The Build-a-Bear Workshop is wonderful!
Written: Mar 09 '01
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Pros: Creates great memories for everyone
Cons: The price can be a expensive!
The Bottom Line: The Build-a-Bear Workshop creates great memories for anyone that has the opportunity to make their own stuffed friend.
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| jessica1137's Full Review: Build-A-Bear Stuffed Bear |
I was first introduced to Build-A-Bear Workshop by my boyfriend. He wanted to do something special for me on our one-year anniversary. Ever since we got together, we have always tried to do things out of the ordinary, and for our one year anniversary, he took me to the Build-A-Bear Workshop. Going to the workshop was a complete surprise to me. I had never heard of such a place, so when we reached the front doors, I was socked. Everything in the store amazed me. It looked so cool, and it was wonderful. The Build-A-Bear Workshop. was so bright and amazing. After walking into the door of the store, we were greeted by a great employee that helped us during the entire process.
What is the Build-A-Bear Workshop?
Build-A-Bear Workshop is “the place where best friends are made.” The name of the store tells exactly what the store is; it is a teddy bear factory. A process is followed to build your brand new friend. This is great for children because it is just so cool! However, I know the first time that I made my very own stuff animal, I thought that it was so much fun! I recommend everyone to make his or her own stuff animal. Knowing that it was made by you, or a loved one, make it more special than any regular stuff animal that you could buy in a store.
What is the Process?
1. Choose the “skin” of the animal
The very first step that you will take is picking the kind of animal and the variety that you would like as your new friend. The only thing that is weird about this process is that it is just the “skin” and fur of the animal. You must understand that the animals do not have any stuffing in them yet.
There are so many varieties to choose from. Along with the many bears, there are also frogs, monkeys, cows, cats, dogs, ponies, bunnies, and turtles. Yes, they actually have a turtle. The reason that I am so excited about turtles is that my boyfriend’s favorite animal is a turtle. I have looked everywhere for turtles, but I can never find them! I finally found a turtle at the Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Animals range from $10 to about $25.
2. Choosing an optional voice to put into your friend
This is great if this animal is going to be for someone else. You have the option to putting in different sayings for an extra fee.
For an extra $3, you can choose a prerecorded voice saying either “I love you,” “Happy Birthday,” or “Happy Anniversary.” On the other hand, you can get a song such as “Happy Birthday” or a lullaby song.
For an extra $5, you can get a prerecorded voice saying 5 different sayings like “I love you,” “Will you play with me,” and “Will you be my friend?”
Or, for an extra $8, you can record your own voice saying whatever you like.
3. Choose a heart for your special friend.
There is not much to do here, only to choose if you would like a solid red heart or a stripped read and white heart. The only thing that is cool about this is that the heart has a bar code on it. If you were ever to lose your stuff animal, there is a record in the computer at the store that says that the animal belongs to you. So, if someone found your animal and returned it to the Build-A-Bear Workshop, the store employees will send it right back to you.
4. Time to stuff your friend.
Yes, that’s right, you stuff your own animal, with a little help from one of the employees. The employee will be holding the animal to the stuffing machine, but you are the person that is actually stuffing the animal. You will be instructed to push a pedal with your foot to stuff your animal. Once the animal is partially stuffed, you will place the voice box where you’d like it. You can place it in the arm, in the foot or anywhere.
When it is time to place the heart in your animal, the employee will instruct you to do a few silly things for good luck. The employees have told me to do different things, such as kiss the heart, rub it in my hands until it is warm, or turn around in circles for a certain amount of time. All of these things are done for good luck.
If you like your stuffed animals fluffy, they can do that for you. If you want your stuffed animal hard, they can do that. They will ask you your preference, and they will make sure that it is exactly what you want.
5. Stitching your friend up
Once your friend is filled all the way, your animal will need to be stitched up so that the stuffing will not come out. This is one of the two processes that you are not involved in. An employee will sit down and stitch your new friend up.
6. Time to groom your new friend.
This is the other time that you are not involved. An employee will take a brush to your animal and cut any hair that is not really needed on your animal. They usually go around the seams and make the animal look pretty or handsome.
7. Time to clean your friend up.
A table is made exactly for cleaning up your new friend. You place your new friend at the front of the tub and your friend is shot with air to clean out all of his or her loose hair. It is a lot of fun because the air is shot out so fast that your new friend is shot all over the table! I think one of the most fun things while making your new friend is this step!
8. Time to find the perfect clothing for your new friend
There is so much to choose from. There is career wear, casual wear, costumes, dresses, formal wear, pajamas, sports wear, sweaters and western wear. Anything that you can think of can probably be found at the Build-A-Bear Workshop.
The store even has college t-shirts and this was so wonderful when I found this out. I decided to go and make my boyfriend his own and I was able to find his school shirt. My boyfriend has so much college pride, and I actually found a shirt for the University of California—Berkeley for his teddy bear!
Prices for the full outfits range from about $7 to $15.
There are also accessories that you can find for your new friend. If you decided to make your new friend a girl, you can actually make her a princess by buying her a tiara. There are so many accessories to choose from. These accessories can range from $5 to $10.
9. Time to name your new friend and get his or her papers
Yes, you have to think of a name before you leave the store because you get a birth certificate for your new friend. The birth certificate lists the date of birth, the name of your new friend, the person whom he or she belongs to, height, weight, hair color, and eye color. You can also get the story of your new friend’s life, which is another cute thing to have. These records are free with the purchase of your new friend.
That’s it!!
Your new friend is complete. However, now it is time to pay for him or her. The price can only be $20 if you choose not cloth him or her, but most people will always add things to their friend. If you add a voice box, choose an outfit and an accessory, your new friend can come out costing $40-$50. That is a very expensive stuffed animal, but I believe that it is worth it. Having a handmade stuff animal is very special and will always hold some really great memories.
I recommend everyone with children to get one of these friends for their child. It is really great and it will be a great memory as a parent to watch their child make their own stuff animal. It is also a sweet gesture to make one of these cute animals with, or for your significant other. It is also a great way to remember significant times in your life, such as your first communion, your wedding, or when you played soccer. These hand made stuffed animals are great and I recommend everyone to get at least one!!
To find the nearest Build-A-Bear Workshop, go to www.buildabear.com . On the other hand, if you do not have a store near you, you can order one specifically for you on-line at the same address! Good luck with making your new friend!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 45
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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Epinions.com ID:
jessica1137
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Member: Jessica Martin
Location: San Gabriel, California - USA
Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 191 members
About Me:
Admission Counselor from Southern California - when do I have time to write?
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