You are NEVER too old for a Stuffed Animal (Our Story)

I had been working on my original characters using polymer clay for about a year at this point, and I was going through a lot of health issues. I have a pretty severe Chronic Illness, and I had been going through some terrible flare ups. My emotional and mental well-being was fading away by the second. I was in a very dark place.

I had mustered up the strength to organize our family room, and one of the items I picked up was a jumbo sized, plushy, soft, bright green dino.

I looked at this toy, frustrated. As if he had caused my pain. The crinkle of tension in my forehead eased and my mood changed to defeat. I thought about my childhood "Green Bear" (Green Beanie Buddy with the Blue bow). How, as a child, a hug from Green bear was all it took to solve my problems.

I stood there just staring at this fluffy green friend, and it hit me. "What if, I just hugged him?" My brain cringed a little. "Really? I think you're a bit too old for that" I thought.

The truth is, at that moment, I felt so drained and so alone, I didn't care how silly I looked or felt. I just wanted a hug. So, I brought this green dino to my heart, wrapped my arms around him, and squeezed tight.

There it was. All of the deep emotional, mental pain was taken out of my body with a simple embrace from this fluffy friend. I flew back in time to when I was little, where Green Bear wasn't just a toy, he was my best friend.

He was never a decoration; he was a shoulder to cry on after a bad day. He sat with me, night after night, soaking up my snot when I was sick, listening to me on a bad day, and supported me when I felt like I had nothing, and no one.

I snapped back to the present with tears in my eyes. At that moment, I realized how important stuffed animals are. I couldn't help but think "How many other people are craving this type of connection and missing it?!

"How many people feel like because they're older, they shouldn't have a stuffed animal? How many kids, if not adults could benefit from an intentional fluffy friend? How many people, who are bed bound and stuck in rooms/beds most of the time could be helped by a stuffed companion?"

That, my friends, is where the idea of "Sprouts" came from, and where AM Toys Company was born.

My promise is to bring a sense of comfort with every Sprout you meet. To create a sense of wonder. A sense of companionship and comfort that may have been lost. I hope you enjoy what our team and I have put together.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create something truly special. I am so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you!

- Allison J Murphy

CEO / Founder