I can’t refuse anything Uglydoll-related… ever since buying a box of Target dolls (the one-eyed octopus with chest hair) I’ve been a fan and evangelize them whenever I can. As such I was surprised to see the variety of Uglydoll merchandise out there today.

Some examples:
The Ugly Guide to the Uglyverse
Ugly Guide to Things That Go and Things That Should Go But Don’t
How to Draw Uglydoll Kit: Ugly Drawings in a Few Easy Steps
Hey Ugly!: Notebook Set
Uglydoll Card Game
Hey Ugly!: Postcard Box

I was walking around Yaletown (Vancouver) this weekend and ducked into a few shops containing toys and such along the way. As I’m not at all handy with tools I was in awe of some of the nicely designed toys, clothing and in particular furniture on display. Possibly more in awe of the outrageous price tags affixed to same.

My cousin caught me looking at some very simple, yet very nice looking rocking chairs, essentially what looked like single sheets of plywood folded into various curved shapes. The price tag? In excess of $2,000.

He looked at me, shook his head and informed me that he could make the same product for a tenth of the price. When I actually looked at the piece I found it easy to believe. The baby / children’s toy market must be a marketer’s dream. Cater to the well heeled parents, take a page out of Apple’s marketing playbook and if you’re lucky your simple design will soon line your pocket.

Update: Here’s an example of the chair I talked about… not exactly the same one, but very similar.

Another example? Just look at Uglydolls. I love the things, but come on, how difficult are they to design and produce?

ModernTots is offering the mother of all Uglydolls. I love these things… been giving them to people as gifts for years, particularly the Octopus one with the chest hair.

At $595.00 I’m going to have to start saving up if there is to be a giant Target in my future, but what a great idea!

Check them out here.