Give-Away #14: Auntie Jill

So, I recently received one of the trademark minky snuggle bunnies from a dear little shop, "Auntie Jill" on Etsy, and what can I say? It's an adorable, luxuriously soft plush bunny that would make a fabulous addition to any baby shower gift or nursery. I can just imagine a newborn snuggling up and fawning over one of these... Actually, it reminded me of a bunny blankie of my own that I grew up with.... This wasn't an actual stuffed animal, it was just a small "lovie" blankie shaped like a bunny, and with satin ears. Can I tell you how frequently I sat sucking my thumb, rubbing those satin ears? Let me tell you...what a comfort. So that would be my suggestion for buying one of these...get one, and have it designed with satin ears!! They are available in an assortment of colors, sizes and fabrics not to mention other animals beyond just bunnies. The best part? If you're one of those "personalization junkies" you can get them personalized with your child's name for just $5 ~ a truly custom gift.



Here is a bit more about Auntie Jill and her business...

How did your business start and when?
I officially began on January 1^st, 2008on Etsy. I had began making toys for friend’s babies and nieces and nephews and everyone encouraged me to make them for sale. So it was my new year’s resolution to take the plunge – two months later I lost my job and decided it was a good time to work on my toys full-time.

How did you come up with your business name?
My nephew insists that my real name is “Auntie Jill” (not just Jill), and I thought that it would also convey the loving touch I try to give all my toys – I’m not just making random batches of stuffed animals like a big company – I’m making love-filled creations for your child specifically.

How long have you been making your creations?
That’s tough to figure out – I learned to sew when I was four or five years old, and have been creating ever since. The snuggle bunny was designed in late 2007.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?
The softest fabrics possible – I go through the fabric store like a blind person, just touching fabric and not looking at it so much – then if it feels right I’ll check it out in more detail. I primarily use minky and only the highest end minky made – not what you can buy at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Are your products located in any brick-and-mortar stores? If so, where?
Yep – I have my work in Portsmouth, NH at a darling boutique called “Tulips”, as well as a new one in upstate New York this fall, “Tula & Tupi” in Florida, “LivingPlaying” in MA, and “Organic Beginnings” in Ontario, Canada.

What sets your business/products apart from others that create similar items?
I think my fabrics are softer, they are made to last a lifetime, and the hand sewn faces add a special touch – just like a signature I feel that no one else in the world would sew the face on their stuffed animal exactly like I do. I don’t use templates for the faces or when I hand sew the names on the ears, so no two could ever be identical. I also base my designs on observations of what babies and kids prefer – I can’t always tell you why they like my toys (or anyone else’s) but I can sometimes tell what they prefer in a toy and design accordingly.

Any other comments, feedback or otherwise you’d like to share with our blog followers?
I love making custom made toys, so if you want a special color or an entirely new animal - I am more than happy to design a new pattern for you or order a new fabric. I recently invented an elephant for a customer based on their baby shower invitations, for example, and it was a lot of fun!

Now for the give-away...see details below for how to win one of the minky snuggle bunnies with brown & white polka-dot ears! This is perfect, as it's gender-neutral and really would be the addition that's the icing on the cake for a baby shower gift.

Here is how to win it!!
*Visit Auntie Jill to find your treasured plush toy,
then come back here to comment on it.

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Remember, one comment for each entry, and include email!!
Winners to be posted early-mid September.