Elizabeth Ito - Handmade Monster Plush

Animator Elizabeth Ito is probably best known to collectors as the creator of the adorable Mister Monster vinyl from a few years back.   As we posted a little while back, she's now turning her monster creation skills towards little plush beasties.   The sweet news is that she's currently offering her one of a kind, hand-made monsters complete with adoption certificates on her shiny new  web store for $25 each (including shipping). Shown above are Headstrong (l) and Chibi-Kaiju (r).   Run, don't walk, and get one before they are gone (she replaces purchased ones with a new creation as she can).  Also, she's working on a production version, but why not get the handmade ones while you can ?

Anna Chambers - TooBaa Doolie

Anna Chambers creates some of the coolest plush around, so we're excited that she's  about to drop her new Doolie Box Plush Series, featuring  stackable adorable  plush creations.  First up is TooBaa Doolie, the dancing box.  Made of terry cloth and soft fleece, TooBaa measures 9" inches tall, 7" wide, and 4" thick (not including the legs and arms).  Limited to 500 pieces, TooBaa can also double as a pillow. 
For wholesale inquiries contact DKE Toys.  Check out the animated Doolie Box trailer below with a sneak look at the next characters. 

Poncho and Pedro Plush Prototypes

[On 3.26.08, Amanda Visell 'took-over' Vinyl Pulse for her Birthday.  This is part of her turn as VP editor.]

Michelle Valigura is shorter than me. I tell myself that when I realize people like hanging out with her more than me. Other than that I really like working on things with her and seeing what cute things she comes up with. Poncho and Pedro Pistol are good examples of that. Michelle and I have a company called Switcheroo. Right now we are working on producing her pistol designs. Nothing is funnier than stuffed weapons. I just hope someone tries to use them.

Shawnimals - Plushform #1, DIY Plush

Shawnimals is breaking new fluffy ground with their new Plushform DIY plush figure coming shortly from Squibbles Ink. DIY is no longer just restricted to vinyl.  The first (of several) Plushform figures is based on Shawnimal's Wee Ninja shape.  The stuffed and sewn all-white plush has a water-based primer on the surface, and it measures 9"x9"x3".  Thanks to the primed surface the Plushform is ready to go with acryics, oil based paints, markers, you name it.   Want to go 3D?  Go for it, sew things on to it or heck sew two or more of 'em together. 

There will be a special pre-release for Plushform at NYCC (4.18 - 4.20)  in booth #1057.  Shawnimals will present a number of custom Plushforms from well-known artists including Jeremiah Ketner, Heidi Kenney, Brian Morris, Joey Potts, Phoneticontrol, Jimbot, & Jordan Owen from OhNoDoom! Following the pre-release, Plushform #1 will drop  sometime this Spring for a suggested retail of $20. 

Continue reading "Shawnimals - Plushform #1, DIY Plush"

Shawnimals Geeky Ninja Plush from Devil's Due Pop

Devil's Due comics, the tenth largest comic publisher in the USA, is best known for the retro-80's movement featuring well-known titles such as G.I. Joe.  Their new Devil's Due Pop label will offer limited-edition toys and collectible items (journals and more) with a focus on indie comic characters from a growing lineup of artists.

Devil's Due Pop has tapped Shawnimals to create the first toy in the new line. Shawn Smith's new 8" Geeky Ninja Plush will ship with a polybagged  comic in May '08. The bright red intellectual Ninja is the latest inhabitant of Ninjatown.  Geeky Ninja is the first in a large line of planned Shawnimals x DDP products which will include Ninjatown Journal (May), additional Ninja plush releases, and in very cool news a Ninjatown comic book to be published by Devil's Due in June '08.  Shawn's Ninjas are taking over the world! The above image is subject to artist approval and may vary slightly from the final toy.

OhNoDoom!'s FluffYukYuk drops on 2.18.08

OhNoDoom!'s ravenous FluffyYukYuk plush with chomp action is scheduled to drop  next Monday - 2.18.08. This one hits cute 'n deadly right on the head -- a soft plush toy with a bite.  FluffyYukYuk follows the success of  OND's FluffyBadBad and brings some notable improvements to the 'chomp'.   The main  change is that the teeth are no longer metal but plastic -- fun without the risk of serious injury. Chomping whatever you want has never been easier -- the  opening and closing action is easier and the two finger holes are larger.   

Standing 5.5" tall, FluffyYukYuk  is currently available for preorder from OhNoDoom!.  It will  be available in a week or so for suggested retail of $25.00  from your favorite retailer and is distributed by Rotofugi. Want more FluffyYukYuk?  Click through for a full gallery of 'glam shots. 

