Crankbunny Bloggorama

We've moved!

2011-10-19T18:23:00.002-04:00

This is just a quick post to say that I'll be moving the Crankbunny "blog" over to the main Crankbunny tumblr website that gets updated more frequently (and is also easier to use for everyone it seems).

NEW CRANKBUNNY BLOG NOW HERE

This blog will remain though to keep record of the last 3 years of shop stuff!

Summer Travel

2011-06-29T21:52:00.004-04:00

Both the Crankbunny shops will be closed from July 6 to August 30 for the summer.

No orders will be taken during that time because I will be out of town that entire time traveling, working on a film, listening to tons of heavy metal and fishing. It is absolutely impossible for me to sell, produce and ship anything while traveling.

All orders taken before the shop closed will be shipped by July 7th.

Come September there will be tons of new puppets, paper goodies, and pop up cards for sale!

March, April, May - Pushing Up Daisies donations!

2011-06-01T11:48:00.004-04:00

Each month the Crankbunny shop has been making monthly donations to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network) from the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card. Below at the monthly figures just to catch up!

May 2011
French Bulldog Rescue Network received $56.00
Boston Terrier Rescue Network received $77.00

April 2011
French Bulldog Rescue Network received $37.00
Boston Terrier Rescue Network received $47.00

March 2011
French Bulldog Rescue Network received $68.00
Boston Terrier Rescue Network received $55.00

100% of the cards profits go to the matching dog breed's rescue - none of that 50%, 25% partial stuff! That money goes to help doggies in need - mostly with their huge medical bills from neglect, abuse, and surrendering.

Purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card! Click here!

Dame Miss Suzzette!

2011-05-28T11:16:00.009-04:00

That's right! Behold a new paper puppet! A Victorian tattooed lady paper puppet doll to be exact.

Dame Miss Suzzette is a special lady of Victorian times long ago. With a fondness for the sea and the sands of travel, Suzy knows the best way to show off her tattoos is in her favorite nautical sailor bathing suit!

This paper doll is part of a larger series that includes other Victorian tattoo ladies (and men too!) that I will be making. Suzy is the first of many and pretty much inspired by the photograph below.

The wonderful lady above was a woman called Maud Stevens Wagner. She was one of the first 'tattooed ladies' of her day - basically making a living by being tattooed. These women of their day would show their tattoos off in traveling circuses and curiosity museums (aka dime museums) that were considered entertainment at the time.

Remember, we are talking pre-radio, pre-movies, pre-ladies being able to show their ankles in public. This was also a time were women didn't make their own wage either (let alone vote!). So considering the circumstances of the day, Maud Steven Wagner was one of many few progressive ladies out there! It's a bet most people see photographs of these victorian/early 1900s ladies and the assumption is they were prob just prostitutes! Far from that.

If you'd like to know more about the history of women's tattoos - there is a lovely book called 'The Tattooed Lady' by Amelia Klem Osterud. This book really digs into these women's lives, the roles they countered, and is also filled with some lovely archival photographs / prints too.

Another wonderful book on vintage early 1900s tattoos (mostly for dudes) is "Vintage Tattoos : The Book of Old-School Skin Art" by Carol Clerk.

Anyway, this paper puppet doll has many moving joints and adjustable parts! It can be propped up against other obviously less memorable things, or easily framed. The puppet is approximately 9 x15 inches in size. She is available for sale in both the Etsy Crankbunny shop & the regular Crankbunny store.

Look out also for more ladies! I'm just finishing up all their tattoo work (who would have guessed its so time consuming to tattoo paper dolls!)

Shop is back open! May Sale!

2011-05-14T23:20:00.007-04:00

Good news is both the Crankbunny shops are now open! The shops are fully stocked with pop up cards AND paper puppets.

Its been awhile since paper puppets have been offered up for sale so its great they are available again.

DOUBLE good news is also that certain pop up cards are on sale in the Crankbunny shop. The cards that are on sale are labeled in the regular Crankbunny shop (the cards on sale are not available through the Etsy shop).

Especially cool is the Decoder card which is usually $11.70 USD is now priced $9.70 USD for the rest of the month of May!

Shops closed April 6 to April 30

2011-03-28T14:29:00.003-04:00

The Etsy Crankbunny Shop will be closed from April 6 to April 30. All orders placed before April 6 will have gone out in the mail by April 30th - they will NOT ship out AFTER the 30th (a few people always ask/get confused!. No exceptions - I will be out of time and not have any of my papers, tools, etc with me.

The regular Crankbunny store will still be taking orders from April 6 to April 30th - but all orders submitted between that April 6 - April 30th period will ship out May 1st. No exceptions - I will be out of time and not have any of my papers, tools, etc with me.

Work is again taking me prisoner (ok, not really) and taking me away from my home for a job during that time in April. You can read all about my 'work' here.

Apologies!

2011-03-28T14:12:00.007-04:00

Big apologies and clearing off of dust is in order for this dainty little Crankbunny blog.

Since last "blogged" - my shop closed abruptly (was called suddenly to work on a large animation project), Valentines Day passed, I moved, set up a brand new work space in a new location and eventually my shops did open softly for the month of March. Sadly my shop was unable to participate in Valentines Day - which made me sad. It's my favorite holiday for the shop (insert sad clown face...... now).

With the "March Soft Opening" - most of the Crankbunny pop up cards were available for sale in both the Crankbunny Etsy shop & the Crankbunny store. My paper puppets are still unavailable for sale because of time & my troubled relationships with the large printer that sits in a cabinet making friends with some large dust bunnies.

Also each month the Crankbunny shop has been making monthly donations to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network). Below at the monthly figures just to catch up!

Jan 2011
FBRN $75.00
BTRN $77.00

Feb 2011
FBRN $50.00
BTRN $50.00

March should be up soon as we are not yet done with the month at the time of this post!

Coming Soon - Get Lucky Slot Machine Valentine Card!

2011-01-12T11:35:00.006-05:00

Within a couple of days I'll be posting the new valentine card for 2011 in both the shops!

See, every year I get really excited about rolling out a valentine pop up card that tops last years valentine cards. This 2011 card has been in the works since summer of last year - and it kicks last years cards BUTT. YAH!

This working slot machine pop up card has a level that one pulls. If you hit jackpot with a winning combination, a personal custom message appears in the prize slot! Play to WIN baby!

Below are some pics of the card!

Sadly, this card will be made-to-order so it will not be able to rush.

December 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2011-01-12T11:32:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!

Time to tally up the proceeds made from the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card because its the end of another month.... well, actually this post is a little late! Here at Casa del Crankbunny, we are still catching up with the new year! (Mentally most of us are still in 2010 somehow..)

Remember that 100% of the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network). Both these rescue groups are wonderful rescue groups helping abandoned, rescued doggies and surrendered ones by owners who can't afford even to feed them anymore. Through this huge network of volunteers and donors doggies live better, healthier lives and get their forever homes.

Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 62 dollars.
French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 62 dollars.

November 2010 Pushing Up Daisies!

2010-12-02T13:59:00.004-05:00

Time to post the donations made for the Pushing Up Daisies card for November ! Remember that all the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card go directly to help doggies in need (none of that 15%, 35% nonsense... 100% baby!)... and this month they do so much more!

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 35 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 59 dollars.

This month also had a special food donation to 3 foster french bulldog doggies in CA called Gunnar, Pippin, Bunnie who are a part of French Bulldog Village - another great French Bulldog rescue in the US and Canada. 48 patties of Lamb BARF raw food was shipped to them (proceeds from the cards will go towards the 2Day shipping in the coming months - but the food came from me as a personal donation to FBVillage). The food will especially benefit Gunnar who is missing a third of his intestine.

Gunnar!

Bunnie!

Pippen!

If you don't know what BARF is... its not puke, its an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Dog Food -- which is a fancy term for raw meat & veggies that one might feed their dog or cats. BARF is also the name of a company who puts together raw food together (so you don't have to) and there are a few different companies who do this. There are also different raw food models for pets (cats have their own dealio). I'm not gonna get into why one feed their pet raw meat (I do and am way too nerdy about it). It's a touchie subject between vets, owners, breeders, pet food companies who sponsor nutritional pet education, and general public misconceptions (someone once asked me if it was some sort of 'hippie' thing). You can read more about it by click the following links below.

What is a Raw diet?
Dog Eat Dog - What's Inside the Dog Foods We Feed
Raw Feeding - Wikipedia
Difference between RPM (Prey-Model) & BARF & Raw?
The BARF diet

In any case, many dogs sometimes benefit from raw - especially french bulldogs - who are very prone to allergies, farts, sensitive stomachs, skin issues, immune problems and other odd genetic stuff. So, Gunnar will definitely benefit from raw!

Again, remember that the sales of this card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network).

Important -- Holiday Shop Information!

2010-11-22T10:30:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year again - where presents get picked out, bought, shipped, wrapped, unwrapped, flaunted and for whatever reason tinsel lingers somehow in your laundry way into the new year!

Please note that both the Etsy Crankbunny shop and the regular Crankbunny Shop will be closed December 15th to Jan 9 2011! No orders will be able to be produced and fulfilled within that time because of hohoho travel - this includes any large / wholesale custom orders.

Below -- the NIFTY CRANKBUNNY Holiday Shipping Schedule
Orders need to be placed by the following dates for Christmas delivery by December 23rd.
* U.S. Orders via regular shop First Class - December 15th.
* U.S. Orders via Priority Mail - December 15th.
* U.S. Priority Mail is available for an additional charge of $3.00 USD through the regular shop - click here for more info!
* All International orders are no longer guaranteed for holiday delivery but the suggested date is December 5th.
* Contact the shop if you are placing an international order outside the U.S.A and would like a faster shipping option. Please note that quicker international shipping costs usually start at around $18.00 USD extra, but can be more/less depending on country.

Krampus dancing paper puppet

2010-11-15T13:49:00.007-05:00

Here is a sneak peak at the paper puppet I designed / made for the KRAMPUSNACHT 2010 TORONTO show at the Resistor Gallery space in Toronto, Canada.

My Sir Krampus is a gentleman, an delicate oaf of a fellow who prefers making noise and joining in on lively intellectual conversation. If you piss him off though - he'll still whack you around with his golden birch rod. He lost one of his horns while slipping on an inconsiderate child's wooden toy left behind on a steep flight of Victorian stairs. That child was sought out and slaughtered before Santa's arrival.

When you pull this paper puppet's string / toggle up and down - he dances and makes noise with his rusty chains and bells.

