Homemade Plush Toys - Flake Style
My fingers are on fire. Last night I stayed up till 2 am working on my latest craze - plush toys, and my fingers turned into pincushions. I've been looking at all the Etsy shops lately and realized that everything plush is selling. So why not my plush toys? I've determined to be the next big toy maker. I got off to somewhat of a bumpy start last night. After some extravagant shopping at the fabric store, I had no reason not to make the next best thing since the teddy bear. Instead, I ended up with a sad, chunky manatee. She didn't end up at all like I'd envisioned - I've discovered the the second you put stuffing inside a toy they take on a personality of their own and no amount of cajoling can make them something they are not. I've named her Gwendolyn. Cher loves her to no end. I'm especially smug about the "Girls Scout Days '98 - San Antonio Sea World" patch on her rump. I'm going to run to Rite Aid today and get her some great fake eyelashes to sew on.
Another really simple idea I have for gifts (boutique selling?) are the chromosome pillows. They take about 10 minutes to make and I think they are really cute. Do me a favor, everyone. Tell me if this is something that would catch your attention in a shop (either for babies or friends) and tell me how much you would pay for the XX or XY set. I'm thinking of doing the XY set in some kind of manly fabric like camo or faux leather. These are really plushy and great for little kids to snuggle around. So tell me, am I the only geek who thinks decorating with chromosomes could be the next big thing?
I've got five huge bags of great fabric in my closet and can't wait to get started on more projects! I'm going to open up an Etsy shop as soon as I have ten or so items and see if the world approves of my juvenile sewing skills. Any ideas for a brand name? Flakey Friends? Flake Made? This is going to be so fun!
Comments
The manatee is awful, yes, but a CUTE awful. Do you see the difference?
Oh, and Flaky Fun, definitely, for a name. Think of all the fun you could have if all your fun were the Flaky kind!
"Dolls N Animals" (using bold for the capitals who enhance the DNA)
"Chrom-Oh-Zone!"
"PC Plush" (buy it for the kids!)
"The College Fund Toy Company"
"Adam's Rib"
I like "Flaky Fun", You could do ads. "Have you had your Flaky Fun today?"
Whatever you decide, I'd stay away from names like "Hollywood Toys" or "Hollywood Plush", um, you may get customers you hadn't intended. hehe
As for your current selections, I think both would sell once you get your skills up to speed. The designs are clever enough. The chromosomes would sell to the geek set, folks who like http://www.cafepress.com/satees and such. I think they're hilarious.
Congratulations on your etsy store! I've been thinking about that lately but haven't been brave enough to do it. And Flaky Fun is Fabulous!
I can't tell the difference between the XX and the XY? Are they the same?
I, personally, wouldn't decorate with chromosomes. But that's just me.
Flake on Flake
Flake'n Make
~
I love Gwendolyn! She's charming and I want a friend price on the one I will get in February for the baby. Do they all come with a pacifier?
So, I like them. Now I am singing Barbara Manatee.... sigh.
I say this because I love.
My family had to stage a similar intervention when I attempted to sew a valance. It was just... wrong. On many different levels.
Actually, I think the stuff I sew and the stuff you sew would probably be very, very happy together.
Flake'n Make is cute! Flaky Fun is nice and simple too. I'll have to go with one of those.
I think they will sell like mad!!!!
Have fun and Good Luck!!!!
The manatee is kind of primitive, but stuffed animals are often more difficult than other sewing projects because every little technical imperfection shows.Practice!
To those who posted mean and insensitive comments above.....
it is easy to offer criticism when one is not themselves being judged.
If your so great where are your examples of work??? Even if you are skilled...shouldn't you help a newcomer instead of being high and mighty?