What gets me motivated to build my puppets if I'm inna funk, I like to put on dvds of my favorite cartoons/black n white comedies. Even though I'm not watching the background voices and sound effects keep me in good mood. I do notice too that I will accomplish a lot when I get in the ZONE.

Sometimes if I am building a certain character, I will correspond a particular movie or show that coincides with the puppet character,...pirate movie  for pirate puppet, Western for a cowboy puppet..ect. But usually just a favorite cartoon or black and white comedy does the trick for me..I love having the 3 stooges on when building my pups.

Get into a puppet building Zone - make it a fun hobby/job not a chore.
Puppet Hugs,
Sonny 

I have found that if I am not motivated, getting together with people who are involved in the same kinds of things I am helps.  I am the Children's Ministry Director at our church.  We require our teachers to attend several training sessions/conferences/workshops per year (they have choices as to what they attend).  Other CM Directors tell me they have a lot of burn out or non motivated people. We don't, and I think this is why.  I also have several CM Directors that periodically call and ask to meet with me and tour our facility, just to get some inspiration.  Sometimes they bring some teachers with them.
The above also applies to puppeteers and puppet directors.
 
If you can take a class, attend a workshop, or even go and visit another builder and see what they are doing, this will help spark your creativity.

What gets me motivated to build my puppets if I'm inna funk, I like to put on dvds of my favorite cartoons/black n white comedies. Even though I'm not watching the background voices and sound effects keep me in good mood. I do notice too that I will accomplish a lot when I get in the ZONE.

Funnily enough, I also watch cartoons in order to cheer me up. My favourites are Loony Tunes, I have a couple of sets and after about an hour I'm all relaxed

Last night I got frustrated after spending the day listening to all the chaos and noise of the weekend household. After a while I gave up trying to do some work on my computer, grabbed a blanket I'd been making out of scrap fleece, and sat in front of a DVD and did some handstitching. I finished sewing a pocket onto the blanket and 2.5 hours later felt much better. For some reason I find handsewing to be very relaxing.

I have found that if I am not motivated, getting together with people who are involved in the same kinds of things I am helps.  I am the Children's Ministry Director at our church.  We require our teachers to attend several training sessions/conferences/workshops per year (they have choices as to what they attend).  Other CM Directors tell me they have a lot of burn out or non motivated people. We don't, and I think this is why.  I also have several CM Directors that periodically call and ask to meet with me and tour our facility, just to get some inspiration.  Sometimes they bring some teachers with them.
The above also applies to puppeteers and puppet directors.
 
If you can take a class, attend a workshop, or even go and visit another builder and see what they are doing, this will help spark your creativity.

This is very true too. I think many of us puppet makers end up working on our own, and it's easy to forget how good it is to be around other creative people.

Why not find a local craft making group? (Brown Owls for instance) I recently joined up with a craft making group and met a whole bunch of people who are in various stages of what I'd experienced: not knowing how to do something, knowing but having problems, being successful, etc. Listening and discussing everyone's projects was extremely uplifting and has inspired me to recreate my puppets in order to make for a better business plan. Everyone in the group has been extremely supportive and it's boosted my confidence to execute my plans.

And we only meet once a month, so there's no pressure. We turn up and have a chat if we feel like it, or we can turn up with a project to work on. We're all working in different craft areas (some are graphic designers/web designers, some sew or crochet, some write, etc.) so it's also inspirational to see what other people are doing and get out of the mindset of 'puppets'.

I wish I knew of some workshops or anything where I live. I also wish I knew a church around that did puppet ministry because I currently do not have a place of worship since my falling out six years ago with my old church.

I wish I knew of some workshops or anything where I live. I also wish I knew a church around that did puppet ministry because I currently do not have a place of worship since my falling out six years ago with my old church.

I was the same way: there's really nothing here in Melbourne (Aus) for puppet makers. Luckily a couple of months ago a friend introduced me to a brand new craft making group.  Have you looked at joining your state or national puppet guild? ... Craft markets would also be a good way to find out what's happening. I recently went to one and found some flyers for a paper festival, and they had a stall set up so you could make origami. ... Or hey, just grab some friends and make your own puppet-building day!

There is a puppet guild? Keep in mind I've only been doing this since last November.

Well, in the US there are different organisations. First you have UNIMA USA (http://www.unima-usa.org), which is the American branch of the international puppetry organisation. From what I gather UNIMA USA is far more active than the branch in Australia, so yes, there might be classes or other things. (Here UNIMA doesn't do much of anything by way of classes, etc)

But there is also the Puppeteers of America (http://www.puppeteers.org), which is a national body, with guilds in various states. I don't know if there's one near you, but they're worth checking out. EDIT: Just looked, and there is a west Michigan guild. http://www.puppeteers.org/reg_gl_wmich.html

Both places would be an excellent start to looking for events in your state. Plus there are lots of festivals and museums in the USA, although I don't know any of them off the top of my head. Puppeteers of America runs the only one I know of immediately, but I've heard of others.

"wish I knew of some workshops or anything where I live. I also wish I knew a church around that did puppet ministry because I currently do not have a place of worship since my falling out six years ago with my old church. "


Have you checked the One Way Street website for festivals in your area?  That is a great way to find churches with puppet ministries.  If there is not one, email OWS and ask if they know of any churches in your area that have puppets.

You can always get on the phone and call area churches, or check their web sites for puppet ministries.  Another idea... a lot of churches want a puppet ministry, but have no one to head it up.  If you have that talent, find a church where you are comfortable and approach them about starting one.

Run an ad on Craigslist to see who does puppets in your area (either building or is a puppeteer). Set up a meeting place ( a local restaurant, a church, library, etc.) and start a group.

Neat, I'll check around.
By the way, I went to my doctor and he prescribed me Zoloft. I'm afraid to take it though since prozac didn't work well for me.
Oh well, I guess it's worth a try.