That’s where I come in … having self hosted and manipulated several different website-related software programs/templates in the course of having my own website & blog (both personal and business as well as for a few friends)  since 2001, I’m now offering those setup/customization services to the general public.

So … need help setting up WordPress with a basic template (TwentyEleven or the free Tofurious design)? WordPress and the ProPhoto template? Photocart? Machforms? You provide the zip files & access codes + your logo, background image, masthead images, and text for page content & I’ll spare you the trial, agony, and frustration of figuring it all out on your own!

Here’s just a quick peek at where I transformed a template purchased via the ProPhoto design shop (using additional elements I purchased previously) into a design that fit my vision …

Before — the default template I purchased (now sold out – screenshot from the prophoto website):

After I changed the background image, template colors for text, urls, and elements, changed the profile image to a vertical image & on the right, added the sliding tabs, added my own images to the masthead, and added my updated logo:

For more details and pricing, click here …

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In addition, in planning this shoot the idea for a photobooth at the race next spring came into play … so obviously we had to shoot that idea too. More details on the photobooth @ next April’s race will be posted come springtime … meanwhile, here’s a couple of sneak peeks to tide everyone over!

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The Meet & Greet:

The What: East Texas Book Exchange

The Where: 408 N. Prairieville, Athens, Texas 75751 — 903.677.5515

The Who: Bruce & Mary Jo Gallager

The Mascot (aka boss): Tabitha

When was the East Texas Book Exchange established?
We opened for business in November 2003

What are some of your offerings/services?
We offer new (by local authors) & used books and readers’ accessories (when we can keep them in stock), as well as book signings by local authors. Right now we have artwork by local artist Candace Hicks on display.

For those wanting to trade books — contact Bruce or drop in for details on trading policies!

Tell us a bit about yourself …
Both Mary Jo and I (Bruce) have had a lifelong love of books beginning at public libraries. Mary Jo is originally from Dallas and I (Bruce) am originally from Houston. We met in Conroe while Mary Jo was a student at Sam Houston State University. After careers with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (Mary Jo) and in the psychiatric field (Bruce), we had the opportunity to open a bookstore due to family residing in the Athens area.

Thanks Bruce, Mary Jo, and Tabitha for allowing me to come in and photograph all the books (after picking through for the ones I wanted to swap for, that is)! If you’re a book lover like myself, drop by Athens Alley to peruse the rows of books for some great finds.

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The Meet & Greet:

The What: Ganache

The Where: 5380 Old Bullard Road, Suite 700, Tyler, Texas — 903.509.3999

The Who: Holly Short

When was Ganache established?

We opened for business on March 10, 2010! We realized that Tyler needed something different and great as well as available on Friday and Saturday evenings.

What are some of your offerings?

We offer preservative free dessert options — including gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan desserts. Our product line includes cupcakes, homemade breads, crackers, cookies, scones, gourmet sweet breads. We also cater for other area restaurants.

Tell us a bit about yourself …
I (Holly) have been in Tyler for 17 years and have two children. We (my family) are big foodies and we prefer natural products. I’ve been involved with the Junior League, the Medical Alliance, and have volunteered in the community and at my church.

Any random business tidbits you’d like to share …

From 6-9 pm (eat in only) on Friday and Saturday evenings, we’re offering gourmet desserts at our expresso bar — menu options include Creme Brulee, cheesecake, shortcakes, sorbets, profiteroles, chocolate pecan pave, and bread pudding.

For the holidays, we’re planning to offer German pastries, traditional pumpkin logs, and European shortbreads.

For all orders, we need at least 24 hours notice — but 48 hours + if its a large order!

Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page!

Thanks Holly for allowing me to come in and figuratively drool over all the awesome cupcakes and desserts in your store! And if you’re in need of cupcakes or other gourmet desserts, stop by and check out Ganache’s offerings!

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Since I photographed the grounds and house, the Pierce’s have converted the house into an inn …

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Last fall I was commissioned to photograph the property of an area family … these are just a few of the gorgeous vistas captured both just after sunrise and at sunset.

Any time of the year here in East Texas is perfect to commission a landscape session … and are great birthday presents for the patriarch or matriarch in your family or to pass down for generations to come. Interested in commissioning a landscape session? Contact me for hourly rates as well as the fine art options available for purchase.

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The Meet & Greet:

The What: Sparkles

The Where: 17431 Hwy 155 South, Flint, Texas – 903.216.4581

The Who: Jessica Johnston & Emily Allen

When was Sparkles established?
We opened October 4, 2008 — after three months of planning. After painting my daughter’s furniture, others were interested in custom painted furniture as well.

What are some of your offerings?
Our primary products are custom painted furniture and crystal converse sneakers (kids + adults, as well as for wedding parties). We also sell hairbows, clothing, jewelry, tutus, custom decorated guitars, stuffed animals, baby accessories, and other fun stuff.

This week – the first week of August — we’re having a huge bow sale! Every hairbow in the store will be $8.00!

For custom painting orders, there’s a two week turnaround. If you’re interested in having us paint something for a Christmas present, get it to us before Thanksgiving!

