I’m nearly never surprised by the scope and breadth of sewn products in the market place but this link Sandra B sent is humorous and educational.
Presenting: Giant Microbes! These are 5″-7″ plush toys shaped and colored like various germs, pathogens and microscopic bugs and lifeforms. They have a large range of products, categorizing them by maladies, calamities, exotics, aquatics and menageries. Maladies include plush toys representing pimples and athlete’s foot. Calamities are plush toy germs like black death, flesh eating bacteria and ebola. Ewww. Some like the common cold are quite pretty albeit annoying in real life.
The website doesn’t give much information about the company but they seem to be doing well. This is a great example of a niche product. I can’t imagine anyone knocking off the product line and running with it, not easily anyway. Their product line is huge for a niche product and some are quite complex to make. Marketing is such a big help but it doesn’t hurt to have a great idea. Still, I can only imagine what my reaction would have been had they come to me for patterns for this product line. I probably would have given it a thumbs down, just goes to show you what I know.
I thought this guy (above) was kind of cute. He’s yeast found in bread and beer; a most helpful fellow.
We have a small collection of these — they’re very well made and quite appealing. Think Geek has been selling them for years. I’m guessing it’s the quality as much as the concept that has kept the company going. They’re peculiarly irresistible.
ioanna
April 14th, 2008
3:06 PM
Aw! Giant Microbes too cute Did ya see the athlete’s foot! And that brain cell, it’s up to something for sure!
What a cool idea! I’m always amazed at the things people come up with that end up being successful products. It’s definitely a different direction in patternmaking. I may have to buy a few of these for a friend who’s a veterinary pathologist. She would surely get a kick out of them.
Oh, I love these too! My 4 yo DD likes “creepy” things…and I think I need that yeast one for DH-he loves homebrew
Christy B.
April 17th, 2008
7:54 AM
I love them! It’s the first time I can say in my life that I actually want mono… or bedbugs. They’re all adorable in an off way.
Marie-Christine
April 17th, 2008
12:06 PM
Aaaaw! Totally adorable. Why am I not surprised they’re from California ? I’d love even a toxic mold.
But I have to mention those bedbugs don’t look like anything like the ones I’ve been unfortunate enough to meet in the flesh (mostly mine).
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10 Responses to “Niche: plush toys”
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April 14th, 2008
3:01 PM
We have a small collection of these — they’re very well made and quite appealing. Think Geek has been selling them for years. I’m guessing it’s the quality as much as the concept that has kept the company going. They’re peculiarly irresistible.
April 14th, 2008
3:06 PM
Aw! Giant Microbes too cute
Did ya see the athlete’s foot! And that brain cell, it’s up to something for sure! 
April 14th, 2008
3:29 PM
I love these!
April 15th, 2008
6:47 AM
Oh they are irresistable. I want to buy some just to get the answers to the microbe trivia posted on the site. LOL Being cute doesn’t hurt either.
April 15th, 2008
11:39 AM
I love it!
April 15th, 2008
1:54 PM
What a cool idea! I’m always amazed at the things people come up with that end up being successful products. It’s definitely a different direction in patternmaking. I may have to buy a few of these for a friend who’s a veterinary pathologist. She would surely get a kick out of them.
April 16th, 2008
10:11 AM
Oh, I love these too! My 4 yo DD likes “creepy” things…and I think I need that yeast one for DH-he loves homebrew
April 17th, 2008
7:54 AM
I love them! It’s the first time I can say in my life that I actually want mono… or bedbugs. They’re all adorable in an off way.
April 17th, 2008
12:06 PM
Aaaaw! Totally adorable. Why am I not surprised they’re from California
? I’d love even a toxic mold.
But I have to mention those bedbugs don’t look like anything like the ones I’ve been unfortunate enough to meet in the flesh (mostly mine).
April 25th, 2008
3:22 PM
I am going to buy the flea for my dog!:)