Hey everyone,

And that’s a wrap! Our big August relaunch experiment has officially come to a close, and first things first: thank you, truly, to everyone who jumped in, shared the project, and sent good vibes.

So, let’s talk numbers. Our collective goal was to hit 35 orders to give the workshop a full-scale relaunch. We didn’t quite get there, landing at a final count of 24 orders.

And while we fell short of that 35-order goal, I want to be crystal clear about something. That number was a target, but your support is what truly matters. That’s why, even though we didn’t hit the goal, I am 100% committed to making every single one of those 24 orders for you. No matter what. Your trust is the only “green light” I need.

As promised, I’ll be crafting them with love through September, and they will all be shipped out during October.

So, What’s Next? A New, More Personal Workshop.

Starting September 1st, the shop is shifting gears into a “hibernation mode.” All toys will be listed as “Out of Stock.”

This doesn’t mean it’s over! It just means we’re moving to a one-on-one model. From now on, if you want to order a toy, you’ll just need to contact me directly first. We’ll chat about the timeline and details, and once we’re on the same page, I’ll make the item available for you to purchase.

To the 24 of you who placed an order: thank you. You didn’t just buy a toy; you kickstarted this new chapter. I can’t wait to get these into your hands.

With huge thanks,

Your friend,
Anna

People sometimes ask me, “How do you manage everything? Making orders, shipping packages… and who takes care of your website and all the tech stuff?”

Well, with a smile I always say: my husband does.

He’s been there since the very beginning of ANNA FORTUNE, back when we were sewing our first countryballs by hand. While I was sketching designs, he was building the infrastructure behind the scenes — writing code for custom patterns, creating and maintaining the website, solving tech issues… and yes, even dealing with a few cyberattacks. (It got wild sometimes.)

Since then, we’ve been working side by side — each of us in our own zone, doing what we do best.

Our website has been up and running for many years now — and honestly, it’s ready for a serious upgrade. Right now, my husband is working on a completely new version. It might be built on Shopify, or maybe he’ll go full custom with a fresh WordPress from scratch. He hasn’t decided yet — because he’s not just about “making a website.” He’s about creating an experience.

But beyond helping me, he’s also been building his own project — Vibe Coding Flow

Check out his blog — it’s a space where he shares coding insights, talks tech, and… unexpectedly writes philosophical reflections.
Yep — he’s not just a coder, he’s someone who stops to ask why it all matters — in the bigger picture of life, time, and everything in between.

So if you’re curious how someone who quietly supports my creative journey ended up writing software and existential essays — take a look at his site.

There’s a real vibe there. 😊

Hey everyone, it’s Anna.

Years ago, in my small workshop, I designed and sewed the very first plush countryball in the world. It was a true passion project, and after reading so many of your letters, I knew I had to return to that original, authentic spirit of creation.

Today, I’m inviting you to join me in a big experiment to bring the workshop back to life on completely new terms.

The Workshop is Reopening! (But It’s Not Just a Shop)

Starting this Friday, August 1st, I’m opening the doors for orders. This isn’t a typical sale; it’s a collective project—our first campaign—that will determine the future of the workshop.

Here’s the plan. Please read it carefully:

• The Pre-Order Window: The shop will be open for pre-orders for one month only, from August 1st to September 1st, 2025.
• Our Collective Goal: To make the workshop’s relaunch possible, we need to hit a minimum goal of 35 total orders. This is the “green light” that brings this project to life.
• Progress Updates: I’ll post a weekly update on the site’s header (X/35) so we can all track our progress!
• Production & Shipping: If we hit our goal, I will close the shop on September 1st and dedicate the entire month to lovingly crafting every single ball. Shipping for all orders will begin in early October 2025.

Yes, this means the wait will be longer. But it also means your order isn’t just a purchase—it’s a vote of confidence. It’s the literal fuel that will bring this project back to life.

What Can You Order?

I’ve set up three tiers of creation for you to choose from:

• The Classic Edition: The warm, handcrafted ball you know and love. The perfect way to support the project and get a piece of its history.
• The Collector’s Edition: An artifact featuring my personal signature on the tag, plus your own unique name or phrase, which we’ll discuss personally via email after your order.
• The Legacy NFT Edition: The ultimate package, including all the benefits of the Collector’s Edition, plus a permanent digital NFT passport to certify your ownership on the blockchain forever.

