Hello there Everyone: Cy Bear back once more, and this time - fingers crossed - with no more technical hitches, as happened last week.
This week, though, there have been some technical changes that we instigated. Isobel has decided to finally ditch our first smartphone - which broke completely when the Covid19 pandemic first hit us in the UK, and get herself a new one. She will need a better, more up to date model if our exporting expansion plans take hold, and she was getting absolutely nowhere with the company she had been dealing with since 2017. (When we first got a mobile phone - so that she could accept credit/debit cards - whatever they are, when we were selling Cuddlies at Bazaars and Craft Fairs). Beaver Lamb Bears like me don't need them, thank goodness. She was intent on keeping our existing mobile number (+44 7414 087192 (she had taken long enough to learn it!) and was unable to do it with the existing arrangements. So, on Friday she went and purchased a completely new one - and has been gingerly getting to know it and try to make it work. We've still got the important telephone number, and so far, so good. I'll doubtless be reporting on progress (or lack of it of course) as we go along!
Introducing the Otter Twins
Meanwhile, the Elephant I told you about last week was completed - and has been listed in our Shop (you'll hear about him soon). At least, she was able to fathom the many seams insisted on by the original designer this time, and our "Heffalump" did not turn out Wonky! Isobel stuck with the instructions this time all the way through, and there wasn't the mistake we encountered with Wonky Pig, whom I told you about last week. We knew that Wonky had got to his new home, thanks to being able to track his journey (as we do with every Toy that leaves us for their future dwellings)
This is what arrived in our Review Section in the Shop at the end of last week -
PaulaSweetP on 14 Jul, 2020
Such a beautifully made plush piggy. Wonderful communication and I would definitely buy from Coldham Cuddlies again. Everyone should own a Coldham Cuddly.
- it can be seen in our Shop, but I'll repeat it here just to make sure it gets seen as widely as possible!
Now that's last week's round-up done, so I'll continue this week's blog with more about The Otter Twins. Isobel called them that, but of course - because she cannot make two Toys look EXACTLY the same - there are some differences if you want to be "picky". One is clearly a bit stouter that the other. Although they were cut out using the same pattern. (One is obviously hungrier - for stuffing - than the other)!
They can of course also be sold separately and they were really fun to make. Isobel was familiar with how the seams worked here because of course the arms upwards form the basis of our popular Golf Club Protectors - with their different colour fishes, and the special Custom ordered White Otter Golf Club Saver
Both patterns have been possible thanks to Isobel being able to download the free original patterns created by Jenny Mai from https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Fluffmonger, and using her "Squeakers" the Otter pattern. Our fishes replace the original item that Jenny's Otter friend holds - with her permission.
This view from the rear definitely emphasises the difference in size of the Twins (just like in "real" life such things can happen!). Both the Otters are made with Brown Fleece that we now source from a Nottingham fabric supplier, and the material is lovely and tactile. As usual, we use polyester stuffing that meets the following British and European Standards for Soft Toymaking:
BS 1425 for cleanliness: BS5852 for flammability: BS EN71-3:2013 Compliance for Soft Toys sold within the European Union.
Both have been listed (before the newest Shop member - who will form the basis for next week's post here) in our shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies.
Hoping everyone has a great week, that the weather will finally decide it's summer time here in the UK, and, above all, EVERYONE Stay Safe!
Your Friend,
Cy Bear
