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

Anonymous said…
Honestly, the manatee isn't bad but the chromosome ones do absolutely nothing for me. Sorry.
Sarah said…
You and my husband agree about the chromosomes. But I have to disagree with you on the manatee. It's terrible. It looks like a third grader made it.
LunaMoonbeam said…
Hmm..chromosomes, yeah. Not sure. I mean, really, it looks more like a bad film rating than a chromosome? I'm not sure I'd get it if I saw it in a shop.

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!
S'mee said…
"Sarah's Silly (or Scientific) Snugglies"
"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.
Anonymous said…
Hmmmm....maybe if you connected the letters for the chromosomes to make it one pillow instead? Or the second letter behind the first and to the left so they're stacked but still two letters? Maybe you could do initial pillows, for kids names? Why limit yourself to just x's and y's?!
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!
Lisa said…
There are patterns for stuffed animals, my MIL made one for christmas for my daughter. Way cute!
I can't tell the difference between the XX and the XY? Are they the same?
Lisa said…
I just learned about Etsy the other day! It turns out that my best friend's (you know her) brother started it.
Karen said…
I'd love to see you join Etsy! You've got some kind of talent with those stuffed animals. I don't have patience for them. Darn things.

I, personally, wouldn't decorate with chromosomes. But that's just me.
Memarie Lane said…
So is that top one an example of Fragile X Syndrome?
Janell said…
I now have the "Barbara Manatee" song stuck in my head. I think it's the plush answer to an ugly mouse. ;) I do like the idea of adding fake eyelashes to the monstrosity!
Anonymous said…
don't you mean, "this is going to be SEW fun"???
Unknown said…
Fly by Flake
Flake on Flake
Flake'n Make

~
Boy Mom said…
Great writer, and you sew, I think I'd hate you if you didn't keep me laughing. You could put an xy patch on one manatee and he could be a MANatee, one with an xx patch could be a WOMANatee. I love Gwendolynn's flippers.
Anonymous said…
I looked at the Etsy sight for the first time and I can't believe that anyone would pay $30 for any of that stuff. I guess that i am not into fashionable plush handmade junk. I am always trying to sneak that stuff out to D.I. because it accumulates and makes me crazy. But if you can sell it for $30, go for it. The "Ella Mae Dammit Doll" was my personal favorite in the category of "Why in the world would someone trade cash for that?"
Melinda said…
The manatee is horrid in an endearing sort of way. The xxx toys look like something from the playboy mansion.
Anonymous said…
I don't think I would do the X's by Flake on Flake :) You would get a really interesting crowd and a whole new job title!

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?
Bek said…
My baby has an extra 21st chromosome (technically Down Syndrome, but we think of it as "Chromosomally Enhanced"). There might be a niche market for the three chomosomes in a row.. for all us T21 familes.....

So, I like them. Now I am singing Barbara Manatee.... sigh.
TheOneTrueSue said…
Sarah, back away from the needle and thread.

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.
Sarah said…
Ha! Just you wait and see what I made TODAY, Sue! I can't stop until I go through all the fabric I bought on Saturday. I don't have anywhere to store it. Then I'll have a big bonfire and "purify" all my creations.

Flake'n Make is cute! Flaky Fun is nice and simple too. I'll have to go with one of those.
drainey said…
you have too much time, my friend. Tooooo muuuuch tiiiiime. But I agree with whoever said that stuffed name letters would probably fly out of that freaky web store.
useless_rambler said…
(delurking) I LOVE the chromosome pillows!!! The first thing I thought of when I saw them was this site: http://www.madewithmolecules.com/index.html

I think they will sell like mad!!!!

Have fun and Good Luck!!!!
Anonymous said…
I like the manatee. But I'm with whoever said the chromosomes aren't really flyin'.
cutie said…
i liked the manatee
Anonymous said…
Found this by accident- but while I'm here let me say that I like the chromosomes. Kinda trendy. I have my BFA in fiber/ sculptural art and I see alot of potential here. Keep sewing and the skill will come.
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?

Popular Posts