As a child, Edie Allen loved to draw and paint. Many years later, inspired by the artistic talents of her own two daughters, she began taking courses at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and other local institutions. She found that she loved the creative process, no matter what the subject — fruit, a paper bag, the human figure or even an old shoe. When she took a children's book illustration class at the DeCordova Museum, the teacher encouraged her to try collage. Edie soon found that paper was a wonderful medium for making little mice dressed up in costumes, the inspiration for her Alphabet Animals.

Edie uses art paper, scrapbook paper and discarded wallpaper samples. Although she cuts out many of the pieces by hand, she also uses a die cut machine and an assortment of craft punches. She enjoys the unique challenges of her line of work, such as making a rabbit climbing a ladder or a monkey playing the accordion. She also likes to use torn paper to suggest the softness of the feathers of a bird or the petals of a flower.

Edie has done hundreds of custom orders for Clever Hand customers since joining the cooperative in 1997. Her Alphabet Animals are available as name signs, with an animal illustrating each letter or as single initials. The animal choices are bears, dogs, elephants, mice, monkeys, penguins and rabbits. She also has many cards for sale at Clever Hand.