These are top 11 questions I get asked on a regular basis!
1. Did you make these?
- Yes, all of the monsters are handmade by myself and my super-crafty-guy boyfriend. About 10% of the work is done in my studio on the sewing machine. The other 90% is done by hand, usually in front of the TV while watching the Price is Right.
2. What ages are they suitable for?
- The monsters with buttons are not for children under 3 because they are a choking hazard. I make a selection of monsters, using only felt, which are safe for all ages. Please remember these are handmade toys, I use upholstery thread to sew them up for extra durability but they are not indestructible. Rough play can damage them.
3. Are these made from used socks?
-lol! yuck! All sock monsters are made using brand-new socks that I have washed in unscented, gentle detergent. The recycled fabric monsters are made from sweaters, denim, blazers, upholstery fabric remnants and other bits of awesome fabric found in thrift stores. I prewash everything prior to monster making. They are stuffed with 100% polyester fibrefill. The felt is eco-fi, made from recycled plastic bottles.
4. Are they washable?
- As they are handmade, I suggest spot cleaning or gently hand washing with mild soap. The monsters made from socks can be washed on the gentle cycle in the washing machine and allowed to air dry.
You can see Fremly having a bath in this previous blog post
http://www.beluadesigns.com/2009/05/yay-for-markets.html
Please don't put monsters made from other fabrics in the washing machine. I use a variety of different materials so I have no idea what will happen to them but I don't think it would be very good!
If you own a sweater monster and he gets a little nubbly (as sweaters sometimes do) you can take a sweater shaver to him and he'll be good as new!
5. My dog would love these! Are they ok for pups?
- Noooooooo! Monster are afraid of dogs unless they are asleep. They can't survive against sharp teeth. Please refer to this previous blog post where I show what happened (within 5 minutes) when I gave Walter an unfinished sweater monster as an experiment.
http://www.beluadesigns.com/2009/11/tuesday-news.html
6. I can't get to a Saturday market, where else can I adopt a monster?
- I have a very small selection (usually 6-8) of $30 monsters at Carbon Environmental Boutique located at 10184-104 st. in downtown Edmonton. It's the loveliest store so I suggest you go check it out!
7. Do you wholesale?
-No, not at the moment. We can only sew enough during the week to fill my tables for farmers markets and craft shows.
8. I have a favorite shirt/sweater/blanket/sock. Can you make me a custom monster?
-Unfortunately I don't do custom monsters. I don't use patterns so everything I make is an experiment and sometimes things don't work out. I'd get way too stressed being in possession of a cherished item.
9. Where do you get these crazy names?
-My boyfriends dad is the monster-namer genius. He has a wonderful imagination and emails us a few hundred names a week.
10. I want to make one, how do you make them?
- I suggest experimenting! There are also lots of great books out there with instructions on how to make various toys. Please, please, please don't copy my work, I try very hard to come up with new designs that make my monsters unique and my customers enjoy having a toy that is one of a kind.
11. I took my monster travelling and have some cool photos! Is there anywhere to share them?
-I loooooove to see photos of monsters with their new families! If you have a flickr account you can join the Belua Monster group and post photos there:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/beluadesigns/
If you're on facebook you can add photos to the Belua page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belua-Designs/10969258846
If you have any other questions please email us at beluadesigns@yahoo.ca
