I would like your opinion!

3catsn1dog

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I would like all of you to meet Fred and Fred 2. These are just some things Im working on and hoping to sell as cat toys and/or snuggle buddies for dogs. So basically my question is if anyone would buy something like this for your pets, dog or cat doesnt matter either way.

Fred 1


Fred 2


(The lighting isnt the best the first one is made with a green and cream twist yarn and the second is neon orange and blue)


Thank you!
 

natalie_ca

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Something like what? Was there supposed to be a picture or link attached?

EDIT: Never mind. I guess the images were slow to load.

My cats don't really play with toys all that much, at least not unless I'm involved in the play. So, no, I probably wouldn't. But others might. Pet toys are a huge market and there are lots of different types of toys out there, and they all sell.
 
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3catsn1dog

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That was probably my fault. I dont do the whole cooking dinner and running back and forth from comp to kitchen..LOL I forgot to add the pic links when I first hit submit thread!! Sorry about that!
 

icklemiss21

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Mine wouldn't play with something like that but the loose blue threads on the second one would definitely put me off buying it if they would, they are not allowed anything with loose ends to chew
 

GoldyCat

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You really need two polls. I voted maybe because I might buy Fred 1, but would definitely not buy Fred 2.
 

ldg

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They're cute! I'd have the same concern about the loose threads on the 2nd toy though.

As far as non-interactive toys, ours generally only play with mice, bottle rings or balls (or catnip toys) - and they must have something inside that make a kind of rattley noise.
 

killerapple

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I would cut off/remove the loose thread parts as well.
How big are they?
 
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3catsn1dog

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They are about 7 inches in height. The threads on top are knotted in and the bow tie I just added on a whim (not an important part). These are just the "prototypes". I have a ton of Sugar N Cream yarn and its all 100% cotton. I got different twist and stripe colors and solid bright colors that coordinate with each other. Like the orange and blue and then lime green and hot pink. Just to add too, the tail, arms, ears and muzzle are sewn on in double to add extra strength to them also the ends then are sewn and then tucked into the body where the stuffing is. Im also going to look for other animals that would either be simpler or require less parts that get sewn in. The pattern I use can also be adjusted to make it bigger or smaller.
Thank you everyone for your opinions please keep them coming. Im going to make another one starting tonight and have it done tomorrow afternoon and Im going to add/remove based on everyones thoughts and advice.
 

strange_wings

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You could try making random small shapes for cat toys. If you make a cotton cloth "pillow" to go inside you could add catnip. Maybe circles, rectangles/squares, crescent moon shapes, etc. Quick and simple.

Fred2 in different colors and maybe with added eyes would be more of a cute toy/thing for people.
But you also have the option of baby safe type toys if they don't have eyes.
 
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3catsn1dog

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The reason I didnt think of small random shapes is because when I did do that for the cats none of them liked them. Yet when I made the monkey they stole it and I have caught all three playing with it.

It was worth a shot but I still have other stuff that when Im finished Ill place it on my Etsy page. I designed and made my own Tim Burton-esque type bag in dark heather grey and dusty purple. When I made the bag it reminded me of Nightmare Before Christmas. Ive also got a neck cowl that Ive started and a basketweave afghan.
 

bellaandme

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The reason I said no is because Bella only like toys that involve the both of us. Or something that is stuffed with catnip.
 

-_aj_-

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Ive gone for yes because both mine and my mams cat play with "cuddly toys" as well as other "normal" cat toys

i guess its easy to spray a bit of catnip onto them
 
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3catsn1dog

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They do have catnip in them. Someone did give me the idea to make small satchels filled with catnip. The orange one does have catnip in it and I had to lock it in the spare room where I store all my yarn because everyone was trying to steal it. GiGi actually tried to walk off with it while I was in the process of making it. LOL She needs Nip Rehab!!
Im going to make another one today. But minus anything dangly like the bow tie or hair. Im going to try and find another pattern of a different animal that I can try like maybe a bear, whale, squirrel, bird. Something like that.
 

-_aj_-

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Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog

They do have catnip in them. Someone did give me the idea to make small satchels filled with catnip. The orange one does have catnip in it and I had to lock it in the spare room where I store all my yarn because everyone was trying to steal it. GiGi actually tried to walk off with it while I was in the process of making it. LOL She needs Nip Rehab!!
Im going to make another one today. But minus anything dangly like the bow tie or hair. Im going to try and find another pattern of a different animal that I can try like maybe a bear, whale, squirrel, bird. Something like that.
Oh sorry i didnt realise they did.

i think fred 1 is great my mams cat (Smooch) drags things like that all over by their arms normally its funny watching him

i think a bear would be good
 
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3catsn1dog

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Well Im taking everyones opinions and thoughts into consideration. My BF only buys me the yarn because I promised him I would start trying to sell stuff on Etsy to help pay for my yarn addiction. I dont need any major income off it but just enough to keep my yarn basket full. I have an Etsy account I just havent posted anything on there to sell YET! :eek:) I do have people products that Im working on. Im finishing the handle and "latch" for a bag that Ive made which is quite large for school books or perfect for people who likes those ginormous purses!! Honestly Im quite scared to post anything for sale because I put so much work and time into making this stuff (even stuff I dont like) that Im freaking out that noone will want to buy anything and Ill be stuck with no yarn and all this stuff Ive made that I dont like! Ugh Nerves!!
 

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You might want to try taking them to a craft show or something like that. I did that with some food items I had made several years ago and, even with the registration fee, I came home with empty boxes and a nice profit. (I also made some "snowballs" with styrofoam balls and royal icing that I piped onto the balls in a pretty pattern and then added a velvet ribbon. People bought them like crazy to hang on their Christmas trees.)

I think they're nice, but I would worry about the strings on the second item; I'd probably cut them off.

When I used to buy the little mice from Foster and Smith, I would sit down, open the box and remove the noses and eyes from every mouse. Our RB baby, Pumpkin, loved his meeces and he would chew them until there was nothing left. And I always worried about those eyes and noses.
 

libby74

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I don't think my cats would play with them; they prefer small toys they can carry around.
I think a dog would love to grab hold of one of the Freds and shake the stuffing out of him.
 

alleygirl

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A girl here crochets little octopus for cat toys. They are just a couple inches in size and the tentacles are crochet too so no loose threads. A little stuffing with catnip inside and the cats love them. Maybe you could try something like that?
 
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3catsn1dog

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Just to add on here also. I opened my Etsy Page to sell other stuff Ive made. Ive only listed one this so far but Ive got another project Im finishing today to list then.....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tfch8184

**Fingers crossed this sells so I can keep my yarn basket full..Ive got a yarn wishlist started LOL**
 
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