Ok so I need alot of help I'm totally out of my bounds of puppet making here ! I'm wanting to make a costume fairy like with a star that the arms can move but it somehow be on my shoulder or arm orr something so I can walk freely . Any ideas on how I can make this happen ? My idea was to somehow place a wire in each arm then make it go down into the fingers of a dress long sleeved of course . Is this possible or is there another way ! Please help thanks so much !

Ok I'm not getting the picture but it is close.... I'm working on a drawing but need to ask a few questions.
Will you be operating this puppet while walking about?
Which hand operates the puppet? and do you want the puppet holding the star? ............ now as you are walking around you want the star to move from the puppets hand to your shoulder? Am I getting close or am I way off base here. I picturing a somewhat of a magical trick where you would tie clear fishing line around the star with long tails on both ends. One end is pinned in the puppet arm losely as it will be pulled out. Then take the other end thread the fishing line in a large needle and thread it through your clothing say right at the shoulder. You reach up pull the loose end from your shoulder and the star ends up sitting on your shoulder. Not sure if the other loose end would be noticeable.

Thats just a rough idea but you do have my brain working.....I'm not sure about details quite yet. Perhaps others can help me out here.


Billy D.

Those are some neat ideas ! But I was thinking of that star being the puppet sitting on my arm or shoulder I have seen it done with birds on an arm but never knew how they did it ? I dont need the star to have movement in her mouth only her arms (points) I like the idea of the star moving up and down the arm I will need to give it alot more thought and a few drawings thanks so much !

I hope I do this explanation justice, I am not very good with words at the best of time.

Here we go.....

For the bird illusion they have a fake 1/2 lower arm with hand (usually covered with white long up the arm gloves).  In this fake arm you have a hole cut so that your lower arm and hand fits up through the hole at a 90 degrees angle to fit a puppet on it so your real hand is in the puppet while you have the fake arm out straight like the bird is sitting on it. 

I hope this makes some sense if you are unclear then ask any questions and hopefully it will become clearer.

I think this idea might work well with your costume idea. 

Daryl H

I have also seen bird, dragon and monkey puppet that sits on the shoulder of the puppeteer. The puppet is actually "robotic" of sorts. There is a line(s) that run from the puppet down the sleeve of the puppeteer so that they can control movement in the puppet.

If you just want the star puppets hands to move you could keep it simple and attach rods to the  puppets hands that are manipulated just as if you where operating the puppet form a normal stage.  Remember puppets are magical and often the audience well suspend there belive and never see the operator or how it is manipulated.

ok please note I'm aweful at drawing first of all but this can give you an idea . I wondering what would be the best material to use as the strings that would run down my arm . If I can pull this off it will be so cool ! Also I'm not sure how to make a pattern for a sitting star I may just have to make it dna then cut and form the foam acordingly not sure yet ! You guys are awesome !

Heres my aweful drawing lol

I would run fish tubing (clear tubing bought in roles at an aquarium store) down your sleeve and have the strings running through the tube. This will keep the strings in one place and allow the "arms" of the star to come together (like clapping action) if that is something that you want the star to do.  Or you can pull one string at a time for one arm will move.   

However your drawing gets your point across very well and hope this gives you ways to secure the strings down your sleeve.

Daryl H

The tubing is a great idea and it would not only protect the strings but my arm as well from rubbing great diea thank you will update everyone when I start my project ! Thanks again

Heres a picture of what i have so far it works pretty well . I took 50 lb ocean line and put the strings trough the tube . its sewn through the arms with a support in the back . I made it from foam and then covered it in cheap fleece I had to make it stable and easy to sew ! I just ordered my dress cause I tried to make one but that tully stuff is worse than fur !!!!!!! I hate to buy a dress and cut it but hey its all for the science of puppets ! I really tired to make the perfect star but i did ten patterns and all came out the same !