My secret to mass production...

What we occasionally refer to around here as Critical Mass.
I have had several people ask me how I make the output that I do. The sheer quantity of products that are produced this time of the year and throughout the year.
I have two key words for you all.
Assembly Line.
I use Assembly line style production for everything I make.
Cut out all of the bodies.
Cut out all of the faces, feet, ears, tails.
Stitch all of the faces.
Stitch all of the tails.
Stitch around the outside and puff with stuffing.

Thats done in batches as well. Batching the product so you dont have to change thread color as often also saves time! You dont have to switch mental gears to adjust to another design. You pick one animal and go. I try to work in batches of at least 5.
Occasionally ill only finish one or two if I sit down and dont have much time. But I am one or two further along.

These are some of the tips I find help me out a lot!
I have learned my lesson this year though, I will be starting Holiday production in Feburary of next year. No more scrambling for me. I was totally unprepared for this rush of sales in November as last year (2008) I only had 30 something sales for the whole month. It has been a wonderful surprise, but I hate to admit I wasnt ready. It wont happen again.
Hope these tips help with your production this Holiday season!

Tis the season...

Tis the season for swollen and stiff fingers from so much cutting out.
Tis the season for less sleep than the body needs and relying on coffee and sugar to keep me going.
Tis the season wonderful family gathers around.
Tis the season my Husband has to pretend he lives alone a lot.
Tis the season the weather changes to something cooler so I feel more in the mood to sew.
Tis the season that is my busiest season.

Thank you to all of you out there who support what I do. Thank you to my Husband and family as I know this is a difficult time of the year with me pretending to be a hurricane and leave a wake of felt destruction across the house.
Thank you.

And now...
Atomic Holiday Bazaar Interviewed me and it ended up on Creative Loafing! Ka-POW!
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/the941/2009/11/18/atomic-holiday-bazaar-interviews-red-marionette/
Cut and paste the link into your web browser or click HERE

Etsy Voter - Holiday Decor

My Green Christmas Wreath is included in the Etsy voter this week!
It is a vote put out to the Etsy community for them to vote for their favorite Holiday Decor!

I am so pleased and thankful for the exposure that these Wreaths are getting. I am excited since they are a new item in my line this year!

I am in full blown Red Marionette production to keep up with my Holiday sales. I have blown my goals for this year out of the water already!

I would love for you all to go take a look at the Etsy voter and cast your vote for your favorite Holiday Decor item. It doesnt have to be my item, but I would love it if you would support the Handmade Community and Etsy!
Please cut and paste this link into your web browser and log in to Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=79

Thanks a million!

Grandma doesnt have internet - Sneak Peek!

It is a good thing my Grandma doesnt have the internet!
I wanted to make her a wreath this year for Christmas and since I had been making Holiday Wreaths I asked my Dad what colors she might like. He said she already had a Christmas wreath she just bought.
Hmm.
"Well does she have a spring one?"
Nope. Good. Im on it!
So finding spring flowers in November, Ladies and Gentlemen, isnt the easiest task. But I think I succeeded!
Here is the Bunny wreath I made for her for Springtime.

Multi-colored pom poms are hiding all around in the foliage and flowers like little puffy easter eggs. I had a lot of fun making this one.

Perhaps if the response is good I will consider making Spring ones for sale. Just dont tell Grandma you got to see it before she did! :)

Features galore! Weee!

I received notice today that I was featured on two blogs.
Weeee!
Check them out!

http://goodlifeforless.blogspot.com/


http://foundhandmade.com/news/
Scroll down to the second block of stockings! Phillip in his pocket peeper is there!

Thanks so much everyone!

My head...its still visible above the water, right?

Im alive!
My blogging has taken a regrettable turn south due to the lack of time to post fun and interesting things that I know you all are waiting anxiously to hear! heh.
Right?
I just wanted you to know I think I am keeping my head above water so far! I am having awesome sales thanks to Etsy and the features I am having. (Thanks Etsy!)
I am prepping for my Holiday shows and still working 40 hours a week. Mr. RedMarionette is being a doll and helping out with wrapping the wreaths, dinner and other necessities around the house.
So I am stopping in to say Hi and then flitting right back out!
Have a wonderful day everyone!

MyShoppingConnection.com

My Funky Christmas wreath has been featured on MyShoppingConnection.com!

http://www.myshoppingconnection.com/articles/celebrations/holiday-wreaths.php

You can follow this link to see it!

Thank you all for the support of Handmade goodies!