Stuffed animals or art? You decide

I'm not sure what's causing it, but even as discount-store toys get more plastic and disappointing (or-eek!-moredangerous), there is an increasing blurring of the line between stuffed, toy-like art objects and really beautiful handmade dolls. I honestly don't know sometimes where one ends and the other begins, but I feel like maybe Ugly Dolls are at one end of the spectrum and Tamar Mogendorff's seahorses and pearls are at the other. (I, for one, have always been a devotee of Rockford Red Heel sock monkeys, but that's neither here nor there.) In any case, today on Craftzine (you know I love Craftzine!) I spotted a post about Cocoon Designs' sweater creatures, and oh my! They are nice. These two in particular are so reminiscent of Grimm's tales (or of the troll I imagined living under the bridge in Three Billy Goats Gruff), and simultaneously really well made and pretty. I like that their faces are expressive and their shapes unusual. They're made out of recycled sweaters, too, so: Eco-score. Now, they're not cheap, so maybe that puts them over at the Tamar end of the toy vs. art spectrum, but there are smaller, simpler (but still cute!) items available for $40-45, which is less than the cost of a Grand Theft Auto 4 game, and a small price to pay for encouraging creative play. Check out Cocoon Designs' Etsy shop for more photos; custom orders are also accepted.

Related links on Shine:
Have you heard? Craftzine is awesome
Tamar Mogendorff's bird houses are almost irresistible
D.i.y. projects are just as good as toys
What toys from your childhood do you wish you'd saved?