verderamade

About Danielle

I am a writer first.  I specialize in content-heavy websites, bringing my 15 years of professional communication experience and my imaginative aesthetic to create a Virginia Marketing Agency. Most of the time, I optimize small business websites for search and social media to generate more traffic — and more sales.  As inspiration strikes, I generate lifestyle or educational content for publications. Most of it focuses on small businesses, supporting local initiatives, creative inspiration, and communication or marketing theory. 

My 2025 Word of the Year is still in drafts

By |2025-01-07T15:34:48-05:00January 7, 2025|Lifestyle & Aesthetic|

I almost chose "navel gazing" as my word of the year in 2025. na·vel-gaz·ing /ˈnāvəl ɡāziNG/ noun self-indulgent or excessive contemplation of oneself or a single issue, at the expense of a wider view. "he lapsed into his customary navel-gazing" adjective engaging in or characterized by self-indulgent or excessive contemplation of oneself or a single issue, at the expense of a wider view. "navel-gazing New Age types" See Merriam Webster It's derogatory and I meant it as a cheeky, self-deprecating commentary on what I wanted to do. I have a strictly milliennial and completely approach to recording myself and my [...]

December Update

By |2024-12-24T10:55:21-05:00December 24, 2024|Lifestyle & Aesthetic|

It's Christmas Eve and I've been at my computer since 7:30 this morning — listening to Meatloaf's discography (questionable vibes) and sipping black coffee (the wrong choice for my colon). 2024 couldn't have had a bumpier start — laying on my couch with stitches on my abdomen. Leading up to Thanksgiving 2023, I was feeling really sick. I had a cold I just couldn't shake and it got to the point that I had to skip the Peaksview Holiday Market. I was devastated because I was not only sharing my Verderamade designs at the event but, I was sponsoring it [...]

November Update

By |2024-10-27T20:46:45-04:00October 27, 2024|Content Marketing, SEO, Web Content & Design|

I've been banging away at my keyboard on The Shop Shop website — having recently split off my social media accounts and separated my agency site from this one. I've been working on how to transition for a while — as side hustle became full-time freelancing and then became an agency with multiple people. It's taking a minute to get the brand together and I hadn't quite separated the accounts until this fall. I knew I wanted to have dedicated Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram accounts for the Shop Shop so my team members could showcase their work and ideas too. [...]

Color Ideas from Grateful Dead Album Cover Art

By |2024-06-19T12:51:31-04:00September 19, 2024|Graphic & Print Design|

The Grateful Dead's influence on graphic design is as legendary and enduring as their music. Emerging from the counterculture movement of the 1960s, the band's visual aesthetic has left an indelible mark on the world of graphic design, creating a unique fusion of art and music that continues to inspire artists and designers today. From their iconic logos and album covers to their psychedelic concert posters, the Grateful Dead’s visual legacy is a testament to the power of creative expression. One of the most recognizable elements of the Grateful Dead's visual identity is the "Steal Your Face" logo, featuring a [...]

Color Combinations Inspired by She & Him Album Cover Art

By |2024-09-01T19:48:56-04:00September 7, 2024|Graphic & Print Design|

Is there anything more twee than She & Him? This musical duo, consisting of Zooey Deschanel (vocals, piano, ukulele) and M. Ward (guitar, production), formed in 2006 and released their first album, Volume One in 2008. Their sound blended with the indie-folk resurgence of the mid-2000s. It's whimsical and earnest easy-listening that brings me back to the coffee shops of my twenties. And I'm not the only one who is ready for it to come back. That's why I created these color combinations inspired by She & Him album cover art. Color Combinations Inspired by She & Him Album Cover [...]

45 Crafts for Mugs & Teacups

By |2024-02-27T15:32:32-05:00September 1, 2024|Lifestyle & Aesthetic|

Any avid thrift shopper knows that secondhand mugs and teacups are everywhere. They're often sold at a bulk discount and you can always find them at thrift stores. 45 Craft Ideas Using Mugs and Teacups Below are my favorite craft ideas for mugs and teacups. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/34691859624248047/ 1. Office Organizer LINK 2. Citronella Candle LINK 3. Gold-Dipped Mug LINK 4. Spray Painted Mug LINK 5. Marbled with Nail Polish LINK 6. Kid's Handprint LINK 7.  Herb Garden LINK 8. Mosaic Art LINK 9. Bird Feeder LINK 10. Pin Cushion LINK https://co.pinterest.com/pin/99219998019951344/?lp=true 11. Pendant Lighting LINK 12. Mini Terrarium LINK 13. Suet [...]

3 Years at Ashwood Manor Designs

By |2024-03-17T12:44:43-04:00August 30, 2024|Lifestyle & Aesthetic|

By happenstance, I've been with Ashwood Manor Designs from the beginning — in the Fall of 2021. I was looking for a local shop where I could sell my greeting cards and thought The White Brick House could be a good fit. I visited there often as a customer and loved the idea of a small vendor space. When I contacted Peg, she told me a new owner was taking over. That's how I met Sarah. Since then, I've had a closet space on the second floor. My cards are the primary feature. But I fill it with vintage and [...]

August Update

By |2024-08-04T14:23:48-04:00August 4, 2024|Lifestyle & Aesthetic|

"It is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves."  Henry David Thoreau, Walden What is August if not a season of renewal? In some ways, it is more a new beginning than spring, not for the earth but, for society. From our youth, the school cycle carves into us a yearning to turn over our leaves and shed old things. Our new year is the school year. You can be anyone in a new school year, returning from summer with new shoes, a new backpack, and a new outlook [...]

5 Mistakes New eStore Owners Make

By |2024-03-18T14:22:10-04:00August 1, 2024|Web Content & Design|

Starting an e-store can be an exciting venture. If you're a new eStore owner, you must be aware of the common pitfalls that many shops encounter. One of the most frequent mistakes? Not taking time to plan your store before building it.  There are several key areas of your website that make or break your website experience for consumers.  Find tips for your Virginia eStore from our agency. 5 Mistakes New eStore Owners Make Your e-store is your online storefront. If it's difficult to navigate, slow to load, or lacks essential information, you risk losing potential customers. Invest in creating [...]

Pinterest Giveaway Winner

By |2024-08-01T08:39:13-04:00August 1, 2024|Lifestyle & Aesthetic|

Charese at Financial Fancy has won our $500 Pinterest Ad Giveaway. The winner’s package includes (1) Pinterest campaign with $500 adspend. Campaign will be set up, monitored and paid for by The Shop Shop. We’re excited to start working on it and will be posting updates about the campaign’s progress on TheShopShop.co, Facebook, and Instagram. Congrats again to Financial Fancy for winning! Thinking About Running a Pinterest Campaign? Stop fighting the algorithm and grow on a platform that works with shops— not against them. New Customers More Sales Less Posting Longer Content Life If you’re thinking about running a campaign, [...]

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