Katie Allen

MEET THE MAKER

My name is Katie Allen and my business is Loopy Ewes. I am a Shepherd and Knitwear Designer/Maker based in Gloucestershire. About ten years ago I bought my first native breed sheep. Horrified to hear from other farmers of the poor price they receive for their wool clip each year, I decided to find a better solution for my own flock’s wool. I began a long journey learning about textiles and the fashion industry, whilst slowly developing a design and craft practice based around knitwear. I graduated from an MA in Fashion and Textile Design from Bath Spa University at the start of 2021 and launched my collection of handcrafted, 100% traceable garments and homewares – grown, spun and made in South West England. The collection was very well received and it gave me the confidence to apply to the Crafts Council’s Crafting Business programme.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEEDBACKS?

My work is very mission focussed; I want to use my practice to help people make the connection between fashion and farming. By sharing my journey I aim to increase awareness that there are farming processes that honour soil health and biodiversity, which can underpin responsible textile production. My collection is designed to give people that connection and motivate them to consider where all the items in their wardrobe have originated from. Over the course of the Crafting Business Programme I have developed a better grasp of why I am running my business and what I need to do to make it more profitable. By focussing on the business side of my craft practice I made myself nail down small and big details about the where my business was going, how it was going to be profitable and what I needed to consider to get there. The advice given on the course is so invaluable for any craft business. It gives you the tools to really understand the strengths and weakness of your business – and yourself – and how you need to develop or change to reach any milestones you’ve set. For me, the course has improved how I see myself within the craft industry. It has increased my confidence in my work and raised my professional practice and expectations for myself and my work, to a new level.

FIVE THINGS YOU’LL BRING WITH YOU FROM THE EXPERIENCE:

• Listen to the advice you are being given and apply it to your own situation.
• Trust the process – the different aspects of the Crafting Business journey are all important and come together to add to your knowledge and understanding in different ways.
• Make the most of the peer interaction – working together in groups to apply the learning and support each other was really beneficial.
• Do the finances! I found this to be the most important bit if you are serious about taking your business forward. Don’t do half a job of it, make the time and effort to do this part the best you can.
• Be open minded. You should come out of it a more focussed and stronger maker if you allow yourself plenty of head space over the duration of the course to let the learning digest.