As a local nickname for Bellingham residents, “Bellinghamster” has gained recognition from local gift stores and the Bellingham Bells’ mascot. The Bellinghamsters, a pet project by local artist Katrina Martin, is an online store spreading more local pride, with Bellingham- and hamster-themed plushies, accessories, and gifts.
It all started with baking Christmas cookies a couple of years ago, when Martin decided to do gingerbread hams instead of men — because Bellingham, and Bellinghamster.
“I had so much fun decorating all their little faces and expressions that I started doodling them,” Martin says. “Those doodles got turned into buttons and stickers, and from there I realized the popularity behind the Bellinghamsters and how much people were craving fun merch around that nickname.”
While an online store, The Bellinghamsters has grown quickly with positive reception at community events. The site’s Meet the Hams section describes its hamster characters — Penelope, Sammy, Tally, Pierre, Bubbles, Dante — and customers can choose a house color for their hamster plushies.
“The most rewarding part is seeing the kids,” Martin says. “I have this chart where you get to learn about each of the characters and watching them thoroughly look through each one and choose which character they relate most to — and then watching them take it home — is so cool. I see little kids pass with each hamster in a little house box, and by the end of the event I see a bunch of people walking around with the little house box in hand.”
Creative Process
The store’s range of items include plushies, stickers, iron-on patches, greeting cards, stationery, keychains, necklaces, hammy hats, and other accessories.
“The most popular are the plushies, so you have your very own little Bellinghamster to hold and hug,” says Martin. “The next most popular items would be the hats or stickers. Everybody loves a sticker, and the hats are great because everybody [in Bellingham] needs a beanie, especially when it gets cold.”
Martin has taken inspiration from lifelong interests in character designs and animation, including Build-A-Bear Workshop as her first job growing up and an influence for plushie outfits in the future.
“I draw a lot of influence from Hamtaro, of course — Hello Kitty,” Martin says. “I’m heavily influenced by Japanese animation [which] I fell in love with as a child. Animation in general, cartoons, is a big influence because my mom,was an animator. She animated on things like Brandy and Mr. Whiskers, fun games on the computer like Strawberry Shortcake, and even a Hamtaro game.”
Hams in the Wild
Martin’s process for creating The Bellinghamsters includes a sample design, revisions, and production over one to two months.
“This feels weird to say about a drawing, but I kind of feel out the vibes of the character,” says Martin. “See what the appearance is telling me — like what their favorite snack would be, what their personality is going to be. Based on all of that Martin decides the name and then it goes into the manufacturing process.”
The Bellinghamsters has had booths at local events such as Bellingham’s Pride, in addition to selling LGBTQ+ pride-themed items year-round. The store’s items are also available at brick-and-mortar locations such as Third Planet Boutique and the WWU Bookstore.
“I go to a number of different events around Washington state,” Martin says. “In Bellingham, I do events like the Ski to Sea Festival and Northwest Tune-Up. Sometimes I go to smaller community and this year I started going to anime conventions around the state; that’s been hugely popular, which really surprised me.”
Crafting Joy
The Bellinghamsters has gained a rapid following in less than two years, both locally and throughout Washington.
“I meet so many people who have come to Bellingham for school or who have lived in Bellingham for some time in their life,” says Martin. “They see the Bellinghamsters and their face lights up. It’s so great.”
The Bellinghamsters has additional pages on Etsy and Faire, and Martin continues to vend at new in-person events.
“Every event I go to, I get to see how much joy I’m spreading in the community,” Martin says. “Whether it’s a kid getting to take home a hamster or it’s a guy and his girlfriend choosing matching silly beanies. It’s just fun, smiles, and laugh all around. And that’s the whole reason why I do this. I wanted to go into business for myself to spread joy. And it’s great to see that come to fruition.”
You can follow news and find new additions from The Bellinghamsters on Facebook and Instagram.
