Cool find and it has two chapters about puppetry! Might not be long chapters but still kind of neat that they included them. Love the word "Shadowgraphy". Had never read or heard that before.

I have to agree kind of with Na. It may be that terms are not so much incorrect as localized.  For instance when I spoke with my foam supplier they where not really familiar with the term reticulated foam but when I explained to them that it was an open cell foam kind like you see used as a filter in things they understood what I was looking for. Same thing with the EVA foam. That is what they call it but when I use it here others have a hard time finding it, but if they explain that it is a very closed cell foam that is kind of like a rubber mat that often boating cushions are made of it helps them find it. EVA is also what they use for the fun, funky or craft foam that you do find in craft stores that comes in sheets and often is next to the felt squares.

So same thing with piano wire. Another name used is spring wire and most likely a better term to use. The trick is to understand why we like to use it. Have a look at the wiki definitions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_steel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_wire  The first has more technical data that could help you out maybe.  The properties of this wire are that it is hard to bend so it bounces or springs back to it's original shape.

Yeah!  So pleased to have you back and posting!  I have been keeping track of you via other sites so know you've been busy but it is nice to see you back in the PandS neighborhood.

I hadn't heard much about this project lately.  It is nice to see that it is progressing quite nicely. http://www.melonpooltmp.com/  Great puppets and some nice behind the scenes shots.

I had thought that Steve was a member here but could be I am remembering him and the project from over at Muppet Central. Well worth checking out!

I don't know if she meant me or the Chimp!

That made me smile. I personally see nothing scary about it or you.

Do send pictures when you get the puppet... can't wait to see it!

I answered your questions in your other introduction post. Do a search here on the site though for blinking or moving eyes.  We have had a lot of discussions on this before so you'll get some good information that way also that I may have missed.

I knew this was going to happen. Can't say that I am a fan of 3D though.

Received this via email and thought I would pass it on.

Casting director Russell Berman is looking for puppeteers, special effects artists, creature creators, and character designers with skills including but not limited to puppetry, drawing, sculpting, painting, robotics, animatronics, fabrication, sewing and costume design for this new reality competition series. Artist at all levels are welcome to apply.

Artists chosen for the series will be challenged to design and build original creatures and sophisticated puppets, utilizing illustration, sculpting, fabrication, costume design and mechanization. The winning creature creator will receive a prize package worth up to $100,000, including an opportunity to work at a professional creature effects company.

Application deadline is Monday, august 19th, 2013. Legal US Residents only.

If you are interested you should contact Russell Berman at JRCreatureCasting@gmail.com ASAP.

Crafty,
I agree with scojack, can't wait to see picture of your new theater! So tell us more about your idea for changing cloths and moving your marionettes laying down.  I assume you have figured out a way to detach the strings.  Even with the strings attached permanently, you can still transport them with out hanging by simply placing a back over the puppet itself then tie a ribbon or string about half way up the strings (more if they are really long strings). Then you lay the puppet down and the control on top of the bagged puppet. If you pack them fairly tight in a trunk then they don't sift much and the strings won't get tangled.

I think many puppeteers or builders are not that great at marketing. In fact if truth be told most likely any small business owner struggles with it and for the most part I doubt they can afford to pay someone to do it for them. It is important but I think perhaps for the average puppeteer or builder the basics are the most important thing to remember. Social media and a box of business cards can take you a long way in this day and age. A mailing list can is a powerful tool whether it is snail mail or email but it can take time and the creative ability to write good copy.

The only time it is going to be profitable to outsource, is once your business has hit a certain point.  While time is money, when starting out you are more then likely going to have time on your hands which takes nothing out of your pocket book. When you come to the point where the time spent takes away from building or actual performance, then it is time to perhaps think about outsourcing.