Swimmy and Co.

Rokali

Story by Rokali

Published on Feb 06, 2008 in Etsy News

Photo by Rokali

I just received a wonderful gift from Etsy seller thebirdsandbees: a felted fish, inspired by Swimmy. He’s pictured above, and he’s quite lonely. It’d be fun if a whole bunch of Etsy sellers could make his red-orange friends, and we’ll make a diorama here showing them all arranged like a big fish (as in the book).

So, if you would, if you could, please make a fish facing right as pictured below, in your medium of choice:

I also made a printable PDF template which you can trace. Download the file here.

Please mail your fish to Etsy HQ:

Etsy
c/o Swimmy
325 Gold St, Floor 6
Brooklyn. NY 11201

Thanks!

ps
If you don’t know who Swimmy is, read the post Etsy’s First Five Years.

Discuss: 78 comments

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78 comments

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  • girlsavage

    girlsavage says:

    Sounds like fun!

    4 years ago

  • PreciousPups

    PreciousPups says:

    can't wait for these to start rolling in! underwater diorama time!

    4 years ago

  • girlsavage

    girlsavage says:

    Ummm... download link takes me to the main storque page. :D

    4 years ago

  • IheartmoustachesAdmin

    Iheartmoustaches says:

    i will get to work crocheting some coral and seaweed right away!

    4 years ago

  • likeomg

    likeomg says:

    I can make it in Vector format, but sewing is going to be tricky for me. (I do know how to sew, but I'm a little rusty...) Go Swimmy! Swim!

    4 years ago

  • TeenAngsterAdmin

    TeenAngster says:

    Fixed download! Try again, please!

    4 years ago

  • aplanetnamedjanet

    aplanetnamedjanet says:

    I have fish in my shop already.

    4 years ago

  • fisheye

    fisheye says:

    I must have something red-orange around here to upcycle!

    4 years ago

  • crankbunny

    crankbunny says:

    oh i am so in.

    4 years ago

  • jelene

    jelene says:

    i'm definitely sending in my tickles goldfish!!

    4 years ago

  • daniellexoAdmin

    daniellexo says:

    ohhhh send send send send !!!

    4 years ago

  • LauraSusannah

    LauraSusannah says:

    I'm currently searching for anything orange ♥ yey!

    4 years ago

  • esdesigns

    esdesigns says:

    Does it have to be made of fabric? I love Swimmy, it was one of my favorite books as a kid! I'm visualizing one out of copper, but I'm not sure if I have time to make it.

    4 years ago

  • Bumblebeebaby

    Bumblebeebaby says:

    Does it have to be "Etsy orange?" Or can it be any color? I have tons of colorful fleece fabric, but I don't think I have any "Etsy orange."

    4 years ago

  • esdesigns

    esdesigns says:

    Oh, I see it says "medium of your choice" so I guess copper is ok :)

    4 years ago

  • serenityii

    serenityii says:

    Awesome idea!

    4 years ago

  • SewCrewel

    SewCrewel says:

    I'm on it.

    4 years ago

  • annalaura

    annalaura says:

    Swimmy sushi...heheheh

    4 years ago

  • pattihaskins

    pattihaskins says:

    is there a deadline for the fishes to swim in by?

    4 years ago

  • ArtMind

    ArtMind says:

    I love Swimmy! I loved the story and I loved it being read to us in the video even more. I will make one - hope he'll swim safely across the ocean... ;)

    4 years ago

  • Experimetal

    Experimetal says:

    Im on it, sounds fun. I love me's some swimmy sushi, yum yum.

    4 years ago

  • Experimetal

    Experimetal says:

    should we put a hOLE in it? Is it going to be hung in the end like a giant calder mobile?

    4 years ago

  • imakecutestuff

    imakecutestuff says:

    OMG! Fun Times! Now to find some orangy-red material...hmmmm. I'm going to get EtsyRain (seattle street team) to get in on this one! Yay!

    4 years ago

  • Experimetal

    Experimetal says:

    I know that some members of EtsyMetal street team are planning on making some of Swimmy's friends too! Yay!

    4 years ago

  • pookeh

    pookeh says:

    what a cute idea! love! must get me some felt tomorrow. :D

    4 years ago

  • beetlegirldesign

    beetlegirldesign says:

    An orange fish it is. I might have to fancy it up though...

    4 years ago

  • maggiejs

    maggiejs says:

    I'm in! will this be hung on the wall? or should it be 2 sided for a mobile?

