This may seem a daft question, but I am planning to keep my axtell puppets in a suitcase on the wardrobe, Is this going to damage the latex at all.If so can you give some advice please?

You can keep it in a trunk out of the sun sure. Also rotate them so they don't get pressure on just one side. I would still pull them out every 3 months to treat the skin with 303 protectant. http://www.axtell.com/catresor.html

Ax

Thanks Steve,I appreciate the tip, I wanted to keep them in good nick obviously. I'll put air holes in the case so they can breathe LOL

Steve, would it do any good to slide a cloth covering over their heads? I made a bag for Vinnie that seems to be protectign him quite well.

AX When you store a finished product for future sales how do you store it, in the plastic bag it comes shipped in or what?
N J

I think most Axtell products are sold before they are made. There is such a demand that the time is spent filling orders rather than making a product to store. That's why you won't see many items sitting around the warehouse when you visit Axtell Expressions in Ventura. They're on the truck or in the air on the way to the customer!

The greatest enemies of the latex are the sun and the heat, so anything you do to keep them from that is a good thing. (No, not the freezer!)

We put them in a plastic bag and in a box out of the light. They are protected from the sun and ozone with the 303 protectant. Treat them every 3 months and you'll be fine. I avoid fabric bags only because of the friction. You don't want to rub the paint off over time with fabric bags. Please is slick.

There is a myth about heat I want to clear up. Direct heat will not immediately cause your latex to melt. The latex can take heat during a performance but they sometimes are made with hot glue on the feathers or in the construction. The heat especially intense heat in a closed car can soften the glue and not be good in general for plastics. Good circulation is always important. (Storing Latex back at home should be done at cooler room temperature). Over time, storing at intense heat can dry out the latex.

Latex is a natural substance so you can only prolong it's life. You cannot preserve it forever. Eventually, someday it is going to "melt" or soften and get sticky. It's natural. It happens over time, but sometimes a customer will say they unpacked your puppet and thinks it just "melted" from the weekend of heat, or from leaving it in the car. It's not really that way. We say 3-10 years is the life expectancy depending on the care they get.

Some people will literally throw their puppets on the ground behind a puppet stage and never treat them with protectant, and press their faces with their hand (when putting them on).

You can keep your puppet looking good by breaking the habit of pressing the face with your bare free hand when putting the puppet onto your other hand. Pull down, press the hair, use a plastic bag but NEVER use your bare hand. Over time, the sweat and grime will begin to soil your puppet's face. That's the money ... the face. Keep it clean!

If and when your puppet may need a head replacement we offer a very fair price. You don't have to buy a new puppet.

Ax

Wow! I'll say it backwards... Wow! I never knew they could take the heat! My wife will be happy to get the laundry room back as I move all but the feathered birds and lion back into the garage! (What am I saying? I'm the one who will be glad to get the laundry room back!)

So now I can let the puppets ride cargo in the summer instead of buying each of them a coach seat? What a savings!

You saic, "Some people will literally throw their puppets on the ground behind a puppet stage and never treat them with protectant, and press their faces with their hand (when putting them on)."

I must confess that I am one of those people. From now on I will use my free shirt sleeve to help position the puppet. When I wear short sleeves I will use my arm pit.

This 303 protectant when can I purchase it locally and how much is it. While not in use is it safe to keep the feathered birds and other figures in that plastic bag or do you not recommend it?

You can get 303 from us athttp://www.axtell.com/catresor.html There is a link on that page under the photo if you want to try to find a local supplier.



Ax

Just to be clear.....a baggie is better than a pillowcase? Really? I am switching today.

Margaret
www.talkinghand.net

The use of plastic greatly reduces friction on the face. Any fabric constantly rubbing on the latex faces can damage the latex painting. Perhaps and expensive satin pillow case may be okay I haven't tried that, but plastic is cheap and awesome.

Also the MOST important thing to keep them clean and looking sharp.....
"Don't touch your puppet's face with your hands....if you want to keep them looking good".

But, how will I get the puppet onto my hand?

Press on the top of their head
Pull the body down
Put the bag between your hand and the puppet's face if you need to press the face

avoid your hands on their face. over time the oils, grime, dirt and copper from handling coins will collect on the puppet's faces and very slowly start getting ugly.

I wondered why my hands never seem to bother the face of the puppets. You mentioned that the oils and grime from handling coins was the problem. I'm a ventriloquist so I haven't had any money to handle!

I will say that my wife has been using a satin pillow case for 17 years and she looks as good today as the day I married her. She has tried to put a baggie over my head before while I slept. She wants to preserve me!

Tony I wonder if that worked? If it had then you better jar it and sell the rights to the next medicine show who passes through your town.
N J

I was in an Ikea store today and noticed some colorful storage boxes. Some were large enough for a medium sized puppet. I always like being able to store a puppet in a container that is stage appropriate. For example, the alley cat would look great coming out of a bright aluminum trash can! The bear looks great coming out of a larger trash can on wheels.

The boxes would not be story props, but they are colorful enough to keep in plain sight until you need the puppet.

Any ideas for other Axtell puppets and stage/storage props?

Fried chicken and large chicken bucket.

Alley cat from a cat carrier.

Basset hound from a lighweight doghouse.