Four a week

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That’s how many I can manage to make without going bonkers.  Isn’t the point of being self-employed that I can call the shots and decide how much work I want to do? So, why do I feel guilty?

Esme’s bunny has super duper sonic bionic ears…

by Esme, age 5

 

“This is Sonny Li’l Bad Guy, Keadryn’s imaginary friend who goes on extreme adventures. One day he is in the Alps and one day he is in Africa. Currently he is in the middle east. He’s hard to keep track of. ”  (Jeff, Keadryn’s uncle)

by Keadryn, age 4

 

Olivia’s dog with his rainbow stripes, great red tongue and sparkly wings is a most faithful companion.

by Olivia, age 8

 

Desiderata had started doodling a candle flame, but it gradually turned into a seahorse with pouty lips and long hair (that can get wild sometimes).

by Desiderata, age 8

 

Cade loves to draw fantastic, powerful creatures, like this dragon, named Cartonthorus.

by Cade, age 10

These are some of the projects I completed this month.  I still have a bunch (of patiently waiting customers) on my list of orders to complete, and a growing number of people patiently waiting for quotes.   Waiting.  Even the people talking on the radio sound a little impatient. (Please be advised that if you are hoping that a softie be ready in time for a birthday, well, there’s nothing wrong with hoping…)

82 thoughts on “Four a week”

  1. Your work is amazing!!! and such a good idea too! I love how similar you make the plushie to the original drawing, if i was a little kid again, i would have jumped at the chance of doing this XD you are very talented!
    -LittleRadish

  2. You are phenomenal woman! (quote from Maya Angelou) — I just found you in an article on facebook that was shared, and I’m here to say your work is probably going to go viral. I read your post about being a one-person artisan, and that’s how it starts, for sure, but your work is amazing and . . . I do understand where you’re coming from. Maybe you can solicit ideas from your readers for ideas on how you’ll keep up with a multi-million dollar business . . .

    Me? I’m just a grammy who will probably send in four orders as soon as I can get the kids to do the drawings!

  4. I just found your site through Pinterest, and I just had to tell you how impressed I am. I can see how it would be hard to do very many of these in a week, but it’s obvious that you pay close attention to detail – that must be very time-consuming. What a wonderful idea! Kudos to you!

    (Oh, and I won’t ask for quotes since I have 7 kids. lol.)

  9. What an amazing thing you are doing for children and parents. I can’t wait to send you some pictures!!

  11. I just found your site through Pinterest. What an awesome, challenging, and creative business you have!! You do beautiful work. Can’t wait till my little one is big enough to send in a picture :)

  13. You’re one very talented lady, how I wish I could sew let alone sew like you! I have seen this idea done by a computer illustrator who’s work also looks amazing but to sew it in 3d…
    Woah! What a brilliant idea….you just need to clone yourself a number of times to start a “business”.

  17. Brilliant–so cute. I’ve done this myself with my kids’ creations, beginning with an “angel” my eldest made from clay when he was about three–his attempt to copy the salt-dough angels I was making for Christmas ornaments at the time. It’s still one of the most treasured soft toys in the house, even though the original owner is 22 and living away from home.

  20. What a creative and genius idea you have come up with!!! Your work looks really beautiful, too. Also, I know how you feel about the guilt factor. It’s so easy to feel bad when you are self-employed but just remember, your work is amazing and you are worth the wait. People should respect that you have a life outside work and the quality of your product is so good BECAUSE you don’t overwhelm yourself. Those that appreciate that will not mind waiting. Can’t wait to hire you in the future, as soon as my nephew gets old enough to make drawings :)

  21. Ohmygod! That’s what i said when i saw this… love the work you are doing; it’s just fantastic. Truly fantastic. Ok, i gotta stop gushing now… but don’t ever stop… i cannot imagine how many children (and their parents) are smiling because of you!

  22. simple economics lesson… if the demand is too high, raise your price… out of the many requests you’re sure to be getting now, I’m sure at least 4 people a week will be willing to pay a higher price.

  23. These are fantastic Wendy…and I think you’re about to get a lot busier since Canadian Family mentioned you on their FB page!

    Love this idea, and they truly do resemble the drawings the children make…Awesome !

  24. Your work is absolutely wonderful! I was getting teary looking at it (imagine what I’d be like if it was one of my daughter’s drawings!!). I agree – with all the fb shares I’ve seen this morning – your work will go viral within days.

  27. Wow! So impressed with your work!! I’m surprised you can get 4 done in a week. Seems like it would take a week to just make one!! Saw this blog through Pinterest. Simply amazing! Maybe I’ll have you do one for my girls some day.

  28. Saw you on Pinterest today. I’m enamored by your creations. I hope figuring out how to make your business work for you will come easily. I’ve stumbled upon my own business in a similar fashion as you and have found it difficult to keep up. Raise your prices until you slow your work to a manageable load. If my child were old enough to draw, I would happily pay a high price for such a treasure!

