Best Bets
Wizard of Ease
For many, the word marionette conjures up unfond childhood memories, hours spent trying to untangle hopelessly knotted strings. But sculptor Daniel Oates has come up with a way to eliminate frustration. His enchanted - and enchanting - Darwin the Wizard is manipulated by four strings whose tiny tops are color-coded to the plastic handle. best of all, the strings can be slipped on and off the handle for taking care of snarls.

  New York  
  November 15, 1999  

Santa's Little-known Helpers
(excerpts)
Dunstan the Dragon is a plastic marionette from Bozart Toys, a company that hires artists to design its products. Dunstan's creator is Daniel Oates, whose sculptures were described by the New York Times as "possessing the purity and beauty of religious art". Karen Searvie, owner of the Wooden Horse in San Jose, Ca., has simpler words for Dunstan: "He's a very handsome dragon - with wings."

  U.S. News and World Report  
  December 15, 1997