Testimonials for Graphic Arts,
Calligraphy, Photography,
Web Design, Book Design & Editing
Ms Idarius has been a friend and colleague for over ten years and has designed two children’s coloring books for Instilling Goodness Books, of which I am the founder. The names of the books are: The Golden Feather: A Jataka Tale, 2013 and Dharma Bells, Buddhist Symbols Coloring Book, 2021.
I found Ms Idarius’s design work to be excellent, meeting the professional requirements for children book design and layout. Not only was her work done timely, but she willingly worked with our illustrator, pleasantly assisting in her in resizing the illustrations, without straining the budget.
Presently, I am a monastic in residence at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah, California, where Jerri-Jo had a calligraphy studio and taught calligraphy at the Dharma Realm Buddhist University from 1978-1981. Although I did not live here during that time, I am familiar with various books and Mahayana Buddhist sutras (books) that include her calligraphy, such as The Lotus Sutra. She also designed the covers and did the layouts for the English version of the monthly magazine, Vajra Bodhi Sea, 1979-1980.
From my experience with Jerri-Jo, I believe her exceptional abilities and personality make her the perfect candidate for work that includes book design and calligraphy.
Rebecca Slaton
aka Jin Rou
Dharma Realm Buddhist University
Talmage, Ca
If you have any questions about Ms Idarius and what makes her uniquely qualified, please call me at (707) 468-8264 or send me an email at jin.rou@drbu.edu, and I will be happy to talk to you anytime.
During the past several years, Jerri Jo Idarius has edited hundreds of pages of work-related documents for me, including the text of my website. In addition to making the necessary grammatical corrections, she can elegantly rewrite awkward or unclear portions of documents.
Because my work documents describe things that are very difficult to put into words, Ms. Idarius’ ability to streamline portions of my text that are just “not quite right” has been invaluable to me. This enables me to convey complex ideas that are hard for the general reader to understand.
No one else I’ve worked with has been able to this. She combines the abilities of a copy editor and a line editor with those a wordsmith. I highly recommended her work.
Robert Raleigh, New Mexico
Transcendental Sun Healing
Since 2003 the calligrapher, website and book publisher, Jerri-Jo Idarius has displayed and enhanced my poetry and thought at a level of visual excellence not seen elsewhere in the book and internet media. On my website, The Poetry and Thought of WJ Ray, she created a table of contents accessible to any interested reader and further recorded the poems so that text and voicing could be enjoyed together.
Her varied depth of presentation in the medium moved Stumbleupon.com to rate the website one of the best across the entire internet catalogue. For my essay scholarship about the William Shakespeare canon and biography, she formatted a book, The Droeshout Etching as a Revolutionary Renaissance Work of Art (2015), available through internet access, complete with turning pages and illustrations. This is an advance upon simple article duplication, is easier on the eye, and incorporates some of the familiar enjoyments of reading a book.
I have seen traditionally published books that issued from her formatting design. They are remarkable for their spacing, harmonious choice of fonts, and coordination of word and imagery. There are a few artists in the industry and many mechanics. Jerri-Jo Idarius is an incomparable artist.
William J. Ray - Willits, Ca
Poet, author
Jerri-Jo is multi-talented. I've used her services over the years whenever I needed a job done that I wanted done right, at the right price, and with great care and attention to detail. She has done a number of photographic projects for me, including personal photos as well as a long shoot with various ideas for a book cover, which came out just right. She has also done very detailed and beautiful calligraphy work.
Her most recent design work was to create a very important graphic design and layout for the promotion of my latest book, 12 Rules For Good Men. She is a fount of information and if she doesn't have an answer, she looks it up and figures it out. I highly recommend her work. It is always high quality and delivered on time.
Jed Diamond, PhD, Willits, Ca
author of 16 books,
Founder and VHS (visionary, healer, scholar in residence)
MenAlive.com
Finding Jerri Jo is a miracle for a writer. She provides the myriad of skills necessary to move from the written word to successful publication. She can advise about shaping the project at the outset, and then edit and design the contents, format the pages, and even design the cover, as she has for me many times over. She can even produce exquisite hand lettering should the need arise. And she does it all in a kind, gentle and supportive way. Highly recommended.
Pamela Levin, RN - Ukiah, Ca
Teaching & Supervising
Transactional Analyst Emeritus
Books on Amazon
Working with Jerri Jo has been fun and a delightful opportunity to use a versatile and multi-talented artist for my projects. She helped design my Spirit of the Grange-150th Hertiage Year Celebration Edition book cover, which always gets noticed and receives rave reviews.
