And Tips To Keep Your Treasures Looking Beautiful Year After Year
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Anyone who collects handmade crochet items knows that the cost of these treasures can be pricey and the sentimental value is priceless.This why it is important to display them in a meaningful way that will best suit your collection. In this article I am giving you 10 ideas on how to display your collection along with tips on caring for your plushies to keep them looking beautiful year after year.
- Floating Shelves with Themes: Set up floating shelves and arrange your amigurumi plushie collection by themes, such as animals, fantasy characters, or holiday-specific plushies. This allows you to rotate displays for different seasons or occasions giving each of your treasures the spotlight for a season. This is a beautiful way to display a small portion of a collection and rotating them in and out through the different seasons means every item in your collection gets the spotlight without cluttering your space with everything at once.Â
- Hanging Wall Baskets: Use woven wall baskets to display plushies in a cozy, rustic way. You can hang multiple baskets at different heights for a dynamic look. You can put several plushies in one basket, again categorizing them into themes if you choose and by hanging them you keep them safe and allow for your space to remain uncluttered.
- Clear Acrylic Boxes: Display plushies in clear, stackable acrylic boxes to keep them protected while maintaining visibility. These work well for limited edition or delicate items keeping them safe and beautiful while giving them the spotlight for guests to admire.
- Shadow Boxes: Create themed shadow boxes with backgrounds and small props that match each amigurumi’s style. This creates a miniature scene for each plushie, like a personal diorama. If your space provides the room this can be a bold display of your collection or like with the floating shelves you can rotate the themes by seasons or holidays for a smaller space.
- Tiered Plant Stands: Use plant stands with tiers to create a vertical display for your amigurumi. The height variation adds visual interest and maximizes space giving you a way to showcase your collection without it taking over your space.
- Picture Ledge with String Lights: Set up picture ledges along a wall and add warm string lights around the edge for a soft glow around your collection. This idea is also great for limited edition plushies that you especially want to show off.
- Transparent Hanging Hammocks: Hang a small, netted or transparent hammock on a corner wall and arrange plushies for a whimsical, floating display. Using the near-invisible hammock to display your collection gives it a more mature look than the conventional white hammock we see in children’s rooms and it's an enchanting way to show off your treasures.
- Glass Display Case: For an elegant, dust-free option, a glass cabinet with multiple shelves provides a classic display, protecting your plushies while keeping them visible. Â This is a more expensive way to display your collection, however it ensures they do not collect dust or suffer any damage that would depreciate their value or beauty.
- Wall Hooks and Clips: For small or flat-backed amigurumi, attach them to decorative wall hooks or clips to create a gallery look. This adorable approach could over time create a feature wall in your home and become a conversation piece for guests.
- DIY Amigurumi Tree: Create a tree by hanging plushies on a branch mounted to the wall or on a sturdy tree-shaped stand. Perfect for holiday-themed amigurumi! Again, this is a simple solution to a large collection because you can rotate your collection giving them a season of the spotlight before storing them away until next year.Â
No matter how you display your collection, make it fun and imaginative. Whether you are a hard-core collector or the owner of a few cherished plushies, the ideas I have given you will give your amigurumi collection a space to be admired while not taking up the entire room.Â
Even though you carefully display your collection, these adorable little guys still need your attention from time to time to stay looking like they did the day you bought them. Here are some tips to keep your collection in pristine condition for years to come.
4. Tips for Keeping Your Crochet Plushie Collection Looking Great
- Dust Regularly: Use a small, soft-bristled brush or a lint roller to gently remove dust from plushies. Avoid using rough cloths, as they can snag the yarn. Letting dust build up over time can cause permanent damage from stains, so this should be done often.
- Spot Clean Stains: If your plushies gets stained, gently spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Never soak your plushies because this can cause distortion and bacteria to grow in the stuffing.
