tools that make setting up a WordPress site super easy.
Theme:
I’m currently using the free WordPress Twenty Fourteen theme, along with a number of plugins for customization. I’ll be listing each of the plugins here in the near future.
Graphics Programs:
For image manipulation and composition, I use the free and open source GIMP. There is a bit of learning curve to using GIMP, but there are tons of free tutorials online to help. Don’t panic and just take it one step at a time.
Another graphics program I’ve started using is Inkscape™ (also free and open source). Inkscape is a vector based graphics program which means the images you create are scaleable. Images created in GIMP (a raster based graphics program) are not scaleable – the images can be enlarged but as the image grows it will lose detail and get blurry. My plan is to use only vector graphics in my new PennyCharmer store, and continue using both Inkscape and GIMP (but mostly GIMP) in my other store.
3D Programs:
Blender is another free and open source application, this time for 3D graphics. Blender has been used mostly for creating animations – folks have done some pretty amazing things with Blender. I’m just now learning the ins-and-outs of Blender because of my current obsession with interest in 3D printing; I’m getting my start in 3D printing using a combination of the 3D printing service’s own tools (at Shapeways) and Blender. Eventually I’ll figure out 3D modeling and build from scratch in Blender.
Hardware:
Wacom Bamboo Tablet