  30. Yep, my daughter is one and I am just biding my time until I can get my hands on one of hers/yours creations. Just wondering where you are located – I know a truly gifted fabric artist who makes amazing fabric dolls, and she is also an elementary art teacher, and if you need help, she might be your girl.

  31. You are wonderful. Don’t rush, and don’t go bonkers, and don’t feel guilty. This isn’t the point of where you get to decide when and how much to do, this is the point where you raise your prices, and hire someone to help you. These are fabulous, and I will have my children draw their drawings and then pay whatever it is that you charge to commission you to bring them to stuffed life. Nice job Mama!!

    • I absolutely agree with you Jenifer! I came across this via people sharing on Facebook. What a brilliant way to bring a child’s drawing to life! Keep up the fantastic work! Looking forward to seeing more. Just need to make sure I get in super early to give my nephews this a present :)

  32. Just found you from Pinterest. Amazing. I absolutely LOVE your creations! Good luck with your business. I’m sure it will be a fantastic success -

  33. Brilliant! What you are creating is so truly magical. Nourish yourself. Go at your pace. Magic takes time – and these are truly, deeply, magic.

    Jamie
    PS I found you from Pinterest too.

  35. WOW! Bringing children’s creations to life! Your work is amazing! You are doing wonderful things! Keep up your good work :)

  36. Saw you on Pinterest! These are amazing. I hope you continue this for years, as I dont have kids yet, but when I do, I would love to give them one of your softies from their drawings.

  37. I am in love with Sonny Li’l Bad Guy! You did an amazing job making a line drawing come to life. My 5-year-old is sitting beside me, drooling over them, and has made three drawings so far for you to make. I keep saying, “It’s pretty expensive, so we’re not going to do it *right this minute*…” ;o)

  38. It is truly amazing how you’ve managed to capture the unique character and innocence of the drawings, and yet made sculptures that are so universally engaging and beautiful. I am captivated!

    Liz

  39. Oh, my goodness!! What an inspired idea!! And your work is beautiful – one of the best things I have seen for children anywhere!! Congratulations on a brilliant idea, brilliantly executed!!

  40. i am speechless! you are amazing and what a wonderful gift for a little one! cant wait to tell everyone about it and add to your ever growing list of clients :)

  46. I agree with the others, take your time to create without guilt, up your prices and whatever you do, don’t get so overwhelmed that you no longer love doing what you are so gifted to be able to do. Love your work!

  47. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road. Cheers

  49. I don’t have the words to express how much these make my heart sing! The way you bring a child’s imagination to life is just breathtaking. Hoping you are not overwhelmed or burnt out by the time my little one can imagine something worthy of your creation…

  51. Wow. I am in awe. I found you through Pinterest, and just have to say…well done, you creative, you! :) I’m passing this on to some friends who have a four year old. :)

  52. Can I be put on a wait list? These are amazing! My children create such imaginative characters, I would love to see them brought to life. What a gift!

  53. It’s amazing how well you put the paper image into a stuffed toy. VERY AMAZING!! I hope you get a massive investor SOON so you can get some help. I also hope you’ve patented this idea. If not, you’d best hurry!!!!!!

  54. Your creations are so creative! This kind of creativity could only be started by children’s creative minds, huh? Congratulations on your busy success!

  56. Hello! Because my daughter is only 6 months old, I am just writing to tell you what a wonderful idea you had, and what a wonderful talent you have to make these so perfectly. I just wanted to also say, oh my god, but that kid Desiderata, 8 years old, that doodle looks incredible (I would have put in a few explecits I am so impressed) And your interpretation is fantastic. Keep up the great work, and I will try to make my own, once Lily starts drawing. Thanks for the inspiration!!

  57. This really is an amazing business idea! Grow your business so that we can all share in the joy! Found you via the blog Cup of Jo.

  60. Ooh that bunny! I’m in love with these, I could look at them all day!! You are super talented, keep it up!! When I have kids (one day!) I’d DEF have a toy made for them. Brilliant.

  62. My daughter did a drawing very similar to this when she was a child. I would love to have a doll made out of it.

  63. Have you tried Etsy.com? or Artfire? These are adorable!! What a great idea!

  64. I love this idea. You need to go on shark tank and get someone to invest in your company so you can hire help and make more. I will want one for my little guy when he starts drawing more.

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  66. Yep…I agree with the rest…you are onto something here ! Talented and a great idea !
    They look great. MMmm…now to pick one of the hundreds of drawings in the house…..

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  69. Oh my gosh! This are incredibly cute!! As per everyone elses comments- about how long is the back log at the moment? And…Do you ship overseas?

    Thanks!

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  78. What a BRILLIANT idea!! I would just love to have one of my daughter’s drawings come to life like this. It’s absolute genius. You’ll be a star for sure. =)

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