About Plush You!
What is Plush You?
Plush You! is an annual exhibit that showcases plush creations from artists all over the globe. The first show was held at Schmancy in downtown Seattle in 2005. Since then, Plush You has grown tremendously. With a recent book from F+W Publications, an enormous list of applicants each year, as well as a second, 2008 show scheduled at Double Punch Gallery in San Francisco -- Plush You continues to show the world the impressive and boundless possibilities of plush!
Who started Plush You?
Kristen Rask, owner and curator of Schmancy. She loves crafting and anything cute. She loves iced tea, her cats and cupcakes - basically anything that starts or rhymes with the letter c.
Why?
When Schmancy first opened its doors, Kristen concentrated on the vinyl toy movement. As much she loves vinyl toys, she wanted to represent the "crafty" side of herself as well. Plush You seemed like the best way to combine her love for toys with her love for craft. She considers Plush You her proudest work to date!
How can I get involved?
If you are interested in participating in Plush You as an artist, please visit our blog for more information on how to apply. 2009 is already closed, but if you want to apply for next year please follow these simple instructions:
Send an email to plushyou2009@gmail.com that includes your full name, your website and/or blog and three images that represent your best work (plush pictures only).
Please also check our blog for updates about the show!
How do you decide to pick?
Choosing the artists in Plush You is the hardest part of putting the show together! We wish we didn’t have to choose, but are limited by wall space and actual hours in a day. That being said, there really are no set guidelines. We want the exhibit to showcase a variety of works; from cute, creepy, amigurumi, to more "art" type pieces. We hope to continually expand the show, so we can accommodate all the wonderful plush artists who apply. Until then, we try our best to represent as many plush styles as possible.
How can I have a Plush You show in my neighborhood?
We are always up for more discussion on how to spread plush goodness! If you are interested in having Kristen curate a show near you, please contact her directly at kristen.rask@gmail.com. If you have questions about how to curate a big show, she is also happy to answer any of those. We only ask that you do not use the Plush You name if Kristen is not involved.
Speaking of Plush You, how did you come up with the name?
When thinking of a name for the show, Kristen (who can be a bit of a sailor mouth) finally landed on “Plush You!” It can be taken any way you like. She also likes to think that each artist puts a bit of him or herself into every piece they make -- in a way they are plushin' themselves.
Who did the amazing logo?
Kristen was very lucky to have her super talented friend, Matt Tamaru, co owner of Plexi Pixel design the logo for the 2007 show. You can find out more about Plexi Pixel at plexipixel.com.
What if I still have a question about this awesome show that I can't find here?
You are more than welcome to email Kristen with any questions or concerns you may have. She tries to get back to folks as quickly as possible. She is a busy woman, so please be patient if you do not hear right back.