I’m practically too busy to blog today – I’m at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design speaking about my experiences as a toy designer. (said facetiously with swinging of hair, rolling of eyes, and a busy busy self-important egotistical look on my face).
I’ve been busily organizing lots of images and my own thoughts. My connection to the world of toy design has changed so much in the last couple of years. From in-house to freelancer has been a fascinating process. Along with the other more subtle shifts – like having a kid and an entire blog devoted to the empire! It seemed fitting to show you one of my designs today, in honor of it all. This is Grace the Elephant
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this little elephant!! Good job!!
Hey thanks Jennie!
I bought one of these gorgeous elephants for my son then aged 4. He has loved it ever since and is now 10. He still finds space in his bed for the elephant when he needs a cuddle. All other times, it has a prime spot in his room. I remember spotting the elephant as soon as I went in this super toyshop – and there was only one of this elephant.
I hope he keeps it with him forever and passes on to his son/daughter. (I still have all my soft toys from my childhood and I’m 46 now). One of the best buys i have ever made. Its the softest, fluffiest toys ever and even has little toes. I won’t tell him Oli Flump is actually a girl :-). Glad i came across this page – what a great toy designer you are!
All the best and keep designing!
Calum’s mum, Tracy (Scotland)
What a wonderful story, you have made my day!
My daughter has a similar attachment to another one of my designs – a small black cat. It gives me so much joy to see how much she loves something I sweated over and championed for months to get into production. Knowing he feels the way she does gives me the warm fuzzies.
Mary, I found the elephant several years ago and fell in love! I literally searched the world for more of them, the gator and the panther. Did you design them all? I purchased every one of the rarities collection out there. Every one I could find about 8 years ago. At the time they were discontinued so I went on a world search. Even called the company to search everywhere. So were can I find more of these darling babies? I gave them to nieces, sick friends, everyone I was close to! Kept a couple gators and the elephant still sits proudly on this 46 year old’s bed. Love to hear from you!
That’s so wonderful! I love hearing that you searched them out everywhere! I wish I knew where to find more, but I don’t. Rarities were discontinued several years ago. I only have a couple elephants of my own – one for me and one for my girl!
Did you ever get a polar bear? I found him here: http://www.amazon.com/Rarities-Polar-Bear-Manhattan-Toy/dp/B0012VMMOI
And there was a flamingo too: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-Toy-Rarities-Flamingo-28cm/dp/B0007Q1JWA/ref=sr_1_33?m=A2D9IVO7M1YVXS&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1405103372&sr=1-33
You might also like the flamingo and ostrich I did for Jellycat:
http://www.yoyo.com/p/jellycat-fenella-flamingo-588358?site=CA&sku=ZTG-379&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_Y&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&utm_content=%7Badtype%7D&ca_sku=ZTG-379&ca_gpa=%7Badtype%7D&ca_kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&CAWELAID=1493786705
And here:
http://www.jellycat.com/us/orla-ostrich-orl2o/
And Mathilda hen:
http://www.jellycat.com/us/orla-ostrich-orl2o/
Thanks so much Susie!
I have this wonderful addition myself, though the name Ellie stuck for me, she is by far one of my favorites to cuddle with! I love her, thanks for bringing out such a great toy :)
Ah yes, Ellie is the perfect name for her – so glad you love her too!
I have tried and tried to buy your beautiful Grace Elephant without success. I have been told by many people that it is no longer being produced. This is such a shame as many people I know with children would just love to have her.
Is there any chance that you might rethink and produce her again?
I really hope so.
If not would you sell the pattern so I could at least attempt to make her?
Best wishes
Mandy
That’s right, it’s no longer in production. I don’t own the rights to it,or the patterns, it was produced by Manhattan Toy, when I worked for them. I wish I had better news for you!
I have one that I’m planning to sell on Ebay. We found her and had planned at one point to use her in an elephant-themed gift basket, but have since changed our minds. She will likely be up within the week as I am posting several items shortly.
I will be very interested in buying Grace
Regards
Mandy
If anyone has a spare grace they are willing to part with I have a very poorly nan who would love one – she sis have one years ok but unfortunately has been misplaced in various house moves
Hi Mari,
What a wonderful job you did when you designed Gracie. That’s what I call her! She is beautiful. Yes, she could be for a child or an adult. In this case, she is for me, Strangely even as an older woman I do cuddle her at times when I need to. It certainly doesn’t bother me to say that.
Took me quite a while to find out about her. And you. At one point it said she is rare. I thought that was pretty special.
So, thank you. I couldn’t be more pleased and am thrilled I found the person who made her. Good luck, Nancy Babington❤️