Sole Mate Toys

How bout them dawgs?

2012-02-08T10:51:00.000-06:00

Ok, so really just one "dawg". This toy was a great lesson in humility for me. I've certainly completed more complex designs but for some reason this little bulldog just put me right in my place. I have to be honest, he is not my favorite toy. I think I could have done better. Sometimes the first editions just don't turn out the way I want them, the way I picture them in my head. It's a good reminder that I'm not always in control of these socks and the creatures they become. At times they just have a mind of their own. lol

I've warmed to this little guy the more I look at him, I'm seeing more sweetness and less of my own mistakes. He was ordered by a friend for her daughters friend so he hasn't made it to his final home but I think he will be well loved.

How many clicks does it take

2012-02-08T10:34:00.001-06:00

to see the cutest girl owl ever? Just this one! I just loved the first OWL I made so when one of my dear friends ordered a girly owl I was so excited to make it. And, honestly, I think the end result was so much cuter than I pictured at the start. She is probably my favorite toy at this point, of course as an artist I often love my newest creations the most until the next one. lol

She is so super sweet with her pink body with cream hearts. I love the way the eyelashes worked and I think they give her that extra girly pop!

New New New

2011-11-26T14:24:00.001-06:00

I've been so amazingly lucky lately, I've had fabulous clients and opportunities to create a ton of new designs.

This toy was designed for a special boy with bone cancer. The body of the butterfly is decorated with metallic and plain bones. The blue and white of the wings are colors associated with sarcoma awareness.

These three toys were created for a baby nursery. They were inspired by the super cute decorations the Mom already has in the room. The fabulous feedback I've received has been wonderful.

I've added What A Hoot and Hedge Fun to the website.

Animal Party

2011-11-10T13:06:00.002-06:00

For this order I was able to dust off a toy design I haven't used in a while, a Dinosaur. While sewing him I worked up a few tweaks to the future design and a whole new style of dino... I can't wait to try it out and see how it turns out!

A blue, spotted Jurassic Party

A fun, bright colored Kitty Kitty

A super sweet fuzzy Cuddly Puppy

The whole adorable crew! :D

Double the cuteness!

2011-10-27T12:52:00.000-05:00

I've just finished an order for the two cutest baby girls I have ever seen. They are just perfection and deserved super cute toys. Super squee dragonfly babies.

Aren't they precious? I hope they are much loved just like sweet E & P.

Are you a gleek?

2011-10-13T10:52:00.001-05:00

If you don't know what that means then you probably aren't. gleeks are die-hard fans of the popular tv show glee! And this post is for them.

Look what I found last night.....

Supply is definitely limited, right now I have two rainbow and one pink/black. I could go back and grab the remaining ones but there weren't many. So if you want a super rare Sole Mate Glee Toy you need to act soon. :D

"Now I will believe that there are unicorns..."

2011-10-11T14:10:00.001-05:00

That line is from The Tempest by William Shakespeare. There may not be unicorns in Arabia but there are unicorns at Sole Mate Toys!

A very dear friend needed a special toy for a gift but it had to be a unicorn... and purple! I started with my standard horse design but realized it needed some tweaking to be fabulous. So I added a new leg style, a magical horn with glittery thread and long wonderful yarn hair. The sock used is a glittery purple and black design and it came out wonderfully.

The photo really doesn't do it justice. I can't wait to hear how much his new owner loves him. Apparently the recipient has stated she doesn't like sock toys so my friend bought this to prove to her wrong. I hope it works!

Do Androids Dream of Electric (Green) Sheep?

2011-08-27T15:57:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure about that but I know I do. And if I can dream it, I can create it... well I can try at least And so, without further ado, let me introduce you to Shirley the Sheep

There would be some changes if I made her again for a client but overall I'm super happy with how she turned out. I think sheep are just adorable and I'm partial to the black faced ones.

Poodle-rific!

2011-08-06T18:51:00.003-05:00

In 2008, a friend requested a sock dog but not my usual dog. She wanted a toy poodle for a family member. It was quite the task and I just knew I would never do it again. 10 hours of looping yarn into fur has that effect on ya. lol

Well another friend recently requested a poodle and I couldn't turn her down. So for the last few weeks I have been in poodleville.

I love the sock and colors she chose. I just adore him/her and I hope his new home loves him just as much as we do here at Sole Mate Toys.

Dipping a sock in the wizarding world

2011-07-26T17:14:00.001-05:00

Unless you have been under a rock for the last decade I'm sure you are familiar with the fantastical world of Harry Potter. This next toy was designed for a very special wizard on the occasion of her 11th birthday.

