This technique lets WordPress create the necessary  code by ‘adding’ an image to a post. Then copy the created code and insert it into a text widget.

Voila! and no HTML on your hands…

Resource: http://www.fergusweb.net/coding/thesis-tutorial-creating-new-widget-areas/

The wonderful Thesis wordpress theme comes with two sidebars which are very configurable.  You can insert widgets into either sidebar, exactly as you wish.

But what if you want to put a widget somewhere else?  Let’s take a look at the Tailored Web Services website.  (That’s my employer).   Look at the footer of this site.  There are three columns down there, and each one contains a widget.