The show opens December 2nd with a nifty party - rsvp the gallery overlords to attend for free at kim@resistor.ca! Otherwise the Resistor Gallery is open Monday-Friday 10am - 5pm until January 10, 2011.

More details about the show below!

What is Krampus?
(from Wikipedia)
"Krampus is a mythical creature. In various regions of the world – especially Austria and Hungary – it is believed that Krampus accompanies St.Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children. Due to German and Austrian influence, the myth of Krampus is also prevalent in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and northern Italy.
The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by an incubus-like creature. Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December, particularly on the evening of 5th, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells. In some rural areas the tradition also includes birching – corporal punishment with a birch rod – by Krampus, especially of young girls. Images of Krampus usually show him with a basket on his back used to carry away bad children and dump them into the pits of Hell."

• KRAMPUSNACHT 2010 OPENING PARTY - THURSDAY DEC 2nd • • Show runs Monday-Friday 10am - 5pm until January 10, 2011, Resistor Gallery •
RSVP required to attend - email kim@resistor.ca
Resistor Gallery - http://www.resistorgallery.ca/
http://www.resistorgallery.ca/2010/10/coming-december-2010.html
Location - 284 College Street 2nd Floor, Toronto Canada (Map)

ARTISTS
• Andrew Heffron • Aaron Costain • Aaron Leighton • Attila Szanyi • Brandon Steen
• Clayton Hanmer • Crankbunny • Craig Marshall • Chris Stone • Carey Sookocheff
• Drazen Kozjan • Dan Turner • Diego Bergia • Diana McNally • Faez Alidousti
• Hyein Lee • Jessica Fortner • Jesse Jacobs • Jeremy Kai • Janice Kun • Jason Bone
• Julia Breckenreid • Karen Justl • Katy Dockrill • Luke Ramsey • Mike McDougall
• Marek Colek • Matthew Forsythe • Maylynn Quan • Michael Comeau
• Michael Wandelmaier • Pat Shewchuk • Prashant Miranda • Hayley Morris
• Ryan Feely • Randy Knott • Ro Rao • Steve Manale• Steve Wilson
• Sarah Lazarovic • Tomori Nagamoto •

Contact :
KRAMPUS 2010 Committee
krampusnacht.2010.toronto@gmail.com

2010 Holiday Crankbunny Coupon!

2010-11-01T15:39:00.006-04:00

Use the coupon code " BABU " at checkout through the Crankbunny Shop and receive a 10% discount on your order!

The coupon code BABU will only work from November 1st to Dec 1st**

The coupon code BABU will NOT WORK ON MY ETSY SHOP - please click here at http://shop.crankbunny.com to use it.

October 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-11-01T11:01:00.004-04:00

Time to tally up the proceeds made from the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card because its the end of another month.

Remember that 100% of the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network). Both these rescue groups are wonderful rescue groups helping abandoned, rescued doggies and surrendered ones by owners who can't afford even to feed them anymore. Through this huge network of voulenters and donors doggies live better, healthier lives and get their forever homes.

Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 72 dollars.
French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 64 dollars.

Shops closed/delayed shipping Oct 25 - Nov 5th

2010-11-01T10:49:00.002-04:00

Quick little blog post to say that ....

My Etsy shop is closed Oct 25th to Nov 5th. All orders placed on/before Oct 25th were shipped by Oct 26th. **For each order an email was sent out to the etsy associated email account with information on shipping. Please check that email - and look in your spam folder if you have not received it.

My regular store at http://shop.crankbunny.com is open - but shipping on any orders placed between Oct 25 to Nov 5th will be shipped starting Nov 6th. It's completely stocked with pop up cards, paper puppets, and holiday ornaments!

September 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-10-05T10:10:00.005-04:00

Its the end of another month -- hello fall! -- and time to tally up the proceeds made from the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card.

Remember that the sales of this card (100% baby!) go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network). Both these rescue groups are wonderful but are very strained lately with vet bills and surrendered dogs by owners who can't afford even to feed them anymore.

Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 54 dollars.
French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 85 dollars.**

** This month's proceeds were donated to Ema - A very young frenchie rescue who has a bad heart and in need of some heart surgery to make her life better. Read more about her here -- http://bullmarketfrogs.com/blog/category/french-bulldog-rescue/ema/

I felt for this little pup because I went through a fair share of medical vet heart issues with my late Soda (who was a Boston Terrier - the Pushing Up Daisies card are dedicated / based on her).

If you'd like to purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card, please visit the shop links below!
Crankbunny Shop - or - Etsy Crankbunny Shop

August 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-09-02T13:23:00.003-04:00

This month keeps on giving to smooshed faced doggies in need. All the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card went directly to the following rescue groups for French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers!

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 68 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 89 dollars.

Remember that the sales of this card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network).

Cards & Paper Puppets still available!

2010-08-14T14:16:00.006-04:00

My Etsy shop is now closed - but the shop below is stocking cards and paper puppets while I deal with my daytime animation jobs / nighttime animation. Click here to buy!

Etsy Crankbunny Shop Closed August 14 - Regular Shop stays open!

2010-08-11T22:59:00.005-04:00

The Etsy Crankbunny shop - at http://crankbunny.etsy.com - will be closed from August 13th to whenever (prob mid Sept or so)! The regular shop will stay open at http://shop.crankbunny.com - so get your cards and magical puppets there!. The regular shop has the new orchid pop up cards available, all the paper puppets and custom pop up cards.

Why? Because I'm gonna go back to working on my film that's been ping-ponging between back-burner and total creative frustration for the last two years. Time to get it done - or atleast half done or closer to finished. It's not easy and the process of animating real puppet shadows is not something you can do quickly. I'll also be working at my regular animation job too until mid October. Whoo(pie)!

Here are a few sneak peak stills from the movie "Soda" and the movie poster for it.

Orchid Pop Up Card preview & sign up

2010-08-03T13:08:00.005-04:00

Here are a few peeks that have been floating around my twitter stream about the Orchid pop up cards I've been working on this month. These orchid pop up cards will be available mid-August, late August to ship.

Although this isn't the official "post" for the Orchid popup card series - many people have asked when they will be available and they'd like a little reminder when they are up for sale (or pre-sale even). Please sign up below if you'd like a reminder / email notifying you when they are ready!
I grew up around orchids - my mother, who is a serious nerd about them and a scientist, has quite a few and a huge green thumb. My favorite as a kid was the orange / yellow ones - I remember at one point begging her to get one at this place called the "Orchid Jungle" in Florida. Although the original plant is gone - she still has seedlings // offsprings from that very original plant she got there.

Her favorites have always been the white ones. They give off a faint perfume in full bloom.

As an adult now I am more into the exotic patterned ones - similar to the pink patterned orchid card at the top of this post.

I got really inspired this year at a flower show of Cuban Orchids that was held at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. I took lots of pictures. I'll go more into my visit with the official Orchid post later on this month.

July 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-08-01T21:28:00.003-04:00

Its the end of another month -- happy summer! -- and time to tally up the proceeds made from the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card.

Remember that the sales of this card (100% baby!) go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network). Both these rescue groups are wonderful but are very strained lately with vet bills (especially for the doggies that come in with very severe neglect & terrible abuse). July brought in....

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 75 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 88 dollars.

If you'd like to purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card, please visit the shop links below!
Crankbunny Shop - or - Etsy Crankbunny Shop

To celebrate a bit of summer fun - here are a bunch of fatties in a pool (with life vests!)

June 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-07-01T22:18:00.003-04:00

The Pushing Up Daisies Cards - featuring either a Boston Terrier or French Bulldog - did fairly better for the month of June (May was sad ::insert unhappy clown frowny face::). Thank you to everyone who bought a card!

Read more about the Pushing Up Daisies pop up cards!
http://crankbunnyshop.blogspot.com/2009/10/pushing-up-daisies-dog-pop-up-cards.html

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 55 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 91 dollars.

Also - The shop decided to donate a few extra monies ($40) from the general shop profits to a pup in need. Read below or click here to learn more about Buddy Sue!

Buddy Sue is a four month old puppy who has a pinched nerve in his back, which doesn't allow him to feel when he goes potty. He has to wear a diaper at this time, and be helped, manually, to potty. The good news is, Buddy can have surgery, but the surgery is going to cost at least $1500.00, but may be closer to $2000.00. Please help Buddy Sue lead a normal life. You can also donate directly to Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue at www.midwestbtrescue.org. Please note in the comments that your donation should go towards Buddy Sue's surgery.

If you'd like to purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card, please visit the shop links below!
Crankbunny Shop - or - Etsy Crankbunny Shop

May 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-06-01T15:53:00.006-04:00

Sadly because both the Crankbunny Etsy shop and regular Crankbunny shop were closed most of May (May 2nd to May 18th) and the fact that the rescue cards have lost a bit of traction - the donations for May were quiet low.

Please do remember all the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card go directly to the following rescue groups for French Bulldogs (FBRN) and Boston Terriers (BTRN)! (100% - none of that 25%, 50% nonsense).

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 32 dollars.
(Last month was 85)

Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 53 dollars.
(Last month was 112)

If you'd like to purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card, please visit the shop links below!
Crankbunny Shop - or - Etsy Crankbunny Shop

In fact, so low where the donations for the French Bulldog Rescue Network that I was so inclined to purchase a nifty Puppia soft harnesses harness for my own dog(that will be needed in the future).

Puppia Harnesses

Available for 22$ (postage paid) - That's actually a nice deal! Free shipping! They have all sorts of colors available too, apparently brown is a big deal. Pink is way better!

Both the FBRN & BTRN have their online shops that sell some great goodies - and it will help those doogies in need directly. Below are links to their shops to def check out.

From the FBRN Shop - click here!
From the BTRN Shop - click here!

Summer Loving

2010-05-30T15:26:00.008-04:00

It's officially summer folks! That means sun, fun, and Fathers Day! (Which is June 20th!)

Father's day gifts can be a bit tricky - especially when it comes to greeting cards. Luckily there are a bunch of Crankbunny pop up cards that will surely keep dad's whimsy captured and entertained. Make sure to note the important shipping dates for Fathers day below! (you gotta scroll baby.)

The Secret Decoder Card with custom secret message!

