What is www.CastleLark.com?   This domain is owned and maintained by Studio Z multi-media arts as a host site for our Web design clients who do not presently have their own domain names. The name "Castle Lark" and the artwork which appears on the site are taken from Zelda's fantasy novel, Castle Lark and The Tale that Stopped Time. We envision our virtual Castle Lark as a site full of charm and imagination, with a flexible architecture providing levels and rooms for all variety of projects. Your participation is part of the magic!

What does a page at ArtSpace cost?   $75 for one page for one year.

What can I put on my ArtSpace page?   Promote your product, project, personal appearance schedule or special events. Send a few paragraphs of text and/or two or three photos (see VeeKee Watercolor page). We can also work from pre-formatted fliers and postcards (see Monaco Designs page). Your page may also contain one or more links to other Web sites (see Poetic Portraits page). If we feel that your content is inappropriate for ArtSpace or excessively long or intricately designed, we will recommend other options for your Web presence. Please always inquire by e-mail before sending any file attachments.

What if I want to change the information on my ArtSpace page?   Just send us your text changes by e-mail and we will paste them in at no additional charge, up to once per month. We will also replace images at no charge, up to once per quarter, provided they match the original image in size, shape and quality.

What would incur additional charges?   An excessive number of text or art changes or unreasonable design demands for the page or the link icon. Have you seen those signs in repair shops about how the price goes up if you stand around and watch, or try to help? Same deal here. We are confident in our ability to convey both your information and your unique style within the CastleLark design scheme. If you require more particular or personalized design elements, or want to transact on-line sales, then a Home Page or Introductory Package would be better for you.

How do people get to my ArtSpace page?   You will have an address that looks like this: www.castlelark.com/yourname.htm. You are free to give out that address (in fact we encourage you to do so) so that visitors will go directly to your page. Folks can also find you by going to www.castlelark.com and clicking the ArtSpace icon, or going directly to www.castlelark.com/artspace.htm to see the index of all ArtSpace pages.

What is the difference between an ArtSpace page and a Home Page?   An ArtSpace page is set within the CastleLark background art, and CastleLark link icons appear beneath; it is linked from the ArtSpace Index Page within the CastleLark site. A Home Page is the beginning of your own full-fledged Web site. Based on your needs and preferences, we design a cohesive scheme for background, banner, colors, and icons/links; CastleLark art does not appear on Your Home Page, but a customized link to Your Home Page does appear on the CastleLark Home Page.

Can I convert my ArtSpace page to a Home Page later on?   Absolutely! And you can retain the same address (www.castlelark.com/yourname.htm) so that there is no need to reprint business cards or update links from other sites. Please note that monthly hosting fees will apply, and there will be some additional design fees as well.

What if I convert to a Home Page and then want to get my own domain name?   Your hosting fees will go up; if we have already built your Home Page (and other pages) and you are happy with them, the change will not incur additional design fees. Plus we will retain a page at the old CastleLark address (www.castlelark.com/yourname.htm) which will redirect visitors to your new domain. You may register your domain name yourself or we can do it for you.

$75 for design and hosting and updates for one full year - why is your ArtSpace fee so low?   Because we want to fill our site with interesting features and links in order to build Web traffic for all involved. We're creative artists ourselves and committed to offering affordable and effective Web-based promotions. We've seen the Web work for us and we want you to see it working for you too - before you commit to a major outlay for a full-scale Web site.

Even $75 is a stretch for me - can I pay less and sign up for less than a full year?   The short answer is no. Most of our work goes into creating your page and link icon and updating the ArtSpace Index page and CastleLark Site Map, undoing all of that requires as much effort as maintaining your page for the full year.

Is my one little ArtSpace page, tucked inside www.CastleLark.com, really going to help my business?   You never know until you try, but here's a true story: The first Web site Studio Z created was for Amador Publishers, who generously provided space for our own promotions; we had no Studio Z site of our own. Deep within the Amador site we placed a resume for Frank. Frank sings, teaches music and conducts choirs - you wouldn't go searching a book publisher's site to find him - so he was surprised when the e-mail inquiries started rolling in. Potential clients were finding him (and continue to do so) through on-line searches. Being part of Amador's sprawling Web site proved an advantage, because bigger Web sites, with lots of content and links, get more hits from the search engines. Plus it provides opportunity for Amador's many visitors to find our pages. And another thing: Having a Web presence these days, however modest, is as essential as having a listing in the phone book. If you are putting the time, energy and expense into showing your product at arts & crafts fairs or marketing to retailers, you need to have a Web site address on your promo materials and business cards every bit as much as you need that phone number. It adds legitimacy to your endeavor, and makes it easier for your fans to spread the word about your fabulous work. ("I met the coolest artist today. Go look at www.castlelark.com/coolart.htm.")

Do I have to post a phone number and e-mail address on my Web page?   Obviously you'll need to provide some contact information, but if you are truly a hermit we can work something out so that Studio Z will be the contact for you (as long as you don't mind us calling you). If you post an e-mail address, make sure it is working, and commit to checking for messages as least several times a week. Even if you despise computers, don't own one and are looking at this in the library or at a friend's house, you can still have an effective Web presence.