Soft-toy maker John at his work desk.
THERE is something comforting about holding a soft toy in one’s hands, regardless of one’s age.
That could be reason why plushies are always a hit not only among children but also adults. You could not possibly go wrong when gifting a loved one with a plushie on any occasion.
For soft toys maker John Francis, the beauty of making toys is the sense of satisfaction derived from customers’ happiness.
“What I love most about making toys is how little children react when they see cute toys I made and how parents surprise their little ones with my handmade plushies of their favourite television characters.
“That’s true job satisfaction. Also, I don’t have to buy any toys for myself anymore because I can make them myself,” he told thesundaypost.
It may appear strange how a full-time analyst with a financial services company has developed an interest in making soft toys but it started three years ago when John wished to make his own collection so that he needn’t have to spend too much buying them.
John makes a variety of soft toys.
“I started to like soft toys after my friends bought me a very interesting doll from Bangkok. It amazed me how simple it is, yet looks so interesting. I’m also collecting soft toys from IKEA which I think is my favourite collection.
“These toys are not cheap and I always wish I can make my own so that I don’t have to spend so much on my toy collection.
“My sister used to make toys for her kids. I had the idea of selling them in bazaars. I did the marketting, posted in my Facebook and orders started coming in but my sister was too busy, so I had to learn how to sew and make toys on my own to fulfill customers’ orders.
“Before t hat first experience, I didn’t know how to even stitch a simple button. What’s good for business is a good hobby for me and soon without realising it, it became my personal interest,” he recalled.
John learned basic stitches from his sister and enhanced his skills through watching YouTube videos and viewing tutorials on the Internet.
He also did his own research by visiting toy stores.
A soft toy design and its result.
“A needle, thread and a piece of clothes are all you need to make a soft toy. If you are a beginner, you might need to spare more than one needle in case you break it. You will also need to use different colour threads based on the colour of your materials. Most of these are affordable and easy to come by.
“My typical workspace is usually in my bedroom but if there are too many orders, I will have to make use of the living room,” he said.
The 36-year-old makes a variety of soft toys, ranging from simple ones such as an ugly alien or monsters to some famous characters such as The Minions and characters from some iPhone games.
He also makes simple pillows as well as three-dimensional toys like alphabet cubes for young children.
However, he said he preferred not to keep ready-stock of toys because he wants them made from fresh ideas.
“That’s why I make them only when orders come in. Usually, my customers will provide me with the pictures or if they order for a famous character, then I will search for the suitable image from the Internet. For my own creation, I will draw the picture based on my own imagination.”
The most unusual toy he made — which is also quite special to him — was a toy of a boy in football jersey.
It was a birthday present and the buyer sent him the birthday boy’s photo to copy.
Soft toys as home decors.
It took him one week to complete the toy because he had to get the correct colour materials for the football jersey and also sketch the toy version of the boy.
“It was challenging but the result was worth the effort,” he enthused.
Like any other artists, John spent hours thinking up creative ideas which, he said, was the most time-consuming part of the making process.
From inspiration, he will need to consider many things such as the colours to use, the suitable materials and how to combine them all to make a toy.
“After the imagining stage, I will pick up a pair of scissors and start cutting the material before stitching it and completing the design.
“Since this is more like a hobby, I prefer completing a project while the ideas are still fresh. I will try to complete a project in a day or before I go to bed. I will only start a new project after finishing a current one,” he said.
He admitted sometimes he got mental blocks. Normally, he would inform his customers to pick up their toys after one week even though sometimes, he may finish making a toy in one night.
“This is to allow for time in case I get mental blocks,” he revealed.
John believes one needs to be healthy and in a good mood to produce beautiful toys. Furthermore, most of his customers order toys for small children, so if he has the flu or cough, he will not stitch because of hygiene reason,” he explained.
For him, the number one challenge is getting the materials but that’s not deterring him from continuing to make toys.
“Materials tend to be limited in Kuching. Sometimes, I order materials through online suppliers and that means incurring operating costs as well as the risk of ordering the wrong materials because you can’t feel and touch them before purchasing.
“Other than that, my family and friends have been very supportive of my hobby. They are amazed with my works and give me their full support.
“I hope I can produce more quality toys and open a booth that sells only toys. On a bigger scale, I wish to distribute my toys to shops and supermarkets in Kuching someday,” he beamed.
John is now working on white bunnies which were part of his Easter 2014 project but more orders came in for them even after the season.
“Besides being busy with that, my other non-toy projects include trying to learn to make jewellery and accessories for men such as bracelets and necklaces.
“Actually, toy-making can be very easy or very hard, depending on your interest. This is not an expensive hobby — all you need is interest and time.
“Making toys helps me in many ways – apart from generating extra income. I find sewing therapeutic and the beautiful results will definitely make you feel good about yourself,” he said.
John’s soft toys can be ordered online or purchased at seasonal flea market or bazaar events such as The Bloom Bazaar. He can be reached via email john_belen@hotmail.com or Whatsapp at 016-8616308.