What is the difference between hessian and jute?

A customer contacted me recently and asked for some hessian bags. As a child growing up on a farm, my father used hessian sacks for the wheat and barley and animal feed. So I thought I needed to find out more...

According to Wikipedia the term Hessian or Brurlap in the US, refers to the use of a coarse woven fabric for soldiers uniforms in the German state of Hesse. It is usually made from jute or hemp and allied vegetable fibres and often used to make sacks and bags to ship goods like coffee breans. It is breathable and thus resists condensation and associated spoilage of the contents. It is also durable enough to withstand rough handling in transit.

Wikipedia goes on to say that Jute is a ligno-cellulosic fibre that is partially a textile fibre and partially wood. The fibres are off-white to brown, and 1–4 meters (3–12 feet) long and often called hessian. Jute fabrics are also called hessian cloth and jute sacks are called gunny bags in some European countries.

So after reading all about it - A jute bag is the same as a hessian bag, burlap bag or a gunny bag.

Jute Shoppers - Long Handles

Our latest new bag has just arrived and is now in stock. These jute shopping bags are so popular I decided that I would try the long handled version. Its great for taking to the shops, folds up small and can be worn over your shoulder. They are only £2.99 and are fairly traded from India.

Where are my Playbus cookies Mummy?

Went into the local Coop yesterday and found some organic, fair trade chocolate chips. Great, exactly what I need to bake the cookies for Little Darling's birthday treat on the Playbus. This had already been postponed from last week due to bus problems so I had no excuse.

At 11pm last night went to the fridge, after fighting with the Tax Return, to find that it had no eggs. Oh dear, I couldn't make his choc chip cookies - hopefully he will have forgotten by the morning and mummy can go and buy some.

Little Darling was up early at 7:30, a miracle for him. Where are my Playbus cookies mummy? Mummy felt really guilty and assured him that they would be there for snack time. After dropping him off at Playbus poor mummy rushed to the local farm to get eggs, rushed home, made cookies, put them in the oven and packed up the orders to take to the Post Office - all in record time and arrived at the bus just in time for snack.

Little Darling after wolfing down choc chip cookies and chocolate crispies brought in by another birthday boys frantic mum, was then sick in the soft play centre on the bus. Poor Mrs Playleader then had to clear it up. I decided to make a quick exit with Little Darling in tow!

The Dreaded Tax Return...

If only I had done it earlier and not left it until the last minute. Why do they make Tax Returns so difficult to understand. I have even been on two courses at our local Tax Office and its still clear as mud. Fortunately I just send the accounts off to our accountant and he comes up with some magical figures.
And then its the VAT return to do...

Why is running a business so difficult sometimes?

Product of the Month - January

January's product of the month is the bamboo handled recycling storage bag. In January we pack away the Christmas decorations, childrens toys and have a general tidy up after the Christmas and New Year festivities. These jute storage bags are just the job.

They provide a practical storage solution and are made from jute, lined with polyethylene and have strong bamboo handles. They will hold up to a months worth of newspapers or a floor full of toys! Attractive enough to keep in any room in the house. Versatile, durable, cost effective and completely bio-degradable, there is little to rival jute.

We also use the bags for storing vegetables, the weekly shop (you can fit a couple in a shopping trolley) and for taking the parcels to the post office. I'm sure there are lots of other uses too such as carrying laundry, storing clothes etc.

A break at the North Norfolk Coast

We are now at the cottage in Mundesley, North Norfolk having a welcome relaxing break after the hectic Christmas rush. The weather is lovely and, although cold, we have been for some bracing walks along the sandy beach. The children have been looking for shells and drift wood and we even managed to drag the 10 year old away from SKY TVs 24 hour Simpsons.

Paul and I have also been tidying, cleaning and working in the garden in readiness for the next guests. I started cleaning the oven and at first thought it wasn't too bad but after 3 hours of scrubbing gave up exhausted. Thats the problem when you don't use chemicals, its takes a lot of elbow grease. If any one knows of an oven cleaner that is ECO please let me know!

Rachel