My first big plush commission!

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) asked me to create 8 plush versions of their new characters, the Uh-Ohs, for an upcoming trade show. The Uh-Ohs are little block characters that are cute, curious and careless. They always get into trouble and kids have to make sure to keep them safe. Check out the web site for more info about the Uh-Ohs: http://theuhohs.org

This job was a big undertaking, but I had a lot of fun creating them. They're just so adorable. I kept the original for my collection (I made some slight modifications to the design before I completed the entire order of 8) and I currently have him riding in the passenger seat of my car. He's not wearing his seat belt, of course, in true Uh-Oh fashion. :)

South End Open Market - May 17 & 18

It's that time again - The South End Open Market kicks off its new season this weekend. Come on by and see me and Gubicza. We'll be selling Zooguu animals, Dr. Perfect's plush (designed by Gubicza and sewn by me), Illustration prints, and Gubicza's paper puppets! It should be a great event with a ton of super cool vendors.

More info can be found here.

Hope to see you there - stop by and say hi!

Fat Octopus

I'm finally offering a "choose your color" octopus in the shop.

It's been almost 3 years since I've made an octopus. Oddly enough, Gubicza and I were surprised how much it looks like Dr. Perfect. It's the same design, but for some reason we weren't expecting it to look so similar.

One of my favorite things about this design is the footy-pajama bottom. It really completes the octopus look and is also lots of fun to hold.

NEW! Fat Fugu (Pufferfish)

My newest item is Fat Fugu. I've wanted to make a pufferfish for a long time, and finally got my chance with a recent custom order! I like this guy so much I want to keep him for myself. He makes me smile every time I look over at him.

I'm thrilled that Etsy brought back its Alchemy feature (you can request custom items from sellers who opt-in to receive requests). It makes it so much easier to manage my shop and the ongoing requests.

Sweetestpea, Etsy & Martha Stewart

Tune into Martha Stewart Living this Friday, February 29 to see a feature on Etsy.com.

I'm told that my animals will be shown during this feature, so keep your eyes peeled!

Read more about this and check for local station times in the Etsy News.

Softies Kit by Therese Laskey

My penguin made it to the cover! The book isn't out yet, but it looks like you can pre-order it from Amazon.

Recent Press - U.S. News & World Report

In the current issue of U.S. News & World Report, you will see me mentioned in the article titled, "Avoid Recalls: Make Your Own Toys." It's a small paragraph, but my tricky last name is spelled correctly, and my Etsy username is also mentioned. It's part of the larger issue that features 50 ways to improve your life. This article talks about how you can make your own toys. You never know how much of your interview will make it in the press, and I was hoping to encourage others to try toy making. Here's the text about me:

{Cuddlier creations are also in the realm of possibility, says Jen Gubicza, 28, another Etsy.com seller whose specialty as "sweetestpea" is chubby animals. Making toys such as her signature penguins and hedgehogs involves some effort, and the finished product probably won't look as polished as toy store stuff—even graphic designer Gubicza describes her first attempt as "lumpy." But the toy is bound to be more memorable. "No one else has this. It's one of a kind," she says.}

Read The Entire Article
Illustration by Travis Foster for USN&WR

A very Dr. Perfect Christmas to you!

It was a great Christmas for Dr. Perfect. He got many wonderful, handmade gifts this year. Here's a sampling of the great presents.

In the lower left hand corner, you might be able to spot his tentacle stocking. Yes, I made him a stocking this year with footy-pajama material on the back. It was filled with yummy treats.

The pajamas were by far the biggest hit. Mimi Kirchner graciously donated the fabric. Dr. Perfect has been asking for "foreclosed property" pajamas for months. Long story. Basically, he likes watching infomercials late at night. ;)

I hope you all had a wonderful day!

small bean bag chair - about 2 feet tall

Some things I learned while making this chair:

1. If you think you bought a zipper big enough for the cover, add 4 inches and buy another.
2. Those bean bag filler pellets go EVERYWHERE! Make sure you have a vacuum handy.
3. For the inside bladder, even though no one sees it, make sure you use fabric that is easy to sew. I decided to use fabric that I had, but I knew I'd never use again, just to get rid of it. Big mistake, as this fabric was not at all easy to sew.
4. Add 2 hours to your estimated time to complete said project.

That said, I do feel satisfied that I have a cute little chair that will hopefully make someone happy in the future!

Fat Bulldog

Another fantastic customer had a special request: create a bulldog as a gift for a coworker who was having a baby.

I presented the computer sketch first (seen above) and set to work.

I'm pleased with how much my embroidery has improved from when I first started. My last few animals with embroidered features have looked very close to the plastic perfection at first glance. I really like how the embroidery gives a classic look to the animals. There's something about the shiny plastic that I love, but the embroidered eyes and nose seem timeless.

Changes from the original sketch - I gave him little feet with toe detail instead of the longer legs. Because, let's face it, bulldogs are very stocky and sturdy. Also, the nose area is much larger and more prominent. It adds a little bit more personality I think.