Sculpted Critters! Sneak PEEK!

Oooo I love sneak peeks!
Here are the much anticipated (on my part more than yours, I am assuming) hand sculpted and sanded little darlings ready for paint today!
No two are alike, thats the beauty of buying handmade!

They can be used as ornaments, therapeutic desk friends, hangy-doos or a navigational buddy on your rear view mirror. Possibilities are endless.
What can you spy with your little eye?

Do you see a moose? A penguin? A fox? An owl? A bunny? A pig... YES A PIG! (For the first time on Red Marionette)...Oh there are many more...

These little darlings will be painted and clear coated and coming to a Red Marionette store near you....very soon!
www.redmarionette.com

Panda Prototype

I had a custom request today for a Panda.
This is what I had come up with for a design. I like both belly shapes so I am leaving it up to the customer to decide for her items.

What do you all think looks better on the panda for future pieces I will make?


Round Belly or Oblong belly?

Alligators...

This one is thanks to my best friend Amy who is a Florida Gators fan. She has always pushed for more Gator items for the fans around here.
I didnt want to give it specifically a Florida logo - he prefers to be a little more non-denominational, so here he is!
He needs a name so I can list him this week.
Any ideas?

CPSIA

I know many of us have been watching diligently regarding the issues with CPSIA.
For those of you who don't know what this is about, you can go to this link....

http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML

In short:
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is being enacted due to so many children's products brought in to the USA from overseas that contain deadly amounts of lead. This law is a blanket law that will encompass anything made for or used by children twelve and under. The law makes expensive testing of children's products necessary for small businesses and big box companies alike.
(This is my short version of it, to learn more about nuances and continually updated information please visit the sites referenced in this post)

Etsy has a great forum to discuss these issues:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_board.php?forum_id=5000002

A site with more information:
http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

All in all it is for the betterment of our products, but the government isn't taking into consideration the issue of putting so many small companies out of business who cannot afford this testing.
The law was supposed to go into effect February 10th of 2009. They put a stay on the law for exactly one year which allows the government to continue to reassess the umbrella of stipulations. Unfortunately, many of us cannot afford to adhere to the testing, which means the closing of handmade businesses.

My personal example would be that the items I purchase from Joanns or Michaels as supplies should already have been tested for lead. This law states that because I modify it and make it into something, I need to retest it for lead. So many people are pushing to make the manufacturers certificate of testing be allowable.

I encourage every one of you to contact your local Representatives and congressmen as well as news agencies. We need as many voices heard as possible.
The stay of one year is a perfect example of how our voices can make a difference. We have made the government aware that there are underlying problems and issues with the law. The long term outcome of the quick draw of a law to satisfy the general public without further research into the real root of the problem is detrimental. Detrimental for the economy as well as the handmade art we all support.

Herb the Hedgehog!

Introducing Herb the Hedgehog!

Herb was a custom request and was cute enough I decided to carry him in my store!

He can be found at www.redmarionette.com

JOB!

I am officially employed by someone other than myself, again! :)

I thoroughly enjoyed staying home and working on Red Marionette, but unfortunately it wasnt paying all of the bills. 

That being said, I am now teaching some art and design classes at a local college. Awesome fun so far. I am wrapping up my first week of work. 

I have been too tired emotionally and physically from adjusting to a new job that I really havent created much this week. I am making an effort to utilize my weekends again to get productive. 

Ill pick up and clean workspaces so they are inviting to use again. Dont you fret!

New Red Marionette products will come out this year! Hopefully sooner than later!

On the docket are still coasters and scarves. 

And MORE clutch purses! I have a ton of those in the works!

Introducing.....GARTH!

My new Raccoon design!



This is Garth.
He believes is a ninja. A deadly and powerful Ninja... I actually think he knows how to use throwing stars. He wont talk about it.
He tells me that he was born to be a ninja because he has a black mask in his markings.
I informed him that most raccoons have a black "mask" on their face. He wouldn't hear of it, apparently there cant be that many raccoons born into Ninja-ness.