Dog Toy Workshop: Make and Take

Hi there! I’m Candace, and much like a pup chasing its tail, I got swept up in upcycling and never wanted to stop! I’ve been creating things with different mediums since I was a little pup. My earliest memory is taking craft lessons through school holidays with my grandmother. At 14, I made my first pair of pants with my mother from some vintage remnants and realised: this is what I want to do forever. Turn the old into new.Why teaching? Because nothing makes me wiggle my tail more than the moment someone’s eyes light up, when they realise they can do it too. I love guiding people from “I can’t even thread a needle” to “Hey, look I am out with friends wearing something I made that I’m proud of!” I believe creativity is like belly rubs for the soul: comforting, joyful, and something everyone deserves.Some folks don’t know I studied languages while traveling (and getting lost) through South America, renovated my own home and tried my hand at soaring the skies on the flying trapeze. As a qualified educator, and business leader I built a career implementing governance programs and delivering training and complex organisational change across Australia. Over the past 20+ years I’ve taught hundreds of students, run sustainable craft workshops partnering with like minded social enterprises and volunteered with Girl Guides. These experiences taught me the values that I bring into every class: patience, curiosity, laughter, and making a mess is totally okay (practice makes progress).I’ve also been lucky enough to build an eco-friendly dog clothing brand -Apawrel, be featured in Ethical Clothing Australia and won Best Business Awards for Sustainability. All this has helped me sharpen my tools (literally and figuratively!), build confidence in what I share, and remind me of the joy of learning and teaching. Because even I’m still learning (sometimes from my students!).In my classes, you can expect a friendly, hands-on, playful atmosphere. We’ll make mistakes (they’re part of the fun!), laugh, chat, experiment, and leave with something you’re proud of, even if that something is just “I tried, and I had fun.” Because upcycling and crafting is all about the journey, not just the finished project.