Kösen ladybug

In Germany alone, there are around 70 species of ladybug, ranging from light brown or yellow to pink or red to black representatives with at least two and a maximum of 24 dots on their wings. However, only one is considered a real lucky charm: the red seven-spotted ladybird. And to dispel an old myth: the number of dots on its wings has nothing to do with its age. Immediately after hatching, the dots are not yet fully developed; they only become clearly visible during the first few hours of life. However, their number is genetically determined, depending on which species the ladybug belongs to. No matter how many dots it has, the fact that the hemispherical little bug is so highly regarded by humans is certainly also due to its diet: a ladybug destroys thousands of aphids in the course of its life and is therefore a welcome ally of all gardeners.

Although this ladybug will not be involved in your garden maintenance, it makes an even nicer handy, cuddly friend for people of all ages and, of course, a mobile little lucky charm.

Genuine stuffed animals made in Bad Kösen are collector’s items, but what they are actually made for is life in a nursery. Up to 100 parts are necessary to make a Kösen animal with securely fastened safety eyes and stuffing of non-flammable silicone hollow fibre (in case of the teddy bears and the larger specimen, they also add some plastic granulate for anatomic accuracy). Unlike many other manufacturers, who mostly use materials made in Asia, they stick to plush that comes from weaving mills in Germany, Belgium and France. It has a firmer quality and can thus be sewn more tightly – ultimately the reason for the animals’ durability. Besides, this plush fabric is resistant to hair loss. The Kösen animals are among the finest you can find, not only in craft but also in design. For every model, thorough studies of anatomy and movement are conducted in the animals’ natural environment or at the zoo; blueprints and clay models follow. Thanks to the co-operation with the neighbouring Burg Giebichenstein, a well-known training centre for product design in Germany since the beginning of the 20th century, the Kösen stuffed animals have won several design prizes.