We also recently worked together on a challenging large format art project which drew on Jerri Jo's creative problem solving. JJ's well developed photography skills, layout ability, attention to detail, her visual artistry were all important skills we needed. The project worked out great, our clients are very happy!
I certainly recommend JJ and Creation Designs for many reasons, and hope we have reason to work together again soon.
Ann Waters, Willits, Ca
Jerri Jo Idarius has helped me with my online presence in countless ways
for nearly twenty years. For example, she created my website design and
provided on-going maintenance since 2002. She also created my
newsletter system and worked with me tirelessly to edit and add to the
site.
Jerri Jo continues to help me and my company, Ayurveda Seminars & Consulting, with flier design, certificates and photography. She has a
very skilled eye with the camera and indeed, with all she does. She is
skilled in calligraphy, graphics and editing.
I highly recommend her for all your design and technical needs.
Creation-Designs is a most reliable and innovative place for fulfilling
your business, not-for-profit or publishing needs.
Jaisri M. Lambert,
Ayurveda Doctor (NAMA)
Surrey, B.C. Canada
C.A.R.E Foundation
I am impressed by the Graphic Design work you are doing for Ecology Action. It is so well and creatively thought through and developed in a timely way. We can count on this effectiveness. Thanks!
John Jeavons, PhD, - Willits, Ca
Ecology Action,
GROW BIOINTENSIVE ®,
Sustainable Mini-Farming
I have worked with Jerri-Jo Idarius now for eleven years. Together we published 8 books: the five editions of Five Essays on the Shakespeare Authorship Question, the long, challenging and difficult-to-format collection of screenplays, The Ashbourne Saga, and two editions of my book of poetry, The Recrudescence of the Supernal (2022). Her work has consistently been excellent. She has overruled me when I have been wrong and agreed with me when I have been right. Her objective is always how to make this book as beautiful, as clear, and as readable as possible. Her rates are affordable, her hours flexible, and her billing policy is liberal. I give her the strongest recommendation.
Mike A’Dair - Willits, Ca
Poet, actor, and author
I had the best experience working with Jerri Jo Idarius on the design, typography, formatting, and production of the interior and cover of my 314-page memoir, Since I Lost My Baby, which also contained many photographs. She chose beautiful fonts and worked diligently to achieve the classic, high-end look I sought. Jerri Jo is a pleasure to work with, I could not have asked for a better partner to bring my book project to life, both in her talent and her kindness.
Selimah Nemoy, - LA, Ca
Author, Since I Lost My Baby:
A Memoir of Temptations,
Trouble & Truth
OG Press, 2020
I love working with Jerri-Jo, whether it’s photographing my various projects or family events, editing my writing or designing a website. Not only is she very knowledgeable, meticulous, and artistic, but she is so easy to work with.
I know I’m in good hands with any of my projects and look forward to the next ones.
Serena Miller, Redwood Valley, Ca
Ellen and I are glad we are finally able to send you a copy of my book for your shelf. We could never have finished it in its present form without your continued assistance as our editor. During the past many months of our book-related phone and email contact with you, you became like a regular member of the family. We shall always be grateful for your contribution to my book project and would like very much to meet you in person, should we ever make our way from the East Coast to your area of California.
All the best to you personally and professionally. Should you ever benefit from us, please route your clients our way.
J. E. Wallace - Alexandria, Va
Author Looking Back:
A Wallace Family Scrapbook:
Remembering Shelton Wallace, 2019
Jerri-Jo at Creation Designs is great. She edited four of my self-published books. She has a no-nonsense approach and is very detail oriented.
Harlan Wells - Barcelona, Spain
Author of Dream Revenge, 2016;
Footprint Flats, 2016;
Goose & Other Short Stories 2019
No Time for Fast Time, 2022
Jerri-Jo Idarius is the best editor I ever worked with. Her attention to detail is amazing. She works quickly, efficiently, and misses nothing, making anyone a better writer. Her overall, helpful suggestions beyond mere editing are inspired, adding new dimensions to any story. A pleasure to work with, she is a true professional at her craft. Also, this talented lady has access to endless sources to add photographs, maps and sketches to enhance any manuscript. Her abilities remove mystery and doubt from a writer's concern. It is for these reasons and more, I recommend her to anyone needing the abilities of a meticulous, experienced editor.
