Hi everyone.

I was just wondering, you guys and gals out there that make puppets on a regular basis, do you still buy puppets from other people when you see ones that you like?? 

I recently started making my own puppets, but I still find myself constantly scouring Ebay for the next cool puppet to add to my collection.  So for me, the fact that I'm making my own stuff now hasn't had any bearing on my interest in purchasing puppets that other people have made. 

I was just curious.

Jeff

Hi everyone.

I was just wondering, you guys and gals out there that make puppets on a regular basis, do you still buy puppets from other people when you see ones that you like??  

I recently started making my own puppets, but I still find myself constantly scouring Ebay for the next cool puppet to add to my collection.  So for me, the fact that I'm making my own stuff now hasn't had any bearing on my interest in purchasing puppets that other people have made.  

I was just curious.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

  Of course!  I have a collection of puppets from other puppet builders.  I have actually learned really great building options and tricks from studying the puppets of top builders.  I love my collection. 

- Kanja

I personally don't get the fascination with collecting puppets - perhaps because I have less of an interest in the historical aspects of puppetry. (I find those that do collect them that I know of do so because of an interest in preserving local history, or saving puppets from refuse because a company/person dies.)

If I can make it, why would I want to buy it?

On the other hand, I have a couple of puppets not made by me - a Czech marionette, a finger puppet by Staceyrebecca, a Whatnot. (The Whatnot was a surprise gift, I wasn't interested in it enough to buy it for myself otherwise - too expensive) I think I'd be more inclined to buy them if the item in question was unique or hard to find. For instance, I'd love to get my hands on an actual bunraku puppet (not 'bunraku' the way Americans use the term, but a proper Japanese bunraku), or a water puppet from Vietnam. Things that really can't be found all that easily and the building techniques not written down anywhere.

On thinking about it, I'd kind of like one of Ronnie Burkett's marionettes, if only because they're made so darn well. (I've been privileged to have a private backstage tour of his last show, and his work is that much more amazing up close)

But really, I prefer to admire people's work from afar. A puppet isn't a puppet when it's sitting on display; it's when it's onstage/film performing that it has magic.

EDIT: I'll also add that my room is stuffed full of puppets already from previous shows. Perhaps I don't feel the need to collect them because the ones I have, for the most part, were partially built by me and partially built by my friends. I already have a 'collection', just not in the traditional sense.

naw, theres just something about making ur own and bringing it to life that is just so great, i just cant imagine it being as good with someone elses creation

I'm kind of like Na on this one.  Although I wouldn't say I would NEVER buy another puppet, but I certainly make them so that I can have MORE of them for the money! LOL  I recently sold almost all of the mass produce puppets I owned and used the money to make more custom puppets. 

I wish I could buy some of the more well established puppet builder's puppets, but they are just out of my price range.  I'd love to learn from them!

I know people who buy professional puppets just to put them on display.....I toggle with the fact that even though it is great that you can build them like a priceless art piece but then people don't want to use them.  Even the Muppets had there faults and sloppy work done....by no means were they "perfect" in the sense because they new they would be used and roughed up like puppets should be.

Even though I am a puppet maker myself and always strive for "perfection" in my work.....I also try to balance it with practicality and wanting people to try out the puppet and use them.....isn't that the real reason why we make puppets? 

I am not saying that a well planned puppet isn't important just that when they become works of art they may get used less.  In no way am I under-minding the great artists of our community just saying that I believe they should be used and not displayed...they then fall under the fine line of doll making and not a puppet.

Just my thoughts on this......

Daryl H

Like Daryl said, I am now in collector mode.  Of course I am always on the hunt for the cutesy things as seen on Etsy and other handmade sites.  My main buying now is real collections of vintage pieces.  I want to get my hands on a Bil Baird and I will not rest until I do so. HA HA HA

My purpose of collecting:  I am in a sense preserving history as Na stated...I guess.  I plan on opening up my own theater with a puppet museum to show different puppets I have collected in my travels.  I am blessed to be able to travel to exotic places around the globe and learn different forms of puppetry.  I love to share my knowledge and my sights.  I am moving into a large house next month that has an art studio so I can get back to serious work again.  Yes, it is always great to make your own puppets but I can't resist a really well made puppet by another artist.  Art in all aspects is my passion.  Puppets are not dolls to me and I do handle every puppet that I own at least once a month...and let me tell you, I am a shopaholic so that's a LOT of puppets!  I have also taught my 5 year old son how to handle a puppet carefully so he plays with them, too.  But I am excited to proudly display them properly in my new art studio next month....and in the future...put them on display for the public. :D

Well, I do kind of still buy puppets sometimes. But I only buy them from Dollar Tree and they tend to be more like props than anything else.
Example: I bought some pig puppets last year and ended up putting them on a pillar for my Halloween show (probably best not to ask). If I had the budget, I probably would buy a few by other puppet makers though.

Yes I do. I direct a team as well as make puppets. If we see something we really like and (a) I don't want to hassle making it, (b) the price is right, or (c) we need one specific puppet,  I will buy it.

I just love the little critters. (puppets, that is.) If I see a puppet that is thoroughly unique, and I have the disposable cash, I might just buy it. Sometimes I will mix a factory made puppet with my own, but there is usually such a difference in style that they look a little odd together, so I don't do it too often.

The last several puppets I have purchased were items from countries I had the pleasure of visiting, and may have been a cultural icon for that country, rather like Mickey Mouse is a cultural icon in the U.S.