REVIEW: Monster Workshop – Embri

Background

The folks at Monster Workshop (aka Stitches and Glue) state that their main goal is to help abandoned and abused monsters find a safe and caring home. They produce handmade plush monsters, usually in runs of about 10 pieces per design. And we were lucky enough to grab a hold of one of their special monsters – Embri - for this review.

Embri was amongst a group of monsters that were seized from a recent raid in a pet shop in Rotherham, where a secret basement was undercovered full of caged monsters to be used in the illicit fur trade. Embri suffered no real injuries other than being a little under fed.

Packaging

The packaging really starts with what your monster is mailed to you in. On the outside of the cardboard box, there are stickers aligned to look like a comic.

Inside, your monster is held in a bed of shredded brown paper. The plush then has a tag around its’ neck. Tied to a rope, the tag acts as a nametag as well as a certificate of authenticity.

The Figure

Embri stands approximately 9” tall and has a 20” wingspan. The plush has dark brown (almost black) faux fur and appears to have frosted its tips. The handmade figure has a wire armature inside that is encased in thin, dense foam. This allows you to bend the arms and pose it in a number of entertaining positions.

The plush monster has painted resin eyes, mouth and a small, decorative mole on his/her chest. Included along with your adopted plush are a bio sheet, an adoption certificate, a set of stickers and instructions on how to care for your new friend.

Our Opinion

The Monster Workshop line includes plushies of various colors, sizes and prices. Some have tongues. Some have teeth. Some have wire armatures. Some don’t. But all of them are handmade. And you can tell that a lot of work has gone into making them look like the quality products that they are.

It took a little while for me to realize that the plush line includes a wire armature that allows you to move and pose its’ arms. But that one addition opens up a range of possibilities for a plush. Instead of being a stationary piece, you can pose the monster and display the figure alongside your vinyl or 1:6 scale collection.

The character that we’re reviewing – Embri – is a good example of the unique line as a whole. He has soft faux fur, a well-stuffed body, a wire armature, and the resin accoutrements.

It’s also important to recognize the background story. These are abandoned and abused monsters in need of a caring home. It was inspired by the artist – Paul Vincett – seeing domestic animals living in cruel conditions. That’s why 5% of every Monster Workshop purchase goes to the RSPCA (Britain’s version of the US’s ASPCA).