Igor and irina Vnukov)

Amazing Animal Artistry

by Pam North

Igor and Irina Vnukov live in Ukraine together with their two sons, Yaroslav (11 years old) and Daniil (15 years old), and also share their home with two Yorkshire Terriers, a parrot, and three cats. The Vnukov family have been engaged in toy making for 18 years. Igor previously worked in interior design, but he always had dreamed of having a common business enterprise together with his wife. At first it was just a hobby, but their shared hobby of creating toys together gradually became their main occupation, and now it has eolved into their life's work. “We complement each other perfectly,” Igor commented, “I design patterns, construct toy frames, and assemble them, while Irina sews, decorates, and adds finishing touches before I do the photography.”

They learned as they went along, at first making mistakes, but using those to gain experoence and skills. Their very first toy, which was a teddy bear, was created in 2012, and it immediately found a purchaser in their city of Kharkov. Their toys are made of high-quality synthetic fur, with glass eyes, a poseable framework, and are airbrushed with special paints to achieve a remarkable degree of realistic shading. They create a wide and diverse spectrum of animals to order: various breeds of cats and dogs, deer, bunnies, bears, guinea pigs, pandas, mice, wolves, lions, pigs, chickens, tigers, snow leopards, chipmunks, hamsters, cows, red pandas. opossums, and sloths. Working primarily from photos and from sketches of animals, and using a variety of sewing techniques they capture the essence and character of each animal. yet also manage to imbue it with their own unique style. “Our artistic journey involved learning on the go, making mistakes, and honing our skills over the years. With time, we have consistently improved, finding new ways to add charm to our toys.”

“The most difficult part about what we do is to find the right approach that captures what the customer expects when we create custom toys for them, and still remains true to our unique style and the spirit of the animal,” Igor explained. “Our creative work demands much effort and time, but each stage - from creating patterns to completing the photoshoot - brings us joy and satisfaction. Seeing smiles on our customers' faces when they receive their unique plush friends fills us with happiness.”

The Vnukovs now have a large bright and spacious workshop, which Igor established himself two years ago. It started from a small table in their bedroom and gradually expanded into a large room where each of them has a big table, and there's an enormous cabinet filled with various furs and materials. It's their cozy corner where they can bring their ideas to life in arelaxed atmosphere. “Surrounded by our works, materials, and tools, we bring our most cherished dreams to reality. It's a place where we spend countless hours, and every nook is a source of inspiration and love for creativity,” Igor expained.

They merchandise their unique pieces on platforms like Etsy, BearPile, and Tedsby, and also maintain a presence on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, trying to reach a wider audience. While we don't offer formal training, we do accept custom orders based on photos of animals or clients' sketches.
The most challenging aspect of our work is understanding clients' expectations to create a truly personalized toy. We also enjoy crafting new designs, even if it takes time to achieve the desired result.
In addition to making special orders for cusromers, they also sell their animals on each of several online shps: Etsy, BearPile, and Tedsby. 

The couple have been forced to move to another city in Ukraine due to the war that is presently going on with Russia. They both are from the city of Kharkiv, which is a front-line city where hostilities are being fought, and they still cannot return home. “Despite the challenging period in our country due to the ongoing war lasting for one and a half years, as residents of Kharkiv, bordering the aggressor and facing rocket and drone attacks, we feel joy and gratitude for the opportunity to continue creating our toys. During these times of fear and uncertainty, our creative process becomes a source of inspiration and strengthens our inner unity. Our creative work has become not only an escape from the burdens of war but also a way to show the world that nothing can stop us. Finding meaning in every detail, we create little masterpieces that bring joy not only to us but also to others around us. Inspiration for our work comes from the surrounding world, nature, literature, art, and, of course, from our clients and their unique requests.”

They continue to develop and improve their toys, putting their heart and soul into each of their creations. 

Constantly seeking ways to improve our craftsmanship, we stay up-to-date with new techniques and materials. We attend exhibitions and workshops, exchange experiences with fellow artists and toy masters. This ongoing process of learning and development helps us grow and to infuse our works with something special that captures the attention and delights our customers. The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing our toys bring joy to our customers, finding their homes, and making people happy. We often receive orders for pets that have sadly passed away, and we strive to create the most accurate resemblances.

“We take pride in our unique toys, each with its own story and soul. We always strive to make our plush creations as realistic as possible, infusing them with emotional depth. In each toy, a part of our soul is embedded, and we hope that it's felt by everyone who holds our creations. Our toys are not just entertainment items; they embody hope and faith in a brighter future. Each toy we create is an act of resistance, proving our strength and ability to overcome difficulties. During the process of creation, we overcome fear and worries, immersing ourselves in the world of creativity.”

We believe that art will always be appreciated and admired. The world will always need unique ideas and creativity, and we hope to continue delighting people with our toys for many years to come. Looking ahead, we believe that people will always value unique and handmade creations, and our art will find its admirers in this world. 
We are thankful to everyone who supports us on our creative journey, and we promise that each new work will continue to reflect our dedication and love for what we do.we see ourselves continuing to develop and improve our toys, attracting new customers, and expanding our range. 

“Our story is a story of love, collaboration, growth, and moments of wonder. We never cease to be amazed at how our shared endeavor has transformed our lives, becoming a source of harmony and joy for us and many others. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our art, and hope that our toys will always bring joy to our customers.”

Links to their stores are: https://www.etsy.com/shop/,
   https://www.bearpile.com/teddiktoys , and teddiktoys.