I'm new even to the idea of making puppets, and I admit I'm not very handy with crafts and things.  I'm familiar with thread and sewing and patterns (the basic idea, anyway) and hot glue because my mom did this sort of thing sometimes, but I really have no skill set.  All the stuff I've looked at online seems to suppose that I can handle waxing thread and a million other basic skills. 

So, before I get waist-deep into materials for a project that's way beyond me, could anyone advise me about the skills I really should find a way to practice, or a resource that suggests how to instruct yourself in that sort of thing?  Would really appreciate it!  Thank you.

Sounds to me like you have the basics that most new puppet builders have.  BTW Waxing thread simply means that you draw the thread through a block of bees wax.  Most folks don't even do that. It just helps coat the thread and keep it from tangling when hand sewing. Do you know how to machine stitch? That would be one skill worth working on. You don't have to use a machine but it sure speeds up the process.   If you want to practice hand stitching then grab some needle and thread and scape fabric. The hardest part in hand stitching is getting nice even stitches so they hide well.  Check your local craft store and see if they offer classes in sewing. That could be helpful.  Some have classes on making cloth dolls and many of the same skills are used in puppet making.

Sounds intimidating, still!  But thanks! 

I am or was 20 years ago familiar with the basic workings of a sewing machine, but don't have one.  Maybe I should look into the cloth dolls before trying anything much more difficult. 

I'm going to 'disagree' with Shawn, even though I know he will say much the same...

This totally depends on what puppet type you are wanting to make. The biggest failing newcomers have is to assume puppetry is only made up of what you see on TV or what resources are popular. Everyone talks about Muppet making because it's the most popular; but at the risk of giving the impression that there are no other (or less interesting) styles. If you're worried about your skill set, think of what materials and skills you have now, make sonething with those, then as you gain confidence move into the other skills you need to do other forms of puppetry. If you're worried about not knowing what to do, that's ok! Invent your own thing! There are also plenty of other resources, including the people here, who can advise on puppet making outside of muppets and marionettes.

Yeah, thank you, Na.  The Muppet designs are lovely and I like them a lot, but that sort of thing is beyond me right now.  Maybe someday, if I got really into this, appropriated a sewing machine from my mom, learned about materials, practiced, etc.  But I would like to work on something -- dare I ask if you have any ideas for what I could look at that's less technically demanding but still worth trying out?

Totally depends on where your interests lie. If you give some specifics on that I could better point you in the right direction. Having said that, a basic rod-based puppet could be a place to start. You can take any toy and glue some rods to it, or sculpt the body yourself with foam or papier mache. That would give you some good starting points for learning about weight, joints, etc. Something I did when starting to build was to only make a head of a puppet, an alien muppet-type, which was a bit free form and totally full of mistakes... But allowed me to test out my skills before working on a full blown puppet.

If you want some inspiration you should check out the puppetvision blog, or you can browse my puppet website bookmarks here:
http://www.schoolofpuppetry.com.au/media/puppetrybookmarks.html
I have saved a lot of good tutorials of a range of different puppets, most pretty basic and for beginners. Also, because you're in the US, I recommend seeing if there is a puppet guild near you. They can provide info about classes you can take, which is good because you can have materials and machines provided for you. www.puppeteers.org or www.unima-usa.org will have info about puppetry in your area.

Huh.  Very cool.  Thank you for the ideas and resources. 

To explain a bit more: I have long been attracted to puppets but only recently thought "I am an adult, I could make a (crude) puppet".  I am a language teacher and thought it might be fun to work with culturally-appropriate puppets someday. 

I like the notion of the cartoon, popularized by Scott McCloud, that "when you look at a picture, you see someone else.  When you look at a cartoon, you see yourself."  McCloud justifies this by noting that when you observe someone else's face, you see the whole thing, but although you control your own, you are just generally aware of the placement of your features.  Therefore, he suggests, a simpler, less detailed imagine is easier to project oneself into. 

It seems like puppets may behave in this way, too.  I'm interested in experimenting.  Will check out some of these links later this evening!

You shouldn't be intimidated and Na is right, there is a lot of puppetry beyond the "Muppet style". I think some of the most interesting work is done by people with no experience in puppetry who don't have a lot of influences or consider anything "sacred". They often come up with the most original and innovative ideas - Jim Henson was one of those people.

BTW, that phenomenon Scott McCloud refers to where people seem themselves or faces in random objects is called "Pareidolia".

Doesn't pareidolia usually refer to seeing oneself in a random, unmotivated shape or image (the arrangement of gravel on a driveway or something)?  I haven't heard it referring to something like a cartoon or a puppet, although I suppose it makes sense.

Yes, I think I may have mis-read your post (in my defence, I had just woke up!). I don't remember if McCloud mentions pareidolia by name, but he does refer to the phenomenon. I suppose puppets and cartoons would be more accurate described as visual abstractions?