“And Max, the king of all wild things, was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all.” – Where the Wild Things Are
Meghan Ashmen of Little Wilders understands that we need to let kids be little. “Little Wilders means living in the day, embracing the wildness of tiny humans, and allowing them to have fun, be creative and learn about things around them,” explained Ashmen. “I named my shop after my little girl, who is quite the wild child at just 1 year old, but as a mama, I have learned that you need to embrace each day and live it to the fullest. One day, they may not be so little and not so wild anymore.”
North Carolina-based Little Wilders is a newbie and I love discovering new small shops. Ashmen officially launched in January this year, focusing on minky plushes and loveys for little hands. “It is always difficult to start a new shop, whether it is finding your own style or learning to market or just picking a name for your business,” she shared. “I have found it difficult to market myself and connect with my customers, but I am starting to learn how to do that. I believe it just takes time to really establish yourself in the lovey community.” The shop has already gained a growing following with small shoppers who appreciate her tasty ideas. “I think since I have been doing a lot of food plushies recently that has made Little Wilders a little different and unique to the lovey world.” Ashmen has released limited collections of colorful beverages, marshmallows, pie slices, toaster pastries, fruit and vegetables of almost every variety, popsicles and sushi rolls. “Oh, please don’t go—we’ll eat you up—we love you so!”
The shop also recently dropped precious little ladybugs, bumble bees, moons, clouds and rainbows to brighten any nursery or playroom. “I love bright colors, so I try to pick colors that I love most because it helps me inspire myself to create more. I also love looking at my daughter’s children books. I find such awesome inspirations because most of her books are filled with colors,” she said. Most of the Little Wilders plushes range in size from about 3.25 inches to a little over 7 inches and Ashmen prefers to use “minky fabric, especially the rosette style” to handcraft her designs. “I love being able to draw up ideas and then see the finished product next to my sketches,” she exclaimed. “It is always so fun when I get to see it truly take shape and become a plushie when it once was just a drawing in my sketch book.”
Ashmen is currently working on “Hubby Helps,” a line of more masculine plushes with design input from her husband (obviously), and she often consults with the members of her VIP Facebook group for feedback on designs, product names, giveaways and future releases. Join the “wild rumpus” in the Little Wilders Facebook group here and view photos of all the new minky creations on the shop’s website.
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