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Those of you who have been on one of my workshops know that I like to talk about the pricing of handmade craft items. I have, on occasion, strayed into rant territory (I'm sorry).

It is an unfortunate fact in a global economy that consumers become accustomed to low cost imported goods and it is something I am guilty of myself. I blame the Amazons, Ikeas and Primarks of the world for providing us with endless, impossible-to-resist bargains. After all, no-one likes to pay 'over the odds' for something they can get cheaper, right? But how often when we're spending our hard earned cash do we think about those that were involved in the production of whatever it is we're buying? Where in the world are they living and under what kind of government? What are their working conditions like? And what are they being paid? Who else is taking…

Here I am approaching middle age (ahem!) and I've found myself playing with sticks for a living. Not exactly what I imagined I'd be doing at all. But then, life is full of surprises. And opportunities. And I have to say, that whilst the money isn't anywhere near what I was earning in full time employment, I have never been more content in my working life.

When I take a step back and think about it, I really shouldn't be surprised that making things has become a key part of my life. And for that I can thank my upbringing. My Nan was a huge knitter and when she came to visit, she always brought a pile of jumpers that she'd made for me and my siblings. My Mum too is never far from a pair of knitting needles and an ongoing project (or several).

It was during one of…