The Winners for the Spring Challenge!!

 First Place with 43 votes goes to Yarnabees

Second Place with 24 votes goes to Arcticfoxie

& Third Place with 21 votes goes to GretelCreations

Congratulations to all the winners :)

Monday Creature Feature!

So far, we've featured a bunch of amazing crocheters in our Monday Creature Feature spot, but did you know that amigurumi can be knit too? It's with that little prelude that I'm introducing this week's Creature Feature artist, Arctic Foxie!

White Weasel with a Sack by Arctic Foxie

About her work, Arctic Foxie says, "I learned about the magic of knitting when I was a little girl. It's been many years after when knitting became a passion of mine. The animals I am knitting are a big part of my childhood."

"I like to work with soft and fuzzy yarn like angora and mohair, use pretty acrylic yarns too. Once another doll is done I always show it to my husband and a big smile on his face tells me that's a good one."

Arctic Foxie has some beautiful items on sale right now, including this sweet little guy:

Gray Husky Puppy - Phil by Arctic Foxie

If you're looking for a special gift or even a little treat for yourself (don't worry -- we won't tell), you can't go wrong with Arctic Foxie!

Spring has Sprung Contest

 Time to go and vote so here are the entries, you can vote more than once but please do not abuse the fact the vote is opened for your whole family. If there is a tie we will do a run off vote. The prizes are

 First Place will get this cute Foxie from ArticFoxie

Second Place:One (1) skein of Moda Dea Dream yarn in either pink, white or black, winner's choice from gurumiorama . 

And last but not least Third Place will get this cutie

 from AllSoCute.

 If any of the winners are the ones that donated the prizes you will get to choose from the following prizes:  ThePudgyRabbit is donating Easter Egg Trio made to order, Niccilocs is donating 3 Easter Eggs and ElinAmanda is donating yarn. The link to vote is at the bottom of the page, so here are the entries:

yarnabees

gurumiorama

GretelCreations

FreshStitches

ArticFoxie

AllSoCute

ThePudgyRabbit

Niccilocs

SarahMlew

LulaCreations

CheshireFelixCrafts

Yarnabees

Spring Challenge Vote Here!!!

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Monday Creature Feature!

This week we're giving our Monday Creature Feature spot to a creature maker who is showing her love for real creatures too. Meet Cheshire Felix and her adorable marshmallow bunnies!

Right now, when you purchase any of Cheshire Felix's specially marked marshmallow bunnies, 100% of the proceeds will go to the Kansai Animal Refuge. This Japanese animal refuge is one of the many helping to rescue and reunite beloved pets that were separated from their owners after the March earthquake and tsunami.

Cheshire Felix has a full complement of bunny colors available to help the refuge and one of them is sure to make someone's Easter basket extra special this year. Check them out today!

Green
Orange
Purple
Blue
Yellow
Pink
White with Cherries

Monday Creature Feature!

This week, our Monday Creature Feature takes us to the quirky shop of ElinAmanda in Carlisle, UK for a visit with a thieving rat, a professor rabbit, and a little raincloud!

"You thieving rat!" by ElinAmanda

ElinAmanda's creations are all unique crocheted designs with a personality all their own. She carefully crafts back stories for her creatures and gives them a one-of-a-kind appeal that is sure to touch your heart.

Professor R. Rabbit by ElinAmanda

We hope you'll stop by and visit her shop today and check her out on Facebook. This is definitely one of our team members to keep an eye on!

Monday Creature Feature!

Spring has finally spring and Easter is on everyone's mind. With this holiday still a few weeks away, there is still time to try a new crochet pattern and make up some of Yarnabees's lovable little lamb for a special person's Easter basket!

Lovable Little Lamb by Yarnabees

If you don't have time to hook up your own lamb, Yarnabees has got you covered. Check out some of the other adorable, basket-ready items in her shop!

Toy Little Lamb by Yarnabees

Baby Bunnies by Yarnabees

Had enough yet? No? Well, you'll find plenty more in Yarnabees's Etsy shop -- so stop by today!

Monday Creature Feature!

This week's Monday creature feature takes us to the shop of Quitapita, in Enterprise, AL. som eo fyou already know Quitapita's work -- but in another form. You see, Quitapita is also the graphic artist behind our team logo and mascot, Ami Gu. But we're here to talk crochet... so let's take a look!

This week's creature feature is more a "creature of beauty" than a "creature" -- it's Quitapita's Frieda, modeled after the brilliant and passionate Mexican painter, Frieda Kahlo. Kahlo was best known for her honest and beautiful self-portraits. Kahlo once said, "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best."


