How to start making stuffed animals for sale.
How I did it: It started in my junior year of college, where I was stuck trying to decide what I wanted to do with my college career, and a wonderful art teacher. I was always drawn to the sculpture classes-I thrived in 3D work. My Sculpture II teacher heard me talking about sewing, and asked if I could make a stuffed animal or soft sculpture for his class. The ensuing creature was definitely not a pretty one, but it was so liberating. It was the therapy and meditation I needed so bad in my life, and I never knew til then. After the semester was over, I asked him to be my Directed Individual Study (DIS) teacher, and even though he was an adjunct professor, (as in, he didn't get paid for teaching me) he still did. He helped me work through all my problems and issues, and I grew through working with him. After his class, I took a few more DIS classes in which to make my creatures, and eventually decided that I wanted to make stuffed animals and puppets instead of stationary soft sculptured art pieces. I want people to love and handle my pieces rather than they be put on display for no touching. In four months of a semester, I have made three really great animals, and every time someone sees me working or sees my work, they give endless encouragement to make them for my career. I graduate on Saturday with my Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art, and I've talked with my dad about getting licensed and business bank accounts and to my uncle about advertising and my mom about record keeping. It was very heartwarming and encouraging to have all these people in my life helping me and talking to me about doing this for a profession. I love to sew, so, why wouldn't I at least try? At least now I have three great options to start in my listings for animals to sell. It's certainly been a great adventure and it's only beginning.
Lessons & tips: Don't discredit your talents. Believe in yourself. What you can do, some people can only dream of doing, and they will pay you to do it, too. Do what you love, and practice as much as you can. Set realistic goals, itemizing if you need to.
Resources: Five years of college, innumerable fantastic teachers, and all of your loved ones. Plus a great sewing machine helped me, too.
