Interview with Shlii: Merpug Enthusiast

SOOOOOO I have a huge thing for stuffed animals. Every single time I go to an anime convention, I love to admire all the adorable plushies in the Dealer’s Room and Artist’s Alley. It is especially awesome to check out all of the handmade stuff over in AA, mainly because you can see how much more love went into making the product. Last Nekocon in Hampton Roads, Virginia, I stumbled across an artist who was selling the most adorable Merpug plushie. I didn’t even know what a Merpug was, and that I needed it, until I saw it. The artist Jackie owns a company called Shlii that specializes in creating awesomeness and cuteness. I had the awesome opportunity of interviewing her via email, so please enjoy! Age: 28 Career/Job: Fiber Artist Black Nerd Problems: What color best describes you and why? Jackie: My introverted nature is blue, but I try very hard to break out of that and be warm and compassionate, which would be more along the lines of a warm red. I guess I’ll just go with violet! BN: Please tell us a bit about yourself! Jackie: My name is Jackie, and I live in Norfolk, VA with my husband and two goofy dogs. I taught myself how to sew in 2009 and started making my own, original plush toys soon after. I have a really weird brain, so the ideas for my characters arrive like lightning strikes or I’ll dream them up. I’ve now sold my handmade toys all over the world and at anime/comic conventions on the East Coast. I also enjoy doing illustrations of my characters and have created p…