Carla Gade ~ Freelance Writer, Website Developer, Entrepreneur

I am forty-something. A happy wife and mother of two sons in their late teens. I work from my home, somewhere in New England, doing the things you will be reading about on the rest of this page. I am half Swedish and half European Blend (sounds like the making of a good coffee); fully American and proud to say so. I love Waterfalls, Butterflies, Sheep, Auroras & Rainbows, Gemstones, Antique Books, and Exploring. The things that interest me are History, Genealogy, Architecture, Art, Research, Gemology, Creation Science, Christianity, Archaeology, Web Design, Reading, and Writing.

Over the course of twenty-five years I have worked both in and outside the home in corporate, sales, and ministry settings. Lest you think I am a "Jane of All Trades", my experience has encompassed merely a few basic things: Administration, Sales, Teaching, Computer, Design, Ministry, and Writing. Ok, that's seven. Seven's a good number.

Here's a closer look at my professional experience:

• Executive Secretary & Office Management
  
• Drafting & Interior Design
  
• Home Furnishings Sales
  
• Rental Agent & Property Management
  
• Book Seller & Distributor
  
• Art Teacher
  
• Child Care Provider
  
• Camp Director, Program Administrator & Councelor
  
• Director of Children's & Youth Ministries
  
• Curriculum Development & Instruction
  
• Website Developer * Graphic Designer
  
• Website Development Instructor & Computer Consultant
  
• Freelance Writer, Copywriter, & Researcher
  

I have also, and most importantly, been a Manager of my Home, and Home Educator of my children. Throughout the years I have saught to find creative means to supplement my family's income utilizing my talents and skills. The above list has included many of these endeavors. By virtue of my children's testimony, they say I am "one of the hardest workers they know". I can only hope that is somewhat accurate, I do try, despite what sometimes seem insurmountable odds. I continue on as a creative entrepreneur. . .

Yes, Entrepreneur; sometimes referred to as a "Mompreneur". I mostly work at home utilizing my computer skills, the internet, and creativity. Since my children have recently flown the nest, I am inclined to think that the Mompreneur phrase no longer applies. Still a Mom, but with much more time to devote to my creative enterprises, I have long been an entrepreneur and intend to stay that way . . . unless directed otherwise, of course. You see, being an entrepreneur provides me with that flexibility. So if you ever wondered what it is I do all day, here goes . . .

So what does this entrepreneur do? I am primarily a Website Developer and Graphic Artist. I am also a Writer. I use the internet as a means for displaying and sharing my work. I am pretty websavvy, and am considered an internet specialist by some.

I have found that putting these skills together gives me the opportunity to earn money online. That is a good thing. One of my latest ways to express my creativity online is through CafePress. I can use my original graphic designs to create products to sell. I enjoy making items with themes relating to the articles and websites I create.

I sell other things online too. My husband and I have an online marketplace and eBay store called The Proverbial Peddler. You need to visit and check out my perfectly prolific prose penning the letter "p". Yes, the letter "p". I learned that from Sesamee Street. Who would have ever thought I'd have taken it this far!



I am a representative for Blessed Toys who has an awesome line of Christian toys. Dolls. P31 dolls (for Proverbs 31), are akin to American Girl dolls. Only the dolls are Christians. Well, one doesn't know for sure. But they are meant for to teach Christian values to girls. They also have Messengers of Faith dolls which are modeled after Bible characters. They talk to you at the push of a button relaying Bible truths. The intention of Blessed Toys is to develop and encourage children in their walk of faith. You may like to visit my Christian Faith Dolls lens to learn more about them.



I am also learning how to blog for dollars. When I get this down I'll fill you in. But so far, I am using my Squidoo lenses as a venue for cross-marketing. I have signed up to write articles for Associated Content. You can look for these in the near future.

"I have an idea!" ~ my favorite expression, frequently squealed!

As I mentioned, I am a writer. I write. I write. I write. I write. I just love to write! When I am not writing, I am thinking about what I would like to write about.

As a writer, my work encompasses many genres which I share in the modules that follow. I am also an aspiring author of Inspirational Fiction (Historical, Chic Lit & Childrens). I have several stories that I have written and am in desperate need of finishing them up, polishing them off, and sending them out. Don't forget that. Someday you may say, I remember when I read her Squidoo! Lord willing, this will come to pass. In the meantime, I keep writing.

Read on . . .

I have a long history of writing Homeschool Curriculum and Christian Educational materials for children, youth, and women.

• Christian Education - Having worked in Children's & Youth Ministry as Director of Children's and Youth Discipleship, and Councelor & Program Director for Camping Ministries for several years, I was given much opportunity to design and write programs as well as curriculum and lesson plans. I also wrote and provided leadership training references and manuals for these ministries.
  
  
• Women's Ministry - As a Director of Women's Ministries, Women's Bible Study Teacher, Small Group Leader for many years, as well providing personal women's discipleship, I was given much opportunity to write Bible studies, leadership guidelines, plan programs, write devotionals, and newsletters. I have also spoken to ladies groups providing inspiration and instruction using my original material on the following topics: "Creativity", "Holiday Celebrations", "The Bride of Christ", "The Friendship Garden".
  
  
• Homeschooling - As a Home-educator to three children, I often designed and wrote inter-disciplinary curriculum for my children and other students to learn from. As a writer, and a teacher at heart, it was a natural desire for me to create custom curriculum based on my children's interests and needs.
  

