Background
Artist Leah Moses has created a series of handmade plush toys called Yumyos. A Yumyo is a little “hug-monster” that's ventured from the Planet Yumyon.
Yumyos are happy little creatures. They are soft and cuddly and more than anything they want to be your friend. Each Yumyo comes with a lifetime supply of hugs.
There are several different versions of Yumyos available via Leah's Etsy Shop: Giant, Giant Yeti, Overlord, Mini, Meep, Jumbo, Squid, and Jelly. We'll be taking a look at the Yumyo Mini.
The Facts
Yumyo – Mini Pink
Manufacturer: Yumyo
Artist: Leah Moses
Material: Plush - Fleece
Dimensions: 3.5” tall by 7” wide
Pricing: $15.00
Our Opinion
When I review toys, I often let them sit on the end table next to my chair in the family room. This gives me time to form a solid opinion over several days...usually while I'm watching bad 80's movies.
Why do I mention this? Well, my two-and-a-half year old son picked up the Mini Yumyo and says “I like this movie! He was in that spaceship.” I'm not really sure what he's talking about. Maybe it reminds him of WALL-E's friend EVE or the Minions from Despicable Me.
I actually thought that the Yumyo's arms were actually really large ears. So I had been think that (combined with the pink color) gave it a little pig vibe. It's like the old lady/beautiful girl optical illusion photo that I'm sure everyone has seen. If I focus on them being arms...I get a completely different character.
The only reason I know the background story (and that they're arms the Yumyo uses to hug) is that Leah has created a Yumyo book. Hugmonsters of Yumyon is a 22-page long self-made publication featuring hand drawn text and black and white illustrations. There are two eyes stuck to the front and back covers and four cover colors available to choose from. The book is well put together and gives the plush toy a little more personality. It can be purchased separately for $5.00.
The book is helpful as the plush Yumyo doesn't have much of a background story included with it. The only tag to speak of is a small, sewn-on tag that features the Yumyo logo and artist's name. The stitching is fine for a handmade plush, with maybe just a little too much stuffing in the arms. Also to note, the eyes are glued, not sewn, on.
I like the Yumyo Mini...but it's a little small to justify the $15.00 price. I understand that they're handmade (and handmade well). But I would have estimated somewhere in the $5.00 to $10.00 range, when you consider the lack of complexity and the limited amount of materials used. Now if each Yumyo included the book – giving it some background reference – I would believe that to be fair price point.
Pick one up at the following:
Yumyo Etsy Shop: $15.00 each
Thanks for reviewing the Yumyos! Just to clarify, they’re not just hand-made, they’re hand-stitched. I don’t use a sewing machine at all, hence the higher price point. Thanks again for sharing my little creatures!
I love my YumYo! Good to see it getting some press!
I think the $15.00 price is completely reasonable for the creation called the Yumyo Mini. Do you sew by hand? It is a lot of work and these creatures are so consistently delightful. I have my own collection at home of Yumyos in different sizes, colors, and versions.
I agree with Marilyn. I also think that Leah Moses has done a wonderful job of marketing. Here in the Pioneer Valley her creations are well known. Attend one of her shows and you will see how creatively she displays her Yumyos. It is hard to decide which one you will take home with you!
My 6 month old loves his Yumyo! The arms are hard enough that he can chew on them with his poor teething gums. Amazingly this hand stitched toy has held up to his gnawing, and I think this toy will hold up for years of love and hugs! Condsidering the mass-produced Sophie le Giraffe is $25 I think $15 is a bargain!