Her mother, a dear friend of mine, threw the most amazing HP birthday party so I knew I had to draw inspiration from this fabulous series for a gift. No ordinary toy would do. Accio, inspiration! There are so many amazing and fun characters to choose from that I initially had quite a time deciding on a direction.

But eventually I decided to take a design I already had an add a bit of magic to it...

And we have Fluffy! Fluffy, as you well know, was set to guard a trap door. Though he has three snarling, vicious heads he can be put to sleep with music.

I am happy to say that Fluffy was a huge hit. So huge that I have a request for a second Fluffy from another party-goer.

Catching Up

2011-07-26T16:54:00.001-05:00

In April I had the pleasure of working for a repeat customer. She once again ordered toys for her four super precious children. I just love the socks and toy styles she chose. Aren't they too cute!

Fuzzy Bunny, Floofy Stripped Kitty , Darling Pink Penguin, and Oh So Squeezable Mini Monkey

Remember, just because you don't see it doesn't mean I can't do it. I love talking to new clients about custom orders!

2011 Back in business

2011-02-07T14:23:00.000-06:00

It has been nearly a year since I last blogged and closed our doors to prepare for a move. We have now fully recovered from our move and have re-opened for business.

First on our agenda was to set up the craft/office space for Sole Mate Toys.

Now that we have fabulous storage we have been busy making new friends! In January we ran a 20% off coupon for our facebook fans. Here are the toys made so far this year. Penguin, Bat and Ninja Monkey.

Temporarily Closed

2010-02-22T14:51:00.001-06:00

We are currently closed for new orders.

We will reopen with exciting new updates soon.

Last holiday monkey

2009-12-06T16:32:00.001-06:00

This is the final Christmas monkey for 2009 but I'm sure there will be quite a few more in 2010 :)

Monkeying Around

2009-11-29T19:30:00.003-06:00

Tis the season... for monkeys. My last 3 toys have been monkeys and I have one more to make for a holiday order.

A full sized monkey and a smaller one for an american girl doll

Cute lil guy

The organic supplies are in and the contest to pick a name is over and the winning name is.... *drumroll* Earth Mates. Isn't that perfect!?

Here are the organic socks and the organic fluff which is SO soft.

New line coming soon

2009-11-08T12:12:00.002-06:00

We are pleased to announce that soon we will be rolling out a new line. Before the end of the year you will have the option of buying a toy from the new organic toy line.

The toys will be made using organic cotton socks and stuffing so they will be as environmentally sweet as they are adorable.

Right now there is a contest on our facebook page to name the new toys, you should go enter for the chance to win a toy. :)

More details coming soon so stay tuned.

A chilly little guy

2009-10-12T17:17:00.004-05:00

After hearing "Penguin" suggested more than a few times I decided to try out a proto-type. I don't always get to do a proto-type but I like doing it when I can because it really shows me where I need to make changes and teaks before a customer orders that design. You learn so much making that first toy and I find that I get better with each version of any given design.

There are a few changes I would need to make before I'd send a penguin off to a new family but I still think he is pretty darling.

feel free to let me know what you think and make sure you fan me on facebook.

Latest toys

2009-09-20T23:13:00.002-05:00

Here is a quick little picture post to bring you up to date on the most recent toys.

A lizard for a local friend.

Playful kitten

Baby Octo for my friend's little girl

Cool Froggie

Precious Panda

Orders #3 and #4

2009-07-22T22:38:00.001-05:00

A kitty for an online friend

And #4 is a very precious Octo that one of our new facebook fans ordered. :)

My first time advertising

2009-07-06T17:41:00.002-05:00

I bought ad space on facebook. The ad will run for 2 weeks and made its debut today. So far I have 14 new fans and a new order! Wish me continued success.

Order #2 is done and on its way

2009-07-06T17:35:00.002-05:00

Here is a group shot of all four toys in the order.

First website order

2009-06-14T16:20:00.003-05:00

I finished the toys for my first official order today. Sadly the pictures are not so great. I need to recharge my batteries and get a better photo set up.

First Orders

2009-06-08T11:30:00.002-05:00

It is all so exciting!

First up, a custom horse and turtle.

Followed by a big order of a custom bunny, custom fuzzy pup (socks on order), custom cat and custom monkey.

Well, that'll keep me hoping for a bit. :D

Now THIS is more like it.

2009-06-04T13:52:00.004-05:00

It is official. I have a website... a REAL site, with a cart and tons of cool options.

I had the pleasure of hiring and working with a close friend Cara. I cannot recommend her enough. I LOVE my site. Her prices and customer service are unbeatable. You can find her at Cara Creates

So please look around her site and mine, I'd love your feedback.