You can find all the details and pricing on the product pages in the shop. Please also take a moment to read the full Terms & Conditions for our campaign, which details the entire process.

Thank you for your incredible patience and belief. This is more than a sale; it’s an invitation to write a new chapter together.

The doors open on August 1st. Let’s bring the legend home.

With excitement and hope,

Your friend,

Anna.

Hey everyone, it’s Anna again.

First off, I just have to say thank you. I don’t know where to begin. Ever since we closed the shop, I’ve been reading your emails every single day. I’m reading stories about how your plush friends are traveling with you, supporting you through tough times, or just sitting in a place of honor at home. Honestly, every single story is incredible.

A lot of you are asking for one thing: “Anna, bring the shop back!”

And it’s been painful to say no every time. That old format—the small-scale mass production—is just not sustainable for me anymore. Going back would mean getting on that same conveyor belt that drains the joy from creation. That door is closed.

But I’m seeing a different idea in your letters lately. You’re not just saying “bring it back,” you’re saying “create something for me.” “Make a ball based on my story,” “I’d love to commission something totally unique.”

And that idea… it really stuck with me. What if I tried to work not for a warehouse, but for a single person?

But here’s the reality of the situation. As you know, I’m not in Europe right now, which is where my entire operation was based. My workshop, all my materials, the shipping processes—everything is there. To get started again, I can’t just “want” it. I have to make the decision to move back and rebuild the entire operation from scratch.

And a leap this big can’t be based on hope alone. This brings me to the only possible scenario that I’m currently trying to figure out.

The only way this becomes feasible is if I know you’re not just waiting in words, but in action. To do that, I would need to launch a special kind of shop with new, exclusive pricing and conditions that reflect what this work actually is: fully custom and handmade.

This shop would work like a launch project: it would need to hit a certain number of pre-orders. That would be the green light. It would be the signal that there are enough of you ready to support this new, more complex model. Only then could I start the process of moving back to Europe to begin bringing your creations to life.

This is a very complex plan, and I’m deep in the middle of working out the logistics.

So, while I’m figuring all this out, your feedback would be incredibly helpful. Please, send me your wishes, your ideas, and just your general thoughts on this new model to my email address:

It would seriously help me to see if I’m heading in the right direction and to make sure I’m meeting your expectations.

If I can finalize a plan that is real, honest, and workable, I will absolutely share it with you in the next post.

Thank you for believing in this project. Now you know that bringing it back to life doesn’t just depend on me—it depends on us.

Hugs, Anna.

Dear friends, the joyful Easter holidays are just around the corner!
Starting today and until April 21st, I’m offering you a 21% discount on all my toys.

Use the coupon EASTERJOY21 to get your Easter discount!

Today, I finished and shipped a Byzantine warrior countryball to the United States. This was probably the most complex countryball I’ve ever created.

I had to use new materials and techniques that I had never worked with before. The biggest challenge was crafting a helmet that resembled a real metal one. To achieve this, I chose synthetic leather with textures similar to steel and gold.

Designing the patterns for these new materials required precise and meticulous calculations—synthetic leather is unforgiving of mistakes ?

Dear friends,

I receive many messages asking for discounts on plush toys, so I’ve decided to offer a 20% spring discount for all of you! This offer will be valid until the end of March.

However, some of the more complex countryballs will be available in limited quantities—just one per listing. This helps me manage the order flow, ensuring I have enough time to make and ship each toy properly.

Use the coupon SPRINGDAY20 and enjoy your discount! ?

 

UPD: Thank you to everyone who participated in this promotion! The planned fabric supply for production has been used up, and the plush toys have sold out.

New fabrics are already on my worktable.?

⚡The promotion has ended⚡

 

I’m running a special promotion – free shipping on plush toys worldwide, no matter the quantity!

This offer will last until sewing materials run out and new fabrics arrive.

USE CODE ⚡ZEROSHIP⚡

Hurry up! Supplies are disappearing fast! ?✨