How I Started Selling Miniature Plush Animal

It Started As A Prank

Feb 23, 2024

When my kids were 7 and 8 yrs old I pranked them with a realistic fake rat hidden inside a gift box. They laughed and laughed after opening the white box. Then they hid the furry friend on stairs, under the dining room table, and in their cousin’s suitcase. Much laughter was heard throughout the house.

This prank had to be shared. Borrowing from the Pet Rock of the 1970’s, I created an adoption certificate and Official Guide. Included tricks to play dead, stay, and hide. Then placed the adoption certificate and guide with the plush rat in a gift box. Available on Etsy and The Gifted Rat website.

At the same time, I noticed pet rats holding tiny plush bears in rat facebook groups. So tiny plush bears were added. More people liked tiny plush bears than plush rats. So the focus evolved to focus on tiny plush animals like bears, bunnies, dogs and cats.

Where It Started

I’ve lived in Minneapolis, MN for 25 years, originally from Sacramento CA.

Beautiful lakes and seasons. I walk my Golden Doodle, Bear, around Lake Nokomis daily. In winter I see calm white snow coat the trees and grass; In early spring, snow melts into rising tulips and hyacinths blooms. Always feels new.

The Greatest Impact

Adding new products to the etsy shop, especially tiny plush animals and miniature fairy garden animals has made the greatest impact.

People that favor the etsy shop receive notifications each time a new product is added. The notifications remind new and returning customers to visit.

Main Income Streams

My main income stream is Etsy. Will sell on Faire within the next few months.

Favorite Product Offered

My favorite product is the tiny gray cat. Growing up I had a pet cat named K.C. (Kitty Cat). The little plush cat brings back fond memories of growing up in Sacramento, holding my kitty, listening to him purr.

What Would You Do Differently

I would have started selling wholesale. Wholesale is a bigger opportunity. And able to bring more smiles to people who like little things.

Future Goals

I would like to sell on Faire Marketplace and brick and mortar stores.

Platforms and Tools

Etsy, Shopify

Favorite motivational quote, cooking/baking recipe, book or podcast

My favorite book is Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. It gives a fresh perspective on viewing goals and purpose through the lens of a lifetime to achieve.

My favorite cookie recipe is from 1978 Better Homes and Gardens Homemade Cookies Cookbook.

Mocha Logs Cookies

Dough

1 cup butter, melted

¾ cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ¼ cups flour

2 tablespoons instant coffee crystals

¼ teaspoon baking powder

Icing

Semisweet chocolate, melted

Finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, coffee crystals and baking powder. Refrigerate dough until firm. Roll dough into logs. Take a spoonful of dough. Roll it into a small snake-like form. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Continue until all the dough is rolled. Bake at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool. Dip one end of the cookie into a bowl of melted chocolate. Coat chocolate with nuts. Repeat with the other end of the cookie. Place on cookie sheet for chocolate to cool.