Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Monster Factory… It’s One of A Kind!

By

These monsters need no introduction.


It’s Monster Factory! The too-cute-to-be-ugly stuffed toys that are short in stature and long on personality!

“The Monster Factory is a character toy brand run by Adam Dunn, Rhya Tamasauskas, and Bliss Man. Together they design and create engaging monster characters who live in a strangely familiar world. Combining their backgrounds in film, art, and fashion, the creators have developed a strong sense of collaboration that affects every aspect of their process from storytelling to product design. Their efforts have produced countless monster characters who, despite their appearances, are just like you and me.“

The monsters come to life in their design studio in Toronto. Entering the Monster Factory is like walking into a child’s fantasy – piles of cuddly creatures line shelves, clump in corners, spill over tables… really, it’s a monster-fest as far as the eye can see.

I’ve been collecting monsters since 2004. I instantly fell in love with their open, friendly look: the monsters rarely resemble anything specific, so what you imagine is what the monster turns out to be. And then, I simply could not get over the very personal descriptions attached to very generic names – inspiring me to purchase monsters based solely on their personality, especially those who bear a strong resemblance to myself!

To date, I’ve got 15 monsters in my brood. Want to learn more about me? Ahem, I’d like to introduce…

Lucy is always late for work and her laugh is inappropriately loud.

Brenda likes to read late into the night and has a surprisingly messy bedroom.

Although it’s difficult to follow exactly what Wilma is talking about she is always entertaining to listen to.

Dirk is a known instigator who is usually able to charm his way out of trouble.

Olive eats cookies in bed and she can’t keep a secret.

Click here to meet all the Monster Factory monsters.

At first I bought one or two for myself; later I became a serious collector, reasoning that one day my children would play with them. I was right – Ryder absolutely loves all his monsters! He collects them all from his monster toy box and talks to each and every one; kissing them, promising to play with them, even apologizing after he hurls one against the wall. Ryder’s been asking when his next monster is coming to live with us… I would say, oh, right around Christmas!

(I also hint to my Monster Factory friends that should they ever design a monster named Ryder… he likes grapes and 80’s music.)

At between $35-$55 a pop, they’re not cheap. But I can assure you that Ryder has bitten, pulled, jumped on and kicked the daylights out of his monsters, and they look as good as new. The quality is impeccable – ALL the Monster Factory plush toys are sewn by hand and reinforced for durability and longevity.

Monster Factory will not be at the OOAK show this year (waa! waa!) but their brand new studio on Richmond St. West in Toronto is shopping-friendly (by appointment). You can also purchase the monsters online or at select retailers across North America.

WIN IT!

Monster Factory has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a specially selected monster from one of their popular collections! To enter, get to know the monsters, and then leave a comment here telling us which monster is most like you.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment to claim your extra entry. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) Like Monster Factory on Facebook
(3) Follow Monster Factory on Twitter
(4) Tweet about the It’s One of A Kind! giveaways (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/369glqk)
(5) You may Tweet daily.

I’ll draw for a winner on December 4th. Good luck everybody!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  9. i also follow them on twitter! and had to tweet them because 'matthew' isn't available..how am i supposed to buy him for christmas then?! christyplus2 AT gmail DOT com

  16. Monster Factory rules!My personality matches with Daphne and Brenda, but my heartstrings are pulled with Colin and Todd.Can't wait to get to the OOAK, just to see them :)

  56. Im totally like Todd because we are always determine to succeed!! And we both have that hilarious wierd humor! I love Todd so much and he's totally my fave!(:

  96. For me it's a toss up between Buddy and Wayne. "Buddy is surprisingly deep for someone who spends so much of his time 'zoned out'.""Wayne regards himself as a good listener but his attention has been known to wander."I'm always thinking about a million things at once and I tend to zone out alot.littledeadmommy at gmail.com

  109. I'd love to win "Trevor" just because that's my hubby, although he doesn't chew on drywall.. just to show him that there's a toy named after him – LOL! (he does like to get away for the weekend, or more)

  126. Me and Philip are one in the same! LOL These are amazing!!! As long as you dont get one for someone that says im a sloppy mess! LOL I could spend all day looking at these things and talking to myself comparing them to people i know!!!