Continue reading "OhNoDoom!'s FluffYukYuk drops on 2.18.08"

Forest Party - Plush Show (2.9.08)

Forest Party featuring the imaginative plush creations of Heidi Kenney, Jenny Harada and Spooky Daddy opens  on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 (7 PM) @ Emmaus in Gettysburg, PA.    Some nice work here.  Btw, if  Heidi Kenney sounds familiar but you're not sure where you've heard the name, she created the Yummy Donut figures for Kidrobot. 

Emmaus
49 York St.
Gettysburg, PA
717.337.1643

Pattern's Silkscreened Plush - Viktor, Hektor, I'm With Evil

We first blogged about  motion graphics studio Pattern  when they dropped their first silk-screened Dr. Viktor plush back in February '07.  Viktor has a fresh look and appeal that caught our eye.   Now the  Buenos Aires studio is back with  two additional limited-edition plush figures - Hektor and I'm with Evil.  All three feature silk-screened graphics, stand 10" tall and come with a red cinch-tight carrying bag.   Of the two new figures,  the two-toned Hektor is the most intriguing -- a sewn together voodoo-like mix of scientist and lab creature.  Each is available for $25 (plus shipping) -- visit their site and click "Store".

Continue reading "Pattern's Silkscreened Plush - Viktor, Hektor, I'm With Evil"

BAM POP!'s Ninguin Arcade Plush

BAM POP just dropped the Ninguin Arcade Plush (7") -- their  first designer toy.  The deep blue  Aracde with pink bits is the first Ninguin in a planned series.  He's into games and digital fun.  Each Arcade handmade plush comes with a  signed and numbered print and goes for $25. 

Continue reading "BAM POP!'s Ninguin Arcade Plush"

Elizabeth Ito's Mon-Chan Plush

Elizabeth Ito, the creator of the adorable Mister Monster vinyl, has been busy at the sewing machine and the result is the cute Mon-Chan plush.  The one shown in the box above will be in an upcoming show at Schmancy.  As you can see, she's also created several others -- all in the same family for sure but with some nice variation.  From their blueness to their horns and goofy smiles, they almost seem like Mister Monster's plush cousins.  Elizabeth is  planning to release Mon-Chan as a handmade limited-edition plush. So if you love it, fire off some email to her -- minkymail (at) yahoo(dot)com

Luv-able & Hug-able @ Gallery Hanahou (11.9.07)

Love plush?  Looking for one-of-a-kind pieces?  You'll definitely want to check out Luv-able & Hug-able opening on Thursday, November 8th from 6 to 9 PM @ Gallery Hanahou, CWC International's new NYC gallery. Curated by  renowned plush collector PAPANDA (Kazuyoshi Kitami), the show will feature original hand-made plush art toys from 29 top artists including nine  Japanese artists who are currently relatively unknown to western collectors --

Angel Oloshove (Junie Moon) * Anna Chambers * Anna Hrachovec * Betz White * Christina Gordon (JamFancy) * Corinne Dean (Not Too Pink) * Eloole * Heide Murray (All Good Wishes) * Heidi Kenney (My Paper Crane) * Hello, Brute * I Heart Guts * Kup Kup Land * Lexi Franks (Orangefishy Plush) * littleoddforest *Lisa Grue * Lizette Greco + Grecolaborativo * Marcus Oakley * Matt Campbell * Sewn by Blythe * CHiCHiTOHTOH * Chino Akiyoshi *  Katsutoshi Otsuka (ToyField) * Keiko MiyataMiyoko Ito * Risa Tanikawa * Saki Yamashita * Yuriko Sera * Michiru *

The gallery has posted a preview of the plush art which will be available for sale online beginning on November 9th.  If you're in NYC, be sure to check out the opening of Luv-able and Hug-able 11.8.07 from 6 to 9 PM.  The show runs through December 21st, 2007.   Finally, CWC-I's Gallery Lele in Tokyo, Japan  will also host a companion plush show (12.11 - 1.6.08).

  gallery hanahou 
  611 Broadway, Suite 730
  New York, NY 10012 USA   
  TEL +1.646.486.6586

Stuffed - A Plush Food Show (11.15.07) @ MK Melrose

Stuffed: A Plush Food Show combines designer plush and people's insatiable hunger for cute and huggable art.  Curated by Sarah Jo Marks of DKE Toys, Stuffed opens on Thursday November 15th, 2007  from 7 to 11 PM @ Munky King Melrose. The non-edible yet delectable art will be presented in three cleverly themed installations - The Feast, The Desert Cart and The Grocery Store.  Should be very cool.

