Smiley
Who is Smiley?
Smiley is a Build a Bear my Mom got me for the first day of Kindergarten. As you can tell, I was and continue to be bad at naming things. He clearly has smiley faces (and peace signs) all over him, and I went with the easiest choice. I found him in my closet recently, and I decided to free him from his prison and get him out. I also made him a necklace with his name. He was my first Build a Bear, and he's been with me ever since. He did have a speaker in his paw (which has migrated to his elbow), but I genuinely do not remember what it actually said. Anywho I thought it would be cute for when I graduate, I take a picture with him in a little graduation cap and gown. IDK. I thought it'd be cute. I've also been making him clothes. I found some Youtube Videos by Lixie Pig Crafts that go over how to make custom patterns for teddy bears. So far, I've made him a pink shirt and a blue butterfly button up. I plan on make more. I was thinking about making him a little high vis emotional support stuffed animal vest.
On this page, I intend to catalog the things I make for him and talk about what I have learned about the ESSA community as he probably deserves that title the most out of my stuffed animals. He has, as you can see, been with me the longest, and I'm forcing him to join me in being trans.
What is an ESSA?
An ESSA, or an emotional support stuffed animal, is exactly what it sounds like! It is a stuffed animal or plushie of some sort that a person of any age carries for emotional support. This can be in stressful situations or just on everyday outings. I came across the online ESSA community recently, and I am both intrigued and confused. I am glas that there is a group out there trying to normalize support objects so that I don't look like a total freak carrying my stuffed animals. On the other hand, I am baffled that there is apparently drama over stuffed animal brands, species, and gear. Like, people have been arguing that it isn't an ESSA if it isn't from the Douglas brand. Guys. It is a stuffed animal. The term isn't emotional support Douglas, is it? Anywho, I enjoy lookin at other people's stuffed animals and seeing the love that goes into making clothes, vests, pins, keychains, kandi, and other gear for their stuffed animals.