By now some of you (though not all) have probably heard of my financial woes, losing my home in Florida, and moving to North Carolina. Circumstances stink, but we are making the best of it and hope to climb out of the financial disaster that hit us as a result of my bout with pneumonia earlier last year.

I have listed five soft figures, all unique in their own way. A female pig, friendly monster, bear, bird, and a rabbit.

I'm basically clearing out non necessity items, much of my Henson collection is already gone but some rare items remain and have been listed on eBay as well. Along with the five figures these items are also listed:

Bergen & McCarthy commemorative gold stamp
Jim Henson original signed record
Fraggle Rock Book Lot
20 assorted Muppet related collector magazines (seprately listed

Most items are currently available for view on eBay, but some of them are newly listed and are awaiting a recent eBay update to make them visable to the public.

You can find me by doing a search by my Member ID: Puppetplanet

or by clicking Here: http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems&since=2&userid=puppetplanet&include=0&rows=50&sort=3&completed=1


Thanks,
-Michele

I am truly sorry to hear about your tough situation. I am glad that you have people surrounding you who are helping you through.  I certainly wish the best of everything to you in your new location!  Many puppet hugs

I didn't realize you were in such a tough situation.  I wish your whole family all the best during many changes..

Does this mean that you are getting out of making puppets or just selling extra stuff not needed?

Daryl H

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes. I still plan to try and remain in the puppet making business, but I'm extremely far behind due to delays from the move & a few setbacks along the way. I guess time will tell, but I figure if I'm meant to do this then something will work out. For now, I'm selling completed figures I had available and the majority of what remains of my collectable stuff to try and get by while I move forward.

On a brighter note, I HAVE always wanted to move in this general area and since rent & cost of utilities are cheaper in both Tennessee & North Carolina compared to Florida... it just seemed like a good time to make the move. My spirits are really lifted by the mountain view that I have from my back yard, I just can't believe that renting this place is costing me HALF of what I paid for my mortgage in Florida! The scenery even just during the drive to the post office is breathtaking and makes me feel lucky to be here. Schools for the girls are WAAAaaaay better here than Florida as well!

Furthermore, my workshop is now three times the size of the one I had in Florida so it would be a disappointment if I couldn't make use of it puppet wise. Hoping to pull through this because it would be fun to have a place for classes & social gatherings with like-minded puppet & vent enthusiasts.

I have been so fortunate to have received help from local businesses in both states, as well as a client I met at the Kidabra Convention back in August who made Christmas possible for my two girls last month. We have been extremely lucky in the friends we have and new ones we found.

Hugs,
-Michele

Sorry to here about your situation, Michelle. The patterns and materials you sold me are a tremendous help in improving my own puppets-Steve

Must be hard for you and your family go through all those things. But good to know you're lifting up (Along with your family) Hoping you'll be better and back to business (You are such a great artist) I like a lot your job, I really like it (Its one of the best I've seen).
We'll see you back soon and share more of your art and great ideas to design and create puppets!

Best wishes (May the Grace and The peace of the LORD be onto you)

Miguel!

Thank you guys for your well wishes and letters of encouragement that I've received. I really appreciate it.

Steve, I'm so glad that you have found patterns helpful. I am always saving pieces as I go through prototype changes when designing a new pattern so I'm sure I'll have another envelope full of patterns goodies to make availalbe for sale soon.

Hi Miguel! Thank you for the compliments on my work and I'm glad to hear (from your PM) that your diving into your own experimentation with puppet building. Your certainly in the right place for picking up new ideas and help along the way. I'll respond to your private message now too.

-Michele   

So sorry about everything. :'(  So happy you like your new home!

We are in a similar situation.  We also live in Florida.  I lost my job due to health problems and am still looking for work a year later!  We lost our home and now rent a mobile home in an iffy neighborhood.  We plan to move to South Carolina where my extended family live so if you ever have a workshop in your new place maybe I can sign up!  Our move is delayed while my husband finishes his Master's degree and my two boy's start college in August.  If we move before that they have to pay out of state tuition. So far now we pray that the car doesn't break down and that no one gets sick....My mother helps bridge the gap money wise while she is in the Peace Corps because they pay her living expenses so she has a little to spare from Dad's social security.  Thank God!
I don't mean to ramble but thought it might help to know that you are not alone....
Anybody out there hiring ?

Wow, some tough times for our fellow puppet lovers.  It's nice ot know that others will help you out when things get tough.   

Daryl H

So sorry about everything. :'(  So happy you like your new home!

We are in a similar situation.  We also live in Florida.  I lost my job due to health problems and am still looking for work a year later!  We lost our home and now rent a mobile home in an iffy neighborhood.  We plan to move to South Carolina where my extended family live so if you ever have a workshop in your new place maybe I can sign up!  Our move is delayed while my husband finishes his Master's degree and my two boy's start college in August.  If we move before that they have to pay out of state tuition. So far now we pray that the car doesn't break down and that no one gets sick....My mother helps bridge the gap money wise while she is in the Peace Corps because they pay her living expenses so she has a little to spare from Dad's social security.  Thank God!
I don't mean to ramble but thought it might help to know that you are not alone....
Anybody out there hiring ?

Yup, I hear ya about the car. We are down to one and the radiator went last week but then the heat stopped working/blowing too. They don't appear to be related, and the leak on the radiator is in a spot that can't be repaired. Junk yards in my area don't have any for my truck because it's a V8 instead of the common V6 for my model. I put stop a leak in it for now and it seems to be holding up (fingers & toes crossed!). My fiance is still working on trying to get the heat working.... especially since we have more snow coming at the end of the week!  Good think I LIKE snow! 

So sorry to hear that your having troubles too. In this case, I really don't want company on the hardship front.    But I do know that the economy is affecting everyone right now. Even with a new administration, it will probably take a long time before things start moving upwards. In the mean time, we are all just hanging in there and hoping to make in through without too many more negative life changes.

Though I must say that this particular change for my family is turning out quite positive in other areas not financially related.... I've joined an awesome church locally and things are heading in a direction that might bring forth the only puppet ministry in the county. I think when times are tough, the best thing you can do for your well being is to give to others that are in need. I can't give money as I've always done in the past, so now I give myself... which can actually be even more rewarding than giving money.  

Hugs & best wishes to your family during these hard times!
-Michele