Introducing the very talented Artisan, Cheeky Lil Eli. Cherish loves to crochet a colourful mix of cute, cuddly and useful little things from her home in Melbourne, Victoria.
Find out why Cherish started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
My crochet creations are a colourful mix of cute, cuddly and useful little things, all handmade with lots of love and probably a little too much yarn. I crochet each piece from start to finish, choosing the materials and colours, sewing the details and adding little touches that gives each creation its own personality. I love turning a simple ball of yarn into something that makes someone smile, because knowing that something I made can make someone happy is what makes me happy too. Most of my ideas start with me thinking, "Hmmm can I crochet that?" and then I just give it a go! Sometimes I follow a pattern but most of the time I just freehand my ideas.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
My handmade journey actually started in 2018 when I began making and selling handmade things like paper quilling art and light up fairy jars. I have always loved making things with my hands, turning simple materials into something special. Then I had my daughter in 2020, right at the start of Covid, and I did not go back to work to focus on taking care of my baby. Being at home, I needed something creative to do. I discovered crochet and completely fell in love with it. I discovered Madeit in 2021, and it gave me the opportunity to share my creations with even more people. Little by little, Cheeky Lil Eli grew from a hobby into something I truly love and am proud to call my own small business.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
Honestly, my inspiration comes from everyday things. I am drawn to cute, colourful and fun, and sometimes I simply pick my yarn and see where my imagination takes me. My daughter Elianna is also a big inspiration for me. I often make things that I think she would love, and sometimes her ideas give me new ones too.
Where did you learn your craft?
I am mostly self-taught. My lovely mother-in-law used to crochet and knit, and she is one of the people who inspired me to give it a try. I also learned a lot from YouTube and lots of practice, and of course plenty of frogging the yarn and trying again.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade artistry is special to me because every piece created carries a little bit of the person who made it.
As a crochet artist, I put so much time, love and care into every stitch.
It may just look like yarn, but behind every piece are hours of creating, learning and enjoying what I do. Knowing something made by my hands can bring a little happiness to someone else is what makes it meaningful to me.
Cherish is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ MadeIt: Handmade not Massmade Australia ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Cheeky Lil Eli make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!
