Thanks!

I wanted to take a moment and say Thank you. To all of you.
You, who are the readers who take time to stop and look at my blog, follow my blog, comment on it or vote in my polls!
You all make my day!
So, Thank you all so much for participating in this little slice of Red Marionette world.

Happy Saturday!

Goals for the Holiday Season

As you all know the Holiday shopping season for retail starts in September. People begin putting out decorations and trees for purchase by the end of the month!
That is approaching quickly!
I am wrapping up Monster stockings as well as pocket peeper stockings that I had available last year. As usual I will have ornaments with several new designs this year.
Soon I will have a very limited edition of Tree Skirts. I am waiting on receiving shipping supplies for them as they are larger than anything else I have shipped. The one I have finished will be listed shortly, I promise.

I wanted to set a goal for myself this year sales wise on Etsy.
I would love to blow past 500 sales in 2009. I am currently sitting at 297. (The 300th sale receives free shipping!)
I think 500 is realistic. 600 would make me jump for joy!
I know it is a tall order to fill but I think it can be done!

Let the Holi-games begin!

Weird Sign

On the way to work today I saw a sign that was on a church. It was as follows:
"Bilingual Praise and Worship Leader and Bongo player wanted."

Thats quite the tall order to fill! Maybe someone is out there with those qualifications!

Gingerbread Houses and Fluffy Snow

It is 2:48 am.
I have just finished my first Monster Stocking! Ruby will have photos taken when I wake up later today and she will be listed by the end of the day today!
I did an etsy search tonight, (just now, cause I couldnt face the fact someone MIGHT have a stocking thats a monster, when its my original idea) and to my great relief, I did not find any Sellers on Etsy with Monster Stockings! So you saw them first here, folks!
Yay!

I just put the finishing touches on my first Red Marionette tree skirt. You all saw the sneak peeks at the beginning of the month, (here: Tree Skirt) and now it is ready to list this week as well! Pom Pom trim around the outside edge added the finishing touch! I will try to make two sizes, one small (36" dia) and one larger (48" dia)
I love how it came out! It reminds me of Gingerbread houses. Between the polka dots (gum drops), ric rac (piped icing) and critters it definitely makes me think of family and Holidays.

You all may be wondering why I am staying up this late.
Or you arent, but ill fill you in anyway!
I have been working a "donut shift" sounds yummy, right?
It is a 5pm to 1am then 9am to 5pm shift. So needless to say my work week is strenuous. I have been feeling good about my productivity in spite of the wonky schedule.
It will continue this through September, so here is to hoping I can keep up!
Now, off to dreams of gingerbread houses and fluffy snow.

Operating Table

I have a new worktable. A folding table I got from someone on freecycle (Thank you!)
I call it my Operating Table. It is where I have been creating my new monsters. Most recent on the operating table is this monster stocking all laid out and ready to be stitched together!
I feel a bit like Dr. Frankenstein putting together felt pieces parts!
Igor, Hand me the scissors!

Butt Label Update

YAY!

As you probably know I had posted on my blog a little bit ago that butt labels are being implemented in Red Marionette world.
Many reasons this is happening, including but not limited to: Branding, keeping the name attached to the critter in case someone would like to return to purchase more. Not always are business cards held on to for long. If you google Red Marionette you will come up with me within the first 5 entries. Also it helps to prevent stealing the product. -GASP- Not that kind of stealing as in pocketing it, but purchasing it and marking it up for a tremendous resale in another area. Or allowing people to claim it was made by them.
I normally live in a world where I dont believe things like that happen but I am running a business now and have to admit that there are some bad people in the world, unfortunately.

So many reasons behind this, most of them good though!
Critters listed from Sunday the 16th and on will have a label affixed to their rear end. They are discreet dont worry! :)
Happy Sunday!

Tote Sneak Peek!

YAY! This is what I am working on tonight! Stitching the little critters to the front pockets of the new totes!
Kitties, Owls, and Squirrels!

I am having fun coordinating the fabric colors to the critters. I have the poll to the side of the blog so I can get a better feel of what you all would want on the totes.


So far so good! I have a thing for kitties and cats so of course I had to include Mr. Snuggledoodles on one.

Most of the totes will have a pattern front pocket and an accent solid or interesting fabric for the body of the bag so what you are seeing is the closeup of the patterned pocket in some of my estate sale finds of fabric (the teal fabric in the fourth photo was ordered online)

Butt Labels

Yep. Bad cell phone photo again.
Butt Labels have arrived!

They are white although the photo doesnt look white, with the Red Marionette polka dots.
They will be stitched to the little rear ends of all Red Marionette critters. Ornaments, Pocket Monsters and brooches! Also Inside purses, totes and clutches...everywhere!
They are .5" by 1" , tiny and so discreet!
Yay for branding!

I cant wait to get home and start labeling everything! Labeled critters across the world!

Tree Skirt Madness!!! WIP

Firstly I apologize for the dark photos. I took them with my cell phone last night before bed. I wanted to show that I have listened to you all and I am working on a tree skirt prototype!

This is a 36" diameter tree skirt. I havent quite finished it yet as I need to stitch on the pom pom trim.

I am excited to use some of the awesome holiday fabrics I have gathered!
The little critters on the front are stuffed slightly so they stand up from the skirt.
Fun Fun Fun!
What do you all think?

It makes me sad...

It makes me sad.

I am used to making smaller items out of the vintage and unique fabrics I have collected. It makes me sad when I am cutting out larger items that the fabric doesnt go as far!
I am working on cutting out the new tote bag designs and I see the fabric going away faster.
It makes the items I create more valuable as there is such limited fabric of the style I am using. Also only one maybe two people can have something like that in the world.

It makes me sad I dont have more to use. Its so pretty! :)
Those darn double edged swords....

Regularly Scheduled Program

This month will be quite the endeavor.
Keeping up with Red Marionette and working nights and days. Im already pooped and two days into it. Quite the challenge for me.

I am proud to say I finally got off my rear tonight and cut out 4 of the new totes and have selected fabric for a couple of others. The new totes take quite a bit more time than my other ones but I do feel they come out so much better and much more professional.

So with that I say goodnight moon and I am off to slumber.

Sunday Funday! Random Posting #4

I have gotten up fairly early today to do my "chores" so I can play this afternoon! Laundry is underway, grocery list is made, bills are paid.....Isnt that nice when you are motivated to get things done earlier?
In my adult life I have always been the person who wants to get things done now so I dont have to worry about it being on my to do list for long. Just do it now so I wont have to do it later.
I look forward to doing a fair amount of hand sewing this afternoon!

A little insight on how I am in life. :) Happy Sunday for you all!

NEW Tote Design

This is the brand new tote style that will be listed in Red Marionette stores in the coming months!

It is a sturdy and large tote design!
Interfaced and has two large pockets. One outside and one inside. Flat bottomed and extremely roomy.













Of course various little critters will find their homes on these bags!


How exciting!