Fluffels Interview and Giveaway!

Fluffels are sometimes fluffy, often times adorable, occasionally sinister lookin' little creatures by Mariska Vos-Bolman. Mariska will be showing once again at Schmancy for this year's Plush You show! I love these little guys and hope you do too. Leave a comment here for your chance to win your own Cute Kitty Kit. Don't forget to leave contact info so we can tell you you won!

S- In case our readers don't know who you are, can you please briefly describe what Fluffels are and how you got started?

F- Fluffels are crazy but very cute soft toys. I try to give my creations a lot of character that will put a smile on your face. The name Fluffels is a combination of the dutch word for soft toys: Knuffels and the word Fluffy. Two years ago I bought my first sewing machine, after looking scared at it for two weeks (I was sure I was going to hurt myself) I tried my first project, a pillow. Then I made a Soft toy and there was just no stopping. :)



S- In 2007 you quit your Video game job to be a full-time plush artist. What made you take the plunge?

F- I wasn't enjoying myself at my old job anymore. I was doing the same thing for years and was pretty bored, I was making soldiers all the time. The Company itself was great, wonderful people. But I really needed a change. I already started making plush and selling them to several shops around the world. Doing this was so much more fun for me that I thought I'd give it a try. I won't say it isn't hard. But I'm enjoying myself and It is going better every month.



S- How have you marketed yourself to reach new audiences?

F- Enter lots of plush shows :) . You have to do a lot of marketing. Sent your creations to blogs, make a Flickr page. Don't expect to just start selling without doing any marketing. Hand out your business card to anyone you know, they might know someone that can help you do a bit of marketing.



S- Your gallery section is awesome! I love the Seattle pics! Do you have regular fans sending you their guys in their homes and whatnot?

F- Thank you! Some of them are sent to me by people and some I found on flickr and asked them if I can put them on my website. I think it is really cool when people send me a photo of their Fluffel! Some of the photo's are made by myself, I carry the Fluffels around to lots of places.



S- It seems like you have participated in a lot of plush shows. What have been some of your experiences with doing shows such as Plush You?

F- I love doing plush shows! It is so much fun to have Fluffels showcased in a show!
I see photo's appear on Flickr and that is so great! Most of the shows are in the USA, and since I'm in the Netherlands I just can't visit them. That is a shame, I hope to visit one one day.



S- You do really awesome DIY patterns as well. When did you start making them and how has it been giving out your patterns?

F- Thanks! I start making them a few months ago. I call them DIY Fluffies, because the style is a bit different then the normal Fluffels. The idea of people that are being crafty with my patterns is just great! I already had a lot of positive feedback and I'm planning on creating many more. For the tutorials I was inspired by the Japanese craft books, I loved the way they make illustrated tutorials to explain everything. You don't even have to understand Japanese and you can still make them. That's is exactly what I wanted to for my tutorials. Not much reading but cute clear illustrations.



S- How often do you create a new design?

F- I try to create a new design a least twice a month. But I'm pregnant now, so things are going a bit slower then usual. The baby comes first. :)



S- How often do you do custom work?

F- Almost never, only different color version of the Fluffels. I did do them in the beginning, but I prefer making my own designs. It takes up a lot of time and I have to many ideas of my own that I want to create.



S- What are your goals for the new year?

F- If I have enough time I would love to create a soft toy tutorial book. But that will take up a lot of time, first some more Fluffels, DIY Fluffies patterns and kits.



S- Where else can people see your work?

F- website
flickr site
patterns on etsy
etsy shop

Comment here with your name and contact info to win your own Fluffels Cute Kitty Kit