- Protect from Direct Sunlight: Keep plushies away from direct sunlight, as it can cause yarn colors to fade over time. Display away from windows and doors and when storing always wrap in bubble wrap and protect them from sunlight using a secure storage box.
- Store Away from Pets: Pets love soft, stuffed toys, so keep amigurumi out of reach to prevent accidental damage or chewing. Your beloved pet could mistake your collectible plushie for a chew toy and we know what that means.
- Use Cedar or Lavender for Protection: Store plushies with cedar or lavender sachets to repel moths and other pests without harsh chemicals. Moth balls are strong in odor and these natural repellents are just as effective.
- Rotate Your Display: To prevent any one plushie from being exposed to environmental factors for too long, consider rotating them periodically. Using one of the methods I talked about in the previous section is a great way to ensure that none of your plushies are left out all year while still giving each one the spotlight throughout the year.
- Reshape Stuffing if Needed: If a plushie loses shape, lightly massage or fluff the stuffing to bring it back to its original form. Avoid being too aggressive and gently reshape your beloved plushie.
- Avoid Harsh Cleaning Products: Stick to mild soaps or detergents when cleaning  plushies to avoid damaging delicate yarn or fading colors. Never treat with bleach as this causes the yarn to rot rapidly
- Repair Small Damages Quickly: If you notice loose stitches or small tears, fix them right away to prevent further damage. A simple needle and thread can save your plushies and extend their beauty.
- Handle with Clean Hands: Always wash your hands before handling plushies to avoid transferring oils or dirt onto the material and when allowing children to handle, teach them to do the same.
- Machine Washing Precautions: If machine washing is necessary, place the plushie in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle, using cold water and mild detergent. Air dry only. Never put your plushies in the dryer. Avoid machine washing, if possible, by utilizing the previous suggestions I’ve given and your plushies will be as beautiful as the day you purchased them for years to come. Â
Properly displaying and caring for your collection could mean preserving the unique beauty of your plushies and extending their longevity. This means your collection can bring joy to future generations. Often these treasures hold more sentimental value than monetary, and these methods can ensure your memories are preserved in these little crochet amigurumi plushies to pass down to whomever you want to share these memories with. Isn’t your collection and the sentimental value it holds for you worth the effort so that each one remains a treasure worth displaying?
As I conclude today's tips for keeping your collection beautiful, I want to encourage you to visit our website and take a look at our Surprise Mystery Plushie Boxes. We have a special collection of boxes for the New Year and our traditional Surprise Mystery Boxes as well. This is a great way to start a collection or add to the one you have already started. We choose your plushies for you, giving this an element of surprise that children love, and adults anticipate as they wait for their box to arrive. You will love what we pick for you and have so much fun unboxing your new treasures to reveal the surprise inside! Our Surprise Boxes have way more value than what you will pay and our senior artisan, Nathan Knightes creates your treasure with over 35 years' experience crocheting, ensuring you quality and value!
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Visit us at Collections – Little Luvin Stitches to get your surprise box now! Enjoy Free Shipping for boxes over $75.
And for the month of January only you can learn to crochet using one of our subscription boxes, Plushie Luv in a Box with live chat support for only $19.95. With a Plushie Luv subscription, every month you will receive an exclusive Little Luvin Stitches Plushie Luv in a Box filled with everything you need to create one of our beautiful custom designed mystery plushies. Beginners can learn to crochet along with us to build their very own crochet creature and build or add to your own amigurumi plushie collection. The box is valued at more than $50, so this is an incredible offer! Sign up below and receive an extra 10% off our special January offer making this the time to learn to crochet!
What you will get in your subscription box:
Video Tutorials for both right and left-handed crocheters
Written pattern with "pro tips"
Live Chat Support
Email Support
Crochet hook
Yarn
Stitch Marker of the Month (Exclusive to our club) retail value $5.00
By signing up for our newsletter, I will send you the link and password to a video tutorial where I will teach you six basic stitches to give you a head start on your crochet journey. The best way to learn is to jump right in! See you there!
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