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Thursday, September 1, 2005
Hi, I ran across your web site and wanted to find out if it would be possible to get a replica of a plush chicken made. I don't know if it can be done or not. I have attached an old picture which shows what the chicken looks like. I may be able to get more pictures if needed, but this should give you an idea of what I am looking for. (This is a replacement for a friend who lost her favorite toy from when she was a kid).
Let me know, Thanks. Luis

Thursday, September 1, 2005
Hello Luis: Thank you for visiting my website. It appears from the photo that this animal had "long pile" fake fur. I do not have any of that color in stock...the only yellow fake fur I have is "short pile" such as I used on the 1950's duck. I won't be driving into Madison for at least a week or two, but I will look at the fabric stores then if you wish. If I can locate a source, I definitely would need to see more photos of this toy in order to try to replicate it accurately. Can you give me an estimate as to how big the chicken was from top of head to base?
Susan

Thursday, September 1, 2005
Hi Susan, Thanks for your quick response. I'm guessing the plush chicken was about 15 inches tall. If you would be able to locate the fabric, do you know how long it would take to make the chicken? I am curious, because if I am going to have this made, I would need it by October 8th. (so it's just like over 5 weeks from now). Would you be able to order the fabric from somewhere and have them ship it to you to get it done quicker? I would of course pay for any extra charge this would entail. Thanks for your time.
Luis

Thursday, September 1, 2005
Hi Again: I do have other special order items on the work schedule; but I guess this would be okay to sneak in IF I can get the fabric. There is no way that I would just order long pile fake fur and have it shipped without seeing it first...quality is a big factor in the different manufacturers and what I consider

long pile might not be what the store clerk thinks it is...Where would this item need to be shipped? If it is in the United States, I can usually get it to the customer within a 5 days of receipt of payment. I will try to get to Madison within the week and see if I can find this fabric...no promises right now. I know I recently saw long pile pink; I have long pile white; but I don't recall yellow. Let me know where this would have to ship right away and be sure to send more photos as soon as you can...I might be able to get this on the schedule for September IF I CAN FIND THE FABRIC.

Thursday, September 1, 2005
I checked, but unfortunately I can not get any more pictures (don't have any). I figure the chicken body would pretty much be like the 1950 duck, with the exception of the neck. The chickens neck doesn't look like it curves back as much as the duck's does and it also looks to be thicker. But the rest of the body, tail, and wings would be similar. I think I would want this chicken to be 12 inches tall and not 15 like in the previous e-mail. (I know trying to get an exact replica of the original will be difficult with only the one picture, but getting it as close as possible would be fine with me) It would be shipped to the US. I understand everything would be contingent on you being able to get the yellow long pile material, but if you are able to get it, this is definitely something I would love to get done. I know my friend would just fall to pieces getting this chicken as a birthday gift. I could also send payment as soon as you need me to.
Thanks, Luis

Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Hello Luis, We have the most incredible luck! I made a trip to a town 15 miles from here looking for several specialty items for two other special orders and found the most incredibly soft long yellow plush! It just came in to the fabric store, and this is the first that the store clerk has seen...recently manufactured. It is not a standard "plush" like I ususally use on stuffed animals but it LOOKS JUST LIKE YOUR CHICKEN! The cost was $13. It will be a bit tricky to use as it will need to be lined since it is stretchy, but I can do it. The cost to you for this chicken will be $28 plus shipping. If you accept this quote, let me know as I will put it on the work schedule right away to get it done and delivered in time for the birthday October 8th..
Susan

Tuesday, September 06, 2005
I do accept the quote, to be honest, I figured it would of cost more than that. Just to go over two small details on the chicken: 1- I can't really tell what color the chickens eyes are, but if you have blue eyes that look like the ones on your 1950's duck, that would be great. (blue is her favorite color, but any color will be fine if that isn't available). 2- The beak in the picture of the chicken looks like it is open (two parts; top and bottom). Can this be done, or will the beak be one piece like the 1950's duck? Again, I am looking to get it to look as similar as is possible. I would gladly pay for any extra charge these details would cost. Let me know how you would like me to pay and I'll send you the payment right away. I can do check, money order, Pay Pal, etc.. I can pay any way you prefer. Thanks again for everything!!

Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Hello Luis; I do have blue eyes with an inner black spot, like the duck. I probably will use orange felt for the legs/feet (which I will have to design as the pattern I'm using does not have feet) and for an open-mouth beak. I will work on the chicken starting today and I'll let you know when it's done.
Susan

Friday, September 09, 2005
Hello Luis: Please let me know the shipping address for the chicken so I can get the cost of shipping. The chicken turned out very well and as soon as I find out the cost of shipping, I will let you know the total cost; then you can send payment through Pay Pal. They will notify me when the money has been transferred to my account and I usually ship the package the same day or the next.
Susan

Saturday, September 10, 2005
Hi Luis: Priority Mail Shipping will cost $5.05 plus $28 for the special order, for a total of $33.05. When PayPal has informed me that money has been transferred to my account from you, I will take this to the Post Office. (Of course this being Saturday afternoon, that won't happen till Monday morning) I do hope you like the chicken. It is very soft and cuddly, and I hope it is similar enough to that photo to please your friend. May I use that photo on my website when I put the chicken under stuffed animals sold? Please let me now if you are satisfied, and "rate" me with Pay Pal.
Susan

Monday, September 12, 2005
I just sent the payment, so you should have it. Let me know if you don't for some reason. Did you want to use the whole photo or just the part with the chicken? When my girlfriend sent me that picture, she made me promise not to show it to anyone, (I'm not sure how she would feel seeing it online). If you want to cut the picture so that the baby's head isn't showing so you can only see the lower portion with the chicken, that would be fine.. After I give her the chicken on October 9th, I'll ask her if it's ok for you to put up the whole picture. I just don't want to get in trouble with her.. lol....
Thanks again, Luis

Monday, September 12, 2005
Good Morning Luis: That precious baby has got to be one beautiful lady now! Those big brown eyes and dark hair.... But I will tell my daughter to hold off on using the full photo unless you email back with an okay. The fabric is extremely soft, but it was not an easy project after all...the fabric kept stretching and I had to rework it several times to get it look just right...like a big yellow chick! Please let me know how you like it. You will have it before the week is done. This "chick" will not be offered on the regular stuffed animal page but will probably be shown as a special order done.
Thanks for the order. Susan

Monday, September 12, 2005
Wow, you really were able to describe her as she looks today from just that baby picture. I've included a photo of the two of us so you can see how accurate your description was. Don't rush to get it to the post office, I'm sure I'll get it in plenty of time.
Luis

Thursday, September 15, 2005
Hi Luis: The chicken was taken to the post office this morning and you should have it in 3 to 5 days. Thank you for the order. I will be anxious to hear back from you regarding this animal...and please let me know your girlfriend's reaction too!
Best of luck, Susan

Sunday, September 25, 2005
Luis: Are you satisfied with the chicken? Were there any problems with the shipment/package? Can't do much right now with sewing...doc said 4 to 6 months rehab, but I can do a bit of hand sewing, so I'm sure I'll be back at it sooner that he thought for sewing even if I can't earn money with the school bus driving. Anxious to hear about this special order.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Hi Susan, The Chicken is great. I have yet to give it to her (she will receive it on her birthday, October 9th). I'll make sure to keep you updated on her reaction.
Talk to you soon, Luis

Monday, October 10, 2005
Hi Susan, Just wanted to let you know that Kali absolutely loved the stuffed chicken. Thanks again for everything!!!! I asked her if it was ok to put the picture up on the web site, and she would rather it not be posted. (She feels funny about people seeing that picture of her. If you want to edit the picture so that it only shows the chicken, she would be fine with that.
Thanks again, Luis