Shhh… don’t call Jennifer Strunge’s Cotton Monsters “toys,” even if her “soft-sculptural creatures” definitely have kid appeal. Tapping into her love of textiles and puppetry, the Baltimore native hand-stitches her motley crew of oddball characters from found blankets and bedding. Strunge infuses each brightly colored monster with a one-of-a-kind charm that is impossible to resist. Adopt one or an entire flock — but exercise common sense if you’re introducing them to babies or young children, especially with pieces that include string. Some creatures might be better off used as spooky decor.

+ Cotton Monsters $25-$100 at Etsy

+ Cotton Monster