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

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    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.

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    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

    Read more »

    yast.anna

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    Анна Ястрежембовская

    Анна Ястрежембовская

    Author, Community member

    yast.anna

    What do you think ?
    Sardonic Scribe
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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
    6 years ago Created 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
    6 years ago Created 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
    6 years ago (edited) Created 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
    6 years ago Created 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...
    Crochet lady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you tried to give everyone a bat because a scammer sold them what's to prevent the scammer from doing it again and again? You shouldn't be held accountable for a fraud perpetrated by someone else. That's not to day I don't fell badly for the people who lost their money but it's not your fault. Your creations are divine!

    Brivid
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are very talented. I hope you are able to find away to prevent being scammed in the future.

    Kseniya Timofeeva
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi. I'm Anna's sister Xenia. We read your comment)). Now Anna is constantly engaged in the creation of new toys. As soon as the situation with the implementation of orders will be adjusted - the orders will be accepted again! And of course we are looking for ways to prevent the recurrence of this unpleasant situation. Can be something will advise? We will write about it on instagram and on all pages! Thank you again for your subscription, for your support.

    Load More Replies...
    Katinka Min
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    DON'T MAKE THE ORDERED BATS!!! If an online platform sells fake tickets, no musician would go an make a concert for free. It sucks that these people were scammed, but your pictures were stolen and your reputation was endangered - you are already a victim. Just write to the people that it has nothing to do wiht you and that they need to sue the online shop.

    Kseniya Timofeeva
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi. I'm Anna's sister Xenia. We read your comment. Now Anna is constantly engaged in the creation of new toys. Thank you: for your subscription, for your support.

    Load More Replies...
    hobbitly
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dont understand why you would make all these people tiny bats, if you listed it as 'not for sale' on social media. You are an amazing artist. If you get an Etsy account, let me know, would love to buy a spider brooch.

    TheKnightOwl
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please please please don't fill the orders of those who were scammed. It is not your fault what happened, the people involved need to take it up with the people they paid the money to. Surely they had to know something this well made was worth much more than $20. You do an amazing job, so realistic!

    metalinangelo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We got scammed and we fight 20 days now to report and shut down them stores. Nobody blamed Anna. The opposite. We are helping daily. We exposed all this.

    Load More Replies...
    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must have bunny. Must have bat.

    Jean van der Merwe
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is art. I want to say you are talented, but actually this is a gift.

    Load More Comments
    Sardonic Scribe
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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
    6 years ago Created 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
    6 years ago Created 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
    6 years ago (edited) Created 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
    6 years ago Created 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...
    Crochet lady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you tried to give everyone a bat because a scammer sold them what's to prevent the scammer from doing it again and again? You shouldn't be held accountable for a fraud perpetrated by someone else. That's not to day I don't fell badly for the people who lost their money but it's not your fault. Your creations are divine!

    Brivid
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are very talented. I hope you are able to find away to prevent being scammed in the future.

    Kseniya Timofeeva
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi. I'm Anna's sister Xenia. We read your comment)). Now Anna is constantly engaged in the creation of new toys. As soon as the situation with the implementation of orders will be adjusted - the orders will be accepted again! And of course we are looking for ways to prevent the recurrence of this unpleasant situation. Can be something will advise? We will write about it on instagram and on all pages! Thank you again for your subscription, for your support.

    Load More Replies...
    Katinka Min
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    DON'T MAKE THE ORDERED BATS!!! If an online platform sells fake tickets, no musician would go an make a concert for free. It sucks that these people were scammed, but your pictures were stolen and your reputation was endangered - you are already a victim. Just write to the people that it has nothing to do wiht you and that they need to sue the online shop.

    Kseniya Timofeeva
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi. I'm Anna's sister Xenia. We read your comment. Now Anna is constantly engaged in the creation of new toys. Thank you: for your subscription, for your support.

    Load More Replies...
    hobbitly
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dont understand why you would make all these people tiny bats, if you listed it as 'not for sale' on social media. You are an amazing artist. If you get an Etsy account, let me know, would love to buy a spider brooch.

    TheKnightOwl
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please please please don't fill the orders of those who were scammed. It is not your fault what happened, the people involved need to take it up with the people they paid the money to. Surely they had to know something this well made was worth much more than $20. You do an amazing job, so realistic!

    metalinangelo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We got scammed and we fight 20 days now to report and shut down them stores. Nobody blamed Anna. The opposite. We are helping daily. We exposed all this.

    Load More Replies...
    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must have bunny. Must have bat.

    Jean van der Merwe
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is art. I want to say you are talented, but actually this is a gift.

    Load More Comments
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