Like a few other people on P&S lately, I've been away from the forums - I just wanted to pop in and say hi and to mention that I'll be back soon (I hope). I too have been having health problems over the past year, which has made it difficult to keep a good pace with everything. That's not really hyperbole either, I've been having major asthma issues so being able to walk from my bedroom to my workshop space - the next room - has been nothing short of difficult.

Monday was the worst, as my asthma increased to the point of needing oxygen at the doctor's, and yesterday I spent some time in a local ER because I thought I might have been having a heart attack (not to worry, seems to be ok outside of my asthma issues).

Anyway, I'm not really here for your sympathy (although I'll gladly take it ) because I'm not here for a whinge and I'm much better having seen a specialist and gotten lots of medications, but to explain why I haven't been around much - and in particular to apologise to all those people with whom I've had conversations on here in the last 6 months or more and never ended up finishing them. (Especially LJ if you see this, I do apologise for not replying to emails sooner. Between work and illness it's been hard)

I'd also like to say that I'm working on some new shadow puppets, and in 2012 will be heading in a totally new direction with what I'm doing. This is the other reason I haven't been around, because I've been trying out new materials and so on before attempting to post any news about it. A little of what I've managed to make so far is in the video below: a shadow puppet in a new character design. The materials are recycled plastic document folders, brads (paper fasteners) and the rods. I've yet to figure out a good rod attachment system yet, so they had been temporarily taped to the puppet for filming purposes. It's my hope to develop a series of puppets in this same style/method which I can sell at local designer craft markets.

Enjoy - I'm going to recouperate for a bit, and hopefully check in tomorrow or a day or two if I'm up to it. I hope you're all well and wishing you lots of love and good health from across the shore 

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https://youtu.be/BiTnGTRwhAo

I always know when you are not on the forum that one of two things are going on. You are either extremely busy with work or puppet projects or you are not feeling well. I'm sorry you have been under the weather.............. I've talked with others with asthma and it sounds like a awful condition to have.
I like the fact that you are always trying new products in your shadow puppets and making them easier to use. Thanks for sharing the video and take it easy.

Wow plastic document folders... what a clever idea!  They seem to work really well. 

Sorry to hear that you have been having asthma issues. I can some what relate since when I was a teen I had pretty bad asthma.  Had to do the oxygen thing myself in the past. Luckily aside for the occasional hay fever attack now and then I seem to have grown out of it.

Welcome back! I too am sorry to hear of your health woes, but excited for your new project. Looks awesome so far!

Also I've recently become aware of Jane McGonigal. Don't know if you're familiar with her but she is someone who is trying to use games to change the world. I just thought I'd mention it because she has a game (called Super Better!) she created to help herself recover from a head trauma that can be adapted for anyone combating an ailment.

Here's her 5 minute description. http://igniteshow.com/videos/jane-concussion-slayer-ep-66
And if you're interested here's the "rules" of the game.
http://blog.avantgame.com/2009/09/super-better-or-how-to-turn-recovery.html

Hope you don't mind the unsolicited advice, but I'm just really excited by her work and ideas and I figure since we're all puppet people we already have a great sense of fun and are more likely to be open to an idea of this type. I'm currently working on an adaptation of her game that I hope will help me to be more productive in my own life and work. Best of luck and best of health!

Na, I'm glad you're back at P&S. Since I haven't been around either for a variety of reasons, it's nice to know that the folks I have missed are around, as well as getting to know some new people. I have missed my little puppet world, and hope that I can start getting back into it. Life has brought some major changes, but I don't want one of them to be the loss of puppetry. It's just too much a part of me. Sorry about your asthma, and I hope that things will sort themselves out soon.

Cool start with a shadow puppet! I really like the pale dress, esspecially when she "flys". It is so dreamlike.

Get well soon and best wishes! Asthma is a real pain in the lung (just had my check-up).

So sorry to hear that you have been sick! My husband has asthma so I understand the risks and complications that can arise. I truly hope things improve soon!
I really like the use of the recycled plastic for the shadow puppets! An awesome idea! Thanks for sharing and hope you will be on the mend soon!

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts! I am doing much better than at the start of the week, even though I'm still coughing quite a bit. The meds I'm on are making me shake, which means I'm not going to be doing much of puppet building for a bit still.   Incidentally, I've never had asthma before last year, but all those who have had it (or still have it) have my sympathy. It's really quite a frustrating and scary thing to have.

Glad people like the new character, I was a bit worried at first that it wouldn't look as good as I had hoped, but I guess it works after all! My aim from here is to work out the rod attachments, and then I've got a series of great characters to develop: animals, humans and others. I probably won't be able to post updates of them for some time, since I'm still working out what characters to make.

I always know when you are not on the forum that one of two things are going on. You are either extremely busy with work or puppet projects or you are not feeling well.

Well, for a few months there I had a new job, but recently got let go (yet another start up dot com with no money for extended employment), so between that, being sick and working on the puppets it's been a bit hectic. I do wish I could check in here more often, I feel like I'm missing a lot of good discussions.

Wow plastic document folders... what a clever idea!  They seem to work really well. 

I wish I could take the credit, but once again David Currell comes to the rescue. Actually, I had tried the suggested plastic - styrene - from Billy, along with a thin polypropylene. Neither of which I was happy with. Fortunately, the recycled plastic is cheaper and easier to find; but also helps save the environment. My hope is to start collecting them from whoever has kids/just graduated and wants to recycle the folders.

Also I've recently become aware of Jane McGonigal. Don't know if you're familiar with her but she is someone who is trying to use games to change the world. I just thought I'd mention it because she has a game (called Super Better!) she created to help herself recover from a head trauma that can be adapted for anyone combating an ailment.

Thanks for that Puppetainer, when I have a bit more time I'll look into the games. (I like games!)

@LJ:

Thanks for your kindness! I'm really struggling to keep up with my emails, but I hope the site continues to go well and you're not having any problems with it. Next week I'm making sure to sit down and spend some time with my over-enlarged inbox
Hope you're well and the shows are getting booked out!

I'm really struggling to keep up with my emails, but I hope the site continues to go well and you're not having any problems with it. Next week I'm making sure to sit down and spend some time with my over-enlarged inbox
Hope you're well and the shows are getting booked out!

Not to worry! My site is working well and I am getting SO MANY compliments on it!! I am busier than ever and my fall is starting to fill up too!!

You just take care of yourself!!

Ah, I really need to get caught up... As you can see I get distracted with something else and before you know it, whole weeks go by without me replying to stuff.

I'm glad to know the site is still working well and other people continue to like it      Makes all the hard work worthwhile!

I don't know if you have school holidays around this time, or it's just an odd day off here and there (4th July and all that), but sounds like your summer is pretty busy! (Meanwhile I see 10 degrees celsius on my browser weather icon! Brrrr!)

Eventually I'll also catch up with emails and my RSS reader for your blog posts. Keen to hear more about what you're up to! Hope you and the family are all well

--- And a side note to mention that since seeing a specialist and being on better meds, I'm practically 100% better. I see them again on Wed, so with any luck the test results will tell me what's wrong and I will be as good as new. ... Or as good as you can be without going back in time