Crack the secret code with a decoder ring pop up greeting card! Personalized it with your own message from the various message options available or come up with your own. This card is 5 by 5 inches square & has a matching square semi-transparent vellum envelope.
Purchase Now! - click here

The Golden Ticket scratch off card with custom winning message

Someone may be a truly lucky winner with this card! The Golden Ticket is a lucky scratch off card that reveals a secret customizable message. Personalized it with your own message or with the message options available. The message is hidden underneath the golden magical scratch off layer inside the card.
Get the card! - click here

Key to Ones Heart Pop Up Card

When you open this pop up 3D card - a large sacred heart rises up alight with a passionate fire. The heart has a removable paper key that slots perfectly into the card's keyhole. This standard greeting size (A7 5x7) popup card is handmade and has a vellum semi translucent envelope.
Take a better look! - click here

Brian Ewing Tell-Tale Heart scratch off card with custom message

As part of the Crankbunny artist series - this pop up Valentine scratch off card reveals a secret customizable message. It is a collaboration with poster artist Brian Ewing. Brian Ewing is a well known artist and illustrator. Personalized it with your own message or with the message options available. The message is hidden underneath the golden magical scratch off layer inside the card.
Buy the card! - click here

And... the new & fabulous everyman loves bacon Piggy Bank Gift card.

This new paper piggy bank is a perfect way to dress up that plain store gift card, cash or greeting card message. Slot in as many giftcards as you can (especially the included bacon note card) and let that special person break open the piggy bank for a neat gifty surprise!
Get more info - click here

**Special Offer for June!
Because summer is here (fingers crossed for no Hurricanes this season!) - its time to celebrate will a cool deal. Buy any 3 cards from the Crankbunny shop & get one free Piggy Bank card. This will happen automatically with purchase - no replacements!

Important Summer Shop Dates!
Summer around here gets a little different - especially with the holiday travel, additional work slams, and trying to set aside a little creative 'me' time. The following dates should be kept in mind when ordering this summer.

Suggested CUT OFF DATES - Get your Father's Day orders in time!
June 1st to June 5th - All orders ship from NYC, USA
June 5th to June 14th - All orders ship from Miami, Florida USA
If you live in the United States - all orders paid for by June 14th will go out in the mail June 14th and arrive in time. All orders are shipped USPS 1st Class Domestic with delivery confirmation. All customers get automatically sent an email with details on their shipping to the email account they checked out with - please use that email to track your package. Please check your spam folder or trash folder if you have not received that email.

If you live outside the United States - all orders paid for by June 5th will go out in the mail June 6th and SHOULD arrive in time. Customs can hold packages up to 2 or 3 weeks sometimes depending on the country. Please keep this in mind when ordering a gift that is time sensitive. There is no way currently to track international packages without playing up 45dollars+ in shipping fees.. and even then it is not a guarantee.

Fathers Day?! Gift Cards? Now with more BACON

2010-05-18T17:10:00.004-04:00

Ok - it is a well known fact that most all dad's love bacon (or any sort of fatty pork by-product - mine loves chicharones // aka Pork Cracklings). This is based off a little well-known poll conducted by the Fathers Municipal Alliance of Greater North America and Boat Lovers USA. Which is why the new Piggy Bank Bacon Gift Card Holder would be a super father's day card addition to that store bought gift certificate you had planned to give.

More oink and bacon for your gift card buck!

This paper piggy bank is a perfect way to dress up that plain old store gift card, cash or check into a fun surprise.

Easily slip in the gifty booty (gift card / cash / check / treasury bond / coupon / etc) through the slot in the back.

The person receiving the card merely has to pull the front ribbon tab to break the piggy bank open!

** A blank bacon note card is included as a substitution if a gift card / or cash will not be used with the card.

Perfect for fathers day, bacon lovers, rainy days, graduations and foregoing those store-bought money holder cards that are BORRRINNNG.

Each Piggy Bank money holder card comes with an A7 standard greeting card sparkle gold envelope - perfect for mailing.

Available in the Crankbunny store - click here for more information!

Also now available in the Crankbunny Etsy shop - click here for more information!

Shops closed from May 2 to May 18ish!

2010-05-17T10:35:00.005-04:00

Both the Etsy Crankbunny Shop and the regular Crankbunny store will be closed from May 3rd to May 18-20sh. Read more below the '18-20sh' part! (All orders placed before May 3rd have gone out in the mail by Monday May 3rd 2010 - they should all get there in time for Mom's day!)

The Etsy Crankbunny shop will be closed from May 3 to May 20th.
The regular Crankbunny store will be closed from May 3 to May 18th!

Both shops when back open will not carry the full line of pop-up cards and paper puppets (--- some of the cards and puppets materials will not be in stock till late June--- ). If there is a particular card / puppet you need - please so contact the shop to make arrangements beforehand.

BUT

Just in time for Father's Day and the reopening of the shops May 18-20sh -- the shop will carry a new card that is perfect for 98%* of all dads! (** Based on a 2008 Fathers Municipal Alliance Poll of Greater North America -- "All Dads Love Bacon" -3%/+2%)

Below is a sneak peek at the new card - NOW WITH MORE BACON!

Look out in the next week for a lovely post featuring the new card and all its bacon loving -gift giving possibilities.

April 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-05-02T19:50:00.004-04:00

This month keeps on giving to smooshed faced doggies in need. All the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card went directly to the following rescue groups for French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers!

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 85 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 112 dollars.

Remember that the sales of this card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network).

New Crankbunny fish paper puppet!

2010-04-11T19:53:00.003-04:00

Added to the shops is a new paper puppet based on the Crankbunny rabbit fish. The Crankbunny is actually a very magical surprising species of fish. This particular paper puppet holds a gift box that contains a magic shell. The gift box opens up and reveals this glowing shell.

This paper puppet measures 8 by 10 inches and is also detailed by hand with subtle iridescent glitters.... because glitter pens are da bomb yo.

Like all my paper puppets - they are giclee printed on thick archival cotton rag museum quality paper. This type of paper is thick enough to not bend over and will stand/lean on stuff easily. Each puppet is hand cut, titled and signed.

Both the Crankbunny shop and the Etsy Crankbunny store are selling this new fishy paper puppet.

Stores carrying Crankbunny pop up cards! Local!

2010-04-06T11:20:00.004-04:00

Well - local depending on which part of the world you are in!

The shop has been taking wholesale orders periodically when possible (cause there's that whole other animation full-time job thing that's going on).

It's lovely to think that out there someone can walk into a store and get their shop on ... or at least check out the cards in person. They are fun to open, close, reopen, close again - you get the picture..

The following shops are now carrying Crankbunny pop-up cards, puppet kits, and my how-to paper puppet book called Paper Puppet Palooza! Perfect for Mothers Day!

USA - Chicago area
Lillstreet Art Center
www.lillstreet.com
4401 North Ravenswood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-4226

Founded in 1975, Lillstreet Art Center is a large community of artists and students working side-by-side in a friendly environment which encourages and inspires artistic growth in the individual. Lillstreet Art Center supports the arts through an artist residency program, gallery, studio space, education, and an outreach program.

Australia - Melborne area
Metropolis Bookshop
www.metropolisbookshop.com.au/
Level 3 Curtin House
252 Swanston Street
Melbourne 3000
Australia

Metropolis carries a specialist range of books focusing on the areas of art, graphic design, architecture, photography, fashion and textiles, popular culture, film, music and the performing arts. While our store boasts one of Melbourne's best selections of books in these fields, we also have access to catalogues and databases which allow us to source books from a wide range of both local and overseas publishers.

**Own or work for a shop and think pop-up cards would be a nice addition to your inventory? Contact the shop with this link - http://crankbunny.bigcartel.com/wholesale - for more wholesale information on pop up cards, paper puppets, puppet kits and books!

New Years Resolutions.... in April.

2010-04-05T18:13:00.004-04:00

Every year I've been able to give myself new years resolutions pretty easily, usually keeping it down to two or three.. This year was a little more difficult because there wasn't really much to "resolute" - aka "Um, I can't think of anything".

So by April - there's now two resolutions for the year:
-learn to make Guacamole (I can stuff, tie, and roast a turkey with my eyes closed... but the tasty deliciousness of Guac is a total #FAIL around here)
-blog more!

There will be more blogging about the nifty shop Crankbunny items, more books that inspire me, crafty tools I use and where to score them, and anything else related to what currently is creatively brewing.

... like ...

the Elvis puppet.

Here is a sneak peek of King (comeback - black leather Elvis). He's gonna move and shake! (mechanics not shown*)

March 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-04-01T11:48:00.003-04:00

Time to post the donations made for the Pushing Up Daisies card for March! Remember that all the sales of the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card go directly to help doggies in need (none of that 15%, 35% nonsense... 100% baby!)

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 53 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 81 dollars.

Remember that the sales of this card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network).

Feb 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-03-02T10:50:00.005-05:00

It's that time of month again to post the donations made for the Pushing Up Daisies card! February was not that bad considering the shop was closed most of the month.

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 63 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 77 dollars.

Remember that the sales of this card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network).

And because all of us are basically just waiting for summer (winter sucks!)... here's a French Bulldog in a kiddie pool with a basketball.

Jan 2010 Pushing Up Daisies

2010-02-02T11:59:00.004-05:00

January was great for the Pushing Up Daisies cards and yet again its time to tally up the proceeds. Remember that the sales of this card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network).

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 97 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 189 dollars.

If you'd like to purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card, please visit the shop links below!
Crankbunny Shop - or - Etsy Crankbunny Shop

Watch out for the Frenchie Booty Slam!

Custom Golden Ticket Valentine Scratch Off Card

2010-01-10T14:05:00.007-05:00

It's that time of year again where I get into a big fuss about Valentines Day. It's pretty much the one holiday I feel can be really special and unique... for greeting cards and the lovely people they get sent to.

This years Valentine card makes me giggle because its a huge reference to one of my favorite, most creepiest films ever made - Willy Wonka (the first one, nice try Burton).

That's right - It's a Crankbunny Golden Ticket!

The Golden Ticket is a very lucky scratch off card that reveals a secret message that is customizable ( just like its cousin - the Secret Decoder card ).

You can personalized it with your own message or with one of the snazzy message options below. The message is hidden underneath the golden magical scratch off layer inside the card.

Message A - you've got a one way ticket into my heart! happy valentines day
Message B - love is a lottery & with you i am always a winner
Message C - my love is true, be mine
Message D - happy valentines day!
Message E - my heart belongs to you always - happy anniversary
Message "Custom" - Any personalized message up to around 35 characters! Please enter your message as a note through paypal or contact the shop directly.

This greeting card is 5" by 7"(A7) & has a matching square red sparkle envelope.

Perfect for lottery aficionados, valentines day junkies, anniversaries and anyone with an itchy finger for a surprise (which makes EVERYONE)!

