Meet Danielle Allore-Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Allore-Taylor.  

Hi Danielle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was always the “stuffed animal kid.” There was something stuffed and fluffy in my hands at all times. My favorite, of course, is Rabbit. I always took care of my stuffed friends but thoroughly enjoyed playing with them to the point where I’d see stuffing falling out. In a panic, I’d take them to my mother, and she would always (and very lovingly) stitch them back together with whatever thread we had lying around. She’d always take the stuffing and say, “We can’t forget their memories!” before placing it back inside my stuffed companion. I always admired how my mom could take something that looked so raggedy and make it like new again. My precious Rabbit was the one stuffed animal who began to fall apart eventually – and there was nothing we could really do. My Mom would continue to sew Rabbit over and over again – to the point where I wondered how there was still anything left of him. She never once told me he was too old or worn and never once questioned me about not getting rid of him – she knew how special he was (and is) to me. This held to my heart my whole life (as Rabbit still sits on my dresser drawer at 37 years old). 

As I got older, I took it upon myself to fix my stuffed animals myself – and soon, I got good at it. I was getting so good at my craft that I had friends admiring my work. They would ask me to fix their beloved friends. It soon became a hobby for me. I found so much fulfillment in helping someone restore their dear stuffies back to their former glory. 

When I had my daughter back in 2011, I knew my craftiness to fix things would eventually come in handy – and it did. My sweet daughter turned out to be just like me – a stuffed animal always in her hands, asking me to fix it for her. With my mother’s teachings and my desire to always care for my daughter’s needs – a passion was reignited once more. 

Fast forward to 2020 – the pandemic stole my job from me, and I was left without a way to help provide for my family. Jobless and disheartened, I downloaded TikTok to pass the time. I saw so many talented creators share their art forms – and I eventually decided to make a video showcasing my restoration abilities. Only one person had answered my add on Facebook for restoring their stuffed animal. I accepted their request, filmed and edited the restoration, and then posted my first restoration video to TikTok. I sat down for dinner with my family. After dinner, I looked at my video, and to my shock, the video had gone viral – and I had an inbox with hundreds of requests. 

That night I created a website, business name and cleared a room in my house to make way for what was to come. The rest is history. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would like to believe the road has been smooth for the most part. I have learned so much these past few years, and I am ever-growing. 

The greatest difficulty is knowing I cannot help every single person that has requested my restoration abilities. I have limited openings at the first of every month – and they go SO quickly. 

Of course, there are some stuffed animals that come to me that are deeply beyond repair. Those special cases are ones I hold dear to my heart (I always think of my sweet Rabbit). I still care for these stuffed animals in ways that I would care for a repairable toy. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
A Stuffed Animal Restoration is taking someone’s beloved stuffed friend and giving them new life after many years of love. A restoration is not about making a friend look brand new again – but rather revitalizing them, allowing them to continue to create memories with their human. 

The Process is as follows: 

Step 1: Assess the Damage of our New Friend 

I offer a consultation with each client, gathering all the information I need for my restoration on our new stuffed friend. 

Step 2: Unstuff Our Friend 

I have to make sure our stuffed friend is completely unstuffed before I give them a much-needed wash. 

Step 3: Wash Our Friend 

I wash my friends in a mixture of Felsnaptha, Washing Soda, and Borax. Occasionally I will use Tide and Oxiclean. 

I want to make sure our stuffed friend is squeaky clean! 

Step 4: Dry Our Friend 

Each stuffed friend is air-dried to ensure its preservation. All the water is wrung out before air drying begins. 

Step 5: Restuff Our Friend 

This is where I make sure our stuffed friend is filled with the softest fluff! I want to make sure they are extra cuddly for when they go back home to their loved one. 

Step 6: Give Our Friend Their Memories Back 

This is the most important part of the restoration. Inside the envelope is old stuffing or other parts not being used on our stuffed friend anymore. This preserves the memory of what used to be. And now, I celebrate our friends new beginning! 

Step 7: Mend Our Friend 

Each stuffed friend is paired with the correct colored thread and then carefully mended. I want to make sure that they are 100% repaired to ensure their safety and preservation. 

Step 8: Brush Our Friend 

Our stuffed friend needs to be brushed! This requires all kinds of different brushes, depending on the material. Great care is taken in making sure each stuffed friend is soft and groomed. 

Step 9: Photograph Our Friend 

“Say Fluff!” I want to make sure we capture adorable photos of our stuffed friends ending result! Personalized bows and other accessories can be added – depending on the request! 

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What separates Fluff Stuffed Animal Restoration is that a restoration is much more than mending fabric; it’s about mending hearts. I take great pride in making sure my clients feel safe and secure during my entire process. 

Any big plans?
Eventually – I would love to have a full studio. This would give me the chance to hire an apprentice and have the space needed in order to help even more stuffed animals (and their humans.) Maybe someday my dream will come true! 

Pricing:

• Full Restoration: $200
• Memorial Restoration: $100
• Can’t Pay? Join Our Scholarship Waitlist!

Contact Info:

• Website: FluffRestoration.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_tall_glass_of_anxiety/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-allore-taylor-362425276/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danielleallore-taylor4711
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@a_tall_glass_of_anxiety

Image Credits
Loveland Farms Photography