Olann fibrecraft

I qualified from Glasgow School of Art in Graphic design in 1991 and was offered work with an outdoor company in Govan (Vango). This led to a career in technical garment design as well as using my graphic skills. In 1996, I studied for an MA in Performance Sportswear Design to increase my skills set and worked freelance to a number of UK companies, designing technical outdoor clothing for extreme sports. In 2002 my partner and I set up a small publishing company in extreme sports photography and journalism in the Highlands, where once again I used my graphic design skills.

In 2006, I opted for a complete career change wishing to move away from commercial work. I learnt the skill of felt making using local sheep fleece from an elderly Highland lady and started to create artworks in this medium. Working with charities such as Headway Highland, Befrienders and Heart and Stroke, I offered therapeutic wool craft workshop in felting, peg loom weaving and knitting.

With a friend, this grew into a small business, creating wool crafts, offering craft workshops and selling a range of recycled wool supplies for the craft market. In 2017 I took on my fathers croft on Great Bernera and now have a flock of Hebridean sheep which gives me a good supply of wool with which to create wool crafts.

From time to time, I offer wool craft workshops in the Highlands and Islands.