Did you know I make monkeys sometimes?
The first monkey I made for my daughter for her 1st birthday. I fiddled with a pattern from a different sort of toy, and changed a bit here and there, made a different head, and came up with my monkey. I love my monkeys. Each one is special, and they take such a long, long time to make.
I chose monkeys because I was born in the year of the monkey – and so was my daughter. Plus, who doesn’t love a monkey – they are such fun!
I sold a few last year, some travelled to Adelaide to a soft toy exhibition called Morphe II, they have found their way around the internet – and from time to time I see them pop up on people’s ‘cool finds‘. They were even going to be included in a book (not sure what happened to that).
The monkeys have been on Etsy for a few months, and made my first sale through them about a month ago. Augustus the monkey was going to New York! With much excitement, I carefully prepared his travelling papers, wrapped him with a note to the lovely purchaser, and said goodbye. He was a sweet little monkey – with red shorts and a big white oversized jumper that could be taken off in the hot weather (Monkeys’ don’t like to get too warm).
This morning I received an email from the purchaser to say the package had arrived empty!
You know I couldn’t be more gutted. There is often over 15 hours work in making a monkey. It is lovely, but fiddly, and once finished each one is precious as you can imagine.
It must have been awful to have made the decision to give him a home, been waiting for him to arrive with excitement, and find an empty package.
Augustus! Where are you?
I just hope that whoever took him had a good reason, and loves him. I would hate to think that some postal worker stole the contents, unwrapped it, thought ‘a monkey!’ and tossed it somewhere. If it’s gone to a child who would never have been able to have one and loves it to pieces I can live with that, but to think Augustus is somewhere nasty is heartbreaking.
Kisses Augustus – wherever you are…..
unbelieveable! poor little augustus ( i love his jumper so), i hope wherever he is, he’s appreciated.
OH NO! Monkey Napped! That is so strange – poor monkey! Maybe at Customs they thought Augustus was full of cocaine:) hehehe
Well I hope he turns up:)
Oh no! I feel for you, and for the buyer – I just had a bag I knitted disappear between South Africa and the US, also something that took a lot of time and thought and work, and that I was really proud of.
Your monkeys are really lovely, though. Great little outfits!
love Augustas and i am sure whoever has him now will love him foreverx
great blog – glad to have found you.
tracy x
Tragedy! Your little monkeys are so cute and this is horrible news — how dissapointing for you and the person expecting his arrival. I love the little sweater too, very cute.
The TSA and customs over here in the US is just crazy. My mom had her suitcase opened the last time she flew, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they opened the package and it got damaged that way. Bummer! I will keep my eyes peeled for him
Ohhh…Augustus.
Where are you??
I am saddened beyond belief.
Who would steal such a lovely little fellow (well,…I would…to be honest.)
I just hope he has landed somewhere warm and mellow, the sort of place that all monkeys want to be..
xox
Thats an awful thing to happen.
I love your monkeys, they are fabulous.