I'm sad for this...

I was doing some google searches on a totally different topic about something plush (can't tell you... it is a secret project I have brewing...shhhh) and I saw a funny image that I just had to click.

(pic credit... here)
It was such a cute thing and I thought... "hey wait... that is what I do!" and I clicked and yes, that is certainly what I do!  It was a blog post (you'll find it here) about a service that is offered up by the North American Bear Company doing the exact same thing as I do.  The post is from years ago but I clicked the links and yep, it is true, they DO make custom creatures from kid's drawings.  I'm so sad.  I really thought I had a new idea and it turns out that they have been doing it for ages.
I'm doubly sad because of the comments at the bottom of the blog post.  It just seams that people don't really value custom work.  I guess we (society as a whole) are just so accustomed to cost being the driving factor of things that we overlook the obvious.  If I buy a toy at any of the big box stores for $20.00, it has been designed and reproduced thousands upon thousands of times.  The design process at that point isn't really a factor anymore, one can calculate the cost in fractions of cents.  But, if something is designed and produced once.  That is it.  The design process can only be passed on one time.  Charging $20.00 for something that took hours to design and then hours to produce is just insane! 
I could keep going on and on with my soap box, but I won't bore you with my sad thoughts. 

Thank you for reading this and letting me vent :)


If you would like a Kid's Creature created from your child's drawing, you'll find information here. I've got a facebook page too, if you'd share with your friends, that would be fantastic!  Thanks - 

My newest creature is going to be in an Art Exhibit!

I have never submitted anything for a real art exhibit before so I'm pretty nervous.  I kinda cheated though because I chose one that is an open call and all artists are accepted (he he he he) so even if my work wasn't good enough, I don't have to feel the burn of being turned down.  I'm sure that there are lots of folks who really wouldn't consider making a stuffed animal to be "art" but I know the work that goes into what I do, so I feel that it most certainly IS art.  I wouldn't consider everything I create to be art though, just some.  

I usually like to post the finished product here on the blog but think it would only be fair to wait until after the exhibit ends.  So, if you just can't wait to see this newest creature, you are gonna have to go check him out at Bear & Bird in Fort Lauderdale from October 2nd to November 13th.

If you would like a Kid's Creature created from your child's drawing, you'll find information here. I've got a facebook page too, if you'd share with your friends, that would be fantastic!  Thanks -