Sunday

I am at work today.  We are having an open work day so I brought in my sewing.  I am working on a stack of pocket monsters, but... somethings not right.

Im...disinterested.

Hm.

I am having a hard time finding my muse recently with some of my goodies.

What do you all do when you get to a point where you are... well... not into it?

I am stocking up for the fall and just now getting to the point where I feel comfortable with my stock quantity...for now. Dun dun DUN!   I know I don't have near enough to make it through the Holiday season if this year is anywhere near last year. 

(Flashback: I was unemployed from November through February so I was able to work on Red Marionette products ALL day. I wont have that luxury this year.)

What motivates you all?

I need to find some happy motivation thoughts. 

Lay it on me! :)

Please.

With sugar on top.

Better World Books

A month or so ago I had been looking at purchasing used books (as I often do) from Amazon.com. I normally only purchase used books as there is nothing wrong with it and it keeps them from being trashed. I didnt want to pay four dollars in shipping on a book that was less than a dollar from Amazon.com so I did an internet search.
I found http://www.betterworldbooks.com/
They have a great mission. They keep books from going into the landfill and their proceeds go to helping literacy in the world!
Doesnt that give you warm fuzzies?
It really is a neato site and they have a Bargain Bin as well as Free Shipping in the USA and $3.97 Shipping Worldwide!

So I ordered about...oh...8 books (I have a reading addiction) and they came within a week! A WEEK! Yes 5 business days.
The books were just as I dreamed. Well loved but still in great condition.

I recommend checking out this site if you have a hankering for reading material! Its good for the world and you.

Like that last cheesy tagline, eh? Well stick around, I have many more.

Temptation is thy name...

Yesterday I blogged about the spending hiatus that I am enforcing until July 1st for Red Marionette.

Last night I get my first email coupon from JoAnns.
BLAST!
Of course the minute I see it I think of all of the wonderful things I could spend my money on and get 40% off!!

I then realize I put it in writing yesterday that I wont be shopping at JoAnns for over a month, so I must be faithful and stick to that.
Then this morning on the Etsy forums, I find a thread with Coupons Galore and that JoAnns honors all competitors coupons!
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6166671
EEK! WHAT?! I didnt know THAT very important piece of information!

Double blast!

Well we have temptation to prove how strong we really are, right?
eek!

Another spending hiatus and Blah-zee-blah, Mr. RedMarionette

Last year I had announced that I was going on a spending hiatus so that I could use up a lot of the stuff I had sitting around the studio.
Post can be found here: http://redmarionette.blogspot.com/2008/09/supply-restriction-month-in-review.html

I have sooo much fabric and felt that really should be used, again.
Side Note: To be completely honest though, I still didnt use up a lot of what I had in the closet last year. It would take a while to make a dent in it, but it was nice on the pocketbook.
I digress...
I like the challenge of being creative with what I have (which is rather easy, honestly, considering how much stuff I have to work with). I know right now that there are a few things I need, but it can wait. I dont WANT to, but I can.
It would be good for me to wait til I absolutely positively need it. Sales on Etsy are slow right now and instead of being Debbie Downer about it I am building up stock for the fall sales and December Craft Show.
I have unfinished Bears Ornaments, Gingerbread Men Ornaments, Clutch Purses, Stockings, Pocket Monsters and most all of them are already cut out so its really just time spent to complete them. I just need to DO it. Someone have a pill for motivation? Or an extra three or four hours in the day?
Yep, easily distracted, I am. So back to the original issue at hand. Do you all think I can go a month without spending anything for Red Marionette? I shall set my goal at one month (and a few days for good measure) July 1st. JULY 1st I can visit the craft store again.
Now hold me to that, okay?

The second half of this post is regarding Mr. Red Marionette.
I took him to the airport today to go visit his family in Wisconsin for 10 days. I have lost my wingman! This is the longest we have been apart since the beginning of our relationship. I feel kind blah about it. I havent been feeling tip top for the last week so him leaving kinda adds to the blah-zee-blah.
BUT...I shall stay motivated as I will be able to work on some Red Marionette stuff this week at work. That makes me happy.

p.s. Now that Lappy works at work, I shall try to keep up more on my postings!

Featured Artist - PaintAndInk

In my many searches through Etsys amazing products I have stumbled across PaintAndInk many times. I thought it due time to feature her wonderful artwork!
PaintAndInk's banner reads
"The Interimaginational Institute for Fantastical Exploration and Cartography"
That is a mouthful!
I have always loved maps and creating new worlds and places so every time I visit her shop I read through all of the maps she has.
She offers Prints as well as original artwork for purchase.


