peachypaws

Welcome to my Etsy shop--it's a zoo in here! Looking for original crochet critter designs and custom pet replicas? You've come to the right place! If you have any questions about my work, feel free to convo me--I'd love to hear from you!

Here are a few FAQ:

Q: I'm interested in ordering a custom pet replica. How do I get started?
A: Step 1: Send photos of your pet to peachypaws [!at] live.com. The more photos of different angles you're able to send, the more acurate your pet replica will be. Also, please be sure your photos reflect the true color(s) of your pet as I will be color matching yarn against these photos. Again, the higher the quality of your pics, the better :)

Step 2: Include any special traits you'd particularly like highlighted that might not be apparent from the pics. (Like, green eyes or a tail kink, etc.)

Step 3: Also specifiy what position you'd like your pet replica to be in. I offer seated, standing, or reclining. Take a peek at my sold orders for samples of each option.

Step 4: Please let me know if you have any fiber allergies. I often use wool and mohair blends for pet replicas, and sometimes synthetic fibers, too. All plushes are stuffed with hypoallergenic polyfil. If you require organic or specialty fibers, please be aware that there may be an upcharge.

After reviewing your photos and notes, I'll contact you ASAP with my current turnaround time for your order. My typical turnaround is between 2-4 weeks, but it's often 6-8 weeks from October thru December.

Q: How do you design custom pet replicas without a pattern?
A: I've been freehand crocheting for over a decade, which means I have a lot of experience creating specific shapes without a pattern. I love the challenge of freehand crocheting and the freedom of not being tied down to a pattern. Plus, this ensures that just like your special pet, there will never be another one quite like it. In many ways, I think of what I do as sculpting with yarn because I strive to achieve very specific shapes when I crochet--not just perfectly numbered rows or rounds. This is also how I'm able to make the same animal in multiple sizes.

Q: Are your animals baby safe?
A: All my critters (with only a few exceptions) are intended to be loved and played with--especially those with embroidered or needlefelted eyes. Animals with safety eyes aren't intended for anyone under the age of 5, due to choking hazards. A lot of care goes into making my animals durable so they'll last the long haul of childhood. Check out my feedback ratings for photos of my plush creations "in action" with their new owners :)

Q: What do you stuff your plush animals with?
A: All my critters are stuffed with hypoallergenic polyester stuffing. Each animal gets just enough to remain plump, soft, and cuddly--never firm or stiff.

Q: How do I care for my new plush purchase?
A: All critters come with a care tag identifying if they are hand wash only or machine washable. (This info is also indicated in each individual item listing.) Hand wash plushes can be cleaned with a damp cloth and air dried. Machine washable plushes should be cleaned on the gentle cycle and then left to air dry for at least 8 hours. Some re-fluffing may be necessary, but otherwise, your plush will be as good as new!

Q: Can you ship my purchase as a gift to another address?
A: Absolutely! I'm happy to giftwrap and add a handwritten note to your recipient (for free! :) and ship the package directly to them. Be sure to enter your recipient's address at checkout or send me a convo with their address info. No shipping upcharge will be applied unless you are a US buyer seeking to send a package outside the continental US. In that case, standard international shipping rates will apply. International buyers will be refunded the difference in shipping fees if they are seeking to send a gift within the continental US.

Q: Do you make copyrighted TV, book, or movie characters?
A: Only if no officially registered plushes (crochet or otherwise) are in existence. Copyright infringement is illegal, and Etsy discourages sellers from replicating copyrighted characters.

Q: If I buy a pattern from another seller on Etsy, will you make it for me?
A: Only if that seller is offering the pattern for commercial use. Many pattern designers on Etsy have strict guidelines about how their patterns may be used and distributed. Your best bet is usually to approach the designer and request they make the physical item for you to avoid any copyright infringement issues.

Q: If I buy your pattern, can I have someone else make it for me?
A: Yes, but I'm also happy to make the physical animal for you if you don't know how to crochet and it's not already listed in my shop for sale :) Just ask!! I've been working with these patterns for years, and I may be a little biased, but I can guarentee there's nothing like the "real McCoy" :)

Q: If I buy your pattern, can I sell the items I make from it?
A: Definitely! However:
*You may not market your items under my brand or logo (Peachy Paws and the tagline Plushes with Personality are protected under federal trademark law),
*You may not use my listing text, pattern text, or photos as your own. These are protected under federal copyright law.
*You may not imply that the items you create from my patterns are your original designs. You may choose not to reveal your pattern source or you may use this optional credit line in your item listings: "Pattern design by Ashley Casteel of peachypaws.etsy.com." In return for using the optional credit line, I will reccomend your shop or website in my shop announcement.
*You may not offer the actual pattern for sale or redistribute the pattern en masse physically or electonically. This includes making any portion of the pattern publicly available online or making copies of the pattern to distribute to a crochet circle, etc.

I'm extremly flattered that people are interested in reproducing my work and very excited to give others the opportunity to earn an extra income from my designs. I simply ask that you respect my terms. Should I find a buyer in violation of my terms, I reserve the right to prompty refund all future sales and refuse service.