Yummy Pancake makes things that make me smile. I am so glad she is part of this year's show and always look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. Let's get to know her a little bit better.
S- When did you learn to crochet?
YP-I learned to crochet back in 1999 with the help of my mom and a coworker. Back then, I was just making blankets and scarves. Then, life happened and I stopped crocheting for awhile. I picked it back up in 2006 when I was first introduced to amigurumi and then started designing my own plushie patterns.
S- What was the first stuffed toy you made? Good experience or frustrating?
YP- When I was about 6, I made a little plush leopard out of some leopard print fabric my mom had left over from leopard halloween costume she made me. It was a great experience. I loved the satisfaction you feel when you make something yourself. My mom was a big influence, and I thank her for passing along the crafty gene to me ^_^ I spoke with her this morning and she still has the little leopard I made!!
S- How much time do you spend on marketing Yummy Pancake?
YP- As much as I can, but probably not as much as I should. I tweet, I have facebook fan pages, and I have 2 blogs - one for Yummy Pancake, and one about the adventures of Mr. Toastee. I'm so bad about keeping up with my blogs, and I really need to work on that. I'm also a member of the fabulous Etsy Plush Team and we do what we can to promote each other and the team as a whole with all of our fun projects and activities. I rely heavily on word of mouth ^_^
I also just reached one of my goals - 1000 sales on etsy! Woohoo! To celebrate that, I am giving away a Yummy Pancake tote bag filled with all sorts of goodies! The details are posted over on my blog.
S- Best sources for inspiration?
YP- Everything and Everyone. I could be eating a meal, looking down on my plate and think, 'Hmmm…that asparagus spear would make a great arm" and then come up with my next food hybrid monster. I could be at the little Amish roadside stand down the street getting some veggies and think "Wow…wouldn't that zucchini look cute with a face?". My friends, family and coworkers also help me come up with some really cool ideas, as my brain can only think of so many things. I feel that any inanimate object can be transformed into plush form, and I am willing to give any idea a try, no matter how odd. I love a challenge.
S- Where might people find you during the holiday season? (any craft shows?)
YP- Unfortunately, my work schedule did not allow me to travel and participate in all the craft shows that I would have liked to this year. I will only be able to be found on the interwebs at my etsy store, and at the Broad Street Bazaar - an great store filled with locally made handmade goodies in Lititz, PA. My goal for 2010 is to travel and do more craft shows. I really want to get out there meet some of the talented plush makers that I read about!
S- Favorite plush designers participating in Plush You?
YP- Well, my fellow Plush Teamers all hold a special place in my heart. I've already seen some of the goodies that they whipped up for Plush You and they are fabulous…especially Christina Ward's Russian Criminal Bear. I am also in awe of Moxie's needle felted creations…they just reek of awesomeness! I can't wait to see pictures of everyone's stuff! Next year, I'm hoping to make it to the west coast so I can see everything in person.
