Robin and I are very excited to announce that we’re busy working on new shadow puppets to replace our current product line.  While we’re sad to see the old puppets go, we had to change our process entirely in order to comply with the new toy safety regulations put in place by the CPSIA.  The good news is that most of the new puppets will be jointed!  The old puppets will still be available until we run out of stock – so if you had your eye on a Princess, now’s the time to carry her away.

Congratulations to Nichole Andler, who was chosen by the random number generator as our giveaway winner.  A Muskox and Polar Bear will be stampeding your way soon!

Don’t forget to enter our Shadow Show Contest sponsored by Owly and Orange Moon Toys.  Deadline February 1, 2009.

polar-bear-and-musk-oxWe’re giving away a pair of jointed polar bear and muskox shadow puppets to celebrate our appearance on the Martha Stewart show.  These puppets are just like the ones Meredith taught Martha to make on the show.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post by the end of Monday, January 19, 2009.  We’ll chose a commenter at random.  Be sure to include your email address so we can contact you if you win.  (We promise never to send spam.)

As always, our puppets are available for purchase from our Etsy store.

And don’t forget to enter our Shadow Show Contest sponsored by Owly and Orange Moon Toys.  Deadline February 1, 2009.

We loved our time on the Martha Stewart show!  Meredith taught Martha how to make a polar bear shadow puppet, while she made a muskox.

Watch the video:

Meredith in rehearsal

Meredith in rehearsal

Mer might have been a little nervous, but rehearsal went well, and all the staff at the show was friendly and helpful.

Ewan and Robin in the audience - the cheering section

Ewan and Robin in the audience - the cheering section

When it was time for the taping to begin, Ewan (Mer’s husband) and I sat in the front row while Meredith waited in the green room.  Because of an upcoming “doggie fashion show” segment, Martha’s two french bulldogs were on the set.  One was acting nervous and shakey.  At the first commercial break,  a harried producer dropped him in Ewan’s lap, saying, “You’re not allergic, are you?  Maybe he’ll be less nervous sitting closer to Martha.”  Stunned, Ewan took the dog and expertly soothed him.  He later informed the producer that Sharkey was in good hands, as he’s a second-year veterinarian student.  Martha laughed and waved when she saw Sharkey on Ewan’s lap.

Martha taking questions after the show

Martha taking questions after the show

The puppet-making segment opened with Martha playing with the polar bear puppet, which she seemed to really get a kick out of.  Meredith hadn’t met Martha until they actually began taping the segment.  Mer had about 6 minutes to make a shadow puppet and be “as high energy as if you drank 10 cups of coffee”.  While that’s not her normal personality, we thought she did great.  There was even enough time at the end of the segment for Mer to give Martha a set of shadow puppets of Martha’s 3 dogs.

After it was over, a photographer took a picture of Mer and Martha together, and then I was invited to join them in a photo.  Martha looked over at me and smiled and said, “Well that went well, didn’t it?”.  I couldn’t agree more.

statueofliberty

Robin and Meredith brave bitter cold winds on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty

Meredith on NBC15 in Madison

Owly and Orange Moon Toys Shadow Show Contest

Direct and star in your very own shadow show and post a video of it on YouTube. Have fun! Be creative! Sing your own soundtrack! Experiment with lighting effects!
No purchase necessary – make shadows with your hands, puppets from any artist (including you!), or even your favorite fruit! All ages encouraged to enter. Contest ends Feb. 1 2009.

Grand Prize: a full set of ( 8 ) Owly Shadow Puppets
and any (6) Orange Moon Toys Shadow Puppets
and a $50 cash prize

(3) Runners Up: any (2) Owly Shadow Puppets
and any (2) Orange Moon Toys Shadow Puppets

In addition, winning videos will be shown at the Chicago Children’s Museum in March. Fame AND Fortune, and Puppets! What more could you ask for?

To Enter:
Tape your performance, post it on youtube, and tag your video with “2009 Shadow Puppet Contest”. Then send us a link to the video on youtube. You can contact us on Etsy at Orange Moon Toys or Owly Shadow Puppets through the “convo” link, or send a link directly to our email: andreaeverman [!at] hotmail.com or orangemoontoys [!at] gmail.com

martha

…and tune in to The Martha Stewart Show on January 12th to see us demonstrate how to make your own shadow puppets!

We’re headed to New York to tape the show this week and are very excited!

Throw on a parka and mittens to play with these guys – their thick fur will keep them warm enough to cast hours of shadows across the snow.  Muskox drinks hot cocoa and Arctic Fox prefers sipping spiced cider on a chilly evening.  This set includes Arctic Fox, Dall Sheep, Muskox, Polar Bear, and Reindeer.

We’ll be giving some away in January, so stay tuned for details.

Congratulations to kbombbilly, who was chosen by the random number generator as our giveaway winner.  Thai shadow puppets will be winging, slithering and stomping your way!

We will be running our next giveaway in about a month, so remember to check back soon!

thai-legends-shadow-puppets

We’re giving away a Thai Legends shadow puppet set to celebrate the launch of Robin’s favorite puppets.  The set includes a Garuda, Hong, Naga, Singh, and Thai Elephant.  (Also included is a fact card to briefly explain the significance of each symbol in the Thai culture.)

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post by the end of Thursday, December 11, 2008.  We’ll chose a commenter at random.  Be sure to include your email address so we can contact you if you win.  (We promise never to send spam.)

As always, our puppets are available for purchase from our Etsy store.

whale-tails

We are excited to share 4 new sets that are bound to make you feel like heading for the ocean.

Check out our Etsy store for:

  • Whale Tails (pictured above) – Beluga, Blue Whale, Humpback Wale, Orca, Right Whale, Sperm Whale
  • Blowholes and Blubber – Blue Whale, Dugong, Humpback Whale, Manatee, Right Whale
  • Flukes and Fins – Beluga, Dolphin, Narwhal, Orca, Sperm Whale
  • Flippers and Whiskers (pictured below) – Polar Bear, Sea Lion, Sea Otter, Seal, Walrus

Happy swimming!

flippers-and-whiskers