The Golden Ticket is now up for PRESALE for 6.00 Dollars at the Crankbunny shop (for a very short time people!). The card will start shipping Jan 15th!

Click here to purchase the card.

December - Pushing Up Daisies

2010-01-04T10:30:00.004-05:00

Its the end of another month -- happy new years! too!-- and time to tally up the proceeds made from the Pushing Up Daisies pop up card. Remember that the sales of this card go directly accordingly to the FBRN (French Bulldog Rescue Network) and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Network).

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 55 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 105 dollars.

If you'd like to purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card, please visit the shop links below!
Crankbunny Shop - or - Etsy Crankbunny Shop

November - Pushing Up Daisies Proceeds

2009-12-01T10:41:00.008-05:00

The Pushing Up Daisies Cards - featuring either a Boston Terrier or French Bulldog - did fairly well considering both my shops where closed during most of the month of November. Thank you to everyone who bought a card!

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 75 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card raised 89 dollars.

Hopefully December can be a better month - I will be sending out an email newsletter promoting the cards for the holiday season. I have decided to put aside the whole holiday store selling insanity to focus on this endeavor.

Read more about the Pushing Up Daisies pop up cards!
http://crankbunnyshop.blogspot.com/2009/10/pushing-up-daisies-dog-pop-up-cards.html

If you'd like to purchase a Pushing Up Daisies pop up card, please visit the shop links below!
Crankbunny Shop - or - Etsy Crankbunny Shop

Back on track... sort of!

2009-11-27T11:38:00.003-05:00

Updates! & more updates!

Apparently my blog was being held hostage by etsy.com when it would magically reload itself and take everyone to that site! I found the culprit and had to remove all instances of the Handmade Moment "Robot gets its wings!" BUT you can still view the movie here -- http://crankbunny.com/ani_detail_handmade.htm

Both my Etsy and regular Crankbunny shops are back open! They will only be selling greeting cards, ornaments, and the occasional paper puppet book for the moment. I will not be making paper puppets till next year in 2010 (which is really scary to type as a date).

My main focus this holiday will be getting rest (november was a doosy at work!) and promoting the doggy rescue pop up card cause. I will ALSO be sending out a neato email newsletter December 1st to keep everyone up to speed and let them know whats going down Crankbunny wise this holiday season!

October - Pushing Up Daisies Proceeds

2009-11-01T00:29:00.004-04:00

The Pushing Up Daisies Cards - featuring either a Boston Terrier or French Bulldog - were brand new and up for sale only about 2 weeks in October, but they raised some great funding for doggies in need! Check out the following numbers below (which are really great considering I haven't had the chance to really push and promote them!).

French Bulldog Pop Up Card raised 161 dollars.
Boston Terrier Pop Up Card rasied 84 dollars.

Both my shops are currently closed for most of November, but I'm planning hard to make the Pushing Up Daisies doggy cards available asap. Just sorting out some work stuff (my job has me working remotely) so I can get those up and available again. I'll be donating a huge batch also to the rescue groups -- just a matter of juggling a timework really.

Pushing Up Daisies Dog Pop Up Cards

2009-10-14T19:28:00.003-04:00

New pop up cards!

These pop up cards are very special because not only do they feature a Boston Terrier and French Bulldog fatty in a field of daisies - but sales of this card will go directly to two doggy rescue groups - The French Bulldog Rescue Network and the BTRN (Boston Terrier Rescue Net).

There is a specific personal reason why I'm doing these cards. This summer my Boston Terrier passed away at 12 from congestive heart failure. She was a very special gal and I was very luckily to have her by my side, day by day for 12 years. Soda was actually diagnosed with a typical BT cancer - mast cell tumor at the age of 6. She lived a very long life considering what vets / cancer specialists told me (its a tricky type of cancer... so they can't tell you much really).

To honor her mainly - and my new buddy Gilda who is a French Bulldog - I decided create this set of pop up cards.

The pop up card is a regular 5x7 A7 card that opens to reveal a Boston Terrier in a field of daisies or a French Bulldog in a field of daisies. Each card comes with a matching transparent vellum envelope. There is plenty of room on the inside for writing and a perfect card for lifting someone's spirits.

The entire sale of this card will benefit these two rescue group. They do a lot fostering and caring of dogs which are left homeless many times because of medical (due to irresponsible breeding and genetic issues) and temperament (abuse and neglect) issues.

The donation will be specific to which card bought unless you let me know to split each up.
Example A - Mary Joe buys 1 Boston Terrier Pushing Up Daisies Pop Up Card = the BTRN group gets 8 dollars.
Example B - Elizabet Jones buys 1 French Bulldog Pushing Up Daisies Pop Up Card, but lets me know through email / buyers notes she wants it split = the BTRN gets 4 dollars / the FBRN gets 4 dollars.
Easy as apple pie!

Each month I will post a tally of proceeds that each rescue group gets as a donation. They are also receiving a huge batch of free cards in November to sell and use.

Each card is 8.00 US Dollars and is available at my Etsy Crankbunny shop or my regular Crankbunny Online Store.

Wanna know the difference between a Boston Terrier & a French Bulldog - watch these videos!

Etsy Shop is back open!

2009-10-06T11:12:00.006-04:00

My whole work schedule got messed up so both the shops are back up and running! Woo!

Just a small post to remind everyone my Etsy Crankbunny shop is closed for the month of October while I animate away on a personal project. I have left my other regular online Crankbunny shop open though and some pop up cards are available through it.

When the etsy shop reopens in November there will be new Crankbunny goodies, pop-up cards, holiday gifts and deals.

Magical Eggs of Festiveness

2009-09-11T12:43:00.011-04:00

So finally time (that evil mistress and/or gigolo) has allowed me to deal with my wonderful lovely decorate egg paper ornaments.

Each decorative Faberge paper egg is beautifully detailed - but is also able to magically transform into a fun paper puppet character. There is a Honey Bear, a Russian doll, an Angel, and a Snowflake God. Each character is ready for some holiday madness and holds it's own small golden egg.

The paper puppet egg ornaments will start shipping November 1st - just in time for the holiday season. Decorate your home, office, some one's desk, loved one's TP stand - hello, these ornaments can make a nifty home everywhere and a simple unique gift for anyone!

Each 3 x 5inch-ish egg is cut, handmade out of paper, hung with golden fabric ribbon and packaged in it's own clear cellophane with sparkly brown backing. Perfect as a lone gift or an additional add-on to that big box you've just wrapped up. There will be complete sets available too!

Pre-sales and many more pictures are up at the Crankbunny shop for the ornaments now. Check it out! Click here! Ornaments start to ship November 1st! (And will also be priced regularly then too)

Back at yah!

2009-08-26T08:25:00.007-04:00

Woo! So, finally my real job... yes, that one that involves animating nonstop for 35 days?(whos counting) is done! With that - both the Crankbunny shops on bigcartel & Etsy are now open! Yes!

To make this post maybe a little more exciting than a kind reminder of the shops - I've decided to give a peak at the new paper fabergé eggs that will be rolling out soon. (Get it... eggs, rolling... ok, FAIL).

Paper Puppet Fabergé Egg Ornaments

I love frabrege eggs - especially all the ways they are decorated and designed. Can I afford a real one though? Um no. And who really wants just one, you generally want a bunch to dazzle and delight with!

These paper eggs are decorative ornaments, but they are also paper puppets. Each egg holds and can come to life with fun ornamental character - just like a real fabergé egg would!

These are sneak peak photos - more info will be available soon. Better photos, packaging, all that good stuff!

Le Return of the Gift Set!

2009-06-29T11:10:00.005-04:00

Once in awhile I like to bring back the Crankbunny Pop Up Card Gift Set Pack and release it into the stream of shop things. Can you say SUMMER SAVINGS? Yes you can after unlodging that corn on the cob well jammed into your mouth (the BBQ stained cheeks look lovely BTW).

The gift sets are great for someone who loves stationary sets AND pop up cards. Also, it is a perfect way to keep cards handy for any unplanned, slightly forgotten (whoops!) or surprise personal occasions. Let's face it, something always comes up and you always look awesome when showing up with an amazing non-gas station card.

The packs are 18.50 and when you do the math that's $6.XX somethingish per card! Cards are usually 8 dollars when sold individually.

I always try to switch up the packs every time they are introduced back into the shop. There are now four different sets that cover anything from congratulations - get well soon - happy birthday - weddings - and woo baby! This is also the first time I'll be including the Butterfly Pop Up Card into the sets.

Here are the following combinations:

Special Delivery Stork Card,
Fishhead Pop Up Card,
Sacred Heart Pop Up Card

Red Flowery Pop Up Card,
Peacocky Card,
Sacred Heart Pop Up Card

Butterfly Pop Up Card,
Peacocky Card,
Fish Head Pop Up Card

White Flowery Pop Up Card,
Peacocky Card,
Butterfly Pop Up Card

The Pop Up Card Gift Sets are only available in the Etsy store - http://crankbunny.etsy.com

Pop Up Imagination

2009-06-26T14:09:00.006-04:00

Consider this the post where I talk a little about pop up cards.

I love pop up anything and collect alot of pop up books. Not only as reference for my own Crankbunny work but mainly just to enjoy! I've never being formally trained in paper engineering, I look up to Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart. Each of them are pop up gods and they've brought back the art form in many fresh new ways. I love love love how all their enthusiasm for the 'pop up arts' spills out with each page turn. Each book seems to get bigger and more complicated and amazing. They sometimes teach classes at Pratt Institute and run their business in NYC with a gazillion little paper cutter gnomes running about (ok, its a small staff of gnomes).

Here is a wonderful movie I recently found of both of them going through a recently finished Fairies pop up book (it's awesome - see I'm loving fairies now!) and also holding one of my favorite books that they did with Tomie DePaola called "Brava, Strega Nona!".

Inside the Pop-Up Studio from paul b on Vimeo.
The fairy book is called "Encyclopedia Mythologica: Fairies and Magical Creatures"

There's also a wonderful interview / article that Babble did on them.
Excerpt from Robert: "....that's why pop-ups I think have survived and are really being embraced because it's magic without electricity. You know what I mean? When you turn the page of one of our books, you think, "Oh my god. How is that even possible?" and it's between two boards that make a book and that's a rare thing in our lives today to feel, very rare...."
Here's a link to it -- click here --! I highly recommend reading it.

