Soulfully Stuffed: A Glimpse into my Coming Collection

I'm a mom. I have 2 daughters who are at this moment 7 and 8 years old. We spend a lot of time engaging in imaginative play, and like most kids today, their favorite toys are stuffed animals. But in our house, stuffed animals are more than just comfort objects.

When stuffed animals first became popular in the early 1900s most people were skeptical. Culture was dominated by hard wooden toys and people feared that fabric plush toys wouldn't hold up to the wear of a child playing. Now adays it's very common to see a child have a large sum of stuffed animals but most play is still dominated by hard plastic toys. Stuffed animals are considered comfort objects. A companion for rest.

Not in our house. In our house we create lives out of our stuffed animals. We give them personalities and stories and we keep them consistent across play sessions. When my kids feel overwhelmed or anxious, the tend to turn to my stuffed animals. Not just because they're "mommy's" but because they know that specific stuffed animal has a purpose. Has a soul. A soul that I have carefully crafted.

That is the inspiration for Soulfully Stuffed. I want to create more than just plushies - but pieces of art. I want to create living stories, each with their own quirks, dreams and personalities. While the full collection isn't ready yet, I want to share with you three bunnies I've made over the years who have had a huge impact on my life and my kids' lives. 

Fae: The Treasure Keeper

Fae is a rabbit with a pocket in her chest - not just for snacks or trinkets, but for something far more precious: a diamond (yes, a real one!) She was specifically crafted with one job: to keep my diamond safe until my partner and I could afford to mount it into an engagement ring. Fae is weighted (almost 5lbs!) and bold, feisty, loyal and unapologetically protective of what she values. She travels far and wide and continues to keep the most important things to her close to her chest. 

The diamond has since been removed (and now lives on my finger!), and Fae's pocket remains empty. Although this doesn't discourage her! She is waiting for a new quest, a new purpose, and on the search for a new treasure to keep safe. She is ready for her next adventure and excited to see what treasure she may find.

Gummy: The Lazy Dreamer

Gummy is a beautifully soft and playful rabbit. You would think he got his name from his bubblegum pink fur but actually it's because he has no teeth! That's right! He's a rabbit that can't even chew a carrot! This makes things hard for him but he doesn't mind because even if he had teeth he is too lazy to chew. Gummy's favorite past time is laying on his back staring at the ceiling. Make sure you give him a warning before you turn the light on or else you might hurt his eyes! He is tender-hearted and LOVES fashion. But don't let him fool you! Gummy doesn't care about gender norms. He will wear a glittery dress just as proudly as he does a cozy sweater. He wishes everyone could just wear what makes them happy and do what makes them happy - even if that is staring at the ceiling all day.

Walter: The Dream Guardian

Walter was one of the very first jointed rabbits I've ever made. He is a classic in every sense and even has large wooden button joints instead of internal plastic joints like all of the new plushies. Walter is an old man but that doesn't hold him back. He has a quiet, steady presence and loves to sit in the corner of your bed and listen to your dreams. If you find yourself one night experiencing a terror, Walter doesn't just watch he physically jumps into your mind space and punches the monsters right in the face! Walter's gift is comfort and he is there to remind you that you are never alone. And sometimes, that's the most powerful magic of all.

Soulfully Stuffed Vision

These three bunnies are not just a reflection of my own creativity - they're therapeutic tools I created in times of need. They serve a purpose - not just in my life as a play toy - but as an emotional regulator. Even my children know that if they wake up in the middle of the night from a bad dream they should come into mommy's room and ask for Walter to help. A lot of the time I carry one of these bunnies with me: when I go to the doctor's, if I'm feeling anxious in the crowd at the grocery store, or even when church stirs big emotions in me. They are safe, comforting, and a reminder that I am not alone. 

Soulfully Stuffed is about creating therapeutic comfort characters who are more than just another plushie for your collection. They have stories to tell and adventures to take you on. I desire to create pieces of art that inspire creativity and play in adults who may have forgotten what its like to pick up a plushie, give it a name, and hop it around as if it was alive and walking. Because sometimes, the simplest things can hold the deepest magic.

I'm currently bringing these ideas to life, sketching, and breathing personality into every detail. I'm praying that with every stitch these babies instill hope, creativity and healing in whoever decides to take them home.

If you'd like to be the first to know when the full collection launches, sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Instagram! Let's play together!