    4 years ago

  • bluedogrose

    bluedogrose says:

    I'm on it :)

    4 years ago

  • pancakeandlulu

    pancakeandlulu says:

    is there a deadline or can they swim on in anytime? (soooo busy at the moment--but I want to be a part of it!)

    4 years ago

  • PrettyPennyPlastics

    PrettyPennyPlastics says:

    Can do, buckaroo!

    4 years ago

  • justynhegreberg

    justynhegreberg says:

    i'm a little worried about all of this swimmy business. it is a cute story and apt yet i am curious, as are others, if there are copyright issues with the public broadcast of the work. in addition it now seems that some people are making and selling items on etsy that directly name and resemble the character in the book. is this an issue we should be worried about? http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5455654&page=1

    4 years ago

  • eclipse

    eclipse says:

    Parody is considered "fair use" under copyright law.

    4 years ago

  • justynhegreberg

    justynhegreberg says:

    parody is different that straight performance. they read it and then said we should be like that. that isn't quite parody. at least not to my knowledge.

    4 years ago

  • crankbunny

    crankbunny says:

    oh boy...

    4 years ago

  • eclipse

    eclipse says:

    justyn I meant my comment in reference to "some people are making and selling items on etsy that directly name and resemble the character in the book." I am one of those 'some people'. My ACEOs=parody=fair use. The videotaped reading was not (intentional) parody, that I know of.

    4 years ago

  • aplanetnamedjanet

    aplanetnamedjanet says:

    May I clarify, "I have fish in my shop already". Not swimmys but other fish.

    4 years ago

  • GreenSpaceGoods

    GreenSpaceGoods says:

    I think it is a great idea and I don't think that making a big fish for display at Etsy is going to be a copyright issue. I wouldn't worry about it :)

    4 years ago

  • discomedusa

    discomedusa says:

    woah, i totally made one a few years ago- too bad it's in storage!

    4 years ago

  • mLee

    mLee says:

    I am so all over this x10! And I am inspired to bump the Leo Lionni collection up on my birthday wishlist.

    4 years ago

  • GreenSpaceGoods

    GreenSpaceGoods says:

    Everyday here, I hear a lot of skepticism over Etsy's mission. It just doesn't seem believable to some that a group of people could possibly want to build something for a greater purpose. I think the metaphor is touching. I think the idea of a diorama representing us all is great, and I'll be happy to be a part of it.

    4 years ago

  • marikoartstudio

    marikoartstudio says:

    It's my first time to seriously pay attention anything inside the Storque, so I'm quite excited to find such a fun project. I'm working on it right now..., pieces of leather, seedbeads, my fingers are covered with glue...yeaow!

    4 years ago

  • daniellexoAdmin

    daniellexo says:

    Love that visual mariko! Can't wait to see these. Perhaps we should have a swimmy making party at the EtsyLabs on Monday?

    4 years ago

  • valutree

    valutree says:

    Oh I am so in. I already started on it. This is a wonderful project. I love the Swimmy mission and think it's great the etsy in this for more then monetary gain. Go etsy!

    4 years ago

  • TumboweedAnnie

    TumboweedAnnie says:

    Wonderful mission! I'm hooked! Thanks for the inspiration Rokali. I will be simming your way with my red-orange fish.

    4 years ago

  • ocbaby

    ocbaby says:

    What a great idea! I can't wait to see them all! May I suggest that after the have pics are done that any suitable toy fish be donated to needy children? I haven't read all the post to see if it has been suggested already....

    4 years ago

  • lessthanthreedesigns

    lessthanthreedesigns says:

    AHHHH! SO CUTE! Yeah. You can probably expect one from me. :)

    4 years ago

  • GreenMamba

    GreenMamba says:

    While parody is permitted, creating derivative works for promotional purposes, or for 'fun', is NOT allowed under fair use. Of course, if Etsy has obtained the proper permissions, just add that notation to the articles and video where Swimmy is referenced. Easy-peasy. I'd participate if everything was on the up-and-up. But I don't want to be involved in any fishy business . . .

    4 years ago

  • serenityii

    serenityii says:

    My family had a fun time making fish last night! We'll be sending one off probably tomorrow. I was also wondering about the fate of the fish after the photos are taken. It'd be cool if they were on display on a wall somewhere, but it also occurred to me that they could be sold to benefit charity or something. . .

    4 years ago

  • bornlippy

    bornlippy says:

    I'm wondering how are these going to be hung? I included a small square of sticky-back Velcro with my swimmy.

    4 years ago

  • crudeco

    crudeco says:

    And how many swimmies can he swim? If too many participate, how will anyones swimmy be observed? How many swimmy's can he eat before there's only one survivor swimmy? Seems a little fishy too me too.