The above also included desktop publishing projects and companion websites which I also created.

Carla's Pathways. That is my own personal website which I began in 1996. I have had some other personal website through the years, "The Stained Glass Manor" among them. But Carla's Pathways has always been my home on the web. It is probably the my favorite place to express myself visually and with words. And I love visitors!



I have entered the blogosphere as well. This is another venue for sharing what I have to say to whomever will listen. Are you listening? Can you here me now? Below are links to my online web journals (blogs) where you can see samples of my blogging style. If you should care for me to blog for you, please let me know. But it will cost you. Not much, but remember, I write for food. The best thing about blogs, and the rest of the web, is that you get to read for free. So read my blogs, I promise, it won't cost you a thing.

• Journaling the Journey - My main web journal where I pen entries about daily occurances,life in general, and things I learn along the way. It's not as boring as it sounds so why not check it out.
  
• My Media Meanderings - I just had to have a place to keep all my favorite media items - mostly best loved stories in book and movie form, interesting books I've read or would like to, and music that has touched my heart!
  
• Dappled Things - My journal of dappled ponderings. Here you'll find some random, unusual, and perhaps interesting thoughts . . . humanities, curiosities, anomalies, oddities, issuities, pet peevities - anything at all that captures the fleeting attention of my most inquisitive mind. A place only the brave dare trod.
  
• Something Olde - A collection of old fashioned things: Antiques, Inventions, Pastimes, Nostalgia, History, People, Quotations, Poetry, Words, Ideas, Ephemera

There have been many other projects that I have done online, not for profit, using my web design and editing skills. This content for both the web & print includes: newsletters, Christian women's groups, tribute websites, group policies and brochures.

I am the owner of CompuStyle, a Website Development and Web Hosting Company located in Central Maine, with clients virtually everywhere. As a Website Developer I enjoy creating dynamic and innovative websites for small businesses, professionals, individuals, and organizations.

I have been making websites for about 10 years now in my home-based studio. When I first started writing HTML* I was amazed at how I could take an image and translate it into a language that could be viewed on the internet. Taking a picture, and putting it on a webpage via code. "How cool was that!", I thought, "Now we're talking!"

As a work-at-home Mom, it has oft been a challenge to balance work and life. Heavily involved in ministry for years and homeschooling my children, I have kept at it on a part-time basis. Priorities.

I have extensive experience writing copy for website content, product descriptions, and advertising sales material.

• Website Content
  
  As a website developer it is usually required that I provide the textual content for the site. I query my client regarding their objectives and then obtain the necessary information for writing dynamic content and descriptions of their products, services, and general information. My goal is to create an inviting, interesting, understandable, and practical craft of words to inform and intice my clients audience.
  
  
• Advertising Copy
  
  An accurate and interesting product description is essential to an sale. I enjoy the process of translating an idea or item into creative text that provides the potential for a sale.
  
  I can write your ad copy . .
  
  Do you have something to sell? I can provide creative and effective product descriptions for catalog, eBay sales, classifieds, brochures, and advertisements.
  
  Contact Me Today if I Can Write An Ad For You!
  
  [See Some Samples Here]
  
  

I also have a great interest in producing visually creative projects including art, architecture, graphics, and crafty things. Let me share with you a little of what I have done, and can do for you.

Home Design - I have worked as a draftsperson for fixed seating and also as an interior designer/draftsperson. Non-professionally I have also enjoyed designing homes and home renovations as well. Next to lined paper, my favorite piece of paper is graphpaper.

Art - I taught Art for a year at a private school and had so much fun with that. I called it "Creativity Class" and had the kids do all kinds of things so that they could see that art can be expressed in many forms, even if they didn't feel like they were artistic. They illustrated stories, designed houses, molded and painted, cut cool paper things, older students even learned to paint and decorate a room. I have also been a craft instructor on many occasions while students and campers used my original craft projects.

Other Creations -

• Flower Design: weddings, accessories, special events, room decor, etc.
• Costume Design: paper masks, fabric costumes, and makeup, etc.
• Craft projects: decorations, scrapbooking, gift baskets, etc.

Graphic Arts - As a website developer my work often encompasses the need to create and modify graphic images, create montages, logos, and modify digital photography. I have a lot of fun doing this, but it is quite tedious. I use Paint Shop Pro to accomplish my work. You will see my work displayed on all of the websites that I have designed. You will find some of the designs I created on items in my CafePress store. I also enjoy dabbling with digital art for personal projects. (The image in the corner is one of them, my sons.)

Desktop Publishing - Brochures, charts, visual displays, menus, manuals, and more. I enjoy putting together presentations in interesting and creative ways.

I invite you to visit my online Writing Samples Scrapbook to view samples of my work. There you will find clips and links with examples of my experience in professional copywriting, web content, journalism, advertising, articles, poetry, and fiction.

My writing services include:

• Website Content & Text Editing
  
• Newsletter Content & Editing
  
• Copywriting & Advertising Material
  
• Blog Content & Production
  
• Articles & Reference Material
  
• Bible Studies, Inspirational, & Devotional Pieces
  
• Christian Fiction & Children's Stories
  
• Policies, Guidelines, & Instruction Manuals
  
• Resumes, Professional Profiles, Business Letters

Whatever you cannot find the words for, I can, and at reasonable rates.

Contact Carla Today!

Go to Carla's Writing Samples Scrapbook