A plush food connoisseur, Ms. Marks has created a 'menu' featuring plush food from more than 25 of today's leading plush artists from nine countries including 12PUNT3 (Netherlands), Anna Chambers, Bytedust  (Netherlands), Crystal Chesney-Thompson, Cutesypoo (Canada), Dan Goodsell, Dog Bone Art, Erick Scarecrow, Funfun, Heidi Kenney, I Heart Guts, Jelene Morris, Kate Sutton (UK), Kenta Shibusawa (Japan), Kika (Switzerland), Lazysmash, Marion Hawkes  (Ireland), Michelle Valigura,   Miskellaneous (UK), olive47, Planet Tokki, Reneé Lawter, Shane Geil, Serena Kuhl (Australia), Shawnimals, Snaggs, Spök-spök (Sweden), Steff Bomb and T&A.  Stuffed will also feature additional original art fromAmanda Visell, Blinky, Fawn Gehweiler, Kii Arens, Lou Pimentel and Shawn Wolfe.

So drop by to satisfy your hunger and make sure you're Stuffed on Thursday, November 15th @ MK Melrose.

Munky King Melrose
7308 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.938.0091
 

Anna Chambers -- Sammy and Suzy Woodchuck Plushes

Anna Chambers creates really cool one-of-a-kind plush toys.  Unfortunately she can't crank them out at lightspeed so she's recently started offering limited-edition  production versions of some her more popular plush designs. We don't normally feature plush unless it really catches our eye -- Anna's pieces are special, stuffed with personality and charm. 

Following the success of  Lucy Owl,  Anna has just released  two new additions to Series 1 -- Sammy and Suzy Woodchuck. Each Woodchuck measures 14" long, is limited to 400 pieces and has a suggested retail of $29.99. These should show be showing up on the shelves or web store pages of your favorite designer toy retailer shortly.  Wholesale inquiries should be directed to DKE Toys.

Camile Rose Garcia - PITCO Plush

After her first vinyl toys were released by NTF, Camile Rose Garcia vowed not to make any more vinyl out of concern for the environment.  So vinyl is out and plush is in.  At SDCC, she showed two new plush toys from PITCO (Prosthetic Industries Toy Company) with the tag line  "So much fun, it hurts".  There are apparently at least two more designs (trees) in the works.  Release date: "soon". 

Update: Erick Scarecrow's Shiitakes

Update: Link Corrected.  Thanks.

We previously featured one of Erick Scarecrow's upcoming  4" Shiitakes plush toys.  Here's another design with a very different vibe:  #5 -- Poison.    The variety is refreshing, we're curious to see what else the series has to thrown down.  Shrooms...

Cameron Tiede - Blasters @ Plush Week 2 (1.23.06)

Cameron Tiede picked up the sewing needle to create the Blasters -- seven hand made plushes with his signature style -- for tonight's opening of Plush Week 2 @ Gallery 1988.  They come in seven colors + the black one GLOWS ;-)  Also, want to keep up with Cameron?  Check out his spiffy new blog.

Gallery 1988
7020 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323.937.7088

Sauerkids - Boggerdolls @ Plush Week 2 (1.23.06)

For Plush Week 2 opening tonight at Gallery 1988, the Sauerkids created 3 of their Boggerdolls complete with an imitation leather ride.  Be careful with the Boggerdolls, you can never quite be sure what they'll do to each other or you...

Gallery 1988
7020 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323.937.7088

Erick Scarecrow's Shiitakes

Shrooms! Erick Scarecrow's plush Shiitakes stand 4" high and have a clip-on for all sorts of fun and versatility.  These will drop early next year from ESC-Toy Ltd.  Dig the plush mushroom head -- laid back ;-)

Jamous - New Doudoupop Collection

Here are pics of the newest Doudoupop Plush collection from Jamous.  Wild and creative stuff as always from Jamous.  In particular, Poulpe Argent (triangular w/lightning bolt) rocks -- sweet design.

Touma Baby Hellhound Plush

Touma's Baby Hellhound Plush drops in December from Play Imaginative.  Baby Hellhound Plush stands 9" tall and is a mix of plush and vinyl (snout, collar).  This is the first of several plushes coming from PI.  Looks like there are several colorways planned to keep everybody happy happy.

