toy making is hard on the back!

[maya_exquisite]

I just made this toy for Rappy's 3rd birthday coming up in September (yes, getting a head start on the gifts!). This thing took me over an hour to make because I'm very selective with color and placement (don't like two of the same color items one after the other on a strand), so I never just "slap" toys together. My back is aching now because all the toy parts get strewn all over the floor and I hunch over when making toys (yes, bad I know, but we don't have a dining table). It was well worth it though... I'm very happy with the end result!





I'll be making one for Mika as well... in a few days. Gotta let the back rest! Haha!

[SandraK]

Well if Rappy doesn't like that then he doesn't deserve a birthday present at all! It should keep him busy for a while I'd think. That really looks good Maya, even if it did kill your back. Makes me want to order a couple for my Quakers and gccs.

[BlueMoon]

Wow!!! Now THAT should keep him busy for as long as you need!!! I love all the different colours and patterns

[maya_exquisite]

We'll have to see! Rappy is like Mika, not very big on toy-playing. We're not surprised, though, as when we adopted him he only had one big toy in his cage. The guaranteed toy that we know he loves is the yellow duck/blue bear rope toy from Walmart. He likes to shred that wood over other wood toys, most likely because it's flavored wood??

I only ordered TWO seagrass mats - so no one can order this toy from me! Limited edition set of TWO!! Besides, with the amount of work that went into this toy, plus the expensive toy parts, I'd have to charge way more than the average price of my toys. I like to try and keep my toys $10 and under if possible!

[maya_exquisite]

Okay, this time for Mika's one I made it less complicated by not using as many different kinds of beads. Raptor's has pony, car, star, larger transparent, and tri-beads, and has five jumbo buttons. With Mika's, I stuck to pony and tri-beads, and used four jumbo buttons. I made Mika's a little different also by adding a stuffed vine ball in the middle and a bell at the bottom.

Here are pics to show how I made it in case anyone is interested in making their own (or your own variation!!):

You will need
- 6" seagrass mat
- plastic links
- plastic keys
- jumbo buttons
- assortment of beads, including tri-beads
- cotton or hemp string
- finger traps
- thick straws
- vine ball
- whatever stuffing for vine ball (can even be treats!!)
- scissors, tape, chopstick, and something pointy to pierce straws with (I used a ninja spike)
- needle or some type of threader
- whatever else you want to add!!



(Attach plastic links)



(Figure out jumbo button placement)



(Add plastic keys to the plastic links)



(Cut four strings to desired length, depending on how much stuff you want to put on the string)



(Thread string through needle)



(Thread button on seagrass mat, just threading through two holes on opposite sides)



(Tie a knot and tape ends of string so it doesn't unravel)



(Make hole through straw using NINJA SPIKE )



(I use a tri-bead at the end of every strand because the hole is small and the double knot can't pull through)



(Two strands are just beads, two strands have the straws)



(Do the same for next jumbo button cluster, but with fingertraps cut in half instead)



(Alternated straw cluster and fingertrap cluster)



(Attach vine ball with string)



(Tie knot in the back)



(Stuff vine ball using chopstick or thin object)



(Add a bell to the bottom, if desired, and DONE!!)



(YAY!! One of Mika's upcoming birthday gifts!! )

[maya_exquisite]

Here are the not-as-hard-on-the-back toys I recently made:



I call this the "Cluster*****"... :rotfl Front view.



Back view.



The Fingertrap Sammich.

(ARGH!! Again with Photobucket rotating my pics sideways when I've clearly saved it veritcal!! )

[maya_exquisite]

More toys I've recently made:



Cups & Straws.



Button Mini.



Forager Star Box.



I Heart Shredding.



Shooting Star.



Single Strand.



Buttons & Raffia.



The ever-popular Raptor Ball.



Foraging Bowl.

[Comatose_Angel]

So Cute! I love all of your toys and the tutorial is awesome! I'm gunna have to get a whole bunch of supplies now!

[maya_exquisite]

I have a very large container full of toy-making supplies..................... yet I still buy most of my boys toys. Mainly because I buy toys with materials that aren't readily available on island or are too expensive for me to buy in small quantities online. I just don't have the room for certain BULK items!