Krystal Tomlinson first moved to Ohio to attend Kent State University. Though she was away from home in Pittsburgh, the unifying element was both regions’ adoration for pierogies.
“I came out here and everybody in Cleveland really loved their pierogies, too. I was like, All right, I feel like I’m at home,” Tomlinson says.
In December 2010, her Etsy shop, Live Dream Create was born. She has since sold hundreds of her felt kawaii pierogi plushies ($12).
Tomlinson sews each pierogi by hand with embroidery floss and uses eco-friendly felt made from recycled plastic bottles and nonallergenic polyester stuffing.
While Tomlinson has made other food plushies — think whimsical mushrooms or a colorful banana split — the simplicity of the pierogi begged for a face, leading Tomlinson to give each one glittering eyes and an irresistible smile.
With a loop stitched on them to double up as an ornament, these pierogies are particularly gobbled up during the holidays.
“At Christmas time, I can barely keep them in stock,” she says. “I’ll go to an event and I started putting them on this little silver tinsel tree that I bring for my display. I just cover it in pierogies, and it’ll be empty by the end of the day.” livedreamcreate.com
