MELISSA
DAHSE

Web Designer,Photographer,Artist

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About Melissa Dahse

Hi!

The mother of two adult children and a wife since Dec. 1994. I enjoy working on all forms of crafts. I have been working with ‘arts’ since I was a young child. I can sew, paint, and draw.

I create Reborn dolls, which involves taking a blank doll kit painting it, and transforming it into a realistic looking baby. This is my preferred form of art for the last few years. I make each doll according to a theme. I also make their clothes and handmade blankets with other accessories to match.

My last job was working for a company where I stitch comforters together and then stitch a quilting pattern over the top. I also made pillow shams of many types of finish and design. Along with bed skirts for all sizes and shapes of beds even adjustable and round beds. I worked with this company for almost 4 years. I like the fact that I got to sew all day.

A few years ago I had my “ah-ha!” moment, which was that my current job was not a career that was going to take me anywhere in the future. I decided after 20 years to go back to school and get my Web design and Graphics degree. The classes I have taken are Web Design, Photoshop, Computers, E-commerce, and Game Design. With these classes, I have learned a lot, but to my surprise, I found I had already had the knowledge just working with my craft projects. I knew how to use Photoshop and Gimp for editing pictures. I now know how to work with HTML5 code for web pages. I have also learned many tricks with a computer that I did not know a few years ago. I have been working with code and style sheets(CSS) and having a great time.

I have always been a great admirer of anyone who can take great photographs. Now that I have taken a few classes I am getting better at my photography skills. Photo manipulation is the skill I have been working on for the past year.

What is photo manipulation?
You might say it's a bit of slang but photo manipulations or composite are usually referring to moving subjects into other images or just adding more supernatural elements to a photo. Things like putting a face on another body, giving graphical powers to a person, or changing their size.

I still have a long way to go, but you will almost always find me behind the lens than in front. Which makes it hard to find a photo of myself.

I am looking forward to taking the next steps in my journey.

Recent Resume

photo of Melissa

Objective:

A challenging position which will allow me to expand my knowledge and skills. To increase my abilities in the area of graphic and web design and exercise my creativity.

Education

New York Institute of Photography

Portrait Photography:
Certificate Completion in 2018

Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Associate of Science: Web Design & Interactive Media
Completion in 2017

Mohave Community College

Computer Graphic and Web Design: Certificate
Completion in 2015

Skills

General Skills

Customer service, Register, Sewing, Sculpting, Event planning

Computer skills

Digital graphics, HTML5/CSS, JavaScript, E-commerce, Internet, Web Design, Game Design, Windows
Microsoft productivity software
  • Word
  • Excel
  • Access
  • PowerPoint
   Adobe Creative Suite
  • Photoshop
  • InDesign
  • Illustrator
  • Animate CC
Experience

Dahse Delights Comforts of Home Photography August 2018-Present

Owner and Manager

Maricopa, Az

Taking family and children photos. Edited photos. Putting together photo packets Running the cash register. Helping guest with any questions. Make sure guest are satisfied with their experience.

Old Navy/Gap January 2018-March 2018

Brand Associate

Chandler, AZ

Customer service, running the cash register, helping guest with any questions, making sure guest are satisfied with their experience, Stocking and managing product displays.

Picture People December 2017-December 2017

Sales

Scottsdale, AZ

Customer service, running cash register, Edited photos, putting together photo packets, helping guest with any questions, making sure guest has a positive experience.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center March 2016-October 2016

Guest Experience/Trainer

Tempe, AZ

Customer service, Running cash register, Helping guest with any questions, Training new employees, Making sure guest have a positive experience.

Phoenix ZooJanuary 2016-March 2016

Guest Experience

Phoenix, AZ

Customer service, Running cash register, Helping guest with any questions, Making sure guest are satisfied with experience.

London Bridge LinensSeptember 2011 – December 2015

Head of Specialty Department

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Design solutions to produce custom bedding, Meet deadlines, Work with interior designers to accommodate customers, Stay within time and materials budgets, Quality assurance, Misc. Alterations, repairs, and reconfigurations, Kept track of customers’ own material.
    Making quality bedding products
  • Sheets
  • Comforters
  • Pillow cases
  • Pillow Shams
  • Bed Skirts
    •

Hasting Entertainment StoreMay 1999-May 2012

Team Leader/Events/Book Department

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Supervising other employees, End of Day audits and deposits, Customer service, Stocking and managing product displays, Assisting customers with searching for product and deciding on a purchase, Shipping product via USPS.
References
Available on request