Meet the Maker

Hi, I'm Melissa 👋

Welcome to BrainRotPop — a little corner of the internet where yarn becomes something magical.

I'm Melissa, the maker, designer, and chief yarn-untangler behind every single piece in this shop. Based in Switzerland, I spend my days (and honestly, a lot of my evenings) crocheting amigurumi characters and sensory-friendly plushies that are as fun to hold as they are to look at.

How it all started

BrainRotPop grew out of a simple love for handcraft and a desire to make something real — but mostly out of luck. 

I was in the depth of my PTSD from abuse that lasted about 8 years. I was riddled with nightmares, flashbacks, was constantly hypervigilant, and was completely depressed and tired all the time. It was hard and none of the art my therapist proposed seemed to really work for me. 

But one day, I opened an old crochet kit my ADHD impulsed bought a couple of months ago (the ADHD tax haha). I immediately fell in love with crochet! I hyperfixated on it for months and my condition seemed to drastically get better. 

What I didn't know was that I was basically doing free EMDR to my brain using the left and right movements of my yarn and hook. It was bilateral brain stimulation. My flashbacks almost disappeared. 

What started as a hobby quickly turned into a passion project, and then into this shop — because it turns out, other people love squishy handmade creatures just as much as I do. 🧶

Made for every kind of brain

A big part of what makes BrainRotPop special is our focus on sensory-friendly design. Every plushie is crafted with soft, gentle textures and no scratchy tags or hard parts — making them a wonderful companion for neurodivergent folks, kids with sensory sensitivities, or honestly anyone who just needs something cozy to hold.

Each piece is made with care, intention, and a whole lot of love for the people who will eventually hold it.

Every piece is one of a kind

Because everything is handmade by me, no two pieces are exactly alike. Small variations in texture, stitch tension, and character expression are part of the charm — they're what make your piece yours.

I put my heart into every stitch, and I hope you can feel that when your order arrives.

Let's stay connected

I love hearing from the BrainRotPop community! Whether you have a question, a custom idea, or just want to share a photo of your new plushie in its new home — don't be shy. 💛

Get in touch here or find me on social media.

- yours, Mel