It's a marionette circus and it is coming to the Honolulu Zoo.  I am so excited that I was asked to perform at the Honolulu Zoo for an upcoming large event at the end of the month.  I have started to create new puppets to add to my circus act and a baby elephant was born today.  Please note that the trainer (me) is still working with him as today is the first day that he is walking.  A few more strings and a tail should finish him off by the end of the week.  Yes, that is a Slinky Jr. used for his trunk.

Thanks for looking and I will be sure to show you the rest of the line up of circus performers once they are completed.

Oh and for the video....please forgive me as you can see my legs and feet in the footage.  We don't wear shoes in the homes here in Hawaii...hehe.





Here is the youtube video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2H8kryt04U

Aloha,
Nikole

He looks great!  I love how you see his shadow first in the video.    Are you going to cover his trunk or leave it the raw slinky?  I don't think it really matters, was just curious.

VERY FUN!!  Keep us up to date on your progress!  And keep posting videos!  Thanks for sharing!

Very cute!!  I love the slinky for the trunk.  It works perfect.  You do a great job handeling him he seems so much like a baby elephant.  I've played around with marionettes with two legs.  Is it hard to get the four legged creatures to walk right?

That looks fun...really fun.

I wonder if you can rig a peanut on a fishing line through his/her trunk and have the baby elephant trying to sniff up the peanut to put in his mouth. Of course hes a rookie with his new trunk, so that would be funny to see him/her try to complete this feat. If you are doing walk around, the base of the line could be tied to your ankle and when you step back the peanut magically gets "sniffed" into his/her trunk via invisible fishing line.

...just an idea
Dont forget the pith helmet

Sonny, that's a GREAT idea!!!  I'll keep that one in mind for sure....thanks!

Shawn, originally I did want to cover the trunk but didn't know how to go about it.  Can I ask your expertise on how you might approach it?  I just didn't know how I could cover it with it still having the slinky quality to it.  I'm guessing just a sleeve of fabric?

I know I posted here but anyways............... Great job Nikole. Another amazing job.

Billy D.

Yes just a sleeve of fabric. You make the sleeve of fabric the length that you would want the trunk to be able to extend to fully.  You could finish off the end of the sleeve so it looks like the end of a trunk.

He or is it a she (I think it is a she) is adorable my daughter saw her and was silent looking to the video ( and she isn't be quiet easily)

He or is it a she (I think it is a she) is adorable my daughter saw her and was silent looking to the video ( and she isn't be quiet easily)

WOW!  That's great...the response I was looking for.  It's funny because my son likes all my puppets but he too is mesmerized by the elephant.  Every morning, he wakes up and immediately goes to the elephant hanging on our wall and says, "Good morning baby elephant," and then pats him on his head.  He also says, "I like your elephant mommy.  It's really good."  It's such a proud moment every time because it is not me asking him if he likes it...he just says it on his own free will....SUCCESS!!!  I hope he will be a big hit at the zoo this month...the elephant I mean.

Aloha,
Nikole

Oh and thanks Shawn!  I like the idea of finishing off the end of the trunk.

Those legs are adorable - and so are the elephant's! 

Nice job, Nikole!



Ron G.

He is a great looking elephant....I to love the trunk idea......it really adds that extra movement that kids love.

I can't wait to see all the animals in this circus.....thanks for sharing.

Daryl H

Those legs are adorable - and so are the elephant's! 

HA HA HA!  THANKS!!! 

I think you like what my son of 13 month said when he saw him.... Tet tet tet. He says that when he sees his elefant picture on the wall by his bed. And he said it of slinky. ... so be proud of your creation