About Mango and J

Hi, there!

I'm Margo, the designer/maker of everything Mango and J. 

I make plush friends for the curious. The natural world is full of color and wonder.

The ocean makes up more than 75% of the Earth’s surface and is home to some of the most mysterious creatures. Through a variety of character narratives and engaging textures, The Animals by Mango and J strive to stimulate the young imagination.

 

 

 

How did I get started with the animals?

short version: I love kids. I love stuffed animals. I can sew. 

long version:

I developed a plush toy concept for a graduate architecture course in 2015. After two weeks of prototyping, I presented an interactive plush coastal ecosystem to my professor and later on a class at the local preschool. I loved working with the kids, and I loved designing these creatures for them. After the class, I focused on my other course work and later, my job, but eventually came back to plush toy design once my nephew was born in 2017. I made my first sea turtle for his first Christmas. It was unbearably cute to watch him toddle around with it in his arms. I’m always surprised at how much I’ve learned about sewing and soft sculpture since 2015. Progress is invigorating, but also fascinating.