In a rush?

If you're currently looking to just glance over a portfolio while sorting applications please know these are fine to skip! It is just extra info for the curious.

Full Setups

Setup details

Selection Of Plush

Extras & Details

Stickers

Other Items

The What and How

Depending on when your convention is, some of the things seen here might actually be available at our table. I'm always working on plush projects both big and small! Plush work begins with concept art, moving on to 3D modeling, and then prototyping the plush pattern. I work with a few manufacturers to produce small batches of plush, usually only 100 at a time. They are shipped to me unstuffed, and when I receive them I then hand stuff and hand finish each! This allows me to offer multiple stuffing options, which has proven especially popular for large plush.

Concept Models

These designs may not be final.

Changes are often made for manufacturing. Not every model becomes a prototype, and not every prototype goes in to production, so we generally don't share this stage on our socials since it is often received as a promise. These are here to show all the work that goes in to making them!

In Prototyping or Production

These plush are either currently being manufactured but are not yet available on our website, or are in various states of prototyping and moving toward release. Not all prototypes enter production. Anything here might be available by con time!

Every Step Taken

These slides show the full evolution of our popular new kobold plush: rough concept sketch, 3D model, reference sheets, preparing the model for prototyping, some prototyping snapshots, and the final plush.

What we look for in manufacturing partners

I work with multiple plush manufacturers, all of whom had to meet specific criteria for me to work with them. Things I look for that may matter to you:- Good lab contacts and full result transparency. Plush must be ASTM F963 CPSIA compliant and I must receive full documentation for all tested plush.-Multiple third party certifications for a variety of ethical concerns. Redundancy is a plus. There's a lot to look for and verify, but the most important are humane work conditions, fair pay, and verification that child and forced labor is not used at any point.- Workplace transparency. I only work with manufacturers who are willing to give me live digital tours, and who would be accommodating of myself or a hired representative showing up to see conditions. Bonus if they offer these unasked, and send videos of the manufacturing of my goods unprompted.To be clear: none of this is special! I don't see this as my company doing anything praise-worthy. But these are common concerns for imported goods!

Quick Reference Sheets

These reference sheets are meant to have all of the information about the plush available on one page for quick referencing. These are used during the prototyping process. They do not include things like full embroidery files.

What I do in-house + Tag information

Since our first plush toy, our production and standards have evolved. Lairbrew still is, and likely always will be, a small batch designer plush company catering to older audiences. All plush are designed by me (October Copper) but I am doing an increasing amount of the stuffing and finishing sewing these days. This can be seen on tags as "Made in the USA with imported materials," but I do go on to disclose what parts are done where so there is not a chance of a buyer being misled.Plush are manufactured with only as much stuffing as is required for thread sculpting, usually just toes. This allows them to be shipped in far fewer boxes. This helps me deal with the chaos of running a business with such bulky products out of my little house. It also reduces shipping costs, which is important with how prices have been rising, to keep my prices lower.I hand stuff them with 1 of 3 kinds of polyester stuffing: average stuffing, some super soft stuff, or heavy polyester beads for weighted plush. Then they're sewn permanently shut with upholstery thread. It is not uncommon to see myself ot my helper stuffing and sewing closed plush at conventions.

Lairbrew's Value
to your attendees

I want to create things that make people have a better day just because they saw it. Even my business card design is meant to bring joy to takers! Everyone who sees my setup gets something even if they don't buy anything: a "you won't believe what I saw" story.Lairbrew aims to be a memorable part of the con going experience for every attendee that stops by, even in little ways. I do my best to add positives to any convention I'm present at however I can. Like:-Our Booth Is Fully interactive! Attendees can pick things up, touch them, hug them, and take photos.-Prices range from $5 to $250 to meet the budget of every attendee-Small plush are priced below $30 and are affordable to everyone-Non-verbal ordering is available at all times for any reason-Free shipping orders available for sold out items to ease disappointment/FOMO-We regularly disinfect hard surfaces that receive a lot of touching-We offer free access to disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer-Stickers have deals for multiples and are given in protective cards-Bags with handles are made available to all customers regardless of purchase total-Coming soon: Free canvas tote bags with purchases totalling $75+I hope you will consider Lairbrew for your show!

ABOUT LAIRBREW

Lairbrew is a queer owned, disabled operated, furry focused plush shop. I specialize in collector quality plush toys, especially of dragons and other fantasy creatures. My business is a sole proprietorship and rather small, running fully out of my home in Illinois. Lairbrew started with a single sticker design in January of 2020. It has been a lot of hard work to get to this point!It feels great to indulge in that dragon-like urge to snatch the shinies when you find a perfect piece that speaks deeply to your love of a favorite animal, monster, beloved character, or aesthetic. I want to bring that kind of giddiness to others in the form of plush that bring smiles every time you see them! I love to get my plush in front of the audiences that most appreciate them.Check out my Etsy reviews, finished Backerkit campaign, or completed cards on my old commission trello to see how I run things! Transparency, kindness, and understanding are core to what I do.

ABOUT October

Hello! I'm October Copper, and I'm the one who sent in the application that brought you here! In relation to Lairbrew, I am the one who wears all the hats. I design all the plush and artwork, maintain the site, handle customer service, stuff and sew plush, do shipping, and more. Lairbrew is my only income. As a person, I'm 35, I'm non-binary and my pronouns are They/Them, I'm married, and I'm an asexual panromantic. As a furry, I'm a big, fluffy cockatrice! If you are looking to vet me, here are some links!

In a rush?

If you're currently looking to just glance over a portfolio while sorting applications please know these are fine to skip! It is just extra info for the curious.

Our Typical Price List

While we occassionally lower prices for specific conventions (often based on a con theme) prices are almost always the same at every show. They match our website prices. All prices listed are in USD!PLUSH
Mini Kobolds:
$25Classic Kobolds:
$40Grub Bag:
$50New Kobolds:
$60Piñata Kaiju
$60Grilled Haunch Bag:
$7520in Dragons:
$80Grilled 2 Bone Meat Bag:
$8540in Dragons:
$150Giant Werewolves:
$200 for regular
$250 for weightedSTICKERS
Free Choice Designs:
$5 each
4 for $15Mystery bags:
$15 for 5 StickersOTHER ITEMS
Squeaky Pillow Keychains:
$7Notebooks $ Stickerbooks
$15Hard Enamel Pins:
$12

In a rush?

If you're currently looking to just glance over a portfolio while sorting applications please know these are fine to skip! It is just extra info for the curious.

Our Previous Shows

A full history of the conventions I have either vended at or would have vended at if the convention itself hadn't been cancelled. My experience is continually growing and I'm always seeking to try new things and improve my display, prices, and offerings to the best of my ability as Lairbrew evolves!2024Midwest Furfest, Dec 5-8
Aquatifur, Nov 8-10
Carolina Furfare, Oct 4-6
Another Furry Con, Sept 27-29
Tabletop Central, Sept 7-8
Megaplex, Aug 30-Sept 1
Otakon, Aug 2-Aug 4
Illinois Game Con, June 1
DemiCon, May 5-7
D8 Summit Charity Convention, April 19-21
Midwest Toy & Comic Fest Sidequest Decatur, April 13th (Our first show ever)

In a rush?

If you're currently looking to just glance over a portfolio while sorting applications please know these are fine to skip! It is just extra info for the curious.