Ordered Foam For Prairie Dogs

I've decided for my prairie dog puppets, and the boy puppet, that I want to use a higher grade of foam than I have previously used. I have ordered some reticulated foam from an upholstery supplier in my region. I have been told by some other more experienced builders that reticulated foam is the most durable foam for building puppets. So I'm hoping that in a few days I'll have the foam in hand and can get started on building those critters.

I have already designed the prairie dog puppets and I have purchased the fabric for two of them. I'm going with terry cloth and I believe that it is going to be a challenge to get the fabric to fit right because it does not have any stretch. Always before have I've used fleece that has some stretch to it which made fitting fabric significantly easier. But the principles of covering are the same I'll just have to fuss with it till it comes out right.

For the colors I'm going with some cartoon type colors. Greens for one, purples for another and I haven't decided on the others yet.

I'll have pictures as soon as I get some actual construction done.

Puppet Theatre Build Update

The frame for the puppet theatre I've been working on is completed. The Base for this theatre is a large bin called a "Smart Bin." The frame work for the theatre is 1/2 inch copper tubing and the necessary fittings. I chose copper for three reasons. One, low profile when transitioning from fitting to tubing. Only about 1/8th of an inch. Two, ease of availability. In every community across the country I can get material to repair or modify the stage. And three, cost. Some may think that the copper would be an expensive alternative. The entire frame, excluding the bin cost me about $35.00. If you compared that cost with other options it's a pretty good deal.

The over all stage height is about 7 feet. The stage opening is 54 inches off the floor and is about 40 inches wide and 30 inches tall. The back drop will hang about 15 inches back from the front and the puppeteer(s) will stand behind with the drop hanging between him and the puppet. There are two arms extending out the front that will support the stage lights. All very securely supported by the smart bin. One thing I really like about the frame is that it is constructed so that you can still open and close the lid of the bin.

At this point I need to acknowledge that I based my stage design on the stage that Swazzle is currently using for their shows. I really like the versatility and and simplicity of their stage layout.

Prairie Dog Parables

I have begun plans for a new puppet show that I am hoping to use as a one man street show. For this I am creating five new puppets. Three are prairie dogs, one is a wood chuck, and the other is a field mouse. My plan is to adapt several of Jesus' parables and bring them to life in my puppet theatre. Check back to see the progress I make as I build these new characters.

For those wondering whether or not I'll be able to complete the boy puppet I announced a few weeks ago I want to assure you that I have plans for him as well. So its busy, busy, busy in the Bashful Puppet workshop.

Puppet Theatre Build

A few weeks ago I was given a rugged tool box that is roughly 36 inches long by 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep. I am going to convert this into a puppet show in a box stage and all. I am designing a stage that is somewhat patterned after the stage that Swazzle has been using this past summer. The stage will be about 5 feet wide and 7 feet tall. I plan to post pictures of the completed stage so that you can see what I come up with.

Little Dragon Shadow Puppet Video

I was watching Daryl Stiqman's PuppetLive blog, over a BlogTV, and he showed us a exerpt from the video, "The Little Dragon" performed by the Puppet Art Theater Co. This performance is a perfect example of the power of shadow puppetry and truly wonderful story telling.

I found it inspiring and am really thinking about how I would like to use shadow puppetry in the productions I'm working on. Because shadow puppets have different limitations when compared to hand puppets I think they would add to the power of a puppet show. I think they would also work well for dream sequences since they are two dimensional and monochromatic.

Regarding the boy puppet. I waiting for a chance to get to the foam store to pick up some reticulated foam so that I can get on with the building.

NEW POST - Boy Puppet

Well after a crazy busy summer and early autumn I am back and beginning a new puppet build. For this puppet I am leaving the world of insects and moving to people. A boy puppet to be specific. I haven't lost interest in my cast of insect characters I just think that as a builder and sometimes a performer I need to have a person puppet in my line up. The boy puppet is based on a character in a Max Lucado children's story, "A Hat for Ivan," that I think would make a great boy puppet.



I am using a modified pattern I purchased from Dr. Puppet as the foundation for the head and some building techniques I learned from his puppet building videos.

I should also say that while I am making the time to build puppets I still have many other projects that re demanding my attention so I may not be able to update as often as I would like. Have to keep my priorities in line. That being said I am looking forward to this build. I plan for it to be the best construction to date.

I'm Back and Hard At Work

Honestly I am hard at work,though admitedly most of the work has nothing to do with puppets. My house needs some work and thats taking up quite a bit of time. And then there's my work...that goes without saying. Fortunately for the puppets one part of my work is to prepare a program for 100 kindergarteners at a regional campmeeting.

The theme that I have chosen requires that I write several dialogs between one or two of my puppets and a leader. This means that I will be posting some puppet scripts in hte next few months so stay in touch.

Sorry no puppet builds at present. I would love to build but they take a lot of time and distract me from other things that I ought to be doing (like writing scripts and working on my house).