Really nice... looking forward to seeing more pictures.

Thanks everyone for the kind words ..means a lot
Just been reading a fantastic story of a life of puppeteering by Ted Beresford
Here's the link  Beresfordspuppets
What a life, makes me want to give up my real job (I work as a programmer in I.T.) and lead a more bohemian lifestyle ... on the road performing and whittling...ah well we can all dream!
It's a fantastic read if you have a few minutes spare.
Interestingly he makes a referance to a Sand Dancer puppet at one stage ... so looks like i'm not the first to do this one    still...im in good company, wish there was a photo of it for comparison.
Thanks again
Ian

PS found another one !

Funny I have been dreaming of being a programmer, maybe we can switch brains.

Your welcome to mine Snail......theres only a few cells left that are still firin' !

Ted Beresford very kindly sent me a picture of his Sand Dancer Marionette from many years ago,as well as a sketch of the controller he used...

Morocan Roll ...



Love the carving on this, more detailed on the hands and feet but the face is quite simple, yet still manages to convey detail and expression.
A master at work.

It was donated to the UK Puppet Guild and is looked after by archivist Michael Dixon.

Love the simple angles on the face of Ted's sand dancer. I agree it really captures a feel an emotion.

Last photo ...


And the controller..
Wanted to try an upright, with a few mods.



next  \  ...

Couple of questions about the controller - why are the two wires on the left bent in the middle? What are those things to the left and right of the ends of those wires? (They look like little round things)

Ah Na,
I'll try to explain...

The hands have 3 strings each.
One at the wrist, one on the palm and one on the back of the hand which gives me the rotations i was looking for.

The front of the control wire is cross shaped (3 loops) which gives me 3 hanging points per hand.
The wrist string is connected to the end of the control as normal, the palm and back strings are suspended each side.
These 2 'side' strings are terminated with a small bead.
(Hope this all makes sense)
So, you can manipulate each hand by pulling up a bead, you can use your other hand to do this (if it's free) or
alternatively pull the bead and slot into the loop in the middle of the controller to leave your other hand free to work the leg bar, this allows you to 'pose' the hand(s) while attempting a humourous dance
The head bar swivels too on a kind of capston job.

Bet there is an easier and obvious way of doing the same thing ! If there is then i am to stupid to see it.

I think the control is ingenious! Makes sense to me.  Love the use of a bead and bend in the wire.  I normally do this with a ring and then a hook on the controller that the ring is looped over. Both are very valid methods and I think it depends on the action/result you need.