Also here are some pictures from : Brava, Strega Nona!: A Heartwarming Pop-Up Book

Their studio also has a blog which is fun to read - http://popupstudionyc.blogspot.com/
Most of their staff write the blog posts, so its interesting to see their work as it progresses on projects and also their outside interests too! It's not all about pop up people - it's about imagination!

In this video both of them describe their process and how their work has evolved. What I love most is when they start talking about the interactive experience behind the pop up book. How again, its almost magical yet so simple, and there's no electronics involved.

Paypal Woe is Me!

2009-06-24T14:28:00.007-04:00

Okay - maybe less woe, but ah Yah YAIH! (::insert frustrated italian grandmother screaming::) Paypal being fussy lately. Why you gotta act like the grouchy bouncer at the club Paypal? Ladies do drink free after 8!

Anyway, to alleviate the frustration and pain some of my lovely Etsy customers are going through to actually pay for their wanted pop up goodies I've come up with a "B" plan.

Plan B is Google Checkout.

With Google Checkout a buyer gets emailed an invoice with the goodies they picked out. Most people would like to use their credit cards and not become another internet member of some other internet club. Highly understandable. Using Google Checkout is easy: Open the email invoice, click the link and then just fill in your dandy CC payment info. Tada!

So its official - Crankbunny now accepts Paypal and Google Checkout!

Playing catchup!

2009-06-18T13:25:00.005-04:00

Well, hey now - it's been quiet in this small corner of bloggosphere! After dealing with some personal family stuff and the ever almighty Father's day deadline I'm slowly getting back on track to the typical Crankbunny antics.

In the works are more blog posts - especially those nifty "feature" ones that have videos and lots of pics of individual shop goodies.

Also, in a month of so I will slowly start rolling out the ability to actually do wholesale orders (Gasp!). That's right after crunching numbers - and recrunching - and racking my brain, I've found a way to share the love with some nice shop owners. There will be a nifty announcement eventually with all the necessary details.

I'll be animating more too - with my self imposed pseudo sabbatical from June 29th to August 2nd. Everything in that time will be made to order - so please assume 4 working days for orders to get produced and then shipped.

And so this post isn't completely boring and creatively useless - I will kick off a good juicy ramble about :: Volvelles ::!

A volvelle is a type of slide chart that's typically round and made out of paper with rotating parts. Way way back in the day they were used to deal with stars and astronomy and lots of math... but just way back in the day (like the 20th century) they had many different usage (baseball stats, recipes, verb). Basically its a contraption to organize, store, calculate a bunch of information. Kinda like a computer! It rules. The Crankbunny Secret Decoder card can be considered a type of volvelle.

My favorite type of volvelle (and there really are a bunch of kooky ones out there) is the perpetual calendar. A calendar that will work up to 20 to 40 years years! That's genius. I want to eventually make a Crankbunny calendar one day.

Jessica Helfand is pretty obsessed with volvelles too and put out this wonderful book cataloging all the wheel charts she could get her grubby hands on. Her book "Reinventing Wheel" reads like this... From circular mathematical slide rules to Captain Marvel phonetic decoders; from nuclear bomb blast calculators to gestational breeding planners; and from astronomical planispheres to presidential trivia plotters, Reinventing the Wheel demonstrates the astonishing range and remarkable utility of these ingenious "interactive" tools.

It was originally part of a show called Volvelles: the Magnificent Art of Circular Charting.

Here are some links to the book!
- Robert Sabuda review of the exhibition and book.
- Exhibition and book information
- Book preview through Google books
- Reinventing the Wheel on Amazon

PLEASE NOTE - June 2

2009-06-03T18:56:00.002-04:00

!!!!* Please note * June 2 * I had a personal emergency in my family. Convos, emails, questions, and shipping will be slow and spotty. Please accept my apologies if this causes any problems with your order the next few days. I will get to everything priority wise as time allows. *!!!!

Special Dates to NOTE

2009-05-31T10:21:00.009-04:00

Alternate ego Shop Honcho here - just wanted to post some special dates that should be noted for the rest of the summer.

REMINDER - June 21st is Father's Day.

June 2nd - Check out the How-To Tuesday on Etsy.com for a fun summer paper puppet tutorial!

June 8th - Drop in the Virtual Labs for Craft Night at Etsy.com. Get in on the fun building the fun summer paper puppet that's apart of How-To Tuesday.

June 8th - Suggestive cutoff day for Father's Day gifts that are shipping out international! Please take into consideration that I have no control over post office deliveries and customs. Sometimes packages get stuck in transit and there is no way of tracking them without an additional cost (it's quite expensive). Please also consider shipping insurance!

June 16th - 8am CUT OFF for any Father's Day related gifts shipped within the USA. Yes, I'm talking to all you naughty last minute procastinators out there! Anything after will not get to your destination in time. USPS is a daunty mistress.

June 29th to August 2nd - The Crankbunny Etsy store will be CLOSED for some personal reflection & creative time. Feel free to visit the official Crankbunny shop for any special purchases during the month of July.

June 29th to August 2nd - I have decided to keep both shops open! Why? Well... Why not!

Summer Paper Puppet Project

2009-05-28T08:36:00.012-04:00

On June 8th I'll be doing a Craft Night how-to via video cast in the Virtual Labs at Etsy.com. Local peeps in the NYC / NJ area are welcome to drop in and share the fun in person! We'll be building this fun finger paper puppet that's perfect for summer fun loving.
>> Enter the Virtual Labs at Etsy.com Here <<

It you can't make Craft Night - there will be an the online tutorial June 2nd available as a Etsy How-To Tuesday. It will have the same instructions, template to download and fun tips on making the summer paper finger puppet. That tutorial and file will also be available June 2nd on this blog too!
>> More How-To Tuesday info on Etsy.com <<

Here is a sneak peak of the Summer Cycle Paper Finger Puppet!

* Fun possibilities for your paper puppet! * Beside riding around BBQ table tops and picnic scenarios extend the possibilities of overall puppet usage by doing the following:

-Make your own fun items for the basket. Really anything can be slotted in the paper basket! Cut out items that fit from magazines or draw out your own objects that you'd like to see in there.

-Fold up your paper puppet and include it in summer time party invitations! Perfect for birthday parties, family gatherings at parks, or any invite you wanna add some pizazz to. Yes, I actually used the word "pizazz".... wow. I don't even know if that's how you spell it.

-Replace the bicycle rider's head with one of your friend's heads (and then make fun of them)! Cutout a photograph or do some Photoshop-Inkjet printing wizardry and attach the head on with glue. Just make sure the head is around the same size - or else it might look a little funny. I decided to use the Mona Lisa!

If you have lots of fun making this paper puppet feel free also to check out my latest book on building paper puppets! It's filled with tons of projects and templates. The book actually contains two full color hard stock paper puppets to put together plus a bunch of zanny stories.

Paper Puppet Palooza
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Quarry Books
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592534848
ISBN-13: 978-1592534845
Product Dimensions:
10.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches

Official Book website http://www.paperpuppetpalooza.com

Buy a special signed limited edition dustcover copy of the book at http://shop.crankbunny.com

The regular book can be found and bought at most book stores like Barnes & Noble and through Amazon.com too! Click here for more information and sneak peaks through Amazon.com.

Vote for the Secret Decoder Card

2009-05-27T10:28:00.003-04:00

Vote! What Will Make Dad's Day? Etsy is having an online little competition for what's the niftiest Dad gift you can give for this Father's Day! The Crankbunny Secret Decoder Card is in the running - so go on and vote for it!

VOTE HERE! CLICK HERE!

Details from Etsy.com--
We love our papas, but man, they can be tricky to shop for. We asked our readers to nominate their favorite Father's Day gift ideas. Now it's your turn to vote! Next Monday we'll announce the winner. The top picks will be featured in the Gift Guides and here on the Etsy blog, so show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Special Delivery!

2009-05-22T12:58:00.012-04:00

While summer started to settle in nicely I've been putzing away on a new pop up Crankbunny card! Tada! It's a lovely stork card that can be used for all "baby-to-be" & "baby-BING-it's done!" occasions. (Psss it can also be used in other non-baby occasions too... keep on reading...)

We love cards with options! So like the Festive Robot Paper Puppet and the Let Them Eat Cake pop up card - the Special Delivery pop up card allows you to choose what you'd like the storky bird to be carrying. There's the full on gender baby effect, the non-gender baby treatment, the alien baby tentacle sci-fi fanfare, or a simple note card where one can write some special.

The simple note card allows the card to be used for other moments where you wanna make another person feel special. Thinking of you, wedding occasions, saying Thank You, anniversaries, passing on some congratulations and wowing that National Audubon Society member in your family.

The card is designed, cut, and handmade with my tiny little marshmallow fingers. The size of the card is a standard A7 greeting card (5x7in) and comes with a vellum semi translucent envelope.
When ordering the card - just choose which nifty basket version you'd like! Ooo see, simple!

The Special Delivery Card is now being sold in both the shops!. Click here to order the card!

Mono Magazine Japan

2009-05-20T10:54:00.003-04:00

Mono Magazine went a little crazy with some Crankbunny shop items this bi- month printed release of issue No.606. Published since 1982, "mono" is japanese for "thing/object" and their focus is design and product goodness. It also features trendy street fashion, sports and some tech stuff and has a circulation of several hundred thousand every 2 weeks. Let's just say I am tickled pink all about it.

If you know a little japanese - you can also check out the magazine on their website.
http://www.monomagazine.com/

Drastication abound!

2009-05-12T15:56:00.007-04:00

See! That's it, please commit yourself to cave woman speak for the rest of this blog post.

Because of all my latest distractions (or drastications as so coined above) - the oh so many things I've been meaning to blog about keep getting pushed into the horizon of the 'to-do' list which now amazingly has its own sublists. Great- Love it when that happens. All of them are very exciting I assure you. One of them though is the latest popup card I've been working on.

Here is a sneak!! I can not disclose the nature of this "bird" related card because that would frankly spoil all the fun. This card will come with fun accessories though - so it can be used for many different occasions (we are big into "multi-purpose" here at Casa Del Crankbunny).

There will also be a new summer puppet on the horizon too. It's going to be part of a Etsy Virtual Labs Craft night in early June - so that means I'll be doing a little tutorial virtually on a special night and supplying a free puppet template with instructions for everyone to have and enjoy! More news to follow (it's on my list)!

Out of Town May 6 to May 10th

2009-05-04T14:25:00.005-04:00

I will be traveling May 6 to May 10 - so all orders placed during that time will be shipped May 11th. I've tried to play notices everywhere so people are in le know! Sorry Mommy day procastinators - Snooze you lose.

