Stitching in Positivity

Stitching in Positivity

BY Kelsey Sheppard

Sustainability sits at the heart of Angel Tew’s work. In sewing, she gravitates toward reserve and deadstock fabrics—materials destined for landfills—transforming them into one-of-one pieces. Though she’s been sewing since thirteen, now her primary business, crochet entered her life about ten years ago and quickly became a natural extension of her craft. It follows the same philosophy. Her aesthetic shifts depending on what she’s creating; traditional voodoo dolls that might be brown or neutral become neon and electric. Every creation is unique because every material arrives with its own personality.

When asked how her personality shows up in her work, Angel hesitated. Her bold palette contradicts her quiet, reserved nature. But then she offered something deeper: she tries to stitch positive energy into everything she makes, hoping people feel drawn to that warmth and carry it with them. The excitement she feels when a piece finds its person mirrors what the buyer feels when discovering it. Her intention starts the story, but the customer’s memory completes it—whether it’s tied to the moment they found her work or the joy of gifting it. Though each item is unique and may serve a purpose, art and utility shift in the hands of the owner. One person may wear a shawl; another may drape it over furniture. Some display her crochet on dashboards or shelves, while others simply cuddle it.

We talked about Art Attack as a place to showcase art, but even more as a community where artists gather, collaborate, and inspire one another. And while Paddy’s is full of surprises—a towering security guy ordering a tiny crocheted lion. The most unexpected commission Angel has ever received? Three hundred crochet penises… for Paddy’s Irish Pub.

www.paddysirishpub.com

Paddy's Not Just An Irish Pub, The Best Pub, Bar, Club, Comedy, Karaoke, Darts spot in Fayetteville North Carolina