    4 years ago

  • marikoartstudio

    marikoartstudio says:

    Hi Danielle, Thanks for the nice comment! OK, perhaps we should have the swimmy par~ty. I could swim over Hudson & East River to EtsyLabs on Monday. It'll be my first visit there and that'd be nice because I've been very curious what goes on at Etsy HQ. Email me the details if you'd like. Hope to see you soon!

    4 years ago

  • daniellexoAdmin

    daniellexo says:

    I think we'll hang them with fishing line ;) From the top of the diorama? Once they start flopping in we'll see what will work best.

    4 years ago

  • papapots

    papapots says:

    Oh how fun! I'll start a fishy and hopefully my kiln will get over the flu in time to make him orange. Is ceramic ok? Should I add anything to make him hangable?

    4 years ago

  • Experimetal

    Experimetal says:

    "quote" I think we'll hang them with fishing line ;) From the top of the diorama? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ so a hole then is required for possible hanging...

    4 years ago

  • Ekioart

    Ekioart says:

    What fun ^-^ *runs off in search of orange things.

    4 years ago

  • lagelle

    lagelle says:

    Hello~ It was very inspiring to see the video about Swimmy and it's history. I definitely want to be involved. If too many are received what will happen with the others? I'm happy to be part of Etsy. Tye

    4 years ago

  • HomeMadeOriginals

    HomeMadeOriginals says:

    Fun idea and story....here's mine complete with his own seaweed: http://www.flickr.com/photos/homemadeoriginals/2250019462/

    4 years ago

  • strawberryanarchy

    strawberryanarchy says:

    this looks great fun

    4 years ago

  • daniellexoAdmin

    daniellexo says:

    experimetal - no hole required. some can also be flat or we can figure out different options. a hole to hang from would be helpful - but not required! perhaps any 2-D fish can hang out against the back wall of the diorama. ps. check out the pool so far! http://www.flickr.com/groups/underwaterdiorama/pool/

    4 years ago

  • jillhannah

    jillhannah says:

    This is awesome. I am pleased with its awesomeness. I make cards, so mine is on its way in card form. http://flickr.com/photos/jillhannah/archives/date-posted/2008/02/07/

    4 years ago

  • lanisvintage

    lanisvintage says:

    if i can find the time...i'll make one! ;)

    4 years ago

  • bamboobaby

    bamboobaby says:

    Fer Shur. I'm on it.

    4 years ago

  • PrettyPennyPlastics

    PrettyPennyPlastics says:

    I didn't realize how few orange supplies I have. Great brainstorm, for sure!

    4 years ago

  • SimplySilly

    SimplySilly says:

    I'm off to make a swimmy!!!!!

    4 years ago

  • sofiamasri

    sofiamasri says:

    I started mine today!

    4 years ago

  • plushoff

    plushoff says:

    I made mine today, he is going in the mail this week!!

    4 years ago

  • imakecutestuff

    imakecutestuff says:

    Oh yay! EtsyRain (your Seattle street team) is making a bunch of them to keep Swimmy company! We'll be sending the "school" over to you on the 20th :) Thanks for the Fun Fun Fun project!

    4 years ago

  • Diamondmeenuh

    Diamondmeenuh says:

    I've got a whole school of Swimmies on one of my Book Briefcases. Will see if I've got more of the fabric to make a few 'unattached' ones. Love this idea! Loved the Swimmy story, too

    4 years ago

  • NetsPets

    NetsPets says:

    I sent my swimmy earlier in the week - he has to swim from the southern hemisphere! Could take him a while!!

    4 years ago

  • Experimetal

    Experimetal says:

    is there a due date?

    4 years ago

  • LilahAndCompany

    LilahAndCompany says:

    Ditto on that question, Experimental. I think I am late to the thread, but I want to participate.

    4 years ago

  • MundoGominola

    MundoGominola says:

    i want to participate also, can I?

    4 years ago

  • zparkleys

    zparkleys says:

    ooohhh, an applicated sock fish!!! i'm totally on this.

    4 years ago

  • serenityii

    serenityii says:

    Did our fish make it yet? Yarn on cardboard and a googly eye?

    4 years ago

  • serenityii

    serenityii says:

    So when will we hear more about the Swimmy project?

    4 years ago

  • dragonhouseofyuen

    dragonhouseofyuen says:

    More eggs have hatched - another little one will be on her way shortly! (from Scotland)

    3 years ago

  • matilou

    matilou says:

    i also will do it in this thread! http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5729689&page=1

    3 years ago