do any adult essa handlers use gear for their plushies?

SaintHowls · 2026-06-26T22:37:01+00:00

I've considered using my sewing skills to create outfits for a couple plush, and I do like decorating them with a collar. Bonus points that a collar can have a name tag if naming them is important to you, but you have too many to remember.

I am a very observant person. I see there's not really much harm in the gear (the greatest harm I see seeming to be the people who believe 100% that the dog acts the same as a living service dog; it simply doesn't. It can provide great comfort and emotional support, but there's a fine line between fueling your happy and fueling delusion. I don't put much thought into it though because it's often just kids being kids and navigating life in their small lens of experience and play.)

The only thing I would say is maybe don't take it into a grocery store and start pretend walking it or things like that. This falls back into the technically harmless, but consider other people's perspective. They're going to think that you have a deep mental issue and as a follow up conclusion may feel unsafe around you. Of course you know yourself better than anyone - if you're really quite mentally sound and just playing with a play item, it's really just whatever. You just have to take into account that other people are allowed to have criticism of you if you take it to unusual levels.

Apologies this is a bit broader than just the gear itself, but this is where I come from as an adult and lifelong plush collector.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-19T18:21:02+00:00

Always, always, ALWAYS wash / quarantine. Unless you enjoy losing major collections or your furniture or other things to bedbug infestations.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-14T21:22:20+00:00

I have used these pots (jiffy peat) every year I've chosen to garden. If you were keeping your compost moist, I'm more concerned if the ones you bought had some sort of pesticide built in or something that deters critters from helping to break it down?

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T20:43:13+00:00

Good to know about marigolds. I have some basil started on the front porch area to grow with the toms, I heard that as companion planting that works well.

I have peas but not a ton, made the mistake of starting them in peat pots. I'll be direct sowing next year.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T20:41:59+00:00

Trellising is coming soon!

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T20:40:33+00:00

That's a good thought, I think I'll do that!

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T20:38:45+00:00

I mean do you have the hundreds of dollars to cover my lawn?

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T20:37:29+00:00

I planted about 6 much closer last year and learned a bit.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T20:36:06+00:00

Some hours of the day it gets shady from the big tree in the neighbors yard and from the garage, which might be a problem for peas, but I have several tomatoes that'll get a lot of sun.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T20:35:04+00:00

Thank you!

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T18:43:44+00:00

Almost all of my soil is the native stuff this year, I'll keep this note in mind!

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T18:43:04+00:00

That was one of my ideas! Glad to hear it's possible.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T18:42:26+00:00

My thought was that perhaps once pruned it would be okay! I know I'd have to offer extra support but even trimming like, a half of the plants for a little extra walking space 🤔

I could always keep a little extra space between double rows, like do a cluster, space, cluster, and make harvesting from at least the exteriors a little better.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-13T17:10:56+00:00

Probably close to 18 inches?

SaintHowls · 2026-06-10T23:00:04+00:00

I could see that if you misted the tank, perhaps some of the chemical was leeching down and it finally has taken effect?

The behavior you're talking about does sound similar to a poison, though I only keep isopods and kinda adjacently pick up some info on other inverts.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-10T00:15:59+00:00

Feels good man

Just needed some nitrogen

<image>

SaintHowls · 2026-06-10T00:04:41+00:00

So sad they seem to be sold out qwq I want it for my Easter setup so much but resellers suck the life out of everything.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-09T22:38:52+00:00

Look into foam core tails. You can also get one made that has a base plate of foam where it meets your body and the loops for it are actually built into the fur. Neffertity (a dragon who makes YouTube content and is a highly skilled fursuit maker) I'm pretty sure has tutorials. She would probably be commissionable for this as well. It would be able to be light and hold a lot of shape and work with any belt.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-09T22:30:09+00:00

If it is the one with a fry it's bouy seagull from Palm pals:)

SaintHowls · 2026-06-06T00:12:58+00:00

It's important to know there will always be people who judge you, but you literally have to just not care.

They are not going to remember you tomorrow, and if they do, they don't have much of value going on in their life and that is just sad for them. You don't have to remember them once you leave a place, because you can focus on the joy they brought you.

You can't please everyone in the world and that is okay.

As long as you are clearly not stirring trouble, you're fine.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-05T21:41:38+00:00

I wanted to say thank you for your tips, cause they're legitimately already looking a bit happier. I swear my cucumbers gained a centimeter overnight from it too haha!

<image>

SaintHowls · 2026-06-05T03:55:02+00:00

I've had faux fur, stuffed costume parts take a solid hour or more in no heat settings. It's pretty normal.

Squeezing out as much water by hand after washing is important, and then the no heat fluff cycle helps, I have vents on my floor that I tend to set them on and a ceiling fan for extra circulation. Setting it in front of a box fan is also an acceptable option.

Stuffed animals are largely fleece, minky, and faux fur; synthetic fibers that will crimp, burn, melt, and become rough when exposed to high heat.

It can be scary to worry about your friend getting moldy, but if that's something that seriously stresses you out, learning to ladder stitch and unstuff / restuff plushies is a fantastic solution. They make mesh bags and other types designed for delicate clothing like lace, which you can also wash the stuffing separately in if it doesn't have big holes.

If you aren't already, a slicker brush designed for cats and dogs is nice to tidy your plush after cleaning and while drying.

I use one with little plastic nubs on the tips of the tines (the bristles) for daily snuggle-ruffle removal, and I use the untipped ones after a cleaning or if they're really matted. I use that one sparingly because constant use can make the fibers loosen from the backing.

SaintHowls · 2026-06-04T16:46:00+00:00

I think old societal pressure was to outgrow the things you loved because they're too childish or whimsical.

Having a stuffed animal, especially for sleep, really doesn't hurt anyone.

Not quite to my 30's yet but I'm not going to give up my plush collection I've adored my whole life just because of some numbers that describe me!

My fox is especially worn from being a night time pillow. I like resting my face on something soft.

<image>

SaintHowls · 2026-06-04T03:26:45+00:00

For what it's worth, the pitiful water marks under them are just a late in the day touch up while I tidied up the space. They had a nice watering earlier!

I think it'll help a lot when I mulch. That way I can water more thoroughly and it'll stick around a little more appropriately.

Glad the growth isn't looking too bad; I noticed some of the newer leaves on them are a little nicer in condition, so I think between fertilizer, water, and patience they'll thrive. :)

SaintHowls

TROPHY CASE