Hi all,

In a few weeks I'm going to start selling a really good, generic pattern for making hand and rod puppets. The pattern is different than most of the foam puppet patterns available because this is more like Kermit the Frog in the sense that it doesn't require foam (although you can use foam if you want) and it's much, much more flexible and expressive.

You'll be able to purchase the patterns from a website as a secure downloadable PDF file. Basically you just pay online with PayPal and download the pattern and instructions instantly.

The question I wanted to throw out to the group is what does everyone think a good price for a pattern is? How much would you be willing to pay?

Ah this is very good news Andrew!  The fact that it will be available for immediate download as a PDF file should be a big bonus for puppeteers.    Hopefully this also helps cut your overhead so you can offer it at a lower cost.

I know that  a lot of hard work goes in to developing a pattern like this not to mention getting it in to a format that folks can use.  It would be nice to see a well developed basic pattern for a price under $20.00.   I do feel that the lower you can place the price the more you can sell.  

I have often heard puppeteers say they just can't afford a pattern.  I don't think that it is so much that they do not appreciate the time it takes to develop a pattern but perhaps in the past they have purchased a pattern only to find it was not really what they expected.  I say this to justify keeping the price low.  If you could offer the download for say around $10.00 then you may get more takers.  If you plan to develope other patterns that are maybe more advanced they could be a higher price.  

I reality a good pattern is priceless since it can be used to create countless puppets but you have to get folks trust first.

To others who may be reading this.... I trust Andrew and any pattern he may produce.  All you have to do is check his blog that is listed in is Profile or below his post to know that his level of professionalism is top notch.    He gets my vote!

Andrew,  The saying you get what you pay for is true. I have been buying patterns for over two years mainly to use in my class as a reference to my students to see the differences and ways they are simular. I personally go by the experience of the builder. I have bought items that were costly and wished I hadn't. I will have to admit that the Puppet Project forma trio package was pricey, and it did not come with instructions on covering the puppets with fleece. I would say the average price range I have paid is between $7.00 to $150.00 Nevertheless I would love to have the pattern no matter the cost, If I have to eat peanut butter again so be it.. Good Luck! don't let the guilt of satisfying the puppet world cause you to undercharge for the pattern. Make sure you cover your overhead expenses. Let me know when this happens so I can sell it from my website.
Billy

Andrew I did forget to mention of two other sites that sell puppet patterns in PDF form I thought you might want to take a look. http://www.biblepuppet.com and http://www.puppetsforministry.com I hope this helps. Desmond from bible puppet.com sells his on ebay also.
BILLY

I just recieved this e-mail from "Clef Desmond" of http://www.biblepuppet.com

He has just designed a variety of puppets for a group " Believenet" a website designed to explore all types of religion http://www.beliefnet.com

Some of these puppets landed a recent interview on " The Fox News Network" it was recorded on " You Tube"
Congrats to Mr.Desmond for his sucess.

Those that have used the pattern... I thought might be interested in this news.
I have it but have not made a puppet using the pattern but for those interested you can can get it from his website.

Billy D.

While I'm here has anyone heard any updates on the pattern that Andrew was working on. I kind of put it in the back of my mind.
Andrew has been extremly busy over the summer and may have not had time to give us the information... Perhaps it will be coming soon.

Billy D.

Yep... Andrew has been double-plus busy lately! I'd still love hearing more about his proposed foam-free puppet pattern though, unless he feels like Project Puppet's Glorified Sock Puppet or Roly patterns made his redundant.

 

Ron G.

Nope, still planning to do that. They'll be going up on PuppetBuilding.com soon. Just really need to find the time to finish putting the PDF files together.

Thanks Andrew for taking the time from your much busy schedule to update us on the pattern. Where do you find the energy to do all the different projects that you are invoveled in.

I'm looking foward to see the finished pattern project. Puppet Building is shaping up real nice.
Thanks for the update

Billy D.

Sounds great, Andrew!



Ron G.