Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Monster Factory

Monster Factory’s Betty… Winner!

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Thanks to everyone who entered the Lena Loves… the Monster Factory’s Betty giveaway. Can you believe this angry little valentine can be yours for just $15? I think I’ll have to grab both – Harriet and Betty, so I can play with each one as my views on love change (ie. impromptu back massage from hubby – Harriet; forgetting our anniversary – Betty. I’m just joking, of course – my husband would never forget our wedding anniversary. Ri-ight, honey?)

Don’t forget – both are Limited Edition and are available only while quantities last, so grab your little love Monster today! Click here to visit Monster Factory’s online store.

Without further ado, the winner is MariaGrazia! Congratulations!

Please send me an e-mail with your contact details so that I may have the prize sent to you right away. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and to Monster Factory!

Lena Loves… The Monster Factory’s Betty!

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How adorably angry is she?

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Monster Factory celebrates their newest addition – Betty! “When watching sentimental movies with her friends, Betty is the only one who doesn’t cry. Shes a realist.”

Ah, a monster after my own heart. For every single gal out there who is sick and tired of hearing their girlfriend’s account of “the most romantic Valentine’s Day ever” – here’s a monster who can not only sympathize, but has the guts to convey what she really thinks about cinnamon heart hell.

(Yes, I know, I’m married to the sweetest man in the world. But even he will tell you – I’m SO not the mushy type. Give me a new set of espresso cups over a dozen red roses any day.)

Betty, a hand-made studio edition plush monster, is in complete contrast to Monster Factory’s 2010 character, Harriet – a sweet, sensitive monster who wears her heart on her sleeve.

(Monster Factory is giving you the chance to win BOTH – just “Like” them on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them who you would give the Valentine’s Day monsters to and what makes that person special.)

I am LOVING Betty and believe she is the perfect un-gift for your girlfriends this Valentine’s Day! She’s not only for single gals – she’s for all ladies who have ever crossed paths with an emotionally challenged male. So, you know, every woman out there.


Betty is just $15 and is available from the Monster Factory’s online store and at their Toronto studio while quantities last.


The Monster Factory has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win Betty! (Value $15)

To enter, simply visit Monster Factory online and choose one other Monster whom you relate to most. Then, leave a comment here telling us who it is (don’t be shy!)

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 Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) Like Monster Factory on Facebook
(4) Follow Monster Factory on Twitter
(5) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/623ytat)
(6) You may Tweet daily.

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

Monster Factory… It’s One of A Kind!

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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!