Friday, July 30, 2010

From Massachusetts Zooguu



Ladies and Gentlemen , I am introducing you this week Zooguu and her lovely, fun, vibrant and colorful shop. Her designs are so unique and every piece is custom order. She works from her studio at Massachusetts with her husband and they create these wonderful unique plush toys for you or your loved ones. Please enjoy this wonderful artist's answers...





S: What is your name and what is the story behind your shop’s name?

J: My name is Jen Gubicza. The business name is a combination of two things: "Zoo" for animals, and "Guu" for Gubicza.

S:When did you start your business?

J: I started selling my plush in January 2006, under the shop name "sweetestpea". I changed the name to Zooguu a couple of years ago when I started doing this full time and really thought about my business and where I wanted to take things.

S: What are your motivations /inspirations in creating your work?

J: I love making things with my hands. There's a satisfaction in knowing that you've created something that someone will enjoy. I love hearing stories from my customers and finding out what people have named their new friends. It's wonderful to be able to create a physical, hug-able object and make it exactly I want it to be. I also really enjoy being my own boss and making my own hours.

S: Tell us about your daily routines.

J: I usually sew most of the day. My husband traces and cuts out the animals I need to make, and I work on them throughout the week. It's wonderful to work with him, because he helps keep me organized, and we can set goals. I tend to sew by color, so it's sort-of-like a puzzle every week. I look at the animals and work out in what order I need to sew to be most efficient. At the end of every day, I enter the animals made into a master spreadsheet to I can track everything. When an animal sells, I also put that date in and where it's going. At some point, I'll make a map on my website of where all of Zooguu animals live. Another part of my routine is to get out of the house and take a nice walk every day.

S:What is your favorite book?

J: I think I've had the most enjoyment from the Harry Potter series in recent years.

S: What was your last travel destination?

J: I just got back from a short trip to Maine, and I frequently travel to New York. We do craft shows every week, and we usually travel out of state at least once a month.

S: What do you do to relax?

J: Sitting on the back deck with a glass of wine on a summer evening is pretty great. We also enjoy going to see performances at the Symphony.

***GIVEAWAY***

Jen was so generous to offer any of her ornaments from her etsy shop for her giveaway. If you want to be a lucky winner please follow the steps. It is pretty simple!

Please visit her etsy shop and post a comment under this post with the LINK of your favorite item from her shop and please don't forget to add your email address.

http://Zooguu.etsy.com

Please also follow my blog.



The giveaway will end August 8th at midnight! The winner will be chosen using http://www.random.org/

20 comments:

MandeeFranee said...

I LOVE this guy... http://www.etsy.com/listing/27336141/zooguu-fugu-plush-extra-large-customize

thought it was HARD to choose just one! they're all so adorable! :)

Mruna Mistry said...

I love the owl plushie ornament!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/27675638/zooguu-owl-plush-ornament-customize-it

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Zooguu?ref=top_trail

mrunamistry at gmail dot com

Aino said...

I am a follower
I love the http://www.etsy.com/listing/25901025/zooguu-chick-plush-medium-customize-it

My email is erica(dot)terranova(at)gmail(dot)com

mom2girls said...

I was all set to say one of the monsters was my favorite then I saw this little guy:Zooguu Hedgehog Plush and that was it, love at first sight :) I follow on GFC
tracyschultz@yahoo.com

Raquel said...

I Love http://www.etsy.com/listing/23220417/zooguu-lion-plush-medium-customize-it
raquelk_87 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Trisha Marie. said...

I LOVE THIS! http://www.etsy.com/listing/27337444/zooguu-monster-plush-beatrice-extra

Too adorable! They're all fantastic.

My email is trishamrivera@yahoo.com

Shannon said...

I am following you!

I love the fugu!! http://www.etsy.com/listing/26942718/zooguu-fugu-plush-ornament-customize-it

snaugle81@gmail.com

Tulay Lawton said...

What a lovely shop!!!

I love the http://www.etsy.com/listing/27009119/zooguu-turtle-plush-ornament-customize

tulaylawton@gmail.com

Devin said...

Oh my gosh....I cannot handle how adorable everything is!

I LOVE the whale...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/37517695/zooguu-whale-plush-ornament-customize-it

I also adore the penguin that's the main picture for the ornament sets, but didn't see him listed individually!

I follow your blog via gfc <3

Devin
dbwais[at]gmail[dot]com

Claire Atoxim said...

I adore the plushie Owls
http://www.etsy.com/listing/27675638/zooguu-owl-plush-ornament-customize-it

Atoxim at gmail dot com

babalisme said...

Hi I'm your newest follower and I really like http://www.etsy.com/listing/37517829/zooguu-hedgehog-plush-medium-customize

especially the biggest one with texture for her spikes!

Unknown said...

I love this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/27248234/zooguu-monkey-plush-ornament-customize
theknitwitbyshair@hotmail.com

Michelle said...

I collect penguins... so this would be perfect! http://www.etsy.com/listing/27057847/zooguu-penguin-plush-large-customize-it

I also follow with GFC

mandm_2002 at hotmail dot com

Michelle said...

I collect penguins... so this would be perfect! http://www.etsy.com/listing/27057847/zooguu-penguin-plush-large-customize-it

I also follow with GFC

mandm_2002 at hotmail dot com

Already Happy said...

Following on GFC and I LOVE the sheep...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/25643161/zooguu-sheep-plush-small-customize-it?ref=sr_list_2&ga_search_query=sheep&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6291226

✿Heather S✿ said...

These are so unique and cute!
This is my favorite!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/23220417/zooguu-lion-plush-medium-customize-it
mommys3lilbirds at gmail dot com

Allison said...

I love the penguin:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/26943240/zooguu-penguin-plush-ornament-customize

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Jenny Bolech said...

These are some seriously adorable toys! This is my favorite:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/49322243/zooguu-whale-plush-medium-customize-it

I'm also a blog follower as Jenny Bolech

jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I love this http://www.etsy.com/listing/28965898/zooguu-penguin-plush-medium-customize-it
jrhammlett@yahoo.com

Tori said...

I like the http://www.etsy.com/listing/25732365/zooguu-monkey-plush-small-customize-it
vrtheriot@gmail.com