12 December 2006 - Things are still hopping in the sales department, which makes me rather happy indeed. I have received some great news today. A lovely designer dress shop named Shimto in St Albans is now stocking Gee How Quaint travel accessories. Hurrah!

11 November 2006 - Things are really getting hectic. Hectic in a good, I am not getting much sleep as I am so busy sort of way. I like that.

Earlier this week I had yet another conversation with Edwina Currie as we were both attending the same event. I was manning my quaint stall while she was giving a speech at The Wellness Clinic in East Grinstead. She told me the delightful story of what had happened to the Nicole Knicker Bag that I gave her at the Women in Business event back in October.

Edwina was at a book signing event in Belfast. She had signed two of her books, placed them in the knicker bag along with my card, and added the lot to an auction to raise money for a charity in which she is involved. So, little Nicole has been getting lots of attention lately. I am sure my younger sister, the pink knicker bag's namesake, will be delighted to hear this news.

25 October 2006 - What an excellent day I have had! I just may have to over-use exclaimation marks for this entry, as I am very incredibly happy!!!! Okay, that's enough. Over-use of exclaimation marks is so annoying.

Today was the day that I decided to stop being a coward by going to my first networking event. I was slightly daunted when a woman asked me "So, why are you here?" I just wanted to blurt out "I don't know" and run out of the restaurant, as I was feeling slightly awkward. However, we were in an Italian restaurant, and I was being served a delicious glass of vino, so of course I decided to stay.

The first 20 minutes was packed with people milling around and exchanging details. When it was time to sit down, I somehow ended up being the last one left standing. To my alarm, the only seat available was the one at the head table, one seat away from guest speaker Edwina Currie! I had been hoping to just sort of melt into the background and observe but it seemed that this was not going to be the case.

Edwina chatted to the ladies around the table and eventually asked me what I did. I very cheekily had brought some of my bags with me and handed around a few travel accessories. When Edwina stood up to begin her speech (which was very inspiring and entertaining) she held up one of my bags and said....well, to be honest, I can't remember exaclty what she said. My brain didn't capture it because I was too busy thinking "she's holding up one of my bags!" She did mention to the other ladies that I print the fabric so perhaps they might be interested in having me create bags specifically for their businesses. At the end of her talk I quite happily gave her a knicker bag for her travels.

I actually did make a few connections today. So, yes, I will have to try this networking thing again.

10 October 2006 - I am still buzzing from the shopping party this past weekend. I thought it would be fab, but I did not imagine it would be as amazing as it was.

The important thing for me was that my guests enjoy themselves and not experience that horrible pressure or tension people suffer at shopping parties, when they feel the expectation to HAVE to buy something. Don't get me wrong, I love it when I make sales, but more importantly I want people to know about the company and to keep us in mind for gifts for friends, family or a special little treat for themselves. The champagne (with a small strawberry dropped into the glass) and the massages were a perfect touch. I passed around the products, explained their features and virtues then ended the night handing out a survey. The information I gleaned from this was brilliant.

So now what? I have a clever little idea up my sleeve and I just cannot wait to add it to the site. A must needed little number that will hopefully have most people thanking God that someone finally thought of it.

30 August 2006 - What's with all the clouds? I fear that summer has left us. Selah. I am very excited as I have been making plans for the next Gee... How Quaint shopping party. Oh, this is not your ordinary party... this is a shopping party with a difference. The thing is, and here is the thing, I want my guests to enjoy the experience, to feel relaxed, fed, pampered and at peace with life. The evening will kick off with a champagne reception and a little bit of chatting, eating and general milling around. For the evening, I have asked my very lovely friend The Beauty Therapist to do free 10 minute beauty treatments on each guest. I am thinking that hand massages might be nice but she can add her own options during the party. I will of course rattle on for a few minutes about the products and have them on display and ready for sale. I have had shopping parties in the past; I just wanted to make this one something extra special.

The thing about shopping parties is that guests are happy to offer many fantastic ideas and input about the products. Although having parties was a bit daunting in the beginning, I have found the experience and talking with the girls valuable in regards to the way I run my business. It is very necessary to know the needs of your customer.

26 July 2006 - Sizzling. Full stop. My project for the week is preparing for another print run of my Nicole knicker bag fabric. This is the old silk screening system that takes loads of time, space and patience, but it's still good fun. I usually do my printing on the floor, however this time I am slightly nervous about the process as my husband has recently laid down new laminate flooring. I have been known to accidentally print on the floor (ink seeping through the fabric). Layers of newspaper on the floor are surely the way forward. A good friend of mine has also brought it to my attention that I should come up with a bloke's range. Creating bloke bags was something I had planned to do in a few months time, so perhaps I should bring that date forward and see what I can do. I think that I might start off with a shoe bag and a swim bag, as I don't think men are too concerned with keeping their knickers in order while on holiday.

06 July 2006 - Glorious, all the way around. I am so jazzed, as Gee How Quaint is starting to pop up in more publications. July is proving to be a very successful month for PR. I am currently working on ideas for the Christmas holidays. I know I know, how can you think of scarves and snowmen (not that you have much snow 'round these parts) when it is still the hazy lazy days of summer? And to be perfectly honest, I would really love to just fly away and find a nice beach.

20 June 2006 - Printing Day. Bright and sunny with a splash of inconvenience. Today I am printing fabric for new bags. I dig the printing process from the initial sketches, to creating something permanent on brightly coloured fabric.

There are two methods that I use to create my prints. The first, and the most archaic, is the traditional silk screening method. This is by far the messiest, however, the bold blocky prints I can create are well worth the the time it takes to clean the screens. The second method, is done using my trusty Riso Gocco printer. This little gadget is the most wonderful thing in the world and is incredibly fun to play with. I use Gocco when creating simple, linear designs. I haven't been able to find a Gocco printing supplier in the UK, so am currently shipping the goods from the states.

Printing day begins with first preparing my screens. I then print on long lengths of fabric at my kitchen table. I once printed fabric on the new laminate flooring and ended up with knicker designs inked onto the floor. The tricky part is carrying the printed fabric from room to room, searching for places to drape the fabric so it can dry. On printing days it is typical to see fabric draped on sofas, beds, banister railings, chairs...you get the picture.

We are currently renovating the house, causing printing day to become more interesting. Trying not to trip over paint cans and power tools has become part of the process.

19 June 2006 - My usual instinct is to begin with a weather report, then move on to how I am feeling for the day. I blame this on my upbringing, surrounded by farmers and fickle weather. Today it is cloudy, but I remain optimistic and sunny.

A Brief History of Some Things Quaint

Starting a business is like being in a high maintenance relationship. At first, it is incredibly thrilling, a little bit scary and making your first big sale is like the best kiss ever. Then there are those days when you think that you have somehow offended your business, as it is not responding how you think it ought to. Was it something you said? Did you not treat it properly? Then the next day, sales are up, the sun in shining, and all is well with the world.

Like any relationship, it is always changing, growing (hopefully!), moving. The longer you're in it, the bigger the risks, the more of yourself you put into it.

It all began with my shoe obsession. Not that I have many shoes (or obsesssions). Well, according to my husband I have ten pair of shoes too many. He can't understand why it isn't possible to wear sturdy black shoes with everything.

I wanted to make something that was unique and fun. T-shirts were the beginning, then I moved on to fancy cushions. None of these, however, seemed to be unique enough. I then had a conversation with my mum-in-law who suggested I do something a bit more unusual...like shoe bags. The shoe bags were my official starting point and from there the travel accessories have increased to include all sorts of accessories for the stylish jet setter.