THE WASH,
crafty chicks come clean

I’m starting a new weekly blog post called “THE WASH, crafty chicks come clean.” I’ve met lots of crafty girls since I’ve been on the craft scene the past couple of years and I’d like to introduce them to you. I’m always interested in how people do their craft business and stay on top of daily life. And I figured this would be a good way to use my BA in journalism and do some fancy reporting.

So here we go with my first crafty chick!

Robyn Fabsits
MAIN CRAFT: Plush artist
BLOG: www.robynfabsits.com
ETSY SHOP ID: fabsits3811
TWITTER ID: ROBYN_FABSITS
FLICKR ID: robynfabsits
LOCATION: Originally from St. Louis. Currently lives in Lee’s Summit, MO

Robyn and I both work at Hallmark cards, but somehow we have never met in person! I didn’t realize that Robyn is an illustrator for Hallmark until I conducted this interview. And her husband works there as an illustrator too! Crazy huh? Robyn and I recently met through my Flickr group Kansas City Artisans.

I totally admire Robyn’s plushes. I can even recognize her work when I see it in magazines.

Just a couple of weeks ago I happened to pick up the current issue of Stuffed Magazine and I just knew that the plush ice cream was hers.

Stuffed Magazine, issue 3

Stuffed Magazine, issue 2

Stuffed Magazine, issue 1

Robyn earned her MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in NY and her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, MO.  The revitalization of “crafting” seemed to happen around the same time she was finishing up school. “It became another creative outlet for me besides illustration and design. It was cool to craft again,” she said.

When Robyn was a little girl her grandma, who used to work in a sewing factory, taught Robyn how to sew Barbie clothes by hand. That’s right, no sewing machine! “I think that is why I like the hand stitching part of all my plush projects the most. It’s so much more relaxing to me to sew with a needle and thread.”

Robyn works full-time at Hallmark and does her plush work on her off time. Which I dunno how much time that is since she has her husband and almost two-year old daughter. Robyn says, “I am very lucky to have a dedicated space to work in. My husband and I finished our basement about three years ago and built our own studio spaces. It’s a place I can go and feel calm and creative and know everything I need it right there. It is by far the most awesome place in our house.” Her daughter also never fusses about bedtime or nap time and sleeps through the night. “Happy mom equals happy household,” Robyn says.

Robyn is obsessed with keeping every thing organized and keeping lots of lists. “If I wasn’t I don’t think I’d be able to get as much work done as I do. I’m also really good at multi-tasking.” Her husband also keeps her motivated. “It’s great being married to another crazy artist who understands how nutty you are.”

Plush success didn’t come overnight for Robyn. She’s been making plush for about seven years and she was crafting other items for sale like handbags, felt pins and scarfs. She was kinda all over the place making whatever. It wasn’t until five years ago Robyn decided to focus on plush because she enjoyed it so much.

Things didn’t take off for Robyn until three years ago when she participated in Plush You. Store owner Cristen Rask of Schmancy in Seattle has an annual plush show. Robyn’s work has been in the show for the past three years and it’s really jumpstarted her plush career.

Seek magazine

Robyn doesn’t participate the traditional craft shows where she has to make a ton of product and lug it to show. She mails in 3-5 pieces to venues like Plush You, toy stores and boutiques. They displays her items like a gallery. Robyn only gets 60% of the sale, but her precious plushes gets in front of the eyes of potential folks who may want a special order.

All of Robyn’s plush work is one of a kind. “I hate doing multiples of something. I start feeling like a mini factory and when that happens it’s no longer fun. I’ve turned down requests for multiple plush before because I hate it so much.” What she has left from shows or Stuffed Magazine submissions she puts on her Etsy shop.

One of her latest custom creations is the Jessie Plush.

You can see her work process on her blog post about the Jessie Plush.  And check out the arm tattoo Robyn recreated in Photoshop and ironed on. It’s amazing!  ”I made three arms to test the tattoo on,” she said.

Robyn’s commission pieces takes about two weeks (depending on how complex it is) from sending sketches back and forth to completion. People usually order look-a-likes of people. Robyn loves lasagna. “Really anything Italian and covered with cheese,” she says. So maybe you can get a few bucks knocked off your personalized plush order if you send her a cheesy dish!

Time is Robyn’s biggest challenge. She says, “it takes time to create your work and time to promote your work, and a lot more time to be successful. For me it’s never been about money. Success is about whether I’m happy. So, I feel I am very successful at what I do.”

If you want to get into the plush business like Robyn she says, “make connections with other plush artists and get to know them. It’s very much a community of great talented people that are happy to answer questions you might have.”

Well how about Robyn? She’s so talented. Let me get to making a cheesy lasagna for Robyn so I can bribe her in making a Jeanee Plush!

C-ya next week with another crafty superstar!