Hello to all! I'm actually quite new to puppet building/making and I've been trying my hand at recreating custom shoulder puppets (somewhat similar to how a woodbaby works, but soft, poseable, & custom).

I've made one full puppet already (full of bugs and such, but it did work somewhat. Great learning tool for me)


His name is Samson the kiwi ^^ (here is a video of the puppet in action )

The second puppet I am currently trying to make is a Pangolin:

But I've hit a snag with this one. Unlike the woodbabies, the pangolin's head is much larger and thus I am having issues with it flopping around when extended. I'm not really sure how to fix it without interfering with the turnability of the head, and thus I am stuck at this stage of the construction process. If anyone might have some suggestions on how to fix this, I would totally be forever grateful!

Edit: Since posting this, I have figured out how to fix my problem by using extra supports in order to keep the head straight when extended ^^. It was a lightbulb kinda moment it twas!

Your kiwi is beautiful! Good luck with the pangolin, I wish I had a suggestion for you, but someone here is likely to, there are a lot of smart folks here.

I love  these................ The bird is magnificennt. The fur looks like soft downey feathers. The housing you are refereing to, Is this some form of animatronics to make the head move so smoothly?

Billy D.

I love  these................ The bird is magnificennt. The fur looks like soft downey feathers. The housing you are refereing to, Is this some form of animatronics to make the head move so smoothly?

Billy D.

Yes, I am trying to get it to be a smooth motion when extended, but thus far it wants to flop about (otherwise it's perfectly fine when down).

Thanks for sharing!!  They are wonderful! 

Could you post an image of the connection and mechanism you are useing?  This might let some of use to help figure out an alternative that would work.

Very nice work you have there.....it sounds like you are figuring things out by trial and error.  I like the animals that you have chosen so far....hope to see pictures of the second one once it is done.

Thanks
Daryl H

I am finding this so fascinating  I have never heard of these creatures. i did find this site.............. It seems to be a rare form of art. I did not find a whole lot of people making them. I agree with Shawn that seeing the assembly you are using will help determine what you need to change to achieve what you are wanting the puppet to do.

http://fantasypuppet.com/

Billy D.

At the local Rennasaice Festival around here, there is a lady who makes and sells little animals like that.  She sells them very expensive but lots off people puschase them. I don't have one... yet.