thecozycat

[thecozycat]

The Care Bears Webring is a pastel-hued cuddlefest dedicated to everyone who holds a soft spot in their heart for those lovable, belly-badged bears. Whether you grew up with the vintage TV specials or found joy in newer adaptations, this webring is all about spreading kindness, nostalgia, and a dash of sparkly joy across the Small Web. It's a simple, cheerful space that unites sites celebrating the Care Bears in all their rainbow-colored glory.

This webring is both about fandom and carrying forward the Care Bears’ original message: sharing, caring, and helping others feel a little more loved. Expect adorable graphics, retro vibes, and a whole lot of heart. If your idea of a good time involves a little bit of cartoon magic and a whole lot of wholesomeness, this is one webring you’ll be happy to link paws with.

Check it out here: controlcoreangel.neocities.org/webrings/carebears/cb

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[thecozycat]

❤️ Monday Memes #15 ❤️

We might not get all the targeting and tracking that comes with the corporate web, but that's also why we're not on the corporate web. Our website engagement is a lot more real, a lot more meaningful, and a lot more human. It's quality over quantity. ♥

Happy Monday!

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[thecozycat]

💗 Self Promo Sunday 💗

It's Self Promo Sunday, Y'all! 🙌 Share your Small Web site either in the comments or a reblog and/or let us know what you've been working on lately!

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Want to help the Small Web movement grow? Join us on other platforms. ♥

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[thecozycat]

💙 Flashback Friday #12 💙 – My Coke Studios

My Coke Studios was Coca-Cola’s surprisingly stylish venture into the world of virtual social platforms—a digital lounge that mixed brand marketing with early-2000s internet culture in a way that felt oddly ahead of its time. Unlike other virtual worlds of the era, which often leaned into pixelated chaos or fantasy aesthetics, My Coke Studios embraced a sleek, modern vibe. Players entered a polished digital space that looked more like a trendy nightclub than a cartoon playground. With smooth animations, glowing lights, and minimalist design, it stood out immediately as something different—especially for a project backed by a soda company.

The heart of My Coke Studios was social interaction, but with a twist: music was the core theme. Users could attend virtual concerts, hang out in music lounges, and engage with live-streamed content—all within their own customizable rooms. Branded furniture and exclusive Coke-themed items added a collector’s edge, giving players something to show off in their spaces. Much like Habbo Hotel or IMVU, there were elements of self-expression and status, but My Coke Studios had a more refined, futuristic touch. It wasn’t trying to be everything—it was trying to be cool. And, for a brief moment, it was.

What made My Coke Studios particularly interesting was how seamlessly it merged entertainment and branding without feeling overly commercial. Yes, everything was Coke-branded, from the furniture to the collectibles, but it didn’t feel forced. Instead, it was almost aspirational. The platform felt immersive, like a well-curated marketing campaign you actually wanted to be part of. Players weren’t just there for the freebies; they were there for the vibe, the music, and the social energy that made the space feel alive.

Unfortunately, like many experimental digital worlds of the 2000s, My Coke Studios was short-lived. The servers went quiet, the virtual lounges closed, and the sleek rooms faded into digital memory. But for those who experienced it, My Coke Studios remains a fascinating blip in internet history.

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Did you ever hang out in My Coke Studios? What do you remember most about it? How do you think My Coke Studios compared to other virtual worlds like Habbo or IMVU? Do you still have screenshots, memories, or stories from your time in the digital Coke lounge? Feel free to share them!

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[thecozycat]

💚 Thread Thursday #15 💚

What's your earliest memory of using the internet? Do you remember what kind of device or computer you were using? How do you remember the internet back then compared to how it is now? What do you miss most about the early internet days?

Let us know! 👇

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[thecozycat]

💛 Webring Wednesday #13: Devring Club 💛

Devring Club is a straightforward webring for developers looking to connect and share their work. Joining is as simple as submitting a pull request with your site’s URL and getting it added to the list. Once you're in, you can browse through a random assortment of other developer sites or find something specific by browsing the directory. The webring's minimalist design keeps the focus on the content, making it easy for developers to find each other’s work and learn from one another.

It’s a great space for developers of all kinds—whether you’re into coding, software, or web development. The low-frills setup allows the community to grow organically, making it a refreshing alternative to the more commercialized tech communities.

