Meet the Team
Our Team
Claire Anketell
Chief Executive
Claire is married and a mum of one, originally from Belfast but now living in Comber, Co. Down. She resumed knitting again in 2015 and developed a passion for yarn dyeing and has only recently learnt crochet, her prized possession is a circular sock knitting machine and she loves to explore all kinds of crafts involving yarn when she gets a chance!
Claire has a degree in Law, and a Diploma in Stress Management and has worked in the Voluntary sector for nearly 18 years, 14 of these supporting people with a wide range of mental and physical disabilities in employment and training.
From 2016 to 2024 Claire ran a yarn dyeing business Giddy Aunt Yarns alongside her sister Janice. Claire has experienced Generalised Anxiety Disorder and spells of work related stress and always returns to creative activities during these times to alleviate symptoms.
As Chief Executive and a founding Director of Inspiring Yarns, Claire is responsible for developing our range of services across the organisation.
Janice Moore
Operations Director
Janice lives in Comber and as Director of Operations, and a founding Director of Inspiring Yarns, Janice is responsible for the day to day running of our retail, events and administrative functions. She also looks after our new dye studio creating Inspiring Yarns own brand of hand dyed yarns and fibres.
She grew up in Belfast and has 20 years experience working in the Financial Services sector in administration, training, supervisory and technical support roles.
Janice has always been drawn to artistic and creative activities and has found these help to balance a stressful work life. After several years of jewellery making Janice rediscovered knitting & crochet in 2015, which soon progressed to her passion for creating hand dyed yarns and running a hand dyed yarn business, Giddy Aunt Yarns, between 2016 and 2024 alongside her sister Claire.
Having generalised anxiety/panic disorder and experiencing work related stress in the past Janice finds much needed distraction & joy in her creative work and hobbies. This in turn has a positive effect on her mental health and well-being.
Åsa McDowell
Creative Director
I started out as an Architect and worked in the construction industry in Sweden, Nepal and Northern Ireland, but straight lines were never really for me....
I studied Fine and Applied Art (Textiles) as a mature student before setting up my first wool shop, The Textile Studio. A couple of years ago I opened Folklore Yarns in a partnership, but in 2020, due to worsening chronic pain, I had to make the hard decision to sell up. Now I’m freelancing as a knitter and workshop teacher among other things but I have also time to look after my health. I have knitted, sewn, woven, and painted since I was very young.
Community is important to me, to give and receive support is vital to my own mental health. This drive to have a space where community can happen was a large part of my vision when I opened the shops, as I think having those “third spaces” where people can get together through a common interest, helps cohesion in society and enables a sense of belonging that we all need.
I’m delighted to be involved with Inspiring Yarns and can’t wait to see where this journey leads.
Aimée Palmer
Textile Artist
Aimee graduated in 2015 with a BA Hons in Textile Art, Design and Fashion from Ulster University, specialising in hand embroidery. Aimee is drawn to intricate details especially within embroidery and costume, which inspired her to return to education in 2017 to complete a HNC in Costume Production/Performance at Belfast Met.
She was one of the many skilled embroiderers who worked on the ‘Game Of Thrones’ tapestry which has been on display at the Ulster Museum in Belfast, as well as being displayed in Bayeux France, home of the famous Bayeux tapestry.
Aimee joined the Inspiring Yarns team as a Trainee Textile Artist, which has been a great opportunity for her to learn knitting and crochet, as well as brushing up on her weaving skills. She is now a knitting convert and is already planning lots of knitting projects as her skills progress. She is delighted to have the opportunity to add to her craft-based skills in her new role.
Textiles has always been an outlet for her, a way to switch off from daily life and just get lost with a needle and thread. In her spare time she designs and sells her own embroidery on Etsy.
Our Management Committee
Gemma McAdam
Chairperson
Gemma became a service user of Inspiring Yarns back in 2021, starting with a beginner skills crochet course and promptly developing a yarn obsession.
Having joined in a variety of the Inspiring Yarn courses, trying her hand at different crafts, from crochet to felting, she has grown her passion and skills in yarn and heritage crafts.
Throughout her career, Gemma has been an advocate for the local area, working in Tourism and for local businesses. She has worked in Marketing and Communications roles over the last 10 years and is bringing her knowledge and experience to Inspiring Yarns, as well as her passion for sharing the positive effects of yarn crafts for positive mental health.
Mandy Patrick MBE
Treasurer
Mandy Patrick MBE is a highly accomplished senior professional with 25 years experience in the hospitality sector gained through leading and managing a busy family run Belfast hotel. Responsible for all core business areas, strategic growth, financial management, human resources and sales & marketing, resulting in an ability to deliver positive outcomes in a range of challenging environments.
Mandy also has 18 years non- executive director experience across voluntary, private and public sectors all of which have contributed to her being nominated as one of the top 200 successful business women celebrated in Buckingham Palace and again in 2014 awarded an MBE for her contribution to tourism.