RamsdenDesigns

When Imaginations Collide

I was wondering through the uni bookshop today and found this:

It’s the perfect book for Little J. A story about a girl with an over active imagination who has a flair for the dramatic. She’ll see herself in Anne for sure.

Currently Reading…

“Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You. A guide to the universe” by Marcus Chown.

It’s a book that puts quantum theory and Einstein’s theory of relativity into easy, readable language. What I’d most like to write is that I find it interesting and informative, able now to discuss quantum theory as easily as I can the latest episode of House.

Shamefully I have to admit I’m only getting about 50% of the content. I have no idea what ‘interference’ is with regards to the atom or how a quantum computer could work or why light is made up of waves and particles. Please don’t ask me any of these questions, I can’t answer them.

This is not the first science book I’ve read. I very much enjoyed “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking and “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson was a hoot. Hawking even dedicated a chapter to ‘String Theory’ and I’m pretty sure I got that.

It’s because quantum theory is beyond comprehension and most of the time sounds like scientists are just grabbing answers out of thin air. For example…an experiment produces identical events and they are indistinguishable “just as long as nobody looks”.

Thankfully I’m not the only one who feels the same way. Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann was on a sea voyage with Einstein in 1921 and said: “Einstein explained his theory to me every day and, on my arrival, I was fully convinced that he understood it!”

Link Love

• This woman is so talented I’m green with envy, although I do believe she works VERY hard for her talent. We have one of her books which is read on a regular basis. Blow are 3 books she illustrated and very cleverly made to all work together.

• I spend a lot of time looking at market displays on the internet and I must admit, my display, when compared to the pro’s is seriously lacking. Indie Fixx did a small series on the Art Star 09 market and you can tell by the pics that some people really have a great eye for detail. Read it here, here and here.

Some favourites from the series include:

It’s the white shelves that get me…so simple but so effective.

If I ever get a van big enough to hold a shelving unit like this I’d totally go for it.

Look at the boxes behind! Love them.  

All images by Indie Fixx.

• Want to know what your chances are of making a success of your business? Then the Odds of Success Calculator is what you need. I’ve apparently got a 33% of making a success of my business, my weaknesses being lack of managerial experience, soap making experience and funds. I like that they tell you your weaknesses, gives you something to work on.
• Starting your own Home-Based Arts & Craft Business was interesting. It’s a nice article if you’re just starting out and have all those newbie questions which you hope don’t make you sound too naive.
• As is The 12 Secrets to Starting a Home-Based Craft Business. It’s up to secret 10 right now. They’re not really secrets, but are they are still good to read because they put you in a success frame of mind.

Day 30

Today was a nice relaxing day. We went into the city and I spent my Christmas gift voucher at Planet Books and I'm now the proud owner of:

• Web Copy That Sells -The revolutionary formula for creating killer copy that grabs their attention and compels them to buy
• McMafia - Seriously Organised Crime
• Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You - A guide to the universe

Big B splashed out on The Bush Tragedy - The unmaking of a president. I think I'll pass on reading that one.

I also cut my Vanilla and Energy Lavish soaps. They look divine and I'm sorry I didn't get a picture but I'll endeavour to do so tomorrow.

Also today I:

• Develop ideas for Economy soap packaging - tick! Well I trawled the net looking for inspiration. I definitely know I want to do a double band. One plain band wrapped around the soap and another with the information on it wrapped the other way. I found some great soapers doing something similar but thankfully nothing quite like what's pictured in my head. Some inspiring pictures include:

• Research market banner prices - tick! And the winner is Vista Print who are having a 50% off sale right now. So tonight I'm designing the banner and will order tomorrow so I don't miss out on the deal.

Tomorrow I’ll be making more soap and also designing a “Taking care of your soaps” brochure to give to customers.

Day 23

Ah bath bombs! How sweet you smell.

How much mess you create.

Today I wandered over to Angus & Robertson bookstore and bought “The Truth About What Customers Want” by Michael Solomon. It’s all about giving customers what they want and keeping them happy which can only benefit everyone involved.

I guess the last sentence was redundant because the title just told you that!!

Almost finished the bath bombs. They dry rock hard too. I know because Little C lobbed one at my sewing machine today and it stayed intact.

I also spent time working on the website. I’m this close to putting the items in and launching.