This is interesting...

FAO Schwartz has partnered with Muppet Studios to provide a unique Muppet experience at their New York store! FAO Schwarz will soon open the doors to The Muppet Whatnot Workshop at its legendary flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. The workshop experience, similar to that of the popular Build-a-Bear franchise, will allow customers to create their very own Muppet Whatnot. Customers will be able to pick a body from various styles; then accessorize it with a huge variety of Muppet parts, accessories and apparel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFyWa6K6jQc

http://www.muppetnewsflash.com/2008/09/m......fao.html

It officially opens tomorrow but had a soft opening today (and yes, I gave in and made me a new friend).

You can see more details at http://www.stitchkingdom.com/exclusive/muppetwhatnot

For those of us not living in New York, you can also make a whatnot online. I made one and should have it next week.

That is so cool..I'll try to get one and add it to my collection

Wanlu

I read a review of them and it mentioned that it was tight getting your hand inside. Please review the quality on them - I'm curious.

Hi Tom,

Congratulations on the taping of your DVD

Wanlu

Thanks Wanlu.

I just got mine yesterday. The quality is very good, but it is very tight getting your hand in. Once in, it is not bad.

Friends,

Just visited the FAO Muppet Whatnot Workshop in NY City and posted a bunch of photos so you could see firsthand what it's all about.

A great experience. The folks working there were super friendly.

Walked out with two whatnots for my kids.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Steve, that was AWESOME ! Man, I wish I could get to NYC !

One thing that struck me was the size of the puppets being constructed for sale. I have heard several people comment that they are small and tight on the hand for an adult. However, they look pretty big in the photos, especially when next to one of the builders. Never seen any of the "real" Muppets up close, but I am guessing that these look about the same size as the ones from Sesame Street. Have you tried on the ones you got for your kids ? How was the fit ?

I gotta get one of these....

:cool:

Mark

Hi Mark, I have medium size hands. My hands fit inside the muppet whatnots I purchased with only a slight bit of resistance. I'd say a little snug getting my hand in initially. That being said, I did notice, when examining the muppet whatnots on display at FAO Schwarz, that my hand fit in some of them more easily than others. Not sure if that's due to variances in the manufacturing process or the number of people who have already tried (and perhaps stretched) them out. Regardless, it's quite doubtful that anyone with large hands would be able to get their hands inside one.

Thanks for the info, Steve !

One thing I have found with puppets like this is that they do indeed stretch over time, making the fit a little more comfortable.

The best thing I found out on the FAO website was that starting in February 2009, we will be able to order these online ! No need to purchase that plane ticket to NYC.

Thanks again , Steve, for the incredible slew of photos you posted. It was like being there at the store...

:D

Mark

Glad to help Mark. One thing I did notice today, at least with my two Whatnots (...I mean my kids' Whatnots) is given the snug fit around the wrist, when you turn your the Whatnot's head the entire figure's body turns with it. I imagine, for a child with a narrow wrist/arm, the head/neck would turn more freeley or independent of the Muppet's body. Happy to answer any questions anyone else might have.

I just went back to the website and the online design tool wasnot there. Has it been closed down only offering the Gift Kit?

Chris: Apparently, FAO Schwarz received such overwhelming demand for the Whatnots that they had to shut down the online design tool early last week (likely to ensure they had stock on hand for folks coming into their store during the holiday season). Apparently, the spike in interest occured after their appearance on the NBC Today Show on Nov. 13th. The folks at FAO told me they expect the online design tool will be turned back on early next year -- perhaps by February.