This is one of my favorites from her line. It is the Land of Many Tales.
It is a map of all of the fairy tales.
Her listing says:
"Stop in for a cup of tea with the seven dwarves, peek through the window at Sleeping Beauty, snack on cookies at the home of Red Riding Hood's grandma, visit the Marquis de Carabas and his faithful aide, Puss-in-Boots, and climb up Jack's Beanstalk (this one being a newly grown beanstalk, naturally, since Jack chopped the first one down. While you're reading the small print, please use appropriate safety gear when climbing any beanstalks). A complete list of locations follows at the end of this listing."

Charming! Perfect for anyone with imagination! That map can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24587319





Here is a beautiful original watercolor titled "Brigantine Sailing Ship" it is a 5x7 piece and matted on black. You can own it here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18611959









This is a close up shot of her Map titled "Lands of Magic"
Here is the blurb on it:
"You'll see castles and palaces galore, meet witches, sorcerers and wizards, learn a bit of magic yourself, and come away thoroughly enchanted."

I love her use of vibrant colors and earth tones. Everything in her shop is visually appealing and pulls you right in. PaintAndInk does not hold back in the realm of imagination and fantasy. It leaves me wishing these were places we could visit!

Please visit PaintAndInk and support handmade treasures from real peoples imaginations!
http://paintandink.etsy.com
http://paintandink.blogspot.com

Connected Everywhere

Mr. Red Marionette and I purchased our first laptop. I shall now be addicted to accessing my blog and Etsy store everywhere I can get the internet.
Its oddly satisfying to post from my lap while watching movies. Mr. Red Marionette can use his desktop to play video games while I can still work on things.
Yay!
My goal is that I will be able to post more on my blog and etsy store even though I am in school now and away from home more.

Keep watching and have a Happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

We have a winner!

My random number generator picker (a.k.a. Mr. Red Marionette) has picked a random number an that winner is Becky Pool!! She left the comment on the giveaway - Love the Pandora the light blue Owl tote. So cute!

Thank you all so much for participating!

Ive been interviewed!

http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=794
Ive been interviewed!!!
Thanks to Nichole of Paw & Claw Designs! http://www.artfire.com/users/pawandclawdesigns

Something for Every Season - GIVEAWAY!

Hello out there in the world! Red Marionette is having a Something For Every Season Giveaway!

Included in this giveaway is everything you see here!


Appliqued Swag Bag is for Spring! Who doesnt love the lush green color!
Letters are hand cut out of vintage cotton and appliqued to a premade cotton tote.



Hand stitched felt Pumpkin Napkin Rings for the Fall Season.

Quantity 6











Millie the Octopus Felt Gift Card/Business Card Holder
She is also good at holding littles for little ones!
She is for Summer!

















Eric the Owl Felt Holiday Ornament for the Winter Season.


Here is how to win all of this wonderful swag!

The Giveaway will go for a week from today. You have until Friday the 22nd of May at 6pm to enter.

You enter by leaving a comment on my blog your favorite item in my shop. www.redmarionette.com

Please only one entry per person. Also be sure to leave a way to contact you. Your etsy username or an email address so I can let you know you have won!

How exciting! Good Luck!

Happy Mothers Day!

Here is to all of you out there who are Mothers or Motherly figures.
Aunts, Grandmas and Moms, All of you who play an active role in a childs life.
Spend some time on yourself this weekend and enjoy Mothers Day.
Remember you are the light of someones life!

Happy Mothers Day

New Goodies!!

Firstly, this is Lucas the Pocket Monster turned into a pillow! It was a custom order for a coworker. He is the size of a regular couch throw pillow. His design was good but the execution of the product needs work.
In the future, I might dabble at making some of my other pocket monsters into pillows, Sal the Swamp Monster and Kyle the Fire Monster are next on my list to try when I get some spare time!







Ginger the cow is back! I should be listing a cow ornament this week. She has been redesigned to a slender body style and not so egg shaped....well... as much as she was.













LIONS! Lions are finally listed. They are limited edition, I dont have very many of them made.
This is the only orange one I have right now.
I do intend to make more, but who knows when that time will come so snatch him up now if you want him.

www.redmarionette.com

Experiments?

Its a quick post this morning as I have to go to work today.
I wanted to document that I am trying a new technique in my shop. Ive often wondered if people LIKE seeing my hands holding my products in my photos. I use them for scale, but do they really feel comfortable with it? Is it as visually appealing as it could be?
Im no hand model...

So last night I changed all of my main photos in my store to the item by itself, not in my hand. I am curious to see if this bring more views in any way, or perhaps more sales. I woke up to my first Keychain sale so I am excited to see if this really works.
Or it could be that I just had a sale. Hmmm...
Ill keep track and see if things have made a difference.

Happy May Day!

April showers bring May Flowers? We didnt have many April showers this year, so I am keeping my fingers crossed it will be a nice May.

I am making a wonderful pocket monster throw pillow. I will have to post photos when he is complete! I am already debating making more for public consumption!
Onward and upward!
Happy thoughts all around.