Drawing on personal experiences, including her marriage, her miscarriages, and her numerous operations, Kahlo's works often are characterized by their stark portrayals of pain. Of her 143 paintings, 55 are self-portraits which often incorporate symbolic portrayals of physical and psychological wounds. She insisted, "I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality."

I think Quitapita's piece is one that would have done Kahlo proud. Despite the wide smile on the character's face, the selection of stark black eyes and the characteristic "mono-brow" identify the doll immediately as Kahlo. Like Kahlo, Quitapita used the traditional bright colors that are so well-loved in Mexican painting.

For more of Quitapita's great works, you can visit her Etsy shop, or check out her Facebook page for all her latest updates!

Sizing Up: Does size matter when it comes to selling amigurumi?

Lately, we've been having a discussion about size on the team page. Here's the "big" deal... team member, ElinAmanda asked:

I'm working on some big projects at the moment, but starting to worry if they'll sell. Maybe people are more keen on buying smaller items?

Our team members had a lot of thoughts about the ideal size for amigurumi... but the consensus is... smaller sells.

Ollie the Octopus by Yarn Menagerie

Most team members make larger amigurumi from time to time and some members, Like Yarn Menagerie, even stock the larger items in their shops. Take Yarn Menagerie's Ollie The Giant Octopus, for example.

This giant cephalopod is a whopping 17 inches (43 cm) tall and spreads his tentacles 19 inches (48 cm) across.

But with each larger project comes larger project costs. Of course, more materials are needed (more yarn, more fiberfill, etc.) and you need larger embellishments (for example, larger doll eyes). All these things can add up.

With larger projects, customers often also expect more detail. For example, no one would expect the kind of detail you find in Peachy Paws's prize-winning 12-inch-long peacock in a smaller version. It's just not possible when you get smaller than 6 inches (15 cm).

Ecochic Peacock by Peachy Paws

But amazing details like this take time... and even for artists, time is money. And sadly, more often than not, it's money that people don't want to pay for a hand-crocheted object.

So, larger projects equal higher material costs and more time... resulting in a higher price tag that people often balk at. The solution? Smaller pieces.

Lotus Tiny Dancer by Silly Kitty (shown with Pukipuki doll)

Smaller pieces can also appeal to a broader market of buyers. Says Trinlayk of Etsy shop Silly Kitty, "tiny things have given me a broader market! I now have a lot of purchases/views from the 'doll people.' And, people in the dolls and miniature collecting demographic will pay the same price or more for something teeny tiny (as compared to the same thing at a larger size). They want something that is a good size for their collectible dolly or for in their dollhouse."

Some Amigurumi Team members have also had great success by creating their own collectible dolls -- and the consensus there is that collectible dolls should remain small. The Etsy shop, Hooked on Chibis is just one example of amigurumi in the collectible doll market -- where tiny dolls can fetch big dollars.

Black Mage by Hooked on Chibis

Each of the designs in the Hooked on Chibis shop is the same basic design (a head and a body). The design is then given a unique personality through embellishments. For example, this black mage from the final fantasy series uses the same basic form as all the other creations in the shop, but the colors, cape, and hat give it a one-of-a-kind presence that will be recognized by any Final Fantasy fan.

Even though the mage tops out at a tiny 4 inches (10 cm), Hooked on Chibis explains that her customers are willing to pay $20. This is because of her quality work and materials -- and because of the item's collectability.

Says QuitaPita, another designer who uses the head/body style design, a lot of people who like to purchase collectible dolls will be displaying these items on a desk or bookshelf. That makes smaller designs more suitable to larger ones.

So what does all this mean for someone who is just starting out as an amigurumi seller on Etsy? There is a place for larger amigurumi, but that place is typically with competitions and custom orders. When stocking your shop, think small to reach the largest audience and get the most return on your work.

And no matter what size you choose, remember that even with amigurumi, content is king. Both large dolls and small dolls will sell if the content appeals to your market.

Monday Creature Feature!

This week begins a new regular feature for Amigurumi Team member works, called Monday Creature Feature. Every week, we'll pick a new item from a team member shop and feature it on the blog. You never know what sort of amigurumi goodness is going to show up, so make sure to subscribe today by clicking Follow on the right side of the screen or by checking out the team's Facebook page!

Today's Monday Creature Feature comes to you from team member, Minibytes!

With spring just a few weeks away, who wouldn't be tempted by this adorable chick pin cushion?! Minibytes describes her chick, saying:

This pincushion sits 3 inches high and 3.5 inches wide, or, in real life terms, smaller than an apple, and larger than an egg. He is crocheted from cotton yarn in yellow with orange yarn for his hair and feet, and is stuffed with polyfil acrylic stuffing. He has a metal washer sewn into his bottom so he can always stand up, and his eyes are plastic safety eyes. All appendages are sewn on securely, but he is not meant to be played with roughly or given to the dog to chew on.