Sophisticated Sasquatch

What is a Sophisticated Sasquatch you ask? They are the lovable creations from a lovely girl, Rosey. Her family of Sasquatch consist of 3 members. The leader of the pack is brown furred Brother, with his hard-to-miss red lips, he is the one giving orders. His "subjects" includes Shy, a pure white creature who lives in ice caverns and Crazy, yes you guessed it...he is the one with the wildest personality. Limited run of different Sasquatch are available with funky fabric such as the hot pink, Electric Sasquatch seen here. All Sasquatchs stands at 12" tall and are hand made with soft and huggable material. Like to adopt one? Check out the home of the Sophisticated Sasquatch.

 
 

 



 
 

Bioted from Doudoupop

Here's the latest plush from Jamous's Doudoupop brand.  Covered in faux leather, Bioted is a slightly scary looking bird-like creation.  There's something strangely alluring about it -- freaky yet in a compelling way.  Handmade by Jamous, the  15cm (5.9 inches or so) Bioteds  are available in three colors (black, blue, silver) for 55 euros (~ 70 USD) from Papiermachine (including shipping in Europe).

Cloud X.1 Plush from Bytedust

Dennis Douven (Bytedust) recently released his first designer toy, the Cloud X.1 Plush. This 10" plush is patterned  after the  toxic industrial cloud creatures which he first created for his street sticker, "The Factory".  The environmentally conscious Cloud X.11 Plush are handmade in limited numbers by Bytedust and are available from his own Hazchem website and  Futureplastik.

Spok-spok Plushes

Spök-spök and Spökelina

Daniel Svanberg has created the  Spök-spök (swedish: ghost-ghost) plush line featuring five cute characters, three of which have snap buttons for creative posing.  Here's the 411 on the lineup:

• Spökelina - The pink ghost. She's always happy and smiling.
• Spök-spök - The blue ghost. Spökelinas boyfriend. He's shy, but curious.
• Herr Leverfläck - A mole that can't stop scratching himself. He's Spök-spöks best friend.
• Toofhairy - A hairy au-pair tooth from Scotland. She's Spökelinas best friend.
• Baron von Kon - A blue road cone. He's super angry and always mad. And he's got a secret crush on Spökelina.

Spökelina and Spök-spök can show their affection to one another by hugging one another.  The hug is made easy by the use of clear snap buttons on each of the plushes upper arms.  Likewise, Herr  Leverfläck has buttons on his head and arms, all the better for him to scratch himself ;-)  The Spök-spök plush are roughly 9 inches tall and sell for $25USD each. 

While they are all cute, we're partial to Baron Von Kon.  Maybe we're suckers for cute geometric shapes and gotta love the super-cutesy name. He does remind me of a great big blue Kiss candy :-)

Spök-spök
Herr Leverfläck
Toofhairy
Spök-spök

Evil Icecream Plush from Lazysmash

Update: Corrections to artist's name and plush size.

The self-titled  Evil Icecream plush featuring a melted orange creamsicle is the first of several plushes in the Evil Icecream line from  Lazysmash -- Kerry Horvath (Yes, David's sister!) and Darth Rimmer.  Each plush in this new line is roughly 8" tall.  This one retails for $15 and should be available from retailers shortly.  Beyond plush, there are also plans for an Evil Icecream vinyl line from Flying Cat. 

Shawnimals Pocket Porks Week 2

Shawnimals Pocket Pork mini-plushes will be available in about a month exclusively at Myplasticheart. The dumpling-shaped Pocket Porks will come randomly assorted in blind "pints" - chinese take-out containers.  Each pint will contain 3 Pocket Porks.  There are a total of 5 varieties, 3 regular porks, 1 rare and 1 über rare.  We'll be unveiling the first four in the Pocket Pork Series here on Vinyl Pulse, one per week. After each of the  four are revealed, the Pocket Porks will be available at MPH limited to just 100 pints (300 total porks).   These cute lil' guys are perfect desktop toys and cube buddies :-)

And... because we know you love free stuff we're going to be having a weekly contest with an Artist Proof (AP) Pocket Pork pint as the prize.  AP Pint?  Yep.  Each week's AP Pint will contain that week's featured Pocket Pork (naturally!) and Shawnimals buttons and stickers.  The only way to  get an AP Pint is to win 'em right here.

This week's Pocket Pork is the Veggie Sticker.  Vegetarians, this Pocket Pork is for you!

