Crafts | Seattle's a hotbed for funny fuzzy creatures

With a little plush and pluck, it seems you can anthropomorphize just about anything.

Witness the curious, yet somehow endearing, collection of creatures featured in "Plush You! Lovable Misfit Toys to Sew and Stuff" (North Light Books, 143 pp., $19.95).

The new book features a menagerie of cuddly, whimsical creatures stitched together from felt, boiled wool, corduroy and other materials by craftsfolk around the globe.

Lift the cover and be transported to a world where a plush oyster pops from a toaster that can only be described as snuggly. A fuzzy orange construction cone smiles serenely from its page, as does a bowl of ice cream, its accompanying spoon and a pair of friendly ice-cream sandwiches.

Many creations come with sewing instructions, interviews with the artist or tips on plush making.

From the looks of things, the Northwest may well be Plush Central. A majority of the book's featured artists hail from Seattle, including author Kristen Rask, owner of Belltown toy shop Schmancy (www.schmancytoys.com), which is hosting a plush exhibit through Nov. 9.

Plush as art keeps growing more pervasive because it's an affordable medium for artists to get their names out there, Rask said. Plus, "They're all ridiculously cute and funny and ironic."

Karen Gaudette: 206-515-5618 or kgaudette@seattletimes.com