Hi, everyone, my name is Joel.  I just stumbled upon this forum and figured it would be a cool place to get back into puppets.

Back in high school, I was in the puppet group at my church.  We would perform regionally and even competed in some national talent competitions.  We took gold nationally a few years while I was on the team.  When I grew up, I got into theater, and then computers and left the puppets far behind.

While interviewing with our new church's pastor, I mentioned my puppeteering past and he told me of an opportunity to get back into it.  There is a guy who does sunday school occasionally with a full-body puppet.  He needs a "partner" and someone to give him a week off now and again.  I'm still getting to know more about what he does, but am looking for a good builder to do a custom puppet.  I don't have the time or the skill to do something that will look really professional.

While I look, I thought I'd check out the threads and dip my toes back into the community. 

Joel, welcome to Puppets and Stuff! I'm sure that you will find lots of helpful information around here, there are some really sharp folks. If you have questions, I have found that these folks are incredibly generous about sharing their knowledge and ideas.

Again, Welcome!

Welcome Joel!

Welcome, Joel! 
Tell us a little more about the custom puppet you are looking for.  Many of us are builders on this site...I'm sure that we'd be happy to help.  Are you wanting help so that you can make it?  Or, are you looking for someone to build it for you? 
I'm the director of our church's puppet team, and we've been doing a lot of traveling, as well as performances in our children's church.  I'm happy to hear you're getting back into it!  It's a blast!
Again, welcome!
Sara

Welcome Joel  glad you took the time to sign up and share a bit about yourself....we love to help so ask away and we will certainly do whatever we can.

Good luck on this great opportunity.

Daryl H

Hi Joel I can say some things are coming back in your life. Welcome here. I agree there are a lot of very good builders here, if you ask a question there is allways a good answer you can do something with.
Is this topic something for you for the first staps in building: http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,4638.0.html

  Hi,  to P&S. The best site in puppetry

Welcome!!  We will look forward to hearing all about your puppet ministry AND PLEASE post pictures!!  We love pictures!!

Welcome, Joel.  There is a lot to leran about every aspect of puppetry here at Puppets and Stuff.  Tell us a bit about the puppet you're wanting to have built.  There are several talented builders that my be willing to get you set up with the puppet you want.

Welcome to the site. Please follow one rule: "Don't feed the puppets."