I have always been interested in puppets of all kinds. The way one can make these in-animate objects appear to come to life with hidden hands is something I still find delightful (Although I know many folks who find it creepy!) My toy-making adventures as a child included hand puppets with felt bodies and heads made from styrofoam balls covered in fabric or paper mache, and full-bodied animal puppets stitched from my own patterns made with plush fur, in addition to the childhood puppetry standards-paper bag puppets and sock puppets! My brother had a fantastic clown marionette when we were young and I wanted one of my own, but never thought of making one. In recent years though, I started a couple of times to create a marionette bear, but became side tracked with other projects (as I often do).
Then, last month, when I came an online marionette class taught by one of my favorite doll sculptors, Diane Keeler, I had to do it. It was a birthday present to myself. The class was fantastic, and I finally finished a marionette! It's a young Mad Hatter. If you'd like take a class from Diane yourself, you can find some here along with classes from other talented artists! www.aforartistic.com
Here are some in-progress photos:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgZWZrdipFK64rnwb0F37E2fNqq8pPzDcuj7g8sGzcP0cKEXfSDM4xG15DqRXMCambiYC4NqqmC3cgdmrb_NeWgegrn3xv2HlyqwUSlYuZSB095yEW3xRMGkp1B5mri4NwcaGTq1Mjac/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG) |
The parts are sculpted from polymer clay |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJazSZctxkt3DWBNEQ0C3cXLQ6Yh-UohJ5jQB8L521e5R2Q3tDRtHkoyL5fpGuqpMkc2Va44HZcfB5halrjDpQoWsuIUxRubvKiyF4hHFzlgtP7yzSvHVWr7DfiadS90SNwTQp0IhlHI/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG) |
Diane Keeler demonstrated her step by step method for sculpting perfet ears! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgpJUFHyN1YLT_RBh8q9ef9sUH8aL8Os9LIs7tpx9OQpJMkm1-3fsuILgN3XtEiNBqqNdiTkXhdNlcYek5FJY3oVdDqbprMsGxlOGZlU5QH0grDPiK8Z62a74vU88sB7-3xB07wvDfOg/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG) |
My experience in doing "face-ups" on my BJD collection helped with the painting! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oYQSipgIo5csSyoen-yk56ccuzqgq9qPuTRPrb4_SjNMqO_Hi7EC3-b4VWVBPa88BB23ecLUhTT-nfpA5hf7DltkaD_pwbqilwMx27wkLnQ0d2VBHBttiAYSN8aAx3FdLBnR_bSAkIk/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG) |
The wig is made from a scrap of mohair plush in the "use what you have" spirit! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfC1RxD1vfMKfkBkz-xqoFBDte3vzTVuRpu92onacBiU293X4IucHDBKu0sFSZ1tD8wYwyz0QX01VhL-MJ5eTEFgM-aWg_joOCCVwDN8E6rBKOzCq3WsBf-fBHMTqxhS8RsbxscRh77M/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG) |
I am pleased with his chubby hands. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdrf6Kp99_cmz5heLhGUltlDbtKpN_2JtERMMhMAFnP6oZHgUObVocXcudKqi-woLBFVV7mtw7IFpSUIZ2TB7wlV0QlVK1EdPACMf6kQyUBo7Kht7vaw-gvfuwprQLLD1eHNOjttwTG0/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG) |
This is a "use what you have" project. I bought nothing new. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24vNXDHay5t5wO_sRiKwTW0D3s7APbSijfLaR4rp2ugRCtPJ-s6I-nAgfttk9x3aJgen_adO12APwolb6QfOdGrkXa-v_wc1sBPgYSlS0ofrS-Kl7sMszo2vqAmRAEEQNK_zB347sFGM/s1600/Hatter+Finished.jpg) |
Here is my finished marionette! |
5 comments:
Tami, your puppet is magical. You have such a talent. I am so pleased you enjoyed your class.
I can see more coming.
hugs Kay
Thank you, Kay!
He's absolutely STUNNING, Tami!! I just love him. Your doll work is as amazing as your bearwork--you are truly an artist.
Hugs,
Cheryl
Thank you Cheryl!
Wow! I LOVE him! You are doing so very well with your dolls and now, marionettes! :)
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