After qualifying in 1978 with a B.Ed Degree specialising in Dress & Textiles, Jo spent the following 8 years teaching in secondary education, first in Suffolk & then in 1984 moving to Cumbria. In 1986 she obtained a lectureship at West Cumbria College, where she stayed as lecturer-in-charge of Fashion until 1996. Here, teaching included leisure courses in addition to City & Guilds Creative Studies — Fashion. Jo also had the opportunity to return to student life during this time, developing her own skills & widening her knowledge through City & Guilds Creative Studies in Embroidery which she studied part time for 4 years. In 1996 she made the decision to leave West Cumbria College & go solo†— starting her own business in Egremont, West Cumbria. Starting from a teaching base, the business venture has developed in a steady but gradual way, although teaching still forms the backbone of Jo’s working week. The love of sharing information with others, working with people who are inspired by fabrics & colours - & who enjoy working in a creative environment — are the main reasons for running the classes.
