Hamster Mania!!!!

Hamsters, Hamsters, Hamsters!

Zhu Zhu pets have made the little guys awesomely popular these days. I looked everywhere for a pattern for a hamster to sell in my shop, and I finally found a how to and a pattern written in Japanese on the internet. I had to make the pattern pieces bigger and I didn't even know which pattern pieces went where. But with time and experimenting, I came up with Jeffrey. He's made from fleece, and has the sweetest little face that looks up at you. I love little Jeffrey.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36715901

Tiny, Tinies, and more tinies

I'm about 4 weeks away from my 1 year anniversary with Etsy. One of the big favorites in my shop has been my tiny felt stuffed animals either made from felt or the little fingers cut off of the gloves I use for my gloves dogs.

Now who doesn't love a tiny stuffie? I get messages from my customers telling me how their child walks around with their tiny little treasure and they come quite attached to them.

There was one little girl who received one of my tiny turtles. Her mom told me that she made a little bed and blanket for it and took it to bed with her every night. Now the turtle is only a little over an inch long so hopefully she's a careful sleeper :o

I've heard lots of stories just like that one. One of my returning customers asked me if I would make her a ladybug for her daughter. I thought "How am I going to make a ladybug stuffed animal? I already get wicked eye strain as it is." Well I started off with a tiny red hart and I took it from there. It came out Awesome. I think it's about the smallest stuffed animal you'll ever find. I actually figured it out. My customer and her daughter were thrilled. I even decided to make a little leaf for it to live on and sent her to her for free. It was one of the coolest things I ever made.

I must admit I was exactly the same way when I was little. I would have a tiny little doll or animal and I would make sure it was covered with a tiny blanket at night and I would make tiny things like little carriers out of little scraps of cloth. I guess that's why I make the tiny little toys in my shop today. I love making them and I love to get the awesome feedback to hear how the children treasure my little whimsies. :D

What if you can't find a zhu zhu pet?

I know it's not a real Zhu Zhu. It can't run around and make noises. It doesn't have a neat tubing system to run around in. Nobody got clubbed over the head for it in the local toy store.

It's just my version of a little pet hamster in his little hamster home, with a warm and cuddly place to sleep, eat, drink and play.

I remembered what it was like trying to get that one impossible thing for my kids. So that's why I came up with my version of the Zhu Zhu hamster.

I even got contacted by a reporter from the business and retail Associated Press, for a interview on how and why I came up with this alternative.

Yes I'm partially famous! lol The only thing is, they didn't put the name of my shop or even Etsy when they mentioned me. O well I guess fame is fleeting. At least they spelled my name right :D ( Just so you know, I do not use anything from old gloves. I told her that I used the cast off thumbs from the glove dogs I make in my shop) :o

Anyway, here's the article if you would like to take a look. Someone else's Etsy shop was mentioned so any advertisement for Etsy helps us all. My bit is towards the bottom of the article (Kathie Tinkham)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/03/ap/business/main5880464.shtml

Tiny felt Christmas tree with guinea pigs living inside

This is one of my tiny specialty items from my shop. I usually make them only for custom orders, but I'm offering this one to the public. It's all hand sewn, and was fun to create. It's available in my Etsy shop or just have a look and let it bring on a little smile. Thanks, and Merry Christmas