Check it out here: https://devring.club

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[thecozycat]

💗 Self Promo Sunday 💗

It's Self Promo Sunday, Y'all! 🙌 Share your Small Web site either in the comments or a reblog and/or let us know what you've been working on lately!

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Want to help the Small Web movement grow? Join us on other platforms. ♥

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[thecozycat]

♥

YouTube July 2008

[thecozycat]

💙 Flashback Friday #11 💙 – DeviantArt

DeviantArt wasn’t just a website—it was a rite of passage for an entire generation of online creatives. Launched in 2000, it quickly became a haven for artists, writers, photographers, and daydreamers looking for a space to share their work and connect with others who got it. Whether you were posting anime fan art, angsty poetry, or lovingly crafted Sonic OCs, DeviantArt gave you a stage—and more importantly, an audience. For many teens, it was the first place they felt truly seen and validated for their creativity, especially in a world that didn’t always understand their passions offline.

The site’s culture was as colorful and chaotic as the art it hosted. There were unspoken codes of conduct, intense fandoms, and sprawling comment sections where critiques, collaborations, and conversations flowed freely. Watching your pageviews tick upward or getting a llama, “fav” or thoughtful comment could make your entire week. Profile pages became digital homes, each one meticulously customized with skins, journal entries, and stamps that proudly displayed your obsessions and identity. For some, DeviantArt was the first time they openly explored their interests or artistic voice—and that freedom to experiment shaped not just portfolios, but people.

Beyond just posting art, DeviantArt fostered a community culture of interaction and growth. Art trades and request threads built connections. Critique groups helped young artists improve their skills with peer feedback. And let’s not forget the legendary drama—flame wars, call-out journals, and mysterious profile disappearances were all part of the DA experience. But even the drama reflected how invested people were; it was messy, emotional, and deeply human. You weren’t just uploading drawings—you were participating in a digital ecosystem where artistry and self-expression ruled.

Though DeviantArt still exists today, it’s a very different space from the one many of us remember. The rise of faster-paced platforms like Instagram and TikTok has shifted the online art landscape, and DA’s redesigns and changes in community culture have left some longtime users nostalgic for the old days. Still, its legacy remains intact. DeviantArt taught countless young creators not just how to draw or write—but how to be artists. It was a place where imagination ran wild, identities formed, and creativity was currency. For many, it wasn’t just a website. It was home.

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What was the very first thing you ever posted on DeviantArt—and do you still have it? How did DeviantArt shape your creative identity growing up? If the old-school DeviantArt vibe came back, would you jump back in with your art today? Let us know!

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[thecozycat]

💚 Thread Thursday #14 💚

What's a web trend from the early 2000s you miss? What about that trend made it stand out to you back then? Do you think this trend would still appeal to users today? Why or why not? Was there a specific website or feature that embodied this trend perfectly for you? What other trends from the early web do you think deserve a comeback?

Let us know! 👇

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[thecozycat]

💛 Webring Wednesday #12: Cyber World Webring 💛

The Cyber World Webring is a retro, surreal little portal for fans of Deltarune and Undertale. The webring’s aesthetic nods to classic video game vibes, offering a cozy corner of the web for fans to gather. It's perfect for those who appreciate a bit of nostalgia mixed with a love for these iconic games.

If you're a fan of Deltarune, Undertale, this webring is a great way to meet and connect with fellow enthusiasts!

Check it out here: https://cyberworld.cartoon-aa.xyz

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[thecozycat]

🧡 Tuesday Tips #12: 🧡 Be Brave, Be Weird, Be Unapologetically You | An Introduction to the Sovereign Web.

Today, I want to share something that means a lot to me - and maybe, it’ll mean something to you too.

Let’s talk about the Sovereign Web. Not just what it is, but what it feels like. What it stands for. Why it’s more than just a movement; it’s a quiet rebellion, a healing space, and a return to something deeply human.

When I first discovered the Small Web and similar movements, it felt like opening a window after being in a stuffy room for too long. Suddenly, there was fresh air. I saw creators sharing from the heart, websites that looked like people, not corporations. Messy, beautiful, honest. It reminded me of the early days of the internet, before algorithms, before ad trackers, before everything became a numbers game. And I thought, "yes. This is what I’ve been missing."

