I got interested in making and selling things when I was still at school. I went on to study Fashion Design in Derby and then worked as a designer, firstly doing childrens' wear and then lingerie. Although my mum taught me to knit, it wasn't until I was at college that I got hooked. Since then, I have designed and made all sorts of knitted items, selling through shops, craft fairs and private customers. When the children were small I went back to college to do an A level in Printed Textiles and learnt about silk painting. I now paint and sell silk scarves as well as knitted accessories.