Apple Whimseys, Inc. was a company of seven women artisans who designed, assembled, decorated and produced collectible plush animals costumed as historical characters and seasonal personalities. To aid in this process, they employed a seamstress as well.

The ladys at Apple Whimseys, Inc. began business around 1974. Their designs were clever, creative and usually very ornate, using some of the finest materials available.

The dolls were exquisitely made from a fairly elaborate process. A wire frame formed the body of the doll and the wire legs were inserted into molds containing wet plaster of Paris, which when dry, comprised the feet and calves of the form. This “skeleton” was then allowed to dry and was wrapped in batting, padded and sculpted to form the body. The head and paws were then added and the doll was dressed in fine fabrics, furs, feathers and other appropriate materials to replicate the character they wished to create, be it Santa Claus or George Washington. Most of their designs were bears and bunnies, but they also made other animals including raccoons, hedgehogs, bulls and many others.

In 2002, the ladies decided to close the business. Cindy Teyro, the grand poo-bah and master designer for the company decided to follow a life-long dream and began a new ceramics business. She travels the country doing shows but also has a website. Lita Gates decided to move from New York to California in order to spend all her time with her new grand baby. I have contacted Cindy and expressed my love of their creations.

I personally own almost 60 of their creations. In the beginning the faces were made from dried apple cores, thus the name “Apple Whimsey”. I have a few of these early ones which show the evolution over the years and how they improved their designs. I am always on the look-out for new and different ones to add to the collection. My favorites are the ones with the elaborate accessories whether it is a mail box, sled, scooter, etc. My recent conquest was a 4-piece Nativity set, which when made in 1998, caused quite a stir with the Catholic community.

I feel I know an awful lot about the Apple Whimsey creations. If you have any questions, please contact me and I’ll try to answer your questions. I have also been instrumental in adopting broken or damaged pieces and restoring them to their original or ‘what I think was their original’ look.