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Mini shop update

I’m putting up the ready-made “Hug Me! Slugs” that I just finished this afternoon. I’ll be listing the ready-made slugs in my Etsy shop. Above is “Izzie”.

“Carson”, above, just got snatched up as I was writing this.

This is “Julie”, above.

This is “Merlin”.

Above is “Dustin”.

And this is “Marigold”, above. She’s just been spoken for too.

We’re planning to ship the Christmas orders tomorrow morning. Priority Mail usually takes about two to three days. The Post Office doesn’t guarantee that delivery time period, but they try extra hard to make sure the Christmas packages arrive on time. Some people are opting for Express Mail, which costs quite a bit more, but I can adjust an invoice for anyone interested in that.

It’s been a long, busy weekend, and tomorrow will probably be busy too. After that, I’ll try to accommodate any orders that come in for ready-made toys, but the custom-made ones will take about a two-week wait. I’m in need of a rest! Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!

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I think I’m having a slug-themed birthday party tomorrow

Although that wasn’t my intention! I’ve been very busy.

These are Monday and Wednesday’s slugs. They’re on their way to their new homes, or many have probably already arrived.

I’m going to mail at least two more tomorrow, but I’d been hoping to get more done by then. There is a rumor that we may have snow, and so I will be amending my plans to make sure I mail the slugs I promised to send on Friday, out in time.

I imagine many of the folks who buy and sell on Etsy saw today’s NY Times article on Etsy businesses. I read that this morning and thought I’d better take those examples to heart, and pace myself. It’s been crazy lately. I’m happy for all the interest in my toys, but I also realize I don’t want to end up, someday, being someone who works thirteen-hour days, like some of the people in that article. I want to make sure I am doing what I want to do, and enjoying it.

Anyway…I’m amazed I got all these done. My mom has been helping address boxes, and trimming and clipping seams, and turning slugs right side out for me. Thanks, mom!

I hope all these little guys and girls will be a big hit for the holidays. I like to think about them being unwrapped and making someone smile or laugh.

I have a few fleece slugs almost done, in royal blue, gold, orange, light turquoise, cream (with blue eyes), and denim-colored blue. I don’t think I’ll get a chance to get them up and photographed this weekend, as I had planned though. I think there are only three finished slugs left in my Etsy shop, for now, as I’m writing this.

I just put this fuchsia-pink slug up this morning. I named her Holly. I can’t figure out if people would prefer to name their own ready-made slug, or if I should just leave that as an option for the custom-made slugs.

Okay, just checking in, and now I’ve got to get back to work! Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!

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The holiday parade of slugs marches on

These are some of the “Hug Me! Slugs” that went out on Thursday and Friday this week. That’s “Laylee” above, in medium pink. I’m busy at work on quite a few more.

My goal is to get them all out to their new homes this week. There may be some more orders though. So, hopefully, I’ll have the ones that have already been ordered done midweek.

The orange slug above is for a little one who loves looking at pictures of my slugs. He coos and squeals when he sees them on the computer. His mom is excited to get him a real one for Christmas.

My birthday is this coming Friday. I don’t know if I’ll get the day off. I’d like to make sure everyone gets their slugs for Christmas.

I’ve been trying to make a few extras, for last minute shoppers, but the current shoppers have already shopped in my stash of extras. I’m going to keep trying to add to that group of slug standby’s. I’ve got some new colors to add too, like the bright yellow, and the bright tomato red, that are drying on the rack shown above.

Thanks everyone, for your orders! It’s been great. I’m enjoying making toys and hearing from you. I know I say it often, but I hope you know that I really do appreciate it. Being able to do something that spreads a little happiness around is a great pleasure.

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I love hearing people’s toy stories

“Percy and Macy

Yesterday morning, I got this awesome email from that made my day:

Hey Elizabeth, Sam and Sophie opened their slugs yesterday. I think they arrived on Wednesday—just in case you keep track. They are Divine—-I know that’s a weird word, but they are truly DIVINE!! My husband and I are so amazed as to the way the children have taken to these little critters. In this world of technology, they are usually drawn to things that have batteries. I thought they would sleep with the Slugs, but I didn’t know they would play with them. I have to tell you about Sam and the Super Slug. He started throwing him into the air and he tells me that Percy can fly since he is a super slug and that was why he had shooting stars on his cape. I didn’t pay nearly enough attention to the fabric on the cape, but Sam did. He then told me that Percy uses his cape as parachute when he has to land. They are thrilled!! Thank you so much. I want to order more and am trying to find the time to sit down and shop—maybe my life is too complicated and there is a lesson to be learned from all of this “slug” business!! Have a great day. ~Glynis

Isn’t that the most wonderful thing? It is for me. Thanks so much, Glynis, for sending me such a thoughtful email. What a great story. (Those are Sam’s Super Slug and Sophie’s Hug Me! Slug above.)

I came into my workroom yesterday, and the sun was coming up, shining through my window and in between my slugs.

My new fleece was all stacked on my ironing board, waiting to be put away or put to use. I have some new colors, but I haven’t even gotten to listing them or photographing them. By the end of the day, there were even more slugs to be made.

In contrast, today is dark and rainy, which means my kitty assistant is hunkered down for some serious napping. His bed of choice for daytime napping is my new chair. Hm. One of us might have to find another chair. I’m thinking it might be me! I’ve tried the whole sharing thing, and he just ends up stomping onto my table or maneuvering his way onto my lap. Either way, my sewing coordination becomes impaired! He doesn’t understand this at all. He seems quite sure he is being helpful.

Fortunately, I have lots of hand sewing to do, which I might as well do in front of the TV instead. I’m not sure I feel like watching TV, but it sort of sounds less humiliating than accepting that I’ve been ousted from my workroom by my cat 🙂