Product Showcase: Eco-Friendly Plush
By Karyn M. Peterson -- Gifts and Dec, 3/31/2009 1:47:00 PM
New York—This week’s Product Showcase features new eco-friendly plush from Aurora, Fair Indigo, Fiesta, Kids Preferred, Mary Meyer, Miyim, Rich Frog Enterprises and Russ Berrie.
Joy of Soy
The Aurora Naturally line of plush ($15.99 to $39.99), for ages 3 and up, includes a variety of arctic, endangered and jungle animals ranging from 7.5 to 12 inches high, crafted with soy fiber coats and stuffed with hypoallergenic kapok; both fibers are eco-friendly crops. These cuddly plush animals also feature lockwasher eyes and embroidered or fabric noses. Pictured is the 7.5-inch Emperor Penguin.
Aurora , Pico Rivera , Calif.
Fuzzy Fair Trade
The 11-inch Joobles ($29) are soft knit stuffed animals, hand crafted in Peru under fair trade conditions and using eco-friendly dies and locally grown organic cotton that's harvested without the use of pesticides or other harsh chemicals. The collection includes Bella Bunny, Buzzy Bug, Calley the Cat, Fair Bear, Icy the Penguin, Jiffy Giraffe, Mel Monkey, Mooey Cow and Pip Dog (pictured).
Fair Indigo, Middleton , Wis.
Global Giving
This 10-inch CheChe the Tortoise ($19.99) is just one of many eco-friendly endangered plush animals—created from natural soy and cotton—in the new Tales 4 Tomorrow collection. Each animal comes with activity cards and features an interactive component on www.tales4tomorrow.com, where kids can play games, watch videos and more. Best of all, 5 percent of sales are donated to Conservation International.
Fiesta Toy, Vernon , Calif.
A Better Beatrix
The 18-inch Naturally Better Peter Rabbit plush ($30)—along with 13-inch versions of his siblings Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail—is created in accordance with the World of Beatrix Potter initiative to develop products that are better for the environment, better for mothers and children and better for those who make them. The toys are crafted from certified organic cotton in a socially responsible factory and merchandised in recyclable, reusable packaging. Safe for all ages.
Kids Preferred, East Windsor , N.J.
Planetary Partners
This 12-inch Organic Big Bear ($59.99) is part of the new EarthMates collection, soft toys made from all-natural materials, such as 100 percent certified organic cotton fabrics and stuffing. Mary Meyer also offers an 11-piece Fuzz That Wuzz collection of plush made from recycled plastic bottles, and a complete line of Taggies Naturals soft baby toys made from organic cotton, silk ribbon and safe dyes.
Mary Meyer, Townshend , Vt.
The Soft Sell
The 9-inch Baby Andi Plush Hippo ($19.99), part of the Fairytale plush collection, is created from certified organic and natural cotton and comes dressed in a white hemp dress. Like all of the plush in the collection, Andi is soft to the touch and gentle on the environment, too. The all-organic plush company also offers several other plush character collections, plus knit plush, developmental baby toys and rattles.
Miyim , New York
Safe & Secure
The Organic Blankie Doll ($23.95), available in duck (pictured), bunny and puppy themes, is designed in the European tradition, with long blanket-arms for babies' comfort and security. The doll is made in Sri Lanka under fair trade conditions out of certified organic cotton and colored with low-impact, safe dyes. The new organic collection, which is 100 percent machine washable, also includes soft animal crinklers and bath mitts.
Rich Frog, Burlington , Vt.
A Helping Hand
The new 12-inch Simply Natural Plush hand puppet line ($19.99) is crafted from 100 percent cotton and colored with safe vegetable dyes. Each plush puppet in the collection—which is available in six styles, cow (pictured), lion, hippo, elephant, monkey and pig—also features recycled paper hangtags. Simply Natural also includes a number of other natural plush animals of different sizes.
Russ Berrie, Oakland , N.J.
Retailers: If you see contact a manufacturer, please say you were directed from Playthings.com!
Manufacturers: If you would like to be considered for the Product Showcase, please email product images (out of packaging) and descriptions to karyn.peterson@reedbusiness.com. Please include targeted age range, suggested retail price and date of availability.
We would love your feedback!
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