But as I stepped deeper into the community, I also noticed something else; something harder to talk about. Even in a space meant to be free and open, there were still unspoken expectations. Standards. A kind of “right way” to participate. Certain underlying systems. Certain philosophical leanings. Certain unwritten rules and peer pressures to conform to a certain way of doing things.

And hey, guidelines aren’t always bad. They can create structure, help us discover people with shared values, and help communities grow. But I started to see something that broke my heart a little: people being pushed out, dismissed, or even shamed for not fitting perfectly into that mold. Folks who didn’t code their own site from scratch. Folks who had different or unpopular ideas. Folks who showed up a little differently.

That’s not what the personal website building should be.

The whole point of reclaiming our digital spaces is to free ourselves from those systems that told us who to be and how to show up online. So why repeat those same patterns here?

That’s why I’m writing this today. To remind you, and anyone who needs to hear it, that you don’t need permission to take up space here. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to follow some invisible rulebook or ideological guidelines to join the Sovereign Web.

If you’re here because you want to break free from surveillance capitalism, because you want to express yourself without filters, because you want to connect in real, soulful ways; no matter what your reason is for being here, you are already part of it.

If you’ve ever felt alienated, suffocated by the noise of the corporate web, or burned out trying to keep up with ever-changing algorithms… the Sovereign Web offers a way out. A different path. One where you set the pace. Where your site doesn’t have to “convert” or “perform.” It just has to feel like you.

And that’s what makes this so powerful.

You get to be the architect of your own corner of the internet.

Want to build a cozy blog that looks like your old 2000s diary? Do it.

Want to make a directory of every niche thing you love? Please.

Want to write long, thoughtful posts, or share poetry, or build a fictional world, or just post daily cat photos without worrying about if the algorithm will even let anyone see it? Yes, yes, yes!

You don’t need to justify your presence here.

You don’t need to fit a mold.

You don’t need to build a website that impresses other creators.

You just need to build something that feels right to you. That sparks joy for you.

A space you can come to each day that makes you feel good.

There’s something revolutionary about doing that in a world that constantly tries to flatten us into content machines. Choosing authenticity over virality, over branding, over complying with oppressive systems of censorship that stifle creativity is a form of quiet resistance. A return to self. A declaration that you matter as you are.

And listen; your site doesn’t have to be big. Your community doesn’t have to be massive. What matters is meaning. You never know who will stumble across your little corner and feel seen, comforted, inspired to begin their own journey. That in itself is such magic.

That’s the beauty of the Sovereign Web; it ripples. One site leads to another. One voice gives courage to the next.

So if you’ve been on the fence… if you’ve been wondering if this movement has room for you… if you’ve felt unsure, unseen, or like you don’t fit the “aesthetic” or mold of someone elses vision…

Please hear this: you belong.

You don’t have to earn your place here. You don’t have to follow all the same paths. You don’t have to agree with everyone. You just have to begin. Your website is your sovereignty on the web.

Let your heart lead. Let your weirdness shine. Let your story spill out in HTML or pixel art or essays or stickers or code or comic strips or even AI experimentation. Whatever form feels like home.

This is your sign to build your space and make it unapologetically yours.

The Sovereign Web isn’t about conformity, no hidden ideological agendas.

It’s about freedom. It’s about authenticity. It’s about connection.

In whatever way you choose to express it.

And it absolutely has a place for you. Whether you join an already present path, or choose to forge a brand new one and color outside the lines.

Don't be afraid to let your light shine. 🌟

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[thecozycat]

❤️ Monday Memes #13 ❤️

Happy Monday! 🤪

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facebook.com/thesmallweb facebook.com/groups/thesmallweb

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[thecozycat]

💗 Self Promo Sunday 💗

It's Self Promo Sunday, Y'all! 🙌 Share your Small Web site either in the comments or a reblog and/or let us know what you've been working on lately!

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Want to help the Small Web movement grow? Join us on other platforms. ♥

FB Page & Group: facebook.com/thesmallweb facebook.com/groups/thesmallweb Twitter/X: x.com/smallweblove Tumblr Community: tumblr.com/communities/thesmallweb Mastodon: indieweb.social/@thesmallweb

[thecozycat]

💜 Showcase Saturday #8: Lazer-Bunny 💜

Lazer Bunny is pure pink-powered joy with a personality that jumps right off the screen. Made by the super talented Lazer, this kawaii-coded corner of the web is all about art, original characters, and unapologetically loving the things that make you happy. It’s got a super playful aesthetic that feels like a mix between a digital sticker book, a magical girl diary, and your favorite cozy game UI. If you’re into RPG Maker games, Sanrio, Cookie Run, or just love seeing someone totally in their element, you’re going to vibe with this site hard.

