April Tate Interview

Submitted by schmancy on Tue, 2011-09-20 10:57

Say hello to April Tate, mastermind behind Riley Construction! We love her sweet little plush and think you will too.

What is your favorite part about working in this medium?
I love making plush because of the inevitable whimsy. It reminds me of the homemade toys I had as a child, and all of the hours of fun and imagination they gave me. Each piece ends up with its own special personality. Working with fabric is a very organic process - fabric stretches, moves, and does what it wants to do. It's kind of like freestyle chemistry. You combine the ingredients, give it a stir, and the final result is always a little bit of a surprise.

What is your background?
I was trained in fine art and wanted to be a "serious" artist as a child, although I think I had more fun just making things. I come from a long line of crafty & musical people so making things by hand and experimenting with different media was always encouraged. I used to play "Craft Show" as a little kid in the early eighties and sell people things I made with paper and glue. I remember making my relatives terrible, terrible handcrafted Christmas presents.

I have a day job at a university and am enrolled in an MA program. At night, I am Co-organizer of the STL Craft Mafia, a blogger/member of MADE Collective, and maker of happy and fat plushies. I also have a wonderful little boy who acts as Inspector Number One for new designs...if he asks if he can have it, I know it's a winner. He's got good instincts :)

Favorite crafty tool?
You can make anything happen with needle & thread.

Favorite fall activity?
Making plush out of heavier woolen and plaid fabrics. Making them in summer just doesn't feel the same. Oh, and drinking hot things.

Did you have any inspiration behind the toys you are submitting for Plush You!?

- Sloth - seeing children hug my sloths at craft shows is one of the best things ever, and is what keeps me wanting to make more sloths. Kids love those long snuggly arms. Sloths are sweet and slow.

- Viking - I love how fierce and sweet they are at the same time. They remind me of Fischer-Price little people (only bigger) and they're one of the few plushies I make that draw little boys like flies to honey. And dudes too. They like the facial hair and horned helmets.

- TBD - will it be a fat plaid pony or a garden gnome? Wait and see!