Frequently Asked Questions
What are UgLees made out of?
Muslin, polyfill, floss, acrylic paint, dimensional paint, and a protective sealer create every UgLee.
Sometimes I add things like colorful wire, colored floss, felt, glitter, wool, fur trim, and anything else I can get my hands on.
Muslin, polyfill, floss, acrylic paint, dimensional paint, and a protective sealer create every UgLee.
Sometimes I add things like colorful wire, colored floss, felt, glitter, wool, fur trim, and anything else I can get my hands on.
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How long does it take to make an Uglee?
The quick and dirty answer to this question is a freakin' long time!
In general, it takes me 12 - 18 hours complete each character. This number does not include everything that happens afterward, like writing their story, taking photos and videos, and uploading the listing to my Etsy shop, BuTT UgLee website, and Instagram. This alone can add anywhere from 2-4 hours to the whole process.
Here is a simplified breakdown:
So that is what I do!
The quick and dirty answer to this question is a freakin' long time!
In general, it takes me 12 - 18 hours complete each character. This number does not include everything that happens afterward, like writing their story, taking photos and videos, and uploading the listing to my Etsy shop, BuTT UgLee website, and Instagram. This alone can add anywhere from 2-4 hours to the whole process.
Here is a simplified breakdown:
- Sketch the design on muslin, cut out, sew, trim, flip, and stuff each piece. Arms, legs, fins, noses, wings, ears, tails, etc., are all stuffed separately and then attached.
- Time to paint! Each UgLee has an average of three layers of paint. First, you have your base layer, then all the detail work. Dimensional paint is added once the detail work is complete.
- Sign and seaL time! I give the paint 24-48 hours to dry completely, sign the back and then add a thin protective sealer.
- Gather details for Etsy, such as name, story, and dimensions. Then, add a BuTT UgLee tag and prepare for a quick photo and video session.
- Add the new Listing to My Etsy Shop, BuTTUgLee.com, Instagram, and Pinterest!
So that is what I do!
What makes a Butt Uglee so unique?
Every UgLee is a OOAK (One-of-a-kind) work of art.
Characters are hand drawn onto muslin and sewn by me. There is no machine here to make all the lines perfect. In fact, sometimes, they come out of the sewing process pretty wonky. This gives them personality and charm.
When it comes to painting each piece, I have a habit of mixing and blending colors like a mad woman. This blending makes it impossible to duplicate. Most of the time, I am trying to remember what color I began with.
The best and most unique part of an UgLee is the story that comes with each one. When you bring your UgLee home, they don't just have a name; they also come with some sort of tidbit of information about them. Some have long, drawn-out stories, while others have simple personality traits, likes and dislikes, allergies, phobias, and assorted quirks.
Picture this ...
A friend comes over to your house and notices this crazy ass cat you have hanging on your wall. They think it is just some crazy-ass cat. WRONG! There is more to it than that. You can tell them heck no, this is VERONICA.
Below is a perfect example of my listing for Veronica on Etsy.
*********
I want to introduce you to Veronica. She is a BuTT UgLee Cat.
Veronica measures 16"H x 11 1/2"W.
I am obsessed with this cat design. I could make cats all day!!
Now ... Veronica ... I have no idea where her name came from.
I don't even care for the name, but she wanted to be called this. Who am I to argue? For now, Veronica is living a life of leisure. She is very focused on napping, eating, and bossing everyone around. All of the other UgLees are complaining about her attitude.
Yesterday, I came home from work and was shocked to find she had crocheted hats for everyone. What the heLL? Who taught her how to crochet? It's almost summer. Who in their right mind wants to wear a hat? Now I'm afraid to leave the house. Maybe I should put out a few 1000-piece puzzles for her. You know ... to keep her busy.
UPDATE ... The puzzles did not work.
I returned from work this evening to find Veronica passed out cold in the driveway. It looks like she had set up some kind of Lemonade/Vodka Stand while I was away. Cups were scattered all over the yard, and all of my UgLee fish were tanked and rolling around, singing Veronica's praises. I found Finn under the table, counting the money they made.
I just can't live like this anymore. Maybe I should call in sick tomorrow.
**** This is Veronica! This is her story. She is not just a cat. She is a force of nature.
Every UgLee is a OOAK (One-of-a-kind) work of art.
Characters are hand drawn onto muslin and sewn by me. There is no machine here to make all the lines perfect. In fact, sometimes, they come out of the sewing process pretty wonky. This gives them personality and charm.
When it comes to painting each piece, I have a habit of mixing and blending colors like a mad woman. This blending makes it impossible to duplicate. Most of the time, I am trying to remember what color I began with.
The best and most unique part of an UgLee is the story that comes with each one. When you bring your UgLee home, they don't just have a name; they also come with some sort of tidbit of information about them. Some have long, drawn-out stories, while others have simple personality traits, likes and dislikes, allergies, phobias, and assorted quirks.
Picture this ...
A friend comes over to your house and notices this crazy ass cat you have hanging on your wall. They think it is just some crazy-ass cat. WRONG! There is more to it than that. You can tell them heck no, this is VERONICA.