***Beware that if something gets ordered on May 5th at 5pm EST - it will probably be batched into the pool of orders that have delayed shipping. Humans have to makesure they get sleep and consume the occasional bowl of slop (aka foody-yum-yums).

mo' betta horizons

2009-04-26T14:18:00.013-04:00

After a nasty time prolonged flu, a heavy animation workload, and my main computer finally kicking the bucket last week (don't worry kids, I got other puters to get by with) .. I can only see spiffy things in the horizon! The weather here is a good sign - it's finally warm. A nice 80F, thank you very much.

To celebrate my 1st real day off - sans work, sans sickness, sans crappy cold weather - I decided to go see Rob Ryan's work up at the Earnest Sewn store in the upper west village here in NYC. His installation/temporary store called Ryantown USA there is only up till May 17th. I am a huge fan (hello duh- its paper and it's cut). It was amazing to see so much of his stuff in one place. It's a totally different experience in person.

These are some pics from my adventure:

*these pictures taken by brian ewing with his amazing camera.

I scored a really nice foldout 2009 calendar that is still knocking my freekin socks off because it is totally awesome and was only 5 dollars!

He uses alot of laser cutting for his mass produced stuff which is pretty much the only way to get those small super tiny iddty bitty cutouts. The installation stuff was cutout by hand. Oh the obsessiveness that I can't help but to adore!

Luxury American denim label, Earnest Sewn, has partnered up with U.K artist, Rob Ryan, to create two installations that will host collaborative work between the brand and the artist. So far, there are limited edition printed t-shirts, bandannas, customized denim patchwork teddy bears and hand embroidered cushions. The installation will come in the form of pop-up stores in two locations, one in New York and the other in London. For the pop-up store in New York situated within Earnest Sewn’s store in the Meat Packing District, Ryan replicated his East London Shop, Ryantown, for a store-within-a-store concept.

Ryan is known for his signature paper-cut pieces and has already worked with companies like Paul Smith and Liberty. The pop-up store was launched on April 2 will be running through May 17, so be sure to drop by and check out the limited edition knick-knacks.

Rob Ryan - etsy store
Rob Ryan - website
Rob Ryan - blog

Earnest Sewn
821 Washington St Map
New York, NY 10014

doctors orders

2009-04-20T10:51:00.006-04:00

I am still sick. Doctor's orders was to get rest and take it easy - which isn't that hard because my brain can't even facilitate my usual busybody activities. Because of that - I have to make the following announcement:

*-- April 19 to 25th! --*
Orders will go out in 3 to 4 days. I am currently fighting a very bad bug- leaving me bed ridden, weak and not very up to speed. Please contact me if you need an item ASAP.

Sucks (and relatively boring for me), but it is what it is.

In the meantime - keep yourself occupied with Steven Meisel Jigsaw Puzzle! Way expensive, but totally gawkable this puzzle is based on one the photos from the 'Vogue Patterns" Italia spread that he did maybe.. in 2008, 2007? I remember when it came out and friends n we company all went "oooooo ahhhhh mmmmm patttteeernnns." It's some sexy stuff.

So if you got 750 US dollars to spare - by all means treat yourself, and if you probably have this to spare you also have another 750 to get me a copy! Which I would appreciate dearly.

1000-piece jigsaw puzzle Edition of 1000 Signed and numbered Puzzle: 20 x 28’’ (50 x 70 cm) Box: 8.5 x 12 x 2’’ (21.5 x 30 x 5 cm) $750 This limited-edition jigsaw puzzle features a pattern-on-pattern photograph of model Meghan Collison as a tattooed pin-up. The image originally appeared in Vogue Italia, a publication for which Meisel has created every cover and lead editorial story for nearly two decades. Each custom-made cloth box is signed and numbered by Steven Meisel. The jigsaw puzzle is manufactured by Editions Ricordi, makers of high-quality jigsaw puzzles since 1808.

The following pics are some of my favorites from that spread. I now return to my regularly scheduled sitting on the couch under a bunch of blankets. Cherrio!

all the ladies in da houssseee...

2009-04-07T15:27:00.009-04:00

First off, this particular lady that's doing the writing is sick. Magically (and not delicious) I woke up with weirdo virus/flu/headachey type symptoms. But anyhoo - I'd still like to introduce two new paper puppet ladies. Lady Fish now has two new friends...she was lonely being the only half female/half animal freak in town.

What I love about these types of paper puppet dolls is how many joints they end up having. There is something so cool about positioning all the arms, legs, head, etc in various different ways with your own fingers.

Lady Spider : A very docile species of spider, this lady prefers to quietly string up golden webs from a heart. The only real way of upsetting her comes from any near hum or sing-song of the "Itsy Bitsy Spider".

I have a thing with spiders and they've showed up alot in my animation work. Lady Spider is a paper puppet doll that is very large. She's basically around the size of an 11 x17 poster - wow! She's my new favorite really - but don't tell Flying Monkey Lady... I'll wake up to a bunch of rotten bananas on my doorstep. For more information on this puppet - click here

Flying Monkey Lady: Raised by flying monkeys - you can only assume the unexpected from this special lady. While this flying darling has a huge pension for bananas, she is usually seen delivering trinkets and big laughs to everyone she meets.

This particular paper puppet also is very large too and with way more movable parts than some of the other Crankbunny paper puppet dolls. My favorite part of her is the banana necklace which is sort of a keepsake to her flying monkey elders who raised her. For more information on this paper puppet - click here

Both these puppets are available in my Crankbunny store and Crankbunny Etsy shop. They are limited edition to 50 - titled, numbered, and signed. Both these match the Lady Fish Puppet perfectly too!

a tweet, a twit, a twaa....

2009-04-06T13:33:00.005-04:00

There has been a "Crankbunny" twitter feed for awhile now - like a year or so. It was used back then to do something else which is why its filled with a bunch of random thoughts....

Thoughts like:
"Congratchawelldone"
"I was that first monkey to touch the monolith - delinquent up in that crack like white squaw for the weekend, and I sunk your battleship."
"I have completed your request to pass the request.... comcast livechat obiwan"
** One has to do with a live internet chat cable company customer representative, one refers to something silly said to the Goth Detectives on a British Pop Quiz TV show, and the other is just rap lyrics.

The feed is now going to be used more "productively"(whatever that means). It will still have random thoughts.. gotta have the random thoughts.. and also updates to new blog posts, shop updates, sneak peaks, animation, etc. It's like the supersonic connection.

So feel free to "Follow" Crankbunny antics on twitter HERE (or use the side button thats located somewhere on the right of this page - Look out for a fishhead with some phonographs)

Featured : Butterfly Flying Flapping Pop Up Card

2009-04-02T15:59:00.010-04:00

The Featured post is meant to review and take a good look- in fact!- a better look at some of the products sold in the Crankbunny shop using private incite (oooo saucy!),photos, videos or any technology I can get my grubby hands on.

Flapping Butterfly Popup card
This earthy brown 3D card is of a garden with a beautiful butterfly that flaps and flies when you pull the tab back and forth. The tab is a small hinged leaf which turns out. One of the larger leafs also folds out to a white area where you can write something special.

Incite! This is one of the more tedious cards to put together. Time and all those little pieces to cut out and NOT LOOSE - but I do like making this card because it comes out so pretty. It's also uses a delicate paper mechanism to make the wings move so it should not be mailed by itself through USPS.

Did you know.. There is a supersize me version of this card? There's the regular Butterfly popup card and then there's the super sexy fancy SPARKLE Butterfly popup card! The Sparkle version is alot like the regular except there's alot more glam to it. The envelope and backing is iridescent. Each card is detailed by hand with subtle glitter in different matching colors.

Video! Describing how some of the Crankbunny cards work is sometimes difficult... Flapping? Does it fly off the card... I don't get it?! Hey sometimes my flapping isn't so butterfly-ie!? I'm confused! Video makes it so much easier...

Here's also a little tip on getting your butterfly to flap and fluttery at its most optimum levels!

Perfect for... People like to send this card to relatives and friends as a general 'thinking of you', 'get well soon', or a simple thoughtful gift (aunt's bdays, coworkers, etc). People write back how happy and delighted was because of how unexpected the card is - which is so awesome! (Honestly, no one ever comes up to me and tells me how that diet commercial I happen to animate moved them so much... seriously, TMI).

Flying Monkeys before Fairies

2009-03-31T15:00:00.006-04:00

There is something painfully wonderful about starting your day before the rest of the world wakes up. I, for one, get a bunch more work done and have somehow an amazing amount of energy to run around like a wacked headless chicken in my office all day (but those spanish genes summon up a small siesta around noon or so...). Was that chicken metaphor too grotesque? Alright, my Russell Brand knob gets turn back down to the usual 2.4!

I'm not particularly fond or hateful of fairies. Maybe it's a cultural thing, but more likely its a case of "haven't gotten around to it -- I'm still noseying around with vovelles". BUT - in the bookstore a month back or so, I ran into this amazing popup book about Fairies and was blown away! (Apparently the publisher has a few out! Woo!)

How to Find Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker

It's so detailed and intensely illustrated that I had to STOP working on my top secret flying monkey puppet to take a few pictures! They went to town with this series. Love the hidden little areas and use of paper depth.

Looking forward to sitting down with this book and getting all the juicy popup bits in also.

Feel free to also view the amazon.com pictures for the book - which show some of the other pages. I listed the other books in this Cicely Mary Barker series too which all seem to have the "Look Inside" feature to wet your appetite.

How to Find Flower Fairies
Flower Fairies Magical Moonlight Feast
Return to Fairyopolis (Flower Fairies)
Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal
Flower Fairies Paper Dolls - Paper dolls!

Screw the eggs! Now this is easter!

2009-03-28T14:04:00.008-04:00

Everytime I look at figurines (ehm not toys!) by the amazing Patience Brewster - I go nuts. She has this beautiful line of oraments, objects, etc that just tap into the stupid 8 yearold head-stuck-in-the-clouds side of me. But honestly, my head is still somewhat stuck up there... especially when my brain needs a retreat from the emails/orders/dishes/animation paper part of life.

Welcome to the magical world of Patience Brewster. Patience Brewster is a gifted and prolific artist, illustrator and calligrapher. Since 2000, she has collaberated with Department 56 to produce the wildly successful Krinkles collection: translating her meticulous pictures and drawings into elaborate dimensional forms. New! Krinkles™ 2008!- a collection brimming with wit and imagination and filled with quirky and endearing characters that are guaranteed to charm and delight.