Timothy Huff - Laytonville, Ca
(Pseudonym: John Rhinehart) -
Dixie Clover- Boots and Saddles,
Slaves and Plows, 2017
Jerri-Jo is a a talented book designer. My Book, Awakening Amy, was published on Amazon with her help. It is a factually based novel that chronicles the friendship between a white girl and a black girl.
Ann Morris - Martinez, Ca
Author, Awakening Amy,
A Coming of Age Novel, 2022
With love an appreciation to Jerri-Jo, my good friend and excellent helper—without whom this book would not have come into existence.
Hannah James - Oregon
Author Slow Train to Crazy, 2020
For Jerri-Jo who is perfectly seasoned with love and without whom this book would not have been completed.
Sulin Bell - Ukiah, Ca
Author of
Two Hearts - Four Hands:
A Guide for Cooking Together,
2009
Jerri-Jo Idarius, consummate artisan and typographer, patient and understanding friend: it is her art and skill which has produced the volume you are holding.
Russell Perkins - San Mateo, Ca
Author of Stumbling Toward God,
The Years with Kirpal, 2017
and Stumbling Toward God,
The Years with Ajaib, 2022
Testimonials -
My Personal Family History Book
(based on recorded
interviews and research)
When we first got together, I had no idea it was going to be the precursor to such a monumental project. I have loved every minute of reconnecting with family members and learning so much about the history of our family. We learned very little about the family from Dad beyond his parents, sisters and brothers, so it has given me more of an appreciation of the entire family.
S. R. Price - Coeur d'Alene, Id
This project enabled us cousins get to know each other again and will be such a treasure for my kids through their lives.
J. Spiesman - St Maries, Id
Thanks for calling and digging into our history. I’m glad to re-establish my connection to all the cousins who have shared their pictures and stories in this book, some of them quite intimate. This may inspire further research into the history of our family in the future—taking this work even farther.
S. Ruggenberg - Angwin, Ca
This project has made me a lot more aware—thinking about what our ancestors did and how they managed to do what they did do. J. J. was born in Holland in the mid-1800s, and when I think about his dad in Holland and generations before, it doesn’t take long to get way back in time. This has opened the door to a lot of interest for everyone in the family.
J . Ruggenberg - St. Maries, Id
This is definitely a very neat experience, learning about our family, where they originated from and all the history. My dad was a big reader and would have been excited about this book. I am very proud of the father we had. We are a very close family and close friends of ours have also asked if they could be a part of the Facebook group and share in our family experience.
Ja. Ruggenberg
for father Michael
(deceased, Wa)
As a boy my father once told me that in the 19th century one of our family had left and moved to America. That was all he knew, but it was enough to set my fantasy stampede.
In all the books I read about America, about the Wild West, the cowboys and Indians, I searched for our name. I was pretty sure that we were among those heroes. And of course we also went to Alaska to dig gold. Even Davy Crockett must have been some kind of relative.
When I served in the Royal Dutch Navy, I took part in an exchange program that brought me on board a U.S. submarine. I made friends and I sailed with them on naval exercises from Key West. But no one ever said to me that he knew the name.
Later, as an journalist, I once visited New York. One the first things I did in my hotel room was to look for our name in the telephone book. And YES - there was one, but when I phoned him he was not surprised, nor interested. I think he didn’t trust the call.
There was no Internet yet in those days and slowly my interest in our American family-branch died—until recently, when I discovered this group, and the group discovered me. And now I seem to have a large family overseas! I have never met any one of you . . . but looking at the pictures, I see a likeness in some of you. I learned about your past and present. I know there is even one among you who writes books for children, like I do nowadays.
My books are historic novels for young people from 10 to 15 years old. I write about Dutch historic events all over this globe. Maybe I should write one about J. E. R. who was brave enough to cross the ocean with his family, into an unsure future. Now I finally know what happened to him and his children. A great story.
Rob Ruggenberg
The Netherlands
I’m not sure what a masterpiece is, but this is one heck of a piece. Even if you could follow the genealogy, you could never duplicate the stories. The personal interviews are of ultimate importance to the interest of the book, and the pictures are quite another. They add visual interest. This book brings the family history together and probably will bring my children closer. It puts us all into a book that we are part of.
D. Wheeler - St. Maries, Id
This has been an awesome project and what it has meant to me honestly has been the opportunity to connect with some of my cousins again and on Facebook with so many more.