Whether you're looking for a cute Easter basket buddy or a cute friend for a sewing fanatic, this chick fits the bill. Check him out and all his other friends at Minibytes's shop today!

UPDATE: The featured chick has sold, but there are still plenty of cute chicks at Minibytes's shop. Get yours today!

Monday Creature Feature!

This week's Monday Creature Feature takes us to the land of GurumiORama, where amigurumi teddy bears give spontaneous joy from baskets of love and and Kooky-Kooky Kooky Monsta runs wild through chocolate chip, oatmeal and those yummy fruit jelly-filled cookies your grandma used to hand out.

But you've never heard of Kooky-Kooky Kooky Monsta? Well, then you need to check out the wanted poster!

If this poster doesn't inspire you to pick up your trusty crochet hook, I don't know what will!

Visit GurumiORama for this pattern today and many more -- or pick up an adorable GurumiORama original crocheted doll!

Amigurumi Team Pattern Treasury!

Are you looking for a new pattern to get you through those last remaining gray winter days or a little snuggle to cheer you up? Check out the team's latest treasury!

The Perfect Pattern, by QuitaPita, is a collection of member patterns ranging from Kokeshi Cats to Mailboxes and everything in between!

Team members featured in this treasury include (left to right, from top to bottom):

• Row 1: Crafty Anna, Sweees, AmiEggs, Peanut and Jellybean
• Row 2: Amicafe, KATZ, Janagurumi, Crafty Deb Designs
• Row 3: Sandsteel Designs, Mutts, Anderson's Creations, Pepika
• Row 4: Oliver Bolliver, Berriiiz, Erinscull, Dawn Toussaint

February Food Challenge Winners

                                          ThePudgyRabbit  gets the  Moda Dea Dream Yarn from gurumiorama

Niccilocs  gets the Bunny Peep from CheshireFelixCrafts

 

and gurumiorama gets half dozen of customizable bouquet flowers winners choice from peachypaws

I will contact the wonderful people who were kind enough to donate prizes for this challenge. Thanks for taking the time to enter our challenge. Congratulations!!

Soft, Fluffy, and Bringing in the Spring!

Thanks to team member YarnMenagerie, the Amigurumi Team is welcoming spring with its first all-team treasury!

Represented artists include (left to right, from top to bottom):

• Row 1: The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Butterfly Love, KATZ, and Crafty Deb Designs 
• Row 2: Yarnigans,  Dawn Toussaint, Tatti's Cuties, and Mutts
• Row 3: Pepika, Fluff and Fuzz, Minibytes, and Cute Workshop
• Row 4: Berriiiz, Janagurumi, Swees, and Yarnabees

Thanks YarnMenagerie for sharing your favorite springtime amigurumi!

Love is in the air

Tomorrow is Valentine's day and love is in the air with Amigurumi Team members. Check out some of this romantic work!

Nothing spells L-O-V-E like a special drawing or note left by your Valentine. So what could be sweeter than this cute crayon by Cheshire Felix Crafts?

Amigurumi crayon by Cheshire Felix Crafts

And if "slow and steady wins the race," then this little love turtle by Yarnabees has already won the race to my heart!

Amigurumi Valentine's turtle by Yarnabees

Looking for even more love? Then you'll need to look no further than Knitted Love's sweet bunny holding a plush Valentine heart.

Red Valentine Love Bunny by Knitted Love

Ready to out-fox your Valentine with the perfect gift? Then, check out this fox pin cushion by Minibytes. What could be cuter?

Amigurumi Fox Pin Cushion by Minibytes

Even though Valentine's day is tomorrow, it's always a good time to show your love. Stop in and visit one of these great designers today for a special gift!

New Year Team Challenge Winners

Congratulation to ElinAmanda and Peachypaws who tied for First place. Our next challenge if there is a tie will have a tie breaking vote that will run for 3 days. 
ElinAmanda  opened her shop on November 20, 2010 She creates unique Crochet creations, ranging from amigurumi's to hats she also does custom orders here are some of her great creations:

Congratulations again to ElinAmanda show her some love and heart her shop!!

Also Congratulations to Ashley shop owner of Peachypaws who is a 25-year-old editorial assistant by day and a creator of whimsical crochet critters by night. She opened her shop on Aug 17, 2009 here are some of her great creations:

Congratulations again to Peachypaws show her some love and heart her shop!!