Tell us a bit about yourself …
I’m [Jessica] originally from Conroe and moved to Tyler in 2003 with my family. Married my husband, Ben, in 2005 and gave birth to our daughter, Tatum, in 2006. I was a stay at home mom for eighteen months, part of which Emily came to stay with us. One weekend while she was back home, I came up with a plan and the logo for the business, and we opened three months to the day later. I now have an almost four month old son, Jaxon, as well. Emily — the other half of the creative genius behind Sparkles — will be graduating from college next year.

Any random business tidbits you’d like to share …
When we first opened the business, we were contacted about doing a reality show but we ended up turning down the offer.

For our one year anniversary, we formed a Cystic Fibrosis team (since my husband has two cousins with CF) and had 55-60 people join us. We also put together a basket of products and raffled it off to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

We also created a costume for a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader tryout — she was chosen!

Thanks Jessica & Emily for allowing me to come in and figuratively drool over all the awesome products in your store! And if you’re in need of custom painted furniture or custom crystal converse shoes, give Sparkles a call!

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About 47 miles west of Amarillo, there’s a small town called Adrian. And on the west side of town just before Historic Route 66 merges back into Interstate 40 is a cafe that is smack in the middle of Route 66 — the MidPoint Cafe. It’s 1136 miles from Chicago — the eastern start to Route 66 — and 1136 miles from Santa Monica/Los Angeles, the western end of Route 66.

On the way back from Colorado (in May), I made a point of detouring through the Texas Panhandle to make a stop in just in time for lunch. While we waited on our food, I took advantage of a lull in people traffic and photographed the colorful interior …

If its not obvious, I adore those red and turquoise chairs! One more shot …

Two of us had their salads (ever had brisket on a salad? Never had myself — and it was quite delicious!) and the other two had their homemade hamburgers. Before we finished our meals, it was a solid consensus that was one of the best meals we’d had while traveling or eating out around East Texas. We were so stuffed we didn’t have room for the cafe’s signature Ugly Crust Pies. But … I got a photo of one for posterity!

(yes, I realize the photo on the right isn’t as sharp as the rest … I handed off my camera to someone else and forgot to have them refocus before taking it!)

Thanks so much for a wonderful meal and making us feel at home! And to everyone else, next time you’re in the Panhandle, make a detour down The Mother Road for a good meal and a step back in time!

The Meet & Greet:

The What: Athens Screenprinting

The Where: 113 S. Palestine Street, Athens, Texas – 903.292.1708

The Who: Jon Garrett

When was Athens Screenprinting established?
Our local storefront opened January 2010, but our parent company, Fort Worth Screenprinting opened in 1995.

What are some of your offerings?
We provide custom screenprinting for quantities of one up to 5,000. At our Fort Worth location, we can produce 500 tees per machine (five machines total) in an hour.

Tell us a bit about yourself …
I grew up in Tyler and graduated with a degree in marketing at East Texas State University — went into the computer business with my father. I joined Fort Worth Screenprinting in 2006 to help out a friend, been here ever since. My wife is a teacher with Athens ISD and our children are students at AHS and AMS. I also raced cars for twelve years. 

Any random business tidbits you’d like to share …
If anyone needs fast turn-around, we can do small/individual orders here at our Athens location — our 25 employees at the Fort Worth location can produce bulk orders in no time.

Thanks Jon for allowing me to come in and figuratively drool over the awesome decor! And if you’re in need of custom screenprinting, give Jon a call! They also offer pre-printed tees as pictured above if you’re in need of a quick gift!

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The second edition features Kathy’s Boutique, an upscale boutique featuring fashions, shoes, and accessories for today’s modern woman.

The Meet & Greet:

The What: Kathy’s Boutique

The Where: 122 N. Palestine, Athens, Texas – 903.677.5448 (next door to the Welcome Center on the west side of the courthouse square)

The Who: Kathy Means

The Mascot:  Knock Out (pictured below on far right)

The Assistants:  Autumn, Lauren, (pictured below on the left), and Sue (not pictured)

When was Kathy’s Boutique established? What was your inspiration for opening a boutique?
I opened the boutique in August 2005 — accomplishing a lifelong dream of mine.

Tell use a little bit about yourself …
I’m originally from Commerce and have been married 10 years. We have two children and six grandchildren. Aside from the boutique, I’m also involved with the Athens Chamber of Commerce and enjoy sports and gardening.

One of my favorite things about her boutique is that Kathy provides plenty of inspiration with these put-together outfits! The hat/cardigan/pants combo below(on left) … my personal fave!

In addition to women’s clothing, she also sells shoes, handbags, and jewelry, as well as other accessories and gifts.

Some of the brands she carries includes Brighton, Spanx, and Baubles, Bangles, and Beads — a line of locally designed and handcrafted jewelry.

Any random tidbits you’d like to share?
Be sure to check out our Facebook page as well … we regularly post one-day specials on there! Also, we host a Girls’ Night Out once a month — hang out, shop, and have some snacks.

Thanks so much Kathy for having us in –and to everyone else, be sure to mention that you saw Kathy’s Boutique featured at CMP when you stop in!

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