D. Montgomery
Otis Orchards, Wa
The family nuggets that have been revealed are incredible. I have enjoyed so much sharing family stories and information. Although I haven’t been able to take part as much as I would like, I want you to know that I have always loved all of my family—not just my immediate family but all of us. I’m still loyal to a fault, if there is such a thing. It’s wonderful now to have all this extra information, and I am so excited to finally get to read the book. I am so overwhelmed with what we have created and I love you all.
J. Yarber - Coeur d"Alene, Id
I have not been excited about anything like this in a long time. I have wanted to know things about family all my life. That’s what got me to explore my own natural family. This is part of the same thing. I don’t know my cousins, and this book will help me to get to know them.
When you started asking me about how I felt about things, I started to remember things that were good as well as things that were not so good. I also think, “What would my life have been like if I had not been adopted by D. and H.? There were so many benefits.
A lot of the families I knew didn’t have the money to go to the beach for a couple of weeks every summer and still go every other summer to visit my mom's family on the train. We experienced all types of adventures. I’m interested all the way back to the beginning of the my dad's family. If I had known about our history when I was in the Air Force and spent two-three weeks in Holland, I would have taken some time to look up the family there.
Ted Ruggenberg - Shafter, Ca
It has been wonderful making contact with long lost relatives. I didn’t even know some of their names! Now we see and communicate with each other on Facebook and in person. I especially enjoy getting to know my cousins who I played with when I was very young.
.And the history! It has been fascinating finding out about the pioneers and settlers from long ago. Some old questions have finally been answered. What fun!
Tim Ruggenberg - Wa
This whole project has been so transforming and healing for me and has helped me break through the unreal facade that I thought I had to hide behind. I was hidden because I was so ashamed about how I was treated. I picked up the paper from my interview and said to myself, “No this can’t be my life. Oh yes it is, all of it.” I had split off from who that person was. From now on, I am not going to live that way anymore.
P. W. Roberts -
Thousand Oaks, Ca
I am so grateful that this book has been written. It has allowed me to more fully understand my heritage. It has also enabled me to get to know my cousins, aunts and uncles along with my grandfather who was gone before I was even born.
This will be a very treasured family heirloom for my children and grandchildren. Thanks so much to all who have participated. I hope to meet each one of you for the first time or again in the near future. Thank you so much Jerri-Jo, for all of your work on this masterpiece.
J. L. Koller - Wa
I don’t even know how to begin to put down on paper or even verbalize what this has meant to me. I am venturing a guess that it means every bit as much to others, maybe even more. The fact that you are the one to put all this together and have done all the work, I am blown away with gratitude. You make my heart sing.
I’m sure you have no idea, but are doing what you are supposed to be doing. It’s God led. There is no doubt. This project is being led by forces way beyond what we have any control over. I get it. Apparently, somebody cares a whole lot about our family. The irony and the big blessing of it all is that they picked you to do it. You were adopted into this family. Blood means nothing. It’s what we care about that has meaning. It’s about love and spirit. So many lives are being touched.
D. Galbo - Lynchburg, Va
Kudos to Jerri-Jo for attempting such an undertaking and for making it a wonderful process with a valuable outcome. Many thanks! We had been a scattered family—out of touch with one another. Now we have been given a shared history and heritage. I’m happy and proud that I’m part of this clan!
J. A. Brechbill
Colorado Springs, Co
Well, this has been an adventure! Along with Alice (in Wonderland) I have to say, “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” Looking at pictures I’ve never seen before and reading the recollections of others, my ideas about the family have changed too. Childhood memories of some aunts and uncles and cousins were all I had—some I hardly knew and barely remembered. It’s been good to be reintroduced to my kin.
My thanks! Jerri-Jo guided us through and memorialized the adventure. The resulting book will be a family treasure!
T. Cookson - Wa
I think the project is awesome. It has brought the family closer together. Without this collective approach to our family and our personal history, I don’t think that would have happened. The larger historical context is another piece. It is cool to learn about the history of our own family going back generations.
Tom Ruggenberg - Auburn, Wa
Finally the definitive guide to the R. family is complete. I can’t wait to get my hands on the hard copy.
Jon Ruggenberg - Wa
Extravagant praises for your work on the project! Please keep me posted on the reunion, on the small chance that I will be in the US at the time.
S. Stapleton - Seattle, Wa