There’s something magical about the moment a story becomes a symbol — when one simple handmade object carries comfort, connection and hope far beyond its original design. For our very first Tasmanian Maker feature, we are honoured to share the story of Sarah De Jonge, the maker behind the beautiful kindness project 1000 Hearts.
1000 Hearts began with a single stitched heart – a tiny act of compassion that has since grown into a global movement of comfort, care and community. Through her gentle designs and deeply heartfelt mission, Sarah has created something that feels truly Tasmanian: warm, grounded, and threaded with purpose.
As part of our commitment to spotlighting local makers who embody creativity, connection, and authenticity, we couldn’t imagine a more fitting creator to begin this journey with. I was fortunate enough to meet Sarah during the George Town Youth Council/Seagulls to Chips Youth program’s 2025 kindness project. This project helped the youth involved see the importance of kindness and inspired a few to continue the practice.
Meet the Maker: An Introduction to Sarah
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how 1000 Hearts began.
I’ve always worked in the non-profit sector and have heard so many stories of trauma, damage and resilience in my working life. In 2016, I wanted to do something that shared some kindness and compassion with anyone who needed it and my way of doing this was to make 1000 wool felt pocket hearts. Both my parents are artists and I have always been a maker – I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t cobbling together crafts of some kind, so it was very natural for me to express kindness through making something by hand.
Q: What inspires your work?
Initially, I was inspired by a desire to offer something good in the community, and by my Mum’s work as a textile artist and my Dad’s love of colour and form. Nowadays, I’m inspired by the stories I hear from people who receive our hearts, and what they mean to them.
Q: What does making mean to you personally?
I can’t imagine who I would be if I didn’t make things by hand. I’m trying to think about what my life might look like without that aspect…I’ve always had a box or shelf or cupboard or room for my craft supplies and have always turned to making for relaxation, creativity and self-expression. Before I started 1000 Hearts, I made quilts by hand, which I loved. Just the endless possibilities for colours and design – it’s so inspiring and keeps me captivated for days on end. It’s about self-expression, identity, creativity and contributing something meaningful. Being a maker brings colour and energy to my days and offers an opportunity for mindfulness, peace and self-connection. It’s magic.
Q: How has community shaped 1000 Hearts?
1000 Hearts is all about community. One of the big reasons I kept it going after the initial goal was to build and strengthen the connections that were created in those early phases. Now it is a global community of people who connect in person and online and the whole thing centres around kindness. Our community is always on the look out for people who need kindness, and it creates this network of helpers who operate from a place of compassion and care. I used to feel that I had to respond to every tragedy or calamity in the community but sending hearts out, but now I trust my community to respond and take action to support people who are struggling. It has given me so much faith in humanity.
Q: What does your creative process look like?
It starts with an idea – maybe something I see or hear or just a spark from my own imagination. I know when it’s beginning because I get this really specific feeling in my body, like a jittery kind of excitement, and then my brain just won’t let it go until I can actually get my hands on the materials and start to turn the idea into something tangible. When I get to the hands-on phase, it’s a bit chaotic, laying out colours and cutting patterns and seeing what works. Once the design is created, it gets more peaceful as I am just stitching until it’s done. I can get quite obsessive though and I see that in both my parents’ artistic process too – it’s like this undeniable drive to answer the creative call.
Were there people, places, or experiences that shaped your early relationship with art/craft?
Definitely my parents and growing up in an artistic household. My Mum wasn’t around much after I was about 4yo, but she left a legacy of creativity, and Dad is a true artist. I feel like my whole childhood was steeped in art and I was taught to appreciate beauty like I was talk to walk and talk – it was just part of growing up. As a child, I always had craft projects on the go and there were endless opportunities to try new things.
How does living and working in Tasmania influence your art or craft?
Tasmania has so many makers and artists, and I feel that people here value handmade objects and understand the meaning that goes into them. It’s easy to connect with other makers and to gather to share the process. Being a small
community, it feels friendly and accessible. I’m so lucky to have connected with many very generous mentors who have had long histories of making. And it’s a visually beautiful place, which is inspiring. I often look to our natural world for
inspiration around colour combinations.
What do you hope people feel or experience when they encounter your work?
A sense of connection, that they are cared for and not alone.
What have been some of your most meaningful milestones or moments of growth?
Just seeing it grow and the difference it makes to people – this is the most beautiful and meaningful thing for me.
How do you balance the practical side of being a maker with the artistic side?
This is really relevant for 1000 Hearts, as I find it tricky to balance the business side of things with the creative side. Because I find the process of making so enjoyable, it doesn’t feel like work to me, so I feel like I’m cheating when I need to make hearts for my shop! I find I put it off, thinking that I’ll do the fun staff after the serious work is done, and then I run out of stock. I’m getting better at recognising that the making is such a core part of what I do, and I need to honour that as part of my job.
What are your hopes or dreams for your creative journey in the coming years?
I really want to see 1000 Hearts grow and become sustainable, and for others to enjoy the simple pleasure of making things by hand and sharing kindness through their actions. I’m not someone who plans too far ahead – my goals are pretty simple.
What advice would you give to emerging artists or craftspeople in Tasmania?
Reach out and ask people for help and advice. Don’t try to do it all yourself, connect with the community around you and let others support you in your work. Also, be practical about the business side of things and seek advice if needed, so you can build something sustainable that can support you (if that’s what you want to do).
What does your workspace look like right now — messy, serene, chaotic, alive?
Oh it’s always messy!! I have brief moments of it being tidy just after I do a big clean up, but the nature of my work requires lots of things to be out at the same time, and I like to visually see what I’m working on and where I’m up to. I would say it’s serene for me, because I love being surrounded by my materials and projects, but people who like a tidy space probably would disagree!
What’s on your worktable or in your hands today?
I’m making little layered hearts at the moment, so lots of tiny hearts, buttons and multi coloured threads. It’s so fun, I get up every morning and just can’t wait for the time of day I get to sit and create and sew again…it brings me joy every time.
Where to Find Sarah & 1000 Hearts
- Website: https://www.1000hearts.com.au
- Shop: https://www.1000hearts.com.au/collections/all
- Instagram: @1000heartsproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1000PocketHearts
A Maker Who Embodies Connection
What stands out most about Sarah’s work is its quiet power. 1000 Hearts is more than craft – it’s community care stitched into fabric. It reminds us that creativity is as much about emotion as it is about skill, and that handmade objects carry meaning far beyond their physical form.
Box of packaged hearts from the George Town Youth Council/Seagulls to Chips youth program 2025 kindness project
As we begin our Tasmanian Maker spotlight series, we hope Sarah’s story inspires you to explore your own creativity, connect with your community, and honour the simple beauty of handmade kindness.
Stay tuned — more Tasmanian makers are on the way.
Caroline
Editor & Maker, Tasmanian Maker’s Journal
A very enjoyable read, I look forward to reading more maker stories.