Yes, I live in New England, and I make plush toys. It's about time I made a lobster!
Be the first to own a Zooguu lobster toy by coming to the Greenway Open Market in Boston this Saturday. If he doesn't find a home on Saturday, I'll be at the SoWa Open Market on Sunday.
People purchase our ornaments all year long. Sure, during the holidays, they make excellent tree ornaments, but there are other ways you can use our tiny animals on a string. Lots of kids use them as backpack zipper pulls. Many of the ornaments live on rear view mirrors in cars, others ride on bicycle handlebars. Often, people just like to collect things that make them smile. One of the most popular ways people use them is to make a mobile. I've just started to offer finished mobiles at craft shows. Here is an example of a finished mobile using an embroidery hoop and ribbon. I'll have some this weekend at the Greenway Open Market in Boston and at Bazaar Bizarre's Union Made event in Somerville.
Hot off the sewing machine! I'll have a few different colors available at this weekend's Greenway Open Market (Saturday 11-5) and SoWa Open Market (Sunday 10-4) in Boston.
2012 is the year of the Dragon. This Red and Gold Dragon was a custom order for a new baby. I'm hoping it brings lots of luck! This design is definitely going to be added to our line of regular toys, but only available in size medium, large and xlarge due to the complexity of the design. Sometimes, when a toy has a lot of little pieces, it actually takes more time to make it smaller.
I just finished this custom plush toy for Rhino Accounting, a Canadian company that develops small business accounting software for Google Apps. They asked me if I could turn their logo/mascot into a plush toy. The most challenging part of this project was creating the head. It took a lot of thinking and drawing on fabric to decide where to place the seams to get the best results. Here is the finished product:
It helps that I had a fun character illustration to work from. The finished rhino guy can stand up on his own and has jointed arms.
I'm excited to announce that my first pattern for sale has been listed in the Zooguu Etsy shop! Thanks to those who helped read things over and test out this step by step tutorial. It has been a lot of work to put together, but I can't wait to see the narwhals that people make using this guide.
This 14 page PDF pattern includes instructions, pattern pieces, diagrams and photos to make a narwhal in three different sizes. It also includes instructions on how to turn it into an ornament!
This pattern is for intermediate sewers & toymakers. Experience in making a flat or pillow type toy is recommended.
I can't stop making these. They're too much fun. This one is probably the girliest thing I've ever made, but I love it!
Available in the Zooguu Etsy Shop
My latest plush creation is a big departure from what I normally create. I was invited to participate in an upcoming show called "March of the Unicorns" at the Lichen Gallery. The Lichen is part of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. The show will run for the month of March. While I have made unicorns in my classic dome shape before, I've been waiting for a chance to break the mold and create something outside my comfort zone.
Not only does this unicorn stand up on its own, but its legs are jointed (using the hidden button joint technique expertly explained by my friend Mimi Kirchner), so it can be positioned in a variety of ways.
Closer look at the face & the top-stitching detail of the mane, beard & horn.
Front & Back view. This unicorn is very proud, indeed!
My inspiration for this design is the images of unicorns in tapestries and in architecture, primarily the bronze sculptures found on top of the Council House in Bristol, UK.
The first unicorn is going to be on display in Lincoln, Nebraska for the month of March, but I will be making the design available in my Etsy shop as well.
