PDX Profile: Noelle Doodle

I love softies with personality! And I love them even more en masse. Noelle Withington makes an utterly charming display at PDX craft fairs, bringing a mountain of her colorful, happy friends. Visit the Noelle Doodle Etsy Store, where they will make you pancakes and all your problems will be solved.

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How did you come to be a maker of stuffed friends?
I began creating these guys about 4 years ago. I usually make all of my Christmas presents, and one year I made an octopus with 7 legs for my best friend's daughter. She really liked it, and I received lots of positive feedback about it from other people.
So I began making other octopuses here and there for other kids, if they had a birthday or something. When I moved here in August is when I first realized that there was a market for handmade stuffed animals. There was really not much of a craft scene where I'm from ( Jacksonville FL), and I was really impressed by the what was going on in Portland. It was definitely a wake up call for me to show off my lil' friends to the world.

I love looking at your website, because each one of your creations
has a name, and a hobby. Did you give your creations names and hobbies, or did they tell you?
The personalities are usually just stream of consciousness. I think of little oddities that will be fun to read. Sometimes I do base the descriptions on people I know. I made one creature that looked a lot like my friend Ryan. I named the doll Ryan and in the
description I wrote "I lost an eye once, but it came back", which is something that actually did happen to my friend (long story).

Do you have a favorite among all the stuffed friends you've made?
Most recently I made a chicken named Becky. I especially like her because I didn't intend for her to be a chicken, she just sort of evolved into one. Sometimes I have a clear idea of the creature I am going to make and sometimes I just cut out random shapes and see what happens. It's a lot of fun when I get a great product in such a natural way.

What do you think is the difference between "Art" and "Craft"?
I see art as something that exists purely for its aesthetic value. Its main function is to be visually stimulating. Craft, on the other hand, is aesthetically pleasing or interesting as well as functional. It is art that has a practical use.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
I have lived here such a short time that I not yet chosen my favorite creative spot. I do love going to craft fairs like Crafty Wonderland and Handmade Bazaar to see all the great things other people have come up with.