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journalEye Sources
I often get asked where to find eyes for amigurumi making. They can be called variously animal eyes, safety eyes, or craft eyes, and can be difficult to locate. If you aren’t lucky enough to find them in your local craft store, there are plenty of online sources.
I haven’t purchased from the following, so I can’t personally recommend them, but I have heard that others have had success shopping for eyes at these online stores. If you know of any more, or have any recommendations to share, please leave a comment on this page and I will add them to the list.
In the US
Note: Some of the following may also ship to Canada
Harvey’s Hobby Hut
CR’s Crafts (type ‘eyes’ in the search box)
Sunshine Discount Crafts
BJ’s Craft Supplies
Darice
Crafts, Etc!
Carol’s Zoo
Cloth Doll Supply
In Canada
Stockade
Disco Joints
Bears and Bedtime
Dear Bears
In the UK
CraftBits
e-crafts
Christie Bears
Bear Country UK
International
Other Options
If you’d like some alternative ideas for what to use for amigurumi eyes and noses, I have written an article with some suggestions: Eyes and Noses.
16 Comments »
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Saralah Said,
February 8, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
I found Carol’s Zoo at a quilt festival a few years ago. She primarily sells sewing patterns for stuffed animals, but also sells the fabric and notions (and it looks like she has an online store now!), including safety eyes and noses.
I highly recommend both the patterns and supplies.
http://carolszoo.com/
Claire Said,
February 8, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
Oh, thank you for publishing this list! I get asked where to buy eyes all the time, too…this is a great resource you’ve put together.
I have purchased from CR’s crafts- they’re pretty great, quick shipping, good selection, too.
Now I’m off to look at the rest of these shops…
Jessy Said,
February 9, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
I found http://www.dear-bears.com/. They sell teddy bear supplies (eyes, noses, joints etc.)
Alex Said,
February 13, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
I found http://www.clothdollsupply.com/supplies.html - not a huge selection, but still an option.
Alison Said,
February 13, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
CR’s Crafts is fabulous. I order from them regularly. Their selection is pretty limited, especially for really big eyes, but they ship like lightning and have great customer service.
Craft Paper Online Blog » Blog Archive » Amigurumi Eyes Resources Said,
February 14, 2008 @ 1:24 am
[...] June at PlanetJune helps us find just the right peepers with her list of resources on where to buy the perfect eyes for amigurumi making. Link. [...]
Jessica Said,
February 14, 2008 @ 10:46 am
I used to buy all of my eyes and noses from CR’s Crafts, until I found Suncatcher Eyes. These hand-painted gems have so much more character than the mass-produced eyes. I highly reccommend them!
Michelle (Suncatcher Eyes) Said,
February 14, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Thank you SO much for adding Suncatcher Eyes to your list
Would it be possible for you to move it under International though? I ship all over the world.
Michelle
katie Said,
February 14, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
I followed the links over from the Craft blog–thanks for the list! Can I add a question, too? Have you ever had trouble getting safety eyes together? I haven’t in the past, but I just got a batch that will-not-fit.
Any hints on stubborn eyes? Or am I going to have to just buy another package?
June Said,
February 14, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Katie, the only suggestion I have is to try pressing against a hard surface like a table. Place your work so the curved side of the eye is facing down onto the table and the shaft is sticking up, then push the washer straight down onto the shaft of the eye. Hope that helps…
M.E. Williams Said,
February 15, 2008 @ 2:48 am
I think you may have left out one of the most accessible sources for eyes in the US - Jo-Ann. The larger craft stores should have them; not sure about the smaller locations that primarily sell fabrics. Also not sure about Michael’s. But I get Darice eyes easily and with no problem at Jo-Ann; it’s anything else that can be difficult to find.
We (mostly “I”) have a running amigurumi category at DIYlife.com; I’ll try to find a way to work this in to a post! I don’t like to take too many posts from CRAFT (it’s not good for our two sites to mirror each other too closely), but I think people will find this useful. It might just have to go into a comment in the “amigurumirama” series, though. =/
M.E. Williams Said,
February 15, 2008 @ 2:54 am
… ahhh, but they aren’t a good online source.
gotcha!
karrie Said,
February 15, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
Hi june,
I have two “Make your own eyes” tutorials. One uses Shrinky dinks and the other uses polymer clay. I still had one more idea that I must have never posted… i’ll have to get on that.
Kristalia Said,
June 2, 2008 @ 5:25 am
What I’d like to know is how the different makers and sellers paint their eyes then make them shiny. I’d much rather buy the black ones at Jo-Annes and paint them to my design (I have many ideas. Don’t want to take over anyones business but would like to know how to make my own unique eyes for each amigurumi I make.) I like to have my things I make totally unique and one of a kind.
I’ve heard that ppl use nail polish but that sounds just wrong. I’ve heard that ppl use acrylic paint. If thats the case how do you make them shiny and look like there is a glass covering over the color. I have many paints and many color combinations I have made and would like to implement to eyes for my crafts.
If anyone knows and is willing to share the highly guarded deadly secret (it’s very hard to learn and expand your skills if no one will share knowledge) please let me know. Kristalia.Astari@gmail.com I would love some help on this subject. I realize ppl have to make a living however unless one of these makers is willing to do total customization for only me on my design I’d love to commission them but I doubt any of them have that kind of time (let alone my own combined colors)
~Vanessa.
June Said,
June 2, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Vanessa, You can buy the clear plastic acrylic eyes (link is to an example so you know what to look for), with a black pupil and clear plastic around the edge. Then you can paint the BACK side of the eye (the flat part) and the paint will show through the clear acrylic.
Yes, you shouldn’t paint them with nail polish because it can react with the plastic and damage the eye.
Kristalia Said,
June 2, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Thank you very much ^_^ I’ll give that a try
Hugs and Kisses!