I belong to our companys Charity group and in an effort to do something different from the normal bakesales and chili cookoffs I suggested a lunch and learn where people pay to learn a new hobby. Of course once I put it out there I was chosen to lead it. I decided to try a puppet building workshop. Really out there for Government types but was really surprised at the turn out. I've run two in the last few months and even a puppet support group for those who couldn't survive without finishing their projects. It was a blast... now every time they see me in the hallway people ask when the next one is!
Of course I had to do all the cutting and machine sewing at home... a lot of prep work to make 22 puppets in a lunch hour!
I have to come up with workshops that are less work for me!
Raised a lot of funds for charity and people when home with a puppet and got to say "Honey look what I did at work today!"
http://littlebitwired.blogspot.com/2010/10/lunch-learn-puppet-building-workshop-2.html

That is too cool! 

that is truly awesome!

FANTABULOUS!!!  That is a lot of prep work for you!!

sorry what is prep work prepatation work you do before yiu give the workshop ?

I think that idea could catch on....................... in spite of the prep work. I Love the idea!

BD

I think this is a great idea, and have seen other people do it too for corporate charity. It seems to be a popular thing to combine it with lunch too. If I was working in an office, it'd certainly be something I'd suggest doing

Looks like you and the others had fun!

I have done a bunch of workshops using common items (dollar store) like back scrubbers, fly swatters, egg turners, etc.

John Kennedy's "Puppet Planet" books or "The Muppets Make Puppets" give lots of ideas.

I supply the above items, eyes, hair, scrunchies for mouths, etc.  Very easy to do in an hour and very little prep time.

I cut them out of fleece, then sewed up the body, head and attached the head all before the workshop. Then I show them how to sew in the mouth, add the mouth pallet and give the puppet it's personality. I couldn't expect them to bring sewing machines into the office or do the prep work as they are all beginners. They had a blast and learned some new sewing skills. I had the Chief Financial Officer attend one and a good mix of male and female students. Tomorrow I'm making Christmas ornaments, this time a no sew project. I got an even bigger group this time as I can fit more around the table.

people when home with a puppet and got to say "Honey look what I did at work today!"

That joke you made about people bragging around with the puppet they created, like a child with his school drawing coming home, reminds me of a feeling I had.
I experimented it when I was a website designer, especially when I was freelance. I worked all day and sometimes night to do my computer job and a tiny sensation grew more and more: the feeling that I was NOT doing something.
I don't know about US work conditions but I noticed it in France: a growing demand of people wanting to make or create something. Especially apart from the daily job.Something to make them feel they are real and not only a small piece of a gigantic system...

Well... I do love the idea anyway! Go on!