Meet Plush You! artist: Abby Glassenberg

Abby Glassenberg makes AMAZING toys.  I have been a huge admirer of hers for many years and was so honored when she interviewed me for her wonderful blog.  Her blog is full of great information on making plush.  If you don't follow, start now.  Like RIGHT NOW.  I am so happy to share this interview with her for my blog!  Enjoy!

Tell my readers a bit about yourself

I'm Abby Glassenberg and I am a plush pattern designer, craft book author, and sewing teacher. I live in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and work from my home in a studio space in our bedroom. I've been sewing toys and blogging at whileshenaps.typepad.com since 2005 and my first book, The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Make and Sew, was published by Interweave in January of 2011. I have a new book coming out in May with Lark that is all about designing your own stuffed animal sewing patterns! It took over a year to write and it takes you through the plush design process from making a sketch and drawing simple pattern pieces to more complex joints, gussets, and darts and everything in between!  

Before becoming a pattern designer I was a middle school teacher. I taught middle school French and social studies in the Mississippi Delta with Teach For America and 6th grade social studies in Newton, Massachusetts before becoming a mom. I now have three girls ages 8, 6, and 1 so my life is very busy!  My kids are the recipients of all of my plush prototypes!

What do you love most about making plush toys?

I love making sewing patterns for soft, cuddly baby toys. My patterns come with lots of variations so that people can make different toys for different kids from the same pattern. I also like to make iconic toys like my hobby horse, Humpty Dumpty, and topsy turvy doll. Those toys are classics and they have enduring appeal for kids and adults alike.

Is this your full time job?

Well, being a plush toy pattern designer is my career now. I only manage to work about 20 hours a week because I'm also a stay-at-home mom and with three kids to care for that is about all I can manage. But sewing plush is what I'm about and I'm here to stay!

What sites do you look at for inspiration?

I like all kinds of plush toys from sculptural pieces to funky off-beat toys to squishy baby teddy bears. I have a Pinterest board that I update regularly with all the amazing plush toys I find online. You can see it right here: http://pinterest.com/abbyglassenberg/inspiring-softies/

Did you do anything fun for the summer?

We are headed for a week on Cape Cod and I couldn't be more excited to sit on the porch and watch the boats and play in the sand and surf with my kids. After that, it's back to school!

You can find her online here:

Blog: http://www.whileshenaps.typepad.com

Etsy: http://www.whileshenaps.etsy.com