FAQ
Copyright 1992 Colleen Olson-Bauman U.S. Patent #D 346,415
IS THE WHOLE ANIMAL IN THERE?
YES!.... I couldn't cut them up! actually, the design has more stability with the whole
animal intact.
WHAT IS THE BOX MADE OF?
The 3" to 8" boxes are 200lb test cardboard. I hand cut the 2" boxes from scratch
using recycled high strength cardboard from a template I made. Ironically my least
expensive music box takes the most time to make and is the most difficult to do!
WHERE DO YOU GET THE ANIMALS?
I have an account with a few wholesalers, but many come from local stores. Making
such a wide variety of designs allows me to buy a smaller quantity of each animal and
support local businesses. I use quite a few beanies now which work well in the 3"
music box. Beanies come in such a great variety of animals which really helps inspire
new designs.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU USE?
I use Sankyo 18 note keywind music movements. I keep a number of them in my
workshop from Christmas and Hannuka songs to children's songs and popular tunes.
Current popular tunes ARE NOT AVAILABLE! For the most part the songs are standards
like, "You Are My Sunshine", "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", "Take Me Out To The
Ballgame" or "Love Makes The World Go Round" etc. Currently, I have about 60
different music choices in my workshop for you to choose from.
HOW LONG DO THE MUSIC MOVEMENTS LAST?
As long as the key is not turned more than 3 or 4 times each time they are played,
they should last for a long time. Turning the key 4 times usually gives at least two
minutes or more of music.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE EACH MUSIC BOX?
An average of 2-3 hours depending on how complicated the design is. I like to make
many of the decorations from cookies, candies, cakes and tacos to a computer with
"mouse", yamicas, pickles and ice cream, or a plate of Thanksgiving food for a turkey
who got the wrong idea about being invited to dinner and came with a napkin around
his neck and holding a knife and fork! The humor is in my genes, I can't help it!
IF GIVEN AS A GIFT, HOW WILL THE PERSON KNOW WHAT IT PLAYS?
I make a hang tag that I laminate and pin to the music box with a safety pin. This tells
what music it plays and if it is a special order, I write on the back, "Created Especially
For" with the name and add the date. Also I sign each music box on the back opposite
the key.
HOW DO YOU MAKE THE FABRIC COVERING?
I use quality fabric and cut it into squares trying to make sure the designs on the
fabrics will be in the proper area on the box after it is sewn. This is the only time I use
a sewing machine. I sew the bottom square on by hand with a quilting stitch.
WHY DO YOU ADD THE RUFFLE AND RIBBON TO EACH BOX?
The basic design is a wrapped gift box. The ruffle represents the "tissue" that would
be inside the box. I use ribbon in a complimentary color to tie it together.
HOW ARE THE DECORATIONS ATTACHED TO THE MUSIC BOX?
I hand sew each decoration on with Dual Duty Button and Craft thread and try to sew
items onto the design so the stitches are not visible. For example, for the box of
chocolates I make the box and sew it to the paw of the bear, put some fabric in the
bottom then sew each piece of candy into the box and to the animal so it looks
"natural" at least as natural as a bear holding a box of chocolate can look! I take as
much time as necessary which is why I am a better artist than business person!
HOW DO YOU SHIP THE MUSIC BOXES?
They travel well! I pack them into strong boxes with bubble wrap or recycled plastic
grocery bags. I have always shipped by USPS and they have always gotten the music
boxes to their new home in great shape!
YES!.... I couldn't cut them up! actually, the design has more stability with the whole
animal intact.
WHAT IS THE BOX MADE OF?
The 3" to 8" boxes are 200lb test cardboard. I hand cut the 2" boxes from scratch
using recycled high strength cardboard from a template I made. Ironically my least
expensive music box takes the most time to make and is the most difficult to do!
WHERE DO YOU GET THE ANIMALS?
I have an account with a few wholesalers, but many come from local stores. Making
such a wide variety of designs allows me to buy a smaller quantity of each animal and
support local businesses. I use quite a few beanies now which work well in the 3"
music box. Beanies come in such a great variety of animals which really helps inspire
new designs.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU USE?
I use Sankyo 18 note keywind music movements. I keep a number of them in my
workshop from Christmas and Hannuka songs to children's songs and popular tunes.
Current popular tunes ARE NOT AVAILABLE! For the most part the songs are standards
like, "You Are My Sunshine", "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", "Take Me Out To The
Ballgame" or "Love Makes The World Go Round" etc. Currently, I have about 60
different music choices in my workshop for you to choose from.
HOW LONG DO THE MUSIC MOVEMENTS LAST?
As long as the key is not turned more than 3 or 4 times each time they are played,
they should last for a long time. Turning the key 4 times usually gives at least two
minutes or more of music.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE EACH MUSIC BOX?
An average of 2-3 hours depending on how complicated the design is. I like to make
many of the decorations from cookies, candies, cakes and tacos to a computer with
"mouse", yamicas, pickles and ice cream, or a plate of Thanksgiving food for a turkey
who got the wrong idea about being invited to dinner and came with a napkin around
his neck and holding a knife and fork! The humor is in my genes, I can't help it!
IF GIVEN AS A GIFT, HOW WILL THE PERSON KNOW WHAT IT PLAYS?
I make a hang tag that I laminate and pin to the music box with a safety pin. This tells
what music it plays and if it is a special order, I write on the back, "Created Especially
For" with the name and add the date. Also I sign each music box on the back opposite
the key.
HOW DO YOU MAKE THE FABRIC COVERING?
I use quality fabric and cut it into squares trying to make sure the designs on the
fabrics will be in the proper area on the box after it is sewn. This is the only time I use
a sewing machine. I sew the bottom square on by hand with a quilting stitch.
WHY DO YOU ADD THE RUFFLE AND RIBBON TO EACH BOX?
The basic design is a wrapped gift box. The ruffle represents the "tissue" that would
be inside the box. I use ribbon in a complimentary color to tie it together.
HOW ARE THE DECORATIONS ATTACHED TO THE MUSIC BOX?
I hand sew each decoration on with Dual Duty Button and Craft thread and try to sew
items onto the design so the stitches are not visible. For example, for the box of
chocolates I make the box and sew it to the paw of the bear, put some fabric in the
bottom then sew each piece of candy into the box and to the animal so it looks
"natural" at least as natural as a bear holding a box of chocolate can look! I take as
much time as necessary which is why I am a better artist than business person!
HOW DO YOU SHIP THE MUSIC BOXES?
They travel well! I pack them into strong boxes with bubble wrap or recycled plastic
grocery bags. I have always shipped by USPS and they have always gotten the music
boxes to their new home in great shape!
| ownership and copyright of all site content held in full by Colleen Olson-Bauman |
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
U.S. Patent #D346,415
BEARINABOX.BIZ