karakanani
patreon
meet tomi! π―
🕑 Added 2025-06-11 00:32:49 +0000 UTCHello patrons!
Something super exciting that has been in the works since January...
I made a plush keychain!!! Meet Tomi tiger π§‘
Tigers hold a special place in my heart because I was born in the year of the Tiger and when I was little, my uncle in Canada shared the same zodiac. So the family would call us "Big Tiger" and "Little Tiger". The more I drew this character, I had to make him my first plushie product!
β’ The Process β’
The making of Tomi took a lot of back and forth communication between me and the manufacturer. We went through 3 different prototypes and I was limited to a certain amount of revisions. The hardest part to communicate was the overall shape, I wanted Tomi to look round and petite! I had a general idea of how I wanted Tomi to look and it was fun to see the plush being translated from digital to physical form.
Sample 1 π―
There was misunderstandings and some roadblocks along the way on what was/wasn't possible due to sizing and binding capabilities. Below are photos of the prototype process starting with the first sample:
The first sample, they embroidered my lineart for Tomi's snout. I didn't want it to look too drastic with a brown outline, so I drew on top of the photo example the manufacturer sent to show them what I was looking for (I also wanted the arms to be slightly shortened):β¨
Sample 2 π―
Since the manu didn't have the best materials to work with for a bowtie around Tomi, I decided to take this task on my own. There was a specific color and ribbon pattern I had in mind, and I feel like it was the safest option for me as I was already putting in so much to make sure I got these plushies right. The second sample excludes the bowtie. I loved the body shape of the second sample! This left the manufacturer to sew in the snout in the final sample.
β¨Sample 3 π―
Annnnd Tomi is finished!! :D
Once they sewed the white snout, Tomi was complete. Around his neck looked a little empty, but I knew that tying a ribbon around him would help this.
Once the final revisions were made on the prototype, I was finally able to approve of the sample and they mass produced it! As a courtesy, my manu added on brand tags for me. I just had to communicate where I would like them to be sewn on the doll.
Below is how it's been going!! I have been tying bows on all the Tomi's day by day. I cannot wait to share some photos that I took of Tomi... and another friend that I will post about soon (o:
Tomi tiger will be included in the upcoming shop update! I am so so excited to share him with you, so thank you for reading about my journey in creating my first plush. This project is near and dear to my heart because I love collecting plush products myself and creating my own feels so surreal. π§‘
Comments
Kara Makishi
Thank you Dorci!! This makes me excited to think about all the adventures Tomi will go on with others! <3
Kara Makishi
Thank you so much Jamie!! I am working on updating shipping for UK and EU as I am completely transitioning to the webshop instead of Etsy. So yes, I do plan to ship to the UK and will provide an update (o:
dorci
aaaaa he is adorable!! ππ canβt wait to hang one on my bag!
Jamie
Too cute!!! Is it possible to ship this to UK?