Lazer has built up a seriously cute world of characters and ideas. She’s not super into social media, which makes this site feel even more refreshing. There’s no performative energy here, just a genuine space to share the things she loves most. It’s full of adorable art, pages about her OCs, moodboards, shrines, and even resources for other creatives. And she’s not just drawing for fun — she’s also dipping into game dev with RPG Maker MV and dreaming about making her own games in the future. Honestly? Rooting for her.

This is what the Small Web does best: giving people like Lazer the freedom to build sites that feel like digital bedrooms full of their favorite things. It’s fun, it’s soft, and it’s absolutely worth checking out. Go give her OC pages a read, fall in love with her mascot, and maybe even start sketching your own little universe while you’re at it.

Check out Lazer's site here: https://lazer-bunny.neocities.org

Want to help the Small Web movement grow? Join us on other platforms. ♥

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[thecozycat]

💙 Flashback Friday #10 💙 – IMVU

IMVU was the glittery, chaotic playground of the mid-2000s internet—a surreal fusion of fashion, fantasy, and social chaos. Launched in 2004, it wasn’t just another chat platform—it was an entire 3D universe where avatars reigned supreme. You weren’t just talking to people online; you were embodying pastel-haired vampires, cyber goths, or anime-inspired dreamgirls floating through nightclub lounges pulsing with trap music. The rooms were wild, the conversations weirder, and the sheer amount of time spent curating your virtual look? Worth every credit. IMVU was where you could be anyone—or something entirely outside the human realm.

The magic of IMVU wasn’t just in the customization (though the endless array of hairstyles, outfits, wings, and poses made it a digital dress-up dream). It was in how users carved out social spaces that reflected hyper-specific identities. Want to hang out in a neon rave cave, a haunted forest, or a moody emo café? There was a room for that. Or better yet—you could build it yourself. With user-generated content driving most of the experience, IMVU blurred the lines between player and creator. And as avatars mingled, danced, posed, and whispered secrets through floating text bubbles, the line between the digital world and emotional reality often blurred too.

IMVU’s user base was a melting pot of scene kids, anime fans, roleplayers, and romantics looking for connection in a strange and aesthetically extra world. For many teens exploring their identities, it became a safe—albeit dramatic—space to test boundaries, find community, or fall into whirlwind virtual relationships. The chat rooms could be wholesome, wild, or completely unhinged depending on where you landed. And whether you were there for flirtation, performance, or escapism, the platform delivered a high dose of all three. Your outfit might’ve cost more than your real-life wardrobe, but the emotional investment? That was priceless.

In hindsight, IMVU feels like a fever dream—equal parts cringey and iconic. It was awkward, over-the-top, and undeniably formative. At a time when the internet was still figuring itself out, IMVU leaned into the weirdness and said, “Why not make it fashion?” It offered a level of self-expression and community that, despite its quirks, helped many users feel seen in a way real life couldn’t. Today, it might be remembered as a punchline or nostalgic relic, but for those who lived their virtual lives in club rooms and moonlit chat spaces, IMVU will always be unforgettable.

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What was your IMVU avatar’s vibe—scene kid, anime cutie, goth royalty, or something else entirely? Did you ever get into IMVU relationship drama (or witness some wild ones)? Did you use IMVU to explore a different side of yourself—or just for the chaos? Let us know!

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Facebook Communities: facebook.com/sovereignweb facebook.com/groups/sovereignweb

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[thecozycat]

💚 Thread Thursday #13 💚

What's one thing you still want to learn to improve your website? Why do you think this will make a significant impact on your website? Is there a particular challenge on your site that this would help solve? How do you plan to incorporate this new knowledge once you've learned it?

Let us know! 👇

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Want to help the Small Web movement grow? Join us on other platforms. ♥

FB Page & Group: facebook.com/thesmallweb facebook.com/groups/thesmallweb Twitter/X: x.com/smallweblove Tumblr Community: tumblr.com/communities/thesmallweb Mastodon: indieweb.social/@thesmallweb