RamsdenDesigns

My New Logo is a Delight (snort!)

I’ve never actually had a proper logo. Not a real one, so, in an effort to get my business act together I spent an inordinate amount of time making one.

Now I’m not going to tell you that whilst looking for a bird with the word “Delight” in it’s name I came across a “Twitchers Delight” which I thought was a simply wonderful looking bird. But it turned out that that isn’t the name of a bird but rather a term used to describe the sighting of a rare bird (or something to that effect).

I won’t tell you, because that would just make me look like an idiot…and we can’t let that cat out of the bag.

So it’s a twitchers delight wearing a crown. See where I’m going here? My little bird friend is the emperor of delightful birds.

I know I know, my genius is positively radiating from me.

He’s (no name yet, we’re still at getting-to-know-you stage) going to be absolutely every where soon. In fact the little fellow is already on this blog and on the website. Check out the website if you don’t believe me, and while you’re there, buy something. The soaps are fantastic value.

I Am Not My Body

The subject of body image and dealing with pain have been at the forefront of my week. I’m fine by the way, but sometimes we have to deal with pain and suffer for a while.

This week I was reminded that I am grateful I’m not sick often and rarely have to visit hospitals. Kind and attentive nurses cannot counterbalance the cold sterile rooms and that terrible moment at two in the morning when you wake and realise you’re alone and not with your family and not in your own soft bed.

And you don’t want to hear children crying, or those words “you’ll have to stay another night”, or “out of 1 to 10 what is your pain score?” and you cry “eight!” because right then and there it hurts that much.

And just when I was feeling sorry for myself I found this video and it made me realise my pain score was thankfully now zero and that there are plenty of other scores I needed to be keeping.

Stephanie and I don’t share the same beliefs but I still enjoyed this video. It was so beautifully made and I loved her message of the joy of motherhood and love.

It’s The Small Things That Count

I have a dear friend who I speak to on a regular basis who whenever she asks me what’s happening is always given the same reply “Nothing much”. Which isn’t true and her and her fiancé complained bitterly to me recently that they learnt more about what was going on in my life by reading my blog than talking to me.

The problem is, is that all the little things that make a life interesting and exciting always seem to disappear from my memory when ever anyone asks me what’s going on in my life.

Besides, aren’t they really only interested in the big news? Don’t people really want to hear about all the disasters and dramas happening? I’m sure people would much rather hear that the Queen came to visit and we Zumba’d the afternoon away, or what happened when I tested the theory that you shouldn’t let a bull loose in a china shop, rather than the news that my digital set top box has stopped working and I’m heartbroken or I’ve given up chocolate and am equally heartbroken.

But it turns out people really are interested in the boring, mundane realities of my life. Because it’s not boring and mundane to them.

So in honour of that I’m posting a little picture of what happens when three year olds are given free reign with the car and all the toys they can carry.

Enjoy Gemma. This will be your world in two small years.

Blogtoberfest Day 12 - The Day With A Sick Child and M&Ms

Poor Little J is still sick. So she was shuffled off to the doctor who informed us she has...a cold. Ok, thanks for that, I figured that myself but I guess the conformation is nice.

We got a prescription for antibiotics if she doesn't improve over the next day or two. Lets hope she does because she absolutely refuses to take any medication which led to the doctor informing her that orally is not the only way a tablet can be taken.

Poor thing, the look on her face when she realised what he meant was priceless.

In other news I've discovered that my kids think they like M&Ms but don't really. They're seen as a snack but mostly are seen as objects to throw around the room.

Lesson learnt.

The Perils Of Fame

I guess I’ll just slot it into the ‘all publicity is good publicity’ folder and move on. I’m in the local newspaper this week you see, as a bit of publicity for myself and the upcoming Subiaco market. Except the reporter renamed my business ‘Empire of the Light’ even though in my picture you can clearly see the real name and didn’t leave any web address or any way to contact me if you wanted to buy one of my products. I love the publicity, and the soaps look amazing but I’m finding it very difficult to let go and allow other people who don’t know the brand write about it.

Lets not discuss the accompanying picture. Just to say it won’t be going up on the website and I’m going on a diet tomorrow :(

Day 68 - 70

Thirty days to go.

My blogging has slowed down…that's because my money has run out for a bit as I mentioned in this post Big B has put the brakes on it for just a little while, and so I’m not making as much right now. Just a couple more days to go and I’ll be in full swing again.

Today was supposed to be a triumphant day at the Mundaring markets but actually was not so. Mostly because I didn’t go. A raging headache for the last two days and sick family members made me think it was better to not subject myself or Little J to the rainy conditions, or expect Big B to look after a two year old while not feeling the best. The wonderful sunny conditions ALL day left me kicking myself that I just didn’t take the kids and go anyway.

Next time I won’t be such a sook.

I’m still excited about finishing my 100 days. I think about it constantly, what to make, how to package things, solutions to problems I have. The end product is beginning to take shape and it’s just a matter of pushing myself to finish those last pieces and get it all done. If i work at it now, and put my head down I’ll have it finished before the 100 days. That would be awesome because then I’ll know I can achieve whatever I put my mind to and will feel very confident about the future.

Monday:

1. Make 4 Solid Body Bars – 12 each
2. Fill in more market applications

Tuesday

1. Make two Delight Collection soaps: Monkey Farts and Vanilla/Cocoa

Wednesday

1. Work on Website: adding content

Thursday

1. Make 4 bath bombs – 24 each

Day 62 - 63

Slightly disappointing day today. My gorgeous Strawberry soap has almost no scent, which would have been fine if I wanted it to be plain but I actually was hoping it would smell of sweet divine strawberries.