Below is a perfect example of my listing for Veronica on Etsy.
*********
I want to introduce you to Veronica. She is a BuTT UgLee Cat.
Veronica measures 16"H x 11 1/2"W.
I am obsessed with this cat design. I could make cats all day!!
Now ... Veronica ... I have no idea where her name came from.
I don't even care for the name, but she wanted to be called this. Who am I to argue? For now, Veronica is living a life of leisure. She is very focused on napping, eating, and bossing everyone around. All of the other UgLees are complaining about her attitude.
Yesterday, I came home from work and was shocked to find she had crocheted hats for everyone. What the heLL? Who taught her how to crochet? It's almost summer. Who in their right mind wants to wear a hat? Now I'm afraid to leave the house. Maybe I should put out a few 1000-piece puzzles for her. You know ... to keep her busy.
UPDATE ... The puzzles did not work.
I returned from work this evening to find Veronica passed out cold in the driveway. It looks like she had set up some kind of Lemonade/Vodka Stand while I was away. Cups were scattered all over the yard, and all of my UgLee fish were tanked and rolling around, singing Veronica's praises. I found Finn under the table, counting the money they made.
I just can't live like this anymore. Maybe I should call in sick tomorrow.
**** This is Veronica! This is her story. She is not just a cat. She is a force of nature.
How do I take care of my UgLees?
Over the past 19 years, I have learned a few things.
Let's go over the most important first.
UgLees are meant to be indoor wall art.
They do not like rain and snow.
Most importantly, they do not like direct sunlight and heat.
I use a great deal of dimensional paint, followed by an overall sealer.
The problem with direct sunlight or intense heat is that it can soften the dimensional paint and make it tacky. Not Good!
I always store and ship my characters in a special clear bag. If you have ordered from me before, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Each character is stored and shipped in this bag for safety and longevity. It protects them from stains and keeps dust away when not on display. If you have a collection of Uglees, it will also keep them from possibly sticking to one another if stored in a warm closet or storage container.
If you are gifting an UgLee, never cover it in tissue.
Suppose the dimensional paint is exposed to extreme heat, like leaving
a gift bag or box in a heated car. In that case, there is a chance the tissue could stick to the dimensional paint. Always place your UgLee in a clear bag then you can wrap it any way you wish.
If your UgLee becomes dusty, take a slightly damp
soft cloth and gently brush the dust away.
Over the past 19 years, I have learned a few things.
Let's go over the most important first.
UgLees are meant to be indoor wall art.
They do not like rain and snow.
Most importantly, they do not like direct sunlight and heat.
I use a great deal of dimensional paint, followed by an overall sealer.
The problem with direct sunlight or intense heat is that it can soften the dimensional paint and make it tacky. Not Good!
I always store and ship my characters in a special clear bag. If you have ordered from me before, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Each character is stored and shipped in this bag for safety and longevity. It protects them from stains and keeps dust away when not on display. If you have a collection of Uglees, it will also keep them from possibly sticking to one another if stored in a warm closet or storage container.
If you are gifting an UgLee, never cover it in tissue.
Suppose the dimensional paint is exposed to extreme heat, like leaving
a gift bag or box in a heated car. In that case, there is a chance the tissue could stick to the dimensional paint. Always place your UgLee in a clear bag then you can wrap it any way you wish.
If your UgLee becomes dusty, take a slightly damp
soft cloth and gently brush the dust away.
How do you hang an UgLee?
Every UgLee has a floss loop sewn on the back.
I tap a small sewing pin (with a tiny ball on the top, not a big ball) into the wall at an angle, then simply slide the floss loop over the pin. This holds it nice and snug next to the wall. I've tried various ways to hang them, but this has worked the best. If you order from me online, I include a few pins and instructions on how to use them. What I love about the pin is that I can move an UgLee
or several UgLees all over the wall, and the pin barely leaves a mark. When I have tried to use a small thin nail,
the holes are much more noticeable.
I'll include photos of the pins I use and the placement of the pin on the wall to help you.
Every UgLee has a floss loop sewn on the back.
I tap a small sewing pin (with a tiny ball on the top, not a big ball) into the wall at an angle, then simply slide the floss loop over the pin. This holds it nice and snug next to the wall. I've tried various ways to hang them, but this has worked the best. If you order from me online, I include a few pins and instructions on how to use them. What I love about the pin is that I can move an UgLee
or several UgLees all over the wall, and the pin barely leaves a mark. When I have tried to use a small thin nail,
the holes are much more noticeable.
I'll include photos of the pins I use and the placement of the pin on the wall to help you.
How much do they cost?
For the most part, UgLees range from $80 - $500.
The more detailed the body is and/or how long it takes
to build and paint each character determines the price.
For years I kept my prices lower than I should have. Once I
timed the process step by step, I figured out I was making approximately $3.00 an hour.
That is undoubtedly the definition of a starving artist.
For the most part, UgLees range from $80 - $500.
The more detailed the body is and/or how long it takes
to build and paint each character determines the price.
For years I kept my prices lower than I should have. Once I
timed the process step by step, I figured out I was making approximately $3.00 an hour.
That is undoubtedly the definition of a starving artist.