MEET: Lucy Bowler of Looby Lou Designs

Today we talk to Lucy Bowler, the lady behind Looby Lou Designs; a fantastic business aimed to encourage children's creativity. Lucy gives tips for anyone thinking of setting up their own business, lets us in on what inspires her and the importance of helping children explore their own creative side.

Tell us a bit about yourself and Looby Lou Designs

BA Design Craft student, a mother of three and a designer maker.....slightly bonkers you may agree! Some of my earliest memories are of asking my grandma to teach me to knit and crochet, making dolls and sending paintings to Tony Hart!

What gave you the idea to set up Looby Lou designs?

Looby Lou Designs was founded in 2005 ……in the shed at the bottom of the garden! I started by making hand felted personalised canvases for children's rooms. After returning to college after having my family I then took these designs and designed a range of contemporary canvas kits to creatively inspire boys and girls from 3+ years to make their own special and personalised pictures. I found there to be a lack of products that gave children the confidence to explore and find their own “making” idea whist being introduced to a range of the loveliest fabrics, hand dyed silk ribbons and the most interesting embellishments I can find - which little boys and girls just love. The kit’s packaging is also cherished and useful as it is a canvas bag that can also be personalised. All products are carefully designed to encourage children to have fun and use their own creativity, which gives wonderful individual results. I have also written and illustrated story line instructions or poems within the kits to encourage learning of expression, visualisation, reading and writing skills.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of setting up their own business?

Firstly....make sure its about something you love, something you feel passionate about. At times it can be really hard going and its the lovely materials and flow of ideas that keep me going when the cash flow is making me worry! Ask your friends and family for help....I really could not do this without them. My children are my finest critics! Join a networking group for advice and support. Protect your designs as best you can. Be prepared to work hard!

What jobs did you have before this?

I have spent 13 years working for the NHS and County Council with adults with Learning Disability's. I had a varied career from hands on to leading teams in creative ways to improve the quality of peoples lives. All very useful skills to have when running your own business.

What inspires you?

My three beautiful children, my husband, my friends, the sunshine, being creative and having the determination to succeed come what may!

How do you market yourself and your business?

My website, suppliers, trade fairs, being a member of WIRE and ACID, local events...lots of calls to the press in hope of an article.

If you had enough time, what other craft would you like to learn?

I am really lucky to be doing a fantastic BA in Craft Design at my local college so am experiencing learning in ceramics, metals and textiles. I would also love to study fine art.

Who are some of your favourite artists/crafters/designers?

There are lots! Tracey Emin, Alice Kettle, Louise Gardiner, Matthew Harris to name a few. I am always drawn to textile artists first.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Well hopefully happy having achieved a good degree and inspiring children of all ages to be designers of the future. I hope my business will have grown steadily and that we will be offering an exciting range of children's craft products ! Who knows....maybe I will have an adult range too!

What is the best part of what you do?

Watching children beam as they stand back and admire their work of art.....

If you'd like to see more from Lucy and Looby Lou Designs, have a look at her website and the Looby Lou Designs NOTHS shop. You can also follow Looby Lou Designs on Twitter and Facebook.

Read about lots of other fabulous, creative people here: http://www.ukhandmade.co.uk/designers