As most of you know my wife has been fighting cancer since this time last year. A couple months ago we though it was over but we were wrong. Two weeks ago She was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Everyone I'm at my wits end. I'm broke from all these hospital bills, I have puppets to finish and nothing to finish them with. I'm serious considering selling off everything I have left to get enough money to finish these puppets and pay for Becki's new surgery. I don't know if anyone would even be interested in any of the puppets I have left. All the 99 acre woods crew. I know I would have to sell them cheap. I also have lots and lots of fur I could sell. Although I really don't know if anyone wants it. I'm frustrated everyone, I know I have been absent from here for so long but frankly I'm tired. I feel like the puppets have let me down. I know its just the situation but Ive gotten to the point I hate the site of puppets. Not too long ago I was going to start the show back up and get 99 acres back on the net but now I really don't know. I'm thinking it would be best to get rid of everything and try and raise enough to dig my way out.

I really don't know what to do.

Jay (Drpuppet)

Suppose I could get rid of all my patterns too although I don't know if they would be worth anything to anyone. Everyone does build different.

Jay,
I'm so sorry to hear about your situation, it pains me and I feel for you. In the end, it is your decision but do know that we are all here for you and hoping for the best.

I am positive people would be interested in some of your material. I know I could be interested in at least copies of your patterns. True, everyone builds different but this community is an example of how we all still learn from each other and support each other, whether its with puppets or with life.

I wish you all the best and truly hope that you get past this dip in life and begin to climb up high. (:

I would really hate to see you give up your puppets.  I can understand them being moved to the back burner for now but once your wife gets better I am sure you are going to want them back. 

Maybe we as a community can help you out financially some.  I would be more then happy to send a bit of money your way. Do you have a PayPal account?  I would also like to offer putting a donation button on the site here that would lead to your PayPal account.  What do the rest of you folks here at Puppets and Stuff think?  If you need some supplies to finish out some puppets maybe some would be in a better position to send you off a care package of puppet supplies you might need.

We are here for you.

I thought I would remind everyone about Jay's video tutorials. He has them available on his site for only $5.00! Perhaps you are in need of one these and this would be a great time to order them.
http://www.drpuppet.com/video_tutorial_page_1.html 

Jay,

Shawn posted on FB about you needing a lift in spirits, yet I had no idea why. I couldn't imagine being in your shoes at this moment, and nothing compares to the difficulty your facing. So for what it's worth, I've faced times of struggle (they pale in comparison to yours) and have thought about giving up puppets myself. I nearly sold off everything I had, and lost just about the rest during my hard financial times. Like you, due to personal struggles, I had lost faith in what I was good at.... and what made me happy. You are so talented, and it's obvious that you enjoy it.

Of course, only YOU can make the choices that you feel best suit the needs for your family. However, I do want to say... I think you would regret getting rid of everything. Aside from the fact that it's VERY difficult to start back up at a later date when you have sold everything. Consider also that having the ability to build something once in a while may help you take your mind off things. In times of sorrow, I still built a few things here and there out of old clothes & donated materials.... for the sake of feeling good about giving something to a child/church/etc. as well as feeling good about still doing something I enjoyed. All of us here, we share a passion for this work and I think being able to do something we love and use it as a source of income, full time OR part time, makes us pretty darn lucky.

Please post your email address here for those of us who would like to send a little something via Paypal to help out.

I'm sending you virtual hugs as you face these hard decisions and please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
-Michele

I can't imagine what it would be like to face the things you are facing right now - please know that I will be lifting you up in prayer, but please let us here know how else we can help! The donation button is a good idea and I would love to help. I know that probably right now all those foam critters seem to have turned their backs on you, but they have also brought you so much joy over the years and I agree with Michele that you shouldn't give up on them entirely. Perhaps some of them can be sold right now to help out. Perhaps you could let us here on P & S know what you'd like to sell first and maybe someone could adopt on to help out! But don't give up on them all together. Hugs and Prayers

I can send a care package............ PM me what you need. Consider me a partner and friend 

Even if you sell the puppets, hold on to the patterns! Your web site is well set up and the quality of the work and your methods is obvious. This makes the tutorials, videos and patterns a valuable asset, that can continue to generate revenue. Don't give them away, especially now.
I've been meaning to buy your moving eyebrow and eyelid tutorials for a while, the Australian dollar is strong right now and it would be a good time to finally do it. My own finances are a little stressed having just left a lifetime career for a family change but perhaps I can pay it forward...
You beat it once, perhaps you'll beat it again, chin up
Scoob

I am praying for you my friend. I am a Rev. so if you need to talk to me I am here for ya. Check out my profile and drop me a line and we can write on there. I will have some others praying for you as well.God bless you . You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will see what else I can do. Drop me a line with some contact information maybe we can send you something to help you out. You are not alone my friend.