I have recently seen advertisements for puppet building workshops.  I would love to attend one of these, but it is always the distance that prevents me.  I live in Wisconsin, (USA), and there never seems to be any of these live in person workshops available somewhat nearby.  I am wondering if there are any online workshops available?  Does such a thing exsist?  I would love to learn how to make puppets like the ones Verna Finley made, but can't find much.  Any help is appreciated!!

Daryl (Stiqpuppet) does workshops online.
Check him out on blogTV --- http://www.blogtv.com/People/StiqpuppetsLive

Yes Daryl's blog TV is so amazing.  He teaches you everything you need to know on how to make your own professional puppet...AND IT'S FREE!!!  You can catch him doing live TV blogging and the count down is in the left hand side where all the new threads are on this site.  But you can see all his recorded shows on his link.  There is a wealth of knowledge in his videos...again FREE!  I can't tell you how much I spent on books so to find that Daryl is doing this FOR FREE...it's just amazing and wonderful.  He is brilliant.  He will answer your question live if he is on but again you can view all of his recorded shows.  He has every step recorded to show how to do it and do it well and easy with supplies available to everyone.

Check him out!  You'll be glad you did.

Creaturiste on BlogTV also kind of does workshop type stuff. He works on puppets quite frequently at anyway and usually offers information quite freely. He's also talked about doing actual workshops online if people are willing to pay.
http://www.blogtv.com/People/Creaturiste

Online workshops are great!
Just to let you know, I live in WI also...is there anything I could help you with?  I am still learning as well, but maybe I could give some pointers.  
Sara