How Diana Buck Is Spinning Her Passion for Fiber Arts into a New Business

When Diana Buck first stepped through the doors of Carroll Community College in her early twenties, she had no idea she’d return decades later. Thanks to Carroll’s Pathways to Entrepreneurship program and a Ratcliffe Works scholarship, Diana is now preparing to open Looped In: Spin, Weave, Knit, Create! with her business partner Kirsten Grell. Their shop, rooted in community and creativity, is set to become a hub for fiber artists across Carroll County.

A Passion Years in the Making

Diana’s journey is one marked by transformation and lifelong learning. After completing her undergraduate studies, she earned a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology and spent years working in community mental health and career counseling. Later, she homeschooled her child and mentored other young learners, encouraging many to consider community college for its supportive environment.

Once her child graduated, Diana found herself on the brink of a new chapter. “I’ve been a crafter since I was a child,” she explains. “Fiber arts, in one form or another, has been a source of joy for most of my life.” Teaching weaving felt like a natural extension of that passion.

Her shift from counseling and education to entrepreneurship wasn’t just about starting a business—it was about honoring decades of creative energy and giving back to the crafting community that had long nurtured her.

[Pathways to Entrepreneurship] helped me better understand our business in a way to move it past a dream and into understanding the steps to go forward.

The Birth of Looped In

The idea for Looped In began to take shape when Diana met Kirsten Grell through the Carroll County Fiber Artists Guild. They soon discovered they shared a dream of opening a fiber arts store that would serve as a creative space, a supply source, and a community anchor.

Both women had already laid groundwork in their respective spheres—Diana through teaching historic and modern weaving techniques at venues like the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and The Waterford Craft School, and Kirsten through her online business, JK Fiber Arts. Together, they envisioned a brick-and-mortar shop that would:

• Offer hands-on classes in weaving, spinning, dyeing, and fiber preparation
• Serve as a retail outlet for local dyers and sheep growers
• Help retiring fiber artists rehome their equipment
• Create a welcoming space for people to learn, connect, and find joy in fiber arts

Currently, the duo is currently in the process of formalizing their partnership and scouting retail space in downtown Westminster.

Diana believes that small, creative businesses like Looped In play a critical role in strengthening local economies. By supporting local farmers, artists, and crafters, shops like hers foster sustainable economic development and deepen community bonds.

“Creating things by hand has been shown to be stress reducing,” Diana says. “And finding community has a positive impact on longevity and for finding peace and enjoyment in life.” She wants Looped In to be that place, where creativity and connection come together.

Learning to Launch

Diana credits much of her momentum to the Pathways to Entrepreneurship program at Carroll.

“This time around, I was not looking to obtain a degree, but rather looking for knowledge about running a business.” The program’s curriculum equipped her with critical tools—from writing a business plan to analyzing market data—and helped transform her vision for a fiber arts shop into a viable venture. “It helped me better understand our business in a way to move it past a dream and into understanding the steps to go forward.”

Diana also received a life-changing Ratcliffe Works scholarship. “I am so grateful for the scholarship,” she says. Still paying off her student loans, the thought of taking on more student debt was “demoralizing and constricting.” Without the scholarship, she wouldn’t have been able to justify going back to college.

Diana was also the first person in her family to go to college. “Community colleges are wonderful for first generation learners!” she professed. “I found Carroll Community College to be less intimidating, which greatly helped me get started. I always felt that the people I encountered there truly wanted me to succeed.”

Getting Guidance & Giving Back

Diana encourages others who dream of starting a business to speak up and seek support.

“Don’t be afraid to share your ideas,” Diana recommends, as it can lead to forging valuable connections—and friendships. She also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to explore programs like Pathways to Entrepreneurship and organizations like the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) that can help you every step of the way to fulfilling your goals.

Indeed, through dedication, creativity, and community support, Diana Buck is well on her way to turning her lifelong love of the fiber arts into a thriving business—one that will uplift local artisans, preserve crafting traditions, and inspire others to chase their own entrepreneurial dreams.

“I have always enjoyed teaching and sharing knowledge to anyone interested in what I may share,” she says. “I have been on the receiving end from many crafters over the years, and I love the opportunity to give back what I’ve been graciously given by others.”