Happy Anniversary Otter Things

Today marks ten years of dedication to otters and the people that love them so much. Otter Things started on a whim after I created my original I Otter Be® illustration. I always had a difficult time finding wares with otters on them. Oh, I found bears, dogs, and even unicorns, but otters were never available.

Once I had my drawing, I thought I could make products for myself. It didn’t take long for me to realize that there had to be other otter lovers out there, and I want them to enjoy the wares as well. And so began this little otter empire. Yes, we are a tiny niche, but with a big love for otters.

I had my doubts in the beginning. I was a busy writer and illustrator and struggled with making sales through the CafePress and Zazzle channels. Once I took my illustrations and provided them here, things really took off. Best of all, I was able to deal directly with you, the customer. Engaging with other otter lovers through sales and social media makes me happy—almost as much as otters do.

So, here we are—a decade of whimsical illustrations, various products, and a desire to please our customers. It has been so enjoyable creating otters and sharing them with others. I have something else I want to share as well. We recently had our Otter Things logo animated. I loved seeing it come to life with help from Eddie Mead. Please have a look at our little mascot below.

Of course, we can’t have a mascot without a name. So, allow us to introduce you to Uni.

This little otter is now part of our team and is a slight variation of my original design. Much like Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, my otter has grown over the years as my styles have changed. It probably won’t replace my I Otter Be otter in future products, but it will pop up from time to time with fun events. In fact, Uni will make an appearance in our Instagram feed today.

Speaking of social media, today is also the day to show off your otter wares from Otter Things. Take a selfie and post it on your Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter account with the #otterthings. Let’ see how much we can flood the web with adorable little otters and make social media a better place.

Have fun celebrating!

Disney and Mickey Mouse are registered trademarks of the Walt Disney Company.