How To Make Puppets For Fun
Puppets For Fun
There is really something magical whenever a puppet comes to life. Hand puppets, sock puppets, finger puppets... it doesn't matter, they all make us smile (and forget about the 'real' world for a while). This lens is dedicated to this magic. And we will explore the additional magic that occurs as we create our own puppet friends, and then make them come alive... right in our own hands! If you feel "too mature" to be caught making your own puppets, then grab the nearest child, and use them ...

How to Make a Really Big Puppet
Step by Step to a Giant Head
Puppets like these are used in street demonstrations, festivals, protests, pageants and theater. It's a great way to get your message across in a dramatic way and build community through creative collaboration. I made this page several years ago, but I have been newly inspired by the Occupy Wall Street actions. I am in the process of building a new big head and documenting it as I go. I'll post a tutorial with photos when finished. Please note - this tutorial was created to share what I lea...

Scary masks from afar.
Masks from African, Bulgarian, Native American, and Mexican tradition
Here's a collection of fabulous masks from around the world. What they have in common is that I love them. I'm currently copying one of the "El Tigre" masks and you can watch my progress at Instructions for making a giant puppet.

Michel Nedjar and his Purim Puppets
The fabulous art of Michel Nedjar
While I was in Paris I saw the exhibit of Michel Nedjar's "Poupées pourim" (Purim puppets) and was dazzled. It's impossible to capture in pictures the exquisite, powerful intricacy of Nedjar's work. The colors, textures, shapes, and weird intent are a magical combination. Below, my poor translation of what the museum says about the exhibit (see Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme website: "The days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them fro...