Local designer toy boutique ROBOTlove recently celebrated the release of Curster's latest toy, the Yeti designer plush, with an in-store appearance by its designer Erin Currie. Each Yeti is 9.5 inches tall with four face options, and the series is limited to 375 pieces per style. The toy is the first in the Curster line by the Minneapolis-based artist to be manufactured (as opposed to handmade). This means a lower price of $25; a handmade Curster can go for as much as $225. The line, which also includes paintings, prints and books, comprises cute yet creepy collectible creatures with movable limbs and hand-painted faces. High res pics at www.curster.com/yeti. (ROBOTlove, 2648 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., www.robotlove.biz )
Sewell preview

For the James Sewell Ballet's upcoming production of "Petrouchka," local fashion designers are getting into the act. The company is previewing some of the costumes created by the designers at a private preshow benefit. The ensemble cast of designers includes veteran Anna Carlson and up-and-comer Maritza Ramirez. For the preview, Ramirez designed a ribbon-festooned, jesterlike costume she says was inspired by a children's illustration. "There are strips of ribbon in blue, gold and bronze looped randomly at the hem," she says. "It's pretty wild."