CHUBHEAD GUBBIN

Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. Leslie Levings is the creator of the Beastlies! Each Beastlie is made individually by hand (for more about the process, see the faq!). Leslie started sculpting little creatures when she was 10, but took a break through high school and college to pursue photography and writing. None of those things were ever as fun as creating tiny characters out of clay, though, so now she’s back to doing that full time. Leslie is originally from Kansas City and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and one too many cats.