Want to win this week's AP Pint featuring the Veggie Sticker  + stickers and buttons?  You know the drill... Submit a comment and be sure to enter a valid email address (also, you can keep your email address away from prying eyes if you also enter a website on the comment form -- like www.itsasecret.com).  This week's Pocket Pork contest ends on  Tuesday, February 14th @ 8 PM Pacific.  Check back next Wednesday to see and have a chance to win the next Pocket Pork variety.

Contest Rules

1. One entry per person; multiple entries disqualifies you.
2. Deadline to enter by: February 21st, 2006 8:00pm  (PST)
3. Enter with valid email address
4. Shipping within Continental US is covered; shipping anywhere else is paid by winner
5. Winner must respond to VP's notification within 72 hours
6. One prize per person

Pimp My Doll!!!

What happens when you give an artist fabrics and a sewing machine? Well, you get new adult toys...dolls!! Noooo...not that kind of adult toys!!! At the Pimp My Doll exhibition which is presented by Papier.Machine and the Pébroc Shop (Nantes), you will find an eclectic mix of artists from all over the world giving their own twist to the old fashion doll. Forget that bland teddy bear...bring on the bright colors, the eerie forms, the cuddly, the sadistic....this is where  plush is taken to the next level!!

Line Up: Lmac (Singapore);Muju (U.K.); Aabland (Spain);Vincent "Pulcomayo" (France);Doma (Argentina); Flying Fortress (Germany); Monkeys From Space (Spain); Cupco (Japan);Dob{R}man (France) LVL CREW; Strom (France) LVL CREW; Llor (France) LVL CREW; Koa (France) LVL CREW/WDD; Skwak (France) WDD; Theory One (South Africa);Doudoupop (France);

Where: Pébroc17 rue Bon Secours 44000 Nantes, FRANCE

When: Launch party: November 12th; From November 12th until December 12th 2005; Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30 am - 7.00 pm

Vincent aka Pulcomayo has been so kind to send over some pics of his adorable creatures who are going to be at the show. These aren't your everyday dolls now are they???

The Pulcopiyo
Oizo
Skulo

Batz
Los Catchos
Ghost

TADO's Fortune Pork Mini-Plushes

            Click for life-size pork!

TADO's Fortune Pork mini-plushes (roughly 2 inches tall) are scheduled to drop in a month or so.   There are 12 different regular versions + 1 secret as well as 2 upcoming exclusive store branded editions. So many of these designs are killer: the bannana, the black cat, and the cute yellow creature are all fab IMO. TADO's done some excellent work on various toy canvases --"Alabama Sugar" Qee in Series 4b and the upcoming Ms. Oonishi in the eagerly anticipated Dunny Series 2 to name a couple-- so it's nice to see they have their own toy series now. The plush wave continues!

Troglodytes by Jill Penney

One of the things I like about  collecting Designer Toys is the joy of discovering  artists and  toys that were previously unknown to me. Thanks to the message board publicity from her husband, Daniel, I was able to gaze upon  Jill Penney's  series of amazingly cute plush Troglodyte toys at  their website which features a sweet hand-drawn sketch motif that has to be seen to be appreciated.  There's no doubt that designer plush is gaining in popularity these days.  IMO, these Trogs  are some of the best designer plush toys available today.

Why?  The strong character designs are infused with loads of spunk and personality.  There are eight designs in all : Foil, Q, Periwinkle, Racket, Parliament, Frog, Snipette, and USDAorganic.  Each of the Trogs has its own visual personality and identity -- no simple colorways here.    I really dig the subtle variations between the Trogs such as striped vs. solid horns, different shaped eyes, different teeth, etc. 

Typically, I prefer vinyl to plush primarily because vinyl seems to lend it self to cleaner more detailed designs. These guys really erase that bias as they are incredibly detailed for plush toys -- some even have non-slip padding on their feet.  The Trogs are available for $70 each direct at Daniel and Jill's website. If you're a plush fan, check 'em out !  Btw, if the Trogs look familiar, you might have seen Jill's custom Trog Funny Club figures as part of the Chicago stop of the Funny Club show (at Rotofugi).

Trog pics (Clockwise: Snipette, Foil, Racket, and Periwinkle)

   

Lmac Plush - Le Zombie Freq

 

Rotofugi has an exclusive edition (limited to 50 pcs) of an Lmac (Les Minimalist Autistic Children) plush called Le Zombie Freq created by plush designer Jamous.  From the pic these guys look very cute -- I dig the furry eyebrows and the ?open? mounth.  I typically collect vinyl exclusively, but the ugly dolls and this have me reconsidering that.   Lmac looks like they are going to make a big splash this summer with their 6" vinyl toys and these plushes.