Slugs on the doorstep, on the sidewalk, in the peonies- they are everywhere! It is June and seeing slugs around every corner is a little strange. Although, I am used to seeing a lot of slugs, I live in the northwest and there is always a pile of them keeping me company in my studio. But the slugs that hang out in the klt:studio are sweet and soft – not gooey and gross.
The klt:slug lovey was designed and created when Sayer was about 6 months old. It is the first plushie that I made for klt:works as a new mom. I watched what Sayer gravitated to, what he liked to feel, the shapes that fit nicely in his arms, and what seemed to comfort him. When thinking about what the critter should be, the shape and the area that we live in suggested strongly that it should be a slug. The slug lovies, or the “Gunks” as Sayer called them at first, have organic antennae with a knotted base -perfect for chewing. They are super soft and made with durable polartec fleece that those of us in the northwest, commonly wear year round. Sayer’s “Gunk”- now called “Conk”, has been washed hundreds of times. Sayer doesn’t really go anywhere without it. While his antennae are a bit lackluster now, they are still just as effective for chewing, sticking in his nose, putting between his toes, or as a general handle.
I was sort of getting a little grossed out by Conk and on Valentine’s Day, encouraged Sayer to pick out a shiny new friend for his Conk. I took him to the studio and let him pick from a big bin of slugs that I had recently made. He wanted nothing to do with it. He said that is Conk was all he wanted. Well, a few weeks ago, Sayer was in the studio with me and saw a new slug in the bin that he immediately snatched up and walked out with. It was a slug that I had made for a new project that I am working on. I was grateful that he wanted it actually- it gives me a chance to sneak Conk in for a bath (laundry) a little more often. Now Sayer takes both with him everywhere. He calls them “Double Conks”. I thought that one lovey was hard enough to keep track of – but now we have two to wrangle up before bed.
Yes, story time is a little crowded these days but I don’t mind one bit. It warms my heart to see how Sayer loves his little critters. It is a pretty gratifying feeling knowing that I made something that he loves and enjoys so much. He often lets me borrow the green double Conk and I have to say, I might just have to make an adult size soon. They are nice to sleep with – but Chris isn’t bad either. Did you have a favorite lovey from when you were a child? Do you still have it?
