Saturday, May 23, 2009

Studio Saturday

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner. Last weeks winner is RupaP Congratulations! You have won a new bead from Jennifer at Jangles. Send us an e-mail with your address in the suggestion box and we will get it right out to you.


I found this cool website where you make a talking character (free!) for your website or blog. So I just had to make one! I tried to make it look like myself and this was as close as I could get. My buttons are the background. I used Quicktime to record my voice. It is now on the homepage of my website. I put the little character on the left just in case you don't have Flash Player to make it to work.

I am making this brief so everyone can get out and have a fantastic Memorial Day!
Enjoy your family and friends or the outdoors (I'm pulling weeds)!

My question for today's Studio Saturday is:

Do you find these talking characters helpful or annoying? Would you be willing to try one for your website? Or just leave a comment. We love to hear from you!

This weeks prize is a suprize! (a couple buttons or beads, I'm undecided)

Tari of Creative Impressions In Clay

22 comments:

Doreen said...

This is kind of cool because you have the option of playing the sound or not. What I don't like is when there is music on a blog which takes some time to load with my DSL connection. I'll be reading along and suddenly this music will start blaring. It freaks me out!

Gardanne said...

I personally think the less clutter on a blog the better. One my biggest pet peeves are wigits that play music, probably because I can't focus on what I am reading at the same time.

thecolorofdreams said...

I do like the idea that you have the option of playing the sound or not. It is a cute way to attract people to hit the play button.

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

Doreen, I am with you with music on blogs and websites. I jump out of my seat and can't find the volume button fast enough!
Thanks for your comments and stopping by!

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

Gardanne, the wigits can be annoying. I liked this one because the size fit my website and didn't look too cluttered. It is one of those informational tools. I think that sometimes people don't understand what I make...really. I'll try it for a bit. Delete it if I change my mind.
Thanks for your comments and stopping by!

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

Patricia, I like having that option also. It's your choice whether or not you hit the play button. I thought it was funny that it is a character and not the artificial blond they usually use on sitepal. Plus the eyes follow where your cursor goes. OK, I have a warped sense of humor!
Thanks for your comments and stopping by!

The Joy of Nesting said...

Hi Teri,

I must say this is the first audio/video add on I like. Like most people the music ones are more then annoying, and locating the dad burn off button before your ears begin to bleed is impossible!!

I noticed with yours that it helped to make the sight more personable, by hearing your voice. A human voice that conveys emotions for their work. It's an immediate reminder for me the customer that there is a real artist not a computer generated program I'm discussing business with! :)

My thoughts anyway
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Rosanne said...

I can't really say that I would put it on my website(I don't have one), but I sure thought it was cute. And it almost looks like you, but I don't remember your hair being that dark ;^).
I have to laugh about the music coming on and scaring you. I have had that happen to me a lot and I get so mad...lol!

Christie of BeadLuvah said...

I also prefer a less cluttered look. Though, my beading blog is still only a few days old so only time will tell what happens :)

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

Hey Pattie thanks for stopping by! I thought it was pretty cool I could record my voice instead of the electronic version. It sounded like a robot.

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

Hi Rosanne! My hair isn't that dark...so the program has limitations. I am 50lbs lighter since the last time you say me! OK 45lbs, I put 5 back on.
Thanks for your comments and stopping by!

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

Christie, I like less clutter too. For some reason this one appealed to me. I'll try it for a while.
I reason like the lips when it first starts. It reminds me of "Rocky Horror Picture Show." I have to laugh.
Thanks for your comments and stopping by!

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

Christie, I like less clutter too. For some reason this one appealed to me. I'll try it for a while.
I reason like the lips when it first starts. It reminds me of "Rocky Horror Picture Show." I have to laugh.
Thanks for your comments and stopping by!

Dale said...

I also dislike the music widgets, as i usually have my own music going already adn then it mixes in it's own... it's not uncommon for me to have 3 or 4 tabs going and then not knowing which website it's comming from, and then having to find the hiding widget on the correct website is such a pain. :S

this one is okay, as it is cute, but i think that an actual video on the side with you in it would be far more personal :).

Alice said...

Like others, I prefer less clutter on a website (though this is really cute!). And it helps that you can control the sound.

By the way, I've been pulling weeds since Thursday, and getting close to bringing out the RoundUp. Why did I think having flowers all the way around the house would be wonderful?

Have a great holiday weekend!
Alice

SueBeads said...

Hi Tari - I have to say, the do annoy me. It annoys me to have music on a blog playing, unless I ask for it to play! It kind of annoys me to have those little kittens looking around every time you move your mouse. I guess I just need to be able to concentrate on the blog, because I have enough external things going on when I try to do anything!!!

Artisan Clay said...

Wow I love your recording! I think it gives a lot of personality and information to your work. Just don't love the computer person... I think it would be cool to have a slideshow of your work while it is being described.. I wonder... Is there a site for that? :-)

Gail Whitehead said...

Hi Tari!First,I want to thank you for the beads I won several months ago.I made a really cool necklace out of the life preserver-like one.And the house bead is being kept as a memento and an ORIGINAL Tari bead!
But for the gimmick thing,no way.I think that they are aggravating,but ,of course,I just love yours.Really.But not for me.Have a great weekend!
Gail Whitehead

Lisa Martin said...

I thought it was very cute. I even listened to it twice, to be sure. I like how it gives more of an 'inside' to the artist by using your voice!

RupaB said...

WOW...thanks! I have absolutely no luck and can't think of the last time I won anything :(

I'm looking forward to receiving Jennifer's beads...they are so colorful and happy. Thank you again, as reading your blog is a gift enough...keep up the good work!

TesoriTrovati said...

I don't think that character does you justice Jennifer! You are so much spunkier and pretty in person!
I don't care for those little characters myself. What I really hate is when they start talking automatically when you log into a site and then don't stop. I think that the fact they are "looking" at you is a bit creepy. But I like that you can record your own voice and put your own buttons in the background! I will have to come by and check the cyber-you out at your website!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

TesoriTrovati said...

Oh! I just read closer and this was written by Tari! I saw Jennifer's name at the top! Sorry, Tari! I haven't met you...but I would still stand by my earlier comment that you are most likely prettier in person! And I will be checking it out on YOUR website!
Enjoy the day! (Apologies for my error!)
Erin