Hi, I'd firstly like to say what a great looking forum! My main reason for joining here is because I'm very interested in attempting to make myself a ventriloquist puppet. If I'm any good at it, then I might make a few! Designs I like are birds, and monsters (like animal from the muppets!)
So what im after is links to places to get ideas of where to start, what materials etc I will need to get going. I'll have a good look around the forum when I get back from work (time to go now :-(!!!!!)

Thanks for reading, Ben

Hey there Ben, welcome to puppetsandstuff, its always great to meet someone just getting into puppet building. are you looking to make a puppet or vent doll?? if you are looking to make a puppet, then www.projectpuppet.com is a fantastic site to buy patterns from, but have a look into billy.d.fuller's album and he has a few good patterns in there for free to get started, especially the round head pattern. but over all im sure we can be of help to you, all it takes is a little thinking and the motivation to see a project through and you will be making masterpieces in no time!!
also have a look at www.puppetsmith.com it has only just started up, but it is the kind of site that gives tips and help on how to create a puppet from sketch to finished puppet, it is run by master puppet builder Pasha Romanowski, the guy that owns projectpuppet, he is a legend and well worth following on puppetsmith.
hope we can help you out and visa versa,
good luck,
Ben.

Welcome!! Can't wait to see your puppets!  Good luck in your endeavor and please remember that we would love to see step by step photos!!

Welcome to Puppets and stuff.................. there are numerous sites out there with a abundance of information. Here are just a few for starters. Whether you make your vents from soft are hard materials each will do the job.

http://www.throwthings.com

http://bellsouthpwp.net/g/k/gkoepke/fig.htm

http://www.puppetsandprops.com/home.html

http://www.venthavenconvention.com

http://braylu.com/VentControls.html

http://stevebarry.blogspot.com

http://www.alstevens.com/ventriloquism/fredhtml/blinkers.html

Jeezbo - Sorry if I didnt make myself clear - I want to make a 'muppets' style puppet for ventriloquism. I would be interested in buying a kit of some sort to start out with but most of the links Ive seen have been from shops in the US. As Im in the UK will I be faced with import duties? How easy is it to buy things from the US?
Many thanks, Ben

Sorry Ben! If I find any UK links I will post them.

No worries Billy, Thanks anyway.

Do you ship stuff to the UK? Id be keen to try one of your kits. Also being a super Noob, I'd like to know any aditional items required - Ie a sewing machine etc. Still looking around the forum

Can't you download the Project Puppet patterns?  I know there are quite a few folks in the UK who has them, so it must not be too hard to get them.  There is one of our members in the UK that started importing and selling things... I bet Billy is retrieving that link for you now.  I am also sure that jeezbo, aka Ben also, will be back by and give you some ideas on purchasing locally.

P.S.  I just checked your website.  Interesting combination of interest you have there.  I can't wait to see you add in puppetry to the mix. Now what would that combined image look like. hmmmm....

P.S.  I just checked your website.  Interesting combination of interest you have there.  I can't wait to see you add in puppetry to the mix. Now what would that combined image look like. hmmmm....

That website is staying as it is! This is just something for fun! Although I intend on practicing my ventriloquism to a good standard! (ive worked out a character or two - just need the puppets now!)