What inspired you to start making puppets?

I've always loved puppetry. As a toddler I can remember playing with marionettes that my grandfather had carved. In High School I was involved with puppetry at my church and my mother, who is a wonderful seamstress, made the puppets for us to use. The performing of puppetry continued for me into college, but nothing terribly serious. About 5 years ago a friend of mine asked me if I could help out with a show he had thought of. He's a wonderful artist, but didn't have the skills to bring it into 3-D. I'm not so sure that I did either, they were terrible puppets, really. Most puppeteers, I think, make their own puppets, so I suppose with being a performer, I'm just following in that great tradition of other puppeteers.

What is your background (previous career area?)

Oh there are so many to choose from! I have worked as a "friend" of characters at Walt Disney World in Florida, I was a nanny, I worked at a toy store, and as a performer for a children's theater. Right before I had Noah, I had been working with children with Autism, doing home therapy. My original plans were actually to graduate with a teaching degree and move to the UK to teach in my dad's old school in Blackpool.

Did you have specialist training in puppet making? - if so what/where was your training?

I've had the pleasure and great honor of working closely with The Great Arizona Puppet Theater. The director of the theater has brought many professionals in to teach various workshops and I've been fortunate enough to take them. People like Nick Barone and Drew Allison have been wonderful inspirations to me. However, I think that most everything I do is by trial and error. I think that's an important way to learn. That way you develop your own style and methods. It's good to take lessons from others and mold everything you learn into something new and wonderful of your own.

How many hours a week was your training? How did training fit round your son, or did you do it before having Noah?

I did some of my training before having Noah, however I think a lot of it has been via weekend workshops and a gracious husband who loves spending time with his boy.

Roughly, how much did your training cost?

So far most of my training has been in the $50-100 dollar range (total over the years). I'm about to go to my first National Puppetry Festival in St. Paul, Minnesota, (US) in July, which is going to cost me about $650 for a full week of workshops and training, shows, and fun! I'm very excited. You can, however, spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a degree in puppetry from quite a few schools.

How did you go about setting your business up? (from a business perspective - initial funding etc) Did you have any professional help?

 

I didn't actually intend to set up a business. Initially some people (now dear friends) at an art gallery asked if I would be willing to show/sell some hand puppets at their gallery. I was sick at the time and unable to get to the sewing machine, so I grabbed some fleece scraps and started making finger puppets for them. It kind-of snowballed from there. I joined Etsy about 6 months later at the urging of a friend, and have turned my hobby into a wonderful little business. Initial funding was very small, I'd say less than $50.

Did you carry out any research you carried out to know your business would work?

No, however I did do research once things started going well. Nothing has been terribly formal. I just like to make sure that I'm on track with things.

Where do you carry out your work now?

I work from home, but I always have some sort of project with me for when I need to kill time.

 

Do you need lots of specialist equipment?

Not at all. A sewing machine for the big ones and a needle and thread for the smaller ones. Fabric and maybe some spoons or balls for eyes.

Do you make all of your puppets yourself?

Every single one! I don't use a pattern either. I like to improvise and see what comes together. I adore making them. Selling them is really just an excuse to make more.

What inspires your designs?

Improvisation, the color or feel of a fabric, and wanting to be 8 years old again.

How many hours do you work a week?

I work 3 hours a week teaching children in after-school programs. Probably 15-20 hours a week on my puppets. Possibly a bit more when I get a lot of custom orders. Sometimes less if I get a touch burnt-out. I try to do what's best for me, even if that means I make less money in a particular month

How does the job fit round your family life?

At times it seems like it doesn't, at other times it seems to all flow together perfectly. Noah plays and creates things himself while I sew. He loves to sew his own puppets (usually looking like a pile of fabric, but he can surely see quesedillas and lizards in those piles). My husband watches our son while I teach and do performances. Take-out for dinner helps out sometimes, too.

How do you find customers - do you advertise?

I opened up a shop on Etsy.com and I haven't really advertised, other than making business cards. I got lucky with the first 10 customers, treated them exceptionally well and then word spread from there!

What is the earning potential?

I have had months where I've grossed more than $400. That was when I put a lot of work into it. I'm sure I could keep that up, but I don't want to right now. I think I figured out that if I spent none of my earnings and sold and made 8 hand puppets a day I could be a millionaire in 15 years. Problem is that I can't make 8 hand puppets a day unless I give up sleeping, eating and using the restroom. But there's that potential!.

Is the job/running the business rewarding?

Terribly rewarding. Otherwise I wouldn't do it. I love to know that the art I create is currently in 8 different countries, being played with by grown ups and children from all walks of life.

Do you think it is a job that fits in well with being a Mum?

I think it does. I love to see my son create. He told me he wants to grow up to be an artist. I love that. It allows me to be with him during the day. And really, what kid doesn't want to grow up around puppets, making movies, and performing? Ok probably a few, but I wasn't that child. Seeing your parents play with toys is, in my opinion, very important.

Any advice for a Mum or Dad wanting to start start making puppets commercially?

I'd say to jump right in! Take workshops when you can and perform when you can as well. The great thing about puppetry is that there is no wrong way to make a puppet. Sure there are better ways than others, but, unlike making bears or porcelain dolls, no puppeteer will say "that's wrong" when looking at another puppeteer's work. A good puppet is a puppet made by someone who understands comfort while performing. Get involved in the puppetry community. Puppeteers of America (www.puppeteers.org) has many members from all over the world and has loads of resources.

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Useful Links

www.puppetcraft.co.uk

www.puppeteersuk.com