Build-A-Bear Launches 25th Anniversary NFT Collection
The beloved stuffed toy brand’s entry into Web3 begins with the auction of a physically redeemable NFT bear covered in Swarovski Crystals.
OCTOBER 5, 2022. NEWS. WRITTEN BY SASKIA WARTNABY.
Another household name brand enters the NFT space!
On September 28th, Build-A-Bear Workshop – an American retailer specialising in customised stuffed animals – announced the launch of their three-phase NFT collection in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Alongside the NFT bear, the auction winner will receive a one-of-a-kind physical teddy bear covered in real Swarovski Crystals, as well as a complementary trip for two to Build-A-Bear’s 25th Anniversary Gala on October 22nd in St. Louis. Here, the winner will be presented with their physical plush in person. On top of this, 10% of the sale of this NFT will be donated to the Build-A-Bear Foundation.
The auction ends on Thursday, October 6th, at 23:00 UTC.
Sharon Price John, President and Chief Executive Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop, said;
“We are thrilled to enter Web3 as we celebrate our silver anniversary, which is not only an acknowledgement of the accomplishments over our first 25 years, but a look ahead to new ground-breaking opportunities for our company.
This announcement speaks to our future in a world that is increasingly about the physical blending with the digital. Every aspect of this multi-dimensional collection is designed to capture the appeal of our brand and the collectability of our furry friends. With our ongoing digital transformation, we are bringing our brand into the metaverse, and we are pleased to collaborate with Sweet and Swarovski for this initial offering.”
The second phase of Build-A-Bear’s NFT collection takes places in November 2022, where you’ll be able to bid on five 1-of-1 Celebration Silver Bear NFTs. A unique, physical plush inspired by the NFT is also included with the sale.
Finally, Build-A-Bear’s third phase launches in December, with the sale of their collection of bear-themed generative NFTs.
Opinion
I have many fond childhood memories of creating my own furry friends inside a Build-A-Bear workshop. So much so that even as an ‘adult’, I still find myself wondering into one when I hear they’ve released a new bear I want (I’m looking at you, Baby Yoda).
While the unexpected news of Build-A-Bear creating its own NFTs had my mouth open in shock, the decision makes sense the more I think about it.
Back when I got my first Build-A-Bear plush, you could enter it’s unique barcode (found on its birth certificate) into Build-A-Bearville, an online virtual world where your bear was brought to life. There, you could chat with others, wonder around virtual towns and buildings, and shop for digital clothes and furniture.
While I don’t think Build-A-Bear is releasing a metaverse of its own anytime soon, the brand’s creation of 1-of-1 bears linked to digital counterparts isn’t as crazy as I originally thought it was.
Going forward, it’ll be interesting to see how Build-A-Bear’s NFTs are received by long-time fans of the brand. I, for one, will be keeping an eye out for those generative bear NFTs coming in December!
Saskia Wartnaby
Creator of the Cat Stickers NFT collection. Artist, digital marketer, writer & animal lover. Fan of all things cute and wholesome, especially cats.
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