Check Out Sally Brandon’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Brandon.

Hi Sally, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I learned to weave as an International 4-H Exchange (IFYE) in the late ’80s. In two of my host families’ communities, there were weaving houses where several looms were already prepared for certain projects. I was hooked immediately so when I returned home, I ordered a weaving loom kit and assembled it on my living room floor. That loom has moved with me 4 times and now shares space with 6 other floor looms, a Navajo-style tapestry loom, and many small looms.

In 2003, while traveling to alpaca shows to market myself as a weaver, my husband joined me for the first “Great Western Alpaca Show in Denver. We were set up next to a small mill from Wellington, CO, and my husband was as interested in their fiber processing equipment as they were in my hand spinning. On the way home from the show, my husband expressed his interest in opening a custom fiber processing mill, believing that might be the next adventure God had for us. I had difficulty seeing that as I was perfectly content being a starving artist supported by that same ‘patron of the arts’ husband. After pondering this epiphany of my husband’s, I told him I guessed I could visit the newly formed Phillips County Economic Development organization and see how to accomplish this vision. I spent the next 6 months writing a business plan to convince my husband that he misheard the Lord’s plan but convinced myself it might just be a great opportunity to get the yarns I wanted to work with made the way I wanted them.

Eighteen years later, we had built a business that supported our family, served an amazing community of fiber animal producers, and completely kept me from weaving. After much deliberation, Jay and I decided to sell the spinning mill portion of the business and feel blessed that we were able to find new owners for the business that were excited to take over the custom yarn business. I spent the last year mentoring Roger and Penny Minniear of MM Fiber Mill in New Lancaster, KS, and transitioning to a full-time fiber artist and weaver. My slow-fashion clothing line is primarily alpaca blend jackets created from yarns custom-made for me by MM Fiber Mill of US-grown alpaca. I weave on everything from found objects or a piece of cardboard to handlooms or a fully automated production loom. I weave one-of-a-kind wearable art for individual women of distinction. I work with small farmers who grow their fiber ethically, cooperating with well-cared-for animals. I practice minimal waste by using the loom waste from my garments for jewelry and accessories.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Small business in Northwest Kansas is rarely a smooth road. While I love the more relaxed pace and the neighbor-helping-neighbor aspect of a small rural community, finding employees to man the processing mill was always one of our biggest obstacles. In a town of 2500, there likely isn’t anyone with past fiber processing experience, and the training for the variables of small batch processing was about a 6-month process. Decision-making, problem-solving, equipment maintenance, and being on your feet all day are certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, and it took most about 6 months to figure that out. While I loved the work, I only successfully passed on my passion to a few employees. My location in and of itself is a challenge. Growing up in what most people call the middle of nowhere gave me dreams of seeing the world and discovering what I was missing. The trip to Finland was a step in that, and while I still love to travel, I’ve found peace in loving the rolling prairie hills of Phillips County and choosing a 5-hour commute to do business in the city.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a weaver/designer, I approached my work as an individual who creates for other individuals.  I never liked to weave sets of placemats–4 or 6 pieces of the same design became stale quickly. I always want to do something “new,” so each piece I weave, even on my production loom, is designed to be a one-off. I am one of the few weavers who like threading the looms. Saying I love to warp, or set up the loom for weaving, brings a bit of disbelief from other weavers. But to me, that’s where the magic begins. Undoubtedly, I am most proud of my agricultural roots, including family, community, and this land we’ve been selected to steward. Those roots are where my determination has come from; the struggles I’ve faced with my business dim compared to those of past generations who’ve invested their lives in this community.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Oh, my goodness, so many people have my deepest appreciation for their role in helping me get to this point. It was such an honor to be part of KCFW F/W22, and as I was working on the collection last summer, I kept thinking of women, especially those who have inspired me on this journey. I began naming pieces of the collection after them and then realized there weren’t enough pieces even to start acknowledging those who inspired me. Even if I only look at the women in my life, the list would be longer than I believe you have room for in this article. Ultimately, I give God the glory for those he’s placed in my life to encourage me along this path. I give Him the glory for planting the seed that took me to Finland and the doors that have opened along the way. He’s placed me in situations to meet some amazing fellow designers in the Kansas City area who I now count as friends but also stand in awe of their work.

Participating in an online business coaching group with Tina Joy Cochran of Golden Heartland introduced me to Clarissa Knighten of Rissa’s Artistic Designs. Clarissa encouraged me to apply for KCFW and introduced me to InterUrban Arthouse. She’s become a great friend and a strong mentor, helping me find my place in Kansas City. I’ve also been blessed to work with Gracie Keys through Rightfully Sewn. I appreciated the graciousness she always presented as she helped me size and build my collection for Fashion Week. I love seeing what’s coming next in her designs.

My best friend, Anne Brockhoff, who at the time wrote for the KC Star and introduced me to Jennifer Lapka and Rightfully Sewn; Jennifer was beginning to build Rightfully Sewn, and with our common Western Kansas roots, Anne thought I might be interested in what Jennifer was doing and that Jennifer might like to know what was going on out here. I loved the vision and mission that Jennifer shared with me and became an early supporter of the organization. I appreciated the help they could provide with my small batch sewing and loved that I was helping other women find their footing in Kansas City as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheShepherdsStudio.com
• Instagram: @theshepherdsmill
• Facebook: @theshepherdsstudio

Image Credits
Epley Photography, Eli Stack Photography