Maker Spotlight: Sweet Tooth Handmade

Editors note: Cardinal Spirits asked local artisans to create holiday ornaments for our online gift shop, with 100% of sales going to the artists themselves. Get the know the people behind the ornaments!

Today: meet Alaina Nace-Meyer of Sweet Tooth Handmade, a Bloomington-based felt artist who created wonderful ornaments for our online holiday shop! They are sold out for the season, but you can purchase Alaina’s other pieces via her Instagram.

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Alaina Nace-Meyer

she/her

On Instagram: @sweettoothhandmade

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Hi Alaina! Introduce yourself and Sweet Tooth Handmade.

Early childhood educator by day, Sweet Tooth Handmade is my crafting alter-ego. Using primarily felt, but sometimes other fibers and materials, I enjoy creating fun and charming designs influenced by nature, food, and pop culture.

Beyond the ornaments you created for Cardinal, where can people purchase your items?

Currently, you can purchase my creations through Instagram (@sweettoothhandmade) via direct message and when they are in stock at Gather Shoppe in downtown Bloomington.

Where are you from? Where have you lived?

From South Bend Indiana. I moved to Bloomington for undergrad at IU and never left!

Any pets or family members that you'd like to introduce?

I have a wonderful spouse, Neal, and delightful 7 year old daughter, Opal, our dog and three cats!

What inspires your art?

I'm inspired by nature, especially the changing of seasons, food (pizza, donut or avocado ornament, anyone?), and basically anything I think is cute. I get ideas from friends and family as well; a lot of my designs have come from either custom orders or a text from someone asking, "Hey do you think you could make this?" After I figure out how to make it work, and if it's possible for me to make on a larger scale, it becomes a regular creation.

What would surprise people about the art you create, or your process?

Everything is made by hand, by me. I don't know if it's actually surprising, but when I say everything by hand I mean everything! I draw my designs with paper and pencil, hand cut all of my patterns, hand paint each design and hand sew each item.

Looking back at all that you've created, do you have a favorite piece?

In the beginning of 2020, I started learning how to felt wool and I felted some violets that I was very proud of. I'm hoping to keep exploring that medium and florals in the new year.

It's happy hour. What are you drinking?

Hard cider, a dark and stormy or, if I'm feeling fancy, a carry-out cocktail from Cardinal Spirits!

What's your coffee order?

Cold brew, every day!

Tell us about a podcast, movie, book, TV show, album, subscription, etc. that you consumed and liked! We're all looking for good recs right now!

Whoa, I've been watching so much TV during the pandemic! The show Dark on Netflix is especially good and weird. The Great British Baking Show or the Repair Shop for when you need some comfort TV. Lovecraft Country and Castle Rock for your spooky times. Michelle Buteau's comedy special Buteaupia for laughs!

What's your favorite midnight snack?

It depends, but usually something chocolatey.

Favorite condiment?

Fancy sauce, i.e. mayo mixed with mustard. And ranch, obviously, I'm from the Midwest.

Want to give a shout-out to anyone?

Obviously my family for their support and love and to one of my best friends, Kati, who inspired me to start Sweet Tooth Handmade with her request for a donut shaped magnet!

Thanks, Alaina! You made such special ornaments for us this year!