Look what I've been busy with

2009-04-20T15:46:00.005-05:00

Cute turtle face

Puppy

Tooth Pillows

Turtles

Monkeys

Baby Bear

Tooth Monster

Pink Monster

Green Monster

and finally

Some new biz stuff from vista print

New items

2009-04-20T15:41:00.003-05:00

No prices yet... still tweaking but thought I'd share.

Horse

Butterfly

Updated Price List

2009-03-30T20:05:00.005-05:00

Tooth Fairy Pillow $10
Baby Bear $15
Turtle $15
Dog $20
Cat $20
Elephant $20
Octo mini $20
Bunny $25
Octo mini fully wired $25
Monkey $30
Dino $30
Octopus $30
Frog $30
Octo 4 legs wired $35
Octo 8 legs wired $40

prices do not include Priority shipping + insurance

Custom additions or changes ordered may result is price adjustments.

Time to update! (photo heavy)

2009-03-26T09:46:00.003-05:00

I have been working on orders lately so time to catch up on pictures. :)

Still sewing

2009-01-25T19:11:00.001-06:00

Some finished toys for the Spring Expo... so many more to go

In the jungle, the mighty jungle...

2008-12-07T22:12:00.002-06:00

A sock lion was born tonight.

And the toys keep coming

2008-12-06T23:10:00.001-06:00

The twins are here!

So silly

2008-12-01T16:48:00.003-06:00

After I did the photos for my portfolio I had a little fun. ;)

Merry Sockmas and Happy Monkeydays

Christmas orders are keeping me on my... fingers? ;)

2008-12-01T15:01:00.003-06:00

And here is half of another order

I still have twin puppies and a lion to go.

Need to take a little break

2008-11-02T09:31:00.002-06:00

The Holidays are coming, The Holidays ARE COMING!!

This is the time of year when everyone starts to hustle and bustle and that goes double for crafters. Well, this year I have even more reason to stress... we are moving in 10 days.

As I purge and pack I can't continue to ignore my Sole Mates supplies. So I really must pack up my friends in progress along with all of their bits and pieces. I will re-open for business Nov. 17th.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to place an order to be completed after that date.

Store promo

2008-10-09T17:16:00.002-05:00

The internet is an awesome resource. Look what I created.

http://www.zazzle.com/sole_mates_bumpersticker-128609694128710336

I will be making more promo items, this is too fun.

Another spooky creation

2008-10-05T13:21:00.002-05:00

Meet Phoebe

She is brand new and lovely. Her legs are fully bendable and can be twisted, arranged or straightened. They do not fully stand up on their own without some propping though.

Her body measures 8.5 inches long, 4 inches wide and the legs are 15.5 inches long.

If you want Phoebe to be your new friend, visit her at her etsy HOME

Yay for Boo'ing

2008-10-01T15:16:00.005-05:00

October is here and it is one of my very favorite times of the year. In the south we start to get a break from the heat and humidity. The gorgeous weather is just part of the fun of Fall.

We are pleased to introduce Baxter, our happy Halloween bat.

He is made from a soft, fuzzy orange and black sock. He is heading off to my etsy so if you want him act fast. ;)

Keep checking back, we might have a few more spooky surprises before the month is over.

Babies are the best!

2008-09-09T10:41:00.003-05:00

One of my dearest friends had a baby recently, this is for her darling new baby girl.

Welcome to the world little Eleanor!

Birthday Boy Octopus completed

2008-09-06T21:15:00.002-05:00

Face

Ordered for a super cute little dude about to turn 1. Happy Birthday! Hope you love your new buddy.

Staying Active

2008-08-24T13:21:00.003-05:00

I have an order for 2 more sock monkeys, a bit smaller than my previous monkeys. These aren't due until Christmas though so they will go on the calendar and I'll keep an eye out for striped socks while shopping. Most of my sock come from Target, they have the cutest ones for the best prices. If you run across any great deals you can let me know. :D

I am starting on a first birthday octopus for an online friend this week. I'm also planning ahead for Halloween. Expect to see a few new "spooky" toys in the next month.

Stay tuned for updates.

I have been a busy bee

2008-08-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

Orders Orders Orders
We love it when that happens!

This order was for a local Mom. The larger bunny with the button eyes is for her 3 year old and the smaller is for the new baby.

Another local order, this was a biggie.

And the second part of her order was a bit of a departure for me... actual sock monkeys.First a girl monkey with button eyes and a wired tail.

Then the boy monkey with embroidered features. His photo session was painful thanks to a grumpy wasp. See how I suffer for my art? ;)

Sole Mates now in blog form!

2008-08-21T15:08:00.000-05:00

Ok there might be some changes and adjustments still ahead but at least it's a start.