I am proud to announce that I finally finished a Wordpress theme that I can release as a freebie. The Clam Shell is a very traditional two-column theme with as little complicated feature as possible. What I mean is sometimes – you just want a theme to function as bare bones as it can. I mean, I’ve built themes that are: widgetized, plug-in dependent, uses custom fields and special loop queries – that users feel compelled to pick up a “Worpress for Dummies” book in order to use. That is not what I’m trying to do with the Clam Shell. This functions like the straight out of the box default theme by Kubrick. Well – except for the widgets. I purposely disabled widgets because I feel that if you are to add something to the theme – it’s best to write it in the templates themselves. In other words, the Clam Shell is for bloggers, who have some theme coding and Photoshop abilities.
Why Clams?
I really don’t know. In my mock up – I needed something for the logo section, typed C-L-A-M by accident, and just went through with it. It was one of those moments that I was in a “design” roll that I was afraid to pause – so the name carried on. Why the clam shells all over? See, my original plan was to make the theme look good, but kind of splatter shells all over – that you would need the .psd file to customize. That’s when a light bulb switched in my head “I’ll give the theme for free…but sell the PSD!“. But Themeforest.net rejected my entry – because it wasn’t “high quality” enough – so there goes that plan. Note that I am giving the .psd files away as well – but only when you leave a comment. This is because it’s too large that I don’t want it eating my bandwidth.
Some Features
I started out with the 960.gs CSS framework but stopped halfway through. The reason is – the mockup may have been 960 pixels, but the columns in span irregularly. So its a perfect 960 pixels, but columns within are not based on the grid. I added large twitter, rss and contact icons in the header – which I think is a little different. Static content in the sidebar – with icons from the Practika collection by Smashing Magazine. Stock photos are from the amazing stock.xchng , while fonts are traditional Arial and Georgia all around.

I hand coded the sociable buttons in the single post template. I feel that this is best since no plug in is required for it to run. The icons are from Best Free Icons – the Aquaticus set.

Time for a Demo?
That’s right – I even set up a demo website. You can try out The Clam Shell from this link. Download the theme from here. All I ask in return is to follow me in Twitter. As mentioned – I will provide the original photoshop files so you can take those nasty clams out of there. If you need additional customization hints – contact me.
Update – Download the PSD files from here!



