So whatcha wanna know? You can find general info in our faq section, or keep reading for specific information about who makes all of this stuff.

Shawnimals was started as a hobby 2001 with one simple goal – to bring people together by way of strange yet cute artist-made stuffed creatures and other fun items. It's what Shawnimals was founded on, and now years later as a full-fledged company, it's what we believe in today. Now Shawnimals is breaking into video games, comic books, apparel, collectible vinyls, lifestyle accessories and more!

Shawnimals is...

Shawnimal Smith - Owner, Creator, Maker, Writer, Web fellow and more
Jennifer Brody - Production Coordinator, Stuffer, Seamstress, Shipper and more
Rhoderick M. - Awesome, Sound Engineerist, Jam Sessionist
Monte S. - Also awesome, Pro Illustratorist, Bringer of Salsa & Chips
Eric U. - Designer, Lentil and Rice Inhaler, Dunkin Donuts lover, Super Fungoist
Our Workshop - Production facility, fabric storage house, secret lair
Intern McHelpy - Part time helper, Assistant, Hard Worker

about shawnimal smith

Shawn Smith was born in Joliet, IL in 1975. Back then he was interested in G.I. Joe, Kermit the Frog, drawing pictures and playing video games. In fact, he still is! Shawn started Shawnimals after becoming disenchanted with the droves of sketchbooks he had lying around, with characters that may not have been used otherwise. "Why not make plush versions of these simple-shaped characters?"

Shawn's quick history: He worked at Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine from 1995 - 2000 as a video game and gaming hardware reviewer. He decided to go back to school to study art. It was there Shawnimals were born – in a town called Normal, IL.

Shawn is interested in all areas of art, but is currently most interested in character-based art in its many forms (plush, drawings, vinyl, etc).

about jennifer brody

Jen Brody was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago,
Illinois. As a child she could usually be found with
either a pencil, marker or pair of scissors in hand and was
always making some sort of creation.

In 2001 she went back to school (like Rodney Dangerfield) to
finish her degree. It was at Illinois State University that
she met up with future husband, Shawnimals creator /
co-conspirator, Shawn Smith.

Together, Shawn and Jen turned Shawnimals from a fun hobby/college art project in 2001 into a full-fledged, honest-to-goodness (yet still fun) business they continue to run together.

Interested in art since birth or so, Jen is also a painter, as well as the Shawnimals co-seamstress, bookworm, lover of all animals, eater of anything with sugar, and all around nice person.

about our design studio

We have a blast designing new characters, products and other merchandise, and making artwork in our Chicago-based headquarters in Logan Square / Bucktown. The windy city has been good to us, and we love it. The cold, the sausages, the good friends.

In addition to some manufactured plush, some Shawnimals are artist-made. Those Shawnimals that are made in-house will often be part of a limited edition series, or, in most cases, feature our unique hand stitched seem where they're stuffed. If you're curious if the Shawnimal you have is handmade or not, look for this black stitching, or contact us.

who else makes this happen?

Truth be told, the Shawnimals make themselves. No, wait... that would be insane. Actually we have a talented team of interns that help us immensely with everything from inventory management, to manufacturing to hanging out playing Nintendo. We call them interns, we call them part-timers, we call them friends, but we don't call them slave labor!

As for the manufactured line, those are made overseas by talented plush-making peoples. Kudos to the whole team over there!

In addition to these fine folks, there's a long list of people who have helped us over the years in so many ways. Web help, manufacturing help, business help, moral support, you name it. Family, friends and many, many others. Thank you!

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