Introducing Angela from Tasmanian Softies. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Hobart, Tasmania, she creates gorgeous Australian animals using eco-friendly wool felt.
Find out why Angela started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I design and make wool felt Tasmanian iconic Animals. I also design and carve Lino prints which are included in my monthly mail club.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I started with my daughter 15 years ago, out of a desire to donate to the Save the Tasmanian Devil appeal.
Of course, my first soft toy had to be a Tasmanian Devil.
My daughter designed him and I made him out of felt.
Over the years I have donated thousands of dollars to help the Tasmanian Devils. From there I have created many more iconic Tasmanian animals and have chosen other wild life charities to donate to. This year it is Raptor Rescue.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from Tasmania its beautiful landscape and wilderness, and also its amazing animals. A couple of years ago I saw Neil the Seal in Kingston. He climbed from the beach, across the road and took up residence on a grassy area next to a toilet block - where he stayed resting for 3 days.
This of course gave me the inspiration to create Neil the Seal with his traffic cone of course. I decided to make him as a joke, but he was an overnight success and I sold 250 in one weekend - I was overwhelmed.
Where did you learn your craft?
I learned how to sew at school. I have been sewing ever since, making all sorts of things and creating new designs.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade is important to me as it gives me a way to express my creativity and share the joy of these creations with other people.
Angela is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ MadeIt: Handmade not Massmade Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Tasmanian Softies make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
