Welcome to the Hush Baby Toys FAQ. Here are list of (what I imagine to be) frequently asked questions. If you have questions that are not answered here, please leave them in the comments, and I will respond as best I can.
1. What is Hush Baby Toys?
A. Hush Baby Toys are knit toys stuffed with sachets of all natural lavender and chamomile. They are just the right size for little hands to snuggle at bedtime, and help your baby or child to relax, fall asleep, and stay asleep longer.
2. How are Hush Baby Toys made?
A. All Hush Baby Toys are 100% handmade. I knit the stuffed animals according to patterns I have designed and created. The yarn is a super soft acrylic nylon blend (it is softer than cotton and less expensive than silk, plus the acrylic/nylon blend is mold and mildew resistant, making it ideal for baby toys). The stuffing is 100% polyester fill, which is also mold and mildew resistant. I sew the sachets myself, double stitching the seams for extra safety. The sachets are stuffed with all natural organic lavender and chamomile. I use this because it is safer than potpourri or scented alternatives.
3. You make all these toys? It must be quite the time commitment.
A. Yes, it is! It takes me at least 15 hours to complete each toy. It doesn't sound like so much, but I am a stay-at-home mom and only get time to work on these toys when my daughter is napping or after she has gone to bed. This is why my stock is usually small and orders can take a few weeks to complete.
4. Do you make very much selling these toys?
A. The short answer is no. The long answer is heck no! I sell these toys for $20 - $25, which is what I would be likely to spend on a toy like it, if it was mass produced. After taking into account the time and the cost of materials, I'm really not making much of anything.
5. So why bother?
A. Because I enjoy it, and I believe that you shouldn't always have to be paid big bucks to do something you enjoy. The fact of the matter is that I am not looking to turn this into a business that can support me. I am looking to capitalize on a hobby to give somebody something cute and possibly helpful, and maybe bring in a few extra bucks here and there.
6. Do you have an Etsy shop?
A. I'll be honest. I used to have an Etsy shop under another name that sold different products. My experience in the Etsy marketplace has left me with a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. I have some ethical problems with some of Etsy's practices, so I choose not to use the site as a venue for selling my work. I whole-heartedly support artists out there who do use Etsy, and wish them nothing but the best for their shops. I also have nothing but respect for those Etsians in the world who have managed to make money in such a saturated marketplace.
7. So how can I buy a Hush Baby Toy?
A. I'm glad you asked me that! For those of you living in the Fox Cities area of Wisconsin, Hush Baby Toys are currently for sale at The Mom and Pop Shop in downtown Neenah. For those of you who do not live in the area, you will be able to buy them over email! I will be posting a gallery of available toys soon, which you can browse through like a catalog. Orders can be placed by emailing me (Erin) at hushbabytoys@gmail.com. When I receive your order, I will send a paypal invoice to your email address. You pay via paypal and ipso-flipso, I fill your order and send it to you. Easy-peasy.
8. Are Hush Baby Toys safe for babies who are allergy-prone or have sleep disorders?
A. This is a really good question. Unfortunately, the only honest answer I can give you is I am not a doctor. All I can do is be completely honest about the materials used (Question 2). I can't pretend I know what would be best for your child. If you have questions or concerns about giving a Hush Baby Toy to your child, please consult with your pediatrician. He or she will have much sounder medical advice than I could ever give. As far as sleep disorders, I will say this: These toys are intended to help relax babies and ease bedtimes. There is anecdotal evidence that they can also help ease bad dreams and sleep walking, but as far as I know, there is no scientific proof of this, and it may not work in every case. If you worry that your child may suffer from a sleep disorder, please consult with his or her pediatrician, as these toys are not intended to diagnose or treat illnesses.