It’s very disappointing because I was thrilled with how it turned out, just not so happy with the lack of smell. After a bit of research I discovered that brand of strawberry fragrance oil is very fleeting in soap. So Strawberry soap is off the list and I won’t be making it again. I will still make strawberry bath bombs and bubble bars because the scent was such a resounding success at markets and because I still have 400mls of the stuff left.

The Unscented soap of course smells as it should…just like soap. I’m looking forward to trying it out for myself.

I’d have got more done today but my brother came over and made me redesign his business pamphlet and letterhead for him, then spent the rest of the day watching YouTube with me.

As you do.

Day 45 - 46

I’m enjoying more and more the process of regular blogging. Before I would always find an excuse to not blog; whatever happened wasn’t interesting enough, I’ll do it tomorrow or I’d just plain forget. Now I feel I have loads to write about. I even have little notes written down on my Windows Live Writer so I don’t forget that fabulous thought I had.

The first note for today was “I’m enjoying more and more the process of regular blogging”  :)

Yesterday I spent all day driving around with mum picking up supplies and checking out packaging options. Literally all day too, we left at 9am and got home at 4pm. To top it off we then had to go out at 4.40 for a bonfire at Little J’s school. Hanging around the school yard in the freezing cold while the kids sing…something…is not my idea of fun but I’d look like a crap parent if I wagged it.

And today's lesson is: always check your invoices. Today while checking my supplies list I noticed I’d been overcharged on my olive oil. About $30 overcharged. A quick phone call to the suppliers sorted it out but it fully cemented in my mind that double checking purchases is vital. It’s not the first time there’s been a mistake, just yesterday I realised I’d ordered the wrong liquid colour while checking my purchases at another supplier. Luckily those suppliers were really casual about it and just swapped it for the colour I actually wanted. Other times I’ve left the suppliers without part of the purchase and had to drive all the way back after realising my mistake.

Now I’m also checking prices too, to make sure it’s what I thought it’d be.

In far more exciting news, my banner arrived. If I could find my camera I’d take a picture of it. I also bought an OzTrail marquee and some fab aluminium tins that will be the packaging for my solid body bar.

I also joined Adwords. It’s been blah! I get one, sometimes two hits off it a day even though my ads showing up in thousands of searches. I don’t think Adwords will be working for me. I might try blog advertising, it’s a lot more expensive but it’d be worth a try to see how that goes.

Online Website?

I just realised how stupid that statement is…

Online Website

As if a website could be anything but online!!! Better change that quick.

Day 16

Another hugely successful day in the Delight Society 100 Day Action Plan.

It started well with Big B taking the girls to school and day care so I could ponder the confusing depths of Zen Cart and it’s payment system. It’s all worked out now and when I open the web shop customers will have the option of Pickup, Direct debit, Cheque/Money order or PayPal and once I get a merchant account with my bank I’ll be adding credit card facilities as well.

The Australia Post rep visited today. He got here about 1/2 an hour early and called to see if I’d see him then or did I want him to wait till it was our appointed time. For a second I considered making him wait in his car outside my house till it was our predetermined appointment time but I’m not that evil.

It was interesting hearing what he had to say; what the charges would be, who my potential customers will be (approx 70% estimated to be Eastern states buyers)and what the best packaging options will be. I’m going to open up a cash account with Australia Post, it’ll keep a record of all the parcels I post and I’ll be able to collect information about how much I paid for postage, how much I actually charged and what parcel size I most used. And if things go well I’ll be offered a contract with them which will entitle me to discounted postage rates, which will make me more competitive with Eastern states sellers.

I’m still confused a bit (which frankly isn’t unusual for me) but I was able to put shipping estimates into Zen Cart. My estimates are perhaps a bit on the low side but I see nothing wrong with offering discounted shipping during the early months of my shop and then adjusting it later.

And lets not get started on classifying Zones on Zen Cart. Setting up shipping rates for international customers and making sure Australian buyers don’t see them was honestly one of the most confusing moments in my life. I still don’t get it but it works. Phew!

Still with me?

Excellent! Today after a week of searching and a bazillion suppliers I have decided on two potential suppliers for my gift boxes, one in Perth (but who seem to be ignoring my emailed enquiries) and another over in NSW who are further away (and therefore more expensive) but who have fantastic gift boxes. If I have time tomorrow I’ll pop into the Perth factory and chat face to face, that usually gets them to notice me. But I also think I’ll order some samples from the other supplier, I really do like what they have to offer.

Here’s a thing too. As a little person…a small business I’m not that interesting to wholesalers, I’m only ordering small runs of products and buying smallish quantities of ingredients and take a back seat to other customers who are handing over more money. I understand this, really, and am prepared to be more persistent and patient than I would compared to getting the same treatment in say a retail shop. But it’s frustrating, and I’m counting to 10 an awful lot these days.

Finally, to finish off the longest post in human history, dad and I made a wire soap cutter today.

I LOVE it. It’s not fancy, it’s not pretty but it cuts like a dream and that's all that matters.

It’s also .5cm too narrow for my soap cutting block.

Ha-ha

Dad isn’t going to be too happy when I bring it back tomorrow and ask him to make it a tad wider.