Animalia Republic

Animalia Republic is "All Things Animal Inspired". Currently our main focus is womens fitted tees, kids tees, baby items, accessories and soon to come iPad/laptop sleeves, childrens masks, animal ear headbands. I make handmade items with a lot of charm, a little whimsy and so much personality that reflect my inherited passion for the handmade craft and love of all animals. Although I do come from a corporate background I have always had a need to create. Create things that tell a story. I have been able to do with fabric what I cannot with a paper and pencil. I can draw with fabric as silly as that may seem. Animals of every kind have always been a passion of mine. At a very early age my father noticed this love of animals and nurtured it. Now my crafty side is due to an amazing woman. An aristocrat of textiles and handmade items in her own right. The very special lady that started this whole fabric, sewing and crafting obsession was my wonderful grandmother Maria DeJesus. Her grandchildren affectionately called her, Mama Jesusita. Since about the age of five I would sit for hours and watch her embroider and see little by little the masterpieces that were unfolding. She very patiently passed on her talent and allowed me to work on her work. I say patiently because to teach this craft does take much patience, which I lack when teaching it. She always sat on her wooden folding chair at her blue vintage sewing machine with all her thread spools in cookie tins and worked. So now in my work along with my story in the making, I tell her story and hopefully one day I will pass it along as well. Being unemployed as many are currently I find myself going full force into my business. With a lot of work and a ton of vision. Sew (so) I find myself creating, brainstorming, and living life. More than for my own needs, I keep moving forward with my vision for my biggest inspirations in life, my two sons. Now do I consider myself a Raw artist? Absolutely, I have no formal training. My talent is either inherited or self-taught. I sat with a "How to Crochet" book and in a matter of a couple days I was hooked (literally). I have been crocheting ever since and do consider myself and intermediate to advanced crocheter. Thank you for considering Animalia Republic, All Things Animal Inspired.