Hi everybody, wow, it's been forever since I was here last. I am recently working on several projects, some of them are about writing my first books, and while I was in a rut in my writing, I decided to check in my workshop and found an old marionette I had first started when Shawn was doing a tutorial on marionette making. So I decided to continue on the project, as I am making a wacky body for my character. I don't know if I am doing right or wrong, just following an idea as I go. So I would like to say hi to everybody and know that I will be lurking around for ideas and inspiration, answers and ask questions if necessary. Later and see you all on the other side of the curtain :D

Hey Should! Great to see you back!

Yep been a long time since I was doing those tutorials.  We never really finished but I am sure you can get things sorted out. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

P.S.  I'll look into the twitter thing.

Hi Shawn, it is great to be back. I do have a question, it is easy to find marionette patterns, but as for the controllers it is a whole other ball game. Where on the net can I find good controller ideas and patterns? Thanks.

Yeah, it has been a while but remembering how we did the head, I know I can just use the same steps to make the body, which I am working on right now. Should be fun.

See you soon!

P.S.: Thanks for the twitter issue.

There is not a whole lot on the web in the form of "patterns" for controllers. There are some images if you google and look at the images but not always very clear.  I always use a simple air plane control for marionettes.

The green leg bar has a hole in the middle that fits over a peg in the main control so it can be removed. The purple shoulder bar is what I call a drop down. it is suspended a couple inches below the main control via a cord that runs through it's middle up to the main control. This is what holds the weight of your puppet and by suspending it below like this keeps the entire puppet from jerking when you move the main control.  The hand and head bars are attached to the main control.

What about vertical controllers? I have small hands and my wrists are a bit weak and I do wonder if I would be able to create a vertical controller that would fit my hand perfectly. What information do you have on these? Thanks for everything.

I don't really have any info on vertical controls. I've never used them. I mean I've seen diagrams and such and even played with a few of them but never really liked the "control" they gave me. Here is an older thread on the subject. http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,4222.0.html  I've heard others suggest the book below for folks interested in different types of controls. It is supposed to have the best details on all the different types.
Link no longer available.

Thanks Shawn, I will look out that thread. I will also do some research on the "Fish" controller. You have helped me a lot with this as now I have something to really research, as a name always helps.

Welcome back SHould! Sorry I didn't say that before, I've been a bit muddled of late. Good luck with the marionette building!

Thank you Na, it's good to see you. Are you still in Shadow puppetry?

Thank you Na, it's good to see you. Are you still in Shadow puppetry?

I am sort of. I am just now transitioning to a new brand, the idea being that there will be some shadow puppets and some other artsy type stuff like short illustrated novels and things. I'm currently working on a poster, and developing an idea for some short-run wall art as a way of fundraising/using up some of my materials. Maybe, if I can be bothered