Centracare FNQ, Media Release, 11 August 2023
Creativity comes naturally to Cassie Goodwin, who with the support of Centrecare FNQ, has taken her craft to a new level, capturing the attention of local therapists, and creating a market for hand-sewn, bright, and characterful, weighted cats.
Cassie’s engagement at Centacare FNQ started back in 2018 when she participated in coaching sessions at the organisation’s mental health and wellbeing hub, 10 Thomas Street, North Cairns.
According to Centrecare FNQ’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager Nathan Lee, Cassie worked hard towards her goals of independence with daily life, strategies to manage her mental health and to remain healthy.
“One of Cassie’s long-term goals was to establish a small stall of her arts and crafts so in 2019 she began sewing classes to hone her skills,” Mr Lee said.
“With the support of our team members, Cassie spoke to people from Cairns Regional Council, Rusty’s and other local markets. This was something Cassie wouldn’t have been able to achieve prior to Centrecare’s coaching and support. It was during this time that we also helped her create a Facebook page and Cassie started selling her wares direct to the community.
“The next step was helping Cassie successfully apply for the NDIS which proved pivotal to fast-tracking her self-confidence and business goals. We have been so impressed by her personal growth and creative skills that we helped her draft a letter to therapists introducing her weighted cats as a cute and effective therapy device that instils calm,” he said.
Utilising Centacare’s connections Cassie has tapped an insatiable market for weighted therapy cats that has taken both the 39-year-old Northern Beaches woman and her disability worker, Lindie McDowall, by surprise.
Together the cat-making duo have their hands full keeping up with demand and the quite lengthy process that crafting a fabric feline requires from sourcing fabric and assembling the design and hand sewing the facial features.
According to Cassie, polka-dots are her signature with every cat she makes featuring polkadot fabric somewhere.
For the past four years, Ms McDowall has been spending three days a week with Cassie during which she has taught her to sew and collaborated with her creatively to make and market a long list of arts and crafts from earrings to mozzie coils, pottery and more.
“Name a craft, any craft and Cassie has done it naturally and with confidence. At first, Cassie wanted me to teach her how to sew so that she could make her own clothes and then it was zipper bags, larger totes, and bucket hats, but for the last six months it’s all about weighted eye bags and cats,” said Ms McDowell.
“I love cats,” said Cassie.
Cassie is surprised by her success and the business that has developed however said “It is not about the business; it is more therapy devoted. It is about making things that calm and give confidence.”
In terms of craft, Cassie finds sewing helpful for developing her fine motor skills and concentration with her self-confidence progressing in leaps and bounds.
Commenting on the buzz around her weighted cats Cassie said she does surprise herself and underestimates others’ appreciation, especially for something handmade.
While Cassie has plans to move from weighted cats to weighted dragons and dachshunds, she is just happy to be busy and keep up with demand.
On this note, Cassie said she is always on the hunt for fabric and welcomes donations from anyone with fabric remnants to get in touch via email: cassiegoodwin886@gmail.com.
