Sock monkeys!

Angie100

ZLS1984 wrote: »

Dnt say sorry, you have helped. My dd was given a school top by some one that was not washed right so is ruined. I could look for that cut out the school badge and stitch that onto the monkey.

Or just give it a hat and scarf in school colours and stitch the school badge onto the hat!

ZLS1984

That sounds good will have a go at that one.

Shortie

:hello:

I've been a 'watcher' of all the lovely sock monkeys for a little while now and wishing I had the spare time to make some, lol

I hope I'm not wrong asking this, but those of you the sell your lovely ladies and gents, is there anything you needed to consider (other than cost and value, lol) before you started selling them on?

I was thinking of making some to sell for a charity close to my heart etc but wondered if it was a truely bad idea for health and safety reasons etc...?

Before I mention the fundraising idea to the others in the group and then can't back-track... can anyone give me pointers as to what I need to consider?

Thanks everyone
:A

bmth123

Hi Shortie,

I'm not very crafty myself but admire the toys you guys have made and can perhaps help with your query on toy safety.

It really depends on just how many you are planning to do and where they will be sold. The people who deal with toy safety are trading standards www.tradingstandards.gov.uk (also some info at British toy & Hobby Association website www.btha.co.uk) However, please don't be put off by the info on these sites--they are aimed at traders and can appear a bit scary!

The main things to consider are what age you are aiming the product at. If it will be under threes then consider any sewn/stuck on items like eyes. If under threes the easiest way to comply is often to use thread/wool etc for eyes rather than sewing on buttons etc. The issue that toy safety considers is how strongly items like buttons/eyes etc are attached so if you use wool etc it can get round this problem. Also consider any attachments you put on the toy like scarves/bows etc - you will see in the shops now that these will be sewed onto the toy which prevents the child detaching it and swallowing it etc! Ensure all stitching is robust to prevent access to the filling. Finally consider what stuffing & material you use - to comply with toy safety there are flammability requirements - basically for what you are doing use common sense as to suitable materials.

If this is a one off fair type event use your common sense as to the age of the child you are aiming the toy at and make minor adjustments accordingly. If it is likely to be a regular fundraising idea, consider approaching your local trading standards department for advice. I would like to think that you would get a sensible response and trading standards do regularly advise fundraising committees on such issues but it can depend on who picks up the phone--sorry!

Shortie

Thanks bmth123 that was extremely helpful :A

So, in terms of generally making toys it's a case of pretty much use my noodle. Pillow stuffing should be fine for example as it should already be complying to fire and safety standards (but I should double check labels first) and either have some with purely sewn eyes for the younger audience and clearly label those with buttons as for over 3 years only.

In the new Year I'll give Trading Standards a call if I get a positiive response from the charity concerned. On one hand it's a very large chairty/research fund so might get lots of interest as the charity itself is aimed at children, but then if there is a huge interest, I work full time so don't wan't to promise something I can't keep up, lol

That's definately given me food for though and relaxed me slightly about possible doing something wrong in selling them on in good faith etc

Editted to add that I expect they'd sell them through their online 'shop' if they took up the idea

ZLS1984

Woohoo got some toy stuffing fromm my gran for nothing so can make the other monkeys now, I think there should be enough for 3 possibly 4 monkeys.

Natbag

Wow, I have missed some fab monkeys, and I'm loving the accessories you have all been adding too!

Thanks for all the congrats. We're doing really well, but things are soooo busy. Anyway, here's a picture of my little monkey at five days old (on Sunday - he's a week old today):



Oh, and yes, those are monkeys on his sleepsuit LOL!

ZLS1984

Nat Bags he is cute, congrats again.

Angie100

Ahhh Natbag what a lovely baby - so sweet...Congrats

chatty123

natbag . he is gorgeous.