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I Started Making Toys From Wool 3 Years Ago, Here Are 28 Of My Best Works
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I Started Making Toys From Wool 3 Years Ago, Here Are 28 Of My Best Works

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My story began three years ago when I, a mother of two, saw unique toys made from an unknown material, which, as I later found out, was felting wool. I got really interested in the needle felting technique and decided to try making a handmade toy myself. My first toy wasn’t nearly as pretty, it was rather funny, but I enjoyed the process so much that I kept trying. I was felting during my free time, even at night, and I got better with each felted animal I made.

Slowly, I began receiving my first commissions. My felted birds got very popular and were flying off to different cities. I was excited about the recognition of my artwork and didn’t even think about the other side of this popularity.

More info: Instagram | Facebook

A tiny bat appeared in my collection quite by accident. My daughter Masha asked me to make her a bat brooch, which in the making turned out to be too big for the accessory, so we decided to turn it into a little bat-toy. We photographed Masha (my daughter often helps with photographing my artwork, and sometimes models in the shot herself) holding the bat and posted it on social media with a caption: “Not for sale!” I was planning on making more of these adorable animals in the future, but at that moment, I had too many commissions, so I put it aside for later.

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A few weeks ago, my inbox on Instagram filled up with messages from people who supposedly bought my toys from online shops and never received their order after completing the payment. I was shocked.

I have to admit that I didn’t expect such a huge interest in my little felting animals. Moreover, I didn’t expect it to be “sold” in significant quantities for a ridiculous price of just $19.99. As a result, hundreds of scammed people wrote to me in the hope of receiving their bats.

I am flattered that my bats won the hearts of so many people, but the number of orders I got was terrifying. It takes ten days, working 12-14 hours a day, to make one bat-toy. I don’t really know what I should do; tell everyone to forget about their bats? Or try to fulfill a promise I never made?

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Of course, I will keep felting as many bats as I can, but I want people to understand that these toys are fully handmade, so it’s a fairly lengthy process. Furthermore, there are so many interesting birds and cute animals I would like to recreate in wool as well…

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So this is my story. Currently, I spend most of my time doing original artwork for existing customers, so no time is left for replying to all the messages and comments. This is why I asked my sister Ksenya to help me out and respond to your comments. Thank you all for your understanding and support.

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Анна Ястрежембовская

Анна Ястрежембовская

Author, Community member

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yast.anna

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Анна Ястрежембовская

Анна Ястрежембовская

Author, Community member

yast.anna

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Sardonic Scribe
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exceptional talent! However, for your own sanity (as a fellow artist) - I know it pains you, but you really just need to tell the people that were scammed what happened. In no way, shape or form should you be held accountable for someone else's fraud, Selling your artworks for $20 would be akin to someone expecting to pay 5 bucks to have a new bathtub installed. Your time is valuable - never undervalue it! :) Much love and the best of luck from Canada!

Dani
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. What happened isn’t your fault and if you just explain, any person with a shred of decency will understand and hopefully not be too upset. I feel so bad for both you and all those poor people, but for your own sake please tell them what happened.

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Thomas Kabel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time to open an Etsy account and sell them for some serious money!! I'd buy one for sure!

Laugh Fan
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are adorable. The spider is even realistic enough to be skipped over a wee bit quickly! Flipping phobias! I'm rather fond of that cute bat! I hope you aren't bothered by scammers again.

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks. It is not possible to cope with them yet. One hope is to warn as many people as possible so that they do not get caught by scammers.

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Sardonic Scribe
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exceptional talent! However, for your own sanity (as a fellow artist) - I know it pains you, but you really just need to tell the people that were scammed what happened. In no way, shape or form should you be held accountable for someone else's fraud, Selling your artworks for $20 would be akin to someone expecting to pay 5 bucks to have a new bathtub installed. Your time is valuable - never undervalue it! :) Much love and the best of luck from Canada!

Dani
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. What happened isn’t your fault and if you just explain, any person with a shred of decency will understand and hopefully not be too upset. I feel so bad for both you and all those poor people, but for your own sake please tell them what happened.

Load More Replies...
Thomas Kabel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time to open an Etsy account and sell them for some serious money!! I'd buy one for sure!

Laugh Fan
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are adorable. The spider is even realistic enough to be skipped over a wee bit quickly! Flipping phobias! I'm rather fond of that cute bat! I hope you aren't bothered by scammers again.

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks. It is not possible to cope with them yet. One hope is to warn as many people as possible so that they do not get caught by scammers.

Load More Replies...
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