Burniece

"My aunt always said; Burniece, cross a bridge when you get to it or just swim across! Ha! Ha! You always have choices, always try and see them all. Take a deep breath, go stand on the other side and see your challenges from there." Donated to charity.

Dhuhwet

"Hier is my resep vir liefde. Maak jou hart oop. Glimlag vir iemand. Maak vir hulle lekker kos. Vat hulle hand in joune. Soen hulle. Trou met hulle. Ai, die liefde, dis 'n wonderlike ding." SOLD

Translated: Here is my recipe for love. Open your heart. Smile at someone. Cook them a delicious meal. Take their hand in yours. Kiss them. Marry them. Love, it's a wonderful thing.

Hamiltin

"I say, old chap, let's have a cup of tea. I baked these scones. Scoops of chunky strawberry jam, farm butter and fresh cream. Dee-vine. I say, just sit here at the table. I'll put the kettle on. Don't you think this Leonard Cohen album is superb. Du-da-dum, de-du-da-dum." Donated to charity.

Book cover

Made up this book layout as my Antalis Munken Journal cover. Submitted entry today.

Schlumpel

"Whoa, guys. Firstly, thanks for the wash/bath. But don't hang me out in the sun to dry. Gasp! Do you have any idea how hot it is out there all day hanging by your ears? Butterflies and dragonflies flew by so that was a wow, but … ;-)
I liked the bath though. I could hold my breath during the wash cycle, about 15 minutes. Its was so cool and refreshing, and I smelled so good afterwards. Everyone wanted to hug me then."

Bakkies

"Toe ek op skool was wou ek so graag rugby speel, maar hulle het vir my gesê ek is te lig in die broek. Nou speel ek klavier. Ek is nou wel nie Richard Clayderman nie maar wanneer ek 'Kinders van die wind' speel dan huil al die tannies en Franswa ook." Volunteering at the Johannesburg Children's Home.

Translated: When I was in school I wanted to play rugby but they told me I was too light in my pants.
"Ha ha! Lag ek nie lekker nie vir die direkte vertaling." Now I play the piano. I may not be Richard Clayderman but when I play 'Kinders van die wind' ("ag tog, google dit dan net, asb") all the aunties cry and Franswa too.

Manemanne

"Hmm. I'm not really lazy but, yes, I do like to lie in the shade all day reading. Tee hee, mostly I just doze off. My best time of day is dinner time, when we all sit together and chat about our day. The children have so much to say. I relish their excitement and enthusiasm for everything new. Then I have a good stretch, a long yawn and early to bed."

Adameese

"Sorry, can't stop. In a rush. Yes, so many things to do, so many dreams to fulfil. What do I like? All of life. Balloons, kites, music, dancing, smell of pancakes, sound of the ocean, dogs playing, children laughing, a hug, a new book, a sunrise, a sundowner ;-), a slice of cake, a cup of soup, could go on and on but I'm in a rush. Bye." SOLD

Hold thumbs

Lambbertee

"No, no, no, no. I will not eat the broccoli. No, not even if there is dessert. No, I only eat daffodils. Yes, fields of them. Yellow is my colour. Serve them with cream or without, but serve me daffodils." SOLD.

Alexsus

"Ag tog, look at the nose. My ancestors were aardvarks, different from anteaters. Our ears are bigger. Aardvarks used to live in the African savannah, grasslands and scrub. Eons later, some evolution and we are standing upright, shopping at all the best malls." SOLD

Chukkals

"Ha! Ha! I cannot fly, but no worries.
I love to stand in open fields and laugh until someone asks me what's so funny. Ha! Ha! I am always laughing, I am always happy. Life is good."

Ikea-Mia

"Right, my name, is totally obvious. You guessed it, the material is from Ikea - Amsterdam. You should have a meal in their canteen/restaurant, it's so yummy and good value for money. And alas, I'm just leftovers, boo hoo, the bulk of the fabric was made into a cushion. Nice, but no personality ;-)"

Asdullas

"Okay, so you know how you eventually ask where your name comes from? Hmmm, when they told me I laughed to keep from crying. As-dull-as-dish-water! Really?! Apparently they took one look at me and decided on that. Let me know what you think."

Going to the market

Eeecky. Tomorrow I am putting in my application for the market in December. The first selection round is based on an online application with photos (3 images only may be submitted). The second selection round entails viewing of the range. Thereafter participation is confirmed, or not. Wish us luck!
These are the three images I am submitting.

Klaus-Maus

"It's German. I googled it.
I am a happy little mouse, running around the house.
I love to sit on the bed, when a story is read.
There's so such laughter, when they say happily ever after." SOLD

Jescika

"I had to have my hair done, they used so much hairspray I nearly choked, and yes! it's my natural hair colour. I also had a pretty dress made because I was chosen to be the face of the PrettyUglys. Well, I am definitely the pretty one. Wink. My boyfriend put the flower in my hair. M'wah, my darling." SOLD

Elwhowease

"So, I am the first of a new breed of PrettyUglys. I'm the first one that didn't have a flat head/face ;-)
As soon as every one hears my name they start singing that song:
My Eloise, I'd love to please her, 
I'd love to care, but she's not there.
And when I find you, I'd be so kind, 
You'd want to stay, I know you'd stay.
And as the days grow old, the nights grow cold, 
I wanna hold her near to me, I know she's dear to me.
And only time can tell and take away this lonely hell, 
I'm on my knees to Eloise." SOLD

A short history

In 2008, while attending the Design Indaba in Cape Town, I was inspired by a presentation from a London-based company to make a range of knitted toys, the Knitwits. During 2008 I made 50 Knitwits – Original Knitwits Limited Edition. I took them in to the office one day to show my colleagues and sold most of them that day. Very nice, I know. Then in 2010 I made a second range of 50 Knitwits – Original Knitwits Limited Edition Plain & Purl. Concurrently in April 2010 I started making soft toys using fabric, and these were to be the PrettyUglys. They have been a great gift at baby showers and I have received orders to make more as a consequence. Almost everyone that has bought a PrettyUgly has giving me advise on how to market them and I have been tardy in putting this good advise into action. Christmas 2013 a friend gave me a book: We make dolls and this was the motivation to move forward and hopefully realise the dream at last ;-)
The pic below is from way back when.

Getting started

After spending 4 years making PrettyUglys I have finally created a website to feature these special little creatures. Good luck, guys, hope you make it to the market ;-)