Hug a Ghouls

Aim

Huggable stuffed creatures, made from recycled materials. Spreading joy with quirky characters and giving back to animal charities.

The idea for Hug a Ghouls came a few years ago when as gifts I made fun stuffed animals for friends. The more I gifted, the more people asked if I could make them a ghoulish friend. At that point, I decided to turn Hug a Ghouls into a business and I went on to create the current range of Hug A Ghouls. All ghouls have soft pockets inside making them extra 'huggable'. So far I have been making them from fabric cut off's and stuffing that would have otherwise been discarded as waste from costume production. I am currently researching sustainable fabrics made from plant based fibres and my aim is to use only eco friendly and vegetarian materials including faux fur, leatherette and stuffing. 

As a business, I am endeavouring to promote sustainable production methods; hand making them to order, as well as aiming to donate 10% profits to animal charities, supporting the real endangered animals that were the inspiration behind their ghoulish counterparts.

(A Christmassy family portrait showing the current Hug A Ghoul range.)

With your donations and pledges I would:

• Invest into a new sewing machine to help speed up manufacturing

• Invest into more sustainable materials

• Create custom packaging for shipping

• Build relationships with shops and markets that could sell Ghouls in store

• Increase awareness of the brand, building the audience before the store officially opens

Born in Estonia, I moved to London in 2008, where I studied Costume Interpretation for Theatre and Film at Wimbledon College of Arts. Since graduating I have been making mascots, dance costumes, dresses, props and puppets for stage, screen and other events. I have a distinctive style and I like making unique items that aren't available elsewhere.

(Sewing together a label with the Hug a Ghouls logo, these logos feature inside the pockets of each ghoul.)

The current range features 5 ghoulish friends:

Pirat

This rat has been sailing the seas for as long as he can remember. With his long tail and pointy nose, he is sure to make anyone squeak with excitement.

Zombee

This bee got bitten and now he's flying around looking for some brains! With his colourful wings and stripy belly, friends and family will be buzzing with excitement for this fluffy creature.

Lampire

This little lamb is a true creature of the night. Dressing in a long satin cape with fluffy fur and floppy ears, he is one tasty treat.

Penguinstein

This little creature is patched up from different body parts. He's fluffy, soft and sure to give that special someone chills when he turns up in their bed.

Skeletuna

The little fish has been out of the water for far too long. His soft edges and cuddly belly make him a great choice for young children, who are certain to make friends with him in a splash.

This project successfully funded on 30th March 2020