with 422 followers
They said this was not “high quality” enough? Yeah right!
Theme Forest can be such a joke, they have some pretty crappy stuff on their site for sell…
That is one fine looking theme you’ve put together. Any chance of the PSDs? Not that I don’t love the bivalve overload…
This theme is really nice, I love it ! Thanks a lot to share it, I think I found the new theme for my blog ! (Iam looking for a new theme since several months !)
Iam interesting by PSDs files too
@Gwyn @Anto – The PSD Files can be downloaded from this link: http://fearlessflyer.com/main/wp-content/downloads/psd/clam-shelll.zip
Wow, awesome theme you have there mate. I really like how you style the text!
I added your theme to http://www.cmstheme.net/theme/wordpress/the-clam-shell.html
Great theme and one I might use for a future project – if I do I will be sending some karma / beer money your way!
Keep up the great work.
The Clam looks fine – seems that the themeforest team can’t see the wood for the trees…
Test test
Hello – Found you via wordpressgala.net. I’d like to give this theme a run to see if it will work for a new project, but I do need to know if I will be able to mod these lovely clams of yours ;0)
Could you please send your .psd files and thank you for making this a free theme.
Best,
Steve Cherry
Could you please give me some feedback about custom values? I need to show images for the front page, etc.
Thanks!
I love this theme. It’s so clean, yet so bold. Please do share your PSD so that I can tweak and see how it might work – many thanks in advance and this is so much better than most themes I’ve seen at TF!
I think the clams a real “Pearl” of a design!
The beauty’s in the simplicity… with a bold statement.
Really outside of the box and im surprised TF turned it down?!
Thanks for sharing and would really like the PSD for a personal project if you wouldn’t mind?
I’ll be sure to send some link luv your way because I’m sure their are a lot of people who will appreciate your design.
I think it’s awesome!
Hey there, really like this theme. The bold typography really gives it nice aesthetics.
Would love an opportunity to check out the PSD, thank you.
You should make a few more themes of this type and try putting them up in themeforest again.
For example, even though your current theme is very similar to this one, I like it even more.
The PSD Files can be downloaded from this link: http://fearlessflyer.com/main/wp-content/downloads/psd/clam-shelll.zip
Hi there Michael,
This is indeed a very nice theme however i have one question. Is it compatible with the latest version of wordpress which is 2.8+? If not, which version is recommended for this theme?
Thanks!
Thanks man! I do need the .PSD, how can I get it?
@Rod – The PSD Files can be downloaded from this link: http://fearlessflyer.com/main/wp-content/downloads/psd/clam-shelll.zip
Remarkable work, welldone. Very seldom that someone understands the concept of a theme, you seem to ace it!
Welldone, brilliant theme
LOVE IT!!!!
Great Job, Michael. You have a new follower, subscriber and fan. Keep up the good work, Sir.
I like the icons, it’s nice and attractive, the ads are very well placed, and a good graphic design too.
Absolutely love this. Clean, crisp and modern.
Love your site. Can you please send me the files so I can remove the clams. Again awesome work.
Nice theme I usually opt for premium themes but this one just looks really nice and professional. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for the theme, it’s wonderful. I’ve been searching for a theme for a long time, and I love this one.
hello, I am a Chinese blogger. I like this theme very much. But because of the limit of the net, I can not download this theme, would you like to send me the theme and the psd file? Thank you very much
Really like the simplicity of this theme. Was wondering if I could get the psd file though. Thanks a lot
Looks great this theme is awesome! Could I possibly get PSD please? Thanks
Love the theme, would really appreciate the PSD.
Thanks
This is a great theme concept. I would absolutely love the PSD, please.
Whats wrong with Theme Forest? I think this is a great theme. Way better than some of the crap-tastic templates they are showcasing.
Any chance of getting the PSD(s) for this theme?
Can anyone offer some help or direction to a newbie on how to change the text in the “post it” note in the header?
you need photoshop – open the psd and edit
I’d love to get the psd — thanks!
Great template!
Hey this theme rocks, and it’s hilarious! Been looking for a new theme all day..think I’ll play around with this one. Loves it.
Can i have psd file thanks
I’d love to get the PSD as I am allergic to Clams…
@Thomas, @Dan – The PSD Files can be downloaded from this link: http://fearlessflyer.com/main/wp-content/downloads/psd/clam-shelll.zip
i would really like to get the PSD file…
NICE theme btw
Hey Michael, great theme. Following you on Twitter as well.
Sweet looking theme, sir. Would love to destroy those clams though.
Hi, i would like to have the cool template.
~K
Love the bold look of this theme! Would love to get the PSD of Clam Shell and port it over to grapes.
http://fearlessflyer.com/downloads/clam-shell-psds.zip
Lets go test
I like the theme and may install it for a new project I’m working on.
Is the ability to apply ads in the sidebar a built in function or does it require additional coding?
Great work!
Ed
Sorry – but you would have to edit the html for the advertisement blocks.
Looks good!
I just love this theme. You’re a great designer. I followed you on Twitter as you asked (my twiname is Radiogrinch). Please send me the changable Photoshop files. my email address is radiogrinch(at)gmail.com
the psd files should all be in my downloads page under “psd” – http://fearlessflyer.com/downloads/
I love the theme too, and I’m planning to use it for an upcoming blog.
Problem: it glitches badly in IE6 – the right sidebar doesn’t fit on the screen and the RSS and Twitter icons corrupt at the top.
I get the same problems with IE6 on your demo. (And, as a matter of interest, on my Blackberry Bold browser, in Firefox mode.)
Any thoughts? IE6 is a collosal pain but it’s still a big enough chunk of your audience that to ignore it is far too much of a risk.
i understand – i strongly suggest not to use this theme for lack of ie6 support. I did not include ie 6 testing when i developed the theme. sorry.