Maria Raciti - Goodiis

"I love to sew and sculpt things by hand. My business allows me to be as creative as I wish. I craft because it makes me happy. It’s therapeutic, fun and rewarding when I see customers interact with the products I make. I am a very passionate and vibrant person, so this just suits well!
I create a range of quirky softies and craft accessories sold online and in stores, in Australia and internationally. My style is bright, eclectic and original. I love making plush toys, working with various fabrics, textures, bold colours and a range of materials. From my studio in Melbourne, I design, make and sell a range of handmade crafts. I love making all my pieces, but most of all, I love making Mr. Sloths. Each one is unique and has it’s own personality. Their different themed shirts make me laugh." As well as creating her adorable Mr. Sloths, Maria works as an Industrial Toy Designer, designing and engineering infant development toys. "I completed a Bachelor of Industrial Design (4yrs with Hons). As a senior designer, I’ve worked on numerous well-known consumer products and designed and engineered world-known infant developmental toys over the past 12 years.  I’m a crafter at heart. My love for fabrics and clay has pushed me to be more creative in my spare time. So I decided this was a hobby I had to pursue more seriously.

I’ve always loved designing and creating things for fun, ever since I remember. I was raised in a creative environment with a creative family. They encouraged me to pursue what I loved the most. I’m now living in my own creative space with my hubby, who supports my creativity and side business.

For the past two years, I’ve taken my craft seriously and created my own Goodiis’ label. I'm absolutely loving it! My love of textiles and product design has evolved through my strong art and design background, and years of innovation and product development.

I’ve always wanted to create things. I started to make things, wear them and give my pieces away to friends and family for gifts. They would always ask me, ‘Why don’t you sell them!?’ From then, I made the decision to turn my craft into a business. This enabled me to learn new skills along the way, on how to manage a successful business, liaise with shops and customers. Upon staring her business Maria was excited, nervous and enthusiastic for what was to come, "When you start a business, you need to research, have a vision and most importantly, have passion in what you do. You need to be inspired along the way, reinvent and continue what you love, even on those off days. I am fortunate to make things, wear, sell and watch people light up when they wear my colourful art and see children play with my quirky plush toys." Reflecting back upon how far Goodiis has come Maria shares, "It has been incredibly satisfying to see my pieces come to life and for them to be adopted so quickly in Australia’s and overseas' thriving craft community. I can’t wait to interact with more of the greater craft community and to see what’s in store for Goodiis!"

Maria's influences come from her love of "bursts of colour, contrast and everything fun! My 80iis necklaces specifically  are inspired by the 80’s Memphis Group. My jewellery pieces are made of chaotic, geometric and organic shapes that use energetic colours, with contrasting textures to create bold personal statement pieces with a unique twist. My Mr. Sloth plushies were inspired from my travels. I always enjoyed taking photos of my figurines, taking selfies from the other side of the world. This is where ‘Mr Sloth’s Adventures,’ eventuated from. I created a lovable sloth, who loves to wear different shirts and travel the world."

As Maria independently owns Goodiis she shares advice about time management from her own experience, "I work on my craft on my own, with the assistance of my hubby, time to time. I think running your own business can be challenging when you receive large orders from different stores and private customers, so time management is very important. Especially if you are working for yourself. You learn very quickly, on how to adjust and manage. I love making things for Goodiis, so to me, it doesn't feel like it's a job. It's my passion.

Life is busy, but working for myself is the best! I think I’m lucky to spend my days making beautiful things that make me and other people happy. Goodiis are bright, unique and one-of-a-kind collection has been exhibited online, in-stores, in markets and featured in successful craft blogs. I'm so grateful to be featured in numerous places! Lately, Mr. Sloth is getting a lot of exposure. I will be releasing a new children's book, 'The Many Shirts of Mr. Sloth,' very soon. It's based on my handmade, lovable plush. Mr. Sloth is already getting some great buzz in the public eye and in social media. There is so much more ahead for this lil sloth! I think we should admire and support handmade goods. I know Australia has embraced this culture in recent years and I’m happy to be part of it! Support handmade. Be original and be inspired! There is a fantastic craft community out there. Get involved and have fun! Thank you for reading! I hope I've inspired you"

You can find all of Maria's designs and Mr. Sloths at her website and Instagram:

http://www.goodiis.com
https://instagram.com/goodiis_workshop/