Friday, January 16, 2009

Works in Progress Dragon Woman Part One



I've been playing around with designing a freestanding figure. The skirt has a metal frame and a covered wooden base inside the bottom of the skirt to add stability.

The interior of the wings have sections of lace covering them and the exteriors are covered in velvet.

I'm working on the head now. She's going to have yellow lizard eyes. I'm debating on whether to her sculpted fabric or beaded hair.

After the head I want to add some more draped fabric and beading to the skirt.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Fear and Loathing of the CPSIA in the High Desert

Most doll artists don't realize the horrible thing that is going to happen to them on Feb. 10th. I know some of you are realizing your dolls may be in jeopardy when this new law becomes effective on Feb 10th.

Now, I know this is difficult to understand with all the legalese, but here is the law as it stands . http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf

To put it plainly, as I understand it....ANYTHING from toys to clothing to books intended for a person 12 or under will need to pass 3rd party testing for lead and the listed chemicals.

Even fabrics etc that have been certified by their manufacturers lead free will have to be retested after you make said fabric into a doll or dress or whatever.

You may say you'd test willingly but there are only 14 certified labs in the US. , the item
is destroyed during testing and each component will have to be retested when you buy new supplies and each test for each component can be 500.00 or more.

So if you make 1 doll style with 3 types of fabric , 3 colors of thread, 4 colors of embroidery floss, 1 type of interfacing and 3 buttons.... and all this makes 12 dolls every time you buy a new bolt or length of fabric etc it will need to be tested.

At 500.00 a test that's 6500.00 for every dozen dolls you make. So each doll would need to cost 554.00 each just to cover the testing. If you were originally only selling 100 of this design a yr for 40.00 a piece wholesale, you will have to stop making dolls. Goodbye to your dreams of running a business.

You might want to contact your state reps and go vote at change.com. Oh and this includes items at thrift stores etc so forget buying used clothes etc for your kids to help stretch your family budget or buying antique or vintage childrens books etc as special gifts.

I guess all we'll have to choose from when we're buying for kids are " supposedly" tested imports that will cost a fortune
This site Change.com is going to present the top 10 ideas to Obama's staff on Jan. 20th. We are in 9th place now in the running. Here is the link.


http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

Please go sign up and vote NOW and post this everywhere. Don't forget to write your state reps too.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

35% off Sale will continue!


Well, I said I'd let you know if I decided to continue my sale..... my sale will run until midnight on January 2nd.

Pieces like Valentina here will no longer be made.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Revised Plush Sale


I am discontinuing my plush animal sculptures.

I've started designing a new series of sculptures with a more adult/edgier feel

SO! If you've really wanted a plush Hexcat or a crazy monkey now is your chance to get 1 at 35% off. The items in my 25% off section in my shop will have an extra 10% off discount.

Oh and the rest of the items in my shop are 25% off. I'm continuing this sale until midnight on the 20th. If I decide to run this sale longer, I'll write another update and let you know. :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Revamping my shop...Special Sale!!!!!!



I've been looking at my plush pieces and while they are cute...I'm finding that I want to get away from them.

I've been inundated with ideas for goth women, ghosts, sorceresses, disabled people....even vampires. Not to mention the eye jewelry I used to create regularly.

So if you want a plush hexcat or a monkey, now is the time to stop by my etsy shop. I set up a 25% off section. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=11088&section_id=5800372
There are a few older dolls listed there too.