A Quiet Work Day
[ Tee from Kohls + Shorts from Target + Converse + $2 coral lipstick ]
I didn’t feel like getting out of bed yesterday, but my to-do list and calendar are quite full and I knew I had to work at some point. I lazed in bed reading The Paris Wife until Slayer jumped on top of me to make me get up.
I parked myself on the couch with a bowl of granola and started coding the site I’d been putting off for a week. It’s a little more complicated than my usual blog designs with three separate templates, two navigation menus and eight photo slideshows. I knew I’d need to do a little research to get all of it working right and, really, who likes research? But I made myself start working and was relieved to find the pieces coming together more smoothly than expected.
I flew through that first template, shot a vignette with candy and lipstick for another client and then started coding a bright, ethereal site for one of my circus friends.
I’m excited to share some new designs over the next few weeks. I’ve had a rash of clients go missing just as I was ready to install their templates, so I’ve been itching to actually put something online.
Have any of you designers had to deal with that? Clients paying a deposit, going through the entire process and then disappearing just as you’re ready to install?
06.26.12 in freelance, what i wore
Sad! At least you got a deposit though. I haven’t quite got to the point of having clients yet, but my design teacher is always telling us, “Never work before you get paid!!” Lol. Great advice. Still, it’s got to be frustrating to not be able to show people your finished product!
Yes – that is the best advice! Sometimes I can tell if someone isn’t going to be a good invoice payer and I just skip that project
I’ve had a few inquiries that I responded to and haven’t heard back with a yes or no to move forward, but nothing like what you’re dealing with. that would be sooo annoying!
I must say, I’ve been having a few lazy days this week myself. But kudos to you to getting it done, girl! I haven’t experienced that particular situation but would imagine it being pretty annoying :P
Cathy Trails
Yes, just happened recently but then she finally replied after I followed up with her 5 times in a row. Another one has her blog theme installed but I want to wait until she has blog posts & pages up before I put it on my portfolio page and 1.5 months later – still no posts & pages up.
Just had someone do that to! I really want to share it, but ‘welcome to wordpress’ doesn’t look too great haha
I’ve had clients pay the deposit and go through everything and act as if they’re totally happy and then change their mind at the last minute and not pay me the remainder. =\ But none that have ever just gone missing…
That’s the worst – at least I have a line in my contract now that says they have 60 days to reappear and then I will do what I please with the design, which usually means it goes into my template shop.
I just had to come by and say how much I love your hair in these photos.
Totally unrelated to vanishing clients, but yesterday I had someone ask me if they still have to pay me if they end up not using my work. I just laughed.
That is so damn rude! We have bills to pay people!