What's also awesome is some of these are actually affordable for something so hand-painted and special... in the way where you can probably get just one but the hardest part is WHICH *&#^$ ONE?! Oh Boy.

Patience is also really good about talking about her career, work, process, the whole kit-n-kaboodle about illustrating for children's books and then expanding eventually with her own line. One smart inspiring human! Below you can watch her talk briefly about her life and her handmade objects.

You can google Patience Brewster Krinkles to see more pics and where to buy.

Also she sells stuff from her own site since her and her husband now run the show themselves. http://www.patiencebrewster.com/storefront

Pop Up Cookbook?!

2009-03-25T16:27:00.004-04:00

The only reason I know how to make pancakes correctly is because of Kenny Shopsin and his book "Eat Me". Until then I was shy and sort of fumbly about it, but I didn't get the book because I wanted to learn how to make freekin pancakes.

See I love NYC alot but honesty I pretty much live here cause of the food and Shopsins is sort of a dietary(triplecorinary)staple here. It's a family restaurant that's changed locations a few times and run by Kenny Shopsin n famila (the 1st and 2nd was featured in the documentary 'I Like Killing Flies' - check your Netflix people!). It's got rules, set ways that are irrationally flexible, amazing food, most people hate it or love it and you can leave if you don't like it... ahhh "the city".

Anyway - Kenny Shopsin put out a cookbook/instructional about his thoughts on food, certain main ingredients, life, and some of menu items in his restaurant. Just a few cause the menu has about 400 items (or something ridiculous like that) and he changes them alot. One of his daughters designed the book (she's an amazing graphic designer) - and KUDOS to her for doing a pop-up book cover and not something boring and plain.

So it's not entirely a pop-up book about recipes with foods and spoons spilling out all over and out the pages (ala Reinhart & Sabuda...seriously though...not a bad idea -Hear that pitch out boyz!) - but the cover is and that counts!

**If you are wondering what that other book is - that's Shadow Puppets & Shadow Play by David Currell which I highly recommend also. See! There's something puppet related too! Be sure to check out the "Look Inside" feature on amazon to get a little noisy inside the book.

Let Them Eat Cake!

2009-03-23T22:18:00.004-04:00

Just a quick post to reveal that the new Let Them Eat Cake pop up card is up in both the shops! Yes, that's right... the card that turns into a slice of cake!

Here's some cake porn - please don't start licking the screen... again.

Mykonos by Grandchildren

2009-03-21T17:49:00.003-04:00

This blog will rarely (was never suppose to) be about animation, or having to do with the animation part in my life. It's for paper, and scissors, and glue and this hobby that's taken up a portion of my life for the sake of sanity... BUT...

Mykonos from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

I saw something wonderfully refreshing and honest. It struck me so much because something like this is not done in traditional stop-motion anymore. It's always faked digitally(something I'm guilty of) but this wasn't. That's astonishing. It's also beautifully abstract and vague and freeking LONG. Lately, well, maybe I"m just a tad frustrated of commercial work being so thick / literal that my brain, heart, and forming kidney stones yearn to see stuff that's not, but both perfect and unperfect, and still being made for whatever insane reason by the creator. You don't ask questions. It's one of the few things that keeps animation alive... for me.

Here are the details you are probably asking ---

Sean Pecknold "We just spent the last 4 weeks working on this stop-motion music video for Fleet Foxes. Thanks to Chris, Jesse, and Toby for working so hard on it. The timeline was tight so i apologize for any shortfalls, but I hope you enjoy it!"

Credits:
Music - Fleet Foxes - Mykonos
Director/Animator - Sean Pecknold
Artist/Illustrator - Jesse Brown (papervspencil.com)
Animation Assistant - Toby Liebowitz (inbruno.com)
Animation Assistant - Chris Ando (myspace.com/talbottagora)
Art Director - Sean Pecknold
Produced by Grandchildren

http://www.bygrandchildren.com/index.php?/mvids/mykonos/

And yes, at 26 I passed some kidney stones... for those wondering.

Prints are boring! Puzzles are not--

2009-03-17T12:16:00.004-04:00

The Pescado Grande Puzzle is the first of a series of puzzles that reference old star constellation maps, nautical sea maps and numbers in the cuban charada (lottery). Number 10 represents a big fish - pescado grande - which in this case is a large Crankbunny.

This puzzle is designed, glued, cut, detailed with ink and subtle glitters, varnished, and handmade by my lovely marshmallow fingers and a crank press called Maxy. Because every puzzle is cut and detailed with additional artistic materials (ink, paint, etc) - each puzzle is unique, special, and no two,three,four,etc are the same. The puzzle when assembled is 9 1/4"w x 7 3/4"h and is packaged unassembled in a decorative paper gift pillow box (also handmade by me).

It looks pretty darn sexy too when easily framed for a unique display of artiness.

*This puzzle can be bought at both the Crankbunny stores now! Click here & here!

**What is this "charada" you speak of?
Charada is a simple numerological system of dream interpretation used for the divination of numbers to play the lottery in Cuba. Numbers from one to one hundred have a name assigned to them; if you dream about a snake you play 21. I am Cuban, therefore these numbers have their own additional meaning for me... that leak always into the stuff I make. To learn more about the numbers in la charada - click here

sneak peak!

2009-03-10T17:45:00.014-04:00

I thought it might be fun to give a sneak peak of the next card.

Let Them Eat Cake!
No more trying to shove icing, cake batter, and sprinkles into an envelope!

Its a birthday card! This zanny idea found it's way into my head about wanting to do a birthday card that turned into a piece of cake and I've been giggling to myself ever since.

The card arrives flat inside a fun 6 1/2 inch square envelope. Once the card is taken out - a pulled tab "pops" and transforms the card into a paper 3D slice of cake. The tab get tucked away and keeps the card expanded in its "cake-shape".

The cake card is decorated with traditional icing, a lit birthday candle, lots of sprinkles, and chocolate-vanilla-raspberry filling!

Stuck in this fat-free cake is a fork which when pulled out reveals a smaller note card wedged into some icing. This note card can be removed from the cake, personalized with a special message for that amazing birthday person and placed then back into its fork/icing holder.

Update! This card is now available in both the Etsy shop or the Crankbunny store!

Both shops are open!

2009-03-07T20:55:00.005-05:00

Etsy shop is now open after being closed from March 2nd to 7th because there was a huge need to fly around in a big metal bird for some work related activites - but now both shops are open!

Stay tuned this upcoming week for blog posts on new items up for sale too (along with the typical randomness of paper trivia that must be cataloged on this blog). Real nerdy information awaits you!

Hello Sun!

2009-03-07T20:06:00.010-05:00

Daylight savings is upon us and that is great news! During the winter - things get a little ruff when there is about 6 hours of sunlight to be used... and don't get me started on kelvin color temperature and how it's not even really good sunlight.

Winter light is plain weak - it just don't cut it!

In celebration of daylight savings this sat night/sun (and missing my flight thus having to sit around the airport for another.. lets say 8 hours GETTING MY PARTY ON) you can receive a free gift with purchase when placing an order at the Crankbunny shop!

Crankbunny orders over 30 dollars will include a fun Crankbunny Jigsaw Puzzle to put together! Some quick fun to keep around for bored desk slaves and kids - or easily framed for a unique display of artiness.

No airport security threat level Orange to deal with either!

Etsy shop closed March 2-7, Regular Shop OPEN!

2009-02-24T00:40:00.011-05:00

Etsy shop closed during this time - but the regular Crankbunny Shop is open and taking orders.

Hate to do it again, but a business trip requires me to exit my timezone for a few days from March 2nd to March 7th. Now since the last time I flew with scissors they got randomly confiscated by someone in a bag mood at TSA - I am not taking any chances again and not be getting my craft on during my flight. As HARD as thats gonna be...

Sadly and nerdly enough I love getting in some good crafty time while waiting around in terminals... I get so MUCH WORK DONE instead of figeting away, texting on my phone, or charging up 9dollar Boingo hourly internet fees.

Fantastic and tactile!

2009-02-22T12:50:00.005-05:00

Paper Puppet Palooza is showing its lovely face all over the real "non" internerd world. Fantastic and tactile! Since I don't really leave my nest because of all that animation and those shop orders that gotta be done (ok that's a lie) - it was nice to see PPP on the shelves. At Barnes n Noble no less! (in florida, seen n captured photologically by my dad hehe)

Only more proof that the book is available for immediate gratification purposes at your local chain bookstore!

People have also been saying lovely things about the writing and instructions found in Paper Puppet Palooza. Dropping science like Galileo dropped the orange - lets kick it!

"...love this book! Out standing art work and ideas. Very good templates and instructions. Easy to follow and a good jump off place for your own ideas. Great for movable figures to use on cards, altered work, stages, etc and just about any thing you can think up. I scaned the templates on my computer and printed out on heavy paper rather then cut up my book..."
- Very smart and handy in Deerfield, IL

"...Crankbunny's off-beat sense of humor shows on every page of this book. That alone makes it worth purchasing, but the instructions and illustrations are also very clear and clever. Turns out, paper puppet making isn't all that difficult or expensive, but newbies will benefit from the confidence and encouragement this book provides...."
- Totally got it VB.

Feel free to flip through some of the book with Amazon's "Look Inside" feature or Barnes n Nobles "See Inside".

Metamorphic Trade Cards!

2009-02-20T15:06:00.008-05:00

I learn a new name or term for a particular type of card technique - especially antique ones - every week . Apparently "pop-up" cards doesn't cover it all. Also, cards that move and do fun things have been around for a really long time. It's one of my obsessions to procrastinate and research this sort of stuff on the internet.

This week I added "mechanical cards" and "Metamorphic trade card"(?!) to my vocabulary. Mechanical cards is basically the old way of calling something a 'pop-up' card. A search will lead you to float around in google-space (which currently is the 6th dimension) looking at really cool old valentine cards from the 1940s, 30s, victorian age.

Metamorphic trade card sounds like and is a really old term. Trade cards in general are something that were huge back in the day (way back.. like 80+). If you sold anything, there had to had a trading card for it. Cigarettes, tobacco, liquor, the mail, piggy banks, cars, a can of beans... there was a card for it. It was usually small (business card sized) and pretty much took the place of the real object if you were too poor to own it (and that most likely you were). They were beautiful, colorful and an artist was usually allowed to go to town with the design.

Metamorphic trade card was one that would transform/foldout/move or to us futuristic beings in the 21st century - 'pop up'.

(scary!)

