My NEW Linda Walsh Originals Dolls and Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns Websites

I had really HIGH hopes that 2012 wouldn't be anywhere near as hectic and busy as 2011 was for me.

Well, hopes and reality are two different things when it comes to the web. For over a month now I have been working on two new websites - one for my handmade dolls and one for my e-patterns.

Now I know what you're thinking - doesn't she already have websites for her handmade dolls and her e-patterns? Well, you're right - I do. However, I learned in January that the shopping cart I was using for these two websites was so outdated that the shopping cart vendor was no longer going to support it. YIKES!!!

They, of course were supporting newer versions of their software (at a much larger price) and not going to continue to offer support for something that was "outdated." Well, my shopping carts had been working fine all these years and in my opinion - if it isn't broken don't fix it.

You see, I'm a dinosaur when it comes to changing software that works for my needs. I'm not one to rush out and immediately buy the latest version of this or that. Since my version of this shopping cart had worked fine all these years there really wasn't a need for me to update it along the way.

However, when Annie Kelley, my hosting service provider for these two websites at "In A Pickle Web Design" told all of her customers with this shopping cart there was a problem - well, I paid attention.  You see, Annie is "THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE" provider around and I have been with her since 2004. In fact, Annie is so good I wrote a testimonial for her four years ago on her website, which is as follows:

"In the 5 years that I have know Annie she has been a source of inspiration, friendship, and support. As my Internet businesses have grown Annie has been there every step along the way to help with solutions, offer constructive criticism, or just lend a hand. As far as I'm concerned Annie is the best in the business. She offers terrific e-commerce, graphic design and hosting services, and all at very, very affordable prices. If you want to have an e-commerce website selling handmade goods or e-products then Annie is the person to design and host your website. She is always reachable and has terrific follow-through. I am so very happy with the two websites Annie designed and hosts for me. Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns and Linda Walsh Originals Dolls."

Well, it's been 8 years and every word of that is still true.  Annie is still the BEST.


In any event, Annie notified us there was a problem and I paid attention. We needed to move to a new Mals - My Cart 2 Go shopping cart provider and, unfortunately, that meant having to create a new website and re-enter all the products and ancillary pages. YIKES!!!!!

For my handmade dolls website and e-patterns website that meant a TON of work. Annie said not to worry - we'd get through this. Well, once again, Annie was right.

After many, many weeks of setting up my websites, re-entering my handmade dolls and crafts, re-entering my e-patterns, and working the kinks out with Annie I was finally done.  And, I couldn't be happier.  The My Cart 2 Go software is fabulous.  It was easy to follow and understand and has so many more features than my old websites had - I couldn't be happier.

And, best of all, the nit picky "Paypal" downloads "Click To Return To My Website" issue I had with my Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns website is no longer a problem. The shopping cart software redirects you back to my website automatically for an order number and the download link.  It works great. I do have to admit there is a little more involved on my end with adding new e-patterns via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to the website, but once I got the hang of it I don't think this will be an issue.

A lot of hard work - but the end result is I'm happy with how my two new websites turned out. I'd love to know what you think. The URL's for both are still the same:


So, what do you think?


Posted by Linda Walsh Originals- "Doll Patterns for Grown-up Girls!"
Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns - "Instant Download E-Patterns for Grown-up Girls!"
Linda Walsh Originals Dolls - "Handmade Dolls & Crafts for Grown-up Girls!"