Over the recent months i have been designing my socks off and trying to put together 3 designs worth going to trade with. The pressure was on because i decided that i would show at the Harrogate Home and Gift Show in July, they have a specific hall for designers new to the world of trade, they've called the Hall (E) Intro North so i am hoping it will draw a lot of buyers looking for the next big thing...which will hopefully be me! (i'm on stand E50 if you happen to be there, come and say hi).

I find that designs either come to me in a flash or i have to bleed them out drop by drop. This time, unfortunately, it was a relentless/plainful task which took months and involved plenty of mood swings (sorry to my family there!). But i have finally come out of the other side and sent them to the respective manufactures a couple of weeks ago, we seem to be getting through the teething problems and so now it's just a case of sitting back, hoping, wishing and praying that a) they turn out like i hope and b) they are liked by others!

I have now entered the world of stand display, packaging, brand imaging, marketing, PR, labels, stationary, pricing, wholesale, quantities and much much more - the mind boggles, i'm starting to understand why people who run their own business look so dam tired! But i have to say i wouldn't change a thing.

www.homeandgift.co.uk