If you'd like to know more or see more - go to this site.

Both shops are now open and stocked!

2009-02-15T17:33:00.010-05:00

Both the etsy shop and the regular crankbunny shop are now up, open, running, smoking, stocked and filled with many goodies to atleast oogle at! woo!

**Much excitement also because both shops are selling puppets - which haven't been available since last year 2008. But no longer sadness!

**Shopping policies have also been updated and announced throughout the stores. There are now "rules" and guidelines for refunds, shipping, and most importantly - shipping insurance - which is actually wonderfully affordable using Endicia (and err NOT USPS). Read more below.

Honestly USPS lost way too many packages this Valentine season (... how can you loose all my mail going to San Francisco?). Beyond having to cover the refunds myself, it was absolutely more painful to contact more than just a couple customers to break the news that their packages somehow were lost. It truly sucked. Calls and complaints to USPS directly hit huge Brazil like brick walls and empty robotic verbal 'sowrries' that just don't cut it. I could not stand to just relay it off on to customers.

After some research and asking of fellow sellers, the following was assessed:
-USPS will loose packages and not give a hoot. Fail.
-USPS shipping insurance is expensive and filled with LOTS of paperwork.. and not feasible to add onto shipping charges. Who would buy a 8 dollar card and pay another 4 dollars to get it? I am fully aware of reality... Fail.
-I am not responsible for USPS actions, but can't be a jerk about lost mail. Scratches Head...
-UPS, Fedex, Priority Mail services aren't guarentted services and they cost mucho more! Next.
-Endicia has REALLY cheap shipping insurance that is also easy to use/file. A little more than a buck covers lost and damaged packages up to 100 dollars. Bingo.
-Make adding Endicia insurance easily accessible to my buyers to add. Done - Bingo!

In both the shops - shipping insurance coverage can be bought and added to you cart easily. It's listed as a product and costs:

Within the US - 1.10 USD
Outside the US - 2.10 USD

This flate rate covers up to $100 dollars. Nice.

Benny talked.

2009-02-15T14:42:00.006-05:00

I love stupid things.. especially stupid random things that make no sense. Big surprise huh?

So when I finally saw this string of commercial TV ads (seriously folks, I watch 2 channels at 2am in the morning and it's all DVR) I almost kicked myself. Especially since it was for Superbowl, which I don't follow - but I should - and why? - because I work in advertising.... technically. Norma gets a D-.

NANNERPUSS IS SO GREAT.

I kinda like this more, because I would want my pancakes to look like that.

Tony Sarg and his marionettes

2009-02-12T13:22:00.006-05:00

Ofcourse somehow neurotic norma (who is a seperate entirely split personality living in my brain... long story, no way of making it short) added into my delicious list an entry about a Tony Sarg book that can be read on google books. For free. How fantastic.

This book is very fun and nerdy to read if you are into anything that deals with puppetry mechanics. And ofcourse I am. I am not a huge fan of actual real marionettes - but I do know how they work and how they are tied (which is one the reason I'm not a fan of them.... all those strings knotting up at a blink of an eye really freek me out). I am a firm believer you can learn alot from things you don't like. Probably alot more than things you do like.

Anyhoozal, Tony himself (read more about him here) included alot of his own secrets in this book.

The Tony Sarg Marionette Book
By Frederick John McIsaac, Anne Stoddard
Published by B.W. Huebsch, inc., 1921
Original from the University of California
Digitized Nov 30, 2007 57 pages

captured magic

2009-02-12T12:41:00.005-05:00

I thought it would be sadistically fun to post some photos of trying to do over 200 orders in a span of one week (over 300 items). I present to you... Insanity Level 6!

Level 6 isn't so bad compared to Real Insanity Level 9 which any animator can attest to. You reach it after 7 days of animating straight on barely any sleep and ingesting way too much pizza, pepsi, speed(ignore that), and hot pockets. And you keep going until the deadline and online session.

Etsy shop is closed from Jan 26 to Feb 14

2009-02-12T11:58:00.010-05:00

Every popup card is cut, glued and put together by hand. I will not be selling anymore cards starting Jan 26th so all orders can get shipped by Feb 1st. I will use that time also to make and restock the cards too.. and find solutions for my newly acquired hand pain. Amazing my scissors didn't emplode at 3am on some random thursday night.

I'm also using that time to get a jump on making some actual puppets! I haven't made one single puppet since last year - ARG! (insert sad clown face)

**All orders for Valentines day have been shipped out too! If you did not get an email from my postage mailing program with details on your shipping - AND - would love to have that information, please feel free to convo or email me or contact me through the official store . Some of those emails have gotten eaten in the internerd or by some meticulous spambot.

The regular store is still open though - http://shop.crankbunny.com/

The Crankbunny Shop (or store)

2009-02-11T21:16:00.005-05:00

I will now also be selling novelty paper goods through my official super snazzy Crankbunny Online store. That's right... this new years 2009 resolution was to get a little organized and frantic with all the neat 3D pop up greeting cards and paper puppets being sold.

So here is the official introduction! Tada - The store! The shop!

Website - http://shop.crankbunny.com
Things to know:
-Unlike my Etsy shop, this store will be open all year. I frequently shut down my Etsy shop at random times of the year unexpectedly and mainly because of my fulltime job as an animator. This official shop won't get shut down ever.
-Popup Cards and Paper Puppets don't sell out on this site too.
-Prices are cheaper because this shop is easier to maintain and use for both of us.
-I can sell less "handmade" things like my new book on making paper puppets.

who makes me laugh...

2009-02-11T20:52:00.004-05:00

Eugene Mirman makes me laugh - and his new damn amazing book is out "The Will to Whatevs: A Guide to Modern Life".

If you'd like to know more about the book - visit these sites for some enterTERIANment. Ok, don't know why that spelling mistake was so emphasized... I just rolled with it in a wrong way. It's late people.
Harpers book stuff.... and Eugene's site....

I am a fan and whenever he puts together shows in nyc, they are hysterical and fun and thankfully missing that whole "laugh factory" 80s comedy club element that tends to freek me out.

**His book release party was a hoot at the bellhouse in brooklyn. This picture right here... sums it up. (Yes that is Kristen Schaal doing her one woman show as a dirty mattress on the street)

That is certifiably fun material right there.

mmmm sexy monogram

2009-02-11T20:33:00.006-05:00

Around here we got big love for useful vintage items ESPECIALLY when it comes to old time tooly stuff. There are so many things out there that work perfectly fine and who need good homes... Someone really should consider a 'adopt-a-thingamajiggy' agency. Seriously folks, adopt a spoon.

Anyway, this made me squeel hard. Your Secret Admiral got it and by the looks of it, also had made a new personalized mark for it (you can get these easily done anywhere and online, its pretty standard size and mark).

Look at that mark. Very tasty.

secret decoder valentine greeting card

2009-02-11T20:15:00.006-05:00

Crack the secret code of love with a decoder ring pop up greeting card! Just for valentine's day - which is the holiday I'm the biggest sucker for - I've designed and made a new popup 3D interactive doodad card!

The card also allows for a personalized message that gets coded up numerically and gets held inside. This message gets deciphered using the decoder dials within the card. This popup card is 5 by 5 inches square. It comes with a matching square semi-transparent vellum envelope. Each card is designed, cut, coded, and handmade with my marshmallow fingers.

Ideal for any greeting gift card instance where sneaky agents or secret admirers are involved.

*Update: This card caught me by surprise with its demand. Sadly I had to cut off orders for the card Jan 26th and decided only to make 200 of them for the valentine holiday. Each one of my cards get cut, glued and assembled by one set of hands (*those hands being mine*) and by the 150th card.. those hands were in alot of pain.

**A big thank you to everyone that was so patient getting their decoder card too. It's alot to ask folks and adds to meeting any sort of big holiday deadline which always seems to stress me out a bit.

***UPDATE: The card is back on sale in the Crankbunny Store now**

New animated trailer for da'Palooza!

2009-02-11T20:03:00.005-05:00

Check out the new animated trailer!

The trailer is a peak into the life of Paul Palooza - the explorer and self-proclaimed puppetologist who is the center character of the new book Paper Puppet Palooza.

Paper Puppet Palooza!

2009-02-11T19:44:00.006-05:00

New Paper Puppet book! It is out!

Paper Puppet Palooza is a storybook how-to on making paper puppets and incorporating paper puppet techniques into your own existing work. It is a book for artists, craft ladies, hobbiests, teachers, animators, parents, youngsters, puppeteers, rainy day victims and those who are just into curious creative exploration. The main character in the book - Paul “Peppo” Palooza - guides the reader through each of the step-by-step illustrated projects with a cast of other imaginative paper puppet characters.

For more info or to buy the book visit the book's website - http://www.paperpuppetpalooza.com

Also! To welcome the release of Paper Puppet Palooza by Crankbunny / Norma V Toraya - a limited edition signed dustcover print has been created for the book. This full color large poster print is 11 inch (h) by 26 inch (w), signed, limited to 250.

Click here to purchase this version of the book or/and limited edition print in the Crankbunny store.

"a trilogy in five parts"

2009-02-11T19:15:00.008-05:00

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a top top TOP ultimate book favorite. It sums up everything or atleast 80% of what/how/where/why things are the way they are or can be. It makes no sense, and thats ok. See how reassuring that feels.

Anybamhoozal - they put out a nice version of the book.

"Thickly padded leather binding, silk ribbon sewn in as a placeholder, nice leather smell like a car interior. The pages are very thin, like the paper used to make bibles."

So sexy. recommend

Caught up in constellations

2009-02-11T17:59:00.006-05:00

Don't ask how, but it was probably the righteous path of google image searching 'vovelles' at 1am in the morning... and leaving a ton of images open for me to look at later on today when there was a well needed "mental health" moment.

Constellation Cards!
by who better than --- Jehoshaphat Aspin!
Apparently the Library of Congress has his stuff on their "High Demand" list. Go figure. They are lovely though... so it's time to share.

Not sure if that's a wig or a hairy octopus or what?

it's finally been done

2009-02-11T17:48:00.007-05:00

.. or, maybe it should be said that now having a 'blog' actually makes sense!

Duh. So now there is a place for all the nifty following:
-For updates!
-Shop News!
-Random trivia that no one will read or barely understand!
-Awesome bullet points and outlined information;
-curt "to the point" blurbs leaving you thristy for more, hooha!
-an abuse of punctuation you've never seen the likes of***! and!
-Sharing. Awwwwwww